tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37905780259807518012024-03-29T14:12:32.848+07:00Bigger Better Tennis - Paul Dale
The 'Last Frontier' for Players and Coaches... Paul explores Strategy, Technique and Match-Play TheoriesPaul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-80249625271449178322024-03-21T10:08:00.000+07:002024-03-21T10:08:02.583+07:00BECOME A MORE DIFFICULT OPPONENT<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSwqvGbG3GQxe1WORbnmMbWh_mqv5kN0oe9nI1Dsk59sTEDgHwDNlw4uSeRaZbb3BxDMCdML7eQ4D3r0MX2_UqCwuFAOxVwjqwtdzolORAvtIk0hgahZ7plL0cvCZCbB4sUoyQ0My1SwZ2Q2X5nT9TVLkiQoRAIW6cLG6AaWruup_YSvIZ4_MMUzeHBk/s640/8468284B-FB42-4891-8C79-A981B7A54810.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSwqvGbG3GQxe1WORbnmMbWh_mqv5kN0oe9nI1Dsk59sTEDgHwDNlw4uSeRaZbb3BxDMCdML7eQ4D3r0MX2_UqCwuFAOxVwjqwtdzolORAvtIk0hgahZ7plL0cvCZCbB4sUoyQ0My1SwZ2Q2X5nT9TVLkiQoRAIW6cLG6AaWruup_YSvIZ4_MMUzeHBk/s320/8468284B-FB42-4891-8C79-A981B7A54810.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b>You may have been looking at competition all wrong. Maybe competition should not only be about throwing the "kitchen sink" at your opponent to try and beat them down.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Even if your strategy leans towards all-out offence: relying on a big serve and a dominating forehand, introducing some subtlety to your game might produce surprising results.</div><div><br /></div><div>After all, why would you want to play an opponent at full strength? Wouldn't it be better to neutralise their strengths first before playing them? </div><div><br /></div><div>While that may seem overly simplistic to most, reducing your opponent's effectiveness is possible and entirely necessary if you want to reach the top. </div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">STRATEGICALLY SMART</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"The first job of any army is to </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">make </b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">themselves </b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">unbeatable first"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipft8HPwRNv1oqo3kYQ0HwwsKxYNuRhs9Yl116U4vzShSGy4CHTDzyh7idnaY05I5DY85VQqmgaeU81hgYLgKb7RwDT5oEkIUbOQC-rVpOBUb5Rz5WLua4xfRP51lVzA7GdFclUzJN0Tx9AofS2xmdM1g6ZYSwEq0lpOHw2U3lyY7tSlMdcou19k7va7I/s2048/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="2048" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipft8HPwRNv1oqo3kYQ0HwwsKxYNuRhs9Yl116U4vzShSGy4CHTDzyh7idnaY05I5DY85VQqmgaeU81hgYLgKb7RwDT5oEkIUbOQC-rVpOBUb5Rz5WLua4xfRP51lVzA7GdFclUzJN0Tx9AofS2xmdM1g6ZYSwEq0lpOHw2U3lyY7tSlMdcou19k7va7I/s320/image1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>You must have a plan before every match that addresses your opponent's strengths and weaknesses; otherwise, you're inviting trouble. Without a plan, every match could be a battle because you could be allowing for the best version of your opponent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ideal strategy is about neutralising your opponent's strengths and, at the same time, trying to create havoc with their weaknesses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tennis matches should never be about giving your opponent a "fair chance" and competing with them on a level playing field. Find ways to play them from a position of advantage. </div><div><br /></div><div>The<a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/03/designing-match-strategy-8-opposites.html"> "8 Opposites"</a> is a system of assessing your opponent's strengths and weaknesses before matches. </div><div><br /></div><div>Create a habit of going into matches with a clear plan of what you want to do for each individual opponent. </div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">MENTALLY RESILIENT</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"...to keep your head when all those </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>\about you are losing theirs.</b></span></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tennis is such a tough game mentally! The pressures on competitive players during matches are immense, and if I were to sum up what is needed to succeed in tennis in one word, it would be <i>Resilience</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ability to overcome setbacks during matches is crucial to success. It will also make you a much more difficult opponent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2024/03/beware-gap-during-match-play.html">mental dips</a> you experience in matches are culprits that kill your results.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Resiliency comes from believing that what you are doing during the match will eventually work and that rather than focusing on the setbacks, you remain focused on the processes you have in place, such as your strategy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The "will to win" has nothing to do with it. Every player starts the match wanting to win. However, during the match, events can occur to weaken your resolve. This can lead to you finding excuses why this is "not my day".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your mentality is 90% of winning or losing and you need to develop an iron will that is founded on resiliency.</div><br /><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>PHYSICALLY PREPARED</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"I realised that if I trained harder </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">my results improved."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A young player asked Paradorn Srichaphan (former #9 ATP) what propelled him into the top ten in the world. His answer had nothing to do with developing a bigger serve or any new strategy. He answered, "I realised that if I trained harder, my results improved."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your chances of winning increase when you are stronger, faster, and have greater endurance than your opponent</span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">. Your self-confidence will also permeate throughout your game. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2020/09/fitness-periodization-for-tennis.html">Getting in the best possible shape for your matche</a>s is not dependent on talent. Getting in shape is about your commitment and motivation to improve your results.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">TECHNICALLY SOUND</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"Great technique should act like your armour, </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">it should keep you </b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">safe under pressure."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I spend a lot of time telling people that technique is not as important as we think. I'm trying to pull the tennis world away from the belief that tennis is a closed-skill sport and that if the stroke is perfect, then that will translate into perfect tennis, and that's not going to happen. Technique is one of several pieces that must be present to compete well and win matches.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, when is technique important?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Any junior wanting to reach the top must have a great technical foundation. Once they have established solid reliable technique, they will be able to adapt their game to each opponent, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your technique must be versatile. You must be able to attack and defend the points. Your technique needs to adapt to each opponent's many different game styles. Most importantly, your technique must hold together under pressure.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Great technique should act like armour; it should keep you safe under pressure. That means your technique for various strokes should be your technique, not a technique adopted from a YouTube video just because someone online sold it to you, or a player ranked in the top ten is using it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The technique you adopt for each stroke should be suited to you and never be "cosmetic": a stroke based on <br />how it looks. <a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2024/02/were-teaching-tennis-all-wrong.html">Base your technique on solid fundamentals</a> and let your form evolve naturally. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkr1iFJVOfmUvL1N9rowP8D-hoq94AtF7SLYFUuQQeYtSCH_T5gH3vgfumfQ2Ae8dWUFSgip3qBSoRdNOQBLfVW1H6Oah3wcYvaagAmTwaitTx1X12feg1I94cLVrmGeMhEZPXKNf89i2Lr9O-bGJhhPC8nAasTjRKhV2MpwGekploHrTVYU6nO2_V84/s259/download%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkr1iFJVOfmUvL1N9rowP8D-hoq94AtF7SLYFUuQQeYtSCH_T5gH3vgfumfQ2Ae8dWUFSgip3qBSoRdNOQBLfVW1H6Oah3wcYvaagAmTwaitTx1X12feg1I94cLVrmGeMhEZPXKNf89i2Lr9O-bGJhhPC8nAasTjRKhV2MpwGekploHrTVYU6nO2_V84/s1600/download%20(1).jpg" width="259" /></a></div></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-31.346424305716774 -40.1232349 58.859086105716777 -118.8732349tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-39634208438888526552024-03-17T14:34:00.001+07:002024-03-17T14:43:35.873+07:00BEWARE "THE GAP" DURING MATCH-PLAY<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_e_nV4pVjAq43W8G2fBCmoIGEGHEIVe3NF7AK6Kqg-YRZ4saF9t_bOJ2iBYyFmDQvtinKeajRJVrUZh7pLyhO00ZRytxANSUewiIWLlGXhhVytxAl5XzxBk1xb0WmmUHWmH8s14MkratYrPW8UIsQ85EY-R-TDyCQyI4LfAktISWlvSmJt8yaSb9K94/s640/image0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_e_nV4pVjAq43W8G2fBCmoIGEGHEIVe3NF7AK6Kqg-YRZ4saF9t_bOJ2iBYyFmDQvtinKeajRJVrUZh7pLyhO00ZRytxANSUewiIWLlGXhhVytxAl5XzxBk1xb0WmmUHWmH8s14MkratYrPW8UIsQ85EY-R-TDyCQyI4LfAktISWlvSmJt8yaSb9K94/s320/image0.png" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All competitive players strive to perform at their very best. They hope for consistency of performance and believe</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> that playing to the best of their ability should be enough to win matches.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">However, while trying to achieve your highest level might seem like a good goal, I feel there is a better mindset for you to adopt when you compete. </span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">PICKING WINNERS</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have you noticed how difficult it is to confidently pick who will win at tournaments? That's because players throughout the draw all play at a very similar level. Even players who seem to have all the strokes and look like world-beaters often lose in the early rounds. Yet often, players who end up winning the event don't look special at all.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have a theory for this.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuuwUKOu3hW5hr8oK40BkjPqNBSKgXv8WGQnD3YB57mGJghv_5YHOgVTLb4VfNG9vvKuklZhOpb-8g6OocaROergqW5CnasxUhrc1Brs_G1YGjha3kfynVWUk4-Ch9MvAD0OzE5l9-xrOPKXhi_6B-_Td0t3F3VS8Zlas2ooVbrtxjm2ZJ7rD2akx6ug/s225/download%20(11).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuuwUKOu3hW5hr8oK40BkjPqNBSKgXv8WGQnD3YB57mGJghv_5YHOgVTLb4VfNG9vvKuklZhOpb-8g6OocaROergqW5CnasxUhrc1Brs_G1YGjha3kfynVWUk4-Ch9MvAD0OzE5l9-xrOPKXhi_6B-_Td0t3F3VS8Zlas2ooVbrtxjm2ZJ7rD2akx6ug/s1600/download%20(11).jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's often difficult distinguishing why<br />some players win, and others lose. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">During matches, all players experience highs and lows. There will be periods of struggle and periods of comfort. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>I BELIEVE CONTROLLING THE "GAP" BETWEEN THE HIGHS </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>AND LOWS DURING MATCHES IS THE KEY TO WINNING</b></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">DIFFICULTY IS INHERENT IN ALL COMPETITION</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You face many difficulties during competitive match-play. Your opponent's great play is only one of the difficulties. Bad line calls, weather conditions, court conditions, the ball and physical issues, to name a few.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All those difficulties are reasons for your game to drop in standard. The important question is, how often do you allow your game to drop, and for how long?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">...HOW OFTEN DO YOU ALLOW YOUR GAME TO DROP, AND FOR HOW LONG?</span></b></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you allow your game to drop due to difficulties too often or for too long, you will never be successful in tournaments. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The top players can keep "The Gap" between their highest and lowest standard of play (The Gap) within a narrow corridor, while for the rest of us that gap will fluctuate hugely.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Clfh3r53_FW0HUKlNUeHHoaVLw9FqbP0o9CPK6ZjoJ7bX8da4D1Y5TSQgtOxxFfKGJYDb1dDZUtqmGhyt-eeifW7wUdapKofWgTXXJvAWb2VbviFTyzd5EVqVspKeqvuh4zf2xky4DO4IQOlbmxO6ZQO8zWxM1DDj1Uq1wsp7cRyKZxVHV9vrZeJqZI/s320/gty-159552252-16_9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="320" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Clfh3r53_FW0HUKlNUeHHoaVLw9FqbP0o9CPK6ZjoJ7bX8da4D1Y5TSQgtOxxFfKGJYDb1dDZUtqmGhyt-eeifW7wUdapKofWgTXXJvAWb2VbviFTyzd5EVqVspKeqvuh4zf2xky4DO4IQOlbmxO6ZQO8zWxM1DDj1Uq1wsp7cRyKZxVHV9vrZeJqZI/s1600/gty-159552252-16_9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How often do you allow your game to drop, <br />and for how long?</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">THE 3 PILLARS</b></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are 3 important Pillars to everyone's game;</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Technical</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Physical</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Emotional</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Every player must maintain a balance during the match regardless of their level. There's no point in being superb technically and physically if you go through emotional periods that sabotage your ability to win the match. The 3 Pillars must be balanced if you want to be successful. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When difficulties occur in match-play, you must maintain a narrow gap between playing well and poorly. There can be no excuses. If you want to be a serious competitor, you must control the good and bad periods of the match by focusing on The Gap</span></div><p></p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-61366395699127216222024-03-15T16:05:00.002+07:002024-03-20T09:28:52.139+07:00THE CONTACT FOOT<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCOHyfHMT3fCaZDzmUWU44wHmrJlYAO4JHLwVI9rTEGSA-6KvZNKiVjTY5qLcg0__VkFacMC_Hs-1PkEvMSqdkK33GdQmhtKVNjhm9r8UAQRAARYvZQY7SL35oDl67VEXmo-kyiUoPhyphenhyphen2eZcsTBviASLERZ8iTPGMwxKZaoBOogRHFj6yjcGy0176ZFg/s640/5404F726-B740-44B7-93E1-C740DCD10139.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCOHyfHMT3fCaZDzmUWU44wHmrJlYAO4JHLwVI9rTEGSA-6KvZNKiVjTY5qLcg0__VkFacMC_Hs-1PkEvMSqdkK33GdQmhtKVNjhm9r8UAQRAARYvZQY7SL35oDl67VEXmo-kyiUoPhyphenhyphen2eZcsTBviASLERZ8iTPGMwxKZaoBOogRHFj6yjcGy0176ZFg/s320/5404F726-B740-44B7-93E1-C740DCD10139.PNG" width="213" /></a></div><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You often hear the phrase "take the ball on the rise" </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in coaching. It's used to encourage the player to step in and take the ball with some weight transfer, and "taking it on the rise' seems</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> to help the player time the ball better.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">But what happens when the player can't achieve "stepping in"? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I coach advanced players and relative beginners. If I told an advanced player to "step in" and take every ball "on the rise", they would see me as crazy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At an advanced level, stepping in and taking the ball on the rise every time is impossible. The speed and depth of the ball mean that often, the ball dictates what you do, not you, so stepping in and taking the ball on the rise is simply impossible. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Likewise, telling a beginner to take every ball on the rise will only lead to frustration. They can only do it on some balls.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The problem with trying to teach the "ideal" technique is that </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there is no </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">such thing as the "ideal" ball. </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tennis is a dynamic, open skilled sport that is unpredictable and requires adaptability. You need a method that can cope with an opponent's unpredictability; don't get locked into one "ideal" technique that makes adapting to different balls almost impossible.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The answer is to throw away your tennis textbook and find ways to gain control over the ball for every stroke, regardless of the type of ball.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The main problem facing players at all levels is Timing. For the advanced player, it's hitting the ball cleanly while your opponent tries to make life as difficult as possible.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A skilled opponent will create speeds, directions, heights, and combinations of balls designed to put you in trouble. Your job is to problem-solve quickly and effectively on every ball.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have a technique that will allow you to achieve timing on every ball, even the most difficult ones, whether fast, deep, or both.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">THE LINE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Line is an invisible, imaginary line from the top of your head to the foot you use to create inertia (the Contact Foot). The top of your head and your Contact Foot will coordinate to give you perfect timing, balance and, best of all, consistency with your strokes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB0iBchcCdYKIo9_eW-s8gOoI9Fk2VjEAXfhRMFB3ZlrkpcCa0GcWNU0QEKiklvbu8O4pqmT2_lGwQkPvCnNObWZM6WTanCL4OJStDEIWE_Py5W8koMixo0eHxKFGq4PzRSwx8svYvBzEnVpN6sMFGKObyz4auHYF5kEeDuvnCNRvFk5xJNl4bPFOqKs/s960/525268_10151631135713420_1407015383_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB0iBchcCdYKIo9_eW-s8gOoI9Fk2VjEAXfhRMFB3ZlrkpcCa0GcWNU0QEKiklvbu8O4pqmT2_lGwQkPvCnNObWZM6WTanCL4OJStDEIWE_Py5W8koMixo0eHxKFGq4PzRSwx8svYvBzEnVpN6sMFGKObyz4auHYF5kEeDuvnCNRvFk5xJNl4bPFOqKs/s320/525268_10151631135713420_1407015383_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The right foot has been selected as the <br />Contact Foot and the Line has almost <br />been completed</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY4980wPykXWSSXrvzhXmSb5GAtu9rqYssGcTQQTScaaAykN3eN7yZuhxHcs-39UgaNOfN5dYENjaUR_2wksmEfdx2Tc8dJEr5n-eLL1ZnPGysydXAdUzlAR-VGVwLnpc-_U6XD3qDBkdNz1pElmgLpsvOcgQWDd1-Za-APVgpr3R8f4Nf5QKIHqIsJ4/s2167/DSC01386.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="1577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY4980wPykXWSSXrvzhXmSb5GAtu9rqYssGcTQQTScaaAykN3eN7yZuhxHcs-39UgaNOfN5dYENjaUR_2wksmEfdx2Tc8dJEr5n-eLL1ZnPGysydXAdUzlAR-VGVwLnpc-_U6XD3qDBkdNz1pElmgLpsvOcgQWDd1-Za-APVgpr3R8f4Nf5QKIHqIsJ4/s320/DSC01386.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The goal is to complete the Line at<br />the moment of contact</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Best of all, The Line can be used in all situations to help you time the ball. You can use either foot, and adopting a closed or open stance works equally well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You are trying to establish The Line the moment you strike the ball. Creating the Line too early or too late will not give you the timing or consistency you seek.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSc2QjbWfb9gG1jLn9I1yVvbtepwmQjsjK0ERKhyphenhyphen669u-ZbLiz6ZqyNfoNVxqMAPfmbzX2-tXRYQT21TAaFxdmgwgtf8R5WDytJ_FBRWWmnrLSUn0SSA1fHSBYBKhApgD5wmhNbB8BaXCxHBzSFSIo4vu6MxtFZyIC6FEs02emkyb-geGE06ZFC8pp98/s130/12203254750ba9l0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="89" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSc2QjbWfb9gG1jLn9I1yVvbtepwmQjsjK0ERKhyphenhyphen669u-ZbLiz6ZqyNfoNVxqMAPfmbzX2-tXRYQT21TAaFxdmgwgtf8R5WDytJ_FBRWWmnrLSUn0SSA1fHSBYBKhApgD5wmhNbB8BaXCxHBzSFSIo4vu6MxtFZyIC6FEs02emkyb-geGE06ZFC8pp98/w201-h293/12203254750ba9l0.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Line, while hitting off the <br />back foot<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-90617577741014395512024-02-14T15:49:00.002+07:002024-02-27T22:05:47.626+07:00WE'RE TEACHING TENNIS ALL WRONG<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng1laI-Rvw3enFzzkdCLL8e3NxV2auTjd2FFzhJzCCJ-X_vqdp88u1v4b6YruFZj2NWBLyOTGK3yB2K6HxiCg8wb95bVe9zkOoDiYFaM_9_I9Z0lJp-epFVsrBh-_3Ga92omIIrWJ2y2oJcDBwg9yxXbuVqY3h_BZdcjLCyGdfCHttuIUhntLa2JDW7w/s1500/Copy%20of%2027%20TENNIS%20QUOTES%20FROM%20THE%20GREATEST%20PLAYERS%20pin%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng1laI-Rvw3enFzzkdCLL8e3NxV2auTjd2FFzhJzCCJ-X_vqdp88u1v4b6YruFZj2NWBLyOTGK3yB2K6HxiCg8wb95bVe9zkOoDiYFaM_9_I9Z0lJp-epFVsrBh-_3Ga92omIIrWJ2y2oJcDBwg9yxXbuVqY3h_BZdcjLCyGdfCHttuIUhntLa2JDW7w/s320/Copy%20of%2027%20TENNIS%20QUOTES%20FROM%20THE%20GREATEST%20PLAYERS%20pin%20(2).png" width="213" /></a></div><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">As tennis teachers, we've become obsessed with teaching how the strokes should look, the outward appearance of the stroke, rather than the Fundamentals. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's as if we're more concerned with creating picture-perfect strokes than a fundamentally sound stroke.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: helvetica; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: helvetica; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We're trying to craft a visual masterpiece, but often at the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: helvetica; white-space-collapse: preserve;">expense of the core skills; the Fundamentals. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Fundamentals are our game's building blocks, </b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">while </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the way a stroke looks is the Form.</span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whenever any new player reaches the top of the tennis rankings, Coaches look closely at that player's style and try to copy what the player is doing technically to have made them so successful. They're unable to diagnose the new player's strokes more deeply, so they are left with looking at the "cosmetics" of the player.</span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Anyone learning tennis through the </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">form</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> method never learns to adapt to different types of balls or correctly analyse what they must do on each stroke, nor what is causing their errors. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">That player will be forever confused by the unpredictability of tennis and never understand why their smooth stroking during practice sessions has deserted them during the match.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">"Step into the ball and take it on the rise" might make sense in a YouTube video. The reality is that, against a good opponent, you need to get just the right ball to perform the stroke like that. Why are we still trying to teach players this "perfect scenario" rubbish?</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"Fundamentals are not only the best </b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">way to </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">control the </b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">ball; </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">they can help you analyse</b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: medium;">mistakes better."</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">We need to teach and critique strokes based on fundamentals. Fundamentals are not only the best way to control the ball; they can help you analyse mistakes better. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The three Fundamentals I always work with are: </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Contact</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Ground </span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spin</span></li></ol><div><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: medium;">CONTACT</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Contact originates from the racquet face and controls the height and direction of the ball. It is said that there are only 4 mistakes you can make in tennis; too long, too short/ too far left and too far right. All these mistakes can be corrected through awareness of the racquet face.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MiXzTX-dOezNmEXngiqjbeow6RiWiEkJbjaB8OlYqDR28ZAgvfkzexDsiitkCk4OO8aJOSlrNk-F7cg7uOlh8AJ20q-4rdQpT6YsWF6ev9SyXg1TA2oJ1NQ5j4JVyjiGFzLSGPcEDduK3thtSNJpuOnU8gSKHXfkIrwFjJRxOJM9TkgTOtwgcMPtk6U/s269/th.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="269" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MiXzTX-dOezNmEXngiqjbeow6RiWiEkJbjaB8OlYqDR28ZAgvfkzexDsiitkCk4OO8aJOSlrNk-F7cg7uOlh8AJ20q-4rdQpT6YsWF6ev9SyXg1TA2oJ1NQ5j4JVyjiGFzLSGPcEDduK3thtSNJpuOnU8gSKHXfkIrwFjJRxOJM9TkgTOtwgcMPtk6U/s1600/th.jpeg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contact controls the height <br />and the direction of the ball</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">GROUND</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Ground involves inertia; the bio-mechanics that occur each time a player hits the ball start in the ground. Inertia is begun through the interaction of the feet and the court and is used as energy for the stroke. Ground also supplies the player with timing; the correct use of inertia creates timing.