“Should I play tennis to get fit, or should I get fit to play tennis?” This question has bounced around the tennis world for years, and like most either/or questions, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. The direction you take depends on who you are and what you want. An army colonel played in…
So you are in a competitive match and the score is 4-4 in the third set with your ranking is on the line. Your parents, maybe a college coach, a friend or other adversaries are watching. Now is the time when the rubber hits the road. It does not matter if you win or lose,…
There is no doubt that technological developments are always at the center of change, and that is no more evident than in coaching and teaching. Over the last couple of decades, advances in technology have changed and shaped the way some of the top tennis coaches in the country teach their players. “One of the…
In my last article, we discussed the secret to sustained peak performance, a principal called “More Than an Athlete: Person First. Athlete Second.” We also clarified that More Than an Athlete doesn’t require working harder, pushing or even pulling, it does require that the athlete, coach or parent shift their perspective so they can see…
“If you ding it, just re-swing it.” David E. Moe has written a book that will be of use to any tennis player if they are open to a multi-disciplinary guide to improving their game. The Making of a Winner: A Fable About the Power Within takes tidbits from sports psychology, biofeedback and Eastern religions,…
It is time to thaw out from the winter freeze and start planning ahead for a summer tennis camp for your little tennis champs. Attending a tennis camp can be one of the best experiences a young player has in their lifetime. When I was 14-years-old, I went to a Nick Bollettieri tennis camp in…
Tennis is ever evolving. Professional players are getting faster, stronger and bigger at a greater rate. Rackets, strings, training methods and strokes are changing just as fast. A broad spectrum of online teaching and information is at our fingertips. Watching videos of the top players and emulating them is thought to be the “best” way…
It sounds obvious that knowing your tennis strengths is a critical part of a successful tennis game, but it goes deeper than that to have success in matches. When you are confident in certain shots that you possess, it will help you determine a game plan in your matches. Not only does this apply to…
I find it useful to ask students if they prefer to eat their spaghetti right out of the box, or if they prefer to eat it cooked—al dente. This image helps two types of students: those who hit very stiff strokes, and those who love to finish a stroke with a quick flick of the…
It's a new year and time to pick up the pace. Have you taken inventory of where your game is now and where it has to go to reach your full potential? I always found the offseason on the ATP Tour was an opportunity to attack the areas of concern in my game that needed…