DO apply early. All competitions have published closing deadlines and some popular tournaments accept players on a first-come basis. Many tournaments will insist on receiving an application and payment prior to the closing deadline. Some tournaments do not accept applications by telephone. Bear in mind that the number of players that can be accepted is limited by, for example, the type of draw, the number of courts available, the time span of the competition etc.

DO read tournament literature, including entry forms and information sheets. These set out all the conditions and rules of the event and should answer most questions you may have.

DO check with the tournament organizer or referee if there is anything at all that you are not sure about. They are there to help you.

DO check cancellation and withdrawal deadlines. Organizing draws is a very complicated, time consuming exercise. Players pulling out at the last minute can throw out a whole competition requiring a new draw to be made therefore you should not expect a refund if you are unable to play after the draw has been made and in some circumstances you may also be penalized by the LTA.

DO make sure you are available for the whole period of the competition. If a tournament is a week long you may be required to play on any of the days. An event cannot be organized around an individual player’s requirements.

DO keep a record of the competitions you have entered. Remember, it is your responsibility to check whether you have been accepted and the date and time you are needed to report for play.

DON’T enter more than one competition which could require you to play on the same day. You are likely to be penalized if you do this. Check with the organizers BEFORE the cancellation/withdrawal deadlines, if you are in doubt.

Preparing for the tournament

DO allow enough time for your journey including allowances for delays.

DO arrive by the time you have been asked to report, normally 15 minutes before your first match. You will probably be expected to sign in with the referee on arrival and you must do this in person.

DO remember that tennis matches vary in length, so be prepared for a possible wait, particularly if a tournament has been affected by bad weather.

DO remember to check in advance if there are any rules about what you should wear. Indoor venues may have strict rules about the sort of tennis shoes you need to wear and some may have an all white rule. You may not be allowed to play if you don’t comply.

DO contact the referee if you are running late. If the referee knows then it may be possible to delay your match. Tournaments wont just wait for you to turn up.

If you are unable to play

DO make sure that you contact the referee or organizer as soon as you know you wont be able to play and that they acknowledge your withdrawal. Late withdrawals can cause great problems for organizers and let down other players.

DON’T forget that once the draw has been made, you are expected to play unless ill or injured. It is possible for players who withdraw to be penalized by the LTA so you may be asked to provide some form of evidence. In some cases, you may need to complete a withdrawal form – the tournament referee will advise you what you need to do.

Before your match

DO remember to take everything you need with you on court. You should not leave the court for any reason during a match other than to ask for the referee. A toilet break should only be taken at the end of a set.

DO make sure you know which match format is being used. Even within a tournament there are sometimes several different formats e.g. short-sets, third sets being replaced with a match tiebreak, final sets being played without tiebreaks. If in doubt, always ask the referee, they are there to help.

DON’T walk across the back of other courts whilst play is in progress. Wait until a suitable break in play.

DO make sure you warm up properly before you go on court for your match, remember you usually only get 5 minutes before play actually starts.

During your match

DO call the score, after every point, if you are serving. You are also responsible for calling all out-balls on your side of the net. Make sure your calls are loud, clear and prompt. (If your match is umpired then they will take care of all calls and scoring).

DO treat your opponent, officials and spectators with courtesy and respect.

DO remember that if you have a problem during the match which you cannot resolve yourself, the referee (or assistant) is there to help you.

DON’T swear, throw rackets/balls in temper or behave in an unsportsmanlike manner. This is discourteous and can result in you being penalized.

DON’T talk with parents, coaches or friends during a match. It is against the rules.

After your match

DO remember to shake your opponent’s hand, even if you have had a difficult match.

DO leave the court quickly and report your result to the referee, even if you lost the match.

DO remember to find out when you are playing next. Even if you have lost you might be able to take part in bonus, plate or consolation rounds. This is sometimes compulsory.

DO remember to thank the tournament officials. They are generally hard working and dedicated people – many are volunteers.