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckSr22Zhyjn0EEZQRDIlWCaDUKDyTxTRa73kyODD3Fx6spJz3Osebh21BlDx1xpTccrszyeOACJcTjfEB6jtO2RBRX7uKkhuWxIhLMLUGTfFMrw2PJy3AzLtRqRa3gNJx3sz1eB9uosmg1EgIaCzSBa5h5nfXDfJOznu5EVPwiId2OcxI2uHOJ-rKF1U/s275/download%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckSr22Zhyjn0EEZQRDIlWCaDUKDyTxTRa73kyODD3Fx6spJz3Osebh21BlDx1xpTccrszyeOACJcTjfEB6jtO2RBRX7uKkhuWxIhLMLUGTfFMrw2PJy3AzLtRqRa3gNJx3sz1eB9uosmg1EgIaCzSBa5h5nfXDfJOznu5EVPwiId2OcxI2uHOJ-rKF1U/s1600/download%20(8).jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground supplies inertia and <br />timing for your stroke</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">SPIN</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Any ball you hit will rotate; it will have Spin. Sometimes, Spin is created on purpose, and at other times, it is not. An advanced player uses Spin to create angles. Bounce heights and control the ball inside the court.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GYp0VEXOLVxJxlfKZZdTc_yuDlXdLv4ASyQXiEEitowy_R4yWE9DxTLQDQ9ixF7AJ0sojAdz-TlSrnDSChXPcWTxbeRnVnzjqgZXTI9M_O02mncl_B5IbuXPtHHVKHWrZZX3y1NbgJCrwbCWinMoWN7BRyOOQq5JWyOK77L0OdAK1PSZN6DiH_sLtCw/s264/th%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GYp0VEXOLVxJxlfKZZdTc_yuDlXdLv4ASyQXiEEitowy_R4yWE9DxTLQDQ9ixF7AJ0sojAdz-TlSrnDSChXPcWTxbeRnVnzjqgZXTI9M_O02mncl_B5IbuXPtHHVKHWrZZX3y1NbgJCrwbCWinMoWN7BRyOOQq5JWyOK77L0OdAK1PSZN6DiH_sLtCw/s1600/th%20(2).jpeg" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spin is used to control the ball and <br />to create angles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Teaching any stroke through the use of Fundamentals allows the player to develop their game quickly and naturally, i.e., once a stroke is being timed successfully, and good balance has been established, the player naturally begins to explore the possibilities, adding more power to the ball or better placement in the court.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Another advantage to learning or improving your game through Fundamentals is that players can begin to coach themselves as they approach a ball. They start to ask themselves questions such as how much Spin is needed or what type of timing is needed (in the case of the different speeds of the ball).</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Lastly, after mistakes, the player who has learned to master the stroke fundamentals can quickly analyse why the error occurred and keep a mental note of the correction for the next time they get that ball. If a player begins to critique their mistakes in this way, they develop tennis intelligence. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The alternative is that mistakes are a complete mystery to the player, or they have so much irrelevant detail in their heads that there is confusion. Instead of increasing knowledge, the player experiences increased frustration. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">We're teaching tennis all wrong. By asking players to expect predictability and not training them to make decisions quickly and accurately, we need to give them the tools to develop their games and reach their full potential. </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-27775813394928196692024-01-17T11:46:00.004+07:002024-03-17T14:52:55.446+07:00“I WAS LEADING… THEN LOST 5 GAMES IN A ROW”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NV1mgfRrQkmmstZr_caGrMnJhy21TQh8NcYxNDXbleMrmROUrlC98EPv1k1jvwOUFZYa4526aZXEDJjx3PKORtSZFB90fLUkvAxeyoUOgcx6IHfp4V7ATO28_1K7OAKloAXIgLkOg3q0xZEktx_L5vyGQSM437aTx5tcv5-8x1qXxK7wC3wa5BEY9Ns/s1080/Copy%20of%20Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="287" id="id_27fd_a631_fc3a_c09a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NV1mgfRrQkmmstZr_caGrMnJhy21TQh8NcYxNDXbleMrmROUrlC98EPv1k1jvwOUFZYa4526aZXEDJjx3PKORtSZFB90fLUkvAxeyoUOgcx6IHfp4V7ATO28_1K7OAKloAXIgLkOg3q0xZEktx_L5vyGQSM437aTx5tcv5-8x1qXxK7wC3wa5BEY9Ns/w287-h287/Copy%20of%20Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis%20(3).png" style="height: auto; width: 287px;" width="287" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While stroke mechanics and fitness are crucial, they pale compared to the advantages of being mentally <i>resilient, strong,</i> and <i>adaptable.</i></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This article will deal with a topic I have expounded on for years: the importance of mental training and highlighting how it can make or break</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> a player's performance. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">TENNIS IS A MENTAL GAME</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">People often describe tennis as a mental game; coaches are happy to make that statement but later continue emphasising technique and form in their practice sessions! Everything returns to the status quo. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Nothing is done on the practice court to reflect the importance </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">of having </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a r</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">esilient, strong and adaptable mindset during competition.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">...in competition, the battle is fought against </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">an opponent and also within one's own mind. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Your ability to stay focused, composed, and </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">confident during crucial moments can be the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">deciding factor between victory and defeat.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">RESILIENCE UNDER PRESSURE:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At its essence, mental strength in tennis is the ability to handle pressure. As the stakes rise, making sound decisions and effectively executing your strategy is key to mental strength. Players who succumb to pressure easily will always struggle in competition to win matches.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJZhFUKZMYLxMwm-HlfgC_83nTfm6m9xsSRAHA2OeE_nKtxlRTtG4QQqv4p4Xvb0xz89FO-aFmMDiEMdquTRoHjiAa1uDtQfv4QHtvwkhA9nV2yqGJb_aNMeW_GW_jMLQ8dv1dH1sncSHesHXHZWHsjKYAiK_SAAxqxv3Ve7x2Wz_mXQzqlOCHRaALCI/s342/th%20(9).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="342" height="168" id="id_2a88_8146_bfb7_e5f5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJZhFUKZMYLxMwm-HlfgC_83nTfm6m9xsSRAHA2OeE_nKtxlRTtG4QQqv4p4Xvb0xz89FO-aFmMDiEMdquTRoHjiAa1uDtQfv4QHtvwkhA9nV2yqGJb_aNMeW_GW_jMLQ8dv1dH1sncSHesHXHZWHsjKYAiK_SAAxqxv3Ve7x2Wz_mXQzqlOCHRaALCI/s320/th%20(9).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Developing mental resilience is an ongoing process, it's a muscle that requires practice and self-reflection. Techniques such as visualisation, positive self-talk, and mindfulness can help you strengthen your mental game. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A big part of being resilient in matches is having a high level of self-belief. I've met players who are great players but have low self belief. They don't believe that they are as good as they really are. I've also met players with very limited games but high levels of self-belief. Guess which player achieves the best results? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">To be resilient, you must <i>believe</i> you can get past the problems </b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">within a match and, eventually, navigate your way to victory.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">ADAPTABILITY & FLEXIBILITY:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tennis is dynamic, and players must adapt quickly to different situations and opponents. It is vital to adjust game plans, tactics, and strategies in response to each opponent and their strengths and weaknesses. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ys7Stf6ljaOjZ84CVpKQYwqf02LBXWYYt3q0NfgCm-ePTIS2FBx_N8UkgSMAcX8sw063cp6DI7FuhCFntaxuVKYZEGS_wk9w09lGfA3oUEznXihWNDTiDTGnOHZ7gzQm0D-fq1EgByZUXulbmpvfjamk0GiP2HmdqWMMv5R7osdgM-W8E6H6sHJ5X3g/s295/th%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="295" height="180" id="id_8519_e4f4_b495_8f27" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ys7Stf6ljaOjZ84CVpKQYwqf02LBXWYYt3q0NfgCm-ePTIS2FBx_N8UkgSMAcX8sw063cp6DI7FuhCFntaxuVKYZEGS_wk9w09lGfA3oUEznXihWNDTiDTGnOHZ7gzQm0D-fq1EgByZUXulbmpvfjamk0GiP2HmdqWMMv5R7osdgM-W8E6H6sHJ5X3g/s1600/th%20(8).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 295px;" width="295" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tennis is an open-skill sport, meaning that unpredictability will be present in every match. . Expecting predictable outcomes is only going to lead to frustration. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Even the scoring in tennis is unique. You are continually asked to start over; even after winning a set 6-0, or a game to Love, you will be asked to start at 0-0 again. This type of scoring system demands that you are flexible in your thinking and can maintain your focus in the moment and not get too wrapped up in the scoreboard.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">During his most dominant year, Noval Djokovic only won 54% of the points he played. That's an astonishing 47% points lost, even as the world number one. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">If </b><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">you want to be successful in tennis, you </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">need to get </b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">over negative events in a match quickly.</b></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;">Being mentally flexible allows players to move on after a disappointment, giving them an edge over their opponents. It's normal to be disappointed, but the best players are able to get over disappointment quicker than others.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">OVERCOMING OUTSIDE SITUATIONS:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In tennis, players often face external factors that can disrupt their focus and concentration. Weather conditions, crowd noise, decisions against them, or personal distractions can all impact performance. The mentally resilient player acknowledges these distractions but maintains their focus on the game, not allowing outside situations to affect their performance negatively.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW3ue9zKEC0GU3YX6lZY0leKpyPpa4lGtrqNF8eG4D146DRo4HRY9eKoY6DhOLFtyJmYRrGpE-tbBbbPbiv2aGH9vqdGtZNlYpw3bOj9b4CcGksx22STQnZgguQkD7Kt6TV0zHvMfUWjJCANfDeUJftmAf2kAgL4LmTWvY8TFCNWATuYWVcj6dCnll-Q/s211/th%20(11).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="211" height="180" id="id_def6_7da6_2307_8f9f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW3ue9zKEC0GU3YX6lZY0leKpyPpa4lGtrqNF8eG4D146DRo4HRY9eKoY6DhOLFtyJmYRrGpE-tbBbbPbiv2aGH9vqdGtZNlYpw3bOj9b4CcGksx22STQnZgguQkD7Kt6TV0zHvMfUWjJCANfDeUJftmAf2kAgL4LmTWvY8TFCNWATuYWVcj6dCnll-Q/s1600/th%20(11).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 211px;" width="211" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nobody likes injustice; sometimes, you can be the victim of something outside your control during a match. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Perhaps <i>sulking</i> hurts competitive players more than any other mental issue. Players faced with an injustice during a match start to feel sorry for themselves, or they may be demonstrating to </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">those watching the match </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">how unfairly they've been treated. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This period of sulking can last from 5 minutes or until the match's completion, depending on the player.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">If you're serious about winning matches, you'll need </b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">to stop your </b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">sulking, or at best, limit feeling sorry for </b><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">yourself to 5 seconds, then resume fighting.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>THE ROLE OF STROKE MECHANICS AND FITNESS:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While stroke mechanics and physical fitness are undoubtedly important in tennis, they are not the sole determinants of success, particularly at the higher level. A player with flawless technique and exceptional fitness is not guaranteed success. Without the mental skills mentioned here, no amount of technique or fitness will win you matches. However, combining technical, physical and mental attributes will set you apart as a great player.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_39ec_8f8e_e7eb_3b3f" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeDgTPzAmbttMIgkj2nqLg5yA2io-uS8f7qYz42gXE5kfyHfRuPO7Q_ulT7XHO69iYhRSA5l75GsmTM5GtWIJiDHjbOJjwPeuK4UaU5OmDvAPx8sSeAwey2Lh_eNQI_d4ZMuK8ogjPTjeKi7hz2ETwmdHlhDjzQtzSai0SIRoredUmgaaQ6OhOhN4SHM/s303/th%20(7).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="303" height="180" id="id_7bf3_cd3e_6d3b_1c94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeDgTPzAmbttMIgkj2nqLg5yA2io-uS8f7qYz42gXE5kfyHfRuPO7Q_ulT7XHO69iYhRSA5l75GsmTM5GtWIJiDHjbOJjwPeuK4UaU5OmDvAPx8sSeAwey2Lh_eNQI_d4ZMuK8ogjPTjeKi7hz2ETwmdHlhDjzQtzSai0SIRoredUmgaaQ6OhOhN4SHM/s1600/th%20(7).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 303px;" width="303" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rafael Nadal is a player who has been able to <br />bring his mental strength to the level of his <br />awesome game and incredible fitness </span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">CONCLUSION:</b></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In tennis, mental strength is a crucial component of success. While stroke mechanics and fitness lay the foundation, the mentally resilient, strong, and adaptable players rise above the </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">rest. By recognising the importance of the mental game and investing in its development, tennis players can unlock their full potential and achieve greater success on the court.</span></div> Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-4430078525829900292024-01-15T09:58:00.004+07:002024-01-15T09:58:57.332+07:00THE RETURN OF SERVE (Advanced Players)<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBNrzFtGiCYoiZAbluYiikiWVCw68dOajkAGDhQnHPk93agf8VBkiuIbFgq9QauVVHCUuRR87wsWe0x1HzEvd3faj_kGIaoet4AqQB5R8vFSzirFB2xGaca6bSf01BU92K4uKwIJZqXkt2BcC3iHEPRLPuxWQsPvFG4xo5FdC_lpqPiQkzKmvcJSdy6I/s1500/Copy%20of%2027%20TENNIS%20QUOTES%20FROM%20THE%20GREATEST%20PLAYERS%20pin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBNrzFtGiCYoiZAbluYiikiWVCw68dOajkAGDhQnHPk93agf8VBkiuIbFgq9QauVVHCUuRR87wsWe0x1HzEvd3faj_kGIaoet4AqQB5R8vFSzirFB2xGaca6bSf01BU92K4uKwIJZqXkt2BcC3iHEPRLPuxWQsPvFG4xo5FdC_lpqPiQkzKmvcJSdy6I/s320/Copy%20of%2027%20TENNIS%20QUOTES%20FROM%20THE%20GREATEST%20PLAYERS%20pin.png" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So much time is spent by players working on their groundstrokes, yet in my opinion the Return of Serve is a bigger factor in winning matches.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If each player is dominating with their service games during a match, it's up to the Return Of Serve to create the break of serve to</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> win the </span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">match. <i><b>The Return of Serve is the key to unlocking tight matches.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">THE GOAL WHEN RETURNING SERVE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your goal when Returning Serve is <i>consistency.</i> You want to get as many balls back to start the rally as possible. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Put yourself in the Server's shoes for a moment. You've been serving really well and landing lots of first serves, but your opponent keeps making their returns and forcing you to engage in the point. What should they do? Do they change something or continue to play the same?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbzx8QeA8LQm8t8GA5XrH84OM3r_SJD-Brjm3Yg532JG0Bbu8nGaBoYm2C2xPcsOExxlym7t7ZT2kwi84nTUi39t1MfH-QrFq7YTTIzlx0J0GBUswv4z0tOLuhHYnm9czSdCSOUgTax-DGls7HqFb5d8MrtsN1bLorMMF80dzIWTW-D5Z9MRttTnnof8/s275/images%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbzx8QeA8LQm8t8GA5XrH84OM3r_SJD-Brjm3Yg532JG0Bbu8nGaBoYm2C2xPcsOExxlym7t7ZT2kwi84nTUi39t1MfH-QrFq7YTTIzlx0J0GBUswv4z0tOLuhHYnm9czSdCSOUgTax-DGls7HqFb5d8MrtsN1bLorMMF80dzIWTW-D5Z9MRttTnnof8/s1600/images%20(6).jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br />Whichever course of action the Server takes, you have managed to get into their head, create doubt and influence their decision-making.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><b>When you are returning the Serve... </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Aim for consistency. </b></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Make </b></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><b>the Server play. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">TAKING THE BALL EARLIER</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You should take the ball earlier whenever you need to "<i>take time away"</i> from your opponent. This may occur when the opponent serves and volleys. By taking the ball earlier, you force the incoming server to volley from deeper in the court, making it more difficult for them to finish the point with the first volley and perhaps setting you up to pass them on the next ball.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You should also take the ball earlier when you sense the opponent can be rushed into mistakes. You could have been returning from deep off the baseline for most of the match, but by sometimes changing tactics and taking the ball earlier, you can surprise your opponent and gain cheap points.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The term I use when instructing a player to take the ball early is <i>"Inside Returns"</i>, meaning that the returner should aim to contact the ball with their feet positioned inside the baseline. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Begin by standing deep and try to time your movement forward once the Server has started the<span>ir toss. Bring your feet over the baseline and continue the forward momentum as you hit the ball, reducing your swing and relying on perfect timing from the ground.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>...TAKING THE BALL LATER</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpqS8qzMtoZzi0aQjLSs1kqgMHyCYKBNWSgl9waBYwB43QiwhLXOsK2BLPxpExr0E5w_dBL-j7L4xMM6DGBpXAzvUT7GzhA75k31T47Ej12hy7I2WpBzTC1cFY9XPemU7YSsspKuk0sxtKrmIVmKgAN7Cz7S0fohrOex1ZX76TeuMHHb5qQ3A1FwzqIg/s320/th%20(5).jpg" style="background-color: #d9ead3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpqS8qzMtoZzi0aQjLSs1kqgMHyCYKBNWSgl9waBYwB43QiwhLXOsK2BLPxpExr0E5w_dBL-j7L4xMM6DGBpXAzvUT7GzhA75k31T47Ej12hy7I2WpBzTC1cFY9XPemU7YSsspKuk0sxtKrmIVmKgAN7Cz7S0fohrOex1ZX76TeuMHHb5qQ3A1FwzqIg/s1600/th%20(5).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Standing deeper to return the service gives you time to control the serve. In today's power game, you're often better off getting the ball back and giving yourself a chance to engage in a rally. Standing deep is the best option if you feel you are the stronger player in the ground-stroke exchanges.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you stand deep to return the serve, you must return the ball with depth; otherwise, your opponent will take advantage of the short ball and attack you. Give the ball height and try to create a "heavy" ball that is not easily attacked. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Standing further off the baseline has created a greater angle for your opponent to work with, so the higher, heavier ball will give you time to recover to the centre of the court. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><b>WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ON THE "BIG POINTS"?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">There is no rule to perfectly cover what type of return to adopt on the "Big Points". But there are a few considerations that will help you make better decisions.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">When reaching a break-point, you must ask yourself what will work best at this particular point and at this stage of the match. The answer will either be to be consistent or take more risks. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Your decision should be based on your opponent.</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">If your opponent is a steady player and comfortable on the baseline, you should take the ball early and hopefully get to the net. This will give them less time to react and shorten the point.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">If your opponent is the aggressive type, who often hits big shots to get their way out of trouble, you should get the ball back consistently and try to engage them in a rally. The pressure is now on the server; they will feel the need to take risks, and you may be able to hustle them into adopting poor shot selection.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><b>VISUAL BLOCKING</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #d9ead3; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZVfkEgi_xlE1tYEj3qsNLnSTQGbZyBLm0qfrIMNtnIdaUJo1fz-umpMoHSaNNNLN6NCboMeNhxhRwJvwYwXz6R8NMY7YckMHiYVbWKtOPHtN2wpmK2riKNIzyIr9BY6Vam5IaZoNAo5HSKYbuk4Jb_lTuykqsOJOymPZ7vBoHektgoraesXHD17bX6A/s320/th%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZVfkEgi_xlE1tYEj3qsNLnSTQGbZyBLm0qfrIMNtnIdaUJo1fz-umpMoHSaNNNLN6NCboMeNhxhRwJvwYwXz6R8NMY7YckMHiYVbWKtOPHtN2wpmK2riKNIzyIr9BY6Vam5IaZoNAo5HSKYbuk4Jb_lTuykqsOJOymPZ7vBoHektgoraesXHD17bX6A/s1600/th%20(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Visual Blocking is a term used to describe when you physically block one of your opponent's shot options by standing there.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Imagine that your opponent hits a wide serve to your forehand really well and is winning a lot of points that way. If you physically stand wider, where the wide serve has been going, you tell your opponent to change their preferred target and serve down the "T", which means you can now anticipate where the serve is going.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Visual Blocking is a way to dictate which target your opponent chooses</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Return of Serve is an aspect of your game that must be isolated and practised. Try to include the Serve and Return of Serve in drills during practice so that you get more comfortable starting the point that way. Time spent working on the Return of Serve will be time well spent.</span></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-44923512560717212072024-01-01T10:36:00.005+07:002024-03-18T10:51:07.952+07:00FOOTWORK FOR IMPROVED GROUNDSTROKES<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtJV1MCdD3fEz4RdMPm0HT1AHodjGLkIqQL6NmhV6GZAyti_fizbHJ1dVyYAZgnfzOJ7TTZXNC_LQnE0cDQ0n4uAyjLb0XDGDJfTLILVgxZuKLhSn98AoGlI5RjmDECxsHydnu73MUNXm8qAerWAHYJHFVLiW9ZLNy1GY6q5-x7NBXkvP3498qujKOZI/s2160/Infographic%20post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtJV1MCdD3fEz4RdMPm0HT1AHodjGLkIqQL6NmhV6GZAyti_fizbHJ1dVyYAZgnfzOJ7TTZXNC_LQnE0cDQ0n4uAyjLb0XDGDJfTLILVgxZuKLhSn98AoGlI5RjmDECxsHydnu73MUNXm8qAerWAHYJHFVLiW9ZLNy1GY6q5-x7NBXkvP3498qujKOZI/s320/Infographic%20post.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Poor footwork will significantly impact your ability to hit your ground stroke targets accurately, and y</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">our ground stroke game will never reach its full potential if left untouched.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are two main components involved in the relationship between your Footwork and your Ground strokes:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>THE TECHNIQUE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To achieve consistency and accuracy in your ground strokes, you must set up the ability to hit each ball with balance, timing, and inertia. Achieving these three elements allows the racquet-head to work through the ball uninhibited and without contamination. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is all hitting great ground strokes involves, but each element is fundamental to achieving a controlled and powerful stroke. Let's break each element down separately;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Any lack of <i><b><a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-long-last-step.html">balance</a></b></i> creates contamination because if you are falling uncontrollably during the stroke, the path of the racquet is affected (contaminated). A solid platform allows you to execute the stroke smoothly and consistently.</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Any lack of <b><i><a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2014/05/timing-what-is-it-and-how-do-you.html">timing</a></i> </b>during the stroke will mean your swing is disjointed and prone to mishits. Timing is simply your interaction with the ground. The "Ground" tells you when it's time to start your swing and eliminates the biggest error for players worldwide: using the arm to hit their ground strokes. Timing is a tennis fundamental and comes from the ground, not your arm.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-contact-foot.html">Inertia</a></b></i> is needed to generate power in your strokes, and the ground is also your source of inertia. