I will start with last Monday:
3/29/11--Lesson With K.--Concentrating On The Follow Through
K. has been riding me about my follow through for about two years now. He has been on my case for so long that I forgot what he used to tell me to do to encourage a good follow through. He is suggesting I "catch" my racquet way over my left shoulder every time I hit a forehand. I bet he first told me this three years ago. Writing down his suggestions is a good way to remind myself about my follow through goal. I have really practiced catching the racquet all week. On my backhand, which is one handed, I should concentrate on following up and out and mirroring that motion on my off hand. He is not adamant about me changing my backhand because he said my style is unique and that he hates to mess with it.
4/3/11--Lesson With Suzette--Mixed Doubles
S. thinks the key to mixed doubles is the serve, the return of serve and the third ball following these two shots. On a second serve, placement is really important. A softer serve to to middle of the box is just not going to work. The serve should be angled and/or deep. There are two logical returns of the serve: a rally ball or a extremely angled ball. It is important to not return a high ball over the middle. Your cross court will cross the middle but it needs to be low so that it is not poached. Don't forget to step into the return and split step as the server hits the ball.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Mied Doubles Lesson
3/27/11--Lesson With S.
When playing mixed doubles, women have trouble returning men's serves and men have trouble returning women's serves. Women often can't handle the pace of a man's serve and likewise men can't handle a soft ball and tend to over-hit. This is from improper footwork. S. stressed the need to split step. If you are not hitting the ball, then you should be split stepping. Return a serve with a neutral or rally ball. /you can only hit a neutral ball if you are balanced up.
We also worked on faking out your opponent or going for a poach. The server's partner has two choices: fake a move (which has to be a big movement to distract the opponent) or go all the way for a poach. There is no choice to just stand there. n When going for a poach, lead with the foot that is towards the ball, and then cross over with the other foot.
When playing mixed doubles, women have trouble returning men's serves and men have trouble returning women's serves. Women often can't handle the pace of a man's serve and likewise men can't handle a soft ball and tend to over-hit. This is from improper footwork. S. stressed the need to split step. If you are not hitting the ball, then you should be split stepping. Return a serve with a neutral or rally ball. /you can only hit a neutral ball if you are balanced up.
We also worked on faking out your opponent or going for a poach. The server's partner has two choices: fake a move (which has to be a big movement to distract the opponent) or go all the way for a poach. There is no choice to just stand there. n When going for a poach, lead with the foot that is towards the ball, and then cross over with the other foot.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lessons Yesterday And Today
3/23/11--Lesson With J.--Inside Out
Inside out means hitting from the inside of the court to the outside of the court. A properly hit inside out ball is hard for the returner to hit down the line. Hitting inside out requires you to get a good shoulder turn and to space yourself away from the ball. For singles, hit a wide shorter ball. For doubles, hit the inside out deep. It is not important to hit a hard paced ball. Placement is more important.
3/24/11--Lesson With K.--Drop Shots and Returning A Drop Shot In Singles
The drop shot doesn't have to just barely clear the net, but it needs to be within the service box, either down the line or cross court. It is a very strategic shot when playing against a "pusher". A"pusher" doesn't go for winners but just calmly returns shots, usually pushing you from corner to corner. "pushers" like to hit from the baseline and don't like to have to come up and take a shorter shot. To return a wide drop shot, run forward with your arm ahead of you as if you have a dog on a leash bounding ahead of you. Push through the ball holding the racquet with a continental grip and aim down the line. This puts you in a good spot to volley the next shot.
Inside out means hitting from the inside of the court to the outside of the court. A properly hit inside out ball is hard for the returner to hit down the line. Hitting inside out requires you to get a good shoulder turn and to space yourself away from the ball. For singles, hit a wide shorter ball. For doubles, hit the inside out deep. It is not important to hit a hard paced ball. Placement is more important.
3/24/11--Lesson With K.--Drop Shots and Returning A Drop Shot In Singles
The drop shot doesn't have to just barely clear the net, but it needs to be within the service box, either down the line or cross court. It is a very strategic shot when playing against a "pusher". A"pusher" doesn't go for winners but just calmly returns shots, usually pushing you from corner to corner. "pushers" like to hit from the baseline and don't like to have to come up and take a shorter shot. To return a wide drop shot, run forward with your arm ahead of you as if you have a dog on a leash bounding ahead of you. Push through the ball holding the racquet with a continental grip and aim down the line. This puts you in a good spot to volley the next shot.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Be Aggressive With Your Shoulder, Not Your Arm
1/24/11--lessOn Wih K.
