What is Andy Roddick thinking? Here is a guy who doesn't have top ten ability in speed or groundstrokes who's decided to play defensive tennis!!
He will not go far with this tactical approach.
If I were Andy's coach I would tell him to keep the points as short as possible. This means standing a little further inside the court and going for penetrating shots right away. He has the forehand to play this way but it's his backhand that is a liability and that his opponents take advantage of.
So, on the backhand side I would tell him to rip a lot of flat backhands up the line.
Yes, it's a higher risk strategy but Andy wins very few of the backhand crosscourt exchanges anyway.
Even at the top level in tennis tactics determine winners and losers.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis Wimbledon
Andy Roddick
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
So Far Federer Hasn't Been Pushed
What a great tournament so far for Roger Federer. He's played well and hasn't been pushed on the clay. Well, that's about to change. He faces David Nalbandian in the semifinals, and if he gets by him, he'll probably face Rafael Nadal in the final.
If you're a student of tactical tennis you can see how easy it's been for Federer. By and large, he's played guys who couldn't hurt him very much and aren't as steady off the ground. So Fed won by playing very high percentage tennis --mainly crosscourt rallies until he got an opening.
But against Nalbandian he'll be playing someone who is almost as quick and who possesses a better backhand. Nalbandian will win a great deal of the crosscourt backhand rallies and will hurt Fed with his beautiful down the line backhand.
So Fed will be forced to go for more off his backhand or run around it exposing his forehand corner. He'll probably win but it won't be easy and he'll have to play a higher risk game.
Let's see what happens.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Roger Federer
If you're a student of tactical tennis you can see how easy it's been for Federer. By and large, he's played guys who couldn't hurt him very much and aren't as steady off the ground. So Fed won by playing very high percentage tennis --mainly crosscourt rallies until he got an opening.
But against Nalbandian he'll be playing someone who is almost as quick and who possesses a better backhand. Nalbandian will win a great deal of the crosscourt backhand rallies and will hurt Fed with his beautiful down the line backhand.
So Fed will be forced to go for more off his backhand or run around it exposing his forehand corner. He'll probably win but it won't be easy and he'll have to play a higher risk game.
Let's see what happens.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Roger Federer
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Don't Teach Anybody To Play Like Nadal Plays
Ok, Rafael Nadal is an amazing tennis player. But, in terms of a model to learn from --as Tony Soprano would say --forget about it.
First of all his whole tactical strategy is based on the fact that he is an amazing athlete. He stands way behind the baseline and actually dares to people to attack him. And , because of his incredible speed and strength, he can hit winners off shots other players wouln't even reach.
After a while his opponents realize that to win a point they have to hit even harder and aim for the lines. This is a low percentage tennis and Nadal then usually starts winning easily.
So, the first ability that Nadal posesses that most human beings can only dream about is world class speed.
But, the other amazing thing about Nadal's game is that he is hitting winners with bad technique!
Watch the form on a lot of his incredible forehand passing shots. He is completely stretched to the side and is barely even able to get his racket behind the ball. But he is able with just his outstretched arm and wrist to generate great racket head speed and even hit with insanely good angle.
So admire Nadal, enjoy his artistry, but don't try and copy his game.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Rafael Nadal
First of all his whole tactical strategy is based on the fact that he is an amazing athlete. He stands way behind the baseline and actually dares to people to attack him. And , because of his incredible speed and strength, he can hit winners off shots other players wouln't even reach.
After a while his opponents realize that to win a point they have to hit even harder and aim for the lines. This is a low percentage tennis and Nadal then usually starts winning easily.
So, the first ability that Nadal posesses that most human beings can only dream about is world class speed.
But, the other amazing thing about Nadal's game is that he is hitting winners with bad technique!
Watch the form on a lot of his incredible forehand passing shots. He is completely stretched to the side and is barely even able to get his racket behind the ball. But he is able with just his outstretched arm and wrist to generate great racket head speed and even hit with insanely good angle.
