Bigger Better Tennis - Paul Dale

Teaching "Loading" Alone Is Ruining Your Players' Timing (And What to Teach Instead) By Paul Dale | The 3AM Method Every coach knows the importance of ground reaction forces in tennis. We teach players to "load"—bend their knees and thrust upward to create racquet-head speed. It's fundamental to every powerful groundstroke, serve, return, and overhead. However, here's the problem: teaching players to  only  load the ground creates  more timing issues than it solves. The Loading Trap That's Destroying Player Development Loading refers to a player interacting with the ground by bending their knees and thrusting out of that position to create greater racquet-head speed. While this happens on all good shots, the instruction to "just load" is backfiring for most players. Here's what typically happens: A coach tells a player to load. The player dutifully bends their knees—precisely what the coach wants to "see." For a small ...

Tennis Power and Consistency: The Head-to-Foot Line Technique That Transforms Your Game Most tennis players and coaches are missing the most crucial line in tennis—and it has nothing to do with any of the lines painted on the court. I’ve spent most of my life analysing what makes the best players tick, and specifically what they do to make the game look so easy. Mostly, what I have found is that the significant differences are mental, physical and biomechanical. While everyone focuses on technique, swing paths, grips, and footwork patterns that inhibit players more than help, they're missing something straightforward and easy to teach – and that’s hidden in plain sight! Watch any lower-level tournament match and you'll see players working incredibly hard—grunting, straining, and fighting for every shot. Then watch the top pros and notice how relaxed they appear even while generating tremendous pace. The difference isn't fitness, talent, or hours of practice alone. I...

The Ground Fundamental: Your Key to Timing, Power, and Balance The missing link to effortless, controlled hitting in all situations. By Paul Dale | 50 Years of International Coaching The Ground is one of my three fundamentals for tennis. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not teaching Ground to a player to enhance their timing, power, or balance.   Your relationship with the ground incorporates movement, balance, and timing. Without these elements working together, you cannot provide energy or control to the ball. Tennis has become so fast and physical that many coaches and players have forgotten some of the most basic fundamentals. Here's our chance to get your game back to basics. THE THREE BENEFACTORS OF GROUND 1. TIMING: SYNCHRONIZING GROUND ENERGY Good timing is essential in every sport. Whether you're swinging a tennis racquet, golf club, or kicking a football, timing determines success or failure. In tennis, most players know when they've timed a shot ...

The Serve Question That Puzzled Me for Years (And What I Finally Discovered) Two proven approaches, one surprising connection, and the insight that changed how I teach the serve By Paul Dale | 50 Years of International Coaching The Question That Started It All Throughout my coaching career, I've encountered two distinct approaches to serving technique, each championed by excellent coaches and successfully utilised by elite players. The Snap Method: Sharp wrist action with the racquet tip leading through contact.  The Pronation Method: Smooth forearm rotation with the left edge leading (for right-handers) Both produce powerful, accurate serves. Both have scientific backing. Both create champions. For years, this puzzled me. How could two seemingly different techniques achieve such similar results? Recently, I discovered something that brought it all together—and it's changed how I approach serve coaching entirely. The Observation That Changed My Understanding I was working wit...