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[xerxes]

TIP OF THE WEEK

August 7, 2007 - Practice makes perfect 
By Jon Levey

Everyone likes to play matches. It’s how you measure yourself against the competition. But it doesn’t necessarily improve your tennis ability. The best way to accomplish that is to pinpoint deficiencies in your game and practice them until they become reliable.

Playing matches puts the emphasis on winning, not improving. By removing the pressure of winning, you allow yourself the freedom of making mistakes and exploring parts of your game you’re not comfortable with. Here are some things to remember when practicing:

—You can still make a game out of it:Some players complain that practicing is boring. You can play points out, just don’t keep traditional score. Play a tiebreaker or to 21 and start points without serving. The less you make it feel like a real match, the more you will experiment and try different shots.

—Expose yourself:Whatever part of your game you’re not happy with is what you should be practicing. When playing a match, you want to win so you try to play to your strengths and conceal your weaknesses. You’ll never be a complete player that way. If it’s volleys – get to net. If it’s a slice backhand – start chipping. And there has to be something you can work on, because even the pros practice.

—Remember, you do it in other sports:Tennis is one of the few sports that don’t emphasize practice. Golfers hit the range to work on their drives. Baseball players get in the batting cage to improve their swing. Practicing your weaknesses just makes sense. If you don’t have anyone to practice with, don’t be embarrassed to take a bucket of balls and just serve.

Skip the match and hit the practice courts. It’s the only way you’ll really improve.


 

[LVL]

ayus to...kaya pala di na ko nag-improve, nag deteriorate pa lalo.  Nice post Xes!

[gerikoh]

wooot.. it's true, training is so boring!!

kuya xes, ung next tip, how to improve your backhand groundstrokes naman.. saka backhand slice..

[pedrolabasulo]

ayus to...kaya pala di na ko nag-improve, nag deteriorate pa lalo.  Nice post Xes!

pede na kitang i-challenge bro LVL, 

ai syanga pala hindi ka pala pede sa singles 

hirap sa doubles, kc maraming kang kokotakin pag may challenge match

[LVL]

ayus to...kaya pala di na ko nag-improve, nag deteriorate pa lalo.  Nice post Xes!

pede na kitang i-challenge bro LVL, 

ai syanga pala hindi ka pala pede sa singles 

hirap sa doubles, kc maraming kang kokotakin pag may challenge match

pasensya ka na Don Pedro!  Di ko na kaya i-cover yung entire court.  Kaya pang doubles na lang ako. 

[rock_it_man]

hey bro pedro, di man lang tayo nagkita nitong huling uwi mo.  sa iyong pagbalik, hamunin kita ng singles, ng pale pilsen hehehe.

[xerxes]

ayus to...kaya pala di na ko nag-improve, nag deteriorate pa lalo.  Nice post Xes!

ako din kasi huilty of this

rancis and i were chatting using ym about practice

i told him i never had chances for drills, and what i just do is to adjust my play during matches

in a way, my games improved, coz i am getting as many matches now

pero my doubles play still sucks, hehehehe, rock_it_man and I were shut out at san juanico

francis said he was distracted by unnecessary laughing at the court when we partnered, the same way ruud is being distracted

truly, my lack of practice and having opportunity to try some strokes or adjust strokes during matches in doubles is showing, and i apologize to my partners

ruud and i discussed this before, maybe pto could set up a schedule where the class b will teach the class a, drills will be scheduled for them and the class b's will try to help them improve the beginners' games/strokes

for now, i talked with ace and jamm if they want to try having drills in the court with me, schedule na alng ang di magtugma sa amin, hopefully this could help them improve their games, will experiment on the two then probably pto will have a full blast implementation of this

gerikoh, you may want to try www.tennis.com for tips, though will try to find time to post your request here

i just posted this tip kasi i believe, many, just like me, are guilty of this

[jamesallan]

ako din sobrang guilty wala kasing drills at pagdating sa court game agad hehe..kaya gang ngayun erratic king padin ako hehe..so maybe sometime makasama din ako sa drills na yan para lang ma improve and consistency and stamina,footwork etc.surely this technique will help a lot specially  those people like me who lack match practice resulting to inconsistency,sloppy footwork poor stmaina etc. in short sloppy lahat ng aspects ng game ko hehe..sabagay papawis lang naman kaya nakasanayan na ganun.

