New Year's Tennis Resolutions

This time of year I tend to plan the upcoming year tennis goals. From experience I've found that being realistic with your goal setting and creative yields the best results. Make tennis as fun as you can for yourself.

The number one area for most players at the club level (and beyond) is fitness and play management. Taking time to workout in the gym for strength and cardio will improve your on court presence, balance, and reduce injuries. Anything in this department is better than nothing. That being said, once you get in the gym, things tend to move along nicely. On days you don't feel it, go easy, or maybe hold off a day. But the next day you may have double down on the workout.

Another way to improve your fitness on court is to practice proper footwork and agility on the court before you play. If you arrive to the court early you can: sidestep, carioca, side lunge, back step lunge,  run and swing racket with a recovery,  and stretch band exercise.  When you warm-up

in this fashion you are training as wll. You are establishing your movement patterns and warming up with a purpose.

In addition to fitness and movement you should have a play schedule roughed out for each season. It might include, a clinic or practice time set up with a coach or tennis friend, a doubles time (league, contract or team). Your calendar may allow for your club's events (socials, tournaments, and events).

The average club player plays two times per week. So if you play once per week or less you probably are not a member of a club. If you play three times you are a heavy user. If you play four times, you are a tennis nut.
Most injuries occur with players who over do it or play and condition too little.

Nutrition of course, is another area to improve upon. Lately, I hear more about "eating raw." Let's keep it simple: eat raw veggies and fruit, fish, and whole grains. Tough to do. My favorite food is pizza. Dang. Anything you try to improve upon here is a major tennis achievement. Carrying extra pounds is like having a barbell on your back.

So there you have it. Get tennis fit by, eating better, getting to the gym, working on footwork,  practicing once per week, playing once per week, and allowing time in your calendar for events that appeal to you. It sounds like a lot but if you do anything in those departments you will improve and enjoy the game with your friends.

Happy New Year

Kevin

Doubles Series III

Doubles Series III…………….The first challenge of the receiver is to return the ball away from the opposing net player. This can be extremely difficult to execute if the server challenges the receiver with a fast serve/spin serve that take the receiver out of their strike zone. The opposing net player is likely to put the ball away immediately that may float back. This net player should take the weak volley and place it toward the “short side.” That’s where the receiver’s partner is positioned when playing the typical one up, one back position. The receiver’s partner is in the “hot seat” where he/she must now try to volley back an angled ball, a ball with pace, or both. A good doubles player at the net can turn high balls to the short side with ease and is ready to stuff any other weak returns that may be coughed up. The net in club matches, the net player of the server often returns high balls back to the receiver and thereby gains no advantage. I’ll take a placed angle any day over trying to hit through someone. Difficult balls (often low or tough to manage volleys) should not be hit to the other net player because they are in position to take advantage. Those balls should be hit back to the back court player who must strike them off a bounce. Remember to try not to hit any ball up to a net player unless it is a good lob. The receiver who hits the up ball may feel as though they have failed, but, it is important to remember that easy balls are often missed and one should feel some consolation that at least the opponents’ were made to finish the point. Even the best pros miss an open lay-up from time to time. When the ball is returned to the net player (hopefully by accident), the server should immediately rush the net to help stuff any other balls that weakly return by the receiver’s partner. It can often happen that the server will become a spectator of their net partner’s shot. If the ball is returned weakly to their side, that server has missed a possible “up ball to put away and a free ride to the net.” This would be comparable to having a forward in basketball get underneath for a tip in or in hockey where a rebound on net occurs. In tennis, both team-mates should close the net when low balls are presented to their opponents.’ As Kenny Rogers sang, “You gotta know when to hold em’ (keep your opponent back or hold your serve, force your opponent to hit up), know when to fold em’ (concede to the fact your opponent made a great shot), know when to walk away (perhaps when your opponent makes a bad call, or you gather yourself for the next point by taking a little time), and know when to run” (when your opponent blasts a ball at your face, or when you have to get on horse and chase down a drop shot). To be continued……..

END

Falmouth Sports Center Tennis News: Dec 2013

The Falmouth Women’s Travel Team has been battling in third placed against Willy’s Gym and Mid-Cape Racquet Club in Cape League action. Players for Falmouth include: Elana Arnold, Barbara Allison, Carolyn Fournier, Priscilla Geraghty, Sherry Jackson, Nancy Polis Michelle Priestly, Ann Russell, Grace Simpkins, Cynthia Kelly, Joan White, Debra Walsh, Meredith Wilner, and Katy DePew.

In the Amity Two League, the team of Hillary Osborn, Linda Jarvis, Sandra Schofield, Linda Beetlestone, and Laura Welles are in first place going into the end of the season.

The Bionic League high scorers are Doug Rugh, Doug Azarian, Joe Lipka, Reed Christenson, Paul Skudder, Scott Muma, and Graham Davis.

The Women’s Step-Ladder Leaders are Margaret McCahill, Katie Propper, and Pam Alden. The Men’s Intrepid League Step-Ladder leaders are Reed Christenson, Don Fries, and Buddy Hampton.

Registration is now going on for all house league programs, group lessons, clinics, and conditioning/drill, junior program, high school training, and private coaching for the New Year at the Falmouth Sports Center. The Friday Round Robins will continue throughout the Holidays. The Tennis for Life Programs offered through the Falmouth Community School and the Kevin Pease School of Tennis will offer programs Monday through Saturday for all levels of players. Information will be available in the Falmouth Enterprise insert for FCS. There will be a junior tournament held over the holidays for all levels of play and there will be holiday camps for adults and juniors. Call 774-392-3666 for more information or stop in at the Sports Center main desk.

Thanksgiving Week Tennis Events

Hey everyone, KPST is open during the Thanksgiving break.


 We will be having a "Tennis Mixer" on Friday November 29, from 7pm to 9pm plus.
Register at 774-392-3666 or kpsotennis@gmail.com.

The Friday morning 9:30 to 11 am round-robin with Sean WILL happen.


