|
Each Spring around the third Monday of March Spring Tennis begins for high school players in the state of Massachusetts. There's still snow packed at the end of our driveways and hope that it won't rain tomorrow, or snow, or have winds over 25 mph, or all the above. And for many players it may be the first time they've picked up a racquet and for others it a hope of winning a state title or maybe it's just being with your friends. This entry on my blog is for high school players and players of any age who want to learn the game of tennis which is a lifetime sport.
I'm going to make this blog entry be your personal virtual tennis camp. I'll include videos from top YouTube online coaches. You won't have to figure it all out on your own. It's for new players, players with some instruction, players who have quite a bit of experience, adults and juniors. All you need to do is try, and have self discipline. Your first lesson is about one hour long. My prompt for writing this entry is the Falmouth Academy Girls Tennis Team which is a developing team I’m coaching. So the beginning is where we take the first steps to becoming a champion. What defines a champion is your desire to improve and love of the game. I've always felt this to be the case. It really has nothing to do with winning of losing (well, of course it does a little, ha!). As long as you don't place your value as a person based on your wins and losses, you'll be okay. Here's your first day of virtual training. It's day one! If something doesn't quite make sense, watch it again. Sometime the lightbulb in tennis goes on later and that's okay. Keep moving forward. You'll get it, even if it's down the road. Day 1 WATCH ALL THESE VIDEOS (dedicate one hour or more to it) how to keep score in singles 2:36 minutes https://youtu.be/Vd1t5fGrFjc?si=Bf6fS3rXVODPl6BF how to play singles 5:28 minutes https://youtu.be/_ZEV0dmBTzM?si=n0j_ly42mfO76k5D how to position yourself in singles 13:39 minutes https://youtu.be/gT6g4QjDLBg?si=wuesq9IP-mnBkowg how to hit a basic forehand and backhand and serve in one lesson! 18:49 minutes https://youtu.be/YqgcykDGB2A?si=e5ftpdiqGCYYKQhY how to hit a basic forehand and backhand volley and overhead (a shot hit while the ball is in the air before it had bounced) and an overhead (a ball that is very high in the air) 13:56 minutes https://youtu.be/_5ZRb-DyTzI?si=pzPLzD3KAOVo8y35 How to score and position a doubles game One player on a doubles team serves for the whole game, switching service sides just like singles except standing wider out toward the ally (half way between the center of the court and the doubles line). The net player for the server stands about six feet from the net and in the middle of their side of the court. This is standard one up one back positioning. The receivers for the receiving team keep their sides of returning (with option to change sides at the end of a set). The receiver stands back while their partner stands on the service line shaded towards the middle. They take turns receiving each point. And change their starting positions, in standard one up one back formation. A point always starts with the server serving to the deuce court, just like singles, and then serving the next point to the ad court. Once each person has served a game keep that same rotation going for the whole set. The rotation starting order can be changed at the beginning of a new set as well as the receiver side return choice. how to position yourself for doubles 8:51 minutes https://youtu.be/_0vfwyykTpc?si=bGuhBnBPuCV-jb5h So this is day one! Wow, but it only took 60 minutes to look at. Here's the catch, it takes a lifetime to perfect, and there in lies the beauty of the game. You never finished learning, improving and getting better. I'll be back with more right here to add to your game. See you on the court. Practice some everyday, even if it's virtually. Today is Tuesday, start practicing along with the swings mentioned in these videos. Thirty minutes of shadow swings will really help you if you do them with diligence and thought. I'll get back here soon with more.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |