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.