Contact Scott today for more information, or an introductory lesson at (415) 845-3331 orscottmrph@yahoo.com.
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NEW SCOTT SHOTS!!!
Scott Shot #10 - Warming Up Correctly November 18, 2009
I once had an opportunity to stand behind Pete Sampras on court at what was then the Sybase Open in San Jose, California. He was having a pre-match workout with a player named Brett Steven from New Zealand. They had the stadium court for an hour and they both had three new balls each. They started half volleying from the service line and gradually worked their way back to the baseline with an unchanging, easy going velocity. After about 5 minutes it dawned on me that they hadn't missed a shot...the ball they'd started with was the same one still in play. At this point I started to count the number of consecutive shots and while I was doing this the tempo of the exchanges started to gradually pick up until they were hitting at a pretty good clip. I got to the mid 200's before Steven finally hit one in the net. Again, this was all with one ball.
Granted, we're talkng about world class players here, but the point is that even they understand the importance of a good warmup. Starting at the service line sets a good precedent because it promotes an easy going exchange with a nice rhythm. What's important is that as you work your way back or go directly back to the baseline you don't automatically start rocking the ball just because you're further back. Pick up the velocity gradually while establishing your balance and timing and you'll get a much better groove going.
A good warmup can make a big difference in the overall success and enjoyment of your practice or match!
Scott Shot #9 - The Invisible Alley November 12, 2009
A few years ago I was involved in the Osmosis Clinic at Indian Wells in conjunction with the big pro tournament there now called the BNP Paribas Open. The clinic was the idea of my pal John Yandell, creator of Tennisplayer.net and it was a big success It was in conjunction with this clinic that I had the pleasure to meet and discuss tennis with the great Welby Van Horn, considered by many to be the greatest teaching pro the game has ever known. During our discussions about a variety of things Welby mentioned his "invisible alley" concept.
In the past I had practiced alley rallies with my workout partners and students whereby players on opposite side of the net position themselves on opposite sides of a doubles alley and try to hit as many consecutive balls within the alley as possible. At anything other than a very slow rate of speed this can be very difficult but it's tremendous training towards learning all that it takes to hit shots in a precise direction with consistency.
Welby just took that idea a step further by suggesting that you visualize hitting within a doubles alley anywhere you hit the ball. I've found that this visual image works amazingly well in packaging footwork, timing and stroke model discipline. Start by practicing actual rallies within a doubles alley using low velocity. Then apply the same concept to crosscourt rallies. A great way to utilize it for both directions is to practice "Figure X's" whereby one player hits crosscourt while the other hits down the line. Try taking the invisible alley with you everywhere on the court and don't be surprised if that singular image doesn't make you a better shot maker.
Scott Shot #8 - Find and Use What Works Best For You August 29, 2009
This summer while teaching in Italy, I had the great pleasure of working with Vejdi Ural from Istanbul, Turkey. Vejdi, like so many players who are very passionate about tennis and improving their games, had just spent two weeks in London watching Wimbledon. More than any other part of his game he sought to improve his serve (smart!) and when we started it was apparent that Vejdi was combining visual images of many of the great players he'd just watched. It was also apparent that this "gulash" serve as we would come to call it wasn't the right one for Vejdi because there were just too many ingredients.
Scott and Vejdi
First off, he was trying a foot up or pinpoint stance but the back foot was swinging so wide that not only was he foot faulting, he was virtually facing the net before he even started to swing. After various, unsuccessful attempts at revamping this kind of footwork I had Vejdi lessen the distance between his feet to start and then use a platform stance. His balance and sustained rotation were instantly better.
Next up was the toss that was so high it was destroying his ability to have flow and continuity. We brought the toss down to the vicinity of 6 inches above where he would wind up striking the ball and I would encourage him to hit it before it could drop from the apex of the toss.
To enhance the distance his racquet would drop before the upward swing we worked on windmills, gravity drops and some simple but effective imagery. Once this improved, he now had a more vertical path to his contact point which was more consistent because of the improved toss and the incentive to hit the ball before it dropped.
The result was a much simpler, smoother service model that had Vejdi beaming as he hit one beautiful serve after another. Seriously, the difference was night and day.
The point here is that we should all watch the best players because they excite us and inspire us to play better tennis. But beware of trying to integrate some part of a pros stroke that only complicates or undermines what ultimately works for you. It's okay to experiment, but after a while, unless it's truly making a positive difference, be realistic about what works best for you and go with whatever that is.
