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Fox Cities Racquet Club COACHES CORNER |
- Play within yourself. Don’t over extend your ability.
- Don’t try to overpower the ball.
- Don’t attempt difficult shots unless necessary.
- Develop a variety of shots.
- Change your pace. Keep the opponent guessing.
- Mix up your game. Keep your opponent off balance constantly.
- Study your opponent for weaknesses, then exploit them.
- Don’t confuse yourself with mechanical details during a match.
- After hitting a bad shot, relax and forget it.
- Realize that everyone has bad days. Return to fundamentals to come back in form.
- When missing badly, relax, move your feet, and return to fundamentals.
- Adapt your aggressiveness to the score.
- Be aware of wind when lobbing.
- Never drop shot on a critical point. Never drop shot with the wind at your back.
- Stay with a winning style of play. Change only when losing.
- When on the defensive at the baseline, just concentrate on keeping the ball in.
- Keep your eye on the ball, don’t look where you intend to hit.
- Don’t try for more angle than you necessary.
- Keep moving, do not stand grounded in one spot.
- Do not rush you strokes.
- Follow through on your strokes.
- Work hard to win your serve.
- Get a high percentage of first serves in.
- Spin your second serve in.
- Realize that doubles and singles are two different games.
- In championship doubles, the match is won by the more aggressive team.
- Take charge of the net and volley effectively-into openings, at angles, or down at the net person.
- In doubles against good volleyers, try hitting down the middle.
- Use the lob intelligently.
- Have a balanced program of development:
Private lessons for technical training
Drill groups for practice opportunities
Singles practice matches
Tournament matches - Warm up intelligently and slowly but be considerate of your opponent.
- Keep a clear mind.
- Concentrate.
- Strive for relaxed concentration: neither too tense nor too casual.
- Don’t talk negatively to yourself. Ex. “You idiot, how could you miss that shot?” That will ruin your concentration. Think only about performing your shot.
- Realize that being nervous before a match is natural. Your opponent is nervous also.
- Refuse to let negative thoughts to enter your mind.
- Think positively and positively think.
- Plan your play and play your plan.
- Work hard.
- Be resilient.
- Play with courage. Don’t be fearful.
- Don’t try “psyching” your opponents. Let your ability and determination be key factors in your victory.
- Never, never give up.
- Win and lose with “class.”
- Don’t complain and make excuses.
- When the match is over, learn from it and move on.
- Enjoy your tennis and play as much as possible.