- Bolt beats Messi, Federer to top award - TVNZTelegraph.co.ukBolt beats Messi, Federer to top awardTVNZWilliams won the sportswoman of the year award after reclaiming top sport in the world tennis rankings as well as winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open. ...Bolt retains Laureus Sportsman awardCNN InternationalBolt, Williams win Sportsman, Sportswoman awards for 2009AFPJamaica's Bolt, Serena Wi […]
- Pali Tennis Fifth at California Classic - Palisadian-PostPali Tennis Fifth at California ClassicPalisadian-Post... had gone Palisades' way the Dolphins might have returned home from last weekend's California Classic Tennis Tournament with the first-place trophy. ...and more » […]
- Davis Cup in World of Trouble - FanHouseThe Nation, PakistanDavis Cup in World of TroubleFanHouseThe International Tennis Federation, which oversees the Davis Cup, is in a feud with the top players, and it's not going to end well for the ITF. ...Tennis NZ await Davis Cup decisionStuff.co.nzOfficials demand NZ play in PakistanSydney Morning HeraldSaeed Hai wants fairplay from ITFAssociated Pre […]
- The Laureus awards and Brett Favre - Universal Sports (blog)Stuff.co.nzThe Laureus awards and Brett FavreUniversal Sports (blog)Tennis star Kim Clijsters, the 2009 US Open winner after taking two years off and becoming a mom, winner Wednesday of the 2009 Laureus comeback award, ...Grand Slam Queen Serena Williams Wins Record Third Laureus World Sports AwardAround the Rings (subscription)Monica Seles recalls pain of b […]
- BNP Paribas Open Sponsors Tennis Ball Recycling Program - MarketWatch (press release)Yahoo! EurosportBNP Paribas Open Sponsors Tennis Ball Recycling ProgramMarketWatch (press release)BNP Paribas is encouraging tennis players everywhere to bring their old tennis balls to the BNP Paribas Open and recycle them to keep old balls out of ...Larry Ellison a hero for Indian Wells tennisLos Angeles TimesLarry Ellison's Other Sporting Passion: Te […]
- Blake remains interesting case study in tennis expectations - SI.comBlake remains interesting case study in tennis expectationsSI.comRegarding Wednesday's question about famous parent-child tennis tandems, how could you forget Vera and Helena Sukova? Both Grand Slam singles finalists and ...and more » […]
- Questions surround Newton North tennis courts - Boston GlobeQuestions surround Newton North tennis courtsBoston GlobeNewton Mayor Setti Warren said his office has not been able to solve the mystery of why the Newton North tennis courts ...Who moved the Newton North tennis courts?Wicked Local (blog)Who moved Newton North?Newton TABNewton North moved closer to abutters without public processNewton TABNewton TABall 5 ne […]
- Is Elena Dementieva's window closing? - ESPN (blog)Jakarta GlobeIs Elena Dementieva's window closing?ESPN (blog)We all know that without the Williams sisters, the women's draw at the BNP Paribas Open is wide open. Kim Clijsters and Justine ...Weekly net post: Tennis serves up its March madnessUSA TodayTennis, Economic, or Player Recession?Sports CentralClijsters balancing work and family life prett […]
- Deep pockets, field at Indian Wells tourney - San Diego Union TribuneGlobe and MailDeep pockets, field at Indian Wells tourneySan Diego Union TribuneINDIAN WELLS — In an atmosphere of affluence that would seem to fit tennis, perhaps the most patrician of ...Henin ready at Indian WellsGlobe and MailRafael Nadal feeling strong going into Indian Wellslive-tennis.comIndian Wells: Rafael Nadal's foot soldiers vs. Roger Federe […]
- Women's tennis hit by sponsor's strategy change - Wall Street JournalReuters South AfricaWomen's tennis hit by sponsor's strategy changeWall Street Journal... in strategy was behind a decision to drop its title sponsorship of the WTA Tour as part of a new, reduced deal with the Women's Tennis Assocation. ...Return stroke: Sony Ericsson dealFinancial Timesall 98 news articles » […]
Archive for the ‘Tennis Training Drills’ Category
Tennis Training Drills, Practice Your Footwork
A good tennis training drill should always include footwork. A tennis player who has good footwork will be able to reach and hit a tennis ball with controlled effort. An example of a player who hits the ball with controlled effort is the incomparable, Roger Federer. One of the reasons why Roger Federer is the number one player in the world is his amazing footwork. he may not be as fast as some of his younger contemporaries, but he has great instincts and anticipation.
