There is a benefit mixed doubles tournament at Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday, Sept. 26. Oct 3 and 4th there will be a singles and doubles event. $40 for singles and $35 for the doubles......Sign up and view some great foliage. Call me and I'll give you more info........774-392-3666. There are divisions!
Your pro in the trenches,
Kevin Pease
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Jaun Martin del Potro
del Potro: He stays close to the baseline, slams driving deep balls through the court, picks his spots to hit the open court with pace, uses a slice serve, takes away time.
Best to keep the ball low and away with him.............don't let him tree the ball. He's like a 6'10" Agassi.....perhaps the new breed!
KP
Best to keep the ball low and away with him.............don't let him tree the ball. He's like a 6'10" Agassi.....perhaps the new breed!
KP
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Off Court Tennis Conditioning
Have you ever been playing a point and said--I could of got that shot if I were down just a little lower, if i stayed with the shot a little longer, if I had just a little more breath, if I had a little more spin, if I had a little better timing, if I were a little less nervous, if I was a little stronger, etc. I constantly search for ways to win when I compete. Training has never been a favorite ritual for me. I'm talking about the off court stuff. This summer I've tried something new.........I call it self training. What is that Kev?
It starts with a realistic evaluation of your own strengths and weakness in all areas of your game. For example: your ground strokes, volleys, overheads, serve, speed, endurance, etc. Then decide to improve your weapon a little and reduce your biggest weakness.....even if just a little....you design your own program.
I know I need work on fitness, and i don't like gyms so I decide to "Rocky" it.
My son was cutting down a birch that was too close to the house and he fashioned a neat long slightly heavy bat club out of it. I take this thing a swing it.....kind of fun, a cross between "Walking Tall" and "Cast-Away." I dribble a soccer ball while holding this thing....bat stones with it.....and swing two handed shots with it........do curls...presses.............shrugs...My dog, Cassi has her head tilted to the side as she watches me do this routine........I then ride my bike with her by my side..........come back to the yard..........do a few push-ups............a few hundred jump ropes........... and then grab a baseball bat and practice serve and volley movements, with over-heads....then a few knees bends with a medicine ball...which I then explode up and throw up in the air........I would have used a small boulder if there was one around. A couple of quick sprints with the dog and I'm finished............This was all after a 45 minute hitting session which I will share with you soon.
There it is. This to me was a terrific conditioner for tennis....It addresses my weaknesses and my strengths......serve and volley movements.......I did something.
In the fall maybe I'll swing the rake like a big long racquet.....I don't know yet.
I admit that I do have a basic understanding regarding cardio, strength, flexibility,
speed, and of course--tennis. So if you do something like this make sure you keep good core posture, form and breathing. Don't try to lift a car just yet......but do have a little fun......Why can't conditioning be fun? Put on the Rocky theme, you'll be on top of the world.
Your pro in the trenches,
Kevin
It starts with a realistic evaluation of your own strengths and weakness in all areas of your game. For example: your ground strokes, volleys, overheads, serve, speed, endurance, etc. Then decide to improve your weapon a little and reduce your biggest weakness.....even if just a little....you design your own program.
I know I need work on fitness, and i don't like gyms so I decide to "Rocky" it.
My son was cutting down a birch that was too close to the house and he fashioned a neat long slightly heavy bat club out of it. I take this thing a swing it.....kind of fun, a cross between "Walking Tall" and "Cast-Away." I dribble a soccer ball while holding this thing....bat stones with it.....and swing two handed shots with it........do curls...presses.............shrugs...My dog, Cassi has her head tilted to the side as she watches me do this routine........I then ride my bike with her by my side..........come back to the yard..........do a few push-ups............a few hundred jump ropes........... and then grab a baseball bat and practice serve and volley movements, with over-heads....then a few knees bends with a medicine ball...which I then explode up and throw up in the air........I would have used a small boulder if there was one around. A couple of quick sprints with the dog and I'm finished............This was all after a 45 minute hitting session which I will share with you soon.
There it is. This to me was a terrific conditioner for tennis....It addresses my weaknesses and my strengths......serve and volley movements.......I did something.
In the fall maybe I'll swing the rake like a big long racquet.....I don't know yet.
I admit that I do have a basic understanding regarding cardio, strength, flexibility,
speed, and of course--tennis. So if you do something like this make sure you keep good core posture, form and breathing. Don't try to lift a car just yet......but do have a little fun......Why can't conditioning be fun? Put on the Rocky theme, you'll be on top of the world.
Your pro in the trenches,
Kevin
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Think outside the box for a moment!
