The BIG Secret

Okay first and foremost check this out and give me some feedback on Facebook if you can......

http://hudson.megabyet.net/#

Okay having worked with many players at club level and got them to a good standard whereby consistency and effectiveness is key i realised that when it came to playing matches (and for some for the first time!) it turns out they are shocking!

So the key is to give them a confidence word, image or feeling on the shots that they struggle with along with an intensity number.

Lets take the serve for instance, when in practice it looks, feels and works great. This is when our student needs to describe what it is about the shot that makes it work. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 relaxed, 10 tense) where do they sit when hitting great serves?

Now put this into point play and see if it can be adhered to.

Every shot they feel important can be utilised in this way, one key trigger word or image when it comes to it. Remember the brain thinks in images not words! Words get changed to an image taking longer!

My next article in a few days will be on the workings of the mind

Till then!

The Secret to maintaining confidence in your first ever match

Stay tuned for this important report i will publish tomorrow and the powerful exercise that you simply cannot miss out on.
Andy

Tennis Psychology E-course hits America!

This course has been so well received that i have had interest from America to start pushing it over there.

Don't forget you get the following...

Week 1 - Knowing your game
Week 2 - The Art of Confidence in your game
Week 3 - Power goalsetting for performance
Week 4 - The ultimate pre training confidence exercise
Week 5 - The importance of crossing the line for a winning mindset
Week 6 - Personalised Serve Routines
Week 7 - Personalised Return of Serve Routines
Week 8 - End of point play and scenarios to keep you on track
Week 9 - Staying activated and towards the zone
Week 10 - Pre match planning and game plans
Week 11 - After match evaluation and never ending improvement
Week 12 - Free Question and Email Session

The next intake is at the end of September to apply copy and paste the link below

http://tiny.cc/1ia8d

Look forward to hearing from you

Andy

Routines...

Whilst writing my new ecourse i was just putting these in and decided to share along with you all, i am sure they will be a great help!

Serve Routines in 5 easy steps

1. Go to the B.A.R. (Breathe and Release)

This is a centering breath to prepare the body for battle

2. Question what’s my best plan of action now?

This helps with understanding your last play, your game plan and visualisation of the next step

3. Cross the line - (Look opponent in eye)

This is to happen only when (and only when) you have a clear, concise idea of your next play

4. Visualise to Realise

Understand what your mind sees your body will adhere to

5. Let it rip

One last power breath and do not wait a moment longer, go for it

Return of Serve in 5 easy steps

1. Go to the B.A.R. (Breathe and Release)

          Centering Breath

2. Visualise returns of both sides

          The server is in control so maintain the correct mindset ‘this ball is going back’

3. Cross the line - (look opponent in the eye)

          Mentally re-emphasize this ball is going back

4. Look for clues on serve early on

          Scouting will help this but if not try to pick up cues early in the first set

5. Trained Instinctive Response

          This is from hours of practice, self-doubt is of no use now, go for it

THE LIFE OF A TENNIS COACH AND VET PLAYER: USANA

THE LIFE OF A TENNIS COACH AND VET PLAYER: USANA: "http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1508123976357&ref=n"

USANA

A busy week since my last blog, can too many 8-10 hour days be healthy?
I am just about to sign a contract with USANA to supply suppliments to athletes and coaches in the UK.
Having used these for a whole week i can say i have more energy to do what i need to.

Many top tennis players are using it and i can understand why click on the title above for more info

Enjoy!

Rafa's Press Conference quote...

 'my goal has always been the same for all my life. I want to keep getting better every year and feel I am playing better tennis this year versus last year'


You gotta love this! Certainly something to put on a poster and show all the juniors who play at your club.

Trigger Word Drill

This drill will help you apply self-talk to help you stay focused on different tasks in tennis. The goal of this exercise is to help you stay focused in the moment. Firstly, select 3 tasks in tennis. When you have done this, select a word or short phrase that describes the correct action in each. I.E. serve you may say - hit up, return of serve – stay low. You should try and use these words or phrases before the execution of a task. When you have mastered your cue word statement for each task move on and select a new statement to help you focus on a different aspect of the same task. You might want to change the task and develop new cue word statements!

Good Luck

Return of Serve Training

Return of Serve Training

Andy Dowsett

"OK, do you want to get broken first, or do you want to let me hold?" —What cheeky world No. 1 Martina Hingis quipped at the coin toss before a 1997 match against Lindsay Davenport.

Advantages of returning serve

• If your opponent is a slow starter, you have a better chance of getting an early service break.
  
• If you are a slow starter, you have a better chance of avoiding an early service break.
  
• If you serve on even-numbered games, you serve immediately after every changeover. Then you are physically and mentally rested—albeit your opponent also is—and that gives you a better chance of holding serve, especially in the latter stages of grueling matches.
  
• If you choose return of serve to start the match, you still have about a 50 percent chance—depending on whether sets total an even or odd number of games—of serving to start the remaining sets. And if you start the match returning serve and you play a first-set tiebreaker, you will serve to start the second set.
  
