How to Start Your Young Child in Tennis

Start by passing the ball back and forth on the ground or court. Introduce forehand and backhand options.
Have your child practice racquet skills (ups, downs and up-bounce-up’s) to establish and improve control of the racquet face and “feel” for the length of racquet.
Have your child drop hit balls (with forehands and backhands) to learn how to initiate a rally.
Hand feed balls with an underhand toss to practice groundstrokes and volleys.
Establish target goals with drop/hits and feeds. Establish cross court/down-the-line, net clearance and depth targets.
Start up close and work back. Start drop/hits, rallies and serves up close to the net. Progress back to the baseline with success.
Emphasize control and consistency (“hit the ball over the net and into the court”).
Have your child recite “bounce” and “hit” when hitting groundstrokes to establish timing and rhythm.
Count (1, 2, 3, etc.) to track progress with rallies.
Make it fun and be supportive

How to Improve Your Mental Toughness on the Court

Establish and maintain a game plan (making adjustments and changes as necessary) and have a purpose for each and every shot. Develop a plan and purpose to take advantage of the things you do best.
Make smart decisions. Play high percentage tennis.
Focus on one point at a time. Focus particularly on winning the first two points of every game to apply pressure on your opponent.
Manage the time and tempo of the match. Take advantage of your 25 seconds between points and 90 seconds on the changeovers to collect your composure and to prepare yourself properly for each and every point (i.e. judiciously use towel breaks).
Have a ritual (consistent routine) prior to hitting your first and second serves and prior to receiving each serve from your opponent to eliminate outside distractions and to narrow your focus to the task at hand. Look to Rafael Nadal for a good example of how to prepare with a ritual prior to each and every point.
Stay in the present. Don’t dwell on mistakes, missed opportunities or bad turn of events. Deal with the bad bounces, unlucky breaks, etc. by “moving forward and putting things behind you”.
Be positive. Use positive affirmations and “self talk” for motivation and to acknowledge good events.
Love the pressure of competition. Welcome the challenge of competition, particularly from an opponent who presents a difficult obstacle.
Acknowledge, even embrace pain and fatigue to improve your pain threshold and your ability to “fight through it”. When you are hurting, it is best not to “wish it away”. This often leads to passive play and resignation.
Have fun. Keep things in perspective and remember what it is you enjoy about hitting tennis balls and getting on the court to compete.

My Teaching Philosophies, Objectives and Goals

My primary goal is to teach players how to have the most possible fun on the court. I believe tennis is more fun with the development of skills (the ability to do more with the ball, cover and incorporate more of the court, sustain a rally, execute specific stroke patterns and combinations, etc.).
I believe in establishing a supportive and positive teaching environment. I actively engage players in the process of learning and acquiring new skills. I encourage dialogue, questions and input, particularly in defining direction and goals. I value patience, positive reinforcement and encouragement. I recognize the importance of building relationships, trust and confidence with our players.
I believe anyone can be a great player regardless of prior athletic training or ability and will do everything possible to help players reach their potential.
I maintain versatility in my approach to teaching and learning. I am prepared to vary my teaching style based on the personality, temperament and needs of the player and the goals of the lesson plan. I appreciate and teach different playing styles and strategies.
I do not believe there is one way to hit a tennis ball but do recognize there are better (more efficient and productive) ways to execute each stroke and stroke pattern for each and every player. I believe in the practice of continuous improvement and do everything in my power to find the “better” or “best” way for each player and situation.
I don’t believe in cutting corners or short-term fixes to problems. I believe in doing the first things first, building foundations, following progressions and long-term solutions. I value the importance of repetition and staying with something until you get it right. I am results-oriented. I believe in the importance of setting and reaching specific, attainable, reachable and timely (S.M.A.R.T) goals.
I have a passion to introduce new players to the game of tennis. I am committed to getting beginning players excited and having fun on the court rallying, playing and developing new skills.
I believe in hard work and dedication and am not afraid to place demands on my players.
I am committed to developing and upgrading my skills by observing play at all levels, researching the newest techniques, communicating with my professional peers, etc. It is my goal to expand my base of knowledge and understanding of the game and to be your resource for all things to do with tennis.
I love tennis and the lifestyle benefits of tennis and recognize my role to promote the game and keep players enthused and having fun on the court.

