There are obviously many aspects of coaching a tennis player. There are fundamentals, technique, footwork, strategy, sports psychology, etc. When a player is about to play a match, or in matches where coaching is allowed either during play or when players split sets, simple is best. Many times you can help the player by getting…
Balance on the tennis court means having your weight evenly distributed over both feet. Leaning in any direction means you are not balanced. It is important to be balanced as quickly as possible after you hit the ball, as well as just prior to your opponent’s hit. Many times after hitting a ball on…
First of all, you will not be able to warm-up properly in the five or 10 minute warm-up just prior to starting your match. Try to get on the court before the match and hit some balls, run around, and do an extended version of the short match warm-up. If this is not possible,…
The two-handed backhand has become the norm these days. It is much easier to hit a two-handed backhand than a one-handed backhand when a player first learns how to play. It also results in a stronger shot for most players. The majority of tennis professionals will start players with two hands because of this….
We are always fighting human nature when playing a point in a tennis match. It is natural to try to disguise your shot so the opponent does not know what you are going to do. The problem is that even if you fool your opponent, if the shot is not hit well, you are…
As players get better, it becomes more and more difficult to figure out why one person wins the match and the other does not. The best players seem to win more of the points at the crucial times. It would be natural to assume they lift their game and rise to the occasion, therefore…
Hitting the ball crosscourt is a great way to start the point, set up the point, and often to win the point. There are many reasons why crosscourt is the direction to go on most of your shots. First, the ball will usually cross the net somewhere towards the middle giving you a greater…
When I first started playing, I can remember getting advice pertaining to keeping a firm grip on the racquet. What I have learned over the years is that if you start with a firm grip in the ready position or prior to the backswing on your shots, you end up with a “death grip”…
Coaches and players often put a lot of emphasis on scouting their next opponent. This can be helpful, but it can sometimes lead to over-thinking your strategy based on the opponent’s strength and weakness. It is much better to focus on your own strengths and weaknesses, and design a game plan accordingly. Going along…
It is a natural tendency to hit balls away from wherever your opponent is on the court. A great plan for the direction of your shot is to use the center strap as an intermediary target, especially at the beginning of the point. Many pro golfers use this idea when putting. They pick a…