• If you boast an excellent return of serve and your opponent has a poor serve, you may want her to serve first so you can try to gain an early service break and get off to a fast start.
  
• The same thinking holds true (in reverse) if you have a weak, attackable serve and your opponent has a terrific service return. You can avoid a demoralizing early service break by selecting return of serve.
  
• If your opponent wins the toss and selects a side of the court so that you're looking into a bright sun and/or you're against a heavy wind, you may not want to risk losing your serve in the opening game.
  

THE TECHNIQUE
Basics
Athletic Stance - Positioning towards the ball - Grip

Work out opponents range of serves zone
Set up your Y-formation in relation to the above


THE TACTICS
Utilise the following tactics to enhance your return of serve game

• First, stand far behind the baseline. This often encourages your opponent to overhit the serve in an effort to get it past or through you.
  
• Second, stand closer to the service line. Many players take this as a sign of disrespect for their serve and become unnerved. Often it triggers a more aggressive, riskier serve than the server might otherwise attempt.
  
• Third, a variant of the previous tactic, stand close to the service line before your opponent serves. This can create pressure on the server, then just before the serve, move back to a safer position to actually make the return.
  
• Four, stand nearer to one side. Invite the server to serve into the open area of the service box. This tactic can often force a serve to your stronger side.
  

Return Targets using the 4-Square basic routine

Tactical choices for the receiver in terms of 4-Square.

• If you don't know the server's capabilities, at the beginning of the match, it's wise to use percentage tennis and target the back two squares using topspin or well-struck underspin shot that drives the ball deep into the court.
  
• As the match progresses, you should start varying your return locations. To hit to the wider squares.
  
• If you're looking at a slow, shallow second serve into the service box, you can also use a drop shot to 1 or 4.
  

Consider the following tactical points also…

Borrow pace from the big first servers

Make something happen when returning second serves. Here, patterns of play enter the picture. Either drive the return deep into the corner or chip and charge and take control of the net. When driving the return of the second serve and remaining on the baseline, simply play the ball crosscourt. No real reason to return down the line, for in that case the net is high, the court is shorter, and most importantly, the recovery footwork is magnified.

Approach up the line

THE PSYCHOLOGY

Pay attention to what happens after double faults (3 in a row is winner)

Now consider the server who double faults, and then misses the subsequent first serve – assuming they would not care to deliver consecutive double faults they generally let up on that next second serve. The aggressive receiver knows this is coming, steps in and makes something happen, working always to apply more and more pressure against the second serve.


Overall aim - to play at 60-70 percent of return stroke capability so you can get a high percentage of returns in.

Psychology Help....I Accept.....

The day before a match i want you to unburden yourself with thoughts. Make your self an 'Acceptance List'...

Accept things that you know will happen to you in the match, a great coach of mine once said ''Imagine everything that could go wrong in a match and you would be just about right''

I will start you off

1. I accept that i will get some bad line calls in the match

2. I accept that my opponent will hit some superb winning shots against me

3. I accept may double fault more than my usual twice in the match

Your turn

Tennis coaching via internet is here!

I have had the pleasure of working with a few players via what i call e-link. This is whereby they send a cd or trailer of themselves for me to look at and i comment back again with drills and suggestions on where and how to improve. Along with a mail back again when the data (which is normally the case) is too big.

Take a look at this on my web http://www.andytennis.co.uk/Tennis%20Videos

While the mistake is there until i can correct it with pricing on one if you email me quick enough you can have the service for that price! You have about 5 hours from now!

A fine line between love and hate!

In a News of the World or tabloid kind of way i would like to personally apologise to Clive Carrigan for venting my emotions to a situation that should be kept outside of blogs and anything else!
I think the situation could have been handled better from both sides but Clive's integrity and standing is as good as it has ever been and will carry on so.
We will as always remain the best of mates and for the record we never really broke up just took a 14 week vacation!

The worst job in sports? Is tennis coaching all it is made out to be?

Check this article out, certainly makes interesting reading about the trade of Tennis Coaching!

Mind over Matter also known as the power of belief in oneself!

When Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile within a year 37 more runners completed this feat also. 300 more the year after and nowadays it happens all the time!

When an Australian basketball team wanted to improve more they divided their team into 3 groups
1. Practiced taking foul shots 30 minutes every day and noticed a 24 percent improvement
2. Did nothing and improved by zero, zilch, nada.
3. Practiced mentally via visualisation only. They improved by a 23 percent margin!

In 1976 the Russians trained their olympic team in the following ways
1. 100% physical training, 0% mental training
2. 75% physical training, 25% mental training
3. 50% physical training, 50% mental training
4. 25% physical training, 75% mental training

Group 4 SHOWED the most improvement!

Many top athletes use mental training....Does your coach? Do you?

Start your visualisation programme with my free 'Refridgerator Technique'.
Email enquiries@andytennis.co.uk

I QUOTE...

