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June 30, 2004 This edition of the WebTennis.net
Newsletter is the complimentary, The WebTennis.net Premium Members' version
is complete with audio, video, and photos which dramatically enhances the learning experience. It's only $7 / month. Check it out here Hi and welcome to the June 30, 2004 issue of the WebTennis.net Newsletter...! It's been a month that has gone by in a heartbeat. I mean, this is insane! I won't even start to try to get into it, but believe me, family and job, where do I get off this speedway! Anyway, one quick update. My 13 year old just got back from the national 14s volleyball in Houston where they held a match point against the eventual silver medal team but just couldn't quite get the job done. I was there for the last three days of the tournament and the quality of young athletes from around this country is just amazing... (Now, if we could just more of thee kids into tennis...!) So let's dive in. I'm going to give you a little homework this week. This tip applies to every skill level and every style. Whether you're a beginner or a world class player, pure serve and volley, an all-court player, or a baseliner, this tip works for all of us... Breathing... World class players do this stuff and they know the benefits from exhaling at a specific time during their strokes. Unfortunately, some top players take this to an extreme where a simple exhale becomes a shriek...! Breathing... And what I mean here is exhaling at a specific time to allow tension to release from your body so you can allow your strokes to not "fight" the ball at contact. I'm not the most articulate guy in the world, but I do know that lots of sports use an exhale as part of their technique precisely at the moment when the most force needs to be exerted. What this does in effect is increase your power and strength. I prefer a controlled long exhale through the ball with my swing. Not a short grunt, but a nice "swooshing" sound that helps me extend my swing path out through the ball towards my intended target. Too often I see players "grunt" at contact where I can tell that it's not an exhale, not a release, but more of a tightening and squeezing on the handle effort. Just because you're making an audible sound at contact doesn't mean that you're actually exhaling, blowing your breath out... So, on a physical note, the manufactured outward long breath through contact, exhaling, is a tension release which produces a more controlled swing speed, swing path, and timing consistency, especially when you're having to deal with a tough shot from your opponent. And the added bonus is how a controlled exhale can help you mentally through each specific shot, but throughout the point and the match... Too many of us can get caught up, wrapped up, basically totally messed up by a kazillion thoughts that inhibit our confidence with our strokes, especially during matches. If you've played for any amount of time, well, you've practiced your strokes, your shot selections, your court positions, etc. You've simply got to trust that your natural instincts and practice will come out on its own if you allow it to happen. And the trick here is getting out of your own way. Focusing only on exhaling through your shots' points of contact will allow your strokes and shot selections to be played instinctively... And the key to playing up to your current highest capabilities is literally trying not to manufacture any of it... Here's your homework... I want you to practice the exhale the next couple of times you go out on the practice court. Tinker with the different timing patterns, meaning when do you actually start the exhale (before, right at contact, whenever). Also try to see if longer exhales will equate to longer finishes through the ball and out to your target. Play some practice points and see if you can simply clear your mind except for being aware of when is the right time to exhale through your contact point. When... I feel like I can measure the speed of my exhale and time the swing speed through the ball to match my exhale. Try it... The WebTennis.net Premium members are also getting a video and audio lesson on "power lines" in their newsletter edition. Check below for membership details... Hope this has helped. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions... Brent This edition of the WebTennis.net
Newsletter is the complimentary, The WebTennis.net Premium Members' version
is complete with audio, video, and photos which dramatically enhances the learning experience. It's only $7 / month. Check it out here NEW Instructional Product from Brent The Fundamentals of the One-Handed
Backhand Groundstroke Drive
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$39 Feedback and Contact... As you know, I'm always interested in your opinion of my newsletters, products, and your overall tennis learning experience with me. Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any suggestions, criticism, ideas for topics, whatever... I want to hear from you...! Thanks. |
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