The Fundamentals of Tennis.
Posted on May 27, 2009
Filed Under Tennis
I expect that this first foray of mine into the world of writing will find a place with both novices and experts in the tennis world. I am trying to interest the student of the game by a somewhat prolonged discussion of match play, which I hope will cast a new light on the game of tennis.
I will address the novice in my opening article and speak of certain things which are second nature to the experienced tennis player. The best tennis equipment is not a lot of use to the novice even if he really wants to improve. Nevertheless, one has to purchase good quality; it is a saving eventually, as high quality goods far outlasts poor quality equipment.
It is important to always dress in tennis clothing when engaging in tennis. The question of selecting a tennis 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 on the 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 bought your racquet, make a firm resolve to use only good tennis balls, as a regular bounce is a great aid to advancement, while a “dead” ball is no use at all. If you really desire to succeed at the game and advance rapidly, I strongly urge you to watch 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 get your hands on. They are a great help.
It is surprising to many people that more tennis can be picked up off the tennis court in the study of theory and in watching the top players in play, than can ever be learned in one’s own actual play. I do not advise that you should miss opportunities to play tennis, far from it. Play tennis whenever you can, but try when playing to put into practice the theories you have read about or the strokes you have watched.
Do not allow yourself to become discouraged by lack of progress. The manner of playing some stroke you have worked at over weeks in vain, will suddenly come to you when least expected. Good tennis players are the product of hard work. Very few players 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 city.
The brotherhood of the game is universal, since none but a good sportsman can succeed in the game for any long period of time. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the person who is tied hard and fast to his job until late in the afternoon.
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 reasons for a wandering mind in a tennis match. The chief one is loss of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any hope of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the drudgery necessary to learn the game properly.
Jack it in right now if you are not willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the murmurs in the gallery often bewilder even very experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Complete and utter concentration on the game is the only cure for an erring mind, and the quicker that lesson is learned the quicker the advancement of the player.
The best way to keep 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 misses the least is the ultimate winner.
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VIDEOS To Learn Tennis With
This is a great program put together by a professional tennis coach and is designed as a 'tennis for beginners' step-by-step video manual. You can do your tennis lessons online over and over again until you know it back-to-front and then go out and practice what you have learnt.
Learning To Play Tennis: Instructional Videos For Tennis Beginners. AND for Free video clips of the training CLICK HERE.
PLUS 1 OF 2 BONUSES AVAILABLE :