I see many players adjusting their swing to accommodate the ball height rather than adjusting their feet to hit the ball in their optimal strike zone.
Quick fix: Practice standing back behind the baseline ten feet and rally the ball with your practice partner for a few minutes. Now stand right on top of the baseline and strike the ball on the rise for a few minutes. Both of the court positions feel very different and require different movement skills and timing issues and stroke adjustments. Now adjust to the ball as how you feel most comfortable based upon what you're dealt in an open range exchange; this is more how a real point is played.
The game is about adjusting your timing, strokes, and court positioned based upon what you deliver and what your opponent throws at you! Think outside the box!
Your coach in the trenches,
Kevin Pease
Quick fix: Practice standing back behind the baseline ten feet and rally the ball with your practice partner for a few minutes. Now stand right on top of the baseline and strike the ball on the rise for a few minutes. Both of the court positions feel very different and require different movement skills and timing issues and stroke adjustments. Now adjust to the ball as how you feel most comfortable based upon what you're dealt in an open range exchange; this is more how a real point is played.
The game is about adjusting your timing, strokes, and court positioned based upon what you deliver and what your opponent throws at you! Think outside the box!
Your coach in the trenches,
Kevin Pease
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
When your opponent is off balance, finish!
If you have moved your opponent to hit a shot that pulls him/her out of court..........finish the point. That means hit an approach shot and get to the net!
I see many players just hit another rally ball and start back to neutral. There is nothing gained by setting up an opponent, only to "just rally back into the point."
Times to rush the net:
If you ever see your opponent turning their tails and running backwards to the baseline, immediately charge the net.
1) after a short low ball and he/she has retreated to the baseline or
2)if you've lobbed over their head and they couldn't reach for a smash....so they pull back quickly and let it bounce.
3)If you have hit behind your opponent well and they are wrong footed.
4)If you have hit a deep shot that your opponent has not allowed enough space in the court to strike............creating a weak ball opportunity.
5) If you have hit a serve that your opponent will not be able to leverage based upon your location or other factors such as hitting a clay court line or angle placement, etc..............these are times to come in and finish!
6) If you hit a great drop shot and your opponent is out of position, come to the net and finish the point. Be ready for a smash or reflex volley.
7) If you have hit a big topspin deep ball to the backhand and your opponent is not paying attention. Sneak in quickly for a surprise finish.
8) If your opponent hits a weak second serve......especially really weak..........get to the net and finish!
9) When you need a point to finish or to attack...........perhaps you are ad out or ad in and you surprise your opponent with a serve and volley.............even though this is not your usual style of play.............This requires a confident serve and positive footwork to the net......This can stop the bleeding right there and then or perhaps get you back to deuce............again, your opponent doesn't expect it!
10) Whoops......"my string broke"...............run to the net right now! You have a jet with no engine...................land safely at the net!
Hey, all this stuff takes ball and opponent awareness.............Brad Gilbert is about the only guy you ever hear talking about this stuff; but, this was all from me.
Kevin Pease
your coach in the trenches!
I see many players just hit another rally ball and start back to neutral. There is nothing gained by setting up an opponent, only to "just rally back into the point."
Times to rush the net:
If you ever see your opponent turning their tails and running backwards to the baseline, immediately charge the net.
1) after a short low ball and he/she has retreated to the baseline or
2)if you've lobbed over their head and they couldn't reach for a smash....so they pull back quickly and let it bounce.
3)If you have hit behind your opponent well and they are wrong footed.
4)If you have hit a deep shot that your opponent has not allowed enough space in the court to strike............creating a weak ball opportunity.
5) If you have hit a serve that your opponent will not be able to leverage based upon your location or other factors such as hitting a clay court line or angle placement, etc..............these are times to come in and finish!
6) If you hit a great drop shot and your opponent is out of position, come to the net and finish the point. Be ready for a smash or reflex volley.
7) If you have hit a big topspin deep ball to the backhand and your opponent is not paying attention. Sneak in quickly for a surprise finish.
8) If your opponent hits a weak second serve......especially really weak..........get to the net and finish!
9) When you need a point to finish or to attack...........perhaps you are ad out or ad in and you surprise your opponent with a serve and volley.............even though this is not your usual style of play.............This requires a confident serve and positive footwork to the net......This can stop the bleeding right there and then or perhaps get you back to deuce............again, your opponent doesn't expect it!
10) Whoops......"my string broke"...............run to the net right now! You have a jet with no engine...................land safely at the net!
Hey, all this stuff takes ball and opponent awareness.............Brad Gilbert is about the only guy you ever hear talking about this stuff; but, this was all from me.