On the  Saturdays' of  November 23 and November 30, we will be offering the "Junior Flex Camp" from 9am to 12 noon. This camp is for all levels of juniors. We design programs for you that morning. You may attend one to three hours at a cost of $20.00 per hour. Cape Cod Bagels are served. Train with Kevin Pease, Kara Pease, and Sarah Monteiro. Lots of fun.
Register at 774-392-3666 or kpsotennis@gmail.com.


Private Coaching. Sean, Kevin, and Kara are taking private lessons during the Thanksgiving break.
Work on your footwork using the "Etcheberry Technique." All of our pros are versed with tennis conditioning techniques, footwork drills, cutting edge stroke production and the motivating enthusiasm to push your game to the next level. For more information about this exciting training program used by world class pros check out-- http://etcheberryexperience.com/en/info/tennis_certification.
A true tennis player must be court conditioned, in shape, and mentally tough. Coach Kevin Pease is a certified Etcheberry Tennis Trainer. Take advantage.

Register at 774-392-3666 or kpsotennis@gmail.com.


Reminders: There will a be a tots on Monday 5 to 5:30pm on November 25 and there will be Challengers at 3:30 to 5pm and Tennis for Life at 7:30pm. There will be NO TUESDAY JUNIOR TENNIS GROUPS.





 

Doubles Fundamentals (Part 2)

Doubles Strategy Continued

 Last column I left you with the basic doubles warm-up and scoring. Now the match begins. The serving team, decided by a flip of the racket, begins play. The server should stand (for the most common doubles position) one half between the center of the baseline and the far doubles alley. This will allow the server to cover the cross court return. The server’s partner should stand at the net on the left side of the court, six feet from the net, ready to cover the receiver’s return down the alley, or poach (a diagonally forward move to the center net strap) the return cross court heading back to the server). If the server can locate serves and hit with power then the net player can move and put away returns. If the serves are weak then the net player plays a conservative (stay at home) position. It is more of an advantage to get the first serve in. The server’s partner can now play more aggressively on the return. Put that down in your doubles handbook—“get the first serve in.” The net player of the server stands near the middle of the left side of the court. That player follows the serve laterally, for example: if the net player’s partner serves wide to the left then the net player moves to the left, toward the alley, to cover the down the line alley shot; if the serve is hit down the middle of the court, then the net player positions slightly toward the middle. This gives the net player a bisected angle of return. The net player is a “goalie” that reduces the angle of possible return. In your doubles handbook put down, “follow the ball.” If the server locates a serve down the middle of the service box, the angle of return is reduced. This gives the net player a chance to “poach.” When a net player poaches, it is easier to score winning volleys (balls struck from the air). The next fundamental is a, “serve down the middle.” Serving wide is good to have as a change of direction to catch the returner off guard. The receiver may have a weaker “outside return.” If the receiver has a strong outside return, then the server should try to locate the serve to the body or down the middle. The net player is many times taken out of the point when the ball is served wide, for two reasons: one, the net player slides over to cover the alley shot, and two, the receiver  has angle and  returns cross court away from the net player. The receiver’s main job (next to getting the ball back in play) is to “avoid hitting up to the net player.”

 

To be continued.

 

 

Falmouth Sports Center/ Junior Open

The Cape Cod Junior Open was held at the Falmouth Sports Center this past weekend. Eight girls and eight boys competed in a total of four flights of four. These players are gearing for future USTA competition and High School Tennis programs.

In the Girls’ Flight One there was, Becky Perleman, Paige Meade, Kinsale Steedman, and Sarah Christa. Flight Two consisted of Jackie Perleman, Sanya Rajagopal, Taylor Rogers, and Julie Bridges.

In the Boy’s Flight One there was, EJ Harbilas, Noah Pring, Scott Lubofsky, and Noah Mendelsohn. In Boy’s Flight Two there was Max Carter, Ben Helfrich, Alex LaRuffa, and Max April.

Jackie Perleman placed first in the girl’s tournament with Sayna Rajagopal second, and Paige Meade third. The boy’s tournament winner was Max Carter, followed by Ben Helfrich, and Noah Mendelsohn.

Doubles from the Beginning

Doubles positioning, communication, and strategy (part 1): There are four people required to play doubles. As you look on the court the alleys (outside lanes) are used. In singles the alleys are out of bounds. The skills required to play a solid game of doubles include, positioning yourself during the point for best matching your opponent’s return, taking balls out of the air on the fly (volleys), locating your serve with a high first serve percentage, returning the serve away from the net player, and isolating groundstrokes away from your opponent’s best strike zone, and matching your partner’s strengths to yours while minimizing your weaknesses. As you play with different partners and gain experience with the game of doubles you will learn what shots are best in given situations.

 In the beginning of a match all four players warm up, first starting with mini-tennis at the service line for a quick minute and then backing up to rally full court. It is typical for players to warm up with their opponents. Each player is rallying (hitting the ball off the ground with forehands and backhands) one on one, while using one half of the court. There are two rallies going on at the same time. After five minutes, one team will go up to the net and hit a few volleys and over-heads, followed by the next team who does the same, then, each player will serve cross court to each other, catch the ball and serve it back. This takes about ten to twelve minutes. It is important to hit all the shots during the warm-up to get ready to compete. If you do not warm-up you can risk injury and are likely to start off with poor timing. After the warm-up is over, one of the players will call up or down (usually the bottom of the racket) to decide who serves first and the side which each team will begin the game. Players usually play two out of three sets where the team that wins six games first by a margin of two wins a set. Typically a twelve point tie-break is played at six games each to decide the set. If each team wins a set then the third set may be played out or a 10 point super tie-break is played.

After deciding which team serves and the player to start serving, both teams position for doubles. The receiving team positions a player on the right side of the court (deuce) and one player on the left side of the court (ad). The scoring is 15, 30, 40, game. At 40 all, it is known as deuce. Play always starts serving on the right. You have two serves to get the ball in the court. If you miss it is called a fault. If you double fault you lose the point. When the serving team wins the deuce point it is known as ad in. If the receiving team wins the deuce point then it is ad out. The score is always said serving team first and then the receiving team.

