Mixed Doubles Lesson And I Forgot To Blog My Lesson Last Monday

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. 

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.