Racquet Speed

Racquet speed creates the amount of spin and pace on the ball. To hit a shot with power you have to have racquet speed. Your mechanics--set-up, loading, timing, etc. all effect racquet speed. It's great to have one or two shots that really force your opponent to make errors. Try to get the serve and one groundstroke to fire big. It helps to have a weapon. You have to trust your racquet and yourself, stay lose, grip it and rip it. It's a lot like life.

All the best.

Kevin

Sean and me are here in Watefrville Valley on the red clay for a $ tourney. It's war up here in the mountains.

Your Game

No two people hit the ball the same way. Repeat, no two people hit the ball the same way.

There are basic fundamentals you have to have; after that it's all you. We'll help you find your best game.

Just in case you look in the mirror in the morming and don't see Roger Federer or Maria Sharapova looking back at you. ;)

'Blink Tennis Instruction"

You've perhaps heard of the book--Blink: it talks about how we process information, usually very quickly and unconsciously.

At the Kevin Pease School of Tennis we give you quick personal tips during the drills using audables and visual cues. During changes in the action we give you personal instruction. This way you train 90% with no standing around; 10% is learning and recovery from our pre-planned live-ball drills.

See you on the courts.

Playing the score verses just playing

Well it's time for some new material. Is every point the same in value or are some points more important than others?

That's a great question because each point alone represents a mini-battle leading to other outcomes: break points, ads, games, tie-breakers, sets, and match (the war), so; winning points are important, but some points are more important, for instance: if you win the first point of a game you stand a 54% chance of winning the game and if you reach 30 first you stand an 80% chance of winning the game. Those are statistics. They can help you manage points better. Here is a color code system that might help: when you start a game, go with "delayed pressure"--that means when you have an opening go for the right shot, i.e. approach to the net after opening the court and receiving a short ball, drop shotting a player out of position, go for an angle shot, hit a down the line, etc. If you are down by two or more points go with "breakdown pressure"--that means be more defensive and patient (hit percentage shots cross court) until it's right to attack--so it's more cautious than delayed pressure. If you are up by two or more points than you can afford to go for more on second serves, attack the net, etc. We'll call this type of play--"quick pressure."

Here is a quick chart for score management:

breakdown plays=code red

delayed pressure plays=code yellow

quick pressure=code green

0-0     code yellow

0-15   code yellow

15-0   code yellow

15-30 code red

30-15 code yellow

30-0   code green

0-30   code red

40-30 or ad-in code red

30-40 or ad out code red

40-15 code green

15-40 code red

40-0  code green

0-40  code red, yellow, or green (player choice depending on momentum) 

The other factor which must be considered is momentum!

If an opponent whacks you with an ace look to attack back as soon as you can. Here's why--if you play a code red and lose you will have shown that you can be beaten physically and mentally. If you run a code green and win or miss at least you will have shown a fighter's  toughness. When someone gives you a whack, whack them back! If your serve has been broke, then break serve right away. If they hit a winning shot, you hit a winning shot asap!

If your opponent makes a bad error, run a code green immediately when he/she is down mentally. These momentum "busters/creators" are to be used with the color codes as a tool.

Again, this is not an exact science. It is just a way of playing the percentages. It is a way of managing risk. If you have more than 13 in blackjack, it's best not to take a hit.  All points should be played with equal intensity and within your style of play, strategy and tactics that you see fit.

Best of luck. 

Getting Better

We all want to get better at tennis. That might mean: beating a certain opponent, getting into a higher group, etc.

Many players use the logic--hey I hit with Jimmy, so I'm almost as good as Jimmy. Bad idea.

Focus not on who you play in tennis and your results. That's insane, Kev. those are those the most important things to me, maybe a couple of other things as well. Fine. If you really want to get better, challenge yourself to do things which are "uncomfortable" : serve and volley every point, return and volley every point, approach on shots that are more difficult, mix in more topspin, attempt drop volleys, swing through my second serve with just as much racquet speed as my first serve. Play a variety of people and practice your "developing game" in fun matches, tournaments, leagues, and on your front lawn with the kids. For me the game is all about improvement and I have fun when I improve. I like great shots and great tennis. Winning and losing are just results: scores in a score box. A day later, who really cares anyway?

Please don't confuse my philosophy about winning with effort or desire to compete at your highest level. That's what makes competing the most fun--playing at your highest level! If you do that, winning will take care of itself.

Kevin 

Tactical Prorities

In tennis they would be this: 1) Hit the ball over the net. 2) Direct the ball. 3) Control the depth of the ball. 4) Put spin on the ball. 5) Apply speed to the ball.

For most of us we get stuck on the spin tactic. This is why developing your shot making is so important: spin is a function of technique--without it, it becomes impossible to achieve. Spin allows you to control the depth, direction, and height of the ball. Ball control (feel for the ball) is what we all should strive to improve.

Exercise: Hit a better topspin forehand!
Start with your racquet in front of you with the head "dipping below the wrist at a six oclock position." Do this about six feet from the net. Drop a ball and then practice turning your hand from six to twelve while lifting your arm up (just a little). You'll see the spin on the ball and the ball needs to go "up" and over the net (by at least three to four feet). If you can do this you have spin............if you can't, come take a lesson with us and we will help you. There's a trick to it.

Define Winning

I would define winning as achieving your performance goals, for instance: serve and volley every first serve in doubles, return all second serves and rush the net, hit down the middle and less down the alley, mix in more angle returns of serve, etc. If you focus on the doing and less on the outcomes things have a way of working out better. Play each shot as it's own challenge and enjoy it.

Winning and losing are just outcomes. Enjoy the process of tennis.