Zen Tennis

 Zen Ideas

1. When playing or practicing concentrate on one shot at a time. Although this sounds easy, the conscious mind can drift to many places (the crowd, wind, your strings, your opponent, etc.). All that really matters is the ball and what "it" is doing at the present moment. By allowing yourself (unconscious) to react to the ball in a relaxed manner, you can play your best. When watching a sunset you focus is on one thing, the sun. In tennis your focus must be the ball. And when you watch a sunset, you might feel at peace. The same is true when watching the ball. The sun is the sun and a ball is a ball. The more in tune you are with those two object you are, the more they will tell you without you having to ask.

2. Play at your pace which allows you to recover from the past and get ready for the future. Rushing yourself leads to making quick errors and your unconscious can not catch up with your body. That doesn't mean you should stall the game. It means, give yourself time to let go of the last point, and come back to breathing, settling down your body, and resting (not easy to do when you are in a competitive match; your training play effects your ability to recover quickly). When a point ends, slow down and regain the present.

3.Take your time when hitting a ball and complete the swing.  Asking yourself to think of that sunset and breathing can help, or listening to a favorite song in your mind. Giving our mind a break will help you relax and flow completely. The strike zone is further back than we realize. Most errors tend to go in the net because we are not finding the proper strike zone. If you get tense you cant take a complete fluid swing, even though you know you own the shot in practice.

4. Less is more. There is no perfect way of hitting the ball for everyone. There are fundamentals that we must have. Regardless of how you hit the ball, adjusting to strike the ball, with good timing is number one. Its better to have any inefficient movements, hitches, back-swings removed from our shots. In the heat of battle one must be a well oiled machine. It s better to have a 10% back-swing with a 90% follow-through, than a 80% back-swing with a 20% deceleration after contact, with little follow-through. A simple block when close to the net is good enough. There is no need to hit a reverse spin volley that comes back over to your side of the net, after hitting on your opponents side first. Go with great tasting vanilla! Keep it simple. Quality over quantity, get the maximum from the minimum.

5. Schedule routines and rituals. Success demands repeat performance. Schedule practices and workouts specific to your needs. Take time before you serve by bouncing the ball three times before you serve. Sit down during breaks and drink ice water with lemon. Have your towel in an easy place to access during practices and matches. Take planned breaks and recover, using the same time intervals as a match. Practice for a designated period of time and move on. Train with intensity for short periods of time with short breaks. Schedule practices in your calendar weekly, monthly, and yearly, allowing for tournaments, leagues, indoor season, outdoor season, and teams.

6. Watch the ball. Observe it and see it before it comes off the strings of your opponent. This has the effect of slowing time down, and makes you faster! Look for reasons to watch the ball, despite anything else that happens around the court. Nothing else matters in the end. Don't look for reasons not to watch the ball, and blame something else on your error. Those distractions are part of the game. You only can control your reaction and focus. All that other "stuff" is a mine field of distraction. It can remain there, but it doesn't effect your focus on the ball; you are meditating on the ball, and you are aware of how it's behaving.

---Kevin

Crucial Strategies of Doubles

First of all,its great to be back. After a way too long hiatus, I'm back in the writing saddle  again. The other day I was out assisting my daughter (the Head Coach for Falmouth High School Girl's Varsity Tennis) and I was assigned the Doubles Teams. The level of play was 3.0 for both Marshfield and Falmouth High Schools. I also just finished up coaching for a Women's 3.0 League Team in Plymouth at the Village Racquet Club. There's a couple of points I'd like to address.

When playing doubles at any level your main goal should be to return serve and rally cross court away from the net player. If you cannot do this then that net players will pound winners against you all day. And your partner, who is located on the service line will become an easy target. If you want to get better at doubles, write this down--"Hit the ball cross court away from the net player." That is tennis 101. If you cant do that, take the course over again, and again till you pass it. Hit it deep cross court is the best, your opponent cant get to the net as easy and most players at 3.0 to 3.5 do not recover properly after returning a cross court ball. What do they do? They stand inside the baseline which makes returning a deep ball weak, they throw up playable shots from their feet. I've seen it happen over and over, and its a hard habit to break.

