As you warm up for the match, notice if you are able to see the spin on the ball before you meet the ball or if you can see a “yellow streak” into and out of your racquet.  If you can see either of these consistently in the warm up – you are probably focused enough to start the match with good results.

2.) Move like the pros… 

The pros average 10-12 steps between each ball they contact.  How about you? Want to be a better player?  Add 2 more steps to your footwork between each ball you hit.  Strokes will improve, speed to the ball will be faster and your intensity will stay high.

3.) Get a grip on your game. 

Practice your ground strokes or volleys with the tightest grip you have (call it level 5) now go to level 4, then 3 then 2 then just barely holding the racquet in your hand level 1.  The pros use mostly level 2 and 3 on their grip tension.  You will not be able to follow through with a grip tension of 5 or 4 on your ground strokes and your volleys with vary between going long and dying on the strings with a 5 or 4 grip tension.  The next time your player misses a shot or has an unusual finish to their shot, ask them to identify their grip tension.  Keep it light for success.

4.) Breathe for success… 

Most errors come from not breathing as you contact the ball which can cause a whole host of errors from no finish to a stroke to feeling fatigue even when you are in good condition.  Do it like you would if you were lifting weights, breathe as you exert your effort – blow the ball off your racquet.  It helps to breathe as your opponent contacts the ball as well so you breathe twice during a point.  You will feel relaxed, have a sense of timing and seldom tire in a match.

5.) Out of sync? 

Try counting as you meet the ball and when your opponent contacts their shot.  Counting at the exact moment of contact with improve your focus, sense of timing, breathing and keep your mind focused in the moment.  Hear the rhythm, as you count you begin to recognize the rhythm of a rally, relax at contact and stay focused on the task at hand.

Photo Credits: heraldpost

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Tom Brennan met me at the LAX airport and off to a quick breakfast – if we can find something open at 7:30 AM around the UCLA campus. Oh well, Starbucks will work with yogurt, banana nut bread and green tea.

They are remodeling Paulie Pavilion so parking is challenging but Tom and I walk to the court area and meet the USPTA board members. We wait for my presentation time to go on court while renewing old friendships as other teaching pros arrive. 11:30 arrives and I am on one of the stadium courts to speak on “50 Best Tips for Players, Coaches and Pros”.

Presentation went really well and I sold several of my “Best of Ken DeHart” and “50 Best Tennis Tips” DVDs. Stayed to watch Chris present how to use Cardio Tennis on court. We see Darren Cahill, Ryan Harrison and Justin Gimblestob come by the courts. It was reported the Djokovic was in town doing a promo for Head and at the tournament as well yesterday.

Lunch is the next adventure – chicken salad and tea. But the best is the fellowship of the other pros as we trade stories, best ideas for teaching and strange things that happen at clubs. One pros son finished the year as the #1 player in the country in college – Steve Jackson who played #1 for USC.

Next the tournament – Mardy Fish vs Ryan Harrison in the semi-finals. Mardy is #8 in the world and Ryan is 19 years old and in the semis!!! I predict bad first set for Ryan, good early part of the second set – but Mardy wins. Mardy won but Ryan won the second set with some spectacular 2nd serves and groundies. The 3rd set goes to a tie-breaker and Mardy wins 7-4 as Ryan made some early errors and Fish played the breaker – like an experienced pro.

Gimblestod interviews Mardy after the match. Mardy said the first set was the best he has played all year. He was impressed how Ryan hung in there fought. He had beaten Ryan last week in Atlanta 6-2 6-4 but Ryan played much better today.

Great serve and never lost his nerve. Movement by both players is very athletic, quick and provided great tennis for the crowd this year. Ryan will move up to about 84 in the world with 2 straight semi final finishes.

As we are leaving the stadium, we stop to talk to the 2 Tennis Channel broadcasters, Leif Shiras and Justin Gimblestob. Leif had heard my presentation on court earlier and said he really liked the simple tips from the “50 Best Tennis Tips”. He like DAN and DAD which were acronyms for what shots to play – Defense, Attacking or Neutralizing and the job description of the net player in doubles – Distract, Attack or Defend.

I got his address and told him I would send him 2 of my DVDs from today’s presentation. Pretty impressed that the “big guys” paid attention to what was going on – on the teaching court.

Wayne Bryan – father of the fabulous Bryan brothers was the MC for the introduction and interview of the players. He and I talk as we watch the doubles semi-finals. We talk how to talk to players, keeping instruction simple yet motivational.

He asks about Kameron and his tennis. Told him about the team matches and club tennis the young boys are all playing instead of tournament tennis. Told him about Kam’s matches, love for the game and his recent theater performances in “Distracted”with Karen and “Hairspray” as Corney Collins.