Tips to Better Develop Skills as a Beginner

Practice ups, downs, up-bounce-ups without a partner and up-bounce-ups with a partner to develop a better understanding and feel for the length of the racquet, sweet spot and bounce off the strings and court.
Drop/hit balls (or have a friend drop balls for you to hit) to develop technique and control over placement. Practice hitting balls cross-court and down-the-line and to the four quadrants of the court as defined by the singles sidelines, baseline, service line and center service line.
Develop a low to high swing pattern for the groundstrokes. A low to high swing pattern generates topspin and allows for better margin of clearance over the net. Topspin brings the ball down and into the court.
Hit high (four to seven feet) over the net for better net clearance and margin for error.
Begin your groundstroke rallies initially close to the net and progress back to the baseline with success (10 or more shot rallies). It is easier to handle the bounce and see the ball when hitting from a closer range. Another alternative is to hit from the same side of the net.
Serve with an abbreviated half motion to better focus on the toss, contact point and finish.
Start serving from inside the service line. Progress back to the baseline with success. Move back several feet at a time until serving from the baseline with the successful consecutive completion of five or more serves.
Focus first on technique and consistency. In progression of learning, the order of priority should be technique, direction, depth and net clearance, footwork and court coverage, spin and then power.
Do everything possible to extend the length of the rally. Judge success and improvement, even when playing points, by the length of the rally. Your initial success as a player will be marked by your ability to get one more ball in play (or by your ability to make your opponent hit one more shot). A valuable exercise to improve consistency is to require a specific number of shots to be hit (i.e. five) in a cooperative exchange prior to the start of each point.
Play a lot of tennis, take lessons and most importantly have the most possible fun on the court every time you play.

How to Disguise Your Shots and Game Plan (Keep Your Opponent Guessing)

Set up early with good footwork (adjustment steps) and mechanics to literally “freeze” your opponent.
Vary spin (type and degree). Develop skill to generate more or less spin from same set position.
Vary pace. Don’t be characterized as a “banger” or “pusher”.
Change patterns of play (short and deep, cross-court and down-the-line, stay back and close, etc.).
Develop all-court skills to be in a position to vary style of play (serve and volley, aggressive baseline, counterpunch, etc.) as necessary.
Vary height, net clearance and trajectory, remembering to incorporate the lob into your shot arsenal.
Vary location and direction, particularly with finishing shots (i.e. passing shots), serves and defensive replies.
Hit from an open stance, particularly off the forehand side.
Maintain an even temperament. Control emotions, particularly when under pressure.
Mask and/or feign fatigue. Take more or less time between points and changeovers.

