With twenty Grand Slam titles and a career that defined elegance and longevity, Roger Federer is widely considered the greatest tennis player of all time—not just for his results, but also for his approach to the game. His skill, curiosity, and balance have set him apart for over two decades. The Fence, the Fun, and…
I heard a well-known coach say, “We have to remember that many great coaches say things very wrong in terms of sports science, but it’s how they communicate and motivate that makes them great. The more I learn about sport science, the more this is apparent to me. Just see them as great artists, not…
Sometimes when tennis coaches talk too long they sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher. Of course I’m probably guilty of this at times also but to drive home my point, I’ll find myself using these tidbits. You are in battle and your forehand is the sword and your backhand is the shield. Like some of the…
This season I started teaching a four-year-old boy named Gavin. A private lesson for an entire hour is too long, but that’s what we have been doing. It was supposed to be a half hour session for him, and then a half hour lesson for his mom, who I have been playing with for a…
I read the other day that it all starts with, “An attitude to train harder, harder and even harder.” It doesn’t. Tennis effort is like driving in the snow. With too little effort we go nowhere; with too much effort we spin our wheels and dig ourselves into a rut. It’s the delicate balance of…
It is extremely important to watch the ball all the way from your opponent’s racquet contacting the ball, through your strings contacting the ball. After you hit your shot, shift the focus to what your opponent is doing-watch them. If they are on the run, pushed back or having to react very quickly to your…
I’ve watched tennis for 55 years and have seen players from multiple generations and from all over the world. It’s difficult to avoid noticing that the sport has changed in so many ways, from advancements in technology, athleticism and the evolution of training. Most fascinating is that it has remained static in one very important…
Subject: Concerns Regarding My Children’s Tennis Progress Dear Long Island Tennis Magazine, I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out as a concerned parent of two children currently engaged in tennis, and I would like to share my observations regarding their training. We have been working with their coach for three years,…
There are many ways to get the tennis ball to go in a certain direction. Hitting the ball early or late, adjusting the angle of your racquet face, and positioning your body and shoulders are the most common. Based on my experience, using your shoulder position is the most reliable way to direct the shot….
Authoritative or collaborative? Militancy or cohesiveness? How does one create the ideal environment so that a player is poised for optimum success? This article will humbly attempt to unpack the nuances and roadblocks occurring during player/parent/coach interactions and conclude with a suggestive roadmap for amicable and fructuous outcomes throughout the player/coach/parent lifecycle. Parent vs. Coach…