Kevin Pease
your coach in the trenches!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Doubles Hand Signals
1. The first signal from the net player gives the direction of the serve: to the left, middle or right of the service box. The server acknowledges that she got the signal by saying "Yes." Or, the server says, "No" until she gets the signal she wants.
2. The second signal from the net player alerts the server to whether or not she will poach (the open hand indicates to the server to switch sides) or stay and fake (a fist). Again the server acknowledges she got the signal by saying, "yes or no."
Steps 1 and 2 are repeated before each serve.
Friday, July 17, 2009
How much tennis do I need to play to become a pro?
Wow, that's a great question. There's so many variables in that discussion. Let's start with some questions I know I can answer: What do I have to do to be able to play college tennis and be more than the water person?
First, take some lessons from a pro who has demonstrated the ability to develop talent. These pros have established a reputation for preparing juniors for competition. Personally, I believe that technical instruction is the most important because without a solid foundation, it's like going into battle with one arm tied behind your back. Of course each player should be allowed to develop their own style.
Secondly, play junior competitions and manage the calendar to fit your personal needs. If you desire to reach for a high rank you will have to play at least two tournaments per month and love to train a few days per week at considerable expense.
Parents will have to enjoy traveling all around your section. Hopefully you like "99" restaurants, meeting some interesting people, spending gas money, and renting hotel rooms at $100 per night if your lucky enough to win or have your parents allow you to stay over with the Muppopps's who met you last week in Canton Ct. Maybe your parent's can sleep over too. Ask if it's alright if they do before you tell them.
Sorry, just a little humor there. You don't want to build them up and thenm be disappointed. If this doesn't thrill you then you won't stand a snowballs chance in hell turning pro or even establishing a high ranking in your section of the USTA.
Thirdly, what if I want to just make a college team? Well, if that's the case, you still have to do what the above paragraph states if you want to compete for a solid team............they require ranking as a basis for establishing recruiting standards.
You can play college tennis for some division three and division two schools as well as junior colleges if you play high school tennis; so there there are opportunities, just to walk on a team and play. If you advanced in your section high school tournament in singles or doubles a few rounds, then you can play college tennis. I made it to the quarter finals of my section in doubles; I then walked on to UMass (a divsion one program) after convincing the coach not to cut me during the tryouts. In high school I played number one doubles............in college I played as high as 6 and 7 singles and worked into the doubles rotation once in a while. For me that was an accomplishment............but hey, that's another story.
Oh yuh, I did become a pro (a teaching pro and a coach). I've had the chance to play former pros and great college talent........That's enough for me.
If you love the game and love to play then just do it. It's a great life with tennis. If you love other sports more or about the same, then play seasonaly and enjoy spring tennis.
First, take some lessons from a pro who has demonstrated the ability to develop talent. These pros have established a reputation for preparing juniors for competition. Personally, I believe that technical instruction is the most important because without a solid foundation, it's like going into battle with one arm tied behind your back. Of course each player should be allowed to develop their own style.
Secondly, play junior competitions and manage the calendar to fit your personal needs. If you desire to reach for a high rank you will have to play at least two tournaments per month and love to train a few days per week at considerable expense.
Parents will have to enjoy traveling all around your section. Hopefully you like "99" restaurants, meeting some interesting people, spending gas money, and renting hotel rooms at $100 per night if your lucky enough to win or have your parents allow you to stay over with the Muppopps's who met you last week in Canton Ct. Maybe your parent's can sleep over too. Ask if it's alright if they do before you tell them.
Sorry, just a little humor there. You don't want to build them up and thenm be disappointed. If this doesn't thrill you then you won't stand a snowballs chance in hell turning pro or even establishing a high ranking in your section of the USTA.
Thirdly, what if I want to just make a college team? Well, if that's the case, you still have to do what the above paragraph states if you want to compete for a solid team............they require ranking as a basis for establishing recruiting standards.
You can play college tennis for some division three and division two schools as well as junior colleges if you play high school tennis; so there there are opportunities, just to walk on a team and play. If you advanced in your section high school tournament in singles or doubles a few rounds, then you can play college tennis. I made it to the quarter finals of my section in doubles; I then walked on to UMass (a divsion one program) after convincing the coach not to cut me during the tryouts. In high school I played number one doubles............in college I played as high as 6 and 7 singles and worked into the doubles rotation once in a while. For me that was an accomplishment............but hey, that's another story.
Oh yuh, I did become a pro (a teaching pro and a coach). I've had the chance to play former pros and great college talent........That's enough for me.
If you love the game and love to play then just do it. It's a great life with tennis. If you love other sports more or about the same, then play seasonaly and enjoy spring tennis.
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