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Aug 31, 2011: TENNIS TIP #9: Finishing the serve
- There are five distinct stages to the serve, the most intricate shot in the game: 1) visualization, 2) ritual, 3) racket loading/toss, 4) impact and 5) follow-through. In the accompanying image you can see that I am well past the ball striking moment and in the process of finishing my service motion...
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Aug 24, 2011: TENNIS TIP #8: Getting the warm-up right
- Periodically, I find myself motivated to encourage club players to change their ways and get the all-important warm-up right... Let’s first acknowledge that the pros have the advantage of having already warmed up for an hour or so on a back court...
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Aug 17, 2011: TENNIS TIP #7: Getting Set vs. Setting Up
- There are two systems of coordination at work in tennis: the obvious eye-hand and the not-so-obvious eye-foot. The latter, much to the surprise of most, is the far more difficult and important of the two... Good players do not get set, or planted, to make their shots. They instead utilize an energized brand of footwork...
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Aug 10, 2011: TENNIS TIP #6: Timing the Take-Back
- The synchronization of the mechanics necessary to be solid from the back of the court, and on short ball opportunities as well, starts with the all important timing of the “take-back.” As you can see in the accompanying image, I have finished preparing my racket — note my compact prep — precisely at the moment my opponent’s shot has landed on my side of the court.
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Aug 3, 2011: TENNIS TIP #5: Toss Technique
- The ball toss on serve can make or break your serve. It is the game’s most important and most difficult shot – that’s why you get two chances. A mulligan every single time if needed and players need it approximately half the time.
Interestingly, club players underestimate the toss and treat it cavalierly, resulting in repeatedly...
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July 27, 2011: TENNIS TIP #4: Handling High Bouncing Balls
- Club players all too often play one dimensionally from the back of the court, which also happens to raise the difficulty factor. By attempting to allow every incoming shot ... to descend into their preferred low, knee-to-thigh-high power zone they reduce their options dramatically. And, that’s a lot of no-reward extra footwork.
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July 20, 2011: TENNIS TIP #3: Serving Tall
- Serving is both the most difficult and most important shot in the game. Here are a few key components to get the most out of your serve.
Being fully extended at the moment of ball contact is paramount if you’re going to enjoy a high percentage of successful serves.
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July 13, 2011: TENNIS TIP #2: The Backhand Volley
- The overwhelming majority of tour players today (yes, even the many using the two-hander off the ground) choose the one-hander when volleying. The inherent considerable increase in reach and versatility is a necessity when at the net, or in transition, where reaction time is at a premium. But do not be misled...
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July 06, 2011: TENNIS TIP #1: Tracking
- Watching the ball or, more precisely, tracking the ball is the most important component in giving yourself the greatest chance to play your best. Although taken for granted by many, it is also the most difficult skill in a game played in a 78x36-foot space with infinite vertical boundaries.
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- Check back each week for this Summer's latest tip!
- September 1, 2010: ‘Use their pace and laugh in their face’
- One of the great equalizers in tennis is the ability to effectively negate an opponent’s power game — their shots that have extra speed, depth, and “gas” off the bounce. Dealing with these penetrating “$100 balls,” the ones that can be run down, represents an exceptional opportunity... Read more
- August 25, 2010: Consistent tosses essential for serving
- C’mon. How difficult can tossing the ball to serve be? As it turns out very, and frustrating too. It’s not as easy as it looks to place the ball in precisely the optimal striking position every single time. And, it’s vitally important, much like being in the right place at the right time is for all other shotmaking... Read more
- August 18, 2010: Play freely to avoid paralysis by analysis
- In the spirit of don’t drink and drive, don’t think and hit. Reviewing an 8-point check list while simultaneously striking a moving ball is next to impossible.
But sometimes you do just that to try and play better. Unfortunately, you will play worse... Read more
- August 12, 2010: Don’t forget to breathe when striking
- Breathing at the ball-striking moment is a key synchronizer for success. Yet, most club players are consistent “breath holders.”
It’s interesting that this particular lack of modeling tour player habits is in complete opposition to the norm, where all else is embraced.
Holding your breath while simultaneously striking shots is, simply, not a good thing... Read more
- August 5, 2010: Choosing sides in doubles can be key
- The partners to be could be familiar, or never have played together previously. No matter. Inevitably the question comes up: “Do you have a preference as to which side you’d like to play?” The typical answer: “Oh it doesn’t matter, I don’t care.” Doesn’t matter? You don’t care? What! It does matter, a great deal... Read more
- July 29, 2010: Offensive and defensive positioning
- While visiting an out of town club last weekend, I overheard a player announce to his doubles group immediately after completing play: “I don’t know why you guys wanted to stop after just three sets, I could’ve played another three”... Read more
- July 21, 2010: Grip and rip your racket, don’t strangle and mangle
- Back in the day, during the tennis boom, I used to remind players to relax their grip tension instead of attempting to transform their racket handle into sawdust. Long since made irrelevant with the introduction of metal rackets... Read more
- July 14, 2010: Gearing up mentally and physically
- One of the dictionary definitions of ritual is: “a customarily repeated act or series of acts.” The use of rituals in tennis just prior to serving and receiving — the two most important shots in the game that are initiated from an always-challenging static start — is easily observed in the pro game and essential in creating a whole body rhythm and positive unconsciousness for all. They are deeply ingrained, idiosyncratic and highly valued among both the sport’s stars and journeymen... Read more
- July 7, 2010: Positionally adapting to all the shots
- An earlier column addressed the importance of utilizing an energized brand of footwork in order to be in “the right place at the right time,” and, as a direct result, enjoy being a consistently smooth ball striker... Read more
- July 1, 2010: Quality warm up is time well spent
- Never have so many misunderstood so much about the pre-match warm-up in tennis. Amazingly the beat goes on. Visit any public court or club in the country and you’ll witness untold counterproductive variations on the theme despite the existence of a clear protocol that’s long been established... Read more
- June 18, 2010: Footwork: Right place, right time
- Anytime footwork is the topic of conversation, British pro Steve Heron’s take on it always comes to mind: “No feet, no game, no future.” Well said mate. Now that the outdoor tennis season is well under way, and the optimal playing conditions afforded by indoor hard surface play are no more, increased footwork becomes paramount with the wind and clay courts in the mix affecting both the flight and the bounce of the ball. Read more
