If you have been following my columns, you should know by now that you have to advocate for yourself in life and on the tennis court. Recently at SUNY Oneonta where I serve as head tennis coach, I was asked to lecture on the topic of “Personal Responsibility and Making Change.” So let’s transform, transition…
We love to hit with better players because we play better. It's a universal tennis experience and it's more than just ego and motivation that makes us feel this way. We hit harder, crisper and crush the ball effortlessly, while sparring with a bigger hitter. While you may take comfort in knowing the benefits of…
What images come to mind when you hear the phrases “Once upon a time,” “Imagine this” or “Remember the time?” For most, these words kick-start a sense of relaxation, almost as if a movie begins to play through our mind about something that once happened. If you are really in tune with yourself, the movie…
How is your tennis IQ? I believe smart tennis players are successful tennis players. I have always viewed myself as a tennis junkie. I can watch any level of play and really enjoy it. When I was a player, I would sit and watch players compete and learn the do's and don'ts of how to…
As a coach of many individual players as well as collegiate teams, my expectations of what I can get out of these players are put to the test on a daily basis. I have done some research on what some of the great coaches have narrowed it down to in a variety of values and…
It’s no secret that there is nothing exciting about the ball toss for the tennis serve. In fact, the important details can be somewhat tedious and are subsequently glossed over. The exciting part is that great toss technique will potentially add many miles per hour to your serve, amplify spin, increase accuracy and versatility. It…
One of my favorite lessons is with Leslie. She is about 50-years-old, though she looks like she is 40, and she acts like she is 30 … a bubbly, fun personality and a great spirit to spend an hour on the tennis court with. We play once a week, indoors, early in the morning. Leslie…
Neglecting the changeover during a match is detrimental to your game. You practice your serve, your forehand, your backhand, your volleys, but when do you ever practice your changeover? When is the changeover ever spoken of? Do you even consider the changeover as being part of a match? The changeover is in tennis for a…
High School tennis coaches from both Nassau and Suffolk Counties came out on March 23 for the Annual Coach's Clinic at Bethpage Park Tennis Center. Bethpage Park Tennis Directors Steve Kaplan and Keith Kambourian offered several tips for the coaches in attendance, with an emphasis on serving techniques and helping players improve consistency in their…
When a top-ranked player on the Pro Tour decides to change racquets, it becomes a big story. This change can be very tricky for the athlete. You get used to a feel of a frame and confident in the frame that helps you win. Most of the time, a change made by a top pro…