Ten Tips for Success with the Serve

Develop a consistent ritual (routine) prior to the start of each and every serve to establish intensity and focus. Include a smile (a big Cheshire-cat smile) in your pre-serve ritual to remind yourself why you are on court hitting serves and to drive your opponent “bonkers”.
Incorporate all body components in a kinetic chain to maximize torque, momentum and racquet head speed. Components include bend and drive with legs, rotation of hips and shoulders and bend and extension of elbow.
Maintain a relaxed (continental) grip through your service motion to create snap and acceleration of the racquet head. Support the racquet with your thumb and top two fingers and only squeeze at contact.
Keep your chin up with eyes focused on the point of contact to ensure full extension and reach with the serve. Hit up and out with the serve. If you are going to miss, miss long and not in the net.
Recognize the importance of the non-racquet arm and hand. Hold your tossing arm up (with chest up) to create “sink”, arch, bend and torque of your body. Drop the tossing arm (bringing your non-racquet elbow to your side) to lock your hips and transfer power to the hitting shoulder.
Recover with a complete and balanced follow through to position your body for the next shot (if there is one). Bring the racquet across your body. Flex at your knees and hips to reduce stress as the front foot lands on the court. Maintain balance and weight on the front leg with a low center of gravity.
Serve to one of three targets (target zones). Serve out wide to pull your opponent off the court. Serve at the body to jam your opponent and force a weak reply. Serve down the middle (middle T) with authority to stretch your opponent and give your opponent less time to respond.
Vary the spin of your serve. Hit with topspin (kick) to force your opponent to hit the ball up and out of the strike zone. Hit with slice to jam your opponent for serves hit at the body or to pull your opponent off the court for serves hit to the outside target (target zone). Hit a flat serve for power (which is particularly effective for serves hit to the middle target or target zone).
Vary the pace, spin and location of your serve to disguise intent and disrupt the rhythm of your opponent.
Focus on getting a high percentage of first serves in (70% – 75% for singles, 75% – 80% for doubles). If your first serve percentage is less than 55%, you need to “back off” and be less aggressive and/or work on you technique and execution. If your first serve percentage is 90% or more, you are miraculously lucky (i.e. whenever Ryan Sheehan wins a set from Don Brewster), having a phenomenally good day or more likely, you need to take more chances and “go for more” with your serve.

Ten Basic Doubles Principles when in Command of the Net

Crowd the center of the court (ensuring no balls pass you down the middle). Make your opponents try to beat you with lower percentage shots hit out wide (to the alleys).
Balls hit down the middle (including lobs) should be taken by forehand, strongest player or player closest to net.
Balls hit from a cross court direction should be taken by player opposite flight of ball.
Player who last hit shot is in best position to take next shot in rapid exchange.
Never let the ball bounce (only exception is a high arcing lob that lands short of the service line).
When presented with an easy volley or overhead, hit to an opening or directly at the feet of the opponent closest to the net. Do not hit at hips or shoulders, giving your opponent an opportunity to get a racquet on the ball.
In response to more difficult shots, hit deep and down the middle to the feet of the player furthest from the net.
Close in after a good shot. Never hit two volleys from the same spot.
When opponents are both at the baseline, volley with authority deep and down the middle to draw a weak response and open up the court. Play for openings and hit hard for angles. Do not hit short volleys or drop shots to draw opponents up.
Close in to hit your volleys (preferably on a diagonal line) to more effectively finish the point. Move and close in to cut off the ball, prevent the ball from dropping below the net and to afford your opponents less time to respond.

Top 10 Forehand Tips

Hit it in.
Develop a low to high, extended finish stroke pattern for better control.
Take a number of adjustments steps prior to each shot to ensure the best possible balanced hitting position.
In preparation for the shot, set the hitting and non-hitting hands in line with the flight of the ball to improve rhythm and timing of your swing.
Hit cross-court and high over the net for better consistency.
Hit for depth to push your opponent behind the baseline and to give you more time to set up for your next shot.
Hit with underpspin to change pace and disrupt rhythm.
8. Hit from an open stance to improve recovery.
When positioned inside the baseline, redirect the ball down the line or hit a cross-court angle.
When you have a chance to rip it, RIP IT!

Team Survival 101 (How to Be the Ultimate Team Player)