The volley involves moving into the shot with your shoulder. Your arm is somewhat close to your body. The aggressive nature of the volley comes from your shoulder. Your footwork (stepping into the shot) allows Your shoulder to provide the power.
The volley involves moving into the shot with your shoulder. Your arm is somewhat close to your body. The aggressive nature of the volley comes from your shoulder. Your footwork (stepping into the shot) allows Your shoulder to provide the power.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Never Turn Your Neck Without Moving Your Feet
2/23/11--Lesson With J.--
Have you played doubles with a partner (or you yourself) who sees the ball whiz past and the partner (or you), just turns his/her neck to watch the ball sail past. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. If you need to turn your neck, move your feet and get into position for the next ball. This is a good general principle to follow. So, never turn your neck without moving your feet.
We worked on serving while having our shoulders at a 230 degree angle from the net. This allows the server to get more spin and more bite on the ball. There are three ways to stand: facing the net, perpendicular to the net and greater than perpendicular to the net. If you stand at a more acute angle, then it is really important to use a continental grip rather than a forehand grip. (Note to self: change to a continental grip.) I asked J. if I have a neurological deficit that makes me use a forehand grip on my serve. I notice that he did not answer me.
J. says I need to be able to play singles and hit 5 to 6 times over the net before I try to put it away. He says that there is a choice to hit the ball with more control and less pace. So far, I seem to be resisting this path. He is hoping I can possibly follow his advice.
We practiced hitting volleys through the "goal", i.e., down the middle between the two opponents.
Have you played doubles with a partner (or you yourself) who sees the ball whiz past and the partner (or you), just turns his/her neck to watch the ball sail past. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. If you need to turn your neck, move your feet and get into position for the next ball. This is a good general principle to follow. So, never turn your neck without moving your feet.
We worked on serving while having our shoulders at a 230 degree angle from the net. This allows the server to get more spin and more bite on the ball. There are three ways to stand: facing the net, perpendicular to the net and greater than perpendicular to the net. If you stand at a more acute angle, then it is really important to use a continental grip rather than a forehand grip. (Note to self: change to a continental grip.) I asked J. if I have a neurological deficit that makes me use a forehand grip on my serve. I notice that he did not answer me.
J. says I need to be able to play singles and hit 5 to 6 times over the net before I try to put it away. He says that there is a choice to hit the ball with more control and less pace. So far, I seem to be resisting this path. He is hoping I can possibly follow his advice.
We practiced hitting volleys through the "goal", i.e., down the middle between the two opponents.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday and Thursday lessons
1-16-11--Lesson With J.--
We started with a warm up where J. emphasized keeping our heads still and keeping our eyes on the ball.
We worked on court positions in doubles. There are really three combinations: split=one up and one back, both back and both at net. When both are at the net, the opponents need to get a bit back so that they are in the position to return the ball. The most effective ground stroke from the baseline is usually down the middle and cross court rather than down the line.
We worked on serve and J. told me that I need to vary my serve more and sometimes hit a soft serve on my first serve.
We worked on the movement of the player who is not the receiver. It is important to aggressively take the net if your partner makes a good cross court return. If you are not assertive in moving up to the net and just inch up there, your opponent is not afraid of you at all. He noticed that the non-receivers in our lesson don't move much after their partners return a good cross court ball.
1-17-11--Singles Lesson With K.
Today we worked on defensive shots. A defensive high shot is hit with a continental grip and a firm wrist. There is no follow through and the pop comes from stepping into the shot like you would do on a volley. We worked on cutting off a return lob. Again, you keep you wrist firm, have no follow through and footwork gives the pop to the ball.
We started with a warm up where J. emphasized keeping our heads still and keeping our eyes on the ball.
We worked on court positions in doubles. There are really three combinations: split=one up and one back, both back and both at net. When both are at the net, the opponents need to get a bit back so that they are in the position to return the ball. The most effective ground stroke from the baseline is usually down the middle and cross court rather than down the line.
We worked on serve and J. told me that I need to vary my serve more and sometimes hit a soft serve on my first serve.
We worked on the movement of the player who is not the receiver. It is important to aggressively take the net if your partner makes a good cross court return. If you are not assertive in moving up to the net and just inch up there, your opponent is not afraid of you at all. He noticed that the non-receivers in our lesson don't move much after their partners return a good cross court ball.