So admire Nadal, enjoy his artistry, but don't try and copy his game.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Rafael Nadal
Thursday, June 01, 2006
The 2006 French Open and the drop shot
If you're getting into the French Open on TV, you're probably seeing way more drop shots than you traditionally see on hard courts or grass.
There's a couple of reasons for this. The main one is that power isn't the great weapon on clay that it is on hard courts because the red clay slows the ball down. So, all those crosscourt blasts which are winners on the hard courts are merely rally balls on clay. Plus, many players stand much further back on clay than they do on hard courts knowing that it's rare that the opponent will rush the net on clay.
So, what's an aggressive player to do?
Well, enter the drop shot.
Because the opponent is well behind the baseline a well-placed and well-disguised drop shot will often be a winner. Even if the opponent makes a great sprint and reaches the ball there is little he or she can do with it.
So, start watching masters of the clay like Nadal and Nalbandian use the drop shot.
Next time we'll talk about the technique and how to disguise it.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Red Clay
Drop Shot
There's a couple of reasons for this. The main one is that power isn't the great weapon on clay that it is on hard courts because the red clay slows the ball down. So, all those crosscourt blasts which are winners on the hard courts are merely rally balls on clay. Plus, many players stand much further back on clay than they do on hard courts knowing that it's rare that the opponent will rush the net on clay.
So, what's an aggressive player to do?
Well, enter the drop shot.
Because the opponent is well behind the baseline a well-placed and well-disguised drop shot will often be a winner. Even if the opponent makes a great sprint and reaches the ball there is little he or she can do with it.
So, start watching masters of the clay like Nadal and Nalbandian use the drop shot.
Next time we'll talk about the technique and how to disguise it.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Red Clay
Drop Shot
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Watching the 2006 French Open makes me think about red clay
For most North Americans red clay is something we hear about a lot and see mainly on our TV screens as we watch the French Open every year.
It's an ongoing debate as to which surface ( hard or clay) is better for developing young players.
Having played on both, I think that if I had a choice as a national director of tennis training, that I would prefer to see the kids train on clay.
Obviously, clay ( especially the red variety seen mainly in Europe and South America) slows the ball down and makes it harder to play attacking tennis. But, it encourages full flowing strokes with lots of topspin, drop shots, angles, and wily tactics.
Of course, because clay doesn't tend to favor attackers, often clay courters don't serve that well and don't have particularly good volleys. You can see that now in the game of Rafael Nadal --one of the most dominant clay courters of all time.
Anybody have any thoughts?
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Red Clay
It's an ongoing debate as to which surface ( hard or clay) is better for developing young players.
Having played on both, I think that if I had a choice as a national director of tennis training, that I would prefer to see the kids train on clay.
Obviously, clay ( especially the red variety seen mainly in Europe and South America) slows the ball down and makes it harder to play attacking tennis. But, it encourages full flowing strokes with lots of topspin, drop shots, angles, and wily tactics.
Of course, because clay doesn't tend to favor attackers, often clay courters don't serve that well and don't have particularly good volleys. You can see that now in the game of Rafael Nadal --one of the most dominant clay courters of all time.
Anybody have any thoughts?
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Red Clay
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Well, it's French Open tennis time again. The whole tennis world is wondering who will be holding up the crown as the 2006 French Open winner in 2 weeks time.
One thing is for sure. Everyone in the tennis world is hoping for another Federer versus Nadal match in the final to be played at Roland Garros on June 10.
The draw for Federer looks good and, earlier today, he won his first round match against an Argentinian qualifier. The hope for Federer, if he is to achieve his goal of being the 2006 French Open winner, is to avoid extremely physically tiring matches especially late in the tournament so that he can be fresh for his anticipated match with Nadal.
Let the 2006 French Open begin.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
One thing is for sure. Everyone in the tennis world is hoping for another Federer versus Nadal match in the final to be played at Roland Garros on June 10.
The draw for Federer looks good and, earlier today, he won his first round match against an Argentinian qualifier. The hope for Federer, if he is to achieve his goal of being the 2006 French Open winner, is to avoid extremely physically tiring matches especially late in the tournament so that he can be fresh for his anticipated match with Nadal.
