Why can’t anyone come in to the net anymore???

Posted: July 25, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Tennis 101 | Leave a comment »

I have been increasingly perplexed and frustrated by the current day professional tennis players who refuse to work their way in to the net.  As most people know, I have coached players and played my own game with the idea that it is an advantage to be the volleyer and a disadvantage to be the player having to hit passing shots and lobs.  I have seen it work in my game and in my student’s games.  Why are more professional players not using this strategy?
The game has changed.  The equipment, the athleticism of the players, and in general, the speed that things happen on the court, all contribute to why the baseline game is now the dominant strategy.  However, the biggest reason for the lack of aggressive net rushing players is that tennis professionals and coaches have not adjusted their methods to help the modern day player succeed coming to the net.
First, it is extremely difficult to come in to the net after one shot-whether it is a serve or a great first ball, there is little time to recognize and execute the movement and the split step while advancing towards the net. There often needs to be an additional shot on the way in to the net and most players are not capable of hitting this ball since no one practices the extra transition shot mentioned above.
Second, players spend way too much time hitting and practicing groundstrokes rather than improving their approach shots and refining their volley technique.  Most players these days have no idea where to position themselves at the net because their execution on the way in is not consistently sufficient to get their opponent in trouble.  They do not know what to cover because the opponent can hit the ball to many different spots and make it tough on the volleyer.
Finally, I don’t think the players are committed nor do they believe in the strategy.  Roger Federer, arguably the best volleyer on earth at the moment, came in to the net 42 times on grass courts (vs. 58 by Tsonga) in his loss in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon this year.  I personally have been passed more times than that in one set (and watched my brother do the same) and still managed to win the match.  Paul once came in to the net 150+ times  in a three set match against Stefan Edberg and won the match 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 in the finals of an ATP event in Los Angeles.  Part of coming to the net is accepting that you will be passed.  If you come in 10 times and they pass you three and you miss one volley you are still in great shape on 6 out of 10 of the points.
I am not advocating running in to the net every point-if someone could do it a few times a game and also play the modern day baseline points well, that would give them a big edge against the majority of today’s players.  The net play would make the baseline game that much more effective.  I think (and hope) that we will see Federer do what I have just stated in the very near future.  That should lead to a resurgence in the net rushing style and make me very happy.
-Steve Annacone

Beating the Heat!!

Posted: July 23, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Tennis 101 | Leave a comment »

As I’m sure you’ve all noticed, it’s been HOTTTTT the last few days. Temperatures are in the high 80′s and 90′s, but the heat index is soaring into the 100′s! Add to that an extra 15 degrees if you’re on a tennis court and now you’ve got a recipe for danger. Heat stroke can even lead to death!! So listening to the radio today, I got an education on what steps lead to danger.

1. Your body temperature starts to rise and you start to sweat. (This is good, your body is cooling itself!)

2. Your core temperature rises above 100 degrees. (Remember that 98.6 is normal.)

3. You may begin to feel dizzy, disoriented and maybe faint. Now you’re in the danger zone. At this point, you will stop sweating! A sure sign of heat stroke!!

An 18 year old biking in Chicago died this past week from heat stroke!! No one is immune!

So what do we do to avoid danger? Stay inside during the hottest part of the day. If you can, avoid outdoor activity between 1 and 4pm. But if it’s your fate to be outside during that time, remember to do a few things:

1. HYDRATE. It cannot be overstated that hydrating is absolutely crucial to keeping your body working properly in the heat. Avoid drinks that have diuretic effects (coffee, sodas, etc.) caffeine is not your friend in the heat!

2. Wear cool, light colored clothing.

3. Here’s a new one on me… pouring water over your head and body may help in lowering your temperature some, but it actually may be hiding more ill effects that are telling you to cool off!

4. If you begin to feel faint, stop what you’re doing, go inside. If you’re passing out, put ice packs under your arms and on your neck and call 911.

Its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the heat.

So, stay cool, Knoxville and we’ll see you on the courts

David Berens

My Two Cents about Stringing

Posted: July 9, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Tennis 101 | Leave a comment »

Back when I got serious about playing tennis, I bought the racket my hero was using at the time. This is all the way back when Andre Agassi was playing with the original Prince Graphite. And I had it strung just like he did as well… really, really tight. I fluctuated between 75 and 78 pounds (much higher than the frame’s recommended tension range.) I justified this by telling myself it had to be that tight to control my ultra-fast swing! (Which I now call my ‘reckless abandon’ swing… that I never use anymore!)

Fast forward to today, I’m one of the lucky ones… I only suffer from rare stabs of pain in my elbow. I do however deal with sore shoulders quite often. I know others who’ve suffered so much that they can’t pick up a cup of coffee!
My current racket, the HEAD IG Speed MP is a midplus racket (medium to large head size) that weighs in around 12 ounces strung. I use a very soft string called Ektelon Premier Softflex and string it low… about 45 to 47 pounds. I often let students use it in lessons and they’re amazed at how solid it feels and how the heavy weight of the racket doesn’t really affect them much.
One day at the club, I had forgotten my racket, so I borrowed Steve’s which is the identical frame, but strung at 30 pounds!! I could barely tell the difference.

I often hear people dropping off their rackets to have them restrung because the strings are moving around a lot! Which MUST mean they’ve loosened up too much! I have bad news for you, ALL strings move around a lot when you hit with them. Haven’t you noticed the pros fidgeting with their strings between points… they’re straightening them out!

So, what’s the point of all this? My control and power are better today than they’ve ever been… I’ve got more experience and better technique now which I believe is what I should have relied on all along to control my strokes, not super-hard polyester strings strung at 80!!

Give your elbow a break and try lowering that tension. After all, Federer strings somewhere between 49 to 55 (to suit weather and opponent) and Nadal is between 53 to 56… those guys can hit hard and control the ball with such low tension because their technique is good. Instead of tightening your racket until it feels like a brick wall to add control, work on your technique. If you’re a new player to tennis, it’s very likely that your elbow tendons haven’t developed in a way to support the repeated bashing of tennis balls. It’ll take time to build them up and jumping to a super tight racket will only cause pain!

Experiment with a new ‘lower’ tension this year and maybe even a softer string, your elbow will thank you!

Good luck and see you on the courts,

David Berens 

 

 

 

Hello World!

Posted: July 9, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: SMTA News | Leave a comment »

 

 

 

 

Hello All and Welcome to Smoky Mountain Tennis Academy’s new blog. This blog will NOT be a place to see clinic schedules, lesson schedules, etc. This blog will be a place to read articles from our pros on topics ranging from our insight about things like technique, racquets, shoes, pro players, strategies, etc. Anything that we find interesting, we thought you might find interesting as well.

Our daily goings-on at SMTA are filled with fun stories and valuable insight that don’t have an outlet or place on the web for us to share them with you… until now.

Please check back often and we’ll try our best to entertain you!

Thank you and see you on the courts! 

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