The serving team must repeat the score before starting a new point. Every odd game the teams switch sides of the net and are permitted a 90 second break with the exception of the first game of a set. Players must play continuously with no interruption. Servers must get the next point started within 25 seconds. The team making the call on their side on the net determines whether a ball is in or out. If it touches the line it is good. Calls are made promptly. After a serving order is established it cannot be altered to the next set. The same is true for the designated receiver sides or order. These are the basic rules of doubles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Art of Mixed Doubles

A while ago I put up this post and I've revised it a bit and decided to run it again. I hope you enjoy mixed from time to time.

     Most of the time when you play mixed it is in a social setting. The differences in levels are apparent. Still, you want to play well without taking over the court physically, verbally or both.
Here's what to do: assess the levels (including yourself) mentally, and then try to make it so everyone has the most fun. If you don't then you have an agenda which is not the most fun when playing mixed in a social setting. If you have a weak partner who is the woman you should encourage her to play her side of the court as you would any other partner. You might suggest backing up more if facing a tough server (perhaps to the curtain if the server is blasting the cannon, playing closer to the net if she has a weak volley, or completely backing up to the backcourt to receive the ball with you if she is afraid of the ball because someone is pelting balls at her. It is important to stress that helping to find solutions find solutions is better than creating problems. If she or he wants to stay at the net then go with that. It is always better to work the stronger player's game around the weaker. The weakest link issue should be addressed mentally as you will have the best chance of playing together as a team. Adapt the weaker players skills to give the best chance of performing well. Working together as a team in a fun manner is the best way for the team to enjoy success, winning or losing. Remember that your value as a person is not determined in the win loss column.
     I know at times in the past I've not been the best at encouraging my partner. If they double fault or don't get that first serve in, really try hard not to show negative body language. If you do, you put extra pressure on that player. They are more likely to repeat the unwanted result. You need to have a partner who is relaxed and having fun. Encouragement goes a long way on the tennis court. There's enough negative energy in the world today. We go to the court to get away from that. We don't want to be judged. That is not to say that we don't want to learn. That is quite a different matter. It is fun to learn about tennis as long as we don't have to figure it all out in one match. We have a lifetime. After-all tennis is a lifetime sport. If you can learn how to manage your game better with a partner then that is true fun. You will be competing at a higher level. It's always more fun to play the best you can.
     I've noticed that this mixed doubles entries gets the most attention.  I know here in Falmouth more players have been coming out to the classic "mixed-up doubles" Friday night mixer round-robins during the past few years. Here are a few personalities that we see on the court.
     There is "Trick Shot Mike" who likes to mix up spins, and placements. His toughest shot to return is the one that goes back on his side of the net after hitting on your side. Try to take his shot in the air because the bounce will leave you shaking your head. There is "Hard Hitting Rhonda" who has great skills and a fantastic serve. I've played against her and it's tough. She can topspin off both sides and never quits on a point. There is "Awesome Ann," she knows where to be on the court and knows where to hit the ball. Her greatest strength is that she can play with anyone and keep them in the match. Of course she has great volleys too. There is "Power Joe" who blasts his serve and groundstrokes. What makes Joe tough is that most of his shots go in. He builds his game around his power. There is Jodi the "Volley Specialist." She keeps the ball in play when it seems that the point is over. She makes you hit that one extra shot when she is at the net that you just don't expect. Her lefty serve is low and tough to return. There is Bill the "Serve Specialist" who hits a great topspin serve which jumps more that you'd expect and causes timing errors for the receiver. He actually gets more errors from his opponents' on his second serve than on his first. For many people they would rather see a power serve rather than one that curves up and breaks. There is John the "Counter Puncher" who gets most balls back and has that annoying cross court forehand angle that you just don't see coming. Linda the "placement specialist," she keeps the ball and play and know where to hit it and is in position. That makes her tough to beat, the fact she has no real weaknesses. Her husband Dave is a "forehand cross courter with a slice serve." Those are two shots he seldom if ever misses. He keeps coming at you. Then there is "Hustle Sally," who gets to everything and hits solid low drives with tough pace. She can challenge your timing. Her serve is a great slider as well. Buddy her husband, is a great retriever who can "turn defense to offense" with his long reach and quickness. It's tough to get balls by him at net. There is my daughter Kara, who love to play mixed doubles; she can hit laser groundstrokes and sneaks up to the net quickly to put angle volleys away. She's had some great matches with Bill, who recently has lifted his return of serve skills and his new two-handed backhand. Sarah, Falmouth's senior tennis captain has a two-handed power backhand that's equivalent to a slap-shot that seldom misses.
     Every one of these players and more (the list is growing) have talents they bring to the courts. Friday night tennis is a blast.

 Mixed Doubles Tips

1. If you are the woman serving to the deuce court (the forehand court) do not serve the ball wide. This does two things, it takes your partner out of the point (wide balls hit to the opponent's forehand create wide angles on the return and worse, ally shots past your male partner (nauseating). This doesn't allow your partner to be an effective poaching machine especially if he is not very mobile. You will create a hybrid form of singles, bad idea. Serve "T" to the backhand (if you've got the control). Your partner has a better chance of volleying the ball for a winner and you won't get outflanked by the return angle cross court. It will be driven near your area of position.

2. If you are the woman serving to the ad court, facing the guy returning, it might make sense to move way out to the left of  the baseline and serve near the doubles ally and serve inside out to the returners backhand. This will avoid the forehand weapon of the receiver (usually the guy is put in the ad box to decide more of the ad points, right!). If you hit to that big forehand your partner may get a ball slammed in his chest. Yes, I've had that happen to me and that starts another story about sportsmanship--particularly when you have different levels on the court. It's not socially prudent to take free shots at players set up by weaker levels on the court. It's not sporting, in the same way that shooting a duck in the water isn't much fun, treeing a coon with a bulldozer or fishing with dynamite. Worse than that would be if the man slammed an easy second from the other guy into the woman at the net. If you serve wide in the ad most of this can be avoided. By serving over wide near the ally this will most likely result in a forehand for you the woman server. Another great reason all by itself.

3. If you are the woman or man in the back court position yourself try to hit as many forehands as possible. This is much easier to in doubles than singles because you only have to cover your half of the court. If your backhand is the best shot then position yourself for as many backhands as possible.