Then next most important strategy is to approach the net when your partner gets an easy ball or you get a short ball. When you do come in, stop just inside the service line. Many players stop short of the line or go right up to the net. Both of those ideas are not good. Hold the line, and take the came as it unfolds; you can move in on balls the pressure your opponent, or hold at the line if your opponent can lob or smack it at your face. You've got to know when to hold em and when to fold em.

How can I get better at these strategies? Practice!!!!!!

Get a good outside forehand and backhand so that you can isolate the deep court player, a tag team that player until you and your partner decide to change the direction of the ball to the short side of the opponents. You have to be able to rally on both wings right to left or left to right. Practice cross court rally's one on one! Get real good at it!

What else?

Practice volleys from just inside the service line and hit them to either side of the court. Hit volleys from the offensive net position (six feet from the net) to the back court player on either side of the court. Your partner will be expecting the ball so its good training for you and them. Its a great workout too.

How can I remember all of this, it seems complicated? " Okay remember this:

Rally or volley the ball to the deepest person, both you and your partner!!!!!

Opportunities will arise to take the point. This is percentage tennis for players working on getting better at doubles and its simple to remember. By the way, both doubles teams for Falmouth won and a number one doubles team form the South Shore lost a first set to two players from my Plymouth Team who who were old enough to be  their Mothers, and number doubles won against a couple of kids too! That was a moral victory.

In the trenches.

Kevin Pease

Ten Points to Better Singles

There are many helpful reminders for the game of singles. Here's a few that I've found to be true in my own game. These ten pointers will get you to the next level for sure. Competitive matches require you to keep your head if your going to win.

1. Serve with an intention, i.e., serve wide to pull the opponent off court. Serve inside to keep the rally down the middle. This one's going at the body because I haven't shown this yet. On my second serve I'm going to keep my racquet speed fast and drive my serve to locations, using some spin to improve my consistency, but; I'm not going to give my opponent batting practice.

2. Return with an intention, i.e., if the ball is served to the T side I'm going down the the line. If the ball is served wide I'm going cross court. I'm going to get myself in front of the ball and drive it back with a drive return deep, because he has been teeing off on my lack luster returns.

3. During wide cross court rallies hit solid deep shots cross court. How you hit it cross court is your game style. I like to launch solid drives to the corners as this gives my opponent less time to react and more likely to keep the rally at least neutral. I don't like being yanked around the court like a puppet on a string. The deeper and faster the ball the less likely this is to happen.

4. Return deep middle balls to the side that feels right. This means you can go to either wing of your opponent. If possible launch your weapon shot (if you have one) to the weaker side or the side which is most available.

5. Short balls management: either dish them cross court if they are low and untenable, or pound it to the most pressure location if the shot is above the net. You must master the attack of short balls on both your wings. Players are too good no not to take advantage of them. You should practice them as much as serves and returns which are the two most important shots of the game. Following the "shorty" to the net depends on your game style, size, volley ability, opponent's passing ability, and how much distress you've caused your opponent. There's a lot of material there. A general rule to follow for most players is--"go to the net to finish a point, not start one." That means if you approach to a closed court with your opponent standing there, you'd better have some great stuff on your shot and a great net game. A good opponent is going to make you play. Going to the net to finish a point is more of an open court situation where you have given your opponent a difficult shot to handle and a weak return is likely, or that you are making them run a long distance to hit a difficult passing shot.

6.When an opponent is at the net, pass with a dipping shot to get them volley up, if you are inside the baseline and balanced. If those two requirements are not met, then you should lob and make it a good one. Practice defense often. If you can score on defense, it's like forcing a fumble. It produces changes of momentum.

7. Against a heavy hitter (one with pace, spin or both) back up in the court to create space for yourself and give yourself time to get ready to leverage the shot. You may have to lengthen your follow-through to stay on line with the ball and respect its power line. Don't get creative with a power hitter. Hit clean yourself and don't give them short stuff to pound on. Most power players (good ones, are consistent too). Focus on getting in great position and hit your corners. Don't be afraid of big shots. Standing up closer to counter punch is another idea (sending the ball back quick giving your opponent less reaction time). If you can be successful shortening up and timing that, then do it. Personally, I'm not so inclined.

