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My Daughter Learned a Valuable MENTAL Tennis Lesson

My Daughter Learned a Valuable MENTAL Tennis Lesson

by | Tennis Coaching, Tennis Training | 0 comments

It’s Saturday morning… I’m with my younger daughter (9 years of age) who has her last tennis practice before the next day’s tournament.

As it ends, I ask Bianca to play a practice match against her older sister, Cezara.

Bianca, who lately has been dominating the “battle of the sisters” is up 9-6 (tie-break to 10 points). Matchpoint, right?

But that’s when she makes the mental mistake that only inexperienced players allow to happen:

“Daddy, if we get to 9-9, are we going to play by two points?”

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to control my frustration. I know what is about to happen:

Her opponent (Cezara) comes back to even the score at 9-9 and eventually wins the match: 13-11.

So what is this about?

When Bianca was ahead 9-6, her mind should have been focused on winning the next point and closing the match. Instead, she thought about 9-9. Whatever her mind was preoccupied with… happened.

This was her lesson which I hope she understood:

Whatever our mind focuses on, happens!

Whether we visualize good or bad things, that’s what we get. It’s a universal law that applies to everything in life, including tennis.

Spend quality time with your child while teaching them a valuable sport. Enroll today in My Daddy / My Coach program!

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

How to Maximize Your Second Serve / Spin, Tactics, Mental Tips

How to Maximize Your Second Serve / Spin, Tactics, Mental Tips

by | Tennis Training | 0 comments

Second serves are the ones that you cannot miss.
The pressure is on you and your opponent knows it (if they are a savvy player, they will prepare to attack your second serve).

1. Before you toss the ball up, tell yourself what you intend to do with your second serve:
– if your opponent shows an intention to attack it, consider slicing it (brush sideways). That will keep the ball low and difficult for your opponent to go for an aggressive shot.
– if your opponent stays back most of the time, a simple kick serve should do it to dip the ball over the net and make it bounce high off the ground.

2. Everything you’ve learned in practice… forget about it. This is not the time to think about your technique. You should just let your habits take over your movements. Toss the ball up and hit it after you previously told yourself what you’d like to accomplish (see the previous point).

3. Hit your second serve with confidence. It is easy to let doubting thoughts cripple your mind, therefore training your mind to stay on the positive side is crucial for delivering consistent second serves.

Learn tennis techniques with crystal-clear explanations and visual aids. Join Visual Tennis Lessons program and simplify your learning journey!

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Teaching Professional

Visit the Training, Coaching and Kids Tennis sections at WebTennis24 – lessons, tips and drills for players, coaches and tennis parents.

“How Long Has She Been Playing Tennis?”

“How Long Has She Been Playing Tennis?”

by | Tennis Coaching, Tennis Training | 0 comments

At a recent tournament, my daughter’s opponent’s mother approached me to enquire about her tennis experience.

After a brief introduction, she asked me the question that I honestly dislike answering:
“How long has your daughter been playing tennis?”

The reason I dread this question is that I consider it to be irrelevant…

Take, for example, two kids who both have been playing tennis for 2 years. One of them practices almost every day while the other one does only once a week.
That makes it obvious that the one who practices more often is the better player, even though they both have been playing tennis for… 2 years.

As a tennis player or tennis parent, you probably have encountered people who asked you this same question – how do you feel about answering it?

I make sure that when somebody asks me this, I’ll tell them the story I just described above. (:

And by the way, in my opinion, the right question to ask is: “How passionate is your son/daughter about tennis?”

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

6 Ways to Add More Power to Your Serve

6 Ways to Add More Power to Your Serve

by | Tennis Training | 0 comments

Are you looking to add more power to your serve? While there are countless videos on the internet that promise to help you hit “killer” serves or add “15 extra miles per hour” to them, the truth is that there’s no magic formula for improvement other than practice.

To help you on your journey, I’ve put together a checklist of six things to consider when trying to improve your serve:

1. Proper technique, timing, and body flexibility are essential for a fast serve.
2. To add power, use your legs by bending them during the toss and then springing into the shot.
3. The toss should be further in front and not too high. A high toss can create friction on the downfall against your racket, resulting in more spin and less power.
4. Keep your tossing arm up longer for better balance.
5. Use a continental grip, which allows for more wrist action, and keep your grip relaxed.
6. Lower string tension provides a trampoline effect, resulting in added pace to your serve.

Remember, the key to improvement is practice. Get out on the tennis court and put these tips into action. Have fun and keep working at it!

Transform your tennis game and achieve your goals with Ultimate Training for Tennis Players!

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

Strategies to Compete Against Stronger and Faster Opponents

Strategies to Compete Against Stronger and Faster Opponents

by | Tennis Training | 0 comments

Playing against stronger and faster opponents in tennis can be intimidating, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can level the playing field. In addition to the valuable advice of “Don’t worry about him; let HIM worry about you!”, there are several effective techniques to improve your performance.

This article explores additional strategies to help you compete against stronger opponents on the tennis court.

Hang in There and Seize Momentum
It’s important to remember that momentum in a tennis match can shift at any moment. Even if you’re facing a superior opponent, stay focused and determined. By maintaining your composure and continuously giving your best effort, you increase the chances of turning the match in your favor. Remember, the tides of a match can change quickly, so keep fighting until the final point is played.