4. If there is a player who is dominating the net on every return you make then you should lob the ball over that player to take away that offensive position. Many times poachers fail to follow the ball back and you or your partner can take the next ball out of the air and hit behind that "over-the-net-reaching" raising havoc in your return games. Another play is to hit right at the player and force a slow draw with their racket which can produce hack nubs and weak returns if not an error. Unexpected shots usually produce the best outcomes even if not intentionally delivered.

5. On the other hand it may make more sense for the server to hit serves that he or she wants to be returned to them come to them because of their weak net partner. Knowing that most receivers in the deuce court will hit wide returns of serve cross court, I may intentionally hit to their forehand to set myself for the next shot. It keeps my partner more at home as well. She will have to cover the ally when I serve. This keeps the bigger diagonal open for me to cover. Serving down the middle could create a rip right at her catching her by surprise by sheer speed alone. I don't like my partner surprised. I want them confident and in control. Level should be a concern when placing shots near your partner.


Write me if you have any questions about these or other mixed doubles strategies.
 

How fun on the court helps you learn. Cape Cod Junior Open Singles Results...............

When learning a sport the brain retains and makes gains when the event is fun. Think of movies you’ve seen that have inspired us such as: Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler while learning to transition from a slap shot specialist to a professional golfer finds his “happy place” where he hilariously visualizes his grandmother winning the slot machine outside on a sunny day,  then his girlfriend who is waiting for him with champagne, and then a star from the movie elf rides by on a tricycle wearing a cowboy hat; it is only after this process does he sink the most difficult putt he faces), The Bad News Bears starring Walter Matthau (an ex-minor coach takes over a misfit team of little leaguers in a tough California league), The Mighty Ducks (Emilio Estevez, a former hockey player who almost made the cut for the NHL takes over a team of kids that were getting crushed by everyone, only to learn how to work together as a team, develop the special “flying V”, and win the championship against all odds, both on and off the ice). Only after we become comfortable with ourselves and our learning environment can we then make the improvements we desire. We have to trust the environment, ourselves, and our coaches. At that point we begin to have fun, perhaps learn some trick shots, a new shot, a new footwork, a new conditioning technique. If we make learning a game, it’s more likely to be as memorable as the movies previously stated. Fun produces chemicals in the body that allow learning to happen. Negative self-talk or having a coach yell in your face using fear and stress will backfire causing more errors. Using positive fun motivation as the great Jack Wooden will produce the longest most consistent results for players and teams. Remember that sports are games and are meant to be fun. Imagine the results if all learning were made fun.

 
The Cape Cod Open Singles Championship completed the first season at the Falmouth Sports Center this past weekend with over forty players participating in the event. The capstone event was the College “A” division which sported the Division One former Massachusetts State Champion and University of Central Florida’s Captain, Falmouth Sports Center’s Joe Delinks as the first place finisher, with NCAA  Division 2 National Champion, New Seabury’s Rafael Mittag placing second, and Merrimack’s recruit, and Mid-Cape standout, Nick Majewski placing third, and Babson’s recruit from Saint John’s finishing fourth, Alden Hosmer. In the College “B” division, Falmouth Sports Center’s Ben Monteiro placed first, with, Theo Guerin from the Sports Center second, and Josh Dugas of the Sports Center and the Cataumet Club finishing fifth in an “A” division qualifier. The winner of the Girl’s High School Division was 13 year old Catalina Pombo from Brewster, followed by Falmouth High School’s and Sports Center’s Sarah Monteiro, and then by Cape Cod Academy’s Abigale Souza. The Boy’s Junior Varsity Division had Brian King (Great Harbors and Stowe, Ma) at number one, Dan Little (Brookline and Sports Center) at two, Will Goodman (Greenwich , Ct. and Sports Center) at three, and John Duffy (East Greenwich and Sports Center) at four. In the Junior High School Division it was Isiah King (Great Harbors and Stowe, Ma) finishing one, Nate Ruddy (Harbor Head and Needham) finishing second, Charlie Gans (Richmond, Va and MYC) finishing three, and Haik Semerjian (Farmington, Ct. and Sports Center) finishing fourth. In the Girls’ Junior High Division it was Elizabeth Duffy (East Greenwich, RI and Sports Center) finishing number one, with Rebecca Perlemen (Brookline, Ma. and Sports Center) finishing two, Jackie Perlemen (Brookline, Ma and Sports Center) three and Sarah Christa (Falmouth and Sports Center) finishing four. In the Boy’s grade School Division it was Chris Pombo (Brewster) finishing one, Joe Connolly (Natick, Ma and Harbor Head) who finished two, and Charlie Willend (Austin Texas) finishing three. In the Girl’s Grade School Division it was Olivia Ernst (Chevy Chase, Maryland and Georgetown Tennis) who narrowly defeated her sister Phoebe for the number one title, Izzy Gordon (Boston and Sports Center) placed three and Hadley Smith (East Falmouth and Sports Center) placed four.

     Abigale Souza (Sandwich / Cape Cod Academy) lines up a forehand..................................

The Cape Cod Junior Doubles Championship will be held the weekend of Aug 16,17, and 18. Players from Cape Cod and the Islands will be playing in this growing event. Call 1-774-392-3666 to register or e-mail at kpsotennis@gmail.com. The Falmouth Sports Center will be hosting the event and The coffee Obsession is the sponsor. The fee for the doubles is $35.00p.p./ three plus hours of play. There will also be a Red and Orange Ball Open for ten and under players getting into the game on Sunday August, 18^th in the morning. The fee for that event is $25.00p.p./ two plus hours of play. Kevin Pease is the tournament director.

Cape Cod & Islands Junior Tennis Championships this Weekend!

This weekend the Falmouth Sports Center will host this junior singles event.