Changes do not happen in a day, they happen Daily! 

The Playability Scale

The Playability Scale

This was an ‘aha’ moment for me one day in the bath!! How can something so simple not be utilised in a game plan, certainly at low levels however higher level players would do well to do the same when it is all going wrong! Mentality at pro level is totally different but should still be kept simple.

This scale can work at all levels from beginner to touring pro and is a guideline as to what to do in various situations, commonly found in tennis matches. A player must quickly recognise where he is on the following scale, with suggested 'positive action plans' (PAP) for each scenario:

Many Pro Players today try to play and base their games around their own particular strengths. For them this is the most comfortable way to try and win, so in essence they are in their ‘comfort zone’.

The Art of Tactics is to take your opponent out of this comfort zone generally by one of Four ways:-

1. Play your game well and hopefully this will do the job

2. Change what you are doing by using changes of pace or more subtlety like varying spins

3. Playing utilizing  tactical patterns or strategies using certain targets and placements on the court

4. Mentally by breaking your opponent down so that he begins to think too much

Review this only in circumstances of trouble, when playing well the art is not to think too much. With enough practice you will become automated in this area.

1-2          Nightmare scenario, being completely outplayed or playing badly

Two-ball survival kit e.g. serve and next ball or return and next ball. Keep looking and acting the part in order to have a chance of doing better. Clear your mind of negative thoughts using thought changing techniques. Keep your awareness in the now, 1 point at a time by focusing on one part of your body or the ball.

3-4          Playing average, but not well enough to win

Keep your emotions and body language in check, to stand a chance of moving up to the arenas of 5-8. Once again keep yourself in the now and in the job at hand by maintaining focus as above.

5-6          Even situation, no clear winning

Compete with controlled ability, be aware of opportunities, and maybe take a gamble to create one. These are the matches that are won via tiebreaks and the ability to notice ‘opportunity balls’ and ‘opportunity situations’. If a match is consistently going to Deuce, then understand who is doing what to whom and help plan future points. (I.E. are you winning points, losing points or is your oppoenents forcing mistakes?)

7-8          Ahead in the match.

Don't change a winning game - Finish the job, But be aware of tactical switch by opponent.             Remember mindset should not be to protect the lead but to carry out the work that got you to this position. Remember, think in images not words.

9-10        Playing in the zone.

To think too much now will place you back at worst to 7-8, make the most of it by collecting as many points as possible whilst you can.

You will have to let me know how you get on. Good visualisations and the use of anchors throughout the body can take you to a mindset of 7-10 before you even perform. This forms part of your pre-match routine that will be discussed later in the book. However poor emotional control and you can find yourself in the 1-4 area, a loss in the 5-6 of your emotions will also send you spiralling down.

I QUOTE...

ATHLETIC TALENT IS THE ABSENCE OF MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL OBSTRUCTIONS.

12 Week Tennis Psychology E-Programme

Starting on 5th September 2010 i will be starting the first 12-week tennis psychology e-programme.
This will take the form of the following information.....

Week 1 - Knowing your game
Week 2 - Power goalsetting for performance
Week 3 - The Art of Confidence in your game
Week 4 - The ultimate pre training confidence exercise
Week 5 - The importance of crossing the line for a winning mindset
Week 6 - Personalised Serve Routines
Week 7 - Personalised Return of Serve Routines
Week 8 - End of point play and scenarios to keep you on track
Week 9 - Staying activated and towards the zone
Week 10 - Pre match planning and game plans
Week 11 - After match evaluation and never ending improvement
Week 12 - Free Question and Email Session

If you would like to take part in this programme that will ultimately improve your game then email enquiries@andytennis.co.uk. Cost is a mere £30.00!

Best of luck and here's to taking your game to another level!

Tennis is a LARGE ball

Ever since the grass court coaching with the Army team i have been seeing the ball like a beach ball!
How? For me just a great deal of hitting on a fast surface!
I have taken this confidence into the club matches and have managed to make the finals of the mixed doubles and men's doubles. As it stands i am in the semi's of the men's singles and have this scheduled for Monday.

There are many exercises that can be used to help with seeing the ball easier! Take one small sized mini ball ( http://tiny.cc/n8koi ) and hit with this first in the service area then the whole court for upto 5 minutes. From here you will find the normal ball to seem bigger!

I will fill you in on the tournaments when i have done however i am looking to complete the triple this year!

The greatest footwork news ever!

Check this out!

An ATP stat not that long ago stated that up to 70% of unforced errors were down to poor footwork.

That's a lot of points to just throw away!

It's also something that can be avoided.

My great pal Paul Gold has some free videos to help you with just that, including the one drill he tells me that "every single tennis player regardless of their level can do and should do on a regular basis".

I've asked him to share those with you, so before he changes his mind pop along to http://footwork4tennis.com and grab them.

I bought a copy of his footwork report a while ago and I can tell you he knows what he is talking about!

Here's the link again 

http://footwork4tennis.com


Andy Dowsett