1. Drop feed (let bounce) and hit 10 Topspin Forehands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to follow through up across your shoulder.
2. Now go up to the Net and simulate hitting a real ball (the white part of the tape) as you brush the net hitting 10 Topspin Forehands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to use the windshield wiper brushing action and follow through up across your shoulder.
3. Drop feed (let bounce) and hit 10 Topspin Forehands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to follow through up across your shoulder.
4. Back to the Net and simulate hitting a real ball (the white part of the tape) as you brush the net hitting 10 Topspin Forehands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to use the windshield wiper brushing action and follow through up across your shoulder.
5. Drop feed (let bounce) and hit 10 Topspin Forehands crosscourt ground strokes, hit and move in on every ball.
6. Back to the Net and simulate hitting a real ball (the white part of the tape) as you brush the net hitting 10 Topspin Forehands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to use the windshield wiper brushing action and follow through up across your shoulder.
7. Toss feed (& let bounce) and hit 10 Topspin Backhands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to follow through up across your shoulder.
8. Now go up to the Net and simulate hitting a real ball (the white part of the tape) as you brush the net hitting 10 Topspin Backhands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to use the windshield wiper brushing action and follow through up across your shoulder.
9. Toss feed (let bounce) and hit 10 Topspin Backhands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to follow through up across your shoulder.
10. Back to the Net and simulate hitting a real ball (the white part of the tape) as you brush the net hitting 10 Topspin Backhands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to use the windshield wiper brushing action and follow through up across your shoulder.
11. Toss feed (let bounce) and hit 10 Topspin Backhands crosscourt ground strokes, hit and move in on every ball.
12. Back to the Net and simulate hitting a real ball (the white part of the tape) as you brush the net hitting 10 Topspin Backhands crosscourt ground strokes making certain to use the windshield wiper brushing action and follow through up across your shoulder.

I. 80-90% of 1st serves should be in. 99-100% of 2nd serves should be in.

II. First priority is Serving into the body 80%, serving 15% down the middle.

III. Pick on the weaker player; pick on weaker side of their body.

IV. Pick on weakest position i.e. could be a weak net person or could be baseliner. Which person in which position is the weakest?

V. Returns should be low crosscourt & DEEP; OR low crosscourt, short & wide.

VI. High Balls to the backhand side hit lots of balls deep and high to the backhand side or mini-Lobs over opponents’ backhand side/corner. BEST Strategy ALWAYS!

VII. ***Crosscourt, crosscourt, keep it low – work your way to net till get a high ball, then straight ahead at net person (high you die) or down the middle between opponents when opponents are side by side (down the middle solves the riddle).***

VIII. Serve and volley – serve is 1st shot, run through volley is 2nd shot placed deep and hard down the middle or short and wide, 3rd shot is well place volley angled off after down the middle run through volley or down the middle after a short wide run through volley.

IX. Serve and charge 1 – attempting to get past your service box line to hit down the line on a run through volley (1st shot after serve), at net person straight ahead.

X. Serve and charge 2 – getting a low ball or not getting past service box line, keep ball crosscourt, low, short, wide, or combo of any.

XI. Chip and charge – return strategy same as serve and charge.

XII. Chip and come in – same as serve and volley.

XIII. Serve and Poach – serving into body or down the middle, from middle of service box net partner poaches moving forward at an angle towards net picking off return of serve hitting down on the ball crosscourt to alley putting ball away.

XIV. Serve and Fake Poach – serving into body, from middle of service box net partner fakes the poach moving forward on a split step and then cross step, quickly recovering and Expecting the return to come to them. Aim your volley between the Big “T” and hash mark behind the Returner’s partner putting ball away.

XV. Return and Poach – hitting low return at server’s feet, short, wide or any combo, from midcourt service box line Returner’s partner poaches moving forward at an angle towards net picking off server’s 2nd shot putting ball away at net person.

XVI. Change position from which you are serving, returning, net play, and return partner.

XVII. Short ball, deep ball – short ball opponent with a wide shot, soft shot (drop shot), chip shot, mini tennis topspin shot, drawing opponents to the net then lobbing over their backhand side or keeping the ball low driving it deep down the middle. ESPECIALLY on weak servers that do not come in.

XVIII. Deep ball, short ball – lob opponents then drop shot, short ball them, or angle it short and wide, sometimes if you sneak in you can take it out of the air and go after the net person.

XIX. Double back – both players stay back against a hard or really good first server but still attempt to work way into net.

XX. Australian – Server and partner line up on same side of court taking away a good crosscourt Returner’s shot forcing a change and most likely errors. Server serves from hash mark into Returner’s body or wide (NOT down the middle).

XXI. I formation – Server serves from hash mark while partner crouches or kneels straddling center service box line. After serve has come past, server’s partner pops up and over either poaching left or right according to prior signal. Server covers opposite side.

XXII. Against Australian – hit a short low straight-ahead return or a crosscourt lob, there is NO other option to create anything else is EXTREMELY low percentage.

XXIII. Against I formation – back up returning to give yourself time to see net person’s move and consistently hit down the middle splitting opponents.

XXIV. Down the Middle solves the riddle – pound the ball over and over again down the middle.

XXV. If you are going play one up one back then the Baseliner has to cover all deep lobs, Net person needs to play back a bit to cover all short balls. Also Net person needs to look to poach A Lot and Early in the Point! If not then at least split step expecting the ball on every single shot!

Thanks to BBC UK Sport 1

STEP ONE 
DO NOT rush your serve.

