The better the player, the more difficult it is to win the point by hitting the ball away from them. Sometimes hitting the ball right towards them is a great way to draw a weaker shot, which you can then direct away from them. It is often more difficult to get out of the way…
A very important, yet overlooked aspect of moving on the tennis court has to do with when to get your feet going and when to be stopped. Whenever you, your partner or your opponent are about to hit the ball (the forward swing is starting), your feet should be set. Using the split step just…
It is much easier to move side to side on the court than up and back. Try to watch the ball coming off the racquet and the height over the net. If it comes off the racquet low with the face flat, immediately take a step or two forward even if it looks like the…
This has been the hardest year of my life. My brothers, John and Mark, and I lost both of our parents this year, including my mom, Katherine, to cancer less than a month ago. I’ve turned to running as a coping mechanism, which has proven to be very healthy for my mind. It gives me…
The U.S. Open is about to bring the tennis world together into our backyard, but here on Long Island, the local tennis scene is anything but cohesive and it’s worth a discussion. Self-promotion is a great way to grow your program, but sadly, I see many examples of some going too far with dishonest representations,…
Hit three or four of your regular shots in a row on as many points as possible, and there is a good chance you will win the point. Most points last no longer than two hits each and this includes the serve and return of serve. Even at the professional level, a good serve or…
Most players try to win the point by making their opponent run. Hitting the ball to the opening is a very basic, yet successful idea against most players. Pay attention to your opponent's position-whichever side they are on in singles, try to hit the ball to the other side-keep repeating this during the point. In…
Most players focus on running to the ball quickly when practicing movement. Being a fast runner is helpful on the court. However, recovering and anticipating the next shot will be much more effective than relying on your speed running to the ball. Immediately after the follow through, you should regain your balance and move in…
Most players know that the toss is the most important part of the serve. They understand that a smooth, consistent motion using your shoulder turn, legs, and arm together will give you the best result with the least amount of effort. However, knowing these things and getting them to happen in a match are two…
Coming to the net these days is definitely a challenge. Most players do not have the technique and/or experience at the net to be successful. Improvement in these areas will take quite a bit of time and practice. However, there is a simple idea that can help your volleying and make it tougher on your…