Most coaches have expressions, sayings or opinions. Some are unique, some are taken from other coaches and some are read. Here are some of my more common refrains. 1. "Tennis is a movement game" – I guess it’s also a mental game too…but everyone knows that. So many under-the-radar things that happen on the tennis…
Batting lead-off and speaking first about the path to college tennis at the Long Island Tennis Expo had its advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, nobody could steal my material!!! Also, I didn’t have time to sit around and question what I should talk about. Unfortunately, the audience got more populated as the talk went on so…
Maybe it’s because I’m not a parent of a tournament age player, but I love this new tournament format. Lew Brewer of the USTA was interviewed on tennisrecruiting.net and said it perfectly. This news system makes a child earn his/her way to the next level. No more, "my child can’t qualify for sectional main draws so…
Some USTA/Eastern Changes 1) Rest Periods: BG12-18 – after 2nd set, in the best of three-set match: “mandatory 10-minute rest period during which no player shall practice.” Coaching will be allowed. In Layman’s Terms: The 18’s now has a 10-minute break in between a 2nd and 3rd set. My Opinion: No strong opinion either way. Put…
Happy New Year! As 2011 rings in, be aware of some new junior tournament rule changes effecative 1/1/11. Rule 1: National Open Qualifiers: The number of players qualifying for a USTA National Championship from the immediately preceding USTA National Opens will decrease from the top three finishers to the top two finishers from each. The…
Things that show me a soft player…. 1. Losing matches 7-5, 6-0. 2. Somebody who would rather get angry than figure out what is going wrong. 3. A pre-teen who just wants to hit rather than actually work on technique. 4. Somebody who hates playing pushers. 5. Somebody who talks a serious practice schedule but doesn’t play…
One day at a slow group lesson/drill group I said to Nikki, "Nikki, I want you to go to court four and play a set against Julia." Nikki rolled her eyes and said something to the effect of she didn’t want to play a match. she just wants to groove her strokes and play baseline games. …
A Private Lesson: Pros: You have the option of tailoring the lesson to what you want. You can get the best technical instruction with a private lesson. You can also get exercise or learn strategy or even just hit if you want. If you want to reach your best long-term potential, you need good technique. …
Firstly, I want to give myself two shout outs. One, I have been promoted to a "featured" blogger. Not sure what this means but I’ll take it. So for those of you who have been reading my blogs. Thank you!!! Secondly, for those of you who don’t know, there is a big fantasy baseball league…
1. Verdasco’s match point against Ferrer was awesome. If you haven’t seen it yet, youtube it. Seeing him fall to the ground after curling that passing shot inside the court brings the goose bumps. Man, why couldn’t that be me? 2. Since when does hot weather get so windy so fast? The first week was…