It’s the one shot in tennis that you are total control of, so don’t waste the opportunity.

Spend time getting your set-up right and getting your mind focused on what you are trying to do and where you are trying to hit the serve.

Line your feet up with where you want the ball to go.

Have your front foot at a slight angle but have your back foot running parallel to the baseline.

Point your racquet forwards & slightly out to the side and use your spare hand to balance by lightly supporting the throat of the racket.

Ideally the grip should be the Continental (chopper) grip.

This can be difficult to begin with, so it’s okay to have a slight forehand grip, but look to move it around as soon as possible

STEP TWO
The key from here is balance, timing and rhythm.

Raise your hands up together just a short distance then bring them down together.

As you do this start to turn your body away from the court so that you are sideways on to it.

You also need to be transferring your weight from your front to back foot.

Try to feel a smooth, coordinated action, all the different parts of your body should be working together not fighting against each other.

 STEP THREE
Once you’ve made the sideways turn and your hands have reached their lowest point, you need to separate your arms and bring them back up in different directions.

Your left arm should be straight to enable you to accurately throw the ball up in the correct spot.

The ball should be slightly in front of you and to a height about 6inches above your outstretched racquet.

Your right arm needs to come back into a throwing position.

This is the most difficult part of the action, because at the same time as co-coordinating your arms you need to transfer your weight from your back foot on to your front.

STEP FOUR

As the ball gets to the top of the throw up, accelerate the racquet head at the ball in a throwing action.

Look to reach up to the ball as you hit, the higher that you can make contact the more power you can create.

STEP FIVE

Follow through with a wrist and forearm snap out in front (notice the gap left in between the hand and body), then across your body.

Look to recover quickly being ready for your next shot.

 ANIMATION

Slower Speed

Faster

 _

Written by BounceNback Staff
Animation by BounceNback Staff

There is A LOT that is going on during every doubles point.  You have 4 people thinking, strategizing, moving, anticipating, and reacting before, during, and after ever hit trying to work and function as a team.

The following animation is a small example of 2 doubles teams that are determined to stay in a 1 up and 1 back set up.  This is not only an extremely weak strategy for most doubles the 2 upper court  players (net players) HAVE to shift correctly without flaw, without a skip, hitch, or glitch to be effective.

Please pay special attention to the beginning positions of each player, where they are standing, the direction they are angled, and then the direction they move, ESPECIALLY the Returner’s Partner (RP)! 

Server (S) – In doubles the Server will typically stand half way between the hash mark and the doubles line to serve.  The position is simple – get the serve in.

Returner (R) – The Returner will typically stand just inside of the baseline in the middle of the possible serve direction (stand where you dissect the possible serve).  Most Returners attempt to return cross court away from the net early on in case net person is decent at the net.

Server’s Partner (SP) – The beginning position is slightly back of the middle of the service box that the Server’s Partner is in.  To far forward allows easy lobs, to far back allows Returner to get balls at players feet, from this position move forward as Returner prepares to strike the ball.  The Server’s Partner primary job is to look for shots to pick off while up at the net for example the return or the Returner’s second shot. 

Returner’s Partner (RP) – Notice that this position is more towards the center of the court; also notice how the player is angled facing the Server’s Partner.  This is the most important position on the court and few players play it properly.

The Returner’s Partner (RP) has three primary jobs at the beginning of the point: 1. Watch the service line & help call the serve if out; 2. Protect the middle of the court (be actively prepared in case the Returner hits the ball to the net person); 3. Move forward the direction of the ball as it passes the Server’s Partner (net person). 

Returner (R) – As the Server  begins the forward swingthe Returner steps forward and Split –Steps as the server makes contact with the ball reacting to the direction of the face of the racquet.

Returner’s Partner (RP) – The Returner’s Partner watches as the ball lands calling it if it is out. 

Returner (R) – The plan is to return the ball cross court away from the net person (SP).

Returner’s Partner (RP) – As the ball passes the net person the Returner’s Partner moves forward diagonally the direction of the ball.

Server’s Partner (SP) – As the ball passes back to the Server, the Server’s Partner shifts back towards the Big “T” area to protect the middle of the court facing the Returner’s Partner who is now the new net person.

Server (S) – The ball is now at the Server and the plan is to place the ball cross court away from the net person (RP). 

Returner’s Partner (RP) – The Returner’s Partner primary job NOW is to look for shots to pick off while up at the net for example the Server’s second shot. 

Server’s Partner (SP) – As the ball passes the net person the Server’s Partner moves forward diagonally the direction of the ball.

Returner’s Partner (RP) – As the ball passes back to the Returner, the Returner’s Partner shifts back towards the Big “T” to protect the middle of the court facing the Returner’s Partner who is now the new net person.

