Serve Faster, Serve Harder

If you want to make your serve faster, try this tip: toss the ball first and then take your racket back in the back swing. By doing this you have to swing faster to catch up to the ball before it drops.  One way to practice this is with the LAG SERVE. 

1. Start with your racket arm behind your right foot, relaxed and pointed straight down. (Make sure your knuckles are facing out and you have your serve grip.)

2. Toss the ball with your left hand

3. Raise your racket up by airing the armpits and swing fast to catch up to the ball.

I wish I had known

This has been a really great start to 2018 for many of our students.  We have launched two students to tournament coaches and we have had 5 students play in the East Valley Non-Elimination Tournaments. These are tournaments that are designed for beginners or players who want to get extra practice. They have all ability levels and for the novice division they have someone who is there to help the players if they have questions. I wish I had known about NET five years ago instead of this past spring.  They are three hour round robin tournaments, so they do not take up all of your day or weekend like the USTA L5 or above tournaments. They are just a great way for you to go play with others from around the valley. The NET staff, from what parents have told me, are really passionate and caring. They create an environment where kids can play to master their skills and meet some new friends or hitting partners. They have one tournament a month. Stay connected for the event in March.

Why YOU Should Play Tennis!

You Know You are Winning at Tennis When....

You know you are winning at tennis when
                           you love the feel of the ball on on the strings
You know you are winning at tennis when 
                           you keep the ball in play
You know you are winning at tennis when 
                           you are friends with the ball during a rally
You know you are winning at tennis when 
                           you can miss a shot and you looked good doing it
You know you are winning at tennis when 
                           you make the game look easy enough for anyone to play
You know you are winning at tennis when
                           you realize it is not the score that matters, but how many times you hit the                             ball over the net
You know you are winning at tennis when 
                            you know why you are playing
You know you are winning at tennis when 
                            you love the feel of the ball on the strings

Encanto Lessons Start January 22

Our lessons at Encanto Park Start January 22, 2018

Classes are on Monday and/or Thursday

Register at Encanto Sports Complex or on the City of Phoenix Website

Learn to Rally (Ages 5-7)

36 Foot tennis court

Beginner (Ages 8-10)

60 Foot Tennis court

Advanced beginner/Intermediate

(Ages 10-14)

78 foot tennis court

Are you playing outside of your lessons?

I think it is great when we have so many kids coming and enjoying our lessons. This should not be the only time they play though. I always encourage them with a take-home assignment where they can practice a skill or play some form of the game. One example could be setting up a tennis net with some chairs in your back yard and doing volleys or half volleys. Another way to practice would be to draw a four-square box with some chalk and play four-square with your racket.  Here's the key, you improve your skill set by applying what you learned outside of the lesson.  You make the game apart of your lifestyle when you play outside of the lesson. The hope that you will love the feel of the ball on the strings and become something that you enjoy to help your child live an active, healthy lifestyle.

If you are looking for a more structured opportunity to play you can participate in 10 and Under Futures events, NET tournaments, 10 and Under Slam series, Junior Team Tennis, and SuperSet Tournaments.  In all of these opportunities, your child has a chance to play with their peers and maybe develop a friendship and a potential play partner. 

Non-Elimination Tournaments At Tempe's Kiwanis Park Tennis Center

Non-Elimination Tournaments

At Tempe's Kiwanis Park Tennis Center

Upcoming Tournament Dates:

• January 20
• February 17
• March 24
• April 28
• June 8-9
• Sept. 14-15
• October 27
• Nov. 17
• Dec. 15

Purpose: 
NET tournaments offer players the opportunity to compete against players of their approximate ability within a maximum 3-hour time frame. NET tournaments “ignite” beginners and provide continued improvement through competition to the more advanced.

Format:
• Play is generally round robins or compass draws.
• Players are grouped by age and ability. Small divisions could be mixed genders and/or combined with another appropriate division. Tournament Director may reclassify players to more appropriate divisions.
• 1st and 2nd place awards are given to divisions with 6 or more players. 1st place awards only for 5 or fewer players.
• Coaching is allowed between rounds only and spectators are not allowed to coach during play.

Registration:
All registration is done online on our Shop page  (no phone entries). Registration closed for Jan. 20. For wait-list, complete Missed Deadline Form.

Location:
Play is at Tempe's Kiwanis Park Tennis Center, 6111 S. All-America Way, 85253 and satellite locations. Do not contact Kiwanis regarding these tournaments.

Deadline:
Registration deadline is always 9pm on the Monday prior to the tournament.
No refunds or transferring entry fees to future tournaments after Tuesday before the tournament.

Match Schedule:
Match schedule is posted online on the Wednesday evening before the tournament.

Entry Fee:
Fee is $25 per player, per tournament.

Missed the Entry Deadline?
If you missed the entry deadline, fill in the Missed Deadline contact form and we will contact you if we can get you in. If you get in, payment is due at the tournament by cash or check only (no charge cards.)

Tournament Contact: Tom Kenney, 480-202-5322  |  MesaTennis@gmail.com