Let the 2006 French Open begin.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Technorati Tags Tennis French Open
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
More On Playing Artful Tennis Pushers
The last time we talked about the psychology of playing pushers and how important it is to respect the skills they are bringing to the table.
If you're struggling in a match and all you're thinking is how embarassing it is or how you should be wiping the pusher off the court, then the pusher has won the battle of the minds.
Instead, you should be relaxed, enjoying the challenge, and focusing your thinking on how to outsmart the pusher.
From a technical point of view, the pusher usually gives you a ball with less pace than you're used to. And, for most players, this throws off their timing and they end up being out of sync.
When faced with slow balls, most people plant their weight too early and lock into this position thus freezing the hips. And, then when they swing, they don't have any power left in their lower bodies and they end up with less powerful arm swings.
And, because the swing doesn't feel smooth, the frustration level grows and the whole thing just gets worse and worse.
So, first of all , keep your feet moving until the last second and then plant your weight on the back foot and begin your swing. This will solve many of the problems with a slow ball.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner M.D. author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
If you're struggling in a match and all you're thinking is how embarassing it is or how you should be wiping the pusher off the court, then the pusher has won the battle of the minds.
Instead, you should be relaxed, enjoying the challenge, and focusing your thinking on how to outsmart the pusher.
From a technical point of view, the pusher usually gives you a ball with less pace than you're used to. And, for most players, this throws off their timing and they end up being out of sync.
When faced with slow balls, most people plant their weight too early and lock into this position thus freezing the hips. And, then when they swing, they don't have any power left in their lower bodies and they end up with less powerful arm swings.
And, because the swing doesn't feel smooth, the frustration level grows and the whole thing just gets worse and worse.
So, first of all , keep your feet moving until the last second and then plant your weight on the back foot and begin your swing. This will solve many of the problems with a slow ball.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner M.D. author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take your tennis to the next level.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Playing The Artful Pusher
The question I probably get asked the most by aspiring tennis plaers is how to beat a pusher.
The answer --it's not easy and I'm going to explore this in the next few blog entries.
The first thing though is that you have to get over the idea that because you hit the ball harder than the pusher you are therefore a better tennis player.
Wrong, wrong, wrong!
You hit with pace - the pusher usually hits with precision. Isn't precision as important if not more so than pace?
You lose your cool - the pusher maintains his. Isn't controlling your emotions an important part of winning tennis?
You get sucked into patterns you don't like - the pusher controls the patterns. Isn't being smart tactically part of winning tennis?
So lesson 1 -- GET OVER YOURSELF. The pusher may be a better player than you are.
Don't get overconfident just because you hit the ball harder and don't lose your cool when you are forced to hit the shots you're not used to.
Next time we'll explore some of the patterns that pushers like to use.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take yout tennis to the next level.
The answer --it's not easy and I'm going to explore this in the next few blog entries.
The first thing though is that you have to get over the idea that because you hit the ball harder than the pusher you are therefore a better tennis player.
Wrong, wrong, wrong!
You hit with pace - the pusher usually hits with precision. Isn't precision as important if not more so than pace?
You lose your cool - the pusher maintains his. Isn't controlling your emotions an important part of winning tennis?
You get sucked into patterns you don't like - the pusher controls the patterns. Isn't being smart tactically part of winning tennis?
So lesson 1 -- GET OVER YOURSELF. The pusher may be a better player than you are.
Don't get overconfident just because you hit the ball harder and don't lose your cool when you are forced to hit the shots you're not used to.
Next time we'll explore some of the patterns that pushers like to use.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take yout tennis to the next level.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Different tactical tennis patterns on clay
Let's face it - clay court tennis is different than hard court tennis.
And it's arguably more fun, more athletically challenging, and more stylish allowing you more time to hit beautiful angles.
And, as tempting as it is to try and play the same patterns on clay that you play on hard court, sometimes your old standby hard court patterns and tactics just don't work as well on clay.
For example, on hard court, a big inside out forehand can hurt your opponent and the point can often be won on the next shot with either another inside out or an inside in forehand up the line.