Vary Your Shots
When facing a stronger and faster opponent, employing variety in your shots is essential. By varying the spin, height, and pace of your shots, you create unpredictable situations that can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm. Mix up your groundstrokes, incorporating topspin, slice, and flat shots to keep your opponent off balance. This strategy can help you gain control of the point and create opportunities to seize the advantage.

Shorten Your Backswing
To handle the pace of shots from faster opponents, consider shortening your backswing. By reducing the distance your racket travels before contacting the ball, you gain more control and increase your reaction time. This adjustment allows you to handle the increased speed effectively and execute precise shots. Practice this technique to improve your ability to handle fast-paced rallies.

Utilize Time Between Points
Taking advantage of the allotted time between points can be crucial in managing the pace of the match. Within the specified time limit (25 seconds), use this period to regroup mentally, catch your breath, and plan your next move. By utilizing this time effectively, you can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and regain your focus.

Believe in Yourself and Fight Until the End
Perhaps the most important aspect of competing against stronger and faster opponents is maintaining a strong belief in your abilities. Trust that you have the skills and determination to succeed, regardless of the challenge at hand. Even when the odds seem stacked against you, a positive mindset and unwavering self-belief can lead to surprising outcomes. Keep fighting, stay mentally resilient, and give your all until the final point is played.

Playing against stronger and faster opponents in tennis can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t mean you’re destined for defeat. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can enhance your chances of competing effectively and potentially come out on top.

Remember, tennis is not only about physical prowess but also mental strength and adaptability. Embrace the challenge, believe in yourself, and use these techniques to turn the tables in your favor. Good luck!

Ready to take your tennis game to new heights? Join Ultimate Training for Tennis Players and unlock your potential!

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

I Taught my 8-Year-Old These Two Tennis Tactics Against Pushers

I Taught my 8-Year-Old These Two Tennis Tactics Against Pushers

by | Tennis Coaching, Tennis Training | 1 comment

Seeing that most kids that my daughters played against were very steady from the baseline (real human walls), we decided that we had to come up with a good tactic against them. And indeed we DID!

These combinations of shots won at least two matches (easily) during my daughters’ latest tournament:

Two days before we took off for the tournament I set up the ball machine and had my daughters practice their drop shots.
Once they got a good feel for the short balls, we proceeded to discuss what they’d do from there on…

Considering that “pushers” are very comfortable playing at the baseline, once, at the net, they might try to either back away from it (towards the baseline) or stay up where their volleys would not be solid enough.
Right after the drop shot, my daughters had to be inside the baseline and get ready for an eventual short ball return or a deep one.

Tactic 1:
If their opponents would back up and away from the net following the drop shot return, my daughters were going to take the next ball early and hit it to their feet or easily pass them considering their fragile balance while backing up.

Tactic 2:
If the opponents were going to stay up at the net, I instructed my daughters to hit the first ball in the direction of their opponents and try to pass them on the second attempt.
By hitting to them first, the opposing player might be taken by surprise, expecting a pass. On the second attempt, while the opponents try to defend themselves, a passing shot would be easier to execute.

The first tactic was more efficient since most of the pushers did not feel comfortable staying at the net and tried to move back to baseline.

At least two matches were won by my daughters (each) applying these tactics!
Try them and let me know if they worked for you too.

For more tactics and strategies that work check out this program.

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

Champions… Are They Made Or Born?

Champions… Are They Made Or Born?

by | Tennis Coaching, Tennis Training | 0 comments

No matter what kind of competition I’ve ever signed up for I always felt the pressure of being extreme before the event started. Controlling the fear of failure has always been so hard to handle. Even when I told myself that it was just a game, it still hurt to lose a match…

Because of my own experience, I try to lessen the pressure on my kids in everything they do. Instead of mentioning the win or winning, I’ve been giving them a speech that emphasizes hard work, passion, and love for what they do.

Before their matches begin, I tell them to go out there and have fun or give their best. They know that I’d be happy to see them fight for every point even if they don’t win the “battle”.

Now, those of you who have been following the My Daddy / My Coach video series (where I have recorded the lessons with my own daughters from their very beginnings until the competitive level) know that I have two daughters: Cezara (who is now 10 years old) and Bianca (9 years old). For the last 2 years, they have been enrolled in the tough European under-10 competitions. They’ve had some success and… sometimes have not.

I got to know my kids so much more just by preparing and watching them compete:

One of the major things I learned is that you cannot make champions. THEY ARE BORN!

For many years I thought that anyone can produce champions if the environment is created accordingly.

Take for example my older daughter, Cezara: she loves to read, likes quiet times, loves animals, and is very sensitive to seeing anything suffer (whether it is a plant, animal, or human).
And she gets very nervous before her tennis competition: she gets stomach sick, stuffy nose, etc. She inherited my emotions ten times over… (:
That’s why I decided not to enroll her in any competitions from now on; unless she really wants to.

On the other hand, Bianca is outgoing, happy, and very vocal (but not with strangers). Loves to sing, hates to read, and is very creative in everything she does.
Bianca loves competitions but does not like to practice (typical for the talented ones). I only have to mention that there is a tournament nearby and she jumps for joy and begs me to sign her up…

I found that a major characteristic of a “gifted player” is to welcome pressure and competition.

Talent comes next.

Then comes the hard work and… vision.

Therefore, when comparing the personalities of my two daughters, one can only notice that no matter what you try to achieve with your students (or children) there has to be a particular foundation which they are… born with.

Help your child develop essential tennis skills while having fun. Join My Daddy / My Coach and watch your child’s game improve!

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.