Archive for the ‘Coaching Tips’ Category

COACHING TIPS - DO NOT NEGLECT THE SERVE

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

It is very easy to neglect the serve during a practise or hitting session, especially if you have endured a hefty session hitting of the ground. Players often only hit a few token serves at the end of a practise session without too much focus. Make time to practise the serve, start off some sessions hitting serves or devote a full session to serving.  Practise hitting a full basket with a goal for each serve.  Do not make it too complicated or you may lose your rythm. Work on 1 point at a time :-

1. Improving the height of contact - Try to make contact at the top of  the ball toss, often players let the ball drop too low and therefore hit it too late.  Try and hit the ball at the top of the ball toss just as it is about to stop.  This should also help you avoid an excessively high ball toss and should  encourage you to generate good racquet head speed.

When the above becomes natural you could try point 2

2. Try working on more of a knee bend, bending your knees as you get ready to strike the ball,  then push up with your legs as you go up to swing thus directing all your bodys energy upwards and explode up towards the ball.

Good luck

SERVE “N” VOLLEY

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

When serving and volleying, throw your ball toss slightly more forward than usual and focus on reaching the service line to split step before you play your first volley/ half volley.  If your serve goes into the net or long you should not be still standing on the baseline! you should be almost at the service line.  When practising this as a novice get your hitting partner to return the serve even if long or have a spare ball to feed in to ensure you get lots of practice 1st volleys/ half volleys……….  Keep checking for more tips

WIMBLEDON 2009 - OPENING DAY

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

CENTRE COURT - Opening play on centre court today is Roger Federer who is “standing in” for Rafael Nadal who has had to withdraw because of his knees. Federer is a very worthy “stand in” after winning the championships 5 times already and probably the greatest tennis player of all time, he will be opening the new-look Centre Court with its retractable roof. Will Federers new military-style jacket prove more of a talking point than his 1st match?                                                                                                    

BRITISH NEWS

LAURA ROBSON is to become the youngest British player of the modern professional era when she plays Daniela Hantuchova, on Court 2 this afternoon.  Robson lives very close to the All England Club, and she becomes the youngest competitor at Wimbledon since Martina Hingis in 1995.                                                

Other British women in the draw include Georgie Stoop, Mel South, Katie O’Brien, Julia Goerges and Elena Baltacha

 

ANDY MURRAY World No 3 will face Robert Kendrick   in the opening round of Wimbledon and becomes the top seed in his half of the draw following the withdrawal of the reigning champion Rafael Nadal .   Murray has won all three previous meetings with the American but Kendrick has proved he can play on grass and was leading Nadal 2 sets to love in the second round at Wimbledon in 2006 before losing in 5. 

Also on the Court today another Brit Josh Goodall will play 29yr old Michael llodra of France while Jamie Ward will be up against 7th seed Verdasco. Other British men in the draw include Dan Evans who faces 12th seed Nikolay Davydenko and Alex Bogdonovic who plays Czech Thomas Berdych who is seeded 21.

OTHER NEWS

Venus and Serena have managed yet another year to be paired in opposite sides of the draw, so dont be suprised to see them on Sat 4th July on Centre Court! 

Sharapova is up first on Court 1 today, will it be her year?

Simple but effective Serving Tip

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Always  bounce the ball at least 3 times in between your first serve and second serve to ensure you do not rush your serve.  This is the only shot you can choose to take your time on!