Visit the gallery here of articles that appear in the
Lake Placid News.
- September 1, 2010: ‘Use their pace and laugh in their face’
- One of the great equalizers in tennis is the ability to effectively negate an opponent’s power game — their shots that have extra speed, depth, and “gas” off the bounce. Dealing with these penetrating “$100 balls,” the ones that can be run down, represents an exceptional opportunity...
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- August 25, 2010: Consistent tosses essential for serving
- C’mon. How difficult can tossing the ball to serve be? As it turns out very, and frustrating too. It’s not as easy as it looks to place the ball in precisely the optimal striking position every single time. And, it’s vitally important, much like being in the right place at the right time is for all other shotmaking...
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- August 18, 2010: Play freely to avoid paralysis by analysis
- In the spirit of don’t drink and drive, don’t think and hit. Reviewing an 8-point check list while simultaneously striking a moving ball is next to impossible.
But sometimes you do just that to try and play better. Unfortunately, you will play worse...
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- August 12, 2010: Don’t forget to breathe when striking
- Breathing at the ball-striking moment is a key synchronizer for success. Yet, most club players are consistent “breath holders.”
It’s interesting that this particular lack of modeling tour player habits is in complete opposition to the norm, where all else is embraced.
Holding your breath while simultaneously striking shots is, simply, not a good thing...
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- August 5, 2010: Choosing sides in doubles can be key
- The partners to be could be familiar, or never have played together previously. No matter. Inevitably the question comes up: “Do you have a preference as to which side you’d like to play?” The typical answer: “Oh it doesn’t matter, I don’t care.” Doesn’t matter? You don’t care? What! It does matter, a great deal...
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- July 29, 2010: Offensive and defensive positioning
- While visiting an out of town club last weekend, I overheard a player announce to his doubles group immediately after completing play: “I don’t know why you guys wanted to stop after just three sets, I could’ve played another three”...
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- July 21, 2010: Grip and rip your racket, don’t strangle and mangle
- Back in the day, during the tennis boom, I used to remind players to relax their grip tension instead of attempting to transform their racket handle into sawdust. Long since made irrelevant with the introduction of metal rackets... Read more
- July 14, 2010: Gearing up mentally and physically
- One of the dictionary definitions of ritual is: “a customarily repeated act or series of acts.” The use of rituals in tennis just prior to serving and receiving — the two most important shots in the game that are initiated from an always-challenging static start — is easily observed in the pro game and essential in creating a whole body rhythm and positive unconsciousness for all. They are deeply ingrained, idiosyncratic and highly valued among both the sport’s stars and journeymen... Read more
- July 7, 2010: Positionally adapting to all the shots
- An earlier column addressed the importance of utilizing an energized brand of footwork in order to be in “the right place at the right time,” and, as a direct result, enjoy being a consistently smooth ball striker... Read more
- July 1, 2010: Quality warm up is time well spent
- Never have so many misunderstood so much about the pre-match warm-up in tennis. Amazingly the beat goes on. Visit any public court or club in the country and you’ll witness untold counterproductive variations on the theme despite the existence of a clear protocol that’s long been established... Read more
- June 18, 2010: Footwork: Right place, right time
- Anytime footwork is the topic of conversation, British pro Steve Heron’s take on it always comes to mind: “No feet, no game, no future.” Well said mate. Now that the outdoor tennis season is well under way, and the optimal playing conditions afforded by indoor hard surface play are no more, increased footwork becomes paramount with the wind and clay courts in the mix affecting both the flight and the bounce of the ball.
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