1-17-11--Singles Lesson With K.
Today we worked on defensive shots. A defensive high shot is hit with a continental grip and a firm wrist. There is no follow through and the pop comes from stepping into the shot like you would do on a volley. We worked on cutting off a return lob. Again, you keep you wrist firm, have no follow through and footwork gives the pop to the ball.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Volleying and More Volleying
Lesson With K.--2/14/11
Today we worked on a volley combination. The first shot is a volley from the service line. This volley needs to be deep to elicit a weak reply. Then the next shot is an extreme angle. On the first volley, follow it in to a certain extent so that you are in position for the next volley. For me, I need to remind myself to keep a firm wrist. The racquet face should be up at the completion of the shot. The racquet needs to be upright during the execution of the volley. My first volley is hard and sometimes I don't expect that the ball will be returned, but I need to keep ready for the next shot. I need to concentrate on footwork and stepping into the shot. This is what makes a volley go deep.
We practiced serve and volley. K. said that this is more of a doubles maneuver. Unless the opponent is having a lot of difficulty returning serve, serve and volley will not work because there is too much court to cover.
Then we did our fast volley drill. I have the most trouble when the ball is coming right for my body. I need to use better footwork to get away from the ball.
Today we worked on a volley combination. The first shot is a volley from the service line. This volley needs to be deep to elicit a weak reply. Then the next shot is an extreme angle. On the first volley, follow it in to a certain extent so that you are in position for the next volley. For me, I need to remind myself to keep a firm wrist. The racquet face should be up at the completion of the shot. The racquet needs to be upright during the execution of the volley. My first volley is hard and sometimes I don't expect that the ball will be returned, but I need to keep ready for the next shot. I need to concentrate on footwork and stepping into the shot. This is what makes a volley go deep.
We practiced serve and volley. K. said that this is more of a doubles maneuver. Unless the opponent is having a lot of difficulty returning serve, serve and volley will not work because there is too much court to cover.
Then we did our fast volley drill. I have the most trouble when the ball is coming right for my body. I need to use better footwork to get away from the ball.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Half Volley
2-9-11--Lesson With J.
First let me document my discussion with John... I asked about poaching. John said that the poach needs to incorporate the intention of finishing out the point. He said that you may not always be successful in finishing the point, but if you are going to poach, you should be in the position where you have a good chance that you can close out the point or you shouldn't poach.
J. said that I need to follow through on my forehand groundies with my whole arm, not just my wrist.
With regard to the half volley, the shot requires a closed stance (with good footwork) and low, bent knees. The ideal half volley is not a strong offensive shot, but rather a low medium pace ball. Typically, a half volley will land short. If the opponent is on the baseline and sees the half volley-er getting down to take that shot, he/she should start working up to the net to be in a position to make the return. It is a good probability that half volley is not going to be a deep shot. The return of the half volley should be a shot where you are taking it really early.
On the serve, I need to toss as I am lean forward, not leaning backward and I probably need to toss the ball higher.
First let me document my discussion with John... I asked about poaching. John said that the poach needs to incorporate the intention of finishing out the point. He said that you may not always be successful in finishing the point, but if you are going to poach, you should be in the position where you have a good chance that you can close out the point or you shouldn't poach.
J. said that I need to follow through on my forehand groundies with my whole arm, not just my wrist.
With regard to the half volley, the shot requires a closed stance (with good footwork) and low, bent knees. The ideal half volley is not a strong offensive shot, but rather a low medium pace ball. Typically, a half volley will land short. If the opponent is on the baseline and sees the half volley-er getting down to take that shot, he/she should start working up to the net to be in a position to make the return. It is a good probability that half volley is not going to be a deep shot. The return of the half volley should be a shot where you are taking it really early.
On the serve, I need to toss as I am lean forward, not leaning backward and I probably need to toss the ball higher.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
May I Be Open With You?
Lesson With K. 2-3-11
Well, not open with you, but open stance....
Use open stance when going out for a wide ball or when taking a deep, higher ball right on the baseline. Do not step into the ball, but bend your knee closest to the ball. Transfer your weight from your hitting foot to your other foot and complete the follow through. Using the open stance allows you to get into the center of the court faster since your weight is not going toward the alley.
Well, not open with you, but open stance....
Use open stance when going out for a wide ball or when taking a deep, higher ball right on the baseline. Do not step into the ball, but bend your knee closest to the ball. Transfer your weight from your hitting foot to your other foot and complete the follow through. Using the open stance allows you to get into the center of the court faster since your weight is not going toward the alley.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Pivotal Lesson Today
2-2-11 Lesson With J.