[pedrolabasulo]

hey bro pedro, di man lang tayo nagkita nitong huling uwi mo.  sa iyong pagbalik, hamunin kita ng singles, ng pale pilsen hehehe.

pale pilsen pala, hehehe, isang san mig lite lang nga ako, lasing na ako    TALO

[LVL]

ayus to...kaya pala di na ko nag-improve, nag deteriorate pa lalo.  Nice post Xes!

ako din kasi huilty of this

rancis and i were chatting using ym about practice

i told him i never had chances for drills, and what i just do is to adjust my play during matches

in a way, my games improved, coz i am getting as many matches now

pero my doubles play still sucks, hehehehe, rock_it_man and I were shut out at san juanico

francis said i was distracted by my misdeamenor at the court when we partnered, the same way ruud is being distracted

truly, my lack of practice and having opportunity to try some strokes or adjust strokes during matches in doubles is showing, and i apologize to my partners

ruud and i discussed this before, maybe pto could set up a schedule where the class b will teach the class a, drills will be scheduled for them and the class b's will try to help them improve the beginners' games/strokes

for now, i talked with ace and jamm if they want to try having drills in the court with me, schedule na alng ang di magtugma sa amin, hopefully this could help them improve their games, will experiment on the two then probably pto will have a full blast implementation of this

gerikoh, you may want to try www.tennis.com for tips, though will try to find time to post your request here

i just posted this tip kasi i believe, many, just like me, are guilty of this

Let's post some drills that will focus on various tennis skills.  Now, pag nagkitakits kayo, you can try those drills on court and off court.   I am sure madami mai-ishare ang mga tennis sensei natin dito.

[xerxes]

hey bro pedro, di man lang tayo nagkita nitong huling uwi mo.  sa iyong pagbalik, hamunin kita ng singles, ng pale pilsen hehehe.

pale pilsen pala, hehehe, isang san mig lite lang nga ako, lasing na ako    TALO

hehehhee pagbalik mo, hawakan mo agadaketa mo, pagbaba mo pa lang sa eroplano, heheheheh

ako una sa pila
 

[xerxes]

Let's post some drills that will focus on various tennis skills.  Now, pag nagkitakits kayo, you can try those drills on court and off court.   I am sure madami mai-ishare ang mga tennis sensei natin dito.

agree, will try to find some time to browse tennis.com and post some here

[rock_it_man]

kung merong pader na pwede mag-walling, solve na ako doon kasi lahat pwede praktisin, serve, volley and backhand / forehand.  kaya i hit the wall muna bago laro to limber up my joints and muscles.

[gerikoh]

ayus to...kaya pala di na ko nag-improve, nag deteriorate pa lalo.  Nice post Xes!

ako din kasi huilty of this

rancis and i were chatting using ym about practice

i told him i never had chances for drills, and what i just do is to adjust my play during matches

in a way, my games improved, coz i am getting as many matches now

pero my doubles play still sucks, hehehehe, rock_it_man and I were shut out at san juanico

francis said i was distracted by my misdeamenor at the court when we partnered, the same way ruud is being distracted

truly, my lack of practice and having opportunity to try some strokes or adjust strokes during matches in doubles is showing, and i apologize to my partners

ruud and i discussed this before, maybe pto could set up a schedule where the class b will teach the class a, drills will be scheduled for them and the class b's will try to help them improve the beginners' games/strokes

for now, i talked with ace and jamm if they want to try having drills in the court with me, schedule na alng ang di magtugma sa amin, hopefully this could help them improve their games, will experiment on the two then probably pto will have a full blast implementation of this

gerikoh, you may want to try www.tennis.com for tips, though will try to find time to post your request here

i just posted this tip kasi i believe, many, just like me, are guilty of this

kuya, pasali rin ako sa mga sessions niyo.. please please please

[rock_it_man]