A good way to get started with a tennis training drill for footwork begins with the warmup drills. you start off by jogging across the court and then a backwards jog in return. The next thing you do is try the backwards skip, this exercise is not only good for your cooridination, but it is easy on the legs.
The sidestep is another great tennis training drill. To do this drill, turn sideways and practice skipping from the right to the left a few steps and then turn around and repeat the steps. The chances of you getting to the tennis ball will increase by learning these basic footwork drills.
Tennis Training Volley Drill
One of the key aspects of playing tennis is to have an all-court game. A tennis player who has good ground strokes may win a few tennis matches, but he or she will have trouble winning against an opponent who can hit ground strokes and volley, as well. In order to be a successful volleyer, you have to have good footwork, racquet awareness and ball control. The key factor is that you need to have the desire to get out and practice if you want to get better. Tennis training drills will give you the confidence to play like a champion.
Our tennis coach has us practicing drills every Tuesday at practice and I have noticed considerable improvement in my teammates volleys. The volley drill that he has us do is a drill that has us touch the net and step back three steps and volley for five minute intervals, until we are passed the service line. My teammates and I like the drill because it allows us to volley from every position inside the service line.
Tennis Drills for Return of Serve
Dennis Ralston is a former professional tennis player and he has some great tips on how you will be able to have a formidable return of serve game. He extols on the importance of having a good return of serve after listening to some of his students. He asked them how often do you practice your return of serve and their reply was, they didn’t practice it. The only time they got in some return of serve practice was during a match. It is very difficult to become proficient in returning serve if you do not practice. Here is a few of Mr. Ralston’s tennis training drills for returning serve.
For singles practice your return of serve to these four spots.
1. Deep down the line
2. Deep crosscourt
3. Short down the line
4. Short crosscourt
Singles
“Start on the deuce side and have your practice partner hit serves to your forehand. Hit each of the following four returns, not moving onto the net until you successfully make the shot…”
Doubles
“Have your partner serve to you on the side you normally play. Start with the forehand crosscourt return. Your target should be your opponent’s service line. Hit at least five solid returns and then move to the backhand return.”
Mr. Ralston’s drills on the return of serve will help you develop a well rounded service game.
Tennis Training Drill, Return of Serve
The return of serve has been called the second most important stroke in tennis. If you can master a great return and learn how to exploit your opponents weakness then you are on your way to winning some tennis match’s. A couple of ways to return the serve:
- By standing near the net gives you a chance to hit the ball at the early stages plus this would give your opponent less time to see how the ball is being returned.
- The opposite of standing near the net is being deeper on the court. This technique allows you to read how the ball is being hit. If somebody your playing has a hard serve to read then the deeper approach is one I would use until you get used to how he is playing his serves.
- You can return the ball that has angles which are tougher to return. With this approach you would want to read there weakness and then later in match start returning the serves at angles which your opponent would struggle with.
Before you start applying these techniques you would want to use some tennis training drills which would allow you to be confident in these returns. If you were to just go out there without practicing you would probably hurt your game instead of helping.
Tennis Training Drills – Catch and Throw
A good tennis training drill that will help you improve your footwork is the Catch and Throw tennis drill. I did some research on this drill because I need to understand the discipline that one should have in order to acquire good footwork. The Catch and Throw drill is taught by tennis instructor Rick Macci and one of his students. In the drill, Rick tosses the ball to every part of the tennis court. The object of the drill is to catch every ball at least twenty times without letting it drop on the ground. It is a very demanding drill, but with practice the more you do it; the better you will get and you will find your footwork improving tremendously.
After watching professional tennis matches, you will readily understand the reason why novice players must practice their footwork. The professional players are not only able to get to the tennis ball, but they are able to get their racquet back and swing it fluidly without missing a beat. Good footwork will give you a big advantage in your tennis matches.
Tennis Training Drills – The Serve
The first thing that tennis instructors teach their students is how to serve.
Tennis Training Drills: Ghost Doubles
Learning how to play tennis is difficult, but there are drills that you can incorporate into your game that will help you succeed.