This time is it probably for good but Kim Clijsters made the announcement after a exhibition match win over Venus Williams.
Sorry to see you go Kim but you always gave an excellent match display for fans. Best of luck.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Kinesiology Tape and Wrist Protection
Anyone with a muscle or tendon strain that doesn't take proactive measures to limit or prevent injuries is not long for the tennis court. I notice as I get older that the injuries are more often and the locations have changed.
I never used to get wrist injuries but I suppose that overuse and probably a change in technique to accomodate less mobility has shown me some new wrist weaknesses I never had before. I now have a ritual. I use kinesiology tape on my dominant wrist before I go to the courts. I also add a wrist wrap to lend support. This has almost completely eliminated injuries in this area and as an added bonus if I ever took to going with the wrist on any shot, it limits the range which is usually very good for a tennis player. Possibly the only place this could be a detriment is when serving.
I have tried the high end tapes and the low end athletic tape.
My new preference is 3BTAPE as found on Amazon.com
I also like the McDavid Wrist Wrap as an overwrap after taping. It looks like a wrist band so you don't have students or opponents thinking you have an injury to protect. It offers great support washes easily.
I never used to get wrist injuries but I suppose that overuse and probably a change in technique to accomodate less mobility has shown me some new wrist weaknesses I never had before. I now have a ritual. I use kinesiology tape on my dominant wrist before I go to the courts. I also add a wrist wrap to lend support. This has almost completely eliminated injuries in this area and as an added bonus if I ever took to going with the wrist on any shot, it limits the range which is usually very good for a tennis player. Possibly the only place this could be a detriment is when serving.
I have tried the high end tapes and the low end athletic tape.
My new preference is 3BTAPE as found on Amazon.com
I also like the McDavid Wrist Wrap as an overwrap after taping. It looks like a wrist band so you don't have students or opponents thinking you have an injury to protect. It offers great support washes easily.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Condolences to Rod Laver
Mary Laver, the wife of Rod Laver dies at 84.
It is good to hear that they had a full and happy life together. We wish him well in this difficult time.
It is good to hear that they had a full and happy life together. We wish him well in this difficult time.
Become A Dog
As I think about the years I spent learning tennis I'll have to say that one memory never leaves me and that is a story I heard about training under Harry Hopman. Many of his students took to heart the idea that in training you should chase down every ball whether in or out and play it. In that frame fo mind you'd never stand still and watch a ball go past you without at least trying for it.
Think about what in nature follows such a simple rule. Most any dog you teach to fetch will happily chase any ball you throw for them long past when you can't throw the ball any longer or until you lose interest. They are obsessed with chasing down balls, frisbees, and whatever else you send outward for them to run after.
Follow this rule when you train especially if you are young and you'll find that you will be fleet of foot, and rarely will a ball pass out of your reach that wasn't a great placement or just plain luck. Your conditioning will improve and you will force your opponent to hit better shots and therefore draw more errors from them.
Think of yourself as a dog in training. Who knows, you may come back as one someday and be thankful that you trained well in your past life as a tennis player. You'll fetch better than ever and love doing it.
Think about what in nature follows such a simple rule. Most any dog you teach to fetch will happily chase any ball you throw for them long past when you can't throw the ball any longer or until you lose interest. They are obsessed with chasing down balls, frisbees, and whatever else you send outward for them to run after.
Follow this rule when you train especially if you are young and you'll find that you will be fleet of foot, and rarely will a ball pass out of your reach that wasn't a great placement or just plain luck. Your conditioning will improve and you will force your opponent to hit better shots and therefore draw more errors from them.
Think of yourself as a dog in training. Who knows, you may come back as one someday and be thankful that you trained well in your past life as a tennis player. You'll fetch better than ever and love doing it.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
In Memoriam to Margaret Osborne Dupont
http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/margaret-osborne-dupont-united-states-legend-dies-age-94-102512
Tennis great Margaret Osborne Dupont is another name lost to many even in the tennis world but her devotion to the sport and her achievements stand as testament to her skill and determination on the tennis court. She holds a record of 25 grand slam titles at the U.S. Open.
To learn more about her I have added a link to her Wikipedia page.
Tennis great Margaret Osborne Dupont is another name lost to many even in the tennis world but her devotion to the sport and her achievements stand as testament to her skill and determination on the tennis court. She holds a record of 25 grand slam titles at the U.S. Open.
To learn more about her I have added a link to her Wikipedia page.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The Unit Turn For Forehands
If you want to develop a great forehand your first step is to develop a successful unit turn for every stroke. Follow the steps below.
From Ready Position.
When you determine that it is a forehand you immediately pivot while turning your shoulder and bringing your racket back.
We call it a unit turn because it is one motion where the racket doesn't solo and go back first. Avoid pulling the racket back alone. The purpose of this for a straight backswing is to maintain a synchronized movement between the shoulder and racket arm.
Once you've positioned yourself for the ball the only thing necessary to complete a stroke it to unwind the shoulder turn with a synchronized weight transfer back to the front foot.
Now, you can make it more involved and complicated than this especially if you're trying to crush the ball, but for a solid stroke you can simply and precisely get the job done with a unit turn back and a unti turn forward.
Here is a great video by Rick Macci to give you a demonstration of how it should look at the highest levels. TennisResources.com
From Ready Position.
When you determine that it is a forehand you immediately pivot while turning your shoulder and bringing your racket back.
We call it a unit turn because it is one motion where the racket doesn't solo and go back first. Avoid pulling the racket back alone. The purpose of this for a straight backswing is to maintain a synchronized movement between the shoulder and racket arm.
Once you've positioned yourself for the ball the only thing necessary to complete a stroke it to unwind the shoulder turn with a synchronized weight transfer back to the front foot.
Now, you can make it more involved and complicated than this especially if you're trying to crush the ball, but for a solid stroke you can simply and precisely get the job done with a unit turn back and a unti turn forward.
Here is a great video by Rick Macci to give you a demonstration of how it should look at the highest levels. TennisResources.com
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