Thanks again to Shaun Ondak for the pictures!

September 2, 2013: TENNIS TIP #9: Maximizing leg drive on the serve

The serve, like every other shot to one degree or another, is a whole body effort - that kinetic chain again. On the serve in particular, leg drive is a key component in maximizing that chain. [Above] you can see that I've engaged my legs. As the ball-tossing arm begins to move upward, the upper body begins coiling, and the knees simultaneously bend. Arm up, legs down.... Read more

August 24, 2013: TENNIS TIP #8: The tricky forehand volley

So what's so tricky about it? When you turn into a one-handed backhand volley - even two-handed back courters go to one hand at the net - the hitting shoulder is naturally positioned in front, versus the forehand where the shoulder initially moves away from the net while preparing, making striking the ball in front more challenging. And there's more... Read more

August 17, 2013: TENNIS TIP #7: The one-handed backhand: Alive and well?

At this year's French Open men's round of 16, half the players sported one-handed backhands. Does this mean it's still alive and well in today's pro game? Has it managed to survive the four decade long two-handed onslaught initiated by Jimmy, Chrissie, and Bjorn back when? Not really. Even the one-handed maestro himself, Roger Federer, agrees... Read more

August 11, 2013: TENNIS TIP #6: Embracing the spin serve

If your arm-racket start position on serve doesn't look something like the one I'm getting ready to serve with in the photo you're probably serving a spin-less, flat serve with long-term limitations. You cannot easily impart serve-enhancing spin with the same grip you're using on forehand. Yet, that's precisely the reason why so many players get stuck... Read more

August 5, 2013: TENNIS TIP #5: The mind-body connection

Everyone knows that shot visualization is an immensely powerful tool in tennis, and consistently utilizes it to, more or less, always play their A-game. Right? Afraid not. Merriam-Webster's defines visualizing this way: "to form a mental image of."
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July 27, 2013: TENNIS TIP #4: The elusive service toss

The service toss is not to be taken for granted. It's very much a triggering element in achieving a fluid service motion, and managing it is trickier than it looks.
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July 20, 2013: TENNIS TIP #3: Loading the stick

Preparing one's racket to make a ground stroke sounds like a cinch. It's not. Yet it's crucial to your success. Racket preparation is a whole body movement known for eons as the "unit turn."
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July 12, 2013: TENNIS TIP #2: The great escape

Getting lobbed over is not an unusual occurrence, particularly in club play. You've rushed the net behind, as it turns out, an approach shot lacking depth, resulting in your opponent having their lobbing way with you. Not one to fold your tent, you wheel in full pursuit, afterburners on, and run the ball down.
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July 5, 2013: TENNIS TIP #1: Racket head up

Club play worldwide is predominantly doubles. That fact immediately begs the question: Why do so very, very few televised tour matches feature doubles? ...let's be thankful that the Bryan brothers - the most successful doubles team of all-time - are Americans, or we could very well be seeing zero doubles.
... Read more

Thanks again to Shaun Ondak for the pictures!

August 26, 2012: TENNIS TIP #9: Half-Volley Groundstrokes

No one ever played closer to the baseline in the "Open era" than Andre Agassi. Why was he able to play so close? Because his half-volley groundstrokes - off either wing - were the game's best at not only handling opponents' deep, heavy, penetrating shots, but doing something offensive with them as well......
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August 26, 2012: TENNIS TIP #8: The backfire

In the adjacent image the "backfire" looks a bit tricky. Perhaps a little. No matter, I'm betting that Houdini himself would have liked it since it's the best answer to retrieving a lob that's sailed over you and, at first glance, appears to be a complete impossibility......
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August 19, 2012: TENNIS TIP #7: The Smash

At times I wonder if using the traditional "smash" reference is a good idea in describing the overhead since the connotation among club players is that they should crush them. The motivation is certainly there to aggressively answer lobber's avoidance to get-it-on.....
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August 10, 2012: TENNIS TIP #6: Settling to the return task

It's the mano a mano moments in sports that are most welcome by the best competitors. The occasional penalty shots in hockey and soccer, and the game-ending shootouts. In sports like tennis and baseball, these one-on-one moments occur repeatedly, and represent the core component characteristic of each....
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August 3, 2012: TENNIS TIP #5: The challenging forehand volley