On Friday evening, High School and College players will play their singles divisions. On Saturday there will be competition for juniors up to 6th grade (junior division), and 7 & 8 grade (junior high division). There will be boy's and girl's draws. The play will be on the indoor and outdoor courts. The format for the tournament will be based upon response. All local clubs, including: Willowbend, Sagamore, King's Grant, New Seabury, Harbor Head, Woods Hole, Menauhant, Great Harbors, Ballymeade, Cataumet, Mid-Cape, and Martha's Vineyard have been notified of the event. The cost is $40.00 per player. All players receive a commemorative t-shirt. Balls will be provided. Kevin Pease is the tournament director. Please call the tennis line at 774-392-3666 as entries will be taken up until Thursday at 1pm. This is a non USTA event. All the divisions will use regular championship level tennis balls. Best of luck. Please join us. All juniors are welcome. This is a great way to make new tennis friends and keep your competitive game alive.

The Two Foot Putts of Tennis

The two foot putts of tennis. These are the ones that make you want to chuck your racket in the woods, with full rotation and distance.

In basketball it's the lay-up. In football it's the extra point after it's the touchdown. In soccer it's the free kick. Sometimes we tend to focus our attention on the big shots in tennis: the ace, the groundstroke winners, the low volley, etc. What are the easy shots in tennis? When and where on the court do they show up? What are the two foot putts for tennis? I've given it some thought and here are few examples.

First is the first serve. What is your first serve percentage? If you get more first serves in you put more pressure on your opponent. Psychologically the receiver does not think attack on the first serve unless you're serving jelly beans. You'll win more points because your opponent does not start off from a position of control. You are working the point. You are making the decision to go to work instead of hoping for a free point by throwing all out on the first and getting a no-return.

Another easy play is to attack the weak second serve of your opponent or at least return a neutral ball; if you return a ball that puts you on the hook or worse makes an error then you are giving your opponent a free point on his/her "b" game. It's almost worth two points for the opponent because they didn't earn it; they don't have to recover (stop for gas), and; you lost an opportunity for a point you should at least be equal or plus in control. If that does happen, roll up your sleeves and get back to work. If you have the puck on your stick in front of the net, weak glove hand exposed, take the shot. If not now, when?

The short overhead is another one, probably the least practiced shot in the sport, right next to short net chords. I've seen accomplished players completely fan this shot. This needs as much attention as the two foot putt. You need to hit plenty in practice regularly. It is a shot hit above the shoulders but too low to be strictly classified as an overhead and too high to be classified as a volley, worse, it may- be knuckling in the wind, hack-nubbed, or both. You have to take your time, adjust your feet, shorten swing, lower yourself, and make the shot (swing volley, placement volley, or adjusted overhead motion) with a great placement. This is classified in the finishing game. We all know that you only get “x” amount of chances to score. This is one you can’t miss.

Hitting net chords that land short to the net with off pace at any height of bounce are often sent by the retriever out or in the net because of one simple emotion--excitement. First, realize that you must not error here. Your opponent has given you an opportunity. Competition between those players of the same species (level of play) is fiercest. You have to adapt quickly to the opportunity ball presented and take advantage by making the percentage play (within your level as you've rehearsed through practice). It isn't necessary to say where the ball should be placed (often deep through the middle is over-looked, as this cuts down your opponent's angles and keeps you in front of the ball) because that depends on your level, the ball height, your ability and  position of your opponent  when your opportunity ball is presented.

Another two foot putt is the "sitting duck volley" located close net. If it is above the net get there early, load your drive leg behind the ball and move through the shot without breaking your wrist. Use an even square and hit through the ball crisp and with pop. Do not attempt a drop shot, fancy slice, or slap it with a tilting back and then tilt down forward motion. If you attempt a drop it is easier to miss on a higher ball and your opponent has more time to react to the shot. If you slap it early your shot ends in the bottom of the net, if late you’ll hit the back fence. The strike zone is limited on a slap. The best thing to do on the duck is shoot it down with a crisp volley placement located at prime real estate with strength (sensible) and direction. That will finish the point or at least set up another easy put away.

Hopefully you'll win the Snickers bar and not lay awake wondering: how did I miss that shot? I had all day on that play, it was so easy. Remember, they’re easy if you practice them!

July 18th Tennis Psychology Registration

Okay players, here it is. This is the link to the most important tennis psychology seminar to hit New England this summer. It's with Adam Naylor from Telos. Click this link below and get yourself signed up. No matter what level player you are you will get something out of this. I hope to see you there with me on the 18th of July, a Thursday evening. Let's make sure we're managing our tennis so that we're having a great experience.........................

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32143413/Pease%20School%20of%20Tennis%20July%2018%202013.pdf  

Coach Pease
In the Trenches

Tennis Mental Toughness with Telos

New School Tennis Psychology

By Dr. Adam Naylor

I decided to reread Timothy Gallwey’s The Inner Game of Tennis recently.  At my entry into the field of sport psychology Jim Loehr’s work grounded my approach to help players with their mental games.  Gallwey’s reminders of the importance of practicing non-judgment and Loehr’s 16-second cure (between point routine) are valuable concepts… yet it is time to add some more modern psychological studies to one’s mental game.

More specifically, recent cognitive science has added some game changing wisdom that is ready to take to the court.  At the front of my mind are a few things.   First, how detrimental emotional suppression is to performance… therefore dynamic preparation of our emotions for competition is valuable.  Next, the concept of multiple mental apertures of focus… it is not that thoughts are right or wrong, but rather which ones dominate your attention.  Lastly, it is so important to appreciate the depth to which wording cues images that either free up motor patterns or put bugs into the program.  All of these ideas could be dumbed down to “think positive,” but that would really rob them of their competitive teeth.

A tennis player does not need to know the scientific terminology or the nuances of the studies that support them… yet he or she ought to benefit from this science when taking the court.  On July 18^th in collaboration with the Kevin Pease School of Tennis at the Falmouth (MA) Sports Center we will lay the foundations for the modern mental game.

We will turbo-charge the old school concepts of non-judgment and the between point routine.  You have likely already taken advantage of various new string technologies, racket compositions, wicking fibers in your clothes, and sneaker soles made by tire companies… now is the time to modernize the mental game.  Same old game of tennis with a 21^st century competitive mind.

