Warm Up

Make sure you warm-up slow before play and stretch down after play. I'll take a good warm-up over a hamstring stretch outside in March any day. If you plan to play outside, drop your string tension a little. You are now playing against the elements...I swear outdoor tennis is a different sport. Outdoor clay should be ruled another sport.

Kevin Pease

Doubles Positioning

How close am I supposed to get to the net? I feel like I'm out of position. I'm not sure where to go. My partner says get to the net yet we get lobbed like crazy so we can't get in; plus when we go to the service line I feel like I'm out of position. Get used to the service line. Read that line three more times. Practice half volleys, low volleys, mid-volleys, high volleys, and overheads right there. There are no members of the club that have the speed to cover a good lob when positioned six feet from the net. That is a tour play! Let the game come to you; hold that service line and you control the center of the court. Close the net and finish when the ball is up. Hold the line when challenged. Practice your mid court transition game. I then get other questions like: What do I do when my partner closes but doesn't put the ball away? I answer, "That is really aggravating. Get a better partner!" Seriously though, be ready to cover their back by holding the service line. That way you have covered their failed put-away. What if the other team closes the net and puts away our shots. I would then say, "Try to get in closer to the net to beat them to the punch." The team that controls the net usually wins the match. Hey, my partner only comes to the net to shake hands at the end of the match. You will need to work on your poaching and have your partner hit great low passing shots and incredible lobs when forced.

Good luck!,

Kevin Pease

Paying Attention To The Details Of Your Doubles Match

1. What is your hold rate? What's that? If you were to serve ten times, how many times would you hold serve against your peers? In doubles you need to be above 80%. Why? Your serve needs to be a weapon! Work on it till it becomes one or back it up with a volley that seldom misses or both!

2. What is your break rate? What's that? If you were to receive ten times, how many times would you break your opponents serve? If you can break 25% or higher and hold 80% or higher you are winning most of your matches.

In world class competition and very competitive doubles matches, just about everyone holds serve and all it takes is a mini-break in a tie-breaker to decide the match.

Are you competing against yourself in your doubles matches or your opponent? Many smart people would answer both. I guess that's true in a general sort of way. But that doesn't really help me manage my game in any specific way. I have come up with a simple formula to determine the level of competition you are playing: In competitive matches you must get your serve in play and the return of serve in play away from the opposing net player. If you can not do this, you are not at the level of the player(s) you are facing. If you can make two shots in a row -- serve and return the next shot, return a serve and return the next shot you are starting a competitive point. If you cannot start a competitive point then you are not competing and you are out of level. If you return more than two shots that are hit to you in or out of sequence then you are competing. The match now hinges on how well you compete during the key points for games, key points for sets and matches. Matches (any level) are exciting when competition is fierce. It's that's simple folks. Look at the facts. If you cannot remember what you do, ask your partner. It's a good idea to develop tennis memory -- who's doing what to whom, otherwise its really difficult to discuss point situations and adjustments.

In a future tennis tip I will discuss the key points of a tennis match. Point management helps putting strategies in perspective and helps you manage risk and pressure.

Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

The Volley

This tip involves the shot that usually makes or breaks a doubles team or the net rushing singles player. The position of your feet are the key. Try this little test I just invented! Push your right palm against a wall. If you are right handed step forward with your left foot. For a backhand volley step with your right foot. Lean towards the wall with your hand positioned in front of you. You can feel the leverage. Its that simple! Lean forward on your volley. When you move your weight forward well (using your legs), there is no need to use your wrist or elbow. Just push forward and keep your racquet path straight through the ball. Punch through the window (above the net.)

Kevin Pease

High Forehand Volley

Hey folks, lets get one thing straight, change your grip to the continental for the volley. This means for anything high or low fast or slow. Take the racquet back high above the strike zone with the racquet tilted back a little bit. You should then reach forward with a declining motion -- just like the lifesaving dive (the one where you don't go under water with your head) as you step into the ball with your left foot (for right handers). Keep your wrist firm without slapping the ball. This will produce a solid backspin which will stay low and it will be tough for your opponent to dig out. "Fed" does this shot perhaps as good as Edberg and Sampras. It's a real point ender, one way or another. Live long and prosper! Sign up for a lesson if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

Adjustments

If you are having trouble staying in points you might not be adjusting your swing. If you are back far in the court take a bigger cut at the ball. If you are close to the baseline take a shorter back swing like Andre Agassi. When you are returning serve try starting your stroke at the contact point and push forward from there. If you are trying to power the ball play deeper in the court. If you are trying to counter punch the ball on the rise move closer to the baseline and shorten up your swing. Adjusting will help you play better percentage tennis and make less unforced errors.

Warm-up exercise
Stand on one leg and swing the other leg back and forth for a few reps. Then do the same with the other leg. Then try making circles in the air with one leg extended and the other balanced on the ground. Then try making the front leg go side to side in front of you while standing on one leg. Then make one leg swing back and forth behind you in a similar fashion. If you need to you may hold on to something for balance. This limbers and conditions your legs for tennis. I know as I get older it takes a few minutes for my body to get going. I want to start ready in the first set not half way through the second.

Good Luck

Kevin Pease