A lack of readiness is an all too common trait in many tennis players. It's the old "hit and stand" syndrome that you see from beginners certainly, but also from more experienced players. The less ready any player is between shots, the greater the likelihood that they'll be anything but relaxed and in control when hitting the ball. Have you ever really noticed what the world's best players are doing between shots when you watch a match on TV? Granted, the ball tends to move alot faster at that level then general club play but the point is that you rarely see them flat-footed and here are some reasons why:
1) Good physical shape: The fact is that tennis is a multi-directional, explosive, stop-start activity and unless the points you play are mostly over within a shot or two, you have to be in good physical shape to be able to stay on your toes, get to balls, recover and repeat this process as long as it takes. Start by maintaining a bounce from foot to foot between shots when you rally with someone. Even this can be a barometer for what kind of shape you're in and it's a great habit to develop. Of course if you're up for it there are innumerable explosive running drills that can be done on or off a tennis court. Something as simple as practicing imaginary points is a great way to get in shape and improve footwork.
2) Athletic Stance: This should find you with your head and shoulders square, feet about shoulder width apart, on your toes, knees flexed and arms and racquet comfortably out in front. This stance paves the way for better balance from shot to shot.
3) Use Your Eyes Effectively: Watch the ball come off your opponent's racquet. Unless he disguises the shot extremely well this is your best bet at reading where his shot will go. If you guess alot your readiness will be in doubt. Also by watching the ball off the racquet you'll know when better to do step #4.
4) Ready Hop: This is a simple movement that's often neglected or excused off as being "excessive." When timed properly (just before your opponent hits the ball), the ready hop sets the leg muscles so that explosive first step can take place instead of a knee jerk reaction.
5) Explosive First Step and Adjustment Steps: Something I always tell my students is that there's no such thing a ball that's hit right to you. One way or another you should always "move around the ball," even if it's not that far away. Smaller adjustment steps in this case will put you right where you need to be and improve your timing as well. If the ball is further away you want to make an explosive first step (or two or three...) followed by adjustment steps so once again your right where you need to be.
6) Always Try To Set Yourself Before You Hit: The readier you are the more likely this will happen and the upshot is that you'll have more choices with what you can do with your shot. Setting yourself isn't always possible but really try to make a point of doing it!
7) Instant Recovery: This is huge! Once your shot leaves your racquet you have to go into recover mode immediately. This usually means you'll push off your outside foot, get back into the athletic stance and make recovery or shuffle steps until you reach the middle of your opponent's two widest angles if there's time to do so. Essential to this immediate recovery is the assumption that your shot AND will always be good. Don't stand there craning your neck to see if the ball you hit might be long, wide or in the net.
8) RELAX: There's no better way to hit a tennis ball than when you're relaxed regardless of what you plan to do with it. When you practice great readiness the opportunity to relax is increases tremendously because you'll generally have more time. Utilize that time by relaxing. Exhale when you hit the ball and allow your body to perform without anxiety.
Scott Shot #6 - Slotting March 13, 2009
Virtually every stroke contains a "slotted" postion of the racquet. It occurs at the moment just before the racquet is moved towards the ball. Acquiring this postion is extremely important to consistently good shot making. On forehand and backhand groundstrokes, when the racquet is slotted the butt of the handle should point towards the incoming ball. Nick Bollettieri calls it "shining the flashlight in the eyes of the ball." This puts the wrist in a laid back position of stability that should be maintained for a majority of the forward swing.
To ensure that the wrist stays back against itself during a forehand and a two handed backhand, the heel of the hand, (i.e. the front of the wrist) is used to pull the butt of the handle and in this way draw the racquet head to the point of contact and beyond. At contact the racquet face will align with or be slightly ahead or behind the wrist depending on the shot direction and at the swing's conclusion it will be well ahead of it.. but it's only at the very end of the deceleration phase of the follow through that the "heel of the hand-butt of the handle" control factor backs off. If the back of the wrist is allowed to have anything to do with the forward swing until relatively speaking well after contact, it will be overly wristy and inconsistent. In addition, on the forehand, one's elbow should be bent and locked at contact.
For a one handed backhand it's the leading edge of the hand or that which sits just above the handle and the side of the wrist that draw the butt of the handle forward. Additionally, at this point the hitting arm should be extended. The racquet head follows their lead. If not, the swing will again be too wristy and floppy. This kind of swing is often referred to as "winging the racquet," and when it happens control of the shot is lost.
On traditional volleys the butt of the handle won't point directly at the ball when it's slotted but more on a slightly downward trajectory. But again it's the heel of the hand on the forehand volley and the leading edge of the hand on the backhand volley that drive the butt of the handle forward. The racquet head follows their lead to contact and beyond for control of the racquet head.
Slotting on a serve is attained during the part of the model called the "pro drop." This is when the tip of the racquet points straight down and the butt of the handle points straight up prior to the upward swing to contact. Without this slotting in all likelihood the ball will be driven on a path towards the back fence of the bottom of the net.