On clay your opponent can usually return your first inside out forehand without any trouble. so to hurt your opponent and gain an advantage you have to be more patient and hit a number of inside out forehands sometimes trying to pull your opponent wide further and further off the court. Then, when the opening is there you can go inside in up the line.
Watch the rallies on clay now and observe the patterns the players use . You'll notice how they're much more patient than on hard court.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner M.D. Author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the tennis Ebook that can make you a smarter player and help you to win more matches now.
And it's arguably more fun, more athletically challenging, and more stylish allowing you more time to hit beautiful angles.
And, as tempting as it is to try and play the same patterns on clay that you play on hard court, sometimes your old standby hard court patterns and tactics just don't work as well on clay.
For example, on hard court, a big inside out forehand can hurt your opponent and the point can often be won on the next shot with either another inside out or an inside in forehand up the line.
On clay your opponent can usually return your first inside out forehand without any trouble. so to hurt your opponent and gain an advantage you have to be more patient and hit a number of inside out forehands sometimes trying to pull your opponent wide further and further off the court. Then, when the opening is there you can go inside in up the line.
Watch the rallies on clay now and observe the patterns the players use . You'll notice how they're much more patient than on hard court.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner M.D. Author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the tennis Ebook that can make you a smarter player and help you to win more matches now.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Playing hard court tennis on the clay
Saw a little bit of Federer's play this week at Monte Carlo. He's always a treat to watch but it struck me that he's still trying to play hard court tennis on the red clay.
He's chipping and charging, serving and volleying and hitting big shots and following them to the net --all classic hard court tactics.
But these tactics are less successful on clay because his opponents have time to track down his shots and set up to pass. So his winning efficiency goes down .
That's why I think he'll have trouble winning in Paris.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner M.D. author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The tennis Ebook guaranteed to make you a better player.
He's chipping and charging, serving and volleying and hitting big shots and following them to the net --all classic hard court tactics.
But these tactics are less successful on clay because his opponents have time to track down his shots and set up to pass. So his winning efficiency goes down .
That's why I think he'll have trouble winning in Paris.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner M.D. author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The tennis Ebook guaranteed to make you a better player.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Federer vs Nadal -- A lesson in tactics
What a match. Federer versus Nadal in the finals of the Nasdaq 100. Nadal is a superstar in the making with power,speed, grit, and incredible shotmaking ability.
But--and there's usually a but -- Nadal's style of play and his tactics make him susceptible to fatigue just as you saw in the finals versus Federer as he had nothing left for the last 2 sets.
Nadal plays way behind the baseline which means he has to run great distances to get to balls and then has to hit them with full force to get them back deep and with heavy spin. So, while it looks spectacular and can be impossible to defeat, it is so draining physically that it's almost guaranteed that Nadal will slow down as a match progresses.
Plus Nadal merely spins his first serve in so he gets no free points there either.
Bottom line -- Nadal needs to improve his first serve and also learn to try and end some point earlier by standing closer to the baseline. Then, when he really needs to grind it out in a 5th set he'll have some energy left.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner -- author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The tennis Ebook that can improve your game immediately.
But--and there's usually a but -- Nadal's style of play and his tactics make him susceptible to fatigue just as you saw in the finals versus Federer as he had nothing left for the last 2 sets.
Nadal plays way behind the baseline which means he has to run great distances to get to balls and then has to hit them with full force to get them back deep and with heavy spin. So, while it looks spectacular and can be impossible to defeat, it is so draining physically that it's almost guaranteed that Nadal will slow down as a match progresses.
Plus Nadal merely spins his first serve in so he gets no free points there either.
Bottom line -- Nadal needs to improve his first serve and also learn to try and end some point earlier by standing closer to the baseline. Then, when he really needs to grind it out in a 5th set he'll have some energy left.
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner -- author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The tennis Ebook that can improve your game immediately.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
A quantum leap in my tennis confidence
Wow. I recently took a set off the number 1 player in canada in the 50-55 age group. I'm 49 so I'm getting close.
