Court Surfaces

The various court surfaces available are different in texture, bounce, and speed.

In terms of playability, each surface has a advantages over the other depending on need and circumstance.

Clay courts have a slower and often unpredictable bounce, but offer less shock to the legs and more time to get to the ball. This surface is especially suitable for older players since it is easy on the joints and back. I prefer clay for that reason, if no other.

Rubberized Base courts have a slow, almost hollow bounce, but give the cushion to the legs that hard courts do not. This is my second choice for playing while trying to prevent joint wear and injuries.

Hard courts offer a reliable bounce, fast response, and low long term maintenance effort. I used to love them, but do see that these courts favor the young, fast, and flexible. If you have back, joint problems, or arthritis, these courts let you know it quickly.

Continental Grip - The all around tennis grip.

With the big looping forehands in use today by the top players and many juniors it seems as if the continental grip is discounted as a relic of the past. True, it is no longer the grip of choice by professionals since the serve and volley game has almost disappeared while slower surfaces are dominated by heavy topspin western grip ground stroke players.

Where does this leave the lonely continental grip player? They are not necessarily lost. A doubles player can play a whole match with one grip if the grip is continental. Moderate topspin, easy slice and lobs, and natural under-spin volleys and drop shots are just a few of the benefits. Fast exchanges are handled easily when grip changes aren't needed. Lack of power is not an issue in most league or amateur doubles matches since guile and control carry equal weight.

Singles players used to playing against loopy forehands are often so befuddled by the flat and under-spin variations from continental grip players that it has an effect of wrecking their timing. It sometimes pays to be that lone dinosaur out there with a bag of tricks not regularly seen in the past two decades. Also, most players that have played continental can still work up the topspin when needed.

As a teacher, I can tell you that I generally use this grip on all shots to reduce spin and speed generation when working drills with students.

How to get a continental grip. If you know how to drive a nail, you know how to get a continental grip. Visualize using the edge of the racket as a hammer. This is also known as the serve grip.

To sum this up, if you have always used this grip, staying with it is not much of a handicap unless you are going on the tour. For the rest of us, it adds another dimension to what has become a one dimensional approach to tennis, the heavy topspin format.

If you want to become an all court player, learn to use the continental.

How to develop and use a slice serve.

To develop an effective serve it is best to learn control and deception through the use of spin. First learn to slice the serve by using a clock face for visualization. Toss the ball to the normal contact point for a flat serve but instead move across the ball with a 9 to 3 motion with a standard finish. A slice is a great serve to use when playing in difficult weather conditions such as wind or midday sun. You can always drop the height of the toss to limit the effect of wind.

The benefit of a slice serve is to add deception to your serve. If your opponent has begun to run around their backhand when you are serving to the deuce court, it is very possible to take them off the court to the right with a strong slice to the forehand. This would cause your opponent to move back to the center of the receiving area. A slice to the backhand corner of the deuce court that would curve into the body of your opponent would then add the impossible job of handing a ball in the stomach just as they were preparing for another wide forehand.

Your job as a server is to keep your opponent guessing so here is the best way to get there. Learn a slice serve, a flat serve, and a kick serve. With these three weapons in place you have the makings of a weapon.

Mix in some flat serves and kick serves to the backhand and you are well on the way to having a match winning serve.

Drop Shots

A drop shot only has to be as good as the player you are trying to catch in the trap. How do you judge it? If your opponent never comes to net, make them. Drop the ball short, but more importantly low with under-spin and test their net game with a lob. This sequence can be repeated as often as it gains points. It will also force your opponent to play closer, thus allowing you to apply pressure with deep ground strokes.

One-on-One Doubles

Try this for a great new aspect of the game of tennis. Play only half of the court width that includes the doubles alley. Serve as normal, return cross-court only and play only cross-court. This is a superb way to practice your doubles skills while playing with only one partner. The main idea is serve and volley only, though for less skilled players it is possible to play without that requirement.

Check out this video to view how it is played.

Also, here is a nice doubles blog site you might want to visit.

Ice Pack Methods

Here is a great ice pack method for form-fitting ice around joints such as elbows and knees, or just about anywhere you need something that is not a solid block of ice. Try a bag of frozen green beans inside a t-shirt or towel. Don't put the plastic bag directly against your skin since it does get very cold.

The bag can be refrozen multiple times.

Here is a diet tip too: :)
Rather than toss them, try cooking the beans in a microwave for healthy snacks. I prefer mine with Parmesan cheese on top. The cooking method that works for me is just to drop them into any type of microwave safe covered bowl and cook for 3 minutes or more depending on the serving size. I use a top on it to create steam with no need to add water.

The Best Exercise Equipment Deal Ever - a can of Tennis balls and an old racket.

Find a Tennis Racket either new or used, a can of balls for around $2. and go to a free public court. Enjoy an hour of exercise outdoors and when you're done, the racket and balls will fit snugly in the trunk of your car or in the hall closet for the next use. Sorry, they're not good for hanging clothes on them like the $800 metal contraptions that are sold on TV.

Spend the $800 on lessons or a tennis camp down south this winter and you will have a sport to enjoy for the rest of your life.