The Power of 3

The goal of tennis is to keep the ball in play until you have to start over. Sometimes that can be rallies of 10, 15, even 20 hits. Most of the time this is not the case. As a matter of fact, the top professionals in the world average between 1 and 3 hits per point.  This fall we incorporate this practice into our lesson planning. While we still want the students to play until they have to start over, we also want them to realize the importance of getting that first, second and third ball in play. In most matches, the point is lost on the third hit ball. So we want our students to get good at getting that third and fourth ball back. We have played a lot of games like 3+, where the students get a bonus point for getting three or more balls in play. We also work on serve, return, +1, focusing on the next shot after the return.  So, next time you are out playing with your kids, have them focus on getting three balls over to start. Anything after three is bonus hits.

 

It's all about the WHY

I sometimes have to wonder why I keep doing some of the things I do. It could be productive or non-productive activities. The thing is there is a WHY.  The WHY is probably the strongest factor to motivation there is. If your WHY is to find food because you are hungry, then you will search to find what you need. If your WHY is to work to provide for your family, than you will find any level of work to make sure that happens.
I think the same principle of the WHY applies to playing tennis or teaching it. Recently though I have been soul searching more about the WHY. Is the reason I teach tennis just because I like to be outside and be active? Not as much anymore, because I can find a lot of activities outside that I like to do. Is it because I have been doing this for a while and have confidence in my abilities? Maybe, but even too much lobster after a while starts to taste like soap. I think the WHY is I just love seeing the improvement and engagement of the students. The connections that are made through practice.

Learning to Play Smart Tennis

Over the years I have had students ask me to teach them tactics for playing tennis.  One of the tactics that many of the boys wanted to use was to hit the ball hard. Hitting the ball hard is not a tactic. Often times it is just extra arm practice and the ball goes anywhere. There was a teaching pro that called this tactic,"Bam! Slam! Hope to goodness Sam!" 

What many students don't realize is they are already doing tactics when they serve, return, volley, hit a forehand or a backhand. Any one of those is a tactic, especially depending on how you  play one of the strokes. 

Once you learn the strokes you can start using them to your advantage. First, you must keep the ball in play. You have to be able to rally. You must be able to get one more ball back. I always like to ask students,"How long before you start over? "

After you have been able to keep the ball in play, you try to move your friend side to side. Now you are rallying and making your friend move to play another ball. Once you have them running, you ring your friend to the net and then hit it over their head with a lob. As you become more advanced you start playing short and deep angle shots to get an easy ball to make the winning shot. 

Next time you go play with your kids, practice some of these tactics and soon you will be making the winning shot.

Encouraged and Inspired Summer 2019

As summer vacation in Arizona comes to a close, it brings cause to reflect. This was one of the best summer's yet! This June was full of some returning and some new students who came out to learn to play tennis! It seemed as if the students came out of the woodwork for our June offerings. Our offerings this summer were Learn to Rally for ages 5-8, a Beginner class for ages 8-10, a class for ages 11-14, and the Parent and Me classes. We use the progressive teaching model with low compression balls, modified courts, gradual release of responsibility method, and cooperative learning strategies.

Learn to Rally 2019

 We had an overflowing class in June and sometimes that can mean chaos with this age group. It wasn't and our system allowed for students to develop pre-rally and rally skills using cooperative learning games. I especially love to watch how some of the students who struggle in the first week suddenly become experts by the end of the session. Students could not wait to come to tennis. They were always asking to play certain game ad their favorite part. We even learned a few magic tricks along the way.

• Parents and kids teaching each other the palm down in the rolling rally
  Parent and Me ages 5-8

Another hi-lite of our summer program is the Parent and Me classes. We offered two age ranges this year. This is such a special time as families get to spend time with each other. In these sessions they develop stronger communication skills because they are teaching each other through cooperative drills.

We had students come from all over the valley and even from out of state. On our last day of our July session we had a special visit from Darnell McDonald of Svasport and the Chicago Cubs. Darnell shared his story and talked with our students about being in the moment and a better way to look at failure. The students walked away feeling encouraged and inspired. This was truly one of the best summers I have had. It was emotional to see it come to a close, but joyful in knowing that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing.

Staying Hydrated

I know most of you know the importance of staying hydrated. You know the consquences of dehydration and proper hydration. We hear it all of the time to be safe and make sure you are drinking water. Since the past week we have seen 110+, I am always conscience of this. It isn't just water though. Water alone will not prevent you from getting dehydrated. You must have something that keeps you drinking or adds electrolytes like potassium, zinc, sodium, and b-vitamins. For added performance try Powerade, Gatorade, Chocolate Milk, or coconut water.

Awesome June!

Stay tuned for the summer update!

Finding the Right Class

In just over a week, we start our summer season at Encanto Sports Complex. We offer classes based on age, ability level, or family bonding. Selecting the right class is important for the quality of your child's experience.

If your child is in the age group of 5-8 years old and has never played tennis before, I recommend our LEARN TO RALLY class. Your child will have an opportunity to develop gross and fine motorskills related to tennis movements using a scaffolded approach. In other words, each skill builds upon one another.  This class uses smaller courts, smaller rackets, a lower net, and larger slower tennis balls. We also incorporate cooperative learning strategies so your child learns how to play with others and to keep the ball in play.

If your child has very little to no experience and is in the age group of 9-12, we recommend our BEGINNER class. If your eight year-old has played in our LEARN TO RALLY class, but is ready for more of a challenege, we also recommend this class. Our BEGINNER class is similar to the LEARN TO RALLY class except it is played on a 60 foot court using a smaller ball with more pressure. We also focus on teaching the students the foundation to advanced strokes and preparing them to play on the 60 foot court.

For children who have played before or have been in our pathway, we promote them to the ORANGE BALL 2 class for advanced beginner and intermediate students ages 8-10.

We have a class for students ages 11-14. Our GREEN BALL class is for our older students who are able to play on the full court with full or partial pressurized balls. We teach all ability levels in this class, but right now it is primarily aimed at those students who have progressed through our pathway.

Maybe your child only wants to play with mom or dad. We offer  PARENT AND ME  classes which allow for the parent and child to learn the same skills in our other classes but in a family friendly environment.