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div>Often, you don't have much time to organise your interaction with the ground to produce balance, timing and inertia, but that's the job of what we all call "Footwork". </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The purpose of footwork is to create balance, </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">timing and inertia </b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">for </b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">every situation you are </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">faced with during the point.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>THE TARGETING</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">You can strike the ball perfectly, but your ground stroke game will be ineffective if you're unaware of on-court targets. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">There are <a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/08/adding-that-x-factor-to-your.html">7 target zones</a> on a tennis court. Mastery over those 7 target zones is crucial to applying pressure on your opponent or defending effectively during a point. Often, the ability to transition from a neutral situation during a rally to an offensive situation is a single well-placed shot. That's all it can take if you understand the target zones of a court.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Likewise, if you are on defence, all it takes is a single well-placed shot to get yourself out of trouble; otherwise, you can scramble around the court defending four more balls when it could have taken one shot.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">The problem is, however, that target accuracy and being technically correct need to go together. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">You can know where to hit the ball but won't achieve your target if you are technically poor.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span>You can see now that the technique you use </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span>when hitting groundstrokes </span></b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span>and your ability </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span>to find the correct targets on the court are </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span>equally </span></b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span>important;</span><span> </span></b></span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span>both go together. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span>One can't exist </span></b><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"><span>without the other. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You must simultaneously work on these two areas, technique and targeting, to achieve reliable Ground Strokes. Eliminate the dozens of non-fundamental things you've been watching on YouTube and condense the "noise" in your head to just three fundamentals.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fundamentals will triumph over "Form" every day and has enabled me personally to help hundreds of advanced players overcome ground stroke problems quickly. </span></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-23608152841128287382023-11-12T16:32:00.005+07:002024-01-07T11:58:28.648+07:00DON’T TRAIN TO “FEEL BETTER” <div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br><br></div></div><div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6jsKmCcvuCXI2D-Pw-8r0sAcHrDOAv1UByDzw2HcVbE2uIUfCOk7ImQqeYgS1oAwZNOCOfdsvuGyMe8a-m8iGIGVcqNHkEz3n8HkjvWxJhyTSZa3s05JlMDD6T6TqH4jlev9KsJtygA1oGPF8d9X3OcbQpRuY7gN4s0XJJWaKBZwFPEsafcsTX95_bE/s2048/DON%E2%80%99T%20TRAIN.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6jsKmCcvuCXI2D-Pw-8r0sAcHrDOAv1UByDzw2HcVbE2uIUfCOk7ImQqeYgS1oAwZNOCOfdsvuGyMe8a-m8iGIGVcqNHkEz3n8HkjvWxJhyTSZa3s05JlMDD6T6TqH4jlev9KsJtygA1oGPF8d9X3OcbQpRuY7gN4s0XJJWaKBZwFPEsafcsTX95_bE/w266-h400/DON%E2%80%99T%20TRAIN.png" width="266" id="id_566e_f82_e338_33c3" style="width: 266px; height: auto;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>" Most practice sessions prior to competition </b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>often </b></span></i><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>revolve around </b></span></i><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>perfecting strokes </b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>and gaining confidence."</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The biggest misconception among players and their coaches is that practice sessions should create comfort. Most practice sessions prior to competition often revolve around perfecting strokes and gaining confidence. However, relying on comfortable practice conditions and seeking to develop confidence during practice sessions will later hinder performance in real match play. In this article, we will explore the significance of making practice </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">uncomfortable</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> and focusing on mental toughness, decision-making, and adapting to unpredictable situations to achieve success on the match court.</span></div><div><br><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_3b08_4d0a_ffd_c2c0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDM07W15VNGOZozba182n0S0qjEaM_-n3TGIbBAYB7R7lS-Yszv43XIHNOfl-73A3S-3YgILTf7HCf_tVQq6mUnQR2gsA" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip=""></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: medium;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: medium;"><b>The Illusion of Comfort:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many advanced players approach practice sessions with the goal of making their strokes feel good and comfortable. They believe that by grooving their strokes in ideal conditions, they will automatically transfer that confidence into match play. Unfortunately, this approach often leads to panic when the confidence and instinctive stroke-making gained from their practice sessions quickly disappear at the first sign of live match discomfort. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The Reality of Match Play:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Competitive tennis is inherently challenging, with unpredictable conditions, pressure, and difficult opponents. Many things that affect the result of your match are out of your control, such as weather conditions and poor line calls at crucial times in the match. While these types of adversity are out of your control, the way you react to them is up to you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Simply practising strokes under ideal circumstances does not adequately prepare you for the complexities of real match play. It is crucial for advanced players and the coaches working with competitive players to recreate these negative conditions each day in practice.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img alt="" id="id_47d8_3887_9e93_f341" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaD1sNNSCE78dxKwGNPgFYzrzqNa7MIJCsmMQlmDMSNswfR7fU5OwKwHZxxdmycxizr-rPl8-ka_oTmr2n1mCbmECxpl" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip=""></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The Big One; Stress</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mental toughness is the ability to stay focused, composed, and resilient in the face of adversity. It allows players to maintain a high level of performance even when things are not going their way. The biggest test you face in matches is your ability to handle stress. A higher levels, every player plays great. The difference becomes how strategically intelligent you are and how well you can play under extreme stress. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Prioritise mental toughness in your training sessions to overcome the inevitable difficulties you will face during matches.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Decision-Making Under Pressure:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In practice, players have the luxury of time and a controlled environment to make decisions. However, during matches decisions must be made quickly and under pressure. Advanced players should improve their decision-making skills by simulating match-like scenarios during practice sessions. This can involve setting-up situations that require frequent decision-making and forcing yourself to adapt to changing situations.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_afd7_3c1b_9ed4_16d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBcF1i2IRLjDUfeFotaLkasXX47clt--CXqHSMPn5dL1GpCTYa1-UPjiyPp9IqjAX8g4ZawynUhbiTDeDHK8LDTsqfhSA" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip=""></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Adapting to Unpredictability:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Real competition is full of unpredictability. Advanced players must learn to adapt their game plan on the fly and make adjustments based on the opponent's strengths and weaknesses. An unwillingness to adapt quickly to your opponent's winning formula will result in you losing the match. Be ready to pivot quickly whenever you lose the match's small battles. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Incorporate drills in your practice sessions that simulate unpredictable scenarios. Practice with different players to experience a variety of different game styles. You must develop the ability to think on your feet and be willing to constantly adjust your strategies during the match.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Perfecting strokes and gaining confidence in practice is important, preparing mentally by going beyond comfort is the magic sauce needed to excel in competition. Focusing on mental toughness, decision-making, and adapting to unpredictable situations are the crucial elements advanced players need above all else to help them elevate their game and achieve better results in match play.</span></div> Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-65813348926435782172023-11-09T15:05:00.001+07:002023-11-10T11:49:47.963+07:00NOT ALL POINTS ARE EQUAL<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH8Gbar3Wy1-Obcu31BYrVrNQcDteBLVtehHHw-9n5UkvqLY7G6ok2ROidzVd9Y3iIQCGnTe9KllqLV2NDQsYhuBYUKx8awrz43Ay7VJyIQbcoogtohH4rX-07QPb1lSByW-xlwmvrNbwxudwJ7Kuct9P_irV8PfzCBDM4Pp_JXgUS1_1FtyJS_YCjGI/s1080/Copy%20of%20Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH8Gbar3Wy1-Obcu31BYrVrNQcDteBLVtehHHw-9n5UkvqLY7G6ok2ROidzVd9Y3iIQCGnTe9KllqLV2NDQsYhuBYUKx8awrz43Ay7VJyIQbcoogtohH4rX-07QPb1lSByW-xlwmvrNbwxudwJ7Kuct9P_irV8PfzCBDM4Pp_JXgUS1_1FtyJS_YCjGI/s320/Copy%20of%20Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Within a match, winning a point can be achieved in two ways: hitting a winner or capitalising on your opponent's errors. While hitting winners may give you an immediate sense of satisfaction, strategically drawing errors from your opponent can greatly impact the match. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>1. The Psychology of Errors:</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When your opponent makes an error, it not only adds a point to your score but also creates a sense of frustration and self-doubt in their mind. You can disrupt their rhythm and confidence by consistently putting pressure on them and forcing them into making shot-selection mistakes or rushing them into technical errors.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">2. Building Pressure:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Drawing errors from your opponent requires you to analyse their game and give them the speed, width, height and placement they least enjoy. Combining these factors means you constantly force your opponent to make difficult decisions and never allow them to feel comfortable. When building pressure in a match, the ultimate goal is to make your opponent break down technically, physically and, best of all, mentally.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LCuH2Pb4wi-sX-O-gCEMKBLKothxGPYTUPeeTimKsn8oTkq5SBjZCP4zYV50eTWwc1bR3ZtY83YjLedE9zNhW0qqhETTRUzXEt0itMMXPCvg_j2mOu6nyt54XShka7qrSxyG3wrfuHRCiWSyEfqnw-7Pn6xjC7oP5GPBDR5uyNGvjL7wtj5lafVzuzQ/s1600/frustrated-tennis-player-fail-brown-court-128965238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LCuH2Pb4wi-sX-O-gCEMKBLKothxGPYTUPeeTimKsn8oTkq5SBjZCP4zYV50eTWwc1bR3ZtY83YjLedE9zNhW0qqhETTRUzXEt0itMMXPCvg_j2mOu6nyt54XShka7qrSxyG3wrfuHRCiWSyEfqnw-7Pn6xjC7oP5GPBDR5uyNGvjL7wtj5lafVzuzQ/s320/frustrated-tennis-player-fail-brown-court-128965238.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">The ultimate goal</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"> is to make your opponent <br />break down technically, physically and, <br />best of all, mentally.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>3. Exploiting Weaknesses</b>:</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Studying your opponent's game lets you identify and exploit their vulnerabilities during the match. For example, you must analyse whether your opponent struggles with certain heights, speeds, widths and positions on the court (either at the baseline or at the net). A theory I use constantly is called the <a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/03/designing-match-strategy-8-opposites.html">8 Opposites.</a> It's a method you can use to quickly create a strategy to give your opponent exactly the type of ball they don't want! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR6N7kpSaaBfHL7D1Ja-WnLrU1DnfKUxm2dGmS_IlvPw3CK2FQm27stluKMI4reMoSvs8ZIQ9RSBxSMpsgW8ohWTdq2kXmdG2xzUzJMN6sMRtihxy8xnN1BCXRqVLURVbxXzYifebm4c3qmF3s-H9Yd7hdOnNoGG4zHGf3koN_tbTVtnnA5puKiApdiA/s633/340382f6d35b3dd1f451ce168f8531dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR6N7kpSaaBfHL7D1Ja-WnLrU1DnfKUxm2dGmS_IlvPw3CK2FQm27stluKMI4reMoSvs8ZIQ9RSBxSMpsgW8ohWTdq2kXmdG2xzUzJMN6sMRtihxy8xnN1BCXRqVLURVbxXzYifebm4c3qmF3s-H9Yd7hdOnNoGG4zHGf3koN_tbTVtnnA5puKiApdiA/s320/340382f6d35b3dd1f451ce168f8531dc.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any pressure you can apply will come from an<br />analysis of your opponent's strengths and weaknesses</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">4. The Ripple Effect:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Drawing errors from your opponent can have a ripple effect on their overall performance. As they make more mistakes, their frustration and self-doubt can grow, eat away at their overall game, and result in a loss of confidence, all of which work in your favour.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">5. The Importance of Consistency:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If the overall goal is for you to pressure your opponent into errors and to frustrate them, then consistency is key. Maintaining the pressure consistently throughout the match stops your opponent from thinking they have a way back in the match. Consistency of purpose in the match only multiplies the pressure your opponent is feeling.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While hitting winners may be exhilarating, drawing errors from your opponent has a more profound impact on your opponent's mindset. Remember, tennis is a mental battle much more than it is a technical battle<br />.</span></div> Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-21849415682571425652023-11-09T09:35:00.007+07:002023-11-12T11:51:00.146+07:00DON'T FORGET THE 3RD TARGET<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSaIsmVql3h_NgmfBK5YRCpLnZbugttlKlp-pRvFlSmWRrhMHs8aL4hg67QMrRu6zDcC6Iov8X9PPtZj8usBYBLfHZvvvRVTeKJgRWYYtcNpKDIjhYfSXggylwrBZ5knqKUZr1S6fV1YvZvabXCJWCQZ3UR41WrbUqN6Khyv8uiBWGuV7kRFGfOK9RXg/s2160/Infographic%20post%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2160" height="320" id="id_637d_74ac_ddad_25ea" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSaIsmVql3h_NgmfBK5YRCpLnZbugttlKlp-pRvFlSmWRrhMHs8aL4hg67QMrRu6zDcC6Iov8X9PPtZj8usBYBLfHZvvvRVTeKJgRWYYtcNpKDIjhYfSXggylwrBZ5knqKUZr1S6fV1YvZvabXCJWCQZ3UR41WrbUqN6Khyv8uiBWGuV7kRFGfOK9RXg/s320/Infographic%20post%20(2).png" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>If you're an advanced competitive player, you must constantly seek an advantage, continually improving your game. Just one strategy or technical change can make all the difference to your results. One area to work on is your shot selection, When, why and where to hit the ball. Great shot selection can compensate for a lack of power and help you attack and defend the point better.</span><p></p><p><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Many players focus primarily on two basic targets: hitting the ball wide to the baseline corners during ground-stroke rallies and serving wide or "big" down the "T."</span></p><p><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">However, a third target often goes unnoticed and can be a game-changer – the <i>"body target."</i></span></p><p><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are significant benefits when you target the body and adding this dimension to your game can make you a more versatile and unpredictable player, </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The Body Target: A Game-Changing Strategy</u></span></b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hitting the ball wide to your opponent's baseline forehand and backhand corners is a well-established tactic. It forces your opponent to cover more ground and puts them under continual pressure. However, as the match develops, most advanced opponents begin to adapt to this pattern and start to read which corner you are hitting. This means that you are under pressure to "do more" with your ball which can lead to over-hitting or frustration that the winners you were hitting earlier in the match have dried up.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Likewise, serving wide and down the "T" can create easy points early in the match, but once your opponent adapts to your speed and your targets, your early advantage can disappear. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_377_e174_7cee_7942" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20IVMUZBWWv3f2dMaTl_gpqYRXctxJlRjMTdkPI-puFa8OzVmxywnVAp__dT97ozOVbgjqxU8TBh1UpsviaF8BUGgtydvqQO-7HsbUzfk0XHltdaJEK8XW3smOxHETM16V0J7OZhUdqT8U5M7ScmfOe1F0zUKk_5HIY8o78UA41fI_5a1NcHllENsFQc/s300/download%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" id="id_b649_1499_1482_8c80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20IVMUZBWWv3f2dMaTl_gpqYRXctxJlRjMTdkPI-puFa8OzVmxywnVAp__dT97ozOVbgjqxU8TBh1UpsviaF8BUGgtydvqQO-7HsbUzfk0XHltdaJEK8XW3smOxHETM16V0J7OZhUdqT8U5M7ScmfOe1F0zUKk_5HIY8o78UA41fI_5a1NcHllENsFQc/s1600/download%20(3).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 300px;" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Targeting the body can be really effective when<br />serving</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By targeting the body or through the middle of the court, you bring a whole new dimension to your game that offers several distinct advantages.</p><ol style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reducing Reaction Time</span></b></li></ol><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For most opponents, when you target their body (often called "jamming" them), you're making it difficult for them to move their feet and set up for a shot. This effectively reduces their shot quality. Simply hitting the ball to their forehand or backhand baseline corners allows them to prepare early and respond. At a high level giving your opponent the ability to swing freely is a dangerous thing. In contrast, a well-placed shot to their body makes footwork and timing difficult. </p><ol start="2" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Creating Uncertainty</span></b></li></ol><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Consistently targeting your opponent's forehand and backhand corners can make your game predictable. Your opponent will anticipate where the ball will likely go and adjust accordingly. By mixing in shots to the body, you create uncertainty. Your opponent can't predict where the ball is going, leading to hesitation.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Liken this to a boxer punching someone in the nose two times before swinging with a hook. Your opponent must continue to worry about your "Jab" and leave themselves open to a "hook" at any time.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_5718_4195_8ec0_a75e" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gmxojfE_Fq6SvCNeDgBivTXy-Wm6pyRCI7tzEJMXv7iXDxGkxvcQ4Bx5XCpW-ms9rlRTkEMPwf38sddjtmvrS75buQYoxEaD5ds880O4STWvcBnnec2LKsnaA7IGysDd8FxVUjbOf91uxUJyfFEkg5lN2XsEPbNZtfgsTozBsJkzT0tGCe-6Ee9YXKQ/s300/images%20(13).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" id="id_5838_10f1_143_6bcb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gmxojfE_Fq6SvCNeDgBivTXy-Wm6pyRCI7tzEJMXv7iXDxGkxvcQ4Bx5XCpW-ms9rlRTkEMPwf38sddjtmvrS75buQYoxEaD5ds880O4STWvcBnnec2LKsnaA7IGysDd8FxVUjbOf91uxUJyfFEkg5lN2XsEPbNZtfgsTozBsJkzT0tGCe-6Ee9YXKQ/s1600/images%20(13).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 300px;" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your aim is to not allow your opponent to<br />anticipate the deep corner targets and move early.</td></tr></tbody></table><ol start="3" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Creating Short Balls</span></b></li></ol><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hitting the body target can result in your opponent hitting shorter, less powerful replies. When the ball jams into your opponent's body, they may struggle to generate the same amount of pace and control as they would with a wider ball. This can create opportunities for you to step forward and attack the ball early.</p><ol start="4" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><b><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; font-size: medium;">Forcing Errors</span></b></li></ol><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Players prefer returning either wide or tight to the body. No player prefers both. If you encounter an opponent that struggles with balls into their body, keep giving them that ball. The issue for your opponent is almost always based on their poor technique, and fixing the problem within the match is impossible for them. They will continue to make errors on the same ball to the body throughout the match.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You're not there to provide the spectators with an interesting match; you're there to win and leave the court as soon as possible. Stick to what is working.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Body Target During Baseline Exchanges</u></span></b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now that we've established the benefits of targeting the body let's explore how to implement this strategy during baseline rallies.</p><ol style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Change of Direction</b></span></li></ol><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One of the most effective ways to target the body during baseline exchanges is by incorporating sudden changes in direction. Start by engaging in cross-court rallies and then, at the right moment, switch your target to your opponent's body by aiming for the middle of the court. This switch disrupts your opponent's rhythm and catches them off guard.</p><ol start="2" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Approach Shots</b></span></li></ol><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When you hit a well-placed approach shot down the middle of the court, you force your opponent to make a quick decision. They must decide whether to go for a passing shot (you've reduced their angle on the passing shot), a lob or to hit it directly at you. In each case, you have put yourself in a favourable position to potentially win the point.</p><ol start="3" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; counter-reset: list-number 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; list-style: none; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: list-number 1; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 28px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Defensive Strategy</b></span></li></ol><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When you're on the defensive, targeting your opponent's body can be game-changing. You'll have to assess your opponent's preference (wide or body), but for most opponents, a ball into their body will disrupt their offensive plans and allow you to regain control of the rally by neutralising the point for you.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><b>The Serve</b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Targeting the body when serving can be particularly effective. A well-placed serve towards your opponent's body limits their options and makes it difficult to control the Return. Your goal is either to neutralise your opponent's return, particularly helpful on your 2nd serve points, or to set up the wide and "T" serve targets for later by keeping the Returner guessing constantly.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Conclusion</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the world of advanced competitive tennis, small tactical adjustments can profoundly impact your performance. The body target is an adjustment that can give you the upper hand in matches. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To incorporate the body target into your game, you'll need to practice targeting the centre of the court from defence, ensuring you learn to master the speeds and heights you need in actual matches. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Remember that balance is key – while the body target is a valuable addition to your arsenal, it should complement, not replace, your other tactics, such as hitting the ball wide of your opponent. Being versatile and unpredictable on the court is the hallmark of a great tennis player.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, the next time you step onto the court, don't limit yourself to the traditional forehand and backhand corner targets. Embrace the power of the body target and watch your game reach new heights. It's a subtle yet effective strategy to help you unlock your full tennis potential and become a more formidable competitor.