Bigger Better Tennis - Paul Dale

While stroke mechanics and fitness are crucial, they pale compared to the advantages of being mentally resilient, strong, and adaptable.  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  a player's performance.  TENNIS IS A MENTAL GAME 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.  Nothing is done on the practice court to reflect the importance  of having  a r esilient, strong and adaptable mindset during competition. ...in competition, the battle is fought against  an opponent and also within one's own mind.  Your ability to stay focused, composed, and  confident during crucial moments can be the  deciding factor between victory and defeat. RESILIENCE UNDER PRESSURE: At its ess...

HOW I TEACH THE RETURN OF SERVE To Advanced Players By Paul Dale | The 3AM Method Players spend hours perfecting groundstrokes, but here's the truth: At the top level, the  Return of Serve wins more matches than perfect forehands. When both players hold serve efficiently, the return becomes your only chance to create the crucial break. It's the key that unlocks tight matches. I Want You to Get Inside Their Head Consistency beats power every time on return. Put yourself in the server's shoes: They're landing first serves, feeling confident, but you keep getting balls back and forcing rallies. Now what? Do they change tactics or stick with their plan? Either way, you've created doubt and influenced their decision-making. Mission accomplished. When I Tell Players to Take the Ball Early vs. Late I teach players that returning serve isn't just about reacting to a ball; there is also a tactical timing (early or late) choice you should be making. Take it Earl...

Poor footwork will significantly impact your ability to hit your ground stroke targets accurately, and y our ground stroke game will never reach its full potential if left untouched. There are two main components involved in the relationship between your Footwork and your Ground strokes: THE TECHNIQUE 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.  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; Any lack of balance 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. Any lack of timing during t...