8. Take easy balls early. Take away your opponent's reaction time. Anytime you get an easy shot with or without height, get to it early, take it on the rise (above the net for higher balls) and punish it and or place it. Attack when given the chance. Don't push. You will loose for sure against great players. Practice for playing great players not poor ones.

9. Don't get creative. Stick to the fundamental strategies of the game.  If you are not winning, try to improve execution. This could be mental, getting the body into a relaxed state of performance, Stick to your style. Be true to yourself. Don't try new strokes that you haven't had the chance to own. Don't start serving and volleying if your a baseline player. Change your tactics not your style. If you feel you can play better, get better timing, improve your returns and serve, then that could be all it takes to get competitive. Once your competing, you then can make other adjustments. The more you get in those situations the better you will handle them.

10. Practice with intensity. Hit hard, deep, with direction. Train with someone who delivers power and spin as well. See how many hard drives you can keep going. Train in all areas of your game with focus and intensity. Serves, returns, rallying, approach shots, volleys, overheads, lobs, passing shots, drop shots, and angles, etc. Also strive to improve your techniques, timing, and court coverage ability. Obviously you cant do everything everyday. I think its important to a least do a cordial warm-up (all shots) right away (ten minutes). Request a few practice shots of one area of your game. Your practice partner may want this as well. Then rally practice: start by keeping the ball deep and easy and develop timing and build the pace up to as high as you can while still maintaining consistency. Then play points (serve five each, play tie-breaks, or games.) There are many drill games also. I like playing real points because I feel the pressure adds to the competition. If you don't have pressure then you are not training to play up for higher levels. Pressure is good. Take care of all the little things really well. Practice agility, strength training for tennis, stretch, eat and sleep well. If you prepare well you will be prepared for higher levels of competition. I think playing three out of five sets is great training once in a while because you get plenty of stamina work in and your body will be used to the demands of tournament play. Any practice is better than no practice. Practice and train as much as you can. Do what works best for you.

Ten Points To Better Doubles

1. Get your first serve in because it sets up your partner for a possible poach.

2. Return the serve cross court, well.

3. Rally Cross Court, well.

4. After every shot transition to the net or behind the baseline and split-step.

5. Make easy volleys. Don't get greedy or to creative.

6. When you and your partner are at the net, and have a high easy ball, go to the short side, not deep.

7. Hit passing shots down the middle, most of the time.

8. If you are deep behind the baseline and both players are at the net, lob.

9. The secret sauce of the game is poaching diagonally at the net and cutting off baseline shots and 

    volleys.

10. Communicate: up, back, you, me, switch, go, and poaching signals.

Merry Christmas.

Tomorrow, ten basic points of singles.

Mini Tennis and Full Court Tennis

Mini tennis is the short game you play when you can only use the service boxes (for singles) and extend the service line out into the alleys for doubles. For the serve, stand to start in the same position as you would on a full court, the right side. Drop the ball to the court first before hitting it. It should be an easy serve, not an attempt to ace off a feed. Rally the ball as you would in full court tennis. The only rule for basic mini tennis is that you may not volley the ball nor smash it down. Many of your shots will be blocked or shortened. You may hit any type of spin you wish. These mini court games sound gentle but you can get an amazing workout rallying cross court and down the line shots. If you play first to five points, then shift serve every two points, if you get to four points all, then the server serves the final point and the receiver chooses which side to receive that serve.

The advantage of practicing mini tennis is that it teaches you touch close to the net. You need control to win this game. It isn't easy. There are other rules options for this game but try this basic one first. Many players practice mini tennis for a couple of minutes before starting the large court traditional warm-up. It gets your eyes, hands and feet working with control before going to full court. It makes sense. In Basketball you start with lay-ups. In baseball you throw close. In soccer you kick close. 

Let me know if you have any questions about this great game. 

Play Like You Practice

I recommend reading the Inner Game of Tennis for anyone looking for a clean approach on how to view the psychology of learning tennis, competing in tennis, other sports and even life. One area worth considering is the practice / play relationship. And that is something that I'm going to focus on today.

