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Some Tennis questions...

M

monk3y

Lifer
Anyone here a coach or have you ever been coached in tennis? What did you look for? How did you find the coach? Where did you play/practice?
 
I usually played in a local park that had some courts. The courts were kinda slummy but they worked 😛.
 
If there is one thing a coach has to know, it's the right technique. How to win and strategies, you can just develop that through game play and practice.

The correct technique is something that needs to be taught. Stance, take-back, grip, follow-through, those little things that make up your shots. How to volley and serve and those basic stuff is what a coach is suppose to teach.
 
Originally posted by: yosuke188
If there is one thing a coach has to know, it's the right technique. How to win and strategies, you can just develop that through game play and practice.

The correct technique is something that needs to be taught. Stance, take-back, grip, follow-through, those little things that make up your shots. How to volley and serve and those basic stuff is what a coach is suppose to teach.
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every and any coach can teach you these things. the things that set apart great coaches and the mediocre ones are their students. if you are looking for top notch instruction, I would go to local USTA tournaments. Even finding the local listings for the tournaments will give you some idea of which tennis clubs are serious about tennis. Check out the facilities at each, and talk to the coaches and players. You will be able to get a good idea from them as to who is better and why.

It is also important to find someone who teaches in a manner that suits you. Most likely, you are aiming to be a solid recreational player and the rigors that some places put you through may not be that appealing.

Take some beginner's group lessons and get a few private lessons on the side from a reputable program / coach and you will see that you will improve pretty quickly. Tennis takes time to learn correctly, but once you get the basics down well you will enjoy the sport more than you can imagine.

*edit*

and you are in florida!!! florida is known to have some great tennis programs, so you shouldn't be hardpressed to find one that you like near you.
 
I'm a USPTA teaching pro and have done some high school coaching as well as worked with 100's of students ages 3-93. ask away.
 
Originally posted by: BrianH1
I'm a USPTA teaching pro and have done some high school coaching as well as worked with 100's of students ages 3-93. ask away.
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How do I become Federer-like?
 
IMO, in the early stages of being coached, it's better to practice than play against someone competitively. If you are like me, anyway. The latter can reinforce bad habits because you are trying to win and will slip into bad form sometimes. The ball machine and wall are better at first until good technique is second nature. Just my opinion from my own experience.
 
Take a class at your local community college. You meet nice young people, get good coaching (especially if you're a beginner), and it should only cost around $50 total for 8 weeks.
 
Originally posted by: torpid
IMO, in the early stages of being coached, it's better to practice than play against someone competitively. If you are like me, anyway. The latter can reinforce bad habits because you are trying to win and will slip into bad form sometimes. The ball machine and wall are better at first until good technique is second nature. Just my opinion from my own experience.
Click to expand...

This statement is a little off. Students have a hard time finding the "correct" form on their own, and simply learn how to get the ball back in play. It is MUCH easier to be shown the correct way in the beginning then have to discover it 3 years down the road when you are used to the old way. Practicing getting the ball back in play and hitting the ball is important, but the right technique can get you on the fast track.
 
Originally posted by: BrianH1
Originally posted by: torpid
IMO, in the early stages of being coached, it's better to practice than play against someone competitively. If you are like me, anyway. The latter can reinforce bad habits because you are trying to win and will slip into bad form sometimes. The ball machine and wall are better at first until good technique is second nature. Just my opinion from my own experience.
Click to expand...

This statement is a little off. Students have a hard time finding the "correct" form on their own, and simply learn how to get the ball back in play. It is MUCH easier to be shown the correct way in the beginning then have to discover it 3 years down the road when you are used to the old way. Practicing getting the ball back in play and hitting the ball is important, but the right technique can get you on the fast track.
Click to expand...

i definately agree with mr h1 on this one. i will also say that i think hitting against a wall for beginners is a really quick way to break the technique you may pick up in the beginning. beginners need to take time to strike the ball with the correct form, and a wall will make them rush. in tennis, developing reliable fundamentals will make a huge difference in the long run. the effort and frustration put in at the beginning will pay off big in the end.
 
Originally posted by: BrianH1
Originally posted by: torpid
IMO, in the early stages of being coached, it's better to practice than play against someone competitively. If you are like me, anyway. The latter can reinforce bad habits because you are trying to win and will slip into bad form sometimes. The ball machine and wall are better at first until good technique is second nature. Just my opinion from my own experience.
Click to expand...

This statement is a little off. Students have a hard time finding the "correct" form on their own, and simply learn how to get the ball back in play. It is MUCH easier to be shown the correct way in the beginning then have to discover it 3 years down the road when you are used to the old way. Practicing getting the ball back in play and hitting the ball is important, but the right technique can get you on the fast track.
Click to expand...

Huh? I'm not advising against getting coached. I'm saying when you do get coached it seems like playing against people competitively after a lesson can often interfere with the practice of what you just learned.

Kumanchu, not sure that my wall experience is the same as yours. When I hit a wall I'm less motivated to rush because I know I'm practicing form and I don't try to hit the ball all that hard. When I hit against an opponent, I'm more motivated to rush and hit the ball hard because I want to win. I'm not going to let the ball slip by me rather than swing with good form, nor am I going to drill it with all my muster. Ideal would be having a practice partner obviously.
 
Originally posted by: BrianH1
I'm a USPTA teaching pro and have done some high school coaching as well as worked with 100's of students ages 3-93. ask away.
Click to expand...

How do you get a 93 year old to chase after balls along the baseline?
 
Originally posted by: torpid
Originally posted by: BrianH1
Originally posted by: torpid
IMO, in the early stages of being coached, it's better to practice than play against someone competitively. If you are like me, anyway. The latter can reinforce bad habits because you are trying to win and will slip into bad form sometimes. The ball machine and wall are better at first until good technique is second nature. Just my opinion from my own experience.
Click to expand...

This statement is a little off. Students have a hard time finding the "correct" form on their own, and simply learn how to get the ball back in play. It is MUCH easier to be shown the correct way in the beginning then have to discover it 3 years down the road when you are used to the old way. Practicing getting the ball back in play and hitting the ball is important, but the right technique can get you on the fast track.
Click to expand...

Huh? I'm not advising against getting coached. I'm saying when you do get coached it seems like playing against people competitively after a lesson can often interfere with the practice of what you just learned.

Kumanchu, not sure that my wall experience is the same as yours. When I hit a wall I'm less motivated to rush because I know I'm practicing form and I don't try to hit the ball all that hard. When I hit against an opponent, I'm more motivated to rush and hit the ball hard because I want to win. I'm not going to let the ball slip by me rather than swing with good form, nor am I going to drill it with all my muster. Ideal would be having a practice partner obviously.
Click to expand...

timing from when you strike the ball and when it bounces from the wall and back to you is the time period i am talking about. for most people this time frame is too short to properly follow through AND setup for their next stroke. the only time i think you would have enough time is if you were practicing volleys.

a tendancy to be competitive during practice is a personal trait, and will differ from person to person and situation. having a hitting partner, like a coach, would also likely change the situation as well. for example, i tend not to be very aggresive during practice.
 
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