This was by far my biggest set win in my life and although I lost the match it validated a lot of the work I've been doing on my game and my tactical approach.
How I'd do it? I served big and well. More interestingly, I noticed a few patterns that were working to my advantage and I kept on using them.
For example, I noticed that my hard flat serve to the backhand wasn't giving my opponent trouble . He was able to block them back with a short slice backhand stroke. But ,when I hit hard kick on the first serve the height of the bounce surprised him and he made mistakes.
Also I noticed he was vulnerable to a really tough slice serve so I really went after my slice to give it a mean curve after the bounce.
My confidence that I can take a set off anybody is now sky high. Can't wait for the next tournament.
Until next time,
Glenn, Author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The tennis Ebook that can take you from losing to winning in a day.
This was by far my biggest set win in my life and although I lost the match it validated a lot of the work I've been doing on my game and my tactical approach.
How I'd do it? I served big and well. More interestingly, I noticed a few patterns that were working to my advantage and I kept on using them.
For example, I noticed that my hard flat serve to the backhand wasn't giving my opponent trouble . He was able to block them back with a short slice backhand stroke. But ,when I hit hard kick on the first serve the height of the bounce surprised him and he made mistakes.
Also I noticed he was vulnerable to a really tough slice serve so I really went after my slice to give it a mean curve after the bounce.
My confidence that I can take a set off anybody is now sky high. Can't wait for the next tournament.
Until next time,
Glenn, Author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The tennis Ebook that can take you from losing to winning in a day.
Monday, March 21, 2005
FINDING THE UNEXPECTED WEAKNESS
Played a tournament match against a good player in an ITF sanctioned masters match.
The fellow was a good player with a solid 2 handed backhand and what seemed like a decent forehand in the warmup.
As the match started I began by serving mainly to his backhand as I usually do and I could see that he had a terrific 2 handed backhanded return. He had great technique, really good racket head speed, and he could rip returns even off big serves.
So, of course, I started testing his forehand and I was shocked to see that he had no set routine on the forehand. Sometines he would open his racket face and try to hit a slice forehand return and sometimes he would try and rip a drive. Either way, he was making tons of errors. I strated going to his forehand about 90% of the time, held easily, and won 2 and 3.
Now, here's the amazing thing. His starting preparation massively favored his backhand return. He began in a 2 handed backahnd grip on his backhand side. This meant he had extra hand movement to position himself for a forehand return. And even though I was killing him on the forehand side, he never tried to start off in a forehand grip to neutralize my tactic!
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the tennis Ebook that can make you a better player immediately.
The fellow was a good player with a solid 2 handed backhand and what seemed like a decent forehand in the warmup.
As the match started I began by serving mainly to his backhand as I usually do and I could see that he had a terrific 2 handed backhanded return. He had great technique, really good racket head speed, and he could rip returns even off big serves.
So, of course, I started testing his forehand and I was shocked to see that he had no set routine on the forehand. Sometines he would open his racket face and try to hit a slice forehand return and sometimes he would try and rip a drive. Either way, he was making tons of errors. I strated going to his forehand about 90% of the time, held easily, and won 2 and 3.
Now, here's the amazing thing. His starting preparation massively favored his backhand return. He began in a 2 handed backahnd grip on his backhand side. This meant he had extra hand movement to position himself for a forehand return. And even though I was killing him on the forehand side, he never tried to start off in a forehand grip to neutralize my tactic!
Until next time,
Glenn Sheiner author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the tennis Ebook that can make you a better player immediately.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
BREAKING LEFTY'S SERVE
Serve and volleying lefties are tricky, especially in the ad court.
They pull you wide and unless you hit a really well placed return they have a lot of open court to volley into.
In my last match I was faced with playing one of these guys.
Initially, I started by returning with normal 2-handed backhand but I wasn't happy with the results. So, late in the first set which was on serve, I decided to really move my feet with his slice and then hit a soft slice return right up the line forcing him away from the center of the court.
It worked perfectly . I broke to win the first set and then broke again early and won the second set and the match in straight sets.