When accessing the best tour volleys of all-time, the pundits are especially appreciative of the best of the best on the forehand side. Surprised? Probably, since, for most, the backhand volley is perceived as the more challenging of the two. Not really. The forehand is anatomically more difficult to strike...
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July 29, 2012: TENNIS TIP #4: Getting out of trouble

You're on the dead run in pursuit of a very possibly out of reach ball. You know early on you're not going to be able to get this ball where you want it. In short, you have no offensive or even neutral shot, and attempting one would be delusional. So what to do?
... Read more

July 20, 2012: TENNIS TIP #3: On the rise

There are fundamentally three immediately recognizable incoming shots that require a specific positioning - both laterally and longitudinally - for an ideal ball-striking opportunity when in the back of the court.
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July 13, 2012: TENNIS TIP #2: It's the Grips

Believe it. It is the grips. Those easily replaced thin, stretchable, inexpensive overgrips are the number one racket prep priority. Not the strings, although certainly they are in a not-to-be-ignored second position and, of course, important...
... Read more

July 06, 2012: TENNIS TIP #1: Engaging the Split Step

Its execution not only accounts for a quicker first step to the ball - allowing for decidedly more time to comfortably arrive in a favorable hitting position - but also simultaneously triggers a vital visual connection to the ball.
... Read more

Check back each week for this Summer's latest tip!

Thanks to Shaun Ondak for the pictures!

Aug 31, 2011: TENNIS TIP #9: Finishing the serve

There are five distinct stages to the serve, the most intricate shot in the game: 1) visualization, 2) ritual, 3) racket loading/toss, 4) impact and 5) follow-through. In the accompanying image you can see that I am well past the ball striking moment and in the process of finishing my service motion...
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Aug 24, 2011: TENNIS TIP #8: Getting the warm-up right

Periodically, I find myself motivated to encourage club players to change their ways and get the all-important warm-up right... Let’s first acknowledge that the pros have the advantage of having already warmed up for an hour or so on a back court...
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Aug 17, 2011: TENNIS TIP #7: Getting Set vs. Setting Up

There are two systems of coordination at work in tennis: the obvious eye-hand and the not-so-obvious eye-foot. The latter, much to the surprise of most, is the far more difficult and important of the two... Good players do not get set, or planted, to make their shots. They instead utilize an energized brand of footwork...
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Aug 10, 2011: TENNIS TIP #6: Timing the Take-Back

The synchronization of the mechanics necessary to be solid from the back of the court, and on short ball opportunities as well, starts with the all important timing of the “take-back.” As you can see in the accompanying image, I have finished preparing my racket — note my compact prep — precisely at the moment my opponent’s shot has landed on my side of the court.
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Aug 3, 2011: TENNIS TIP #5: Toss Technique

The ball toss on serve can make or break your serve. It is the game’s most important and most difficult shot – that’s why you get two chances. A mulligan every single time if needed and players need it approximately half the time. Interestingly, club players underestimate the toss and treat it cavalierly, resulting in repeatedly...
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July 27, 2011: TENNIS TIP #4: Handling High Bouncing Balls

Club players all too often play one dimensionally from the back of the court, which also happens to raise the difficulty factor. By attempting to allow every incoming shot ... to descend into their preferred low, knee-to-thigh-high power zone they reduce their options dramatically. And, that’s a lot of no-reward extra footwork.
... Read more

July 20, 2011: TENNIS TIP #3: Serving Tall

Serving is both the most difficult and most important shot in the game. Here are a few key components to get the most out of your serve.
Being fully extended at the moment of ball contact is paramount if you’re going to enjoy a high percentage of successful serves.
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July 13, 2011: TENNIS TIP #2: The Backhand Volley

The overwhelming majority of tour players today (yes, even the many using the two-hander off the ground) choose the one-hander when volleying. The inherent considerable increase in reach and versatility is a necessity when at the net, or in transition, where reaction time is at a premium. But do not be misled...
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July 06, 2011: TENNIS TIP #1: Tracking

Watching the ball or, more precisely, tracking the ball is the most important component in giving yourself the greatest chance to play your best. Although taken for granted by many, it is also the most difficult skill in a game played in a 78x36-foot space with infinite vertical boundaries.
... Read more

Check back each week for this Summer's latest tip!

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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”... Read more

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. Read more