See you in July!  - Adam

Dr. Adam Naylor has over a decade and a half of experience working in tennis - from elite juniors to NCAA players to Grand Slam competitors.  His clients have competed on courts spanning the globe.  He currently leads Telos Sport Psychology Coaching and is the consulting mental trainer to the Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy.  He has been published in Tennis View, The Tennis Space, TennisPro, and Baseline magazines. He authors Psychology Today’s The Sporting Life blog and is a regular contributor to Boston.com’s Get Moving blog.  For more visit http://www.telos-spc.comand follow him on Twitter @ahnaylor.

Summer Tennis at KPSOT

 

Mixed Doubles, A Game of Variety

     Most of the time when you play mixed it is in a social setting. The differences in levels are apparent. Still, you want to play well without taking over the court physically, verbally or both.
Here's what to do: assess the levels (including yourself) mentally, and then try to make it so everyone has the most fun. If you don't then you have an agenda which is not the most fun when playing mixed in a social setting. If you have a weak partner who is the woman you should encourage her to play her side of the court as you would any other partner. You might suggest backing up more if facing a tough server (perhaps to the curtain if the server is blasting the cannon, playing closer to the net if she has a weak volley, or completely backing up to the backcourt to receive the ball with you if she is afraid of the ball because someone is pelting balls at her. It is important to stress that helping to find solutions find solutions is better than creating problems. If she or he wants to stay at the net then go with that. It is always better to work the stronger player's game around the weaker. The weakest link issue should be addressed mentally as you will have the best chance of playing together as a team. Adapt the weaker players skills to give the best chance of performing well. Working together as a team in a fun manner is the best way for the team to enjoy success, winning or losing. Remember that your value as a person is not determined in the win loss column.
     I know at times in the past I've not been the best at encouraging my partner. If they double fault or don't get that first serve in, really try hard not to show negative body language. If you do, you put extra pressure on that player. They are more likely to repeat the unwanted result. You need to have a partner who is relaxed and having fun. Encouragement goes a long way on the tennis court. There's enough negative energy in the world today. We go to the court to get away from that. We don't want to be judged. That is not to say that we don't want to learn. That is quite a different matter. It is fun to learn about tennis as long as we don't have to figure it all out in one match. We have a lifetime. After-all tennis is a lifetime sport. If you can learn how to manage your game better with a partner then that is true fun. You will be competing at a higher level. It's always more fun to play the best you can.
     I've noticed that this mixed doubles entries gets the most attention.  I know here in Falmouth more players have been coming out to the classic "mixed-up doubles" Friday night mixer round-robins during the past few years. Here are a few personalities that we see on the court.
     There is "Trick Shot Mike" who likes to mix up spins, and placements. His toughest shot to return is the one that goes back on his side of the net after hitting on your side. Try to take his shot in the air because the bounce will leave you shaking your head. There is "Hard Hitting Rhonda" who has great skills and a fantastic serve. I've played against her and it's tough. She can topspin off both sides and never quits on a point. There is "Awesome Ann," she knows where to be on the court and knows where to hit the ball. Her greatest strength is that she can play with anyone and keep them in the match. Of course she has great volleys too. There is "Power Joe" who blasts his serve and groundstrokes. What makes Joe tough is that most of his shots go in. He builds his game around his power. There is Jodi the "Volley Specialist." She keeps the ball in play when it seems that the point is over. She makes you hit that one extra shot when she is at the net that you just don't expect. Her lefty serve is low and tough to return. There is Bill the "Serve Specialist" who hits a great topspin serve which jumps more that you'd expect and causes timing errors for the receiver. He actually gets more errors from his opponents' on his second serve than on his first. For many people they would rather see a power serve rather than one that curves up and breaks. There is John the "Counter Puncher" who gets most balls back and has that annoying cross court forehand angle that you just don't see coming. Linda the "placement specialist," she keeps the ball and play and know where to hit it and is in position. That makes her tough to beat, the fact she has no real weaknesses. Her husband Dave is a "forehand cross courter with a slice serve." Those are two shots he seldom if ever misses. He keeps coming at you. Then there is "Hustle Sally," who gets to everything and hits solid low drives with tough pace. She can challenge your timing. Her serve is a great slider as well. Buddy her husband, is a great retriever who can "turn defense to offense" with his long reach and quickness. It's tough to get balls by him at net. There is my daughter Kara, who love to play mixed doubles; she can hit laser groundstrokes and sneaks up to the net quickly to put angle volleys away. She's had some great matches with Bill, who recently has lifted his return of serve skills and his new two-handed backhand. Sarah, Falmouth's senior tennis captain has a two-handed power backhand that's equivalent to a slap-shot that seldom misses.
     Every one of these players and more (the list is growing) have talents they bring to the courts. Friday night tennis is a blast.

 

Maximum from the Minimum

     How much time should you take for practice? I'm not sure that there is any statistical data that can proof x time produces y result. Common sense would tell me that practice too little and you won't improve. Practice too much and you'll burn out. So the answer lies in between. Still, where is it?
How much time should you spend? I think short fun practice beats the rest.
   
     If you are immersed in what you are doing then you will have a better chance of making gains. It's been proven that our minds like diversity and new presentation. Having one thing to work on as a topic gives you the best chance of succeeding. Each day you practice on one thing.Your goal is to improve. How do you do that? What is the arrangement of practice? I have to tell you that I enjoy rallying a ball with my practice partner with no other goal then to keep it going. After a few minutes of reflex volley and mini-tennis I try to establish  rhythm and timing from the baseline. During this time I may hit some shots on one foot, front foot, back foot, slice, heavy, etc. In between rallies I may do a few dynamic stretches and shoulder exercises to loosen up. Then I'm ready to practice on that one thing. Be specific with it. There's so many different shots and strategies in the game that one shot in one situation is best. It could mean hitting forehand volleys to an open court from an offensive volley position with the shot coming from the volley player's left to right with topspin, and then with slice. It could then be practiced from right to left. Then ball could be fed from straight on, close, back deep, high or low, fast, slow, with spin and floaters. Of course one could practice hitting  floaters from an offensive position that go to either side of the player. These "specific shot" practices can be designed in a variety of patterns and positions. Tennis fitness training can also be linked to this program as well. A pro can drop feed short balls to a player who has little time to react to the feed. This feed could have been dropped at the service line by the coach to a player positioned at the center baseline or a player positioned at the net and has to run back and retrieve it.