Moral of the story as always --keep searching for creative ways to switch patterns into your favor.
Until next time,
Glenn - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take yout tennis to the next level.
They pull you wide and unless you hit a really well placed return they have a lot of open court to volley into.
In my last match I was faced with playing one of these guys.
Initially, I started by returning with normal 2-handed backhand but I wasn't happy with the results. So, late in the first set which was on serve, I decided to really move my feet with his slice and then hit a soft slice return right up the line forcing him away from the center of the court.
It worked perfectly . I broke to win the first set and then broke again early and won the second set and the match in straight sets.
Moral of the story as always --keep searching for creative ways to switch patterns into your favor.
Until next time,
Glenn - author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES The Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter tennis player and take yout tennis to the next level.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Back to Focusing On Our Own Games
Well, the Australian Open is over and , man, there was some spectacular tennis. Now we can all go about working on our games while we wait for the French Open.
Played in a provincial(state) tournament on the weekend . Top players -great competition!
In the first round I played an aggressive lefty. I noticed in the warmup that his slice backhand was hit with too much slice so that it floated in the air and that he was inconsistent with his topspin backhand. Also noticed that his backhand volley was weaker than his forehand volley.
So before the match had even started I had a good idea of what I intended to do. I served topspin slice high into his backhand and followed up by coming to net. Didn't go for big flat serves because I wanted him to have to contact the ball high .
Worked like a charm and I had very little trouble holding.
He had a good serve and volley game himself so I'll talk about my approach to breaking him next time.
Until Then,
Glenn -- Author Of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the tennis Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter player and take your game to the next level.
Played in a provincial(state) tournament on the weekend . Top players -great competition!
In the first round I played an aggressive lefty. I noticed in the warmup that his slice backhand was hit with too much slice so that it floated in the air and that he was inconsistent with his topspin backhand. Also noticed that his backhand volley was weaker than his forehand volley.
So before the match had even started I had a good idea of what I intended to do. I served topspin slice high into his backhand and followed up by coming to net. Didn't go for big flat serves because I wanted him to have to contact the ball high .
Worked like a charm and I had very little trouble holding.
He had a good serve and volley game himself so I'll talk about my approach to breaking him next time.
Until Then,
Glenn -- Author Of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the tennis Ebook guaranteed to make you a smarter player and take your game to the next level.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Agassi vs Johannson -- Agassi's Superior Mind
What a match last night! Agassi could do nothing but stand and watch ace after ace whiz by. By the end of the night the tall Swede Johannson had aced the world's greatest returner 51 times -- a new record!
But, if you watched the match you might have observed a few interesting things.
First, Agassi never panicked .
Agassi knew that he was holding serve as easily as Johannson was , just in less spectacular fashion. And, as long as he was holding, he knew he just needed a couple of returns or mistakes by Johansson to win the set.
Secondly, as commented on by Patrick McEnroe, Agassi varied his return position. His regular inside the baseline position for returning serve just wasn't working so he moved way back to see if his percentages would improve.
Agassi did what all smart players do --he changed a losing pattern . After all , if the new pattern doesn't work you're no worse off but at least there's a chance the new pattern will be far more productive.
Can't wait to see Agassi vs. Federer.
Until then,
Glenn --- author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the Ebook on tennis tactics and strategies that is guaranteed to take your game to the next level.
But, if you watched the match you might have observed a few interesting things.
First, Agassi never panicked .
Agassi knew that he was holding serve as easily as Johannson was , just in less spectacular fashion. And, as long as he was holding, he knew he just needed a couple of returns or mistakes by Johansson to win the set.
Secondly, as commented on by Patrick McEnroe, Agassi varied his return position. His regular inside the baseline position for returning serve just wasn't working so he moved way back to see if his percentages would improve.
Agassi did what all smart players do --he changed a losing pattern . After all , if the new pattern doesn't work you're no worse off but at least there's a chance the new pattern will be far more productive.
Can't wait to see Agassi vs. Federer.