A player named Jimmy Connors, a great number one in the world, used to practice for short periods of time and train as hard as he could during that period. It would be intense focused drills and play for just one hour. He would jump rope for up to forty-five minutes as well. That was pretty much it. Can you imagine how good your game would be if you trained just a few minutes per day of concentrated effort. Several of our top juniors here at the club, Sean Pease, Joe Delinks, Regis Chang, Kara Pease, the Maxwell's, and many other players have trained here in Falmouth with short durations of focused execution. They achieved success in New England and beyond through their intense efforts. Now we are integrating the Etchfit program with short intense on court movement drills, and strength training specific for tennis, proper nutrition, and mental conditioning. All of these factors must be balanced together to allow for the most enjoyable and productive tennis experience.

If I had to boil it down to one ingredient most important to peak performance is playing like you practice. One has to play without fear and trust your shots. Your mind in play must be similar to that of practice--effortless movement, lack of score pressure and outcomes effecting timing and execution, not overly concerned about misses, quickly rebounding from any loss of momentum, staying aggressive when up, and taking time to get drinks, relax, and recover for the next point, and asking yourself  to fight when down and then letting it go and allowing it to happen without getting in your on way and putting yourself down. Clearing your mind of only watching the ball and reacting in a confident relaxed manner is the only way one can achieve highest potential. The unconscious plays the game and the conscious is only there to encourage, ask, and watch as the inner self is allowed to "play."

Kevin Pease

Joe Delinks, a recent graduate of University of Central Florida, from North Falmouth, is competing to break into the ATP tour. The former UCF Captain and Massachusetts State Division One Champion that played number one for Falmouth High School will be taking a short training interlude that will either send him to undetermined sites in Europe, Canada, and the United States. His major field of study was environmental science and biology. After graduating he continued to coach for the Kevin Pease School of Tennis at the Falmouth Sports Center and then tried breaking into the ATP by competing in the southern Future’s Circuit in Florida.

 The goal is to get into qualifying of a Future’s Event. There is prize money at the end of a Future’s Tournament but it only contributes to the expense of traveling to the event and possibly a room. Qualifying rounds are bitterly competitive with as many as 128 players competing to earn eight spots in the main draw. Basically you are playing a huge tournament with the hope of getting into the future’s main draw. Even with several wins in qualifying you would not receive any ATP points. Those can only be earned by winning matches in the Future’s main draw event. Many players, such as Joe will apply to as many Future’s events around the world with the hope of getting accepted into qualifying. If one already possesses enough points then they would probably not have to go through qualifying (depending on the event and prize money). Major tournaments have qualifying where most of the players hoping to get in the main draw have points on the ATP.

In Joe’s first tournament qualifier he won his first round 5-6,6-1,6-3 back in October only to be devastated 6-0, 6-0 by an All American form Auburn and couldn’t regroup. The following week he played a wild card tournament (an additional chance to get in a future) to get into Pensacola. He won his first round 6-3, 6-2, second round 6-4, 6-3 against a player from Argentina with ATP points, and won a semi- final match verses Marc Oljaca (a former UCF team-mate 3-6,6-3,10-6) who has been on the tour for four years. Joe then lost to a player form Latfia 7-6, 4-6, 5-10. That was just a few points shy of “making it.” After playing such vicious rounds of tennis, Joe had nothing left to give the qualifying of that same tournament and lost 1-6, 7-5, 4-6. He was beat up and sore.

Off to Niceville, the next stop in the southern tour. Joe lost to a Swede with ATP points in qualifying, 3-6,6-3,3-6. In the finals of the wildcard draw, Joe missed a forehand volley by one half an inch after being up 7-6,3-2 40-30. He was going close to the line because the clay makes you pay if you don’t finish a volley. The players are too fast and they run them down.

The players of the futures are consistent elite college players, a big step up from Division One.  Joe has been training with Blaze Schwartz, a top ten doubles NCAA doubles player, and all time most wins player—Brock Sakey also a former UCF Knight. All the play down in Florida is played on Har-Tru, a crushed stone metallic Basalt mixture that plays slower than hard courts but faster than European Red Clay which plays extremely slow (Brick and Red Clay). I would compare that to the moon.

