Happy Holidays!!!
To: CPTC Members
From: Pro Staff
Throughout the remainder of our closure the following form will be available for members to submit questions to our teaching staff. Call out a specific pro or ask us all. We may not be able to give regular lessons right now, but we can help with tips & tricks for your specific needs. Responses will be updated regularly & made available on this webpage(below).
As always, please know how grateful we are for such an amazing membership, community, & club. We miss you more than you know! Sending you & your faimilies virtual hugs & appreciation throughout this holiday season. Can't wait to see you on the courts!
- CPTC Staff
**Scroll below form to see questions & responses
Questions & Answers...
12/22/20 "Net Court Sportsmanship"
Question: Like everyone, I say "sorry" when my shot dribbles over the net for a winner. But to be honest, I'm not really sorry, & actually I'm happy when that happens. Am I bad person?
Jeff's Response:
Hi...
In no way are you a bad person. You are a sportsman as well as a competitor. Just remember the person across the net wants to beat you just as bad as you do. There is nothing wrong with wanting to win every point even if it’s a bit lucky. You can always put up your hand to apologize then turn and pump your fist. All good competitors usually play with sportsmanship but never lose the fire inside to win every point anyway possible.
12/15/20 "Signaling in Doubles"
Question: In doubles the pros talk or signal before every point. What are they saying & how important is communications for USTA 3.5 level play?
Lisa's Response:
Nice question!
Good communication that connects you and your partner together is always a plus at all levels. The goal in doubles is to work together through the highs and lows towards common goals. Communication comes in many forms such as verbally, through your eyes, body language, and with signals.
To answer the first part of your question, the primary objectives of the pros would be the target and type of serve to be used as well as the starting position and activity of the net partner (to stay, to go, or to fake). Similar plans are also used on the return of serve side, especially on the second serve.
A two ball plan adding in the second shot may also be discussed. We can learn from the pros with some variations.
Here are three ideas that club level net players can experiment with to become more connected to the team concept:
1.) Read and React (Listen and Look by the net partner)
Very useful for club level players once you learn the reads. It can be as easy as learning flashcards until the decisions become more natural.
This is my personal favorite both as a player and as a coach because it is instinctual, fits most levels and opponents, and doesn’t rely on my server as much.
How it works: Listen to the sound of your partner’s serve to assess for level of safety vs danger. Then Look at the presentation of the returner to decide to stay (in danger), or to pinch the middle looking to poach (when safe, receiver is jammed, or running, or predictable). As you learn more about your partner’s serving skills and the returner’s tendencies, your results improve over the match because your decisions, volley skills, and confidence will get better.
2.) A quick, simple plan to start the point
This is great for club level once you understand the net job (position where the action is to get involved) and the general purpose of the serve (which is to get the net player involved and not have to do it on your own!)
Here are a few examples of something I might share as a net player to my server:
- I like to start by asking them what they in general like to do on a first and second serve. That helps me understand the parameters of my role.
- When they are struggling I like to ask them what their favorite serve target is on the side they are about to serve toward. Favorites tend to rebuild their confidence and targets tend to center them.
- At the net I have a better chance to scout the opponent as the net player rarely hits as many balls in a point. This makes it easier to help the server out over time by reaching out to them with strategic ideas once they have gained some confidence and seem ready.
- In sharing my knowledge, I use the word “try” when I talk with my server to keep the pressure down.
- A simple strategy to share when you are both warmed up would be, “Try to serve to the inside half (body serve or T serve). I will pinch the middle and try to poach if you do.” That puts it in their head and these opportunities tend to come more frequently.
3.) Hand signals by the net player
This is not as easily used at the club level as it relies on the server to have the skills of accuracy, power, and a high first serve percentage. Yes, if your partner is lacking in some of these skills, hands signals tend to give you very few easy balls to poach, might be a bit dangerous, and balanced positioning for your team quickly becomes quite a mess!
I do still use hand signals at times for strategic reasons with a partner serving that is less than able in the skills listed above. Once my hand goes behind my back to signal and my partner acknowledges it, my opponent easily can start second guessing their plan and get distracted from their mission which is a big bonus for us!
Giving hand signals a try can also trigger the net player to stay engaged, aware, active, and possibly a bit braver. These are all great attributes to strive for so give it a shot!
12/13/20 "Different Grips"
Question: How about making a video on the different tennis grips? A visual would be great.
Chad's Response:
Click the different links below to see Chad's response through video on our YouTube Channel. These videos do a great job of explaining the different grips in detail & what they're used for. Thanks for the great question!!
12/11/2020 "Staying Calm & Breathing"
Member Name: Dan Yount
Question: Phil, I always have to work at staying calm & focused when in an intense match. Any tips for breathing, staying centered, etc? I've tried breathing through my eyelids, like a lizard, but so far I haven't seen great results.
Phil's Response:
Dan, great question! Most of the time spent during a match is not actually hitting the ball. There’s a lot of down time.. and how you control your breathing and emotions during that time, can determine how you perform.
You have 20 seconds between points, so instead of doing your best lizard impersonation, I suggest that you act like a RAPPER!
R - React. It’s good to have a reaction. Either slap your thigh, or pump your fist. Try to stay positive. (3 seconds)
A - Assess. Figure out what just happened. What worked, what didn’t. (3 seconds)
P - Plan. Think strategy (3 seconds)
P - Prepare. Decide what strategy you want to proceed with. (3 seconds)
E - Engage. Settle down, take deep breaths. (Maybe through your eyelids if you have to), but find something that puts you in the moment. Focus on the now. (3 seconds)
R - Routine. Or Ritual. Maybe do a boxers ready position dance. Find your own routine. We all know Nadal’s. It’s purpose is so you can turn your brain off a little, and let it react on its own.
I wish I was creative enough to have a cartoon lizard rapping all of this in a song, but hopefully you get my point. Have a strategy for in between points, as well as during. Find your own routine that puts you in the now... And don’t stress out! ... it can only waste energy if you do.
Good luck!🦎
Phil