Archive for January, 2009

• 3 Secrets to Winning Doubles, pt 1

  Thursday, January 29th, 2009

  This is the first post of three consecutive posts on the secrets to winning doubles in tennis.
  Secret #1 “Tennis Talk” – What to say and when to say it!
  Before the match:

  Decide with your partner ahead of time if you want to serve first, receive first, and choose [...]

• Both Players Back Formation

  Monday, January 26th, 2009

  When playing both players back, the serving team or receiving team both start together on the baseline.
  Reasons for the receiving team to stay back:
  1. The serving team is too strong with the serve and it is difficult to return the ball past the server’s partner – fear factor.
  2. The net player of the serving team is too [...]

• The Psychology of a Winner: Improving Your Practice

  Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

  They say practice makes perfect. I say “perfect practice makes perfect.” Practice is just the first thing you have to keep in mind when you’re aiming for that win on the court. This begs the question then on how do you improve your practice? Look to the four tips below as a place to [...]

• Racquet Mail: Trusting Your Strokes

  Monday, January 19th, 2009

  This is the first of hopefully many Racquet Mail posts. I received an email with a question about trusting your strokes, and wrote this article in response.
  Trusting your strokes is a skill that is obviously quite mental in nature. In my program, called Defeating the Monsters in your Mind, we take a unique look at [...]

• Winning in Practice, pt 2

  Thursday, January 15th, 2009

  This is part two in a two part set.
  Doubles Situations

  The receiving team must lob the return of serve and try to take the net at least twice in each game. This is especially effective when the serving team is serving into the sun.
  The serving team must play out of the “I” formation or Australian formation.  [...]

• GPTA Keynote Speaker

  Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

  I was invited to speak at the Georgia Professional Tennis Association’s winter meeting at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
  The club is the home of the famous golfer, Bobby Jones. They have a trophy room with all his trophies, pictures and memorabilia. There is even a statue of Bobby as you drive [...]

• One Up and One Back Formations

  Monday, January 12th, 2009

  When teams play this formation, they can be the easiest to beat – if you play smart. This formation leaves lots of holes in their defense and can make their net player a target for the other team. Don’t be afraid of the net.
  Reasons for the serving team to use this formation:
  1. The serving team [...]

• Winning in Practice, pt 1

  Thursday, January 8th, 2009

  “Practicing to win requires rehearsing the tactical situations you will encounter and selecting the correct appropriate response for that situation until you can execute these responses in the heat of match play” …Ken DeHart
  Playing the Score
  Practice your singles and doubles match with altered scoring situations:

  Start all games [...]

• Modified “I” and “I” Formations

  Monday, January 5th, 2009

  These players like variety and want to get into your head. They like to volley and want to distract you. This formation can be use by the serving team on every point as well as by the receiving team.
  Don’t be afraid – pick a target and go for it.
  Reasons for the serving team to [...]

• How to Keep a Tennis New Year Resolution….

  Thursday, January 1st, 2009

  New Year’s Resolutions are like a road map for success in tennis, business and life. Resolutions are challenging to keep – everyone seems to say. So is the pursuit of our dreams and ambitions in the face of living day to day.
  What is important is to make our day to day living the [...]