Manly Ladies Team 5 Excels in Debut Badge Match

Fantastic work, Manly Ladies Team 5!

You all made an impressive debut in your very first Badge match, clinching a solid 7-1 victory. And on hardcourt, too, which is a very different playing surface compared to what we have in Manly.

Every one of you displayed remarkable skill, executing our doubles strategies flawlessly and hitting some incredible volleys. Our practices definitely paid off!  It’s always delightful to score points through skillful plays!

Awesome job, ladies—keep up the great teamwork!

Bede Shines at 2024 JT Premier 250 NSW Age

Congrats to Bede on clinching 3rd place in both the Boys 16 singles and doubles at the 2024 JT Premier 250 NSW Age at Sydney Olympic Park this week.

Bede knocked out several top-seeded players on his path to the singles semi-finals. He played to his seeding losing to the No 1 seeds in the doubles semi final. Proud dad, Larry commented that Bede had the best volleys on court in the losing doubles result!.

Way to go, Bede! Keep up the great progress!

The Importance of Sticking to Your Tools During Match Play

In tennis, just like in any skilled craft, each stroke you’ve developed is like a unique tool in a toolbox. Each player possesses a distinct set of these tools—various strokes, spins, and tactics—each honed for specific situations on the court.
It’s critical to recognize that, during match play, trying to alter these tools in the heat of the match play is akin to a carpenter attempting to turn a hammer into a saw mid-stroke. This usually leads to mistakes because each tool (or stroke) is designed for specific tasks and has been refined through practice to function optimally in those scenarios.
For example, consider your serve, a foundational tool in your kit. It’s a stroke used to start every point where you have control, and its effectiveness can set the tone for the entire rally.
During a match is not the time to tweak or change the mechanics of your serve. If midway through a game you find yourself dissatisfied with your serving performance, remember that this isn’t the time for fundamental changes. Instead, focus on implementing simple rituals that you’ve practiced, such as bouncing the ball a certain number of times, setting your stance, and visualizing the serve before execution. These rituals create consistency and focus, leveraging your current skills under pressure.
It’s completely natural to feel the urge to adjust when things aren’t going perfectly. However, more often than not, sticking with your well-practiced routines and using the tools you’ve developed will yield better results under match pressure.
If you truly feel that a change is necessary, the appropriate time for this is during the off-season, not during a match. Here, you can spend ample time making adjustments without the immediate pressure of competition. Remember, modifying any fundamental aspect of your stroke will take weeks or months to solidify.
During match play, trust in the tools you have, and try to use them to their fullest potential to get the best out of your game!

Crucial Point & Games

In tennis, the latter stages of any game and any set, especially from the ninth game onwards, are critically important due to the scoring structure and the psychological dynamics involved. This phase of the set is pivotal for building or maintaining momentum.

And let’s not forget the drama of tiebreakers! And how to handle those pesky negative thoughts!!

We have updated our Psychological Strategy pages to include these key stages and games, ensuring you’re well-prepared for these crucial moments.

The Crucial Fourth Point

The Crucial Ninth Game

Tiebreakers

Thursday Ladies Badge Training Notes 11 Apr

Refresher training notes from Thursday Apr 11 posted.
PW required to access.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Tim

The Tennis Whispherer is pleased to welcome Coach Tim!

Tim was born in Sydney but journeyed with his family to the United States in the late 1970s, where his passion for tennis blossomed in the competitive junior circuits of the Missouri Valley.

Throughout his collegiate tenure, Tim honed his skills at the Muir Tennis Academy, a cradle for top-tier US junior talent. Having returned to Australian shores, Tim’s zeal for the game remains undiminished. His dedication to teaching mirrors his commitment on the court, striving to unlock the pinnacle of performance in every student he coaches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Running Down Lobs

Running down a lob in tennis demands not just physical agility but also sharp mental acuity and refined technique. For advanced players like Axel and Anthony, who typically employ a semi-western grip for their ground strokes, integrating specific grip adjustments into their response to lobs can be crucial for maintaining both defensive resilience and offensive potential. Here’s how to masterfully run down a lob, with special considerations for players using a semi-western grip:

General Strategy for Running Down Lobs

1. Anticipate and React Quickly: The moment you discern a lob, swiftly evaluate its trajectory. This rapid assessment and movement towards, but not directly under, the ball are fundamental to positioning yourself optimally for the return.

2. Side Movement: Veer diagonally towards the side of the lob’s path rather than retreating straight back. This approach not only keeps the ball within your field of vision for better judgment but also mitigates the risk of the ball landing behind you—a common pitfall when running directly backwards.

3. Get Behind the Ball: Strive to position yourself slightly behind the baseline or where you anticipate the ball will descend. This setup, akin to preparing for a ground stroke, affords you greater control over your return by allowing for adjustments based on the ball’s speed and bounce.

4. Lift and Carry Through: Employ a low-to-high swing to propel the ball back into the air, ensuring a high finish to your swing. This not only facilitates a deep return, compelling your opponent into a defensive stance but also gives you time to reposition for the next play.

5. Aim High and Deep: Your lob return should aim to drive your opponent backward, complicating their aggressive shot-making. Achieving depth and height with your lob can be a tactical maneuver to reclaim point control, particularly against net-assertive opponents.

Special Considerations for Semi-Western Grip Players

For players wielding a semi-western grip, such as Axel and Anthony, Coach Tim outlined the essential adjustments to manage lobs:

1. Grip Adjustment for Lob Returns: The semi-western grip, while beneficial for generating topspin, requires modification for lobs. Slightly altering the grip or the racket face’s angle by using your wrist prior to the lob can make a significant difference.

2. Open the Racket Face: Prior to the return, ensure the racket face is moderately open to counterbalance the semi-western grip’s tendency to close the racket face. This adjustment is pivotal for getting underneath the ball, particularly from stretched positions or outside the usual striking zone.

3. Finish Skywards with Follow Through: Highlight a follow-through that ascends skyward, propelling the ball high and deep into the opponent’s court. Visualize the wrist action akin to “drying your fingers,” as in basketball, to facilitate the necessary lift and depth on the lob. This technique not only aids in depth and height control but also in buying crucial time for repositioning.

Incorporating these nuanced strategies and adjustments, particularly for semi-western grip users, enriches a player’s capacity to hit lobs effectively. It transforms a defensive scenario into an opportunity to regain and dictate the point, offering an offensive edge even from the back of the court.

Badge Draws

Saturday Men’s Team 4

Saturday Ladies Team 5