</p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-53841370008705009702023-09-09T15:56:00.040+07:002024-01-04T18:10:12.149+07:00IMPROVING YOUR GAME MANAGEMENT IN MATCHES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrUJKBerbb8cH5cBVPWTNrjRNd2XVM40o9H75v9EhSlRvNQb5n8BmWnUUDnZJrHkDkoteqoS0yR_7BOY1fi3YGVpn-JOG0XlRomBuar2ImDns5KBlDREzFqKvuolvQFoiAI9bvUDlOxJT8bLvhz2w99ZsNsf-oyHdUotNWgd-6iQjdcBWhOgMzbwZofI/s1500/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20WAYS%20TO%20BEAT%20A%20SUPERIOR%20OPPONENT.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" id="id_25ec_8c5a_ced4_c0f1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrUJKBerbb8cH5cBVPWTNrjRNd2XVM40o9H75v9EhSlRvNQb5n8BmWnUUDnZJrHkDkoteqoS0yR_7BOY1fi3YGVpn-JOG0XlRomBuar2ImDns5KBlDREzFqKvuolvQFoiAI9bvUDlOxJT8bLvhz2w99ZsNsf-oyHdUotNWgd-6iQjdcBWhOgMzbwZofI/s320/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20WAYS%20TO%20BEAT%20A%20SUPERIOR%20OPPONENT.png" style="height: auto; width: 213px;" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many coaches believe that all points are the same, but in reality, there are normal and "Big" points. Your ability to distinguish normal points from the big points and take the necessary steps to win the big points more often than your opponent makes you much tougher to beat. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The significance of a point can vary depending on the context of the game, match or set. For example, a point at 40-15 in a game may be less crucial than a deuce point, which can determine the outcome of a game.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">This ability to understand what is "normal" and what are Big points is called good Game Management. A player who understands Game management constantly adapts their shot selection choices throughout the match.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_1faa_505a_b7f8_5bf0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZimoI31mlQzQfYmiV4gwR_ycH5IMRzKhVtV91G_0Xr-cskDmC45JQ0wDc0NaZV9_2pMJF3AXPEOQMYaxc0ZcDWmwqUFG_QctPqLKCCIa9giI4s2s122b0iLEXN7OKPIpcwtqN6Ws0QaVH7_mAHPjS8z8euS8e0Vuq7uEkwAl3arcunbKZrpCKM81ZOE/s275/download%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" id="id_f76d_82b7_d006_fc70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZimoI31mlQzQfYmiV4gwR_ycH5IMRzKhVtV91G_0Xr-cskDmC45JQ0wDc0NaZV9_2pMJF3AXPEOQMYaxc0ZcDWmwqUFG_QctPqLKCCIa9giI4s2s122b0iLEXN7OKPIpcwtqN6Ws0QaVH7_mAHPjS8z8euS8e0Vuq7uEkwAl3arcunbKZrpCKM81ZOE/s1600/download%20(5).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 275px;" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game Management has nothing to do<br />with age, but everything to do with maturity</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Game Management also involves the score, match stage and a point's psychological impact on the opponent. If you're facing a Break Point near the end of a set, serving an ace to bring the score back to deuce has relieved the pressure slightly, and being near the end of a set, your opponent was probably hoping to return your serve and contest the rally. Taking that chance away with the ace is psychologically tough for your opponent to take; but doing it several times on breakpoints can be devastating for them.</span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Many situations signify that a certain point is more important.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>PRESSURE SITUATIONS</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">During pressure situations such as tie-breaks, game points and set points, you have a definite advantage if you can show your opponent something different or special. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Enter tie-breaks determined to hold serve on each point. As obvious as that sounds, many players often can't see the "trees for the forest". Their first serve percentage may have been in the low fifties for the entire set, but if they can adopt good Game Management practices, their first serve percentage in the tie-break should go up to the high seventies. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Likewise, you might have been trying to break your opponent's serve the entire set but only putting 40% of your returns into play. By adopting good Game Management practices, you begin to return every ball, forcing your opponent to do more and forcing errors from your opponent. Often, all that is needed is a bit of mental clarity and experience in Game Management.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_856f_74af_27b0_547c" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE56EQEuCRKk5bgbcgKPc7pjp5ysuxj9iN_uLSWZ495Trui2hPOnYBZpxbuNBgI6kBDS1cZjycicIyywwqtRrIks7OMhgZ4NM3EUBUBPenaSC1g1yyqKC7cm_8AnzzBiGocpzEyCv9ECFesorKsEjub7mqC0iU635UIYKH1I36K0tbf8JKV9kPEaVYvec/s225/download%20(11).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" id="id_fbd8_6e5f_f582_48b3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE56EQEuCRKk5bgbcgKPc7pjp5ysuxj9iN_uLSWZ495Trui2hPOnYBZpxbuNBgI6kBDS1cZjycicIyywwqtRrIks7OMhgZ4NM3EUBUBPenaSC1g1yyqKC7cm_8AnzzBiGocpzEyCv9ECFesorKsEjub7mqC0iU635UIYKH1I36K0tbf8JKV9kPEaVYvec/s1600/download%20(11).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 225px;" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiafoe has climbed the rankings since<br />adopting smarter Game management <br />principles</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>BIG POINT AWARENESS</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">As a player, you've got to stay aware of when the Big Points arrive. Your opponent could be simply fatigued and showing signs of struggling. That's not the time to "leak" points early in the rally. You must eliminate errors and see how your opponent will handle the situation now.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">There may be times when you need to increase your first-serve percentage, such as when your opponent is dominating your second serve but is far less aggressive and successful when your first serve goes in. There may also be times when you need to take more risks and hit aces. It could be because you're playing on a fast surface or your opponent has trouble returning a fastball. Whichever option you choose will require you to make a tactical and psychological calculation. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>STRATEGIC AWARENESS</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Many of the examples above have a strategic element to them. Give your opponent what they don't want, their least favourite option of speed (fast or slow), height (high or low), direction (wide or tight to the body), and position on the court (up or back).</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">With good Game Management, you sometimes leave your most effective weapons for the most critical times. If your opponent has trouble returning a wide serve to the deuce court, don't show them that serve too often. Mix up your target until you </span><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">really</i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> need the point, and not at 15-all. This prudent use of directions, speeds, heights and positions is at the essence of good Game Management. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_af5c_2493_7026_7c19" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtr_eqemncJfvNtZrl0SFIZFFaW2ZvJGGCxe61xsNCRO62olhjSGxVIs7kUFTToE_ISCVik8oi03Azx3yiZqisNh22rcRNdZ9B9c7zF18FaEdDC0IgxEJZfUDszs8PL7pNgVWnZWrATwieMklpu7dB8dezTywhjNHAdKDR25fcpVLd7StnkEsbWCQpLw/s299/images%20(12).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="168" id="id_e076_940b_2a4e_45bb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtr_eqemncJfvNtZrl0SFIZFFaW2ZvJGGCxe61xsNCRO62olhjSGxVIs7kUFTToE_ISCVik8oi03Azx3yiZqisNh22rcRNdZ9B9c7zF18FaEdDC0IgxEJZfUDszs8PL7pNgVWnZWrATwieMklpu7dB8dezTywhjNHAdKDR25fcpVLd7StnkEsbWCQpLw/s1600/images%20(12).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 299px;" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never overuse your weapons that are working.<br />Keep them for when you need them in the big points.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>BIG POINT MENTALITY </b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Above all, a player must be constantly aware of the ebb and flow of a match. Experienced players monitor many things during a match, but the <a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/02/testing.html">5 most essential elements</a> of Game Management are maintaining;</span></span></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica; white-space-collapse: preserve;">High First Serve Percentage</span></li><li><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Consistent Returns</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Unforced Errors</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pressure in the Rally</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mentally Stable</span></span></li></ol><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>SUMMARY</b></span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">If two players have the same ability, the player with good Game Management skills will easily beat the player not adopting any Game Management. Game Management is, therefore, vital to winning matches and critical at the higher levels of our game, where small things make a tremendous difference.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #343541; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="color: #343541; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com1Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.50176519.9946034482360329 96.10723385 17.518058351763969 104.89629635tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-12789426394352879832023-09-03T17:51:00.001+07:002023-11-12T11:08:32.248+07:00IS EMOTION KILLING YOUR TENNIS?<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0a1ag18t4_ybgPpqsg2Km0OcV_dECdiEx9CLalFdrYP2DRhVEKwKeZkK_Jo9GeQcGHb3R6bmB-OiWWUBRaFFMrX93c9mG9eMZ6nD5qwJE438vZiLVEocxdEbS9vGhKCGp1b4YEdSd9DGCOMshWvyQwxy2iBTNH5cRzWXuG5ikRLLITeX8GXrZl-yEZk/s1080/Copy%20of%20Visualization%20techniques%20for%20tennis%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" id="id_a25d_ff29_c91_e7a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0a1ag18t4_ybgPpqsg2Km0OcV_dECdiEx9CLalFdrYP2DRhVEKwKeZkK_Jo9GeQcGHb3R6bmB-OiWWUBRaFFMrX93c9mG9eMZ6nD5qwJE438vZiLVEocxdEbS9vGhKCGp1b4YEdSd9DGCOMshWvyQwxy2iBTNH5cRzWXuG5ikRLLITeX8GXrZl-yEZk/s320/Copy%20of%20Visualization%20techniques%20for%20tennis%20(2).png" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="group w-full text-token-text-primary border-b border-black/10 gizmo:border-0 dark:border-gray-900/50 gizmo:dark:border-0 bg-gray-50 gizmo:bg-transparent dark:bg-[#444654] gizmo:dark:bg-transparent" data-testid="conversation-turn-3" style="--avatar-color: #19c37d; 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--tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; appearance: button; background-image: none; border-color: rgb(217, 217, 227); border-radius: 0.375rem; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.25rem;"><svg class="icon-sm" fill="none" height="1em" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="1em" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M14 9V5a3 3 0 0 0-3-3l-4 9v11h11.28a2 2 0 0 0 2-1.7l1.38-9a2 2 0 0 0-2-2.3zM7 22H4a2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-7a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h3"></path></svg></button><button class="p-1 gizmo:pl-0 rounded-md disabled:dark:hover:text-gray-400 dark:hover:text-gray-200 dark:text-gray-400 hover:bg-gray-100 hover:text-gray-700 dark:hover:bg-gray-700" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; appearance: button; background-image: none; border-color: rgb(217, 217, 227); border-radius: 0.375rem; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.25rem;"><svg class="icon-sm" fill="none" height="1em" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="1em" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M10 15v4a3 3 0 0 0 3 3l4-9V2H5.72a2 2 0 0 0-2 1.7l-1.38 9a2 2 0 0 0 2 2.3zm7-13h2.67A2.31 2.31 0 0 1 22 4v7a2.31 2.31 0 0 1-2.33 2H17"></path></svg></button></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To improve your game, you must begin to shift from reacting emotionally and use your brain more.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The emotional realm is when you play points with doubt, a lack of confidence, fear, and even anger, and you are often overcome with insecurity and frustration.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sound familiar?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even at the top level, tennis players deal with many negative emotions that conspire to wreck their game. It's just that the top players can override the negative emotions better, or their more brilliant intellect takes over art practised in crucial times and saves the day by helping them complete the win.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But at the lower level, players are overwhelmed by all their negative emotions, which subotage their game.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's not surprising then that tennis, and many other sporting pursuits, can be very frustrating for most and gut-wrenching for others.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The continual emotional conflict between what you want to do and what you actually do in reality can result in us having a mental meltdown during the match. When our intellect fights against our emotions, it can get ugly because few of us can win that battle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_9ca3_f06f_f5b4_8744" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAtCI9sIRd1wKFKeSA9u2uFVYvGV2mpx6PZBH3lhLvLgB9GhlcqeqRMWp-ztPGN7bayFGepI6kw-cGqRXxRK9x9Cp7LItd4BSO6vZ8agLPJnhcCYviQ5fXlMLkPltRUKpXUc7Wf85Ql4vCeQDcpQWy2WCEi2_8-B1Lqx3-rI__7r7v1jtaE2328f8OHw/s310/images%20(11).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="163" id="id_1adc_7dd9_7caf_e651" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAtCI9sIRd1wKFKeSA9u2uFVYvGV2mpx6PZBH3lhLvLgB9GhlcqeqRMWp-ztPGN7bayFGepI6kw-cGqRXxRK9x9Cp7LItd4BSO6vZ8agLPJnhcCYviQ5fXlMLkPltRUKpXUc7Wf85Ql4vCeQDcpQWy2WCEi2_8-B1Lqx3-rI__7r7v1jtaE2328f8OHw/s1600/images%20(11).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 310px;" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Djokovic has learned to master his emotions even<br />under extreme pressure on the biggest stage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The problem is that our emotions are far more potent than our intellect for nearly all of us. The intellectual part of us is poorly prepared. And what is the intellectual part in terms of when we compete? It's our technique, our strategy. In other words, our tennis knowledge, what we should do, how we should do it and when we should do it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you're a player letting their emotions ruin your game, you must understand some critical technical and strategic ideas to become a much more resilient competitor. By emotionally strengthening your mindset's intellectual side, you will squeeze out the emotional portion that dominates your mind.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here are some essential "intellect" points to focus on:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">YOUR TENNIS INTELLECT IS YOUR KNOWLEDGE</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your tennis intellect is simply what you know. You know how to execute the Serve, <i>but </i>under pressure in matches, you get nervous and can't perform the Serve the same way you did in practice. That's understandable, but you've got to get over yourself. No one said becoming a good tennis player was easy; if it was easy, everyone would be a professional player.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you're making unforced errors in a match, you also know that you may be rushing your shots or going for far too much. Why, then, would you not make these simple corrections? Because an emotion of some kind, anger, frustration, or just wanting to finish the match and get off the court has taken over. It's no longer a competitive match but has become an emotional experience. There's no room for any of that stuff you worked on during practice. Emotion is dominating any tennis intelligence you might have developed in practice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_ef7c_f956_ca56_c5a2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ilRfyyPCRdhUM5Mx3HHAwolPOpIt8jIj7WsKygxXtUEH3UK8J44vhwScHXF3qFEqbZJakJAijhsDE-Vsk9yUJabLs1cID5GTdczNFmPFPzUj3l9OZNqnbDSsj1GRVv2AGAMAxpSWltv8KZMpKTUsbbZvCySDJvBTTlyyV1gCRpWHM9c99uGkloq4YlA/s290/images%20(10).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="174" id="id_d27e_7286_424b_62fb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ilRfyyPCRdhUM5Mx3HHAwolPOpIt8jIj7WsKygxXtUEH3UK8J44vhwScHXF3qFEqbZJakJAijhsDE-Vsk9yUJabLs1cID5GTdczNFmPFPzUj3l9OZNqnbDSsj1GRVv2AGAMAxpSWltv8KZMpKTUsbbZvCySDJvBTTlyyV1gCRpWHM9c99uGkloq4YlA/s1600/images%20(10).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 290px;" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John McEnroe was perhaps most famous for<br />his emotional outbursts during his career and<br />Unfortunately didn't capitalise on his enormous <br />talent as much as he could have </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">FOCUS ON YOUR TECHNIQUE</span></h3></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Someone once said that good technique is like your armour in a battle. It protects you against those things that can hurt your game, like your emotions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You've got to start overcoming your negative emotions by adopting the techniques you've learned in practice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_72b1_be25_15c0_7617" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbre6brBKx1BozOpuPVs9G8L9TyBDHYj6UdNKASep6hVSbexj2p0jeGIaEApYT1V3sRPhm8Glc2ZlLXKW7-ttjrTAIiukctVPvyNpeVeNnFTPknrA4YOlXT5RhyimjMBCPU41adGQpOVgyDBsOJ0GPC0JFWtXSliECeORM5YNAub98aoTZdBNJUnhiS5A/s290/images%20(9).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="174" id="id_fe2f_ca7b_760_fd83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbre6brBKx1BozOpuPVs9G8L9TyBDHYj6UdNKASep6hVSbexj2p0jeGIaEApYT1V3sRPhm8Glc2ZlLXKW7-ttjrTAIiukctVPvyNpeVeNnFTPknrA4YOlXT5RhyimjMBCPU41adGQpOVgyDBsOJ0GPC0JFWtXSliECeORM5YNAub98aoTZdBNJUnhiS5A/s1600/images%20(9).jpg" style="height: auto; width: 290px;" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The serial under-achiever</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The easy volley at the net to win the point needs to be done technically correctly by blocking out any dealt or lack of confidence you might have from the past. Scaring from the past can only come back to haunt you if you give it a home in your head. That's where your tennis armour technique can be most helpful. It can help block out the negativity, lack of confidence or self-doubt within you.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">MISTAKES ARE SOMETIMES GOOD THINGS</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You need to understand that making mistakes is your quickest way to improve. If you hold your game back because of issues and think errors are the worst thing, you're operating from a place of fear, another emotion!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I listened to a podcast recently talking about this exact thing. An owner of multiple stores in a large city visited each store weekly, asking the managers, "What have you failed at during the past week?" </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One manager kept telling the owner what he had achieved each week, always making a good decision. During one visit the owner warned him, "If you haven't made a mistake when I come back next week you're fired", and he meant it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you see the culture the owner is trying to develop? If every manager in his network actively tried new things and experimented with ways to improve customer service, train their staff, etc., imagine how much better the owner's businesses would be. Profits would follow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The owner knew that,, mistakes would be made, but that was necessary to move the business forward.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's the same with your tennis. If the thought of making mistakes is holding your game back, it's time to drop your anxiety and adopt sound techniques and good decision-making. If you fail, that's okay. You tried. It will get better. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-73737722494897102472023-08-30T14:19:00.001+07:002023-08-31T07:55:26.382+07:00DEVELOPING AN AGGRESSIVE SERVE: ADVANCED PLAYERS ONLY<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp044AJWLigWssqMcsxAGxHyiDVTZCkQdWEyN9DLLFPRfuMwVuFf_UP6NANHNhca9wMnEi9IdXfbddM_JUvkOUxHiQi53JVo3JranbaPV_wqDyhHkFercDCiS8PXKzvht2mMhXffFkq_9K2LqOyhKpaLzWgfzYTBge2mOOSjoWh9HgpI2MmuSDQLDC3K0/s1500/Copy%20of%20WAYS%20TO%20BEAT%20A%20SUPERIOR%20OPPONENT%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp044AJWLigWssqMcsxAGxHyiDVTZCkQdWEyN9DLLFPRfuMwVuFf_UP6NANHNhca9wMnEi9IdXfbddM_JUvkOUxHiQi53JVo3JranbaPV_wqDyhHkFercDCiS8PXKzvht2mMhXffFkq_9K2LqOyhKpaLzWgfzYTBge2mOOSjoWh9HgpI2MmuSDQLDC3K0/s320/Copy%20of%20WAYS%20TO%20BEAT%20A%20SUPERIOR%20OPPONENT%20(2).png" width="213" id="id_7e2_3a4f_6618_87a8" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Serve is considered the most aggressive stroke in tennis and the only stroke in which the player has complete control over the placement and speed of the ball. It is the only Closed-skill stroke in an Open-skill sport like tennis.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The serve is an opportunity to take control of the point by gaining an advantage over your opponent early in the point. Focusing on the Serve can help players become more dominant in key moments and improve their results quickly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have been focusing recently on improving players' mindset during the serve. An aggressive attitude coupled with good technique will take you a long way. Along with being more positive and optimistic, you'll make better decisions, execute the stroke more confidently, and maintain an aggressive mindset throughout service games.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Negativity hurts your service games a lot because it leads to conservative decisions regarding the targets and the overall execution of the stroke. <font size="4">If you merely </font>get the ball in to start a rally due to conservatism or because stress has tightened you physically it’s going to be difficult to hold serve a big moments. This is particularly true in the women's game, where many players do not take full advantage of their serve in matches. In the men's game, a grateful opponent will almost immediately exploit any drop in the quality of the serve.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_fa7a_38ee_4895_9e5d"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CORkY8v26CA5JJRnt3EgvnNvtbVp7meAEO1r2KypP4PKKunlKHbE5VBy_zhS61-NMFDra9OUBxVK_mXviJhI7D0kINnIKHVOW9X4NhYgqbqvy-Y--4vkx_krVp0bbuIj7Wf1ToXpCnAnWC2ytRWcNe3dG-6ZEVbW90IXtTNTCpHzjO7fswfjucPYwqs/s300/download%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CORkY8v26CA5JJRnt3EgvnNvtbVp7meAEO1r2KypP4PKKunlKHbE5VBy_zhS61-NMFDra9OUBxVK_mXviJhI7D0kINnIKHVOW9X4NhYgqbqvy-Y--4vkx_krVp0bbuIj7Wf1ToXpCnAnWC2ytRWcNe3dG-6ZEVbW90IXtTNTCpHzjO7fswfjucPYwqs/s1600/download%20(3).jpg" width="300" id="id_2b03_8d46_c61_1a4" style="width: 300px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Serve is a critical stroke in tennis and can <br>control the game for you.</td></tr></tbody></table><br><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sometimes, a player can hold serve comfortably throughout a set. Still, at the most critical moments of a match, the serve lets them down, and the increase in pressure creates either conservatism or makes the player physically tight, affecting the consistency and effectiveness during those crucial times.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As a player, it's also essential to consider the type of service you want 3-5 years from now. What kind of service will you need to continue improving to better deal with stronger opponents in the years to come?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most players think about increasing the speed of the Serve when they look to improve their Serve. Still, your best option is to develop versatility by having a wide range of serves such as a wide slice, flat, a kicker, and a level of consistency yet aggressive, accurate and intelligent. If that sounds like a tall order, it is, but if you want to progress in professional tennis, your serve must be all those things.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_1fed_bcc8_4e38_f5a0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF3A6Ru5XtEkoPfvNgvkFd8DqTvNIP-yNrIERFJwwgLVaW5RCTF3uAzh5ZDTnr07L_ThyvrhBAii-eli_pJRqGCstBhQ1JWvfWDR3EtULMYk4BAuGRpeL_QAXYtV31WZfNbr6iw0egUEEUSwsYtqEnC5KWwTgk7HBuDxvjeSYo1GBUpmD4KXhVrNkNJA/s318/images%20(7).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF3A6Ru5XtEkoPfvNgvkFd8DqTvNIP-yNrIERFJwwgLVaW5RCTF3uAzh5ZDTnr07L_ThyvrhBAii-eli_pJRqGCstBhQ1JWvfWDR3EtULMYk4BAuGRpeL_QAXYtV31WZfNbr6iw0egUEEUSwsYtqEnC5KWwTgk7HBuDxvjeSYo1GBUpmD4KXhVrNkNJA/s1600/images%20(7).jpg" width="318" id="id_41fd_f228_6305_921c" style="width: 318px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Increasing the speed of your serve will only do so <br>much, at higher levels you need to increase the <br>the versatility of your serve, </td></tr></tbody></table><br><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've found a simple process to improve a player's aggressiveness, variety, and accuracy and to do all this under pressure during those pressure situations,</span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">STEP ONE: Isolate the Importance of the Serve</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Play a tie-break to 5 points that focuses solely on the serve and the return</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Reward the server with the point if they can hit an ace or un-returnable serve</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If the Returner can make the Return, they win the point. There are no rallies.