Coaching

What is high-performance tennis and how can it be tackled by a coach and a player who is persistently seeking that ultimate success? First, it is critical to analyze a player's inborn physical abilities related to on-court efforts. We as coaches must study our player throughout prior to suggesting...Read more

“I don’t know.” As a coach, this is my least favorite answer when asking students something about their game, the drill we are doing, or any of the other litany of questions that come up during a normal tennis practice. In some instances they may actually not know! But more often it is the fear of...Read more

Everything keeps happening faster on the tennis court. A player often feels that there just isn't enough time to do what they want to do. The speed that you hit your shot can make the opponent feel this. Also, hitting the ball away from them can have the same effect. Another idea is to hit the ball...Read more

The single most crucial factor for a good hit in tennis is contact. If you start with a goal of exactly where you would like to hit the ball in relation to your body, you may focus on efforts to get into this position. While the preparation and finish for different players will vary, the contact is...Read more

“Necesito el ritmo,”—“I need (the) rhythm”—is a common phrase heard on the tennis court in Spain, both from players and coaches. Rhythm, cadence, timing, and control are essential aspects of the Spanish style of training. What is rhythm and why is it important in Spain? How do you achieve good...Read more

Beginning this year, tennis teaching certification and coach education will move into the largest change seen in the United States in over 10 years. The United States Tennis Association (USTA), the national governing body for the sport of tennis in America, has taken the reigns in creating a...Read more

I have students ask me all the time, "What am I doing wrong"? Although there can be some benefit to figuring out why you missed a shot in tennis, it is much more helpful to emphasize what you are trying to do. Reminding yourself to start the “getting ready” process by turning your shoulders, or...Read more

It has become more and more difficult to serve and volley successfully at all levels in a tennis match. This can still be an effective strategy but the server has to be very good at placing the serve and mixing it up. As an alternative, a great way to get into the net in the modern tennis game is...Read more

The power game has definitely become the most popular way for the modern player to win a point. Players are relying on the speed of the shot more and more to hit a winner or cause an error. If you are playing against a hard hitter , try to remind yourself to hit your shots in the early direction...Read more

One of the greatest aspects of the game of tennis is that there is always a chance to win. I have played tennis for over 50 years and have experienced this on both sides. I have been on the verge of winning and ended up losing the match (many times) and on the brink of defeat and pulling it out (...Read more