The Fundamentals Of Tennis

I trust this initial effort of mine in the world of letters will find a place among both novices and experts in the tennis world. I am striving to interest the student of the game by a somewhat prolonged discussion of match play, which I trust will shed a new light on the game.
May I turn to the novice at my opening and speak of certain matters which are second nature to the skilled player?
The best tennis equipment is not too good for the beginner who seeks really to succeed. It is a saving in the end, as good quality material so far outlasts poor.
Always dress in tennis clothes when engaging in tennis. The question of choosing a racquet is a much more serious matter. I do not advocate forcing a certain racquet upon any player. All the standard makes are excellent. It is in weight, balance, and size of handle that the real value of a racquet frame depends, while good stringing is, essential to obtain the best results.
After you have acquired your racquet, make a firm resolve to use good tennis balls, as a regular bounce is a great aid to advancement, while a "dead" ball is no practice at all.
If you really desire to succeed at the game and advance rapidly, I strongly urge you to see all the good tennis you can. Study the play of the leading players and strive to copy their strokes. Read all the tennis instruction books you can find. They are a great assistance.
More tennis can be learned off the court, in the study of theory, and in watching the best players in action, than can ever be learned in actual play. I do not mean miss opportunities to play. Far from it. Play whenever possible, but strive when playing to put in practice the theories you have read or the strokes you have watched.
Never be discouraged at slow progress. The trick over some stroke you have worked over for weeks unsuccessfully will suddenly come to you when least expected. Tennis players are the product of hard work. Very few are born geniuses at the game.
Tennis is a game that pays you dividends all your life. A tennis racquet is a letter of introduction in any town. The brotherhood of the game is universal, for none but a good sportsman can succeed in the game for any lengthy period. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the man who is tied hard and fast to his business until late afternoon. Age is not a drawback. The tennis players of the world wrote a magnificent page in the history of the World War. No branch of sport sent more men to the colours from every country in the world than tennis, and these men returned with glory or paid the supreme sacrifice on the field of honour.

The following order of development produces the quickest and most lasting results:
1. Concentration on the game.
2. Keep the eye on the ball.
3. Foot-work and weight-control.
4. Strokes.
5. Court position.
6. Court generalship or match play.
7. Tennis psychology.
concentration.
--------------
Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The most perfect racquet technique in the world will not suffice if the directing mind is wandering. There are many causes of a wandering mind in a tennis match. The chief one is lack of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with an idea of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the drudgery necessary in learning the game correctly. Give it up at once unless you are willing to work. Conditions of play or the noises in the gallery often confuse and bewilder experienced match-players playing under new surroundings. Complete concentration on the matter in hand is the only cure for a wandering mind, and the sooner the lesson is learned the more rapid the improvement of the player.
The surest way to hold a match in mind is to play for every set, every game in the set, every point in the game and, finally, every shot in the point. A set is merely a conglomeration of made and missed shots, and the man who does not miss is the ultimate victor.

[altodds]

Hey Rock,

Nice said, iba talaga ang galing Boys High at  U.P.

[racketwiz]

The Fundamentals Of Tennis

Been there, done that, heard it all before.....

Rock's eloquence, however, shines a light on his passion and love for the game.  It's infectious and it works. The old, beaten-up message is fresh and new again. It makes me want to go out and play without regard for the gimpy knees and fading skills that has taken tiny bites out of my game over the years. So, screw the so-called experts, stroke gurus and critical wanna-be commentators. I'm playin'!

[Francis]

The Fundamentals Of Tennis

Nice post! 
Thanks!

[coco]

Just additional info which is very relevant nowadays. Every teaching organization now recommends the progression from foam balls  to low pressure balls before moving on to the regular tennis ball to make learning the game easier and more fun. This recommendation is not just for kids but also for adults.

[LVL]

nice post....! kaya naman inspired si gio boy!  game na!

[edreams11]

TIP OF THE WEEK

August 7, 2007 - Practice makes perfect 
By Jon Levey

—Expose yourself:Whatever part of your game you’re not happy with is what you should be practicing. When playing a match, you want to win so you try to play to your strengths and conceal your weaknesses. You’ll never be a complete player that way. If it’s volleys – get to net. If it’s a slice backhand – start chipping. And there has to be something you can work on, because even the pros practice.

—Remember, you do it in other sports:Tennis is one of the few sports that don’t emphasize practice. Golfers hit the range to work on their drives. Baseball players get in the batting cage to improve their swing. Practicing your weaknesses just makes sense. If you don’t have anyone to practice with, don’t be embarrassed to take a bucket of balls and just serve.

Skip the match and hit the practice courts. It’s the only way you’ll really improve.

so very true! nice post mr. xerxes! thanks for the tips! actually ive been doing these tips lately khit papano may konting improvement naman hehehe