     The point here is that "specific shot training" needs to be outlined in a program with the developing player. If all you do is practice forehands and backhands from the baseline then the player will be limited to those type of experiences on the court. That being said, there are some great three chord rock bands out there that did quite well on three chords, Tom Petty for one. I'll take three good chords hit on time any day but if you want to develop your game and get around the whole court comfortably you'll need to practice specialty shots such as topspin lobs, defensive lobs, drop volleys, chip approaches, et cetera, et cetera. The key is to get the most you can out of a workout session. After you've warmed up for about twenty minutes (I like a solid warm-up in my practice sessions with the major shots) start your topic and go hard for a least ten minutes with it. Your partner may need another ten for their shot. After that I like to play some tie breaks, a set or two if I have time, and then hit down. This whole process can take anywhere from one hour to two hours depending on the day and my schedule. If I don't have time to play on a day I still try to hit on a back board or hit a few serves. I don't like to stay away from hitting. I think you have to keep the feel and timing for the ball. That is something you have to keep in your back pocket. Always be ready if called into action. It's a bit obsessive but you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't want to improve your game. After your practice session you can hit the gym, run hills, bike, go to the track, or read a book. The thing to remember here is to keep a record of what you are doing (log on your smart phone) and have a plan.
Any plan is better than none. Any amount of work is better than none. The key is to take small steps at first in regard to your training and then build from there. This keeps practice truly fun and you'll get better. Workouts are always fresh and are only limited by your imagination in terms of how you put them together. Your priorities are set by you on your schedule and by how your body feels. You can have a workout plan that can fit in a Twitter message if you know what your doing. Keep it simple, with variety, and fun. But go hard the whole time.

Bob Bryan Practicing Doubles

     Funny, a few years ago Ryan Livesay worked for me here at the Sports Center during the summer. Big strong kid who served 135mph. He played for Tulsa. He trained some with the Bryans and Roddick. I'll try to get him for an interview. Here's a video of Bob practicing doubles. Great drill.

    The Bryans have compact doubles strokes, move well together and execute the best drills I've ever seen in doubles. Once more, they make a great living at it. Not a bad life, playing doubles with your brother and having your Dad as coach. Oh, they can play rock and roll too on guitars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6AKQepe2sM

Falmouth Sports Center Benefit Tournament / Great Get Away

    The Cancer Benefit Doubles Tournament is going to be held May 3-5. We are taking player registrations for the event. The cost is $30.00/ player. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. I'm looking for players from all around New England and all levels. The event is singles elimination but if you want more tennis we'll get it for you. The shirts this year are going to be black with white lettering. How cool is that?
If you need a partner let us know. We'll get you one. If you're from out of town, you could book a room at the Falmouth Inn on the Square. They have a pool, and a great breakfast spot. You could just walk up the hill to the tennis club for your matches. Also, there is the Shining Sea Bike Path that runs from Woods Hole to North Falmouth and there is Beebe's Woods where can take a hike and discover the Punch Bowl and the Pine Woods Forest. 774-392-3666 to register. National and international players are welcome.

A Game Called Tennis Baseball for Juniors

     When working with kids I've found they love games. Forehands, backhands, and all the rest are important but what about games? The red ball and modified equipment for juniors definitely has made the game easier to with smaller lighter rackets and smaller courts. Even so, there is a need to mix it up with fun group events that gets everyone involved.
      For the longest time, Max, one of our students had been asking to play a made-up game of "tennis baseball." This was one of the countless invented games I've come up with but had forgotten. After several weeks of his asking I decided to agree to it if he would help me remember it, which he was only to happy to do.
      First, all the players in the class are numbered to establish a batting rotation. One player is selected to be at bat (has to hit the ball over the net). All of the other players put their rackets down on a side of the court and then stand in positions out in the court on the other side of the net. They have to stay within their designated areas and cannot run into fellow outfielders in an attempt to snag balls from them. The player who is batting hits a fed ball from the instructor using a tennis stroke over the net. If one of the players on the other side catches the ball on the fly (this can modified to one bounce for smaller children) then that is one out. The batter gets a maximum of two outs. A miss over the net or outside the boundries of the court is also an out. If the batter makes a successful hit with no one catching the shot inside  the boundries that is a single, then makes a backhand over successfully without catch or error, a double. If the players makes a third (a deep forehand) a triple, the fourth shot (a deep backhand) a run batted in.
     The two out rule keeps batters rotating quickly. Keeping the ball in court with tennis strokes fosters good fundamentals, and having to catch a ball requires tracking and focus. All of these qualities make a better tennis player. With tennis baseball all of the kids get equal amounts of opportunity and the group excitment is contageous. The game is over when the instructor determines.
Perhaps a small award can be given for sportsmanship, winning, hustle, catch of the day, shot of the day, etc. The game can be modified with anything the instructor / students wish. This game could be done with red balls, foam balls, real tennis balls, and used with approach shots, volleys, overheads, serves, returns. This keeps the game interesting and develops all areas of the game in a fun setting. Time goes by fast. They don't want to leave the court.

Mental Toughness

Mental toughness, how can I improve it? What is it? What defines it?              There are a lot of books written on the subject. While spring training at Hilton Head with Salve I ran met Matt Curraco, head of the Ivan Lendl mental toughness department at Lendl’s tennis and golf academy on the island. Ivan, one of tennis’ hardest workers and toughest competitors of all time told Matt one simple thing to keep in mind.

“What’s that,” I asked. Tell us the secret I’m thinking.

 "90/10, he said." Control your 90% of the court and your opponent controls 10%. So many players and coaches focus on their opponents and not enough on themselves. He then took us through a workshop on mental toughness asking each of us to write down what their ideas where on what competition means to them.

Answers on competition ranged from skill matching, relaxed aggression, playing your best, giving your best effort, mixing it up, etc., etc., etc. And then we needed to define our games (baseline, all court, attacking, retriever, etc.). After defining your game you then need to do rituals that keep you mentally and physically ready.