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By eliminating the groundstroke rally, you focus the player's attention on the serve, which they usually need to do more in matches. It will create an aggressive mindset on the first and second serve because conservatism is not rewarded here.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You will also begin to see the weaknesses in the server's game. They may not be able to hit big enough, or their versatility may be lacking.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The players will initially "go for everything" but soon settle down and try to land more of their best serves in the service box. This may be the first drill they have done where they must unleash serves to the limit of their ability. Again, after some time, the player will become more comfortable going "big" with their serve and trying to win the point outright.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At the professional level, your service must be highly effective yet consistent at the same </span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">time. A player facing a break point only has one opportunity to serve their way out of </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">trouble and find their </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">target.</span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Players should be encouraged to go big or go home. Conservatism doesn’t get you out of challenging moments when serving.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">STEP TWO: Alternate between two mindsets</b></span></p><p>Tennis needs a flexible brain to adapt to the different phases during a match. The mindset required for the Serve at the highest level differs from that of the rally. But if a serve is returned, you must still be able to change gears and play an effective rally point.</p><p>The player becomes comfortable in both modes by alternating between the two mindsets.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Introduce the "No Winner Game" and alternate between the 5-point Serve and Return game.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">The Returner must now return the ball beyond the service Line to win the point</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"> Look for mindset changes between the Serve, Return, and No Winner Game. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You should begin to see the mindset changes occurring. The service points will become aggressive and urgent, while the No Winner Game will demand patience and a more calculated mindset. You are now beginning to form a more ruthless approach to the Service points that were missing before.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">The Service points will become aggressive yet well-planned and calculated, and the execution of these services will start to be successful when needed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_660a_38d1_163d_d823"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsO66-Bx7bLmP8oZZxKRQ2uMcOo8TdUAb5yKFMeIfkGMGaOJzkz7KA7CnDsXuIBqAVVBHkRH8aAc4c6Jdsnl17m6AgPHeggQfH44n3exdYg_FfSApihcvrSTPnSm-wy12G7TrINWgd0AeMT_kUSGTlQwx4sleuk7BwzuGg8RphCntfZuX72v8T1_BFnc/s1568/S__28499970.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1568" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsO66-Bx7bLmP8oZZxKRQ2uMcOo8TdUAb5yKFMeIfkGMGaOJzkz7KA7CnDsXuIBqAVVBHkRH8aAc4c6Jdsnl17m6AgPHeggQfH44n3exdYg_FfSApihcvrSTPnSm-wy12G7TrINWgd0AeMT_kUSGTlQwx4sleuk7BwzuGg8RphCntfZuX72v8T1_BFnc/s320/S__28499970.jpg" width="320" id="id_3a72_4c3d_786a_ec51" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Include a Returner in any drills you do to keep the<br>drill "real"</td></tr></tbody></table><br><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>STEP THREE: Accuracy Drill</b></span></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Stand on the baseline and wrist balls to specific lines (1) Deuce wide (2) Centre line (3) Ad court wide, while competing with another player(s)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If a player hits the designated line, they can progress to the next line target</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first player to complete all three targets wins</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This drill shows the player that accuracy comes from the wrist, particularly the amount of feel you have for late and early wrist pronation/snap.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Time spent developing your serve is well spent, and positive results can appear quite soon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br></b></span></p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-44570623990951396992023-07-23T12:04:00.000+07:002023-12-22T08:25:35.021+07:00BEWARE THE TENNIS WOUNDED DUCK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOB_5HrSWDY3RUWny_gAXx3mbW10-gKghiqxV93TqJPaen9CI9YDVOD7EWM8kjBxOMt-jBA9vu3t_IHXEGHZQi4tYSqdb0IAzgOuA5an91U-D2wX9NTLum6uCVnr3XWlOd0DBj2hU1kNiECueQaacrQ5Zm_DByuvyok08CBuHr6fItePE1oe8YwK3bD0/s1080/Copy%20of%20Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOB_5HrSWDY3RUWny_gAXx3mbW10-gKghiqxV93TqJPaen9CI9YDVOD7EWM8kjBxOMt-jBA9vu3t_IHXEGHZQi4tYSqdb0IAzgOuA5an91U-D2wX9NTLum6uCVnr3XWlOd0DBj2hU1kNiECueQaacrQ5Zm_DByuvyok08CBuHr6fItePE1oe8YwK3bD0/s320/Copy%20of%20Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis%20(1).png" width="320" id="id_c78_4580_db4e_ae99" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gael Monfils, his tennis shirt stained with clay from numerous falls during this nearly 3-hour match, is bent over his racket, looking like he can't go on. Will he continue? Can he even run to another ball?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">You bet he can!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">During his long career, Gael Monfils has been involved in many matches like this. Gael Monfils employs the classic "<i>wounded duck</i>" strategy often and successfully.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Imagine that you've worked your way back into a match after losing the first set and have continued to control the momentum by dominating the 2nd set. At the start of the third set, everything feels under control. Your opponent is making uncharacteristic errors and physically and mentally looking like a beaten player.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">You have established momentum in the match but is everything as it seems?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div>During a match, momentum can be with you, with your opponent, or in a neutral state whereby both players are trying to wrestle control of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Players who adopt the wounded duck strategy are ultimately trying to disrupt the momentum you have created. Unable to break your stranglehold on the match, they attempt to change your mindset. They want you to pull back from the game, relax knowing that the competition is virtually over, and even feel sorry for a (supposedly) "beaten" opponent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Many matches change completely at this stage because if the wounded duck player can successfully take you out of your confident mindset, the game will flip, and the previously dominant player will begin to lose momentum. Once you lose momentum, it's really tough to gain it back!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_7975_f4ab_d5fc_5ab7"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUewkLKEJVBFk4jqxNsUfZ0IG6RuSID21f8Vnjrr4rt2QEyvgTjsiomiRTfB1XI18Xnu5manNqGFPpB2BqPBb2BoR1sQE-yIa3mc01LbInA1LNxXDvBHnvQAiMdRRZLjAYjP0I8AP_dcFsDUcZAeRtNu_ubbplVuigH4Wa-3-afmXZUVtC9gvpWiaURc/s1296/MONFILS_ROLANDGARROS.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1296" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUewkLKEJVBFk4jqxNsUfZ0IG6RuSID21f8Vnjrr4rt2QEyvgTjsiomiRTfB1XI18Xnu5manNqGFPpB2BqPBb2BoR1sQE-yIa3mc01LbInA1LNxXDvBHnvQAiMdRRZLjAYjP0I8AP_dcFsDUcZAeRtNu_ubbplVuigH4Wa-3-afmXZUVtC9gvpWiaURc/s320/MONFILS_ROLANDGARROS.webp" width="320" id="id_5212_dbef_7769_cb88" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gael Monfils has been the classic "Wounded Duck." for most of his career</td></tr></tbody></table><br><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some things to remember when encountering a <i>wounded duck</i> in a match.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;">Realise what's happening.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br></div><div>Perhaps you've fallen for the wounded duck routine several times already. You've now been warned! There's no excuse for allowing your mentality to slip and to lose momentum during a match. If your opponent looks fatigued or injured, that's fine, but if they don't actually retire from the match, be careful; they could be preparing for a fight back. Realise what's happening and maintain your momentum at all times.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;">Play scared and never let up.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Rod Laver used to say, "Play Scared and Never Let Up." What he is suggesting is to always respect your opponent's ability. Complacency is your worst enemy when playing opponents who are ranked below you or around the same level as you.</div><div><br></div><div>Don't get in<span>volved in "ranking mind games". Telling yourself that your opponent is ranked below you and, therefore, the expectation is that you should win is dangerous and counterproductive.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;">Adopt a defensive mindset always.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Adopting a defensive mindset when you play is always a good idea. Throughout the match, assess what could go wrong and how to avoid your opponent staging a comeback. This might seem negative, but too much confidence can be a double-edged sword, leading to complacency. I'd far sooner adopt a defensive mindset and stay aware of where trouble in the match may originate.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: x-large;">Don't get mentally involved.</span></div><div><br></div><div>During the 1975 Wimbledon Men's Singles Final, Arthur Ashe spent the change of ends with a towel draped over his head. Ashe's opponent that day was the brash American Jimmy Connors. Connors was bold and confident, at the top of his game, and expected to win easily that day, </div><div><br></div><div>But Ashe had a plan. He avoided giving Connors a rhythm by reducing the speed of the rally and playing "junk" balls short in the court. It was a master class in avoiding an opponent's strengths by giving Connors balls he didn't like.</div><div><br></div><div>Ashe knew Connors would try to get "inside his head" during the match and avoided all interaction, and maintained his focus by putting a small towel over his head during the changeovers. This simple strategy confused Connors even more! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Match momentum is valuable, and you must first try to gain it and then retain it for the rest of the match. The Wounded Duck opponent has probably succeeded multiple times at disrupting opponents' rhythm to gain control of the game. </div><div><br></div><div>Make sure you don't fall victim to a Wounded Duck opponent.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand-43.0508391 151.3098101-71.361072936178843 116.15356009999999 -14.740605263821152 -173.5339399tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-69842307424495368662023-07-08T16:59:00.000+07:002023-07-08T16:59:39.077+07:00CURE MISTAKES<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-xQk9RkelGeFvu3JX5IbfQf5LL5UYUSkYRkWC96pUOavXXc_ZPbnRWSpD220zjtx26jduptTv_KAUaPAl0aPGVvYmpG1Z8PR0aS1LvxYBcjFx1E8jKqdhFRAlzhDDeMrEHC9EW-Zq2cWmapy7N6vOG-3u9MRi6CHdILpSsruriJkGxiHu1X4voNH6lk/s1500/Copy%20of%20WAYS%20TO%20BEAT%20A%20SUPERIOR%20OPPONENT.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-xQk9RkelGeFvu3JX5IbfQf5LL5UYUSkYRkWC96pUOavXXc_ZPbnRWSpD220zjtx26jduptTv_KAUaPAl0aPGVvYmpG1Z8PR0aS1LvxYBcjFx1E8jKqdhFRAlzhDDeMrEHC9EW-Zq2cWmapy7N6vOG-3u9MRi6CHdILpSsruriJkGxiHu1X4voNH6lk/s320/Copy%20of%20WAYS%20TO%20BEAT%20A%20SUPERIOR%20OPPONENT.png" width="213" /></a></div><br /><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">MISTAKES IN TRAINING</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">During matches, all players face repercussions for their errors from the first point. There's no "play it again" or "continue the rally" in real match-play so don't allow for it into your practice session.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span>Players must face repercussions for any mistakes they make in </span>practice</span>, otherwise, they'll get lazy. I detest when players want to continue playing if the ball goes a little out during practice drills or points. Their reasoning is that continuing the rally or the point makes for a better practice. That's the wrong way to look at it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">An important goal of any practice session should also be to create a stronger mentality for upcoming matches. That means adding pressure, decision-making, and unpredictability to your sessions.</span> Look for any way you can to achieve this, it's really important!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA8nmaHvVAeoX-efywIxE_PGmWA5L3jRVAiLN-esseIC8UboaQ6StJSdtftzVoggKj0CMKsAxVVb0PVKs7Jyq_ju9LLXawQI2CT3Td_1Jwk96I7666cUROioEjHKXtuqqGAvnK5wCIAhV9GrxwbrfybIhHMlj79u9ejjvGytOIfOpE-p5KITNg2hkORE/s1080/image1%5B766%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA8nmaHvVAeoX-efywIxE_PGmWA5L3jRVAiLN-esseIC8UboaQ6StJSdtftzVoggKj0CMKsAxVVb0PVKs7Jyq_ju9LLXawQI2CT3Td_1Jwk96I7666cUROioEjHKXtuqqGAvnK5wCIAhV9GrxwbrfybIhHMlj79u9ejjvGytOIfOpE-p5KITNg2hkORE/s320/image1%5B766%5D.jpeg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reproducing the<i> mentality</i> of real match-play<br />during practice sessions is one of the most <br />important ingredients of my training </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I like to play lots of points during practice. I'll often teach a specific skill or strategy and then subject that skill to the pressure of points. By switching to points quickly after teaching anything I'm adding those important elements into the mix such as point construction, unpredictability, and decision-making. </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">I'm almost <i>inviting</i> mistakes to enter the practice session so that the players experience likely areas the technique or strategy could break down and learn how to deal with them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another large component of my practice sessions involves patterns. Players who understand how, why, and where to hit the ball will be better prepared than players who decide on their shot selection just before the ball arrives. It makes sense that players who are mentally prepared ahead of time will make better choices and therefore fewer errors than those who are less prepared.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mSBHZTexukV7BFXQUS6h4pOqer0gHy4WomK4uMms71PDoolu2n8pBLLs_Gak9hU9cNIgBYuGDKSSIFtnLPdJbp1Y4W90lN9DX1aLUiiyizdi-HzicQtPB6xR1O4TloLJsXEU0k5DcrZQd2Vh2vLWB-bH8cgy3WVi24kLUEauISxZ5ZaP0BQanCrJ7fU/s604/551863_418330628214962_789892044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="604" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mSBHZTexukV7BFXQUS6h4pOqer0gHy4WomK4uMms71PDoolu2n8pBLLs_Gak9hU9cNIgBYuGDKSSIFtnLPdJbp1Y4W90lN9DX1aLUiiyizdi-HzicQtPB6xR1O4TloLJsXEU0k5DcrZQd2Vh2vLWB-bH8cgy3WVi24kLUEauISxZ5ZaP0BQanCrJ7fU/s320/551863_418330628214962_789892044_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A player who works from established patterns during matches will be better prepared mentally and therefore less prone to errors.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: medium;"><b>MISTAKES IN MATCHES</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Mistakes in matches should have, as much as possible, been dealt with in the practice sessions in the weeks before the tournament. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Coaches need to take full responsibility for any mistakes that occur in matches</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and for that matter, for the match result as well. Ultimately, accepting responsibility will force a change in the methodology of your practice sessions. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Match-play is full of information. </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Watching your players compete will show you the direction your teaching needs to take </span><span style="background-color: white;">and will also help you continue to develop as a coach.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Apart from changing the methodology of your sessions to include more pressure, decision-making, and unpredictability, there are other ways to help a player with their errors.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">A fit player makes good decisions and stays in the fight longer!</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Nothing eats away at your discipline as much as being tired in a match. It will affect your concentration, motivation, and your self-belief.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP31uAt10HhL4zg3g4bg573NGz9ZLIZhHI2yluXlTtH3KIf-XM6DND8v3J9kxsGprqJt0ezHfoR_oky6hOA31LJkt8QQ4QiT3Eyw7sO3Zr544JyZkKz_i3Dhg8a5x6KAi-IZkFuHzcuRHKIw567m2F_0J3jFlPOnNR-8a4IjwYABtpH3rY2mr-xnj_Xiw/s1500/man-doing-dips.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP31uAt10HhL4zg3g4bg573NGz9ZLIZhHI2yluXlTtH3KIf-XM6DND8v3J9kxsGprqJt0ezHfoR_oky6hOA31LJkt8QQ4QiT3Eyw7sO3Zr544JyZkKz_i3Dhg8a5x6KAi-IZkFuHzcuRHKIw567m2F_0J3jFlPOnNR-8a4IjwYABtpH3rY2mr-xnj_Xiw/s320/man-doing-dips.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing breaks down your game and your <br />resolve more than fatigue. Being in great <br />shape is like your "protective armor"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Over the past few decades, the importance of being in great shape and able to withstand the heavy demands tennis places on the body has become enormous. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">There is no substitute for being in great shape for your matches.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Players who go into matches with a strategy will do a lot better than those without a plan.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Without a plan players are fine until they are under pressure in a match, then things will go from bad to worse. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">I like to give my players a small piece of paper with 2-3 instructions for the match. The instructions will include a specific strategy to use against our opponent and sometimes a work-on for the match concerning a new technique or pattern.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">After the match, we always review the piece of paper and talk about the player's performance based on the instructions. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: medium;"><b>LEARNING FROM MISTAKES</b></span></div><p>Players and coaches waste so much valuable information within live match play. Real learning, the type that makes you better for future tournaments, comes from your analysis of previous matches.</p><p>How accurate you are at analysing your results will correlate to how long you've been doing it. The more time and effort you put into match analysis the better and more accurate you will become. There's also the skill of taking problems to the practice court and doing a good job of strengthening the problems you saw earlier.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrZZXu599KPyjG-DEsD6dP2nBNpUCEAw_pdapsmw806XEXBlPq550K9SsQUX8HthNM_V7tyRsI1xHKeKz9Uf-Q6hZt344TZEjVH2-_VJw2ubvTcuIZx-ntlsVkVXfrrpDSw5RtKNORBHiEvghlzWlgz2UdOtnFqB09ciRhn0irxF0Y-3YOcu_ogANpYk/s1600/DSC01063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrZZXu599KPyjG-DEsD6dP2nBNpUCEAw_pdapsmw806XEXBlPq550K9SsQUX8HthNM_V7tyRsI1xHKeKz9Uf-Q6hZt344TZEjVH2-_VJw2ubvTcuIZx-ntlsVkVXfrrpDSw5RtKNORBHiEvghlzWlgz2UdOtnFqB09ciRhn0irxF0Y-3YOcu_ogANpYk/s320/DSC01063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mistakes don't have to wreck your results. They can be mostly eliminated with good analysis and targeted practice</td></tr></tbody></table><p>By now you should be seeing that mistakes should be treated holistically. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Mistakes can be related to mental, technical, or strategic issues, but in each case, through a process of observation, analysis, and correction they can be reduced.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-39295625345989819122023-06-25T12:51:00.003+07:002023-09-22T22:05:40.925+07:00BUILD YOUR TENNIS ON A DEFENSIVE FOUNDATION<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNF6ID4CglFN5kA2HvS6lX1KhYiHVdaYRyGfaGcv3VYeV9J95RmnFWxwJfn-QklUKUyuVMQ2vqbCmlyDuwRVlq6l5BIRnjlgi27sGVLs8v4-JcvIyTo8zCDbGqcIhe3dA1eMTX1_2U_61Hip4AlyONDt2ie6Sk4Y-b2JydO0g1IeR76cRMeEMk90bOqTI/s1080/BEAT%20A%20COUNTER-PUNCHER%20(4).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNF6ID4CglFN5kA2HvS6lX1KhYiHVdaYRyGfaGcv3VYeV9J95RmnFWxwJfn-QklUKUyuVMQ2vqbCmlyDuwRVlq6l5BIRnjlgi27sGVLs8v4-JcvIyTo8zCDbGqcIhe3dA1eMTX1_2U_61Hip4AlyONDt2ie6Sk4Y-b2JydO0g1IeR76cRMeEMk90bOqTI/s320/BEAT%20A%20COUNTER-PUNCHER%20(4).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You could be mistaken for thinking tennis is all about aggression. At the top level, players are pounding the ball at every opportunity. You'd be surprised then if you learned that <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">my goal when coaching advanced players is to first have them develop a defensive mental foundation.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />I'm not suggesting that I teach players to send up continuous lobs during the rally or for them to stand at the back fence to retrieve balls.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My goal with advanced players is to change the internal mental dialogue all players experince before every stroke. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><b>A PLAYERS INTERNAL DIALOG BEFORE SHOTS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Every player has a continuous mental dialogue inside their head when they play a point. "How aggressive should I be on this ball?", "Is this the ball to change direction down the line?" etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT7XW_SlUbn1hIdD9Rf_WPoDT56Q5eBfShR-qTrwhIBcx1OYZTDL0qKT8F2mMU9s-T6iJo-ZRurzmTZE24FV8DOT9xEqy_THjW0mRTvf9S2lswxNgAWjf3D99PSGhGwf0SEsCJe6zMz8ZRQQZC4ffYWQpvL3E7reMruRmLSE4DzFJJoeC7lKsweFU_S8/s991/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT7XW_SlUbn1hIdD9Rf_WPoDT56Q5eBfShR-qTrwhIBcx1OYZTDL0qKT8F2mMU9s-T6iJo-ZRurzmTZE24FV8DOT9xEqy_THjW0mRTvf9S2lswxNgAWjf3D99PSGhGwf0SEsCJe6zMz8ZRQQZC4ffYWQpvL3E7reMruRmLSE4DzFJJoeC7lKsweFU_S8/s320/image.png" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The internal dialogue inside our heads drives<br />our decision making</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There's nothing wrong with this <i>type</i> of internal dialogue, but <span style="background-color: white;">there are better questions to ask yourself before each shot.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, what should we base these internal questions on?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>HOW MOST PLAYERS THINK</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Imagine running into the forehand corner for a ball but can't recover for the next one. <div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Most players will decide to hit a forehand winner with as much speed as they can muster. The attempted passing shot must <i>look </i>good. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><br /></span></span></div>These players (I call them tennis <i>Cowboys</i>) will go for the lowest percentage shot during stressful situations. And these tennis "cowboys" play under the illusion that they're doing their best to win the match. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">THE WAY ADVANCED PLAYERS THINK</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">As advanced players run to the same wide forehand, they will ask, "How much </span><i>speed </i><span style="background-color: white;">do I need to give the ball?</span><i>"</i><span style="background-color: white;"> "How much </span><i>spin should I give the ball?" </i><span style="background-color: white;">and "Which </span><i>direction should I hit</i><span style="background-color: white;">?" Advanced players will further factor in whether their opponent has continued forward and approached the net and will be quickly calculating whether or not their opponent has a weak volley, the strength of their overhead, and their ability to cover the net effectively.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">WHAT CAN'T I DO IN THIS SITUATION?</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNALd1uJ1T2VxfA3atK1Y3Awp2Bu8CeK6_vYYSZRTK4svfqGVsb1vh9M4hDpHNJHmQbaWlz7T409trYtpH_rLv1VDS1vQUx0-rJdU5Uvxb__kPe9QIzi7NBBYgFim3a2hr-JiD7ImyhQM8-Cnx9LeOrbyz2nQlpjJewEFXwrm-G5fL4c6uc30ly3erDbM/s300/12750156792413241816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="300" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNALd1uJ1T2VxfA3atK1Y3Awp2Bu8CeK6_vYYSZRTK4svfqGVsb1vh9M4hDpHNJHmQbaWlz7T409trYtpH_rLv1VDS1vQUx0-rJdU5Uvxb__kPe9QIzi7NBBYgFim3a2hr-JiD7ImyhQM8-Cnx9LeOrbyz2nQlpjJewEFXwrm-G5fL4c6uc30ly3erDbM/s1600/12750156792413241816.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a much better question that you can <br />ask yourself before important shots</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">Advanced players ask themselves, "</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><i>What can't I do in this situation?