3.03

Hi ladies,

Great job again last week taking 4 out of 5 matches. Please remember and make sure you know all of the rules so you are prepared for any situation that may come up. The opposing coach may or may not know the rules like what happened last week to us. Bring the rules with you on court so you have them with you just in case another situation presents itself.

When you focus or become fixated with your opponent(s) you lose focus on what is most important. You lose sight of what matters most, which is the development of your game and building chemistry with your doubles partner. The only thing that matters are the goals you have set for yourself and the game plan for the match you are getting ready to play. I have shared the 5 "P's" to success with most of you in the past. I'm sure some if not all of you have forgotten them. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. This is why I stress getting to practice early and being ready to go each and every week. Every match presents a different little twist to it. Whether the opponent(s) is/are stronger, faster, smarter, weaker, older or craftier. They may play mind games and do things to annoy you or get under your skin to throw you off of your game. You must be ready for anything and everything at this point. You must learn how to block those things out and understand what your opponent(s) is trying to do to you. Assess the situation and be able to counter their game plan against you. Don't be unsure of yourself and never let your confidence waver.

For my singles players, focus on getting the ball deep to the corners of the baseline. Make sure you are up on your toes looking to move up inside the baseline and take the mid court balls early. remember that you don't have to over hit the approach shot. As long as you are taking the ball early and placing the ball in the right area of the court, you'll be fine. At this point, you are making your opponent run and stretch for the ball while hitting the ball under pressure. The main goal is to take time away from your opponent reacting to the shot you're hitting. Mix in some short angles using topspin or slices towards the corners of the service lines. When hitting these short angles use more spin and less pace on the ball. Play at your own pace and play high percentage tennis.

For my doubles players, the focus has to be on keeping the ball to the deeper person on the other side of the net. Don't get impatient and change direction too early. Hitting the ball to the net player gets your partner hit by the ball or your opponent is putting the ball away. If you decide to hit the ball to the net player, drive the ball at them and keep the ball low as the ball crosses the net. Do not float the ball to the net player!!! Always communicate with your partner if you are going to return the ball down the line to the net player. This way you are both on the same page and your partner will know where to position themselves once you strike the return of serve or the next ball that comes back to you. By picking on the deeper person across the net from you, you and your partner can pull that person out of position by lobbing the ball deep over the net players head. You can even lob the ball back towards the baseline player and then use short angles and/or short low balls to bring them up to the net or pull them off of the court. Pulling your opponent off of the court will force the net player to move towards the middle of the court. This will then open up the down the line passing shot or the passing shot up the middle of the half on the side of the court where the player retrieving the ball is. Don't get excited and screw up the easy floaters. You have seen and hit this shot thousands of times by now. Take your time, prepare correctly and execute the shot. Then you can celebrate, pump your fist, high five your partner or do whatever comes to mind. The court doesn't move. Keep your eyes on the ball, seeing the ball leave your racquet before you look to see if the ball is going where you have planned for the ball to go. Use good shot selection and pick on the weaker opponent.

Always believe,

Shaun.