Top 6 Instructional Tennis Books Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Each of these books offers instruction to a fairly wide range of players, and the collection as a whole would have value for complete beginners through touring pros.
- The Physics and Technology of Tennis
by Howard Brody, Rod Cross, and Crawford Lindsey.
Explains the technical side of tennis in great depth while remaining fully accessible to most readers. An exceptional resource for tennis players who want to understand the physics of how racquet, strings, ball, court surface, and strokes interact. Recommended for all coaches and serious players. Paperback. - Tennis 2000: Strokes, Strategy, and Psychology for a Lifetime
by Bill Bruns and Vic Braden.
Goes into great detail on hitting techniques for a wide range of shots, but gives less recognition to the Western styles and heavy kick serves. Good discussion of singles and doubles strategy and brief chapters on psychology and conditioning. Full of useful photos and diagrams. Recommended for beginners through advanced intermediates. Paperback. - The Art of Doubles: Winning Tennis Strategies
by Pat Blaskower.
An in-depth look at intermediate and advanced doubles strategies, covering a wide range of tricky doubles situations. Short chapters on psychology and drills. No instruction on stroke mechanics. Although its diagrams are quite good, this book is aimed at readers with strong visualization skills. Paperback. - Vic Braden's Quick Fixes: Expert Cures for Common Tennis Problems
by Vic Braden and Bill Bruns.
Organized for exceptional ease of use, this book suggests several possible causes and cures for problems with each major stroke. Abundant, excellent photos. Recommended for beginners through advanced intermediates. Paperback. - Vic Braden's Laugh and Win at Doubles
by Vic Braden and Bill Bruns.
Packed with good photos, this smoothly written book discusses strategy, teamwork, and psychology in moderate depth, then provides valuable analysis of hitting techniques. Recommended for beginners through advanced intermediates. Paperback. - International Book of Tennis Drills
by Professional Tennis Registry.
Drills for each major stroke, singles and doubles skills, ball machines, and "munchkins." Well organized and diagrammed. Recommended for coaches and intermediate and better players. Paperback.
posted by Midwestsports.com @ 7:57 AM,
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Midwest Sports Clearance Sale Thursday, July 20, 2006
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posted by Midwestsports.com @ 9:23 PM,
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Serve Repair Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Hitting Long or Net
Assume a right-handed player.Problem: Often hitting hard serves long.
Repairs:- For players of average height, hard, flat serves have to just barely clear the net, or they will go long. Only very tall players can get hard, flat serves in consistently enough to make them pay off. Adding some topspin will increase your margin of clearance over the net to several times larger. The most preferred power serve among advanced players has a mix of topspin and slice.
- Meeting the ball too low is like making yourself shorter, thus reducing the vertical angle from your racquet over the net to your target area. A low contact point also disrupts the upward whipping action you create at full extension. You should meet power serves at full upward extension.
- You might be meeting the ball too far back. Generally speaking, meeting the ball more in front of you will make you hit lower. Either you're tossing too far back, or you're leaning too far forward before you've swung, thus getting ahead of the ball.
Problem: Often hitting serves into the net.
Repairs:- As noted above, hard, flat serves have a tiny margin of clearance over the net. Hitting some topspin on the serve will allow you to hit over the net by feet instead of by inches.
- Just as meeting the ball too low can make you hit long, it can also make you hit the net, because it reduces your margin of clearance over the net and disrupts the mechanics of a proper serve.
- You might be meeting the ball too far in front of yourself. Try tossing less forward or leaning in more just before you swing.
- You might be fooled by the illusion that you can hit down on a serve and get it over the net. You would have to be well over seven feet tall for this to be physically possible. Most of us have to hit up to get a serve in.
- If your toss peaks much higher than your point of contact, the ball will develop a significant downward vector as it descends toward your racquet. Try tossing no more than a few inches higher than your point of contact.
- Make sure to keep your head pointed upward until at least a split second after you've hit the ball. If you pull your head down too early, you'll pull your racquet down with it.
posted by Midwestsports.com @ 12:48 PM,
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Tennis Shoe Technology Monday, July 17, 2006
Who needs a Duarbility Shoe?
For serve-and-volleyers, who tend to slide their back foot along the court as they serve, Wilson tennis shoes have a durable toe cap that is a must. Baseliners require a model that has both lasting cushioning and a durable sole.Where is the shoe flex?
To find out if a tennis shoe flexes in the ball of the foot or in the shank, hold it firmly around the back of the heel with one hand, and push on the front of the toe portion with your other and. Now look to see where it flexes. It should bend across the ball of the foot. If it ends in half, put it down and keep looking.When to try on shoes?
At the store, always try on shoes in the afternoon or just after you've played; your feet will have swelled, thus giving you a better idea of what size you really need on the court. Also, wear the same socks that you play in. It also might be a good idea to look for a shoe you'd feel comfortable wearing off court like Prince tennis shoes.How do I support my feet?
While footwork patterns in basketball and tennis are similar, most tennis players still wear low-cut tennis shoes. Perhaps it's time to reconsider. Shoes with a higher cut offer tremendous support, especially if your feet are pronated or you have a history of ankle problems.Getting those shoes ready!
Wear new tennis shoes around and outside the house for a few days before you play in them. This will scuff the outer soles and help to break in the uppers.What about inserts?
Why orthotic inserts in tennis shoes? If you have balance problems, or soreness in your joints or limbs, it may be a good idea to have a podiatrist perform a thorough check on your feet. Your podiatrist may suggest "orthotics", which can greatly aid in supporting your feet. They can be perfectly fitted for your tennis shoes; you'll feel the difference in a matter of a week or two. If you are looking for a wide shoe look at New Balance tennis shoes. They tend to be offered in wider sizes.Dampening the blow!
If you play on hard courts, you absolutely need tennis shoes specifically designed for play on this surface. Nike tennis shoes for example, provide cushioning for the heel and arch, while supporting the whole foot. You can even find them in Kids tennis shoe sizes. Also to prevent wearing out make sure you use a reliable shoe brand like Prince, Nike, New Balance, or Wilson tennis shoes.Should I use a mid-cut?
If you choose not to play in mid-cut tennis shoes, at least try models that put your feet lower to the ground. Why? Because the higher your foot, the higher its center of gravity and the more easily it can roll over when you move laterally. Feet that are lower to the ground will hug curves like a Porsche, not a pachyderm.How many socks should I wear?
Do your feet get sore after playing tennis? Here's a simple but practical suggestion. If you don't have cushioned socks, wear two pairs of socks. They will absorb the sweat, and absorb the pounding on your feet, particularly if you play tennis on a hard court surface. Also try buying a tennis shoe with lots of cushion like Adidas tennis shoes.What shoe is best for a toe dragger?
A lot of players drag their toes when they hit their strokes, and especially during a serve. With a lot of hard court play, you can wear through the toe of your shoe in the course of a single match. A toe cap is an extra piece of rubber added to some shoes to increase the durability of the shoe. You can find this durable cap on New Balance tennis shoes.Reprinted with permmision of Tips 4 life. For more great tips visit tips4life.com
posted by Midwestsports.com @ 10:34 AM,
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