Self Talk and Mental Imagery Study
I am really into rigorous peer-reviewed scientific research. It’s even better when it is directly tennis specific. Frontiers in Psychology recently added to the substantialRead More
The Century Drill
Tennis is a game of consistency. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget that fact because the sport’s highlight reels are filled with spectacular winners andRead More
1 responseMight as well be Serving on the Sun
All tennis players need to be able to serve into a bad sun court. If you never face the sun when practicing serves, then youRead More
1 responseToo Windy to Practice Serves?
There is a very obvious thing that tennis players can do to improve their match performance that is frequently neglected. Serves should be practiced evenRead More
Training the “Go” Muscles
A quick first step is essential to competitive success in tennis. Some baseline capability for speed is an inherent characteristic of a person. It is similar to being tall. While these core attributes cannot be modified through training, a player can develop additional skills that mitigate and enhance their natural abilities. For example, a short player can work to increase vertical leap capacity and consequently “play taller” than their natural height.
The Two on One Practice Session
Tennis players are conditioned to think of tennis competition and practice in even numbers. Singles and doubles matches, and consequently drills, are typically designed for two or four players. One of the best practice session formats is actually three players on a court engaged in continuous rally using two on one court positions. All players should seriously consider adding two on one play to their training toolbox.
The Heat is On
Heat therapy for sports related injuries is suddenly back in vogue. As details of my ongoing battles with plantar fasciitis emerged, a handful of people in my social circles recommended infrared therapy for that specific injury. Another tennis buddy who struggled with tennis elbow for an extended period of time swears that he recovered only after he started using the heat treatment on a regular basis.
Backboard Alley Drill
My love of hitting off a backboard is previously well documented on this site. Today I am sharing a drill for hitting off a backboard to build control and accuracy. When I achieve a steady state of flow with this exercise, it is also very meditative.
Bosu Balance Trainer
Balance is critical for playing tennis well. It is increasingly important for tennis players as they age, as a poor sense of balance can directly lead to falls and injuries. When I built out my personal home gym, the very first piece of equipment I purchased was a commercial grade Bosu ball. It is a versatile device that magnifies the effects of static gym exercises for tennis functional training.
Ice Massage
I’m not going to lie. My life was better before ice massage became an essential part of my daily routine. Between the injury to my foot and chronic tenderness in my elbow, I am starting to develop personal preferences and opinions in the best form factors to use for ice massage. This is what my life has come to.