</i>"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">If you ask yourself <i>this </i>question throughout the match at key moments and come up with an honest answer each time, you will dramatically reduce your shot selection mistakes and become a much better player.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Two things happen once you begin to ask yourself what you can't do at those key moments. Firstly, You've identified the dangers and decided to avoid them. Everything else left on the table is available for use. That's extremely empowering.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">This is playing tennis using a defensive foundation mindset: Identifying the low-percentage options, taking them out of your game, and then playing with everything left at your disposal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">ARE YOU PLAYING TO WIN OR PLAYING TO IMPRESS?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">You've got to be honest with yourself. You're either serious about winning matches or you're in tennis to show off or have a good time. Your commitment to winning will often be revealed at crucial moments in matches.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Your seriousness in winning matches will show in your shot selection</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">"PLAY SCARED AND NEVER LET UP"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikufvVmsDRFsBThYXWcSyA7oQs6Qi64omUpZNpUARZz_PUvoh6CZMJdgMgR951ccTCBgnw3UxE9hTOtzBGmg_cutA7txki6qKpxllTWT1BBY35Epw2aMBqdNODIFU8PeENHJ8k302siQP2NGiuwMODvrGAffme2PsSPFRHKtamOYSDpYUH_9Mx0PoTBqU/s1200/889849-jpmwubhxli-1533813733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikufvVmsDRFsBThYXWcSyA7oQs6Qi64omUpZNpUARZz_PUvoh6CZMJdgMgR951ccTCBgnw3UxE9hTOtzBGmg_cutA7txki6qKpxllTWT1BBY35Epw2aMBqdNODIFU8PeENHJ8k302siQP2NGiuwMODvrGAffme2PsSPFRHKtamOYSDpYUH_9Mx0PoTBqU/s320/889849-jpmwubhxli-1533813733.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Play scared and never let up"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">The great Rod Laver recommended players to </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">"Play scared and never let up". </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">This brings up a final piece of the "defensive foundation mindset". When you have your opponent on the ropes, you must finish them off. Never give your opponent a break. Be ruthless when you're in front. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">The legendary warlord Sun Tzu also had defence as the foundation of his "Art of War" philosophy when he said,</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Invincibility lies in your defence".</span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Creating a defensive mental foundation will make you a more solid and effective player. The benefits of</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"> your changed mindset will be a more honest assessment of each ball and appropriate shot selection during stressful situations.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-16534107278634028222023-06-20T22:12:00.238+07:002023-07-03T12:35:11.944+07:00LEARN TENNIS FROM A CHESS GRANDMASTER<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTRaHSkJRuLfaU4YVql6FFATWnpSvpmKFO4_7KD4wpq5xPklQQELhBdF7Vj7K48Njs7XcHrm7PDanr92jhDSC8zljkwpW3-i4WN7NMG3i3rxIEuPK6gLRAe-F3M8PQAjIY7dJCEPjlkYUxpofaG5zwgyuHvmViAMs_ksDu_vkOwaY2VS38gmfrLNrheA/s1080/By%20Paul%20Dale%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTRaHSkJRuLfaU4YVql6FFATWnpSvpmKFO4_7KD4wpq5xPklQQELhBdF7Vj7K48Njs7XcHrm7PDanr92jhDSC8zljkwpW3-i4WN7NMG3i3rxIEuPK6gLRAe-F3M8PQAjIY7dJCEPjlkYUxpofaG5zwgyuHvmViAMs_ksDu_vkOwaY2VS38gmfrLNrheA/s320/By%20Paul%20Dale%20(3).png" width="320" id="id_dab9_a3f8_6c12_bfab" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>All advanced tournament-level players have reached a high degree of technical proficiency, which has played a significant role in getting them to where they are now. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">However, as an advanced tournament-level player, it's important for you to constantly look for other ways to refine and improve your game. There will be areas where slight enhancements or adjustments can lead to further improvements in performance.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One such area, and my favorite recommendation for most players, is the mental and strategic side of our game. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">It's there that you will make the most dramatic improvement in your tournament results.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Try to stay open-minded. While the Mental and strategic side of the game can seem daunting, confusing, and even scary to some players, this is where the real opportunities for growth exist. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">LOOK AT SIMILAR SPORTS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I often compare tennis to boxing. The two sports are very similar. Both involve offense and defense. Both are one on one (except in tennis Doubles) encounters that test you physically and mentally. But there is one more activity that has many more of the qualities needed to play tennis at the highest level. It's Chess.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_fa9c_cc4f_5350_f18c"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvklQgJjYLwK4UxchkLOs1duiMtRCiqHt339smGpozDuudMqeNhEeEAwJIoZs2AspcqusdniEv3T9h0mus2WTtBGwZUbwxToDMpEPnJoGVOqR7huX71stFZU5lCMtNSo7-03g7pg_7iqJJdJ5JAMQtscSArtej_nkQrYb4iueQOwzIkd1ZcSQMO5slgQ/s275/images%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvklQgJjYLwK4UxchkLOs1duiMtRCiqHt339smGpozDuudMqeNhEeEAwJIoZs2AspcqusdniEv3T9h0mus2WTtBGwZUbwxToDMpEPnJoGVOqR7huX71stFZU5lCMtNSo7-03g7pg_7iqJJdJ5JAMQtscSArtej_nkQrYb4iueQOwzIkd1ZcSQMO5slgQ/s1600/images%20(4).jpg" width="275" id="id_9744_7304_939a_a56" style="width: 275px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are lessons to be learned from the<br>chess grandmasters</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #374151; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chess, like tennis, requires strategic thinking, planning, and the ability to anticipate and react to the moves of an opponent. Both sports demand focus, and the capacity to make decisions under pressure and </span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">involve a combination of analysis, decision-making, and adapting to changing circumstances.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a tennis player, you must look past the books and magazine articles about technique and "Form". Social media is full of myths and tennis gurus repeating faulty information, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here then, are the skills shared by a Chess Grandmaster and the top tennis players in the world today that will help move your game along: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></span></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">THINK AHEAD & ANTICIPATE </b></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A chess grandmaster never makes a move without <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">thinking of the consequences of that move</span>. A wrong move can lead to disaster or even defeat. If a grandmaster makes an error, they may be unable to re-right the problem. They have now placed themselves at a disadvantage possibly for the rest of the game.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They also spend a lot of time trying to anticipate their <i>opponent's </i>next move. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">By successfully anticipating their opponent they can successfully reply. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">The major difference however is that the chess grandmasters have the luxury of more time to contemplate both their own moves and those of their opponent. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tennis players have split seconds to calculate their next shot's consequences and react to their opponent.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pay more attention to where you want the ball to go (targets) and how (spins, heights) you want the ball to go there. If you're an advanced player already the technique you use to control the ball will automatically operate instinctively. Trust it.</span></span></div><div><br></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">BE COMFORTABLE PLAYING EITHER OFFENSE & DEFENSE</b></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many tennis players today have lopsided strengths that favor either their offense or defense. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">You must be equally proficient at both offense and defense.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In chess, you're constantly defending your opponent's moves, and waiting for opportunities to attack yourself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Like chess, any closely fought tennis match will involve you spending time attacking your opponent and defending their attack.</span> Tennis is never a one-way street. Get comfortable playing in both conditions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_85ab_a6ca_bd61_4e8"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt8tf335y_WHkGdu8MzvywG3FhgZ5WeSk801TSH9PZimLK7zUHawXJin6iaqzvzMI1y8YIXcF5JUDPsAt5DUwWSn1B1XcWu3gyrY8GpM-_avMIs1981il9xc2pIjgzbSAvxLEs2UlSjP6tVUD35nOxPyLNZHp1_AGDB4PHNVALfuoIf1BIA64OSnJQD4/s275/download%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt8tf335y_WHkGdu8MzvywG3FhgZ5WeSk801TSH9PZimLK7zUHawXJin6iaqzvzMI1y8YIXcF5JUDPsAt5DUwWSn1B1XcWu3gyrY8GpM-_avMIs1981il9xc2pIjgzbSAvxLEs2UlSjP6tVUD35nOxPyLNZHp1_AGDB4PHNVALfuoIf1BIA64OSnJQD4/s1600/download%20(8).jpg" width="275" id="id_a907_4855_d1c_f928" style="width: 275px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennis involves being equally proficient at<br>attacking and defending</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">CREATE STRONG PATTERNS</b></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can find many chess books written for players on the strategic patterns made famous in matches by previous grandmasters. These books provide enthusiasts with a move-by-move account of these encounters. Chess players of today study these moves and try to use them in their own matches.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Design patterns of play that work for you. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">There are many ways to win a point. What are the ways that suit your game style and temperament? Build your game around these patterns that you do well.</span></span></div><div><br></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>HAVE A PLAN</b></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At the highest level of chess, the grandmasters have teams that create strategies each day that look for the best options and weaknesses in their opponents.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">Designing strategies that focus on your opponent's strengths and weaknesses will reap major benefits if you can adopt game plans for each match. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/03/designing-match-strategy-8-opposites.html">How to analyze and create a strategy</a> for each opponent you compete against is seldom taught and rarely included in a player's early development. Strategy is often introduced later in a player's career once they have achieved some success in a tournament. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">This is unfortunate because it would have been easier to teach opponent analysis and strategy along with technique and fitness during the early formative years.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2023/06/adding-strategy-to-your-tennis-program.html">Click on this link</a> for information on how to introduce the topic of strategy into your practice sessions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>BE PATIENT & STAY CALM</b></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Chess is a very introverted game where neither player shows much emotion. It's akin to playing poker.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By contrast, tennis players wear their hearts on their sleeves and give away the negative emotions they're feeling during the match. But why would you want to advertise that you're under pressure, distracted, or lacking confidence?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">During competition stress is normal and a big part of your improvement will come from being able to play to your fullest potential in stressful situations.</span> Point to Nick Kygios as someone who can reach the top in tennis and I will point to Novak Djokovic's 23 Grand Slam titles! You will simply have better results if you can successfully manage your emotions when under pressure.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>REACT TO YOUR OPPONENT</b></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As obvious as this seems most players try to dictate to their opponent on every point. But dominating your opponent comes easiest when you are actively reading your opponent's every move and adapting accordingly. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_8573_2cbd_d8df_6749"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxspT_iequC5FVINobUtumTyIfS2WLNiSp1y7nHvwLYFuq2Mc1BmdvFP0ura_FbSM5cVL6Dg_qp6LY49HuvfSOLOJ0TCl-6mt8VJOb8dTBRSuFg25u6AWv1LdBCYcwiFN9nmGc9b5ms74EDp6TkdmSYZLzRp4PGf71yMXVojhe5mCcpVXHLd99pAfLCtg/s280/images%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxspT_iequC5FVINobUtumTyIfS2WLNiSp1y7nHvwLYFuq2Mc1BmdvFP0ura_FbSM5cVL6Dg_qp6LY49HuvfSOLOJ0TCl-6mt8VJOb8dTBRSuFg25u6AWv1LdBCYcwiFN9nmGc9b5ms74EDp6TkdmSYZLzRp4PGf71yMXVojhe5mCcpVXHLd99pAfLCtg/s1600/images%20(5).jpg" width="280" id="id_2f45_3553_2f53_954" style="width: 280px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not possible to dominate the rally on every<br>point. Spend time learning to read your opponent.</td></tr></tbody></table><br></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Social media is full of tennis content explaining how you can hit the perfect ball. But in most instances the example is being presented as a Closed Skill, meaning without the decision-making, unpredictability, and variety of a real match.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you played chess blindly making your moves without considering your opponent's moves the game would finish very early. However many competitive tennis players focus on themselves almost exclusively and fail to get a "reading" on their opponent, their likes and dislikes, or their preferences in particular situations.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Try to not only read the ball but your opponent also.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">BE FOCUSED, DISCIPLINED, AND ADAPTABLE</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These three attributes, if you can master them, will take you far.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most players are <b><i>focused </i></b>until something difficult comes along to pull them out of their "zone". Your job is to build mental blinkers. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Don't allow distractions to affect your technique or your strategy.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The form of <i><b>discipline </b></i>I prefer to see in a player is the type that puts the win first and eliminates the bullshit! There are so many reasons to lose a match but the most <i>uncommon </i>way to lose is for your opponent to beat you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Most matches are won or lost in the "bullshit zone",</span> which is the zone involving conditions (wind, sun, heat, etc) human error (line calls), and lack of realistic preparation (your game, fitness, and devotion). If it was only about your opponent's dominance you'd probably be winning a lot more matches!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Being <i><b>adaptable </b></i>is a core ingredient for all competitive players. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The true nature of competitive tennis is two players trying to make life difficult for each other</span><font size="4">. Your success as a player has a direct relationship to your ability to make life difficult for your opponent.</font></span></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_c390_69a_af36_eba3"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KXIfyBYRIRK3YZlidNTlfLEc50jpGG6e_9bvHzZfCJX7Kc1uinz3BCtpHqtKIEVf60Msru-TbzWVmZsw0zp5ttzNFZwELs4upHHWuj4mt81g4KARtsjsn8DuvBZUbHqbQynxRGc-coREvM8vLbPi198NQP8H2693BWd6rXxn7sgOTLlp-T1KOLQ47Bc/s633/340382f6d35b3dd1f451ce168f8531dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KXIfyBYRIRK3YZlidNTlfLEc50jpGG6e_9bvHzZfCJX7Kc1uinz3BCtpHqtKIEVf60Msru-TbzWVmZsw0zp5ttzNFZwELs4upHHWuj4mt81g4KARtsjsn8DuvBZUbHqbQynxRGc-coREvM8vLbPi198NQP8H2693BWd6rXxn7sgOTLlp-T1KOLQ47Bc/s320/340382f6d35b3dd1f451ce168f8531dc.jpg" width="285" id="id_9762_f0de_4d28_7a4d" style="width: 285px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most matches are won or lost within the Bullshit <br>zone, a zone where excuses abound and players<br>retreat to when things get tough</td></tr></tbody></table><br>Likewise, your ability to absorb the difficulty that your opponent gives you will dictate how far you go in tennis. Adaptability is the essence of being a great player.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There's very little difference between what we do as tennis players and how a Grand Master might approach his/her battles on the chessboard. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br></span></div><p></p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-74047946061554350912023-06-04T11:23:00.004+07:002023-06-04T18:39:25.366+07:00ADDING STRATEGY TO YOUR TENNIS PROGRAM<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjIZU9jTsbb22da_gVSqpoDwtalheY3kDlZAb3R65BB4C5Gb7yyetHvNvyOTIhP96KCqTQ2gtLkGb8j8z2CRvs6835d_ejW2F871WEWMpV0KU6wG-SZCHIwQr6QfFfg7T0ScjrD1t-w4QbZKOZmupW6y_tvjQ-LrdCBMAikrhFiABTxip8tsKYGx_/s1080/Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjIZU9jTsbb22da_gVSqpoDwtalheY3kDlZAb3R65BB4C5Gb7yyetHvNvyOTIhP96KCqTQ2gtLkGb8j8z2CRvs6835d_ejW2F871WEWMpV0KU6wG-SZCHIwQr6QfFfg7T0ScjrD1t-w4QbZKOZmupW6y_tvjQ-LrdCBMAikrhFiABTxip8tsKYGx_/w263-h263/Training%20recall%20to%20boost%20your%20tennis.png" width="263" /></a></span></span></div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>I've always taught strategy to players early in their development. For me, strategy is an integral part of a competitive player's toolkit along with stroke technique, fitness, and movement. </b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When <a href="https://biggerbettertennis.ck.page/4e8b6ef541">teaching strategy to beginners,</a> you'll need to tailor your instructions to suit the age and level of the player(s), but the teaching of strategy should be done early and not left to later. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have recently been involved with college tennis in the US and have seen firsthand the lack of any prior introduction players receive on the topic of strategy. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most of the players I have watched competing at college level have had difficulty implementing even elementary strategy in their matches. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The problem starts when, early in a players career, coaches believe that if a player has perfected their stroke technique, that will naturally transfer into savvy match-play. That certainly is not the case. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The fact is that college coaches are left to deal with this neglected part of a players development. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If a player has already reached college-level tennis but has had little experience implementing basic strategies during matches it will be challenging for them to suddenly adopt a game plan today and feel comfortable doing so. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Just as we teach players to hit Ground strokes, develop their Serve and Returns, show them the best way to move efficiently</span> on-court, so too must we teach them to analyse their opponents and<a href="https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-simple-strategies-to-boost-your-game.html"> implement an effective strategy in their matches. </a></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To introduce strategy effectively to any level of player , here is a suggested 3 step template for coaches:</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Designing Strategy:</span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvJSSrfBgzXhy0fpr-VuA5_QezY3NTpKIjGQFDIw00MP-vMtDhT5dtyZetlMaOeXQfYJd0r1z_ePF12gzpjihzUV-ll_8IWINP4IcoiqJfjXlfQnq_AfDYzFMOCbQ4LcdImB3WDIfJVAlcT57NeRK20hkWWt86wFMDLH8acnHt4qxJKseCAJnN5HJ/s284/download%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvJSSrfBgzXhy0fpr-VuA5_QezY3NTpKIjGQFDIw00MP-vMtDhT5dtyZetlMaOeXQfYJd0r1z_ePF12gzpjihzUV-ll_8IWINP4IcoiqJfjXlfQnq_AfDYzFMOCbQ4LcdImB3WDIfJVAlcT57NeRK20hkWWt86wFMDLH8acnHt4qxJKseCAJnN5HJ/w222-h138/download%20(2).jpg" width="222" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">The best players in our game all implement strategies for <br />each opponent and for each match</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;">Base tactics on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. </span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;">Use an effective system for analysing opponents, such as "The 8 Opposites". "</span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;">The 8 Opposites" include concepts like fast vs. slow, high vs. low, wide vs. tight, and up vs. back, representing different types of balls opponents can receive. </span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;">Analyse the opponent's preference for certain ball types to exploit their discomfort.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">Implementing Strategy in Matches:</span></b><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Understand that it may take several matches for players to feel comfortable with a strategy. I</span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">nitially, players might see strategy as a distraction, but emphasize the long-term benefits. </span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Help players develop a purpose for their shots and provide them with the tools to execute their shot selection effectively. </span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Correct shot selection can make a player a dangerous opponent and help them overcome opponents who may be technically superior.</span></div><div><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">Analyse, Record, Critique:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDY7De7tMaNqftlTO8YKmk3L2B-bRl7_DSb_gtF4sjtCV8w-Pk2rg4zBthQ2WDvwcFK3173a_McqRnfZJLtmwjRTCdB_A5OmySofVI9mnN2uTdoikFFrLr8TAp4y-VqYy9zwjIrSM8KSYL04EazYFJHGNdh2OY_7AraTVLz12qF9YNeUwwJzyusXg/s259/images%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDY7De7tMaNqftlTO8YKmk3L2B-bRl7_DSb_gtF4sjtCV8w-Pk2rg4zBthQ2WDvwcFK3173a_McqRnfZJLtmwjRTCdB_A5OmySofVI9mnN2uTdoikFFrLr8TAp4y-VqYy9zwjIrSM8KSYL04EazYFJHGNdh2OY_7AraTVLz12qF9YNeUwwJzyusXg/w222-h166/images%20(2).jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Just as we work on technique and fitness daily, <br />strategy should be an integral part of our practice sessions</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">As players become comfortable with playing matches using a strategy, they gain experience with different systems. </span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">While each match and opponent will be unique, there will be broad similarities. </span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take accurate records of each match and opponent, based on The 8 Opposites theory. </span><span color="var(--tw-prose-body)" style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adapt strategies during matches as needed, and maintain a notebook to record insights about opponents' games for future reference.</span></div><div><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">Integrating Strategy Into Practice Sessions:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgpnpZtJ0GAjOxUUq-MB7CGaGfvdWonWqtcqusDyY_DIClr-6hEM61QwuYhfun_tf1pAtrnDQ4ORfJhxg7Ton-QLLsKKvq_QogqBDSRyMCmalwgB7lPnGMACo0AK44bITqyohenzTJI5Q7z8Oc3-12rjWYPHYVNDhAC89Uu7uFdzgl--9s41YQ74-/s259/download%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgpnpZtJ0GAjOxUUq-MB7CGaGfvdWonWqtcqusDyY_DIClr-6hEM61QwuYhfun_tf1pAtrnDQ4ORfJhxg7Ton-QLLsKKvq_QogqBDSRyMCmalwgB7lPnGMACo0AK44bITqyohenzTJI5Q7z8Oc3-12rjWYPHYVNDhAC89Uu7uFdzgl--9s41YQ74-/w204-h153/download%20(1).jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Through the use of accurate strategies designed <br />specifically for each opponent you will be <br />able to defeat anyone</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Incorporate match strategy into regular practice sessions by identifying </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">specific tactics players need to work on, such as keeping the ball high or approaching the net more frequently.</span><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allocate practice time to improve these areas of the game and reinforce strategic thinking during practice sessions.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span> </span><br /></span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span> </span><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">By following this template, coaches can help their players develop a deeper understanding of strategy and improve their performance on the court. Remember that strategy should be taught early on and integrated throughout a player's development, alongside other essential aspects of the game.</span></div></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-44283575026626323212023-05-30T13:38:00.002+07:002023-07-09T12:10:51.922+07:00 6 WAYS TO PLAY WITH MORE COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcNBd9ojVHEJevvF7aRplzpVxtU_R_mrg_GRK5zy4zlRFpiv3CU_gJ6sa8u0SRSdAKNihKHr_jB6LPGzcqCKxYVHD9EDCUQH4WRxtDiY7h3RDiyQFGjqV-RgMxHJCRNab5X-EarsTdp4SOSDKi4zwpsn60MmvJ5vIBrsfjZmrVXsihp8hgk4foD0_SHc/s1080/Visualization%20techniques%20for%20tennis.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcNBd9ojVHEJevvF7aRplzpVxtU_R_mrg_GRK5zy4zlRFpiv3CU_gJ6sa8u0SRSdAKNihKHr_jB6LPGzcqCKxYVHD9EDCUQH4WRxtDiY7h3RDiyQFGjqV-RgMxHJCRNab5X-EarsTdp4SOSDKi4zwpsn60MmvJ5vIBrsfjZmrVXsihp8hgk4foD0_SHc/s320/Visualization%20techniques%20for%20tennis.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Playing with confidence is crucial for all tennis players. Any lack of confidence can affect not only your ball-striking but also your decision-making. Additionally, facing an opponent who is determined to create difficulties for you on the court can contribute to feelings of fear and self-doubt regarding your strokes. However, there are strategies and mindset shifts that can help players overcome these challenges and regain their confidence.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are 6 ways to develop a more courageous and confident you.</div><div><br /></div></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: medium;">#1 REMOVE THE DOUBT</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Regaining confidence in your game starts with believing in
