How to Win in Tennis Without Power and Speed
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.
Best Tennis Tactics Against Pushers
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
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.
4 Priorities for Tennis Success / From Consistency to Power
As a tennis coach, I often observe beginning and intermediate-level players warming up for their matches. Unfortunately, I notice that some players prioritize power over the fundamental skills needed for a strong game.
It was a proud moment for me when I overheard my younger daughter explaining to her mother that “everybody can hit hard, but the good players know how to control the ball.” This comment made me reflect on the priorities that players should focus on to improve their tennis game.
Based on my experience, I believe the following should be the priorities in tennis:
- Consistency: The first priority should be developing the ability to hit the ball over the net and inside the lines. Without consistency, it is challenging to win matches.
- Placement: Being able to hit the ball deep and short, or side to side, is key to getting opponents off-balance or hitting from their weaker side. Effective placement requires precision and strategy.
- Spin: The ability to add spin to your shots allows for better ball control and a wider range of bounces. By using spin, players can make their shots more unpredictable and challenging for their opponents.
- Power: Power is the last priority and should only be developed once the first three skills have become comfortable to the player. Developing power without mastering the basics can lead to errors and poor shot selection.
Remember, improving your tennis game takes time and dedication. By prioritizing the fundamentals and focusing on each skill in order, you can develop a well-rounded game and enjoy the sport to the fullest. Have fun on the tennis court!
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 Play Against a “Big” Server and Tall Net Player
A few days ago I got an email from one of our subscribers who is a passionate doubles player. He had a dilemma: how should he return against an aggressive server and a tall player at the net?
Immediately I thought: tough question! In my opinion, this particular player has to face a perfect doubles team: a great server and a tall partner to pick up the weak return.
The thing is that most players would try their best to avoid the net player by hitting aggressive passive shots. That puts extra pressure and the percentage of missing the balls into the net or out is greater.
I would do the following:
– For doubles… I’d have my partner position just behind the service line and let them know that I’d return the serve right at the opposing net player (well, not all the time; just often enough to keep them from poaching and putting the pressure on).
– For singles… again, I’d try to hit the ball at my approaching opponent’s feet or hit the first ball right at them, waiting for my chance for a passing shot.
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.
What It Takes to Win in Tennis
I just finished watching an excellent movie, “Ender’s Game”… It made me “jump” on my keyboard and write these thoughts:
Tennis is a sport that gives us pleasure in two ways: through competition, or… the feeling of working out/hitting the ball.
If you are in this sport to compete, then… you need to learn how to win!
Many tennis coaches and players spend hundreds of hours perfecting their stroke techniques. While that is very important, I do not think it should be over-emphasized.
For me, the priorities in tennis are:
1. technique
2. movement
3. tactics/strategies
In the movie I mentioned above, there is a character who is not the best fighter or the smartest among his peers – he is just the best at understanding how to defeat his enemies. He knows what it takes to win and he makes sure to get it done.
Tennis players often spend too much time perfecting their technique. It should be done according to the tactics that one has to apply against certain opponents.
That’s because, for example, the forehand is not always the same when hit from different parts of the court or in rally situations (stretched, close to the net, defending from behind the baseline, off-balance, etc.).
It is more important that you study the court geometry, and stroke options (placement and spin), AND begin to pay attention to your opponents’ weaknesses from the beginning of any match.
Those are the skills that will allow you to enjoy the sport even more and win more tennis matches.
I’ve spent a great deal of time providing you with my best knowledge in the area of winning in tennis so you too can understand and enjoy it at a higher level.
Whether you play singles or doubles, there is a wealth of information on how to beat the pushers, the serve-and-volley players, how to deal with the wind (in singles) or how to win using the one-up-one-back formation, how to position yourself on the court for the best results, how to use the I-formation (in doubles) and so much more.
Also, learn the court geometry (positioning so that you use less effort and get the best out of your shots) and stroke tactics (how, where, and why you should place your serve, ground strokes, volleys, etc.).
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 Relax For Peak Performance in Tennis
Getting nervous before or during a match is completely normal.
I lost many matches as a junior player only because I did not know how to level my state of mind while playing.
There were times when I embarrassed myself by losing to lower-ranked players when everybody who knew me expected me to win easily against them…
But, fortunately, over the years, I have become better at controlling not only my temperament on the court but also my internal emotions.
Here are some techniques that helped me (and still do) before and during tennis matches:
1. Control your breathing – do it slowly and deeply – visualize the air going in and then out.
2. Focus on the strings as soon as the point ends – try to clear your mind and keep your eyes on a particular spot – do not let your eyes shift for at least 10 seconds.
3. Relax your muscles – feel (imagine) your shoulders tensionless.
4. Walk slowly and with confidence.
5. If you have a ritual that makes you feel better (fixing your strings, pulling up your t-shirt sleeves, using the towel, drying your hands, etc.), stay with it.
6. Use positive talk: “I love this sport!”, “This is fun!”, “I enjoy playing!” etc.
7. One way of relaxing is to sing (in a very low voice) or hum your favorite song in between points.
8. Recall a time you played very well and were happy with your game.
You don’t have to do all these techniques at once during the match. Just pick the ones that work for you; I am sure you might already have one that helps you.
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.
Tennis Competition / How to Enjoy It
One of my students recently told me: “Cosmin, I have a big fear of losing – especially when it comes to lower-level players because they are the last ones I want to lose to!”
Before I became a coach, I was a player myself. And I hated to lose too… because of that, I did not enjoy competing in tennis; even when I was winning!
It took me a few years to understand what was happening:
The reason we do not enjoy the competition is that we all hate to LOSE!
Thinking about losing is a negative thought. When we go into a match focusing on the negative, we attract negative things to us!
As a coach, I have played many practice matches with my advanced students – and I enjoyed every minute of that. My mentality was that if they were to beat me I would be happy for them (after all, they are my students!); if I were to win, that would be a learning experience for them. Either way, I was playing in a relaxed mode, and as a result, I really enjoyed my tennis!
The moral of this article is that every player should go into a match thinking that either outcome is a great learning experience: win or lose, we learn; we progress; and we discover new areas to better ourselves…
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.
