Archive for February, 2009

• 5 Winning Keys to Lobbing, pt 1

  Thursday, February 26th, 2009

  1.  Lob with a Purpose – there are two main reasons to lob:
  1. To win the point
  2. To get out of trouble
  The Offensive Lob
  Offensive Lob is designed to win the point.
  1. Aim point – about 10 feet over the opponents head – hit quickly so they have little chance [...]

• A Handful of Strategy…

  Monday, February 23rd, 2009

  When you are involved in a match and need help deciding what to do, look to your hand for the answer.  Make a fist and then follow these simple directions:
  P = In Play Stick up the thumb – the most important part of the hand which stands for “Get the ball [...]

• Tribute to a Hall of Fame Teacher: Dennis Van der Meer

  Thursday, February 19th, 2009

  Early in my career as a tennis teaching professional, I was living in Nashville, Tennessee and teaching tennis at the Sequoia Swim & Tennis Club. A friend of mine, Thay Butchee, the Director of Tennis at the Belle Meade Country Club talked me into driving to Sarasota, Florida to participate in a 10 day course [...]

• Serve and Volley or Rush and Crush Formations

  Monday, February 16th, 2009

  These players love to get to the net at any cost, hit strong volley winners and overheads. Don’t be afraid of the charging team.
  Reasons for the serving team to use this formation:
  1. The serving team is both good volleyers.
  2. The serving team has good overheads and likes to intimidate the other team.
  3. The serving team likes pace or [...]

• Ken’s Schedule for the Week of Feb 13-20

  Saturday, February 14th, 2009

  I will be in Hilton Head Is, SC participating in the PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) National Championships.
  All Adult and Junior Clinics are still on the week of the 15-20th either with Rudy, Jesse or Reno.
  I will be attending continuing education courses and on Sunday I will be awarded the PTR International Pro of the Year [...]

• 3 Secrets to Winning Doubles, pt 3

  Thursday, February 12th, 2009

  This is the last post in our series for tips to win doubles tennis.
  Secret #3 “Tennis Targets” Where to hit & when to go there!
  Serving as Simple as A-B-C:

  When serving, tell your partner where you plan to serve – both serves.  For example A-B, B-C or C-C (A=alley, B=Body and C=center) Many players [...]

• Racquet Mail: How to Create a Better Forehand

  Monday, February 9th, 2009

  Question:
  I am finding that my swing and my backhand grip are much better than my forehand. When I go for a forehand shot, it usually ends up with a tremendous amount of topspin making it difficult to hit. Still, my opponent on the other side of the net seems to see it coming every single [...]

• 3 Secrets to Winning Doubles, pt 2

  Thursday, February 5th, 2009

  This is the second post of three consecutive posts on the secrets to winning doubles in tennis.
  Secret #2 “Tennis Dance” Where to move & when to move there!
  Dance of the server’s partner:

  Find the middle of the service box, half way between the net and the service line, the center service line and the [...]

• Australian Receiving Formation – Both Back – 1st Point of the Match

  Monday, February 2nd, 2009

  **This UDF works well at club level play, USTA league play, junior and high school matches as well as college matches.
  This (UDF) Unusual Doubles Receiving Formation puts the receiver and partner on the same side of the court.  One player is in the deuce court near the deuce court alley and the other [...]