 The slower the play leads to longer points. Joe has an attacking style of play that was honed on the fast indoor courts of the Falmouth Sports Center. That favors getting to the net and playing aggressively. Joe has been using that style of play quite a bit, but has to be very selective on when to approach as the quality of passing shots in today’s game are the best they ever been.

Getting into doubles draws of the futures requires breaking into the singles and securing points.

If Joe were to do this he would have an excellent chance in doubles due to the attacking nature of the doubles game which is dominated by strong volleys.

During the summer Joe enjoys fishing on the Cape for all local fish including Yellow Fin Tuna. He has caught a 5 foot Alligator and a 6 foot shark in Florida (both released of course). His favorite is duck hunting. He will be in Falmouth shortly, training at the Sports Center with Coach Kevin Pease for his next bid determined by acceptances from around the world. His training will include weight training, on court hitting and drills, hitting partners and movement training (Etcheberry Court Conditioning Drills targeted for attacking players).

Davis Cup Play by Annie Keegan

I would like to introduce a new writer for us--Annie Keegan, from Long Island, who is an avid tennis player at the Falmouth Sports Center and a big fan of professional tennis. She is sharing this recent report of the American Davis Cup, which at one time was more popular than the major tennis events, particularly before the open era, which occurred in 1968. Thank you Annie Keegan......

Hi Folks! Kevin asked me to do a little blog of today’s Davis Cup action from Petco Park in San Diego.  It’s USA vs. Great Britain in the first round of the World Group.   We haven’t lost to the

Brits in Davis Cup since 1935 (our overall record against them in Davis Cup competition is 11-7).

This year we’re really going to feel the absence of Andy Roddick and James Blake. Both players were Davis Cup stalwarts and they’ve both retired.  John Isner, the highest ranked American player is injured.  So let’s just say we’re playing with our “B” team while Britain has Andy Murray playing all three days for them.  That being said, Davis Cup frequently brings out the best in players so let’s

hope for some great matches.

 

Team USA is represented by Sam Querrey (49), Donald Young (79) and Mike and Bob Bryan (1).

Obviously Captain Jim Courier is relying heavily on the Bryans to win the doubles on Saturday.

The host team chooses the venue and playing surface and I’m a bit baffled by the choice of outdoor

clay.  Clay may be Murray’s weakest surface but it isn’t a favorite of any of our guys either so that’s a bit of a head scratcher.

 

The first match (or “rubber” in Davis Cup-speak) is Donald Young facing Andy Murray. Young has been touted as having potential for greatness but he hasn’t delivered. He’s had some attitude problems and even a public squabble with the head of USTA player development, Patrick McEnroe.  He was passed over for a spot on last year’s Davis Cup squad and took to Twitter to express his unhappiness.  As I write this Murray has defeated Young in straight sets.

 

The second match of the day has Querrey facing James Ward (179). If that match follows rank, Querrey should win and we would go into tomorrow’s doubles even at 1-1.

 

As it turns out Ward upset Querrey which leaves the US in a must-win position going into Saturday’s

doubles round.

 

The beauty of Davis Cup is that it allows us to see the best players in the world play for their country

rather than themselves. Very few players pass up the opportunity.  Stan Wawrinka is playing for

Switzerland just days after winning the Australian Open. He and Roger Federer have put the Swiss

Team up 2-0 in their match against the Serbian powerhouse team (who are missing both Djokovic and Tipsaravic this round).  And the German team is leading Spain 2-0. The Spanish are playing without several of their best as well. Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Tommy Robredo are all

injured.

 

On Saturday the Bryan brothers came through in their match against Dominic Inglot and Colin Fleming. They won in four sets.  For doubles fans, Davis Cup is the only competition other than the majors where the matches remain 3 out of 5 sets with standard scoring.  And the doubles round is often a make or break match for a team trying to stay alive in the tie. Today proved to be just such a

scenario for the US. 

 

The matches on Sunday will be the reverse of Friday’s match-ups.  First up will be Sam Querrey vs. Andy Murray.  If Querrey can pull off the win it would be one of the most important victories of his career.  I’d love to see him do it.

 

 

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