Tom takes me back to the LA Airport for my flight home. Got there early so I had some FISH & CHIPS at Gladstones in the airport – $20 plus for that one. Did help a couple from Queensland, Australia figure out how to order a beer at the bar – looking for the nearest thing to an Aussie beer? Sam Adams?- I don’t drink so I wasn’t much help but could speak some Australian since I was in Melbourne to speak at the Aussie Open the last two years. I think they also tried a Budweiser – I apologized for that one even though I did not recommend it.

Time to fly home and get ready to teach Sunday at 7:30.

—- OOPS missed my flight!!! Looks like a long night in the LAX airport and home at 9:30 am Clinic at 10 am.

All the best back to my friends in San Jose.

Ken DeHart
SJSRC Director of Tennis
PTR & USPTA Master Professional
www.kendeharttennis.com

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Walked through the magic entrance to the Hall of Fame, across the grass and to the indoor tennis center to listen to former ATP Pro – Tim Mayotte do an on-court presentation.  He is one of the few former playing pros who gets how to teach.  We get to talk for some time after his presentation and share a common teaching philosophy.  Ask questions, keep it simple, get the students to understand basic movements – technically, tactically and mentally.  We plan to stay in touch and discuss the direction of USA Player Development.

Off to lunch on the horseshoe shaped viewing area surrounding the grass court.  The New England Pros honor their outstanding pros over the past year with awards for their performances.  We get to go out on the grass court to take pictures – can’t play on the grass, it is too wet from the week of rain before I got here.  I get pictures with the famous clock in the background and and the beautiful grandstands surrounding the court where tennis began in 1881. Also get a picture with the statue of the famous Brit – Fred Perry.

I listen to my friend Jack Beardsworth speak – great topic “Misconceptions Club Players Have about Playing the Game”.  I am the next speaker – “50 Best Tennis Tips for Players, Coaches and Pros”.  Thanks to Wilson for sending me to present on their behalf. Very simple concepts and ideas to improve your game as a player or coach.  Very well received and I sold all my dvd’s following my presentation plus orders for 15 more I will send out when I get home.

Now comes the event of the week – softball game for the silver challis North vs South.  I volunteer to string a racquet for the Head Pros daughter who has a match tomorrow.  It is on the $5000 stringing machine from Wilson that was voted the stringing machine of the decade.  I can’t play in the softball game with my shoulder but volunteer to be the catcher for both teams.  I did get to bat once – first ball left handed then I switched to right hand and hit a curving liner to the 2nd baseman – out.  The North wins the game 15-7 to take the lead in the annual head to head match up.

Last event before I leave in the morning – the Trade Show upstairs in the Hall of Fame.  I meet with the Wilson sales rep to thank Wilson for sending me to New England and discuss sales across New England.  I meet with Randy who is the largest publisher of tennis books in the USA.  He gives me a book about tennis behind the Iron Curtain featuring Jan Kodes to read and do a book review on.  I also buy a revised edition of Rod Laver’s “Education of a Tennis Player” and “Wimbledon – the Final that never was”.

It is a foggy drive back to the motel and I have to pack, get up at 3:30 to drive to Providence and catch my plane back to San Jose.  Got to call Karen and Kam to wish them “break a leg” for their performance tonight.

Ken DeHart
SJSRC Director of Tennis
PTR & USPTA Master Professional
408-892-3806 cell
www.kendeharttennis.com

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Your first opponent is the net.

Opponent #1 – The Net

The first opponent is the net. Unless you clear the net with your shots, you cannot begin to compete against your opponent on the other side of the net.  The game you will be playing will resemble golf – you hit the ball into the net then go pick it up and repeat the process.  Doesn’t sound like much fun to me.

Opponent’s Description:

1. The net is a deceptive opponent; it is almost transparent, it has holes and you can see through it.
2. The net is only 3 feet high at the center and grows to 3 feet 6 inches at the net posts – about the height of the character “ET” in the movie with the same name.
3. It is distracting when you are playing. Your eyes seem to be attracted to the white band at the top of the net.  This amazingly seems to direct all your shots to this 3 inch target – which means you seldom get a chance to play the person on the other side of the net – Advantage Net.

Problem:

1. Because 60% of your points lost never clear the net, you end up losing to an opponent that doesn’t even move.
2. 60% of the time you have to go pick up our own mistake.
3. You have a hard time defeating the player on the other side when we give them 60% of their points with no effort on their part.

Solution – create consequences in practice.  The next time you go out to practice, select from the following options:

1. Any ball hit in the net equals 5 push ups for the striker.
2. Any ball hit into the net gives your opponent 2 points.
3. Any ball hit into the net on your service game (your serve) allows your opponent to become the server and visa versa.
4. Any ball hit into the net within the first 4 balls of a rally (including the serve and return) equals a game for the opponent.

Opponent #2 – The Lines

Once you have defeated your first opponent, you will now face your next opponent – the lines. Unless you are able to place your shots on or inside the lines designated for serving, receiving and rallying (depending upon whether you are playing singles or doubles) you will never be able to score a point against that “person on the other side of the net.”