 At ALL times, in 1 up 1 back situations,

Everyone MUST maintain proper shifting and positioning.

Ask Yourself These Questions

You might find it helpful in a match, between points, to ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I watching the ball? This is a probably the most important single thing that you can do to improve your game. If you are really seeing it well, you will see the seams turning.
2. Am I relaxed? Players that can relax last longer, have fewer injuries and recover from the match quicker.
3. Am I breathing? Go to the gym and ask a trainer how important breathing is. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
4. Am I watching my opponent’s racket after I finish my shot? In doubles, watch the closest opponent’s racket to you in the point.

By asking yourself these questions, you will notice that you do not have time for negative thoughts.   What could be better?

_

Only 15% of them are won! 

A.  Basic Keys to Tennis

1. Clear net with shots by 3-5 feet
2. Highest percentage target is 6×6feet cross-court in the corner of the court. Why? Net is lower, court is longer allowing you a margin of error which is 6×6.
3. #1 Goal is to become automatic in shots and in response to shots.
4. Consistently hit deep high cross-court or down the middle when in trouble or need to get in a rhythm or groove.
5. Keys to consistent strokes
             Early preparation
             Movement to the ball
              To hit every ball in the strike zone (about waist high)
              Be well balanced at contact.
              Hit ball back in direction it comes from.
6. Only change direction of the ball if…
              You can control it
              You are in good position

B.  Practice does not make perfect – perfect practice does.

.

Dehydration Affects Performance: 
Dehydration of 1-2% of your body weight begins to significantly affect some of your body’s functions and negatively affects performance. (So if you normally weigh 150 pounds, which calculates to a loss of 1.5-3.0 pounds of fluids. Keep in mind, a cup of water weighs a little over half a pound.) A 3% loss of body weight increases the risk of developing heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. These levels of dehydration are common in sports, including a 1-2.5 liter per hour fluid loss in tennis.

Many athletes start an event already dehydrated. When this happens you may experience the effects of dehydration rapidly. A common scenario for dehydration in tennis: Playing a match earlier in the day and not completely rehydrating before playing again that same day.

Our body’s systems are very interrelated — one system affects another. In particular, dehydration affects our cardiovascular system. The heart rate raises 3-5 beats for every 1% of body weight lost! In the heat, heart rate goes up even more. The reduction in body fluids also affects the heart stroke volume (the amount of body fluids we pump through our body). Performance implications include decreases in muscle strength and endurance, aerobic power, physical work capacity, and increased fatigue. There are also psychological effects such as decreased time to exhaustion, feelings of exertion and impaired mental functions.

Symptoms:
Once you begin feeling thirsty you are already dehydrated.  As dehydration progresses you may have a headache, grow irritable, begin to make errors in judgment, feel apathetic, confused, weak, experience decreased performance, dizziness or muscle twinges. In advanced stages you may experience heat sensations on the head and neck, chills, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps or dyspnea (shortness of breath).

Staying Hydrated: 

• Drink water, juice, milk, or sports drinks throughout the day. Avoid alcohol & excessive caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks).
• Drink regularly during practice and warm-up.
• Check your urine: it should be light-colored or clear. If you need frequent bathroom breaks to urinate (every 45 minute) you may be drinking too much.
• Drink at each changeover. Adults and older adolescents can comfortably drink 48 ounces per hour to prevent significant fluid deficits.
• Weigh yourself before and after play. Drink about 150% of any remaining fluid deficit to rehydrate yourself.
• If you are prone to heat-related muscle cramps, add Sea Salt to your diet.  This will help your body retain fluid.

Proper Rehydration 
A 1-2.5 liter per hour sweat loss in tennis is common. To become rehydrated, it is not enough to drink plain water. Water does not contain the electrolytes our bodies lose through sweat. The electrolytes sodium and chloride are necessary for proper body function and can prevent heat-induced muscle cramps. Adding potassium to your diet (for example, by eating bananas) will not prevent or resolve heat-related muscle cramps.

There are so many individual differences that it is hard to generalize a rehydration plan that will work for every tennis player. Players sweat at varying rates under the same conditions – in part, due to a difference in individual genetics. Environmental conditions (temperature), length, frequency and intensity of play and how acclimatized you are should all be incorporated into your rehydration plan.

Our favorite hydration method is: 
#1.  High Quality Filtered Water with a High Quality Electrolyte Mix.
And when I can’t do that -
#2.  Sports Drinks that DO NOT have artificial sweetners, high sugars, or Corn Syrup AND cut them at least by 1/3 with High Quality Filtered Water. 

Never drink non-filtered water or use non-filtered Ice, the chemicals founds in the local water supplies reeks havoc on your hydration.

God Bless – have a GREAT Summer and as always let me know if there is ever anything I can do to help.