And no, we did not work on pivoting. This is going to be very good for my game.
We worked on taking a short, low ball. There are two choices: chip the shot back (but this could float too high and be an easy put away shot) or use a closed stance and bend knees getting quite low. Brush up on the back of the ball like a regular groundie except less force. The less your knees are bent, the faster your arm. You don't want a really fast arm because the ball will smack into the net. I should already know this from experience, but I never figured it out before. The closed stance is really important so that you can get down low on the ball. When taking a shot right at the baseline, the procedure is really the same--closed stance and get low.
And no, we did not work on pivoting. This is going to be very good for my game.
We worked on taking a short, low ball. There are two choices: chip the shot back (but this could float too high and be an easy put away shot) or use a closed stance and bend knees getting quite low. Brush up on the back of the ball like a regular groundie except less force. The less your knees are bent, the faster your arm. You don't want a really fast arm because the ball will smack into the net. I should already know this from experience, but I never figured it out before. The closed stance is really important so that you can get down low on the ball. When taking a shot right at the baseline, the procedure is really the same--closed stance and get low.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Two Lessons Today
I am an opportunist so when the option of taking a second lesson back to back with my first lesson came up, I jumped on it. Now my ankles, feet and knees hurt.
Lesson #1--Volleying and Approach Shots--Lesson with K.
When volleying, move you feet, not your hand. Step into the your shot with the contralateral foot. Bend you knees to get down low. Keep a firm wrist. For the approach shot, it is not an offensive shot. It should be cross court and deep, unless the ball coming to you is high and short and then you can send it down the line. This allows you time to get up to the net and be offensive on the next shot.
Lesson #2--Doubles strategy--Lesson with K.
Given the scenario where there is one up and one back, if the ball gets by you and your partner has to take the ball, then you as the net player need to step back two steps. If the partner gets the shot past the net person, then you slide up closer to the net.
Lesson #1--Volleying and Approach Shots--Lesson with K.
When volleying, move you feet, not your hand. Step into the your shot with the contralateral foot. Bend you knees to get down low. Keep a firm wrist. For the approach shot, it is not an offensive shot. It should be cross court and deep, unless the ball coming to you is high and short and then you can send it down the line. This allows you time to get up to the net and be offensive on the next shot.
Lesson #2--Doubles strategy--Lesson with K.
Given the scenario where there is one up and one back, if the ball gets by you and your partner has to take the ball, then you as the net player need to step back two steps. If the partner gets the shot past the net person, then you slide up closer to the net.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Volley Lesson and General Review
1/25/11--Lesson with K.
For me, the most important thing to remember is to keep a firm wrist when I am volleying. Using good footwork means to step into the volley with the opposite foot. Concentrate on getting volleys past the service line.
1/27/11--Lesson with J.
We reviewed ground strokes, volleying, and serving. Concentrate on adjusting the backstroke to complement the ball that is coming to you. A really hard ball requires a shorter take back. If a soft high ball comes to you, you need more top spin to control the ball so that it stays in the court. On my serve, I might need to take some pace off of it if my opponent just blocks the ball and uses my pace against me.
For me, the most important thing to remember is to keep a firm wrist when I am volleying. Using good footwork means to step into the volley with the opposite foot. Concentrate on getting volleys past the service line.
1/27/11--Lesson with J.
We reviewed ground strokes, volleying, and serving. Concentrate on adjusting the backstroke to complement the ball that is coming to you. A really hard ball requires a shorter take back. If a soft high ball comes to you, you need more top spin to control the ball so that it stays in the court. On my serve, I might need to take some pace off of it if my opponent just blocks the ball and uses my pace against me.
Friday, January 21, 2011
The 1-2 Punch
1/20/11--Singles Lesson With K.
The last two weeks we have worked on moving your opponent from side to side by serving out wide then alternating corners of the court. It is good to start the match out this way.
Today we worked on an alternative pattern: serve out wide then the next two shots to the opposite corner. Use the side to side strategy with slower moving opponents. Use the 1-2 pattern with a faster moving pattern. They are moving so fast that the second ball to the corner will behind them since they are on the way to the other corner.
The last two weeks we have worked on moving your opponent from side to side by serving out wide then alternating corners of the court. It is good to start the match out this way.