Physical rituals include jumping up and down before starting a point, shadow swinging a correction, quick feet before the point starts and then a split step when your opponent strikes the ball, holding the racket loose in your hand so you can react faster with more racket speed, taking in water on breaks, and so on.

Mental focus includes staying in the moment, not over-loading your brain with commands, playing your game, hitting your targets, staying aggressive, and allowing yourself to play so that you get the most out of what you do.

The team gained much by thinking of the 90/10 rule. It’s simple, easy to apply and frees you up to be yourself. When that happens you truly are competing. You are not giving yourself tons of commands and admonishments. Each shot gives you feedback that your unconscious can process far better than your conscious self. Ask yourself to make an adjustment, visualize it, feel it and then trust yourself to let it happen. You’ll be amazed when you role play yourself as confident, fast, consistent, etc. Even if you don’t believe it, if you act it, you start to believe it. Funny, that reaches far beyond tennis.

How to eliminate net errors from your game

What is the most common error made in the game of tennis? The answer is hitting the ball in the net. Why? The answer has four parts: players don’t get to the ball early enough so they clip the ball out in front without having a solid foundation to hit the shot, or they are in position, but then open up too early and take their eyes off the ball, the swing (wrist related) is too vertical, or the aim too low.

             Start your warm-up focus with split stepping (hopping in a ready position on the balls of your feet) and then adjusting quickly with small adjusting steps to the ball. Your shoulders and racket should be prepared to strike. If you don’t get to the ball early enough you will be out of athletic balance and have to improvise the shot. Hey, that’s okay if you have to do it. We don’t always get in perfect position. If that happens just get the ball back in play without trying to make a low percentage shot. This solves one of the causes of net balls, positioning.

            Another reason why we hit the net is we take our eyes off the ball, lifting our head up. The result is a quick flick off the ball dropping it into the net. There is only one ball on the court. Take care of it. I know it’s very interesting to look at the opponent. Looking at the opponent will not help your shot in the least. That doesn’t mean you don’t have a sense of what he/she is doing. It means that you are keeping your head down during the strike till you finish the shot. Try keeping your head down or up if a serve/overhead till the ball goes over the net. You will absolutely be amazed at the quality and cleanness of your ball striking.

 

           

A good way to keep your eye on the ball is to point to it on the serve, forehand, overhead, and forehand volley. Keep the non-dominate pointing hand on the ball through the strike with your eyes (head) fixed on the ball. This should eliminate clipping and hitting the ball early into the net.

            Another problem players can have is closing the racket face too much at the point of contact. This can cause miss-directs and net shots. There is so much brush on the ball that there isn’t enough forward movement to drive the shot over the net. The solution to this problem is to get the racket head more behind the ball and extend a longer horizontal swing path (strike zone) through the ball. When you make that correction you will have a better feel for the ball and a cleaner hit.  

            Many players still hit the net even though their swing path appears correct. That player has to image a target above the net rather that looking through the net. This player needs vertical lift to create arc on the shot. Try getting your racket one foot below the point of contact as you swing low to high at the ball. This should give you the lift you need to clear the net. Sometimes you aim low to the net when you are faced with passing an opponent. At those times hitting the net is better than hitting long because you are trying to force the opponent to hit up.

            In summary, split step, get to the ball early, keep your head down, stay turned on the shot, and swing low to high. That should do the trick. I know that’s a lot to remember. Start with getting to the ball quickly and build from there one step at a time.

Playing Mixed Doubles (more tips)

1. If you are the woman serving to the deuce court (the forehand court) do not serve the ball wide. This does two things, it takes your partner out of the point (wide balls hit to the opponent's forehand create wide angles on the return and worse, ally shots past your male partner (nauseating). This doesn't allow your partner to be an effective poaching machine especially if he is not very mobile. You will create a hybrid form of singles, bad idea. Serve "T" to the backhand (if you've got the control). Your partner has a better chance of volleying the ball for a winner and you won't get outflanked by the return angle cross court. It will be driven near your area of position.

2. If you are the woman serving to the ad court, facing the guy returning, it might make sense to move way out to the left of  the baseline and serve near the doubles ally and serve inside out to the returners backhand. This will avoid the forehand weapon of the receiver (usually the guy is put in the ad box to decide more of the ad points, right!). If you hit to that big forehand your partner may get a ball slammed in his chest. Yes, I've had that happen to me and that starts another story about sportsmanship--particularly when you have different levels on the court. It's not socially prudent to take free shots at players set up by weaker levels on the court. It's not sporting, in the same way that shooting a duck in the water isn't much fun, treeing a coon with a bulldozer or fishing with dynamite. Worse than that would be if the man slammed an easy second from the other guy into the woman at the net. If you serve wide in the ad most of this can be avoided. By serving over wide near the ally this will most likely result in a forehand for you the woman server. Another great reason all by itself.

3. If you are the woman or man in the back court position yourself try to hit as many forehands as possible. This is much easier to in doubles than singles because you only have to cover your half of the court. If your backhand is the best shot then position yourself for as many backhands as possible.

4. If there is a player who is dominating the net on every return you make then you should lob the ball over that player to take away that offensive position. Many times poachers fail to follow the ball back and you or your partner can take the next ball out of the air and hit behind that "over-the-net-reaching" raising havoc in your return games. Another play is to hit right at the player and force a slow draw with their racket which can produce hack nubs and weak returns if not an error. Unexpected shots usually produce the best outcomes even if not intentionally delivered.

5. On the other hand it may make more sense for the server to hit serves that he or she wants to be returned to them come to them because of their weak net partner. Knowing that most receivers in the deuce court will hit wide returns of serve cross court, I may intentionally hit to their forehand to set myself for the next shot. It keeps my partner more at home as well. She will have to cover the ally when I serve. This keeps the bigger diagonal open for me to cover. Serving down the middle could create a rip right at her catching her by surprise by sheer speed alone. I don't like my partner surprised. I want them confident and in control. Level should be a concern when placing shots near your partner.


Write me if you have any questions about these or other mixed doubles strategies.