Win Matches – Your number one and most important responsibility is to win matches (or do everything possible to put yourself in a position to win matches). Yes, there is an argument that the emphasis should be process and not results and that acknowledgment and recognition should be based on effort and not whether you win or lose. And yes, there should be no shame in losing nor should there ever be a burden or expectation to win. But the reality is your team benefits when you win and not so much when you lose. Doing everything you can to win matches (with integrity and character) requires a deeper level of commitment (difficult but attainable by any player). It requires effort, an investment of time in deliberate practice and play (both on and off the court), internal motivation and a passion for tennis. During match play, it requires intensity, focus, confidence, ability to execute under pressure and an ability to adjust your playing style or strategy. What you should expect from yourself and what the players on your team should come to expect from you is a winning attitude (a willingness to do whatever is necessary to win matches for your team).
Help teammates win matches – Your number two and second most important responsibility is to support your teammates in their efforts to win matches. To do everything possible to put yourself and your teammates in a position to win matches should be your main overriding focus for everything you do for and with the team.
Be positive. Be positive not only to benefit your game but also to benefit the conviction and attitude of the other players on your team.
Never give up. It’s extremely important for the psyche, morale and spirit of your team to know that every player is committed to giving 100% each and every match no matter the score or circumstance.
Continuously try to improve. Establish a goal to incrementally get better each and every time you go on the court and to help your teammates incrementally improve their skills as well.
Offer no excuses or cast blame. If every player is positive in attitude, gives 100%, is trying to get better and is truly committed to doing everything possible to win matches, then it really doesn’t matter if you or one or more other players has a bad day or loses a match. You’re all in it together good or bad.
Communicate – A shared vision requires a shared dialogue and open (constructive) communication.
Support your coach. Respect the judgment and decisions of your coach. Take advantage of his/her expertise and perspective (particularly as it relates to recognizing your strengths, weaknesses, best match-ups and partner combinations).
Take nothing personally. In any team situation, there will disappointments and things said and done that may hurt your feelings. Team dynamics are not always clean and easy. Assume the best intentions and stay true to your main objective to win matches and support your teammates in their efforts to win matches.
Have fun. Choose to have fun and to make things fun for your teammates. Of course, being actively engaged on the court working hard and trying to get better (collectively as a team) is fun.

How to be Successful with Your Serve

Develop a consistent ritual (routine) prior to the start of each and every serve to establish intensity and focus. Include a smile (a big Cheshire-cat smile) in your pre-serve ritual to remind yourself why you are on court hitting serves and to drive your opponent “bonkers”.
Incorporate all body components in a kinetic chain to maximize torque, momentum and racquet head speed. Components include bend and drive with legs, rotation of hips and shoulders and bend and extension of elbow.
Maintain a relaxed (continental) grip through your service motion to create snap and acceleration of the racquet head. Support the racquet with your thumb and top two fingers and only squeeze at contact.
Keep your chin up with eyes focused on the point of contact to ensure full extension and reach with the serve. Hit up and out with the serve. If you are going to miss, miss long and not in the net.
Recognize the importance of the non-racquet arm and hand. Hold your tossing arm up (with chest up) to create “sink”, arch, bend and torque of your body. Drop the tossing arm (bringing your non-racquet elbow to your side) to lock your hips and transfer power to the hitting shoulder.
Recover with a complete and balanced follow through to position your body for the next shot (if there is one). Bring the racquet across your body. Flex at your knees and hips to reduce stress as the front foot lands on the court. Maintain balance and weight on the front leg with a low center of gravity.
Serve to one of three targets (target zones). Serve out wide to pull your opponent off the court. Serve at the body to jam your opponent and force a weak reply. Serve down the middle (middle T) with authority to stretch your opponent and give your opponent less time to respond.
Vary the spin of your serve. Hit with topspin (kick) to force your opponent to hit the ball up and out of the strike zone. Hit with slice to jam your opponent for serves hit at the body or to pull your opponent off the court for serves hit to the outside target (target zone). Hit a flat serve for power (which is particularly effective for serves hit to the middle target or target zone).
Vary the pace, spin and location of your serve to disguise intent and disrupt the rhythm of your opponent.
Focus on getting a high percentage of first serves in (70% – 75% for singles, 75% – 80% for doubles). If your first serve percentage is less than 55%, you need to “back off” and be less aggressive and/or work on you technique and execution. If your first serve percentage is 90% or more, you are miraculously lucky (i.e. whenever Ryan Sheehan wins a set from Don Brewster), having a phenomenally good day or more likely, you need to take more chances and “go for more” with your serve.