Today we worked on an alternative pattern: serve out wide then the next two shots to the opposite corner. Use the side to side strategy with slower moving opponents. Use the 1-2 pattern with a faster moving pattern. They are moving so fast that the second ball to the corner will behind them since they are on the way to the other corner.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The High Volley
1/19/2011--Lesson with J.
Don't take a high volley as a low overhead. The high volley is a...high volley. Use continental grip (just like with a regular volley) and when taking the shot concentrate on not breaking your wrist. Maybe it's better to just say to keep a firm wrist since it would not ever be logical to break your wrist which would involve a cast and would interfere with playing tennis and of course, executing the high volley. But I digress...
You take a high volley like a lower volley, except that you need to be spaced farther away from the ball. If you take the ball too close to you, the racquet will be in the wrong position and you will be swinging in a downward direction and the ball will slam into the net. You can take a low volley close to you and a mid-range volley with an intermediate distance between you and the ball. But a high volley needs spacing away from your body.
When the ball comes sailing high over the net right where you want to make a lovely, high volley, frequently that juicy ball gets slammed into the net. The common strategy seems to be "WW" which means wait and whack. Instead of moving to where you should be, it is common that the player just stands and waits and then whacks it into the net. This is not a good idea.
Don't take a high volley as a low overhead. The high volley is a...high volley. Use continental grip (just like with a regular volley) and when taking the shot concentrate on not breaking your wrist. Maybe it's better to just say to keep a firm wrist since it would not ever be logical to break your wrist which would involve a cast and would interfere with playing tennis and of course, executing the high volley. But I digress...
You take a high volley like a lower volley, except that you need to be spaced farther away from the ball. If you take the ball too close to you, the racquet will be in the wrong position and you will be swinging in a downward direction and the ball will slam into the net. You can take a low volley close to you and a mid-range volley with an intermediate distance between you and the ball. But a high volley needs spacing away from your body.
When the ball comes sailing high over the net right where you want to make a lovely, high volley, frequently that juicy ball gets slammed into the net. The common strategy seems to be "WW" which means wait and whack. Instead of moving to where you should be, it is common that the player just stands and waits and then whacks it into the net. This is not a good idea.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Singles Serving Placement
1/13/10--Singles Lesson With K.
When serving in doubles, it is often a good idea to serve down the "T". In singles, it is good to serve out wide. The next shot should be to the other corner. Establish this pattern early in the match and later change it up.
K. told me that I am contacting the ball behind me. I need to focus on getting the ball out in front.
When serving in doubles, it is often a good idea to serve down the "T". In singles, it is good to serve out wide. The next shot should be to the other corner. Establish this pattern early in the match and later change it up.
K. told me that I am contacting the ball behind me. I need to focus on getting the ball out in front.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Lesson With J.-- Firing A Cannon From A Canoe
Today we started with a long warm up. Our task was to hit cross court and keep the ball going for at least 10 times over the net. At first, this was hard for me since I have a habit of hitting with a lot of pace. As time went on, it got easier and easier. Later while we were playing, I had a lot more control over the ball than I usually do. This would be a great warm up before an important match.
Here are J's pearls of wisdom:
Lesson With J. 1/12/11
Hitting a ball without balancing up is like shooting a cannon from a canoe. You can shoot the cannon but your aim might not be very accurate.
To get ready for returning serve, first adjust your shoulders. That is the main part of the return of serve. Then you can adjust the backstroke depending on the served ball. There are three positions of backstroke. Take less of a backstroke the harder the ball is hit to you.
Are you a good winter driver? If you are, you know that you have to adjust for driving on ice patches. If you get to an ice patch, do you put the pedal to the metal? If you don't adjust to the ice patch, you are going to have a collision. A good driver adjusts the speed to match the driving conditions. This is the way it is with playing tennis. If you get a ball hit to you, you need to adjust to that ball. J. told me a few weeks ago that sometimes I go 70 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Bending your knees while you are playing is like anchoring your boat.
Consider physics with regard to tennis. Many players hit straight through the ball but physics dictate that you need to hit up on the ball. A bouncing ball is coming down, then up. To return the ball, you need to hit from low to high. If you hit straight through the ball, it will go into the net.
So today, has overtones of boating, driving and physics class.
Here are J's pearls of wisdom:
Lesson With J. 1/12/11
Hitting a ball without balancing up is like shooting a cannon from a canoe. You can shoot the cannon but your aim might not be very accurate.