The lines on the opponent’s court create a network of options for us when we play.

1. First there are 4 giant squares or actually rectangles in which to hit our shots.  The two rectangles near the net are 13 ½ feet. wide and 21 feet long. The two in the back are 13 ½ feet wide and 19 feet long in which to direct our shots.
2. If we are playing doubles there are two alleys that are 4 ½ feet wide and 39 feet long to add to our shots.
3. There are singles sidelines, doubles sidelines, center service lines, baselines, service lines and even a center service hash mark that divides the baseline into a deuce and ad court half to distract us.

Opponent’s Description:

The lines are 2 inches in width and white in color.  They mark the boundaries of the court which may be a variety of colors; green, blue, tan, etc.

Problem:

Because the lines are the only targets you usually see when we are selecting our options for our shots, we will have a tendency to aim for them.  They are awfully small targets from so far away, while hitting a ball hard with a small racquet.

Solution – create consequences:

1. Keep score, minus 1 point for every ball hit into the net and minus 2 points for a shot hit wide of the correct side lines and minus 3 points for a shot hit beyond the baseline.
2. Any 1^st or 2^nd serve hit wide of the service box sidelines allows your opponent to become the server.
3. Any ground stroke or volley hit wide of the singles or doubles sidelines allows your opponent to become the server.
4. Any shot hit wide or long, equals 5 push ups (not as punishment but to create fatigue in the arms for subsequent shots.)
5. Any shot hit wide or long before completing a 4 ball rally will equal a game for the opponent (the average length of a point for most players is 4 shots at most every level of play.)

Once you have defeated the Net and the Lines you now have a chance of defeating your Opponent on the other side of the net – using your shot selection, speed, cunning and guile.

Check out my next article on “Defeating the Player on the Other Side of the Net” and visit my website at www.kendeharttennis.com.

Good Luck to you and may you never lose to the net or the lines – only to a better opponent.

Ken DeHart
USPTA Master Professional
USA High Performance Coach

Photo Credits: DaveMontPhotography

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How are they on short balls?

1. What type of grips do they use?
2. What type of shots do they prefer?
3. Is their forehand or backhand stronger?
4. What types of spin did they use?
5. How effective is their footwork?
6. What height do they prefer on the forehand & backhand?
7. How well do they volley and recover?
8. Do they look comfortable on short balls?
9. Are they comfortable with their overheads?
10. How did they serve? How much spin or speed?

While knowing your own game is important when you enter a match, learning all you can about your opponent can give you confidence and help you know how to use your game to defeat them.

Ken DeHart

www.kendeharttennis.com
kendehart@aol.com

Photo Credits: nsaplayer

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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 Award out of 14,000 pros around the world for my contributions to tennis.

On the 19th I will be in Kansas City to present a 4 hour course on “Strategy and Tactics for all levels of players” for the Mo-Valley USPTA Pros.

By the end of February, I will have all 5 of my DVD”s completed:  The Best of Ken DeHart, Defeating the Monsters in Your Mind, Myth Busting and Corrective Techniques, Intermediate Drills and the 3 Secrets to Championship Doubles and 13 Best Drills.  They will be available through my web site www.kendeharttennis.com

Visit my “In the Game” Blog on my web site for lots of FREE tennis tips about Doubles Formations and tennis tips.  Go to my web site and in the upper information bar, click on Blog.

I will be home early Saturday morning the 21st to teach the 10-11:30 adult drop in clinic and will be available for afternoon Saturday or Sunday lessons for players seeking lesson time.

Thanks for all your support and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photo Credits: 1

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• Sunday Roundup: Corporate Blogging, Web Traffic and SEO Tips Welcome to another edition of Buildify's roundup. We have more for you on best blogging practices, blogging tips, corporate blogging, gaining reader traffic and more. We hope you enjoy this little guide into a corner of the blogosphere. Tell us what you think or would like to see by leaving......
• Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss Reviewed Tim Ferriss' Book 4-Hour Workweek has been around for some 2-3 years now... and yet, while it's right in the Lazy Man wheelhouse, I hadn't read it until recently. Why didn't I read it? Here are the two biggest excuses: I Hate Books - I'd like to blame Ethan Frome......
• Tips On Using RSS Content On Your Blogs Blogs generally place a great deal higher within the various search engines than similar static web sites, which leads to additional website users and a lot more profits produced for the blog proprietor. The foremost rationale that engines, like Google, rate blogs so darn well is basically that blogs offer......
• Amazing Make Money Online Methods to Help You Earn More Cash! These days we are meeting a challenging economy. Joblessness prices tend to be higher also it appears that there is very little possibilities out there if you are to select hold of. Yet, loads of individuals are buying methods to earn your income online. They need to find out how......