your ability to hit the ball well. If you start striking the ball better, your confidence will grow. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">During practice, remove the doubt in your mind and begin striking the ball confidently; after all, it's only a practice session! </span><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: helvetica;">Trust your technique and focus on executing
your shots with conviction.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What you are doing is treating Doubt as an inconvenient habit that has been affecting your strokes. By practising "doubt removal," you are replacing one bad habit with a good one.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Soon, you'll discover that you can bypass the mental doubt paralysing you and trust your swing more. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxw00Sib-s2eT9ZDOKF4OAgCpUuskk2SiK_eKf91nCJGKBLK5hmLiS3OTdf7OeDWEDUBcchuMwqZvT3a5yk40GrjxkgUqMusJbokmNHmJafaZjm94NDCifYVFN2ptY1IrY1E0lgy8dnucwO4H2PIaTG9ptyvSzNmW8cWcisipM9zrSTXGV5yEfnMcQ/s1024/S__28499971.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1024" height="241" id="id_cbf_1889_20c3_7a50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxw00Sib-s2eT9ZDOKF4OAgCpUuskk2SiK_eKf91nCJGKBLK5hmLiS3OTdf7OeDWEDUBcchuMwqZvT3a5yk40GrjxkgUqMusJbokmNHmJafaZjm94NDCifYVFN2ptY1IrY1E0lgy8dnucwO4H2PIaTG9ptyvSzNmW8cWcisipM9zrSTXGV5yEfnMcQ/s320/S__28499971.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">#2 MAKE A NOISE</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); color: #374151; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); color: #374151; line-height: 107%;">Making a vocal
sound when hitting the ball can help you release tension <i>and</i> generate more
power. It can also distract you from overthinking your strokes or the
situation in the match. Experiment with different sounds and </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 229, 205); color: #374151; line-height: 107%;">find one that
feels natural and helps you feel more confident and focused during your shots.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 229, 205); color: #374151; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">#3 PRACTICE HITTING OVER THE BASELINE</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Many players become fearful of hitting the ball out, so they tend to play too safe and often physically tighten. By practicing hitting the ball over the baseline during practice sessions, you can build confidence in your ability to play the ball deep and begin to feel relaxed again. Hitting "too" deep will help liberate you from your fearful, tight ground strokes.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbeX0Djon8jMXWk7Ggfw8zEDSISxSr-xyA2bjsv-dyf-PZfj4fzOkTR0DfQp8EIJuG_FAIS9Pm7NBzIWV0Cp0ixu7pql9eAfuTF_y1OGWTXu2U2RMUuTWBEwMdMWV9cnDhsItiI-caAmAo-nf-vz_5Bpuu0br64kRNkYEEYqAXmUgZXE_o9fgOR0P/s1568/S__28499970.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1568" height="213" id="id_8321_a9f1_ec60_8d70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbeX0Djon8jMXWk7Ggfw8zEDSISxSr-xyA2bjsv-dyf-PZfj4fzOkTR0DfQp8EIJuG_FAIS9Pm7NBzIWV0Cp0ixu7pql9eAfuTF_y1OGWTXu2U2RMUuTWBEwMdMWV9cnDhsItiI-caAmAo-nf-vz_5Bpuu0br64kRNkYEEYqAXmUgZXE_o9fgOR0P/s320/S__28499970.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;">#4 DEEPEN YOUR</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">BACKSWING</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #374151;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">A deeper backswing allows you to generate more power and control during your shots easier. When you feel confident in your ability to take a full backswing, you'll have more confidence in your strokes. Deepen your back swing to ensure more racket momentum and to avoid tight strokes that fall short in the court.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #374151;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">#5 CONTACT THE BALL CLEANER</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #374151;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As a player, whenever I was under pressure to produce something special, like a passing shot, I often told myself that the minimum I needed was to strike the ball cleanly. It was amazing how the little quirks and the hesitation in my stroke fell away when I reminded myself of this each time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> When we lose our confidence, the mind often tries to calculate many unnecessary details, and we suffer from a mental overload. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Giving myself a straightforward task helped direct my focus to the most essential ingredient, Contact.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Striking the ball cleanly and solidly can significantly increase your confidence. Focus on making clean contact with the ball. Clean ball striking will help you generate effortless power, greater control, and consistency in your shots.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #374151;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU34XOMMyKVluxreG_Kbmeon3ggCOOYy9eNOObNm3tNLcbkJP4ZrP5bClWKZB3U8lkOIaNmpKXd6Y9mz9oT9vJ5pmGODBh3a6nMxGHjEWI7cR8DkcOWT6mrh0AQboWU555Ss2MtvLsFH1WPcYED1-W9HNjIjqRukdVjRw_sJsdHoIjdM-5biz3xFMT/s1568/S__28499972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1568" height="213" id="id_b0d3_1d8d_57b3_deaa" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU34XOMMyKVluxreG_Kbmeon3ggCOOYy9eNOObNm3tNLcbkJP4ZrP5bClWKZB3U8lkOIaNmpKXd6Y9mz9oT9vJ5pmGODBh3a6nMxGHjEWI7cR8DkcOWT6mrh0AQboWU555Ss2MtvLsFH1WPcYED1-W9HNjIjqRukdVjRw_sJsdHoIjdM-5biz3xFMT/s320/S__28499972.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #374151;"><br /><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">#6 STAY RELAXED</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #374151; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">Tension and stress can negatively affect your confidence and performance on the court. Try to stay relaxed and composed during your matches. Take deep breaths, use visualization techniques, and remind yourself to enjoy the game. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">Although you could be constantly playing in a stressful competitive environment, enjoying the challenge and responding positively to the situation is still important. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">Take time to re-access the reasons you're playing the game and remind yourself why you "signed up" for competitive tennis initially. You're here because you wanted to experience the challenge, so buckle up and let's do this!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-zzg8SSu-4I2851t-yqPRO9hBscESLyt4Qqr1LMvlAW565h26Xm85cFU0fzXPj2rDSrPNlR60lJWp4HyCOm3PGjYV0iJZn_9sj0r-y845uBNAbtyposdI4Blc-tr0JAY-Ca5k3IFy3yWJuIBosrqjeorOitX5TpYTRcgpEpWgHs7WaNlasMFnqJ765c/s262/download%20(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="192" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-zzg8SSu-4I2851t-yqPRO9hBscESLyt4Qqr1LMvlAW565h26Xm85cFU0fzXPj2rDSrPNlR60lJWp4HyCOm3PGjYV0iJZn_9sj0r-y845uBNAbtyposdI4Blc-tr0JAY-Ca5k3IFy3yWJuIBosrqjeorOitX5TpYTRcgpEpWgHs7WaNlasMFnqJ765c/s1600/download%20(10).jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Competitive tennis is not easy. <br />Take the time to consider why you<br />began playing in the beginning and<br />embrace the challenges that come with<br />being a competitive player,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); padding: 0cm;"><p style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border: none; color: #374151; margin: 0cm 0cm 15pt; padding: 0cm;"><br /></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: helvetica;"></span></span></span></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.553902936178845 65.3455151 42.066564736178847 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-45354061684679767082023-01-05T13:44:00.001+07:002023-01-05T13:44:20.265+07:0012 BEST LESSON PLAN IDEAS<img id="id_bffa_e5a6_de84_99e0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/oaY0dTXWLZoUG6uVM622ftq-Euz-A6VGqC9y3undk6WXOoUx3k7mQ98uHc5-HAUbbkk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-10667759360591912522022-05-18T13:27:00.013+07:002023-06-05T12:22:08.985+07:00COACHING FUTURE CHAMPIONS: Creating An Environment To Succeed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI37AIi6fMx_2CzM152sUXaa1cgEgM5Ox-NMuxeqP5Eib4s8WrnfT3_RUo_8ERW_41AAcY271vTuIcF8XjRKfDnDK7-gyIqioRx4I4RiZ7x2hrg1EFRj6D9DsmrlFauUlxw0nE0VYL8IOvinC_9j0QnsiZfvXU4cKRLRT9qNBrqtcZa7ZE3SGg_MYk/s1080/DJOKOVIC%20VS%20NADAL%20WHO%20WINS%20THE%20FRENCH%20OPEN%202020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI37AIi6fMx_2CzM152sUXaa1cgEgM5Ox-NMuxeqP5Eib4s8WrnfT3_RUo_8ERW_41AAcY271vTuIcF8XjRKfDnDK7-gyIqioRx4I4RiZ7x2hrg1EFRj6D9DsmrlFauUlxw0nE0VYL8IOvinC_9j0QnsiZfvXU4cKRLRT9qNBrqtcZa7ZE3SGg_MYk/s320/DJOKOVIC%20VS%20NADAL%20WHO%20WINS%20THE%20FRENCH%20OPEN%202020.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;">Sir Alex Ferguson, the renowned former football manager of Manchester United, had incredible success over a 27-year career with the club. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since he departed from the club, Manchester United has struggled to match the outstanding results Ferguson could produce during his years in charge. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many of the Managers who have replaced Ferguson have also had big reputations and have proven track records at other big clubs. So why have these replacements not been able to match the standards set by Ferguson and demanded by the clubs' supporters?</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><font face="Helvetica" size="3">Why was Sir Alex Ferguson able to do for Manchester United what no other football manager has been able to do since? </font></span></span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If Manchester United were the same team, why were they unable to continue with the same results?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There was a similar story in the world of boxing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When Michael Gerard Tyson, better known to the world as Mike, was 16 years old, he met a boxing trainer named Gus D'Amato. D'Amato was an experienced trainer with an eye for talent and saw the enormous potential of the young Tyson and began work on developing Mike into a highly skilled and disciplined fighter. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_76b7_73cc_1905_22c3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOI9BIrbx7lqUEXdILZUkVgt7D156J873IcMi96ie8PW575v54uq14ZQAgC0fxd5BIc4Fs6fZ6Tf4oDumCVXM_2aOI0x7PQQ1E4yep6zetrcDVh5b8YV089VEPUUOXuOkzspFwU2tTrY/s468/OIP+%25286%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="392" height="320" id="id_920_a76f_3aef_6d46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOI9BIrbx7lqUEXdILZUkVgt7D156J873IcMi96ie8PW575v54uq14ZQAgC0fxd5BIc4Fs6fZ6Tf4oDumCVXM_2aOI0x7PQQ1E4yep6zetrcDVh5b8YV089VEPUUOXuOkzspFwU2tTrY/s320/OIP+%25286%2529.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 268px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D'Amato and Tyson</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Before meeting D'Amato, Mike Tyson had been arrested by police 38 times before turning 13 years old. However, by the age of 20, Gus D'Amato had turned Mike Tyson into the youngest heavyweight boxing champion. D'Amato was able to influence the young Mike Tyson's attitude and personal discipline in a big way. Gus D'Amato was the right trainer for Mike Tyson and came along at just the right time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Unfortunately, Gus D'Amato died during Tyson's highly successful tenor as the world's top heavyweight, and the attitude and discipline that took Tyson to the top were also gone.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Apart from technical ability, there are other factors </span><span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">present </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">in a</span></span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">team or individual's success that, if neglected</span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">will </span></span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica;">lead to </span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica;">that team or individual's </span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica;">decline.</span></h4><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;">In the early '90s, I was part of the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Scheme (BAT) in Madras, India. BAT consisted of 8 boys and two coaches, and during our frequent trips to tournaments within India and overseas, we developed different rituals at each of the various venues we played.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The evening dinner ritual was to sit at the same table, use the same seat, and order the same meal each night until the tournament was over.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Several boys also had superstitions regarding clothing. One boy needed to wear the same pair of shorts for every match. He would wash his favorite shorts each night and hope they were dry by the next day (often, they weren't).</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Were these quirks baseless superstitions, or did they have their origins in something more profound?</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Early in a player's career, stroke technique plays a significant part in their development. Still, later, as these young players move into a higher, more competitive environment, other factors become even more crucial than technical prowess.</span></span></p><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font face="Helvetica"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Players perform better when they are organised and familiar with their surroundings. </span><br /></font><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font face="Helvetica">Sometimes, the most critical job of a coach on tennis trips is to get the logistics right for players. Where to eat, what time to wake up, and who to practice with are as important as tactics for upcoming matches. </font></span></div></div><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Predictability within their environment allows a player to focus </span></span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">on their matches. </span></span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They not only like it, but they also need it!</span></b></span></div><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font face="Helvetica">I do not doubt that what distinguished Sir Alex Ferguson from the others was his ability to create an environment for his teams to succeed. Gus D'Amato did the same for Mike Tyson. Much of the environment building would have been intuitive to both men after many years of experience.</font></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font face="Helvetica"><br /><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Whether experienced or not, young tennis coaches wanting to enter the world of competitive coaching will need to learn the art of environment building for the players under their care if they're going to succeed.</span></font></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Helvetica">Both Sir Alex Ferguson's success at Manchester United and Gus D'Amato's impact on Mike Tyson's career can be attributed to their ability to create a conducive environment for their teams or individuals to succeed. While technical skills and talent are undoubtedly important, the environment surrounding athletes or teams plays a significant role in their performance and achievements. Here's why environment building is crucial in sports:</font></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: helvetica; font-size: small; margin: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"></p><ul><li><font face="Helvetica"><b>Leadership and Guidance: </b>Both Ferguson and D'Amato provided strong leadership and guidance to their respective teams or individuals. They had a clear vision, set high standards, and instilled discipline and a winning mentality in their players or boxers. They acted as mentors and role models, ensuring that everyone was focused and committed to their goals.</font></li></ul><p></p><ul><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica"><b>Team Cohesion and Culture:</b> Ferguson and D'Amato fostered a strong sense of unity and camaraderie within their teams. They created a positive team culture where individuals worked together towards a common objective. Building trust, respect, and a sense of belonging helped the players or boxers support and motivate each other, leading to improved performance on the field or in the ring.</font></p></li></ul><ul><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica"><b>Psychological Support:</b> Creating a supportive and nurturing environment is crucial for athletes' mental well-being. Both Ferguson and D'Amato understood the importance of addressing the psychological aspects of their athletes' performances. They provided encouragement, motivation, and psychological support to help their teams or individuals overcome challenges, deal with pressure, and maintain focus during crucial moments.</font></p></li></ul><ul><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica"><b>Attention to Detail:</b> Paying attention to even the smallest details can have a significant impact on performance. Ferguson and D'Amato were known for their meticulous planning and preparation. They ensured that their teams or individuals had the necessary resources, facilities, and support systems in place. This attention to detail created an environment where everything was optimized for success.</font></p></li></ul><ul><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica"><b>Consistency and Stability:</b> Maintaining a consistent and stable environment allows athletes to focus on their performance without unnecessary distractions. Ferguson's long tenure at Manchester United provided stability to the club, and D'Amato's untimely death had a negative impact on Tyson's career. Continuity and a sense of security enable athletes to develop routines, rituals, and superstitions that help them feel comfortable and perform at their best.</font></p></li></ul><ul><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica"><b>Adaptability and Innovation:</b> While creating a stable environment is important, successful coaches and mentors also adapt and innovate when necessary. Ferguson and D'Amato were not afraid to make changes, learn from failures, and adapt their strategies to meet new challenges. They were constantly seeking ways to improve and stay ahead of the competition.</font></p></li></ul></span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Helvetica">In conclusion, creating a supportive, disciplined, and high-performance environment is essential for achieving success in sports. Coaches and mentors who can build such environments for their teams or individuals greatly enhance their chances of achieving exceptional results. The role of environment building is not limited to experienced coaches; it is a valuable skill that young coaches should develop to help their athletes thrive.</font></span></span></div></div>
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Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-6370831653200801412022-05-13T15:05:00.004+07:002023-06-06T21:56:39.801+07:00DOES PLAYING BETTER PLAYERS HELP YOUR GAME?<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_a0bd_1bc6_ac49_ecb2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1iiFy8dAeR-MzWYsfgX4xj7WDZzYLJzNu737bF6kwDJvHoboivl9dCNaFqTOcJkHzOM" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Should you be practising with players who are better than you to improve? Well, yes, sometimes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One of the problems many coaches have to deal with when they train large groups of players is this myth amongst players and parents that to get better; you need to practice with players who are better than you.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By practising with better players, you are automatically required to move faster on the court, make quicker decisions, and be stronger mentally. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But I've seen significant progress in players who have practiced against players who are not as good.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here's why working with weaker players can be beneficial to your game.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Offense & Defense</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even a dominant player like Noval Djokovic, during his best years, only won 56% of the points he played. That means he lost 44% of the points he played when he was at his best!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tennis is a game that involves three conditions when you are playing a point; you are either in an Offensive mode, a defensive mode, or you are Neutral (neither Offense nor Defense).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I often see players who have trained themselves to be 100% Offensive in matches, but if they are forced to go on the defensive in pints don't know what to do. The quality of their Offense is far better than the quality of their Defense.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many in the women's game are like this.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anna Ivanovic went to number 2 in the world very quickly based on an all-out aggressive game. Once, she told me, "If I can play my game, nobody can beat me." While that might have been true, many times during matches, she had to defend, and as soon as opponents understood that they needed to establish Offense before Anna, she struggled to win.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you practice against players who are better than you, you will experience many defensive points. That's great. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And when you play against a weaker player, you will have lots of opportunities to work on your Offense. That's perfect also.</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_9a0f_f376_b007_efe3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h3SJRJOOUXU22TSXFe3WUJz2w7qcAge3HvNkYmshjO1Tjb-nBOYNm5Cm0DHMAlIEl_pfPldXa1nTTdNXPmHR6NMZcIFkjkPCWDWwH1-KZG6Mqri7DdXbaebA82S-ytX0ihWhNa8JPFqfK3BaEPJoDYNlFv8GzB8GzQsR_XV4DV633agj-hL3p4ya/s300/images%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" id="id_cfe8_29b1_5631_a1cd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h3SJRJOOUXU22TSXFe3WUJz2w7qcAge3HvNkYmshjO1Tjb-nBOYNm5Cm0DHMAlIEl_pfPldXa1nTTdNXPmHR6NMZcIFkjkPCWDWwH1-KZG6Mqri7DdXbaebA82S-ytX0ihWhNa8JPFqfK3BaEPJoDYNlFv8GzB8GzQsR_XV4DV633agj-hL3p4ya/s1600/images%20(2).jpeg" style="height: auto; width: 300px;" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You need opportunities to practice your Offensive <br />game and your Defensive game while in matches.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #ead1dc;">30/30/30</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The ideal scenario is to play against opponents better than you for 30% of the time, against players of the same level as you for 30% of the time, and against players weaker than you 30%.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It doesn't have to be exact, but you get the idea. Each level can help your game if you approach practice intelligently.</span></div><p><b style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">30% Above</b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When you are playing against or practising with players who are stronger than you try to limit their ability to attack you, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Get the ball to the right places. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Generally, you're trying to maintain depth during the rally and trying to read your opponent as best you can.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Any way you can anticipate your opponents' intentions will give you an advantage.</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_bfc0_d19e_bdf6_7305" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2Q8NsfRJI5uzkODCCpCBHrMFAevK6yg7Z3Zu-3XbRj-abbPsV_-xsDJFh055OhpQg0K5wBuwZ6p0_nSgkbja2h6wlGqDqw3-TxaDOi6jua5aqlR3cE8HW5LMGGxA0OR3idyR_UqfaeeCUgBq4hDqRdqlzwYVXK45lYonRPB5s68Ic_2yvY6Wv_qz/s600/imagen.