REFLECTIONS...Tennis resolutions for 2010

What do you resolve to accomplish in your tennis game in 2010?

• What items are available in your current tennis tool belt?
  I have all the shots I need to be a successful recreational tennis player from both the ground and the air. But each shot can and should always be improved. Great shots are those that get the job done with just the right amount of effort produced. Not more, and not any less.
• Are you being realistic about what needs to be added or adjusted?
  I believe so. There are shots I would like to further develop for the sake of instruction, but my game has evolved over the years and will certainly continue to do so. I realize that more effort must be placed on my overhead swings of the serve and overhead to create better consistency.
• Have you given yourself credit for your strengths in 2009?
  Yes. I think my backhand swing is freer than it had been, and my court movement has definately been an asset. I'm thrilled to still have my feet mostly follow what my brain tells them.
• What is your PLAN OF ACTION for 2010?
  More drills. With a more powerful ball machine at my disposal, and armed with my digital video camera, tripod and netbook, I plan to review my movement and stroke production more frequently and use this technology to make adjustments.
  More deep thought. I will be doing more reading and research this year as I take advantage of what others can share.
  Plenty of writing. In addition to my blog, podcast, and forum posts, I plan to put more effort into the tennis book I have been writing.
• What sacrifices will be necessary to achieve your goals?
  Time. I will need to make more time for myself if I intend to make any significant strides. And I dare not be content with less than my very best on every occasion.

Episode 32: The Clash of Past and Present champions

A review of the 2008 NetJets Showdown match between current #1 Roger Federer and past #1 Pete Sampras at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York.

The Netjets Showdown: Pete Sampras vs. Roger Federer

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...How has technology affected your tennis game?

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the world as they discuss the effects of technology innovation on their tennis games (DEC. 17 episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes)

Q & A: Why is the U.S. in a six-year Grand Slam winner drought?

Tennis styles may be cyclical. The game has been maturing over the last 30 years or so and, thanks partly to technology changes, has grown up quite a bit. But perhaps it is time for the pendulum to swing back a few decades.

Stop by a tennis court today and watch our youth hit nothing but power topspin. They don't consider what kind of shot to hit. They just pound away and expect this cookie-cutter style to be good enough. Lets not dare use skillful control of the ball. Let's instead use tons of spin to make it fall within the court regardless of how bad we hit it. Here is a concept: if we slow the ball down a bit, and work more on better placement and keen strategy, the power might not be so necessary on every shot.

NOTE: from the book "OPEN", an autobiography of Andre Agassi, (Brad Gilbert, Agassi's coach comments) "Quit going for the knockout. Stop swinging for the fences. All you have to be is solid...just keep the ball moving. Back and forth. Nice and easy. Solid. Be like gravity man."

Since serves today are bigger than ever, why don't we see a return to serve and volley tennis? I watched a recent clip of McEnroe and Edberg in a 2008 tournament and marveled at how effective this style can still be even for those past their prime.

Maybe it is time to re-think a return to "style" in tennis instead of ball torture. We push critical thinking skills in school for students, but where is the critical thinking on the court when doing nothing more than hitting every ball in the same, predictable way? What if our up and coming players focused a little more on variety and good shot selection than increasing their topspin? Hey, could it make our American tennis record any worse in Grand Slams than it already is?

Where is the adrenaline-pumping tennis of a Connors? Maybe our US players are bored into mediocrity with the same-old repetitive shot that might be safer to hit but does little to inspire.

Episode 31: The 12 days of Tennis Christmas

A tennis slant on the well-known holiday classic

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...Should we re-evalute the idolizing of sports stars

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the US as they discuss the antics of our sports professionals and whether or not we should re-evaluate how we idolize them (DEC. 3 episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes)

Episode 30: Black Friday Tennis

How much alike are Black Friday shoppers and tennis players?

Episode 29: Following the racket path

The racket's round-trip, and different paths to the same destination.

Episode 28: Rating your skills by USTA standards

The NTRP, a rating system for tennis players devised by the USTA, attempts to label how skillful you are.

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...Pros and Cons of taking the net

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the US as they discuss taking the net, being offensive, and determining the advantages or disadvantages of this position (OCT. 22 episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes)

Episode 27: Weather or not, here I go!

When playing outdoors, Mother Nature has her own ideas about playing conditions.

Just a simple THANK YOU

Let me take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all those who have found some value in this site and podcast. Also, remember that I welcome any comments you may have. You can respond in the comments section of each post, send me an email, or write a Review in iTunes for my podcast.

I truly appreciate you taking some time out of your busy lives to listen or read a post. I've needed to slow down a bit since I am a full-time educator, and back-to-school is a crazy-busy time for all teachers. But I will continue to do my best in providing quality insight and historical references as they relate to this great game.

My site and podcast are still in their infancy as I had only begun this process within the last six months. Any feedback or ideas would be helpful. I want to keep things simple, but I wish to continue making this a place you visit regularly.

Thanks

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...What does it take to be a tennis player?

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the US as they consider the skills, work ethic, and mental toughness it takes to be a good tennis player. (OCT. 9 episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes)

Episode 26: Why wait? Move forward and take it!

Taking a stand at the net and being a better and smarter player for it.

Episode 25: Many ways to win a point

Does the best player always win? It may be that more points can be won without having the best skills on the court.

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...US Open Review

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann, of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast, about the ups, downs, surprises, and disappointments at the 2009  US Open

Episode 24: The tennis that never sleeps...in NY

Here’s an Open invitation to relive some of New York’s tennis memories

Episode Pause

Temporarily, while my house is under various construction projects, I will need to take a pause for a week or so. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes later in August!

For example:

• Ways to win (or lose) a point
• Tennis balls falling from the sky...the overhead smash
• Tennis court etiquette (or, leave the radio at home)
• Conserving energy on the court...when and why

Episode 21: Kids on the court 2

Summer tennis camp is fun...and kids actually learn something!

Episode 20: Stages of tennis skill development

Here are some ways to gauge a tennis player's level