Ladies Finals from Australia

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

I got up at 3:30 am here in Charleston, SC to see THE match from down under.  My roommate was asleep, they wouldn’t let me access the TV in the bar – afraid I would drink them dry I guess.  Little did they know I don’t drink.  I went to the fitness center to watch [...]

Ball Machines – Using them for Singles Practice

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Ball machines are great for practicing your singles shots – if positioned correctly.
5 things NOT to do when using a ball machine:

Do not place the ball machine only on the baseline in the center of the court
Do not have the ball machine oscillate only from deuce court to ad court
Do not use the ball machine [...]

Ball Machines – Using them for Doubles Practice

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Ball machines are great for practicing your doubles shots – if positioned correctly.
5 things NOT to do when using a ball machine:

Do not place the ball machine on the baseline in the center of the court
Do not have the ball machine oscillate from deuce court to ad court
Do not use the ball machine to practice [...]

Ken’s Tournament Preparation Blog

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

It is tournament time again for me. As a tennis teaching professional, I seldom have time to really prepare for a tournament like the pros – of course, I don’t and never have played like them.
So when I planned to play in the USPTA Nationals on Marco Island, Florida this September I had a [...]

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 [...]

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.  [...]

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 [...]