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="600" height="209" id="id_d88c_bff_c6c8_315f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2Q8NsfRJI5uzkODCCpCBHrMFAevK6yg7Z3Zu-3XbRj-abbPsV_-xsDJFh055OhpQg0K5wBuwZ6p0_nSgkbja2h6wlGqDqw3-TxaDOi6jua5aqlR3cE8HW5LMGGxA0OR3idyR_UqfaeeCUgBq4hDqRdqlzwYVXK45lYonRPB5s68Ic_2yvY6Wv_qz/s320/imagen.jpeg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Defense is just as important to you as Offense</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #ead1dc;">30% the Same Level</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Practicing and playing against players at your level helps you develop consistency. It's easy to play against players better than you because there's no pressure; you're expected to lose anyway, right? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many parents and coaches have their players play "up" and justify them playing up by saying that it will give them experience. Rubbish! They're afraid of the player losing within their own age group.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There's a unique pressure that comes with being expected to win. Let's start to get used to that type of pressure.</span></span></span></div><p><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>30% Below</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The best way to improve and test parts of your game is to use them in live matches that mean something. But you can make this process a little easier and help gain confidence by implementing the new skill or strategy in games against lower-level players.</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_c1cd_4269_73c5_7ea0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQeq7Dfh0lqhPws5eI24PeIh607mCY27QqvcNksgvacECF-_TW3GdvSS_WHeLfpBm4kowPGeX6C6_JjiBIogAQxiNxEb2pjuU4mJhK0ffBdmg8AWt6DNy828JmS-v9rxbIp_bpnP3jGcWDob7TICX-sKlLyezVDBrb4u09GKB4IjjnCGS7i4pfPyb/s270/download%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="270" height="187" id="id_e637_a6b6_b9e5_6c8f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQeq7Dfh0lqhPws5eI24PeIh607mCY27QqvcNksgvacECF-_TW3GdvSS_WHeLfpBm4kowPGeX6C6_JjiBIogAQxiNxEb2pjuU4mJhK0ffBdmg8AWt6DNy828JmS-v9rxbIp_bpnP3jGcWDob7TICX-sKlLyezVDBrb4u09GKB4IjjnCGS7i4pfPyb/s1600/download%20(1).jpeg" style="height: auto; width: 270px;" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young fighters are given easier fights early<br />in their career</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In boxing, they often start a promising fighter's career by putting them in match-ups with many lower-ranked players. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We can do the same in tennis to help players adopt new things into their game.</span></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-88190273276661273432022-04-29T13:23:00.003+07:002023-06-09T21:55:17.769+07:00BECOME A MENTAL GIANT IN MATCHES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RH2pXeHpQF2sdg42v02mLqFUq-v3OlZvgPh2UIoVr-PsrdRzmW8aROBKqe-eVrULWSyWxbR3zMYxQ7w8EoEejPhkVCOJHawK4GAGDQqUL6oWeg7rTgXrmZqrFeawnDmB-LwxRF_6BapHWLKGx6067snobU27hImiapGuBxBz0CDGlAcTKYgnhA8q/s1080/Copy%20of%20Visualization%20techniques%20for%20tennis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RH2pXeHpQF2sdg42v02mLqFUq-v3OlZvgPh2UIoVr-PsrdRzmW8aROBKqe-eVrULWSyWxbR3zMYxQ7w8EoEejPhkVCOJHawK4GAGDQqUL6oWeg7rTgXrmZqrFeawnDmB-LwxRF_6BapHWLKGx6067snobU27hImiapGuBxBz0CDGlAcTKYgnhA8q/s320/Copy%20of%20Visualization%20techniques%20for%20tennis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>The number one question I get asked whenever a player needs help with something is how to improve the mental side of their game.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many of us are excellent in practice, but transferring those great strokes into real-life matches can be difficult.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, here are my suggestions on improving your mentality in matches and becoming a mental giant during competition.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The "Ego" and the "Task" motivated player</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As a coach, I used to love the hard worker. I felt that I had the suitable material to mold a future champion if given a young player who worked hard. But often, these hard-working players, I call them <i>Task</i> motivated players, never fulfilled the potential I thought they had. The good results I expected just didn't materialise.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Task-motivated players worked harder and longer than anybody else but often lack the ability to clinch close matches and will sometimes</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> lose to players who don't work as hard or train as well as them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">So what's going on?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I began to call these other players (the non-hard-working players) <i>Ego</i> motivated players. They are motivated only by winning and by prizes. They play for rewards and good results.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They only care about what was happening today; they wanted to win today and didn't care about tomorrow.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Do you see the problem?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">During a tough match, a Task-motivated player tells themselves that they've done really well in this match and can see the improvement they're making. If they don't win today, they're sure that in he future they will be winning these close matches.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica;">The Ego-motivated player tells themselves, "To hell with tomorrow; I'm not losing this match"!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Guess which player is more successful in competition?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As coaches we need to develop more ego in the Task motivated players. We need to remove the "tomorrow" mindset and replace it with a "today" mindset. Here's how we do it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you're not doing it already, introduce more points into your practice. I've taken this idea to extremes and probably play points for 90% of my lesson. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">I want to include pressure, decision-making, and unpredictability throughout my sessions.</span> Playing points is an ideal way to constantly introduce the player to all three of these elements.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Playing points is a great way to work on building ego in a task-motivated player.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrJeEzY7NhiHcfBKpHqD-3soWR9C7_mER7Gdo05G45trnVCoQ_b_SWmWjsS_tRuvjF20eKkkTtw9C6p48nAjSeMrMGp3a8U6Z3Qbts_OGnt6ZFfB-WCviFztcdy0gk5aVZ2Bzi1mCmzg-L18qTovDVHT20qZkRFolSGEtzs7_gttIaJFP5e8IdohZ/s259/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrJeEzY7NhiHcfBKpHqD-3soWR9C7_mER7Gdo05G45trnVCoQ_b_SWmWjsS_tRuvjF20eKkkTtw9C6p48nAjSeMrMGp3a8U6Z3Qbts_OGnt6ZFfB-WCviFztcdy0gk5aVZ2Bzi1mCmzg-L18qTovDVHT20qZkRFolSGEtzs7_gttIaJFP5e8IdohZ/s1600/images.jpeg" width="259" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You have to have a strong desire to win, and<br />the will to win is something that can be trained.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The words you use</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I want you to stop being a "tomorrow" person and start changing how you think to become a today person.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You're in trouble whenever you believe that "hard work pays off" and "Work hard today and good things will happen," Both phrases hurt your results, particularly in close matches.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And the problem is that our society teaches us this "tomorrow" mindset, and our parents reinforce it to us constantly growing up.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But can you see how both phrases encourage you to believe that the goal is to work hard now for a reward that should automatically come later (tomorrow)?<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here's the problem with that scenario.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica;">Many players think of today as a stepping stone to success <i>later</i> but often get stuck permanently in that "tomorrow" mindset.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></span><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From now on, be careful of the way you talk on the court. <br /></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whether you're a coach or a player, start to think "today" and avoid the tomorrow mindset. </span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The Emphasis on winning</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">During training sessions, I often say to players, "You're not here to practice; you're here to win." I'm also fond of asking players for the score during points so that they understand it means something to me. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And I'm often "guilty" of telling a player, "You must win this (the point or the tie-break)," as they start points during my training sessions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: helvetica;">I'm trying to change the session from a relaxed stress less environment to one of stress with an increased commitment to winning points.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRqanw5jo3_rAJYAcVLcsBNJ6W8DXZEbas2r4r2-fmdtR-ib3IQ38PilgGegbJBGfNl6o0JG4WKoKYa_bNrA9czEyYZcRIrbMMnqsZSaGdaETdG6WwiaX60fTI_NPP6a-pTOtJT5IpBlj2vxJv9VAw1GRV7r_nPG340mIRdR9OBVmtu4D4Jka-WY/s259/images%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRqanw5jo3_rAJYAcVLcsBNJ6W8DXZEbas2r4r2-fmdtR-ib3IQ38PilgGegbJBGfNl6o0JG4WKoKYa_bNrA9czEyYZcRIrbMMnqsZSaGdaETdG6WwiaX60fTI_NPP6a-pTOtJT5IpBlj2vxJv9VAw1GRV7r_nPG340mIRdR9OBVmtu4D4Jka-WY/s1600/images%20(1).jpeg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Avoid the mindset that there is always "tomorrow." <br />to obtain winning results. Teach them the winning <br />habit each day in practice so that it becomes natural.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">CHANGING THE ENVIRONMENT</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This commitment to winning can also carry over into everything you do. Players need to understand that if it's a sprint they are about to do, then they should be trying to be first to finish. They need to be comfortable competing and trying to win in everything they do.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQrdpWRxeDyZ2NchYhneIeYvrRgYROYF8Dy3_qLuzA385gtT64vSCdlLJUTyKjHoL8ASBrB8_QxZ-XSs7Ft1mtuB4vrZzSVkzXnmM5Rzxxh8o6Y5U9cU7B9oKzHScebYzAZ7HVotffmWO5ulekpS5Mctgd98RMtKULkSnGnrala08U-K4h6jJsIm8/s1024/p8094692p-1024x768.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQrdpWRxeDyZ2NchYhneIeYvrRgYROYF8Dy3_qLuzA385gtT64vSCdlLJUTyKjHoL8ASBrB8_QxZ-XSs7Ft1mtuB4vrZzSVkzXnmM5Rzxxh8o6Y5U9cU7B9oKzHScebYzAZ7HVotffmWO5ulekpS5Mctgd98RMtKULkSnGnrala08U-K4h6jJsIm8/s320/p8094692p-1024x768.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's champions are already winners,<br />but champions can be trained and developed.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By making these 4 changes to the way you practice, you will quickly become a mental giant and begin to thrive in competition. </span></p><div><br /></div>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-14.47075432400071 65.3455151 41.983416124000712 135.6580151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-87462264276805454382022-04-22T17:19:00.005+07:002023-11-19T09:34:54.799+07:00SO YOU WANT TO BE A PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC48Rt6LSqBSyrpKb0N0nilmRaEtEawWMy-HNBSTpj28rwsOo9tsi1smd8Jhx_cTdRSsZRUYkCGd4SmQv7fX7BAkD8SWtfsR9fbROLhOQ05tNXiixDpViBVaUGuMv7JDReIEzgghuJJavqS5jx8Hh9kEr6jEbDApUNGmM2oCkRu3nbfzxWb7KuzX5/s1500/which%20next%20gen%20player%20can%20be%20no.%201%20pin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC48Rt6LSqBSyrpKb0N0nilmRaEtEawWMy-HNBSTpj28rwsOo9tsi1smd8Jhx_cTdRSsZRUYkCGd4SmQv7fX7BAkD8SWtfsR9fbROLhOQ05tNXiixDpViBVaUGuMv7JDReIEzgghuJJavqS5jx8Hh9kEr6jEbDApUNGmM2oCkRu3nbfzxWb7KuzX5/w266-h400/which%20next%20gen%20player%20can%20be%20no.%201%20pin.png" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A no-nonsense look at what it takes to be a professional tennis player</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After what many would consider a successful career, Jo-Wilford Tsonga recently retired from professional tennis.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But I felt he could have done a lot more with his talent.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I could observe Tsonga off-court quite a bit, and over the last few years, he had become just a shell of the player he was when he first burst on the scene.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He seemed to have accepted the role of a journeyman tennis player, a player who was merely going through the motions at each tournament and wasn't willing to put the extra work in to maintain his position as a top 10 player. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many players, men, and women, merely show up each week to make up the numbers.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Becoming a professional tennis player is not easy, and it's perhaps even more challenging to stay at the top once you get there.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If your goal is to turn professional one day, there are 3 essential elements that you might not have thought about much.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Watch out for outdated training methods.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">1. Training Methodology</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's a big word, but it's essential to becoming a professional tennis player. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What method of teaching do you train under?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The training you undertake needs to include as many elements as possible that mirror an actual match.<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> If these "real" match elements are not present, it will be harder for you to bridge the gap between what you do in practice and how well you play during competition.</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The common term used is "gamed-based training,"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It also means the type of teaching style the facility or coach uses. If you're not happy getting yelled at and screamed at during practice (yep, some players and parents are okay with that!), look for a coach that better suits your personality.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">2. Technique & Strategy</b></span></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The way you strike the ball and having the ability to implement specific strategies for each opponent has to be part of the make-up of a professional player. </span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But surprisingly, the technique is less important than you think. </span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most people believe the technique is the most critical element to reaching the top. But a player's mind has a much stronger influence on whether a player can become a professional tennis player or not.</span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bkt_dHTxmwrEyhg5uJw2-FIbLEe-x2l23MDklGB-eTPKpBGXDnr46d4bxUeZaS7nh7Rjsh6YfD5g4UWYOuhiv6zstZIudLWicYix-U2VFNwQrKWkcmYjgUqMzyWhMMOYvwDN2dH9G8A1YWf1AqBJryNdvChL7FWKEyV5YMhMZGxgLr4iDDfWU4T4/s864/slide.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="864" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bkt_dHTxmwrEyhg5uJw2-FIbLEe-x2l23MDklGB-eTPKpBGXDnr46d4bxUeZaS7nh7Rjsh6YfD5g4UWYOuhiv6zstZIudLWicYix-U2VFNwQrKWkcmYjgUqMzyWhMMOYvwDN2dH9G8A1YWf1AqBJryNdvChL7FWKEyV5YMhMZGxgLr4iDDfWU4T4/s320/slide.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nadal has a great game, but his mind separates him from others.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How can you know that the training can provide the most up-to-date technical and strategic training? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The best way to know is to look at the coach's record. Have they been able to create winners consistently over the years? <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Don't get distracted by 1 to 2 players who have done well with this coach. That can be based on luck.</span></span></div><p><b><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">3. The Mindset</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Becoming a professional tennis player takes time. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It takes time to train yourself to reach that level, and when you're there, it takes a unique mindset to stay motivated to improve or maintain that level for some years.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is where Jo-Wilford Tsonga came unstuck.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The professional tennis circuit is a rarefied world. You fly into a country, stay in the best hotels, are treated like gods, and can pick up good money by playing within your comfort level. </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDVbpCnYaEa44VyQRF0se0R9GPCZgMSdw41j0DXVbvFxf62bzruRCU3IvKX7M7FG_6pyb7yLsK_DX8BNqrSU3Er9RvpX4UcQl_4q09v2XtpUmVPdzrYQ_MGBDYoom-rp3ePq8sKYq7uj8bS4tgRV0wNDlXtGHsbPodLAoog_sUl9I1UWWgNB3OmkF/s1200/tennis-player-Novak-Djokovic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDVbpCnYaEa44VyQRF0se0R9GPCZgMSdw41j0DXVbvFxf62bzruRCU3IvKX7M7FG_6pyb7yLsK_DX8BNqrSU3Er9RvpX4UcQl_4q09v2XtpUmVPdzrYQ_MGBDYoom-rp3ePq8sKYq7uj8bS4tgRV0wNDlXtGHsbPodLAoog_sUl9I1UWWgNB3OmkF/s320/tennis-player-Novak-Djokovic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you're successful, the professional tennis tour can be amazing</span>.<br /></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;">Many professional players today are simply going through the motions. Some have done exceptionally well a few years earlier and then later opted for an easier lifestyle. Sometimes I can't blame them.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Only a few players have the strength of character to reach the top and maintain the drive to keep improving their games over many years. </span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How can you know whether you have the mental strength to reach the top and stay there? I'm not sure anyone knows until they experience the lifestyle themselves.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">We seldom excel at anything we don't enjoy. </span></strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's important that tennis is a positive experience when you are growing up. It should be fun. </span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tennis should be your passion, not a chore, because someone is pushing you to do it.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is the only way to ensure that you are productive on the court during practice and that you continue to be challenged to improve your game over the long term. It's the only way it can work.</span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tennis is not about beautiful strokes. It's nice to have an attractive game, but everyone has a different style, and any "style" can reach the top.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>The most essential elements to take a player to the top primarily involve the brain. </b></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's time for tennis teaching to reduce its infatuation with stroke production and put more of the spotlight on developing players mentally.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Once this happens, tennis will undertake a significant leap forward in the standard of matches. </span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com0Bangkok, Thailand13.7563309 100.5017651-57.999729793568953 -40.1232349 85.51239159356895 -118.8732349tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790578025980751801.post-23902176212431845642022-01-07T11:11:00.005+07:002023-11-19T10:19:05.067+07:00THE TWO PATHWAYS TO TEACHING BEGINNERS<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgig_1zJeG62qmH_9bQkWpw0hSZ4vrRhXMOxXUuL5unkTp2FazTT-x5X1OS3QuTd5TgvbWUmSWKN-tT7J0QihAZEMM_MrKREtxPKm0iNl4lSZqI5cfdf08o9koo2oBSYW5B5QKqTPt1zykvyEvRlUKyKr2ceZog-3RAfPM0_24JdL0bQPx5ML5wy08N=s940" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgig_1zJeG62qmH_9bQkWpw0hSZ4vrRhXMOxXUuL5unkTp2FazTT-x5X1OS3QuTd5TgvbWUmSWKN-tT7J0QihAZEMM_MrKREtxPKm0iNl4lSZqI5cfdf08o9koo2oBSYW5B5QKqTPt1zykvyEvRlUKyKr2ceZog-3RAfPM0_24JdL0bQPx5ML5wy08N=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I have recently joined a team of coaches at a large club. During my first week, I noticed two very different approaches to coaching beginners.</span></b></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The club we all work at has a thriving beginner coaching program. It's been a long time since I've worked with beginners, and it's </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">my first coaching experience using the "Coloured Ball" system.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We use balls with varying degrees of pressure, making it a little easier for young children to control the ball.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The "Blue" balls are used for very young beginners, followed by Red, Orange, and Green, and eventually, players use the standard yellow tennis ball.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Working alongside young players and many different coaches has uncovered two different teaching philosophies used worldwide, not just at our club.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first philosophy, and most common one, is;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">1. Function Follows Form</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Coaches who adopt this philosophy believe that students should be taught the correct form of the stroke from the beginning and that function (the ability to control the ball to a target) will develop automatically from the proper "form" later. </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFedStc7KQrLsyoWfnTaA3RKqbGaG0SfRo9dSdHx-DhW0biQLGpPn8YdSPvZyRvvGfuWKe6mNlW7QqnWYhfAgacvaIHRARvUsFvNultNkuVDi5h6e3vlUgYYO9bznwDlThcZMyvVJ8CfCUPrZHWfXnroEuj3znEsDGI70WRi8EpmyL53beKYLf1i9c=s275" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFedStc7KQrLsyoWfnTaA3RKqbGaG0SfRo9dSdHx-DhW0biQLGpPn8YdSPvZyRvvGfuWKe6mNlW7QqnWYhfAgacvaIHRARvUsFvNultNkuVDi5h6e3vlUgYYO9bznwDlThcZMyvVJ8CfCUPrZHWfXnroEuj3znEsDGI70WRi8EpmyL53beKYLf1i9c" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swing checkpoints are an important part of <br />the "form" method of teaching beginners<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;"></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These coaches focus on teaching back-swing and follow-through "checkpoints" to the students from their first lesson. They want their students to take their back-swing back early and follow through with their racquets finishing at their shoulders.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They believe that by teaching the student the stroke mechanics (back-swing, follow-through, and closed stance), the student will learn to make all the necessary adjustments needed to rally with confidence and control later. They expect their students to "connect the dots" themselves naturally.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The second philosophy is less common but is the one I have adopted and used for many years. It's:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">2. Form Follows Function </b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Advocates of the Form follows the function method of starting beginners and believe that fundamentals should be the students' first focus.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With ground-strokes, followers of function believe the most critical part of the ground-stroke is the target. They correctly state that contact controls whether the ball goes to the left or the right and the height of the ball.</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaNk7K3bnaRbEBgMAsqb5R-6Q7S82YO9OQQoeOZa8LGh5LGrCeJdNoUNMJeYj2wUTLRKdY4Dg1Yv1V20xDJiu3fd7sQJTAjAYNd66DaowR2ClCSve--4ic582xXzDb5LbP5E1_dRA7AkC0fo1rdbvqzAGD8XB4tb306o2miDIuB1BbZJ3_NYquV3dn=s259" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaNk7K3bnaRbEBgMAsqb5R-6Q7S82YO9OQQoeOZa8LGh5LGrCeJdNoUNMJeYj2wUTLRKdY4Dg1Yv1V20xDJiu3fd7sQJTAjAYNd66DaowR2ClCSve--4ic582xXzDb5LbP5E1_dRA7AkC0fo1rdbvqzAGD8XB4tb306o2miDIuB1BbZJ3_NYquV3dn" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coaches using the "Function" method focus<br />on how to get the ball successfully to a target</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">These coaches aim to have their students rally together and control the ball's placement and depth-first.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Later, as the players gain control and confidence in keeping the ball under control, they are allowed to hit with more power. The player will automatically increase the depth of their back-swing to create more energy for the ball. Because of the increased velocity of their racquet speed, their follow-through also increases proportionately to their back-swing.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: left;">These two different philosophies are at the core of teaching tennis.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: left;">You can see that both of these "schools" of teaching beginners can eventually end up at the same point: having the players rally with control and confidence.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: helvetica;">I would ask which method helps the most students and gives them the most success in the least amount of time?</span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Paul Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894669093729343080noreply@blogger.com1Hong Kong22.3193039 114.1693611-5.9909299361788442 79.0131111 50.629537736178847 149.3256111