Until then,
Glenn --- author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the Ebook on tennis tactics and strategies that is guaranteed to take your game to the next level.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
WATCHING THE AUSSIE OPEN ON TV
You got to love Brad Gilbert.
In addition to writing Winning Ugly , and coaching Andre and Andy to the top, he's now providing commentary on tv for the Australian Open.
Listen to ever word he says. He can't help analyzing, evaluating, looking for holes in player's games as he forecasts for ESPN.
The guy is a tennis mental giant.
If you can begin to understand how he's aproaching his evaluations and apply it to your game you'll be on your way to taking your game up a notch for sure.
Until next time,
Glenn --author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES
the Ebook guaranteed to make you a a better and smarter tennis player fast.
In addition to writing Winning Ugly , and coaching Andre and Andy to the top, he's now providing commentary on tv for the Australian Open.
Listen to ever word he says. He can't help analyzing, evaluating, looking for holes in player's games as he forecasts for ESPN.
The guy is a tennis mental giant.
If you can begin to understand how he's aproaching his evaluations and apply it to your game you'll be on your way to taking your game up a notch for sure.
Until next time,
Glenn --author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES
the Ebook guaranteed to make you a a better and smarter tennis player fast.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Getting Nervous Against Better Players
We've all been there.
You get a chance to play someone who's a level or two above you. You're excited to show everybody how much you've improved and how you're going to provide tough competition.
What happens? You're so tight that you don't play as well as you can and it turns into a disaster.
What can you do?
Well I think the first thing is to expect it to happen. It usually happens in the beginning of the match and often the first set goes by very quickly.
Don't panic. Instead tell yourself after the first set that you've got nothing to lose now so just get loose and go for your shots.
Remember , you're not going to win this match anyway. What you want is to get a feel for how your best shots will hold up at this new level. So, if nerves cost you the first set , just tell yourself that there's nothing left to lose and really let go in the second set.
Until next time,
Glenn --author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the Ebook that is guaranteed to make you a better and smarter tennis player fast.
You get a chance to play someone who's a level or two above you. You're excited to show everybody how much you've improved and how you're going to provide tough competition.
What happens? You're so tight that you don't play as well as you can and it turns into a disaster.
What can you do?
Well I think the first thing is to expect it to happen. It usually happens in the beginning of the match and often the first set goes by very quickly.
Don't panic. Instead tell yourself after the first set that you've got nothing to lose now so just get loose and go for your shots.
Remember , you're not going to win this match anyway. What you want is to get a feel for how your best shots will hold up at this new level. So, if nerves cost you the first set , just tell yourself that there's nothing left to lose and really let go in the second set.
Until next time,
Glenn --author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the Ebook that is guaranteed to make you a better and smarter tennis player fast.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Why The Top Players Are The Top Players
Why?
One reason is that they have no huge weaknesses. Nothing that's so vulnerable that they can be eaten alive.
A lot of decent club players have some good weapons but also have pretty big holes. Now , up to a certain level you can hide your holes or at least minimize them.
That's the beauty of playing in tournaments even if you're outclassed by the top seeds. If you get a chance to play the top seeds you might lose badly but you'll learn 2 critical things:
1. What parts of your game work at that higher level;
2. What parts of your game don't stand up .
If you're smart you'll realize this is one of the best free lessons you can ever get.
More later,
Until Then,
Glenn - the author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the ebook on tennis strategies and tactics that will help you become a smarter player fast.
One reason is that they have no huge weaknesses. Nothing that's so vulnerable that they can be eaten alive.
A lot of decent club players have some good weapons but also have pretty big holes. Now , up to a certain level you can hide your holes or at least minimize them.
That's the beauty of playing in tournaments even if you're outclassed by the top seeds. If you get a chance to play the top seeds you might lose badly but you'll learn 2 critical things:
1. What parts of your game work at that higher level;
2. What parts of your game don't stand up .
If you're smart you'll realize this is one of the best free lessons you can ever get.
More later,
Until Then,
Glenn - the author of INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES the ebook on tennis strategies and tactics that will help you become a smarter player fast.
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