Coaching Tennis Mechanics
Video Podcast with Matt Hill
Coaching tennis is one of the greatest coaching challenges that exists at the high school level. Resources are often more limited than with other high school sports. The actual "season" is short, leaving limited time for a coach to cover all of the essentials with players of various skill levels. This tennis video series offers effective, efficient approaches to coaching the mechanics of tennis. Beginning with Tennis Fundamentals and progressing through specific strokes, coaches are given practical, easy to use techniques for teaching the "must know" skills of tennis. This is a "get down to business" coaching approach that encourages coaches to use a specific, hands-on technique for teaching tennis skills. Simple, effective tennis drills, coaching techniques, and realistic responses to the challenges of the high school tennis coach take center court. If you want a fast moving, practical resource for coaching tennis, THIS IS IT! (in conjunction with University of Alabama Tennis Camps)
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: Start with the Fundamentals - The most common technical problems coaches see in young players involve Grip, Preparation, or Footwork. Coach Hill demonstrates some practical and effective coaching approaches you can use to help young players learn these basic, but essential technical aspects of tennis.
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: Footwork and Judging the Ball - In Tennis, players have to learn how to move "loaded." This Tennis Drill is called the "V" Drill. The focus is on teaching players how to judge the ball and adjust their footwork and core positioning so that they arrive at the ball "loaded" for the shot.
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: Style Versus Fundamentals - Tennis Pros definitely have style. But, they are also adept at the fundamentals of the game. The key to coaching Tennis successfully is teaching players the fundamentals without imposing a particular style. From grip, to swing, to serve, Coach discusses the technical skills players MUST learn while offering tips to help coaches teach players how to distinguish style from skill.
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: Teaching Using Reference Points - It's a real challenge to coach specifically with each player when you often have to stand 60 feet away. Using specific reference points when instructing players is invaluable in coaching Tennis successfully. Here are some great approaches to verbally coaching the game.
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: Stroke Fundamentals - Forehand and Backhand - The stroke doesn't start when the racket connects with the ball. Proper stroke technique includes preparation, contact, and follow-through. Coach demonstrates use of the Unit Turn in Forehand and Backhand stroke preparation and leads us through the body mechanics of the follow-through.
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: The Top Spin and Volley - What are two areas of emphasis in teaching tennis skills at the high school level? You guessed it! The Top Spin and the Volley. This video offers an approach to teaching the Top Spin that is simple and works! The Volley can be taught quickly, but to learn how to Volley well requires practice. When it comes to the Volley, Coach demonstrates "the greatest technical drill" used to teach the Volley quickly and easily - with dramatic results.
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: The Overhead Stoke and Serve Toss - The Overhead Stroke is best taught using a three step progression. But, don't forget that your tennis players need to know more than how to swing - they have to know how to move. The Serve Toss is another essential in coaching tennis. These coaching techniques will help you train your players when NOT to hit the ball.
Coaching Tennis Mechanics: The Use of Video in Tennis Practice - If you coach high school athletes and think video is best used by showing them the Pros in action, DON'T! Of course the Pros can do it - they're Pros! Learn how the proper use of video taping your player in practice can be an invaluable tool in coaching tennis.