To get ready for returning serve, first adjust your shoulders. That is the main part of the return of serve. Then you can adjust the backstroke depending on the served ball. There are three positions of backstroke. Take less of a backstroke the harder the ball is hit to you.
Are you a good winter driver? If you are, you know that you have to adjust for driving on ice patches. If you get to an ice patch, do you put the pedal to the metal? If you don't adjust to the ice patch, you are going to have a collision. A good driver adjusts the speed to match the driving conditions. This is the way it is with playing tennis. If you get a ball hit to you, you need to adjust to that ball. J. told me a few weeks ago that sometimes I go 70 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Bending your knees while you are playing is like anchoring your boat.
Consider physics with regard to tennis. Many players hit straight through the ball but physics dictate that you need to hit up on the ball. A bouncing ball is coming down, then up. To return the ball, you need to hit from low to high. If you hit straight through the ball, it will go into the net.
So today, has overtones of boating, driving and physics class.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The First Week of 2011--Tennis 8 0r 9 Times--This Should Be A Good Year!
I try to take three lessons a week and play three to five other times during the week. I have been taking lessons for a decade and I am still hearing some of the same things I heard ten years ago. I think if I write down the lesson ideas, it may help me incorporate the information so that I can execute the ideas instead of just memorizing the ideas. If I write down the pluses and minuses of my tennis play, I may be able to see a pattern or coach myself to improve. I have another blog www.lifehasitsupsanddowns.com which has to do with breast cancer and tennis, but this is just about tennis. I like tennis better than I like cancer.
1/5/2011--Lesson with J.
1. Warm up with a mid-pace ball so that you can get into the timing of hitting.
2. When coming up on an approach shot, approach from the side of the ball at an adequate distance away from the ball.
3. React the opposite of the ball on difficult balls. When a really hard shot is coming, just meet the ball with the racquet. Take less of a back stroke responding to hard hit ball.
4. If you are tossing the ball wildly on the serve and it is not going where you want it to go, toss more slowly and release higher up from the ground. Think about the position of the arm on the Statue of Liberty when you are tossing the ball for the serve.
5. Don't break your wrist on volleys.
6. To get away from the ball to hit it properly, quicken your footwork.
7. Don't be afraid to make errors.
8. When communicating with your partner, you might say something that you think is helpful but the comment can be taken wrong. Be supportive but know if your partner would rather you not say anything at all. When playing a mixed doubles match with your husband, never critique him. Spouses should take separate cars to a mixed doubles match. (I think this was said in jest, but it might be a great idea.)
9. (From yesterday's lesson with K.) When taking an approach shot, take the ball on the rise and be sure to space yourself away from the ball. then get your strings up to be ready to take the next volley.
Today--1/6/11--Singles Lesson With K.
1. Singles is different from doubles in that you don't need to aim away from the net player since you only have one opponent.
2. Start the match with a pattern. Serve out wide and then change direction on the next ball to the opposite court.
3. Don't let up on my serve until my opponent proves that she can crush the ball.
4. Keep my hand up longer on my ball toss.
1/5/2011--Lesson with J.
1. Warm up with a mid-pace ball so that you can get into the timing of hitting.
2. When coming up on an approach shot, approach from the side of the ball at an adequate distance away from the ball.
3. React the opposite of the ball on difficult balls. When a really hard shot is coming, just meet the ball with the racquet. Take less of a back stroke responding to hard hit ball.
4. If you are tossing the ball wildly on the serve and it is not going where you want it to go, toss more slowly and release higher up from the ground. Think about the position of the arm on the Statue of Liberty when you are tossing the ball for the serve.
5. Don't break your wrist on volleys.
6. To get away from the ball to hit it properly, quicken your footwork.
7. Don't be afraid to make errors.
8. When communicating with your partner, you might say something that you think is helpful but the comment can be taken wrong. Be supportive but know if your partner would rather you not say anything at all. When playing a mixed doubles match with your husband, never critique him. Spouses should take separate cars to a mixed doubles match. (I think this was said in jest, but it might be a great idea.)
9. (From yesterday's lesson with K.) When taking an approach shot, take the ball on the rise and be sure to space yourself away from the ball. then get your strings up to be ready to take the next volley.
Today--1/6/11--Singles Lesson With K.
1. Singles is different from doubles in that you don't need to aim away from the net player since you only have one opponent.
2. Start the match with a pattern. Serve out wide and then change direction on the next ball to the opposite court.
3. Don't let up on my serve until my opponent proves that she can crush the ball.
4. Keep my hand up longer on my ball toss.
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