Learn what it feels like to slot the handle on all your shots and then move that position to contact in a way that will ensure solid ball hitting.
Scott Shot #5 - The Slice Backhand February 23, 2009
I'm asked alot about the slice backhand and what makes it tick. Here are what I feel are the essentials: read more and see video >>
Scott Shot #4 - The High Backhand (in partnership with tennisplayer.net)
February 15, 2009
One of the smartest tactics you can use against virtually any player is to hit high bouncing balls to their backhands. For most club players dealing with a high ball on the forehand side is bad enough, but a high ball to the backhand can be sheer torture! read more and see video >>
Scott Shot #3 - Resurrecting a Shot
February 5, 2009
We all have those days when one or more of our strokes continually misfires. The frustration over this can build to the point where you're ready to break the racquet over your knee or take up another sport and the frustration only compounds the difficulty you're having. This is the time when you need to take a deep breath, relax and make what amount to slow motion swings. These are swings during which the end of the follow through occurs in conjunction with the ball actually landing on the other side of the court. To do this you really have to take it easy and in the case of groundstrokes you'll have to promote good extension to make it work. The idea here is to relax and promote the proper feel for the stroke model. If this happens during a match just downshift a gear or two in terms of velocity until you get the feel back.
Scott Shot #2 - Service Toss
January 26, 2009
Tossing the ball accurately and in a relaxed fashion are two essentials when it comes to the serve. To accomplish both, practice tossing the ball so that after it leaves your hand it carries to the spot where you'll hit it without any spin. First of all, make sure you hold the ball on the pads of the fingers. Before you start the windup your tossing hand should face the side fence, not straight up. Release the ball somewhere between eye level and just above your head and gently spread your fingers open as you let go of the ball and continue to move your arm into a 12 o'clock position. (Picture the pedals of a flower opening in time-lapse photography). This accomplishes two things: 1., It allows you to lift and "place" the ball which is more difficult if you snap your fingers back on release and 2., it immediately sets the tone for staying relaxed through the stroke.
Watch the service tosses of the truly great servers (Sampras, Federer etc) either on television replays or in the Pro Strokes section of Tennisplayer.net and note the repeated use of the things I mentioned above. Once you get the hang of it it will set a very positive precedent for successful serving.
Scott Shot #1 - Efficient Practice
January 24, 2009
Something I hear alot from players is that despite practicing a great deal and feeling good about whatever it was they practiced, once they play a match it seems like everything they worked on goes by the wayside. Generally speaking, the culprit here is the predictability of their practice. Say, for example, you've been working on your forehand model using a ball machine. To a certain extent this can be very valuable because the repetition and lack of pressure allow you to focus on the technical aspects you want to clean up. But always knowing where the ball will bounce is deceiving. During match play balls hit to you will vary dramatically from shot to shot. If you're strictly using a ball machine you can combat this by having it oscillate (if it has that feature) and or position yourself from shot to shot in places that make it more difficult to play the next ball. Also remember to vary the kinds of feeds it gives you by changing their speed, height and depth.
When you practice with a partner don't spend all your time hitting up the middle of the court. It's fine when you're warming up but that's not how matches are played. One of my favorite practice drills is to hit either forehands or backhands crosscourt only. For singles practice you can't use the alley. If you're hitting forehands for example, you HAVE to hit a forehand or you lose two points. That means if you're pulled wide you'd better recover quickly and or hit a shot that allows you to recover before your opponent can force you to hit a backhand. Also, any ball in the net is worth two points and a clean winner is worth two points. The combination of these elements is far more conducive to match play.
The bottom line here is to understand that it's crucial to create unpredictable practice situations in order to play better in your matches and it will make practicing infinitely more interesting.
Instruction through Tennisplayer.net
Scott is also an associate editor for the world renowned instructional website Tennisplayer, www.tennisplayer.net. Below is an overview of the site from John Yandell, the creator of the new online instructional magazine.
"Tennisplayer gives you access to a high level inside world, a world filled with powerful new information and training techniques--a world you can't access anywhere else. You'll find a new generation Stroke Archive with over 25,000 video clips, featuring more than 60 of the world's greatest players, present and also past. You can study one perfect Roger Federer backhand, one Andy Roddick serve, one Andre Agassi forehand--or a hundred. The viewing windows are larger, the resolution is higher, and the files are smaller and get to you faster. We'll also show you how to download them directly and study the pros side by side, as well as compare them to your own strokes." - John Yandell
Sample instruction animation available at Tennisplayer.net. Here is Scott is showing how to "hit on the rise".
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