Blog | davidsmith208

Backhand lob

From wide ad side serve

davidsmith208

Mar 281 min read

Classic doubles trap

And block volley ai tennis You’re actually diagnosing this exactly right—and what you’re describing is one of the biggest transitions from “solid rec player” → “strong doubles player.” Let’s break it down cleanly. ⸻ 🎾 1. The alley ball mistake (key tactical error) Ball pulled you wide → you hit back to net opponent → lost point This is a classic doubles trap. What happened: • You were stretched (low control) • You hit low + forward • Net player = easiest poach/finish 👉 T

davidsmith208

Mar 283 min read

Compulsion vs Election

Great question—this is a rich and subtle part of the Masnavi, and Redhouse’s Victorian phrasing (“compulsion and election”) can make it feel more philosophical than it first appears. 👤 Who is Abu Jahl? Abū Jahl Real name: ʿAmr ibn Hishām A leading opponent of Muhammad in Mecca Known in Islamic tradition as: Proud Intellectually sharp Spiritually blind 👉 His name “Abū Jahl” literally means “Father of Ignorance”, but ironically: He was considered clever and capable—just misdi

davidsmith208

Mar 283 min read

James Redhouse

A beautiful translation: Yes—James W. Redhouse did produce an early English translation of Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī’s Masnavi, and your impression is right: it reads in a distinctly Victorian, poetic English style. Here are the key details: ⸻ 📜 What Redhouse actually translated • Title: The Mesnevī of Mevlânâ Jelâlu’ddîn Muhammed er-Rûmî • Published: 1881 • Scope: Only Book I (the first of six books) 👉 He did not complete the entire Masnavi. His work covers just the opening boo

davidsmith208

Mar 282 min read

AI tennis coach

Great question—this is exactly where things get interesting, because you’re sitting on very valuable data (video + tagged stats), but most players don’t turn it into real coaching insight. Here’s a clear, practical way to use AI with your SwingVision footage—from simplest → most advanced. 🧠 Option 1 (Easiest): Use ChatGPT directly with clips You don’t actually need a special “tennis AI model” to start. How to do it: Export from SwingVision Short clips (serve, return, rally,

davidsmith208

Mar 272 min read

Tennis results

Good—this is exactly the kind of detail that changes the real story of the match. Let’s tighten the analysis with that correction. 🧠 Corrected Big Picture You did NOT win because of net play at all. You won because you and Kevin were more consistent from the baseline and on returns. Even though: Pat (25% volleys) > You (21%) > Ed (14%) > Kevin (9%) 👉 The “best” volleyer in this match was still only at 25%, which is very low. 🎾 What Actually Decided the Match 1. Kevin was s

davidsmith208

Mar 272 min read

Die before you die

You’re reading this passage very perceptively—this is one of the densest and most important teachings in the Masnavi by Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī. Let’s unpack your insights carefully and tie them to what the Persian original is getting at. 1. “Die before you die” — not literal, not near-death This phrase (in Persian often expressed as “mūtū qabla an tamūtū”, from Islamic tradition) does not mean a physical or near-death experience. It means: Die to the ego (nafs) Die to fal

davidsmith208

Mar 273 min read

A man is known by the company he keeps

You’re looking at a classic passage from the Masnavi by Rumi, and the Persian there is quite compressed and poetic. I’ll translate it into clear, natural English, line by line in spirit (not just word-for-word, since Rumi’s meaning flows across lines). 📜 Persian → Clear English Translation (Section 70) 🔹 First couplet (right column) گر خفاشی را ز خورشیدی خورش نیست آن دلیل آمد که آن خورشید نیست 👉 If a bat finds no nourishment from the sun, 👉 that is not proof that the sun

davidsmith208

Mar 252 min read

Just clamp it?

You’re exactly right — trying to hold both devices complicates things. What you’re describing now (just a secure laptop holder above your keyboard) is much cleaner—and yes: 👉 Clamp-based laptop mounts are exactly the solution you’re looking for. 🎯 What you want (in plain terms) A device that: Clamps onto a surface (desk, table, or possibly keyboard stand) Holds your laptop elevated and stable Doesn’t require a big floor stand Won’t wobble when you play 🥇 Best overall: clam

davidsmith208

Mar 252 min read

Music work station

Yes — what you’re describing is actually a very common music production setup, and there are purpose-built stands for exactly this: holding a laptop + iPad above a keyboard safely. The key is choosing something with: Dual tiers (2 shelves) Raised lips or clamps (so devices don’t slide) Adjustable angle/height (so it sits above your keyboard) Solid base (or tripod) for stability 🎯 Best solutions for your exact setup 🥇 Best overall (what you want) 👉 Why this is ideal: Two se

