During my playing days, I had the opportunity to play for a National Singles Championship. After a great streak of matches, I reached the finals. The night before the match, I was extremely nervous. I had beaten my opponent three times already during the year, but I was not sure of myself. All three…
Tennis stars … the cold months are upon us and it is time to make sure our tennis skills don’t go into a deep freeze. I always found cold conditions to be an advantage for me when I walked onto the court. I grew up in a small town in Michigan. With no indoor…
In the seventh year into my career coaching at the State University of New York at Oneonta, I have critically observed the trends of younger people between the ages of 17-22, both as a coach and classroom lecturer. This age (17-22) is classified as “Generation Z,” a generation that is digitally proficient, wants instant…
It’s at that moment you realize your opponent looks strange. The ball isn’t bouncing the right way. You say, “Oh, they’re a lefty.” Speaking from the lefty’s point of view, the most important tactic is to get off to a quick start. The lack of awareness from your opponent is an advantage you should…
The game of tennis is always changing and evolving, and in order to keep up with the latest trends, we must adapt. Tennis, as a sport, has seen many evolutions over the last few decades. In addition to constant technological advancements in equipment, one trend that has swept the sport over the past few…
Advanced play is simply doing the basics well. Every player wants crisp volleys, powerful groundstrokes and a killer serve, but we often leave the basics in the dust when pursuing bigger and better things. Balance is the key to movement transition, directional change, speed, power and efficiency in sport. No matter how fast you…
Team tennis is a huge piece of the success of a tennis program offering a competitive platform for completion and camaraderie. At Gleneagles Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla., there are 25 teams in nine leagues, including Pickleball. While the selection of the roster for the team is best left to the professional staff,…
The two-handed backhand is one of the most reliable and powerful shots you can learn. Master it in these six easy-to-follow steps! 1. A great two-handed backhand starts with the perfect set-up. First, the grip. The most commonly used grips are the Continental Grip for your dominant hand and an Eastern Forehand Grip for…
While I don’t follow social media often, even a quick check reveals the vast forum of exaggerated ego and business-directed self-promotion. Some tennis coaches participate in this and other methods of hype and it’s so bad that I sometimes feel like I live in a “Look at Me” world of hyperbole that borders on…
Having goals is an essential part of success, both in tennis and in life. There are many reasons why goals are important, but to put it simply, goals drive us forward. They provide us with focus, direction, motivation, a measure of progress and accountability. When it comes to tennis, players must set their goals…