davidsmith208

Mar 252 min read

God does not like those who sink

This is a subtle line, and it can sound harsher than Rumi actually intends. He’s not condemning people who struggle—he’s pointing to a direction of the heart. 🌊 What does “those who sink” mean? In the passage you showed, “sinking” is not about: failing feeling pain being weak It’s about orientation: 👉 Sinking = turning downward and staying there willingly toward ego (nafs) toward greed, inertia, indulgence toward forgetfulness of the divine So the contrast is: Upward Downwa

davidsmith208

Mar 242 min read

The Donkey

You’re reading this exactly in the spirit of Masnavi—it’s symbolic language, not literal narrative. Let’s organize the imagery clearly and then get to your deeper question about the wise enemy (intellect) vs the ignorant body (donkey). 🌙 Core Symbols in this Passage These come from the symbolic system used by Rumi: 🌙 Moon → Divine Light The moon reflects the sun → like the heart reflecting God’s light It appears in darkness → guidance during suffering So: Divine truth shini

davidsmith208

Mar 242 min read

The two signal net player

Yes—this is exactly how high-level doubles operates. What you’re asking for is essentially a pre-point coding system so you and your partner act as one unit instead of two players reacting separately. I’ll give you: A clean finger-signal system (simple but powerful) What each signal means A strategy plan behind each one (this is the real gold) 🎾 PART 1 — Standard Finger Signal System The server’s partner (at the net) signals behind their back. 👉 Serve Direction (first signa

davidsmith208

Mar 203 min read

Doubles tennis talk

This is a great direction—good doubles teams are basically running a mini language system on court. Short, fast, unambiguous. I’ll give you a standard “vocabulary” of doubles calls, what they mean, and when to use them. You don’t need all of them—just pick a core set and be consistent with your partner. 🎾 Core Doubles Communication System 🧭 1. Ball ownership (most important) “Mine” 👉 I’m taking this ball Prevents hesitation or collision Use early and loud “Yours” 👉 You ta

davidsmith208

Mar 203 min read

Talking to yourself is not crazy

What you’re doing—saying “move back” out loud—is actually exactly what high-level performance science recommends. It’s not weird at all; it’s a tool. Let’s break it down in a clean, practical way. 🧠 Why talking to yourself works (the real mechanism) Neuroscience (and sports psych) shows that self-talk helps in three key ways: 1. It speeds up decision-making When you say: “move back” “crosscourt” “step in” You are: turning a vague perception into a clear action command That r

davidsmith208

Mar 202 min read

Run around it

Great—this is exactly the kind of thinking that actually moves your level up. I’ll give you a tight 30-minute “AI-style” session first, then explain the “run-around forehand at point C” idea from Craig O’Shannessy in a clear, practical way. 🎾 30-Minute AI-Style Tennis Session (Built around first 3 shots = highest impact) ⏱️ 0:00–5:00 — Warm-up with intent (not random) Mini tennis → baseline Call your target out loud before hitting “cross” “line” “short” 👉 This builds decisi

davidsmith208

Mar 203 min read

AI based tennis practice

Yes—what you were doing is actually very aligned with how modern AI-driven tennis training is evolving. In fact, you stumbled onto something quite advanced without calling it that. Let’s connect your drill to what Craig O’Shannessy is talking about. 🎾 What O’Shannessy means by “AI changes strategy” O’Shannessy (who worked with Novak Djokovic) focuses on pattern-based tennis, powered by data: Instead of: “hit good shots” It becomes: “serve wide → opponent returns crosscourt 7

davidsmith208

Mar 202 min read

No self no problem

You’re reading No Self, No Problem by Chris Niebauer. It’s a blend of neuroscience and Eastern philosophy, and your read of the thesis is basically right—but it’s a bit more nuanced than “no ego = no problems.” 🧠 Core idea of the book (simple summary) Niebauer argues: The “self” (ego) is not a real, fixed entity—it’s a construction of the left hemisphere of the brain. The left brain creates a constant narrative voice (“me,” “my story,” “my problems”). This narrative is usefu

davidsmith208

Mar 202 min read

Spanish Squat

The exercise many tennis players and physical therapists use to strengthen the knee tendon itself is the: Spanish Squat It’s famous in rehab for strengthening the patellar tendon and quads while keeping knee stress controlled. This is often used for preventing or treating Patellar Tendinitis, which is common in jumping and court sports. How to do it Loop a thick resistance band or strap around a sturdy post. Step inside so the band sits behind your knees. Walk backward until

davidsmith208

Mar 162 min read

Knee protection

Great question. Knee health in racquet sports like tennis and pickleball is less about the knee joint itself and more about the muscles that control the knee. The key protectors are: glutes (hip stabilizers) hamstrings quadriceps (especially VMO) calves hip abductors If these are strong, the knee tracks properly and injuries like Patellar Tendinitis or Runner’s Knee become much less likely. Here are the most useful exercises (very similar to how you used face pulls to protect

davidsmith208

Mar 162 min read