|
Features — Jan. 1, 2009
|
 Stroke Comparison
Compare your strokes with the pros
|
 HD
Channel
High Def videos of the pros
|
 Online Lessons
Lessons from any pro
|
 ProStrokes Videos
Thousands of action videos
|
TennisOne Video Network Features of the Day
- Sample -Rafa Nadal's forehand- ProStrokes 2.0 Slow-Motion
- "Nadal's balance's so amassing it has been scientifically investigated with very slow cams; it's considered perfect! Rafa's tennis is not about biceps its' about skill, movement, balance & mental strength! He's beautiful to the eye but that's not why he's a champion!" - comment by T1 member YoSoyZuri
- Ken DeHart - "Finishing Your Backhand Like the Pros " in Featured Video.
- New HD Video - Mikhail Youzhny- Serve Sequence - 7 - 1.5.09 in HD Channel.
- TennisOne's First-in-World-Capability -- Compare your strokes with the Pros (Comparison Channel), and compare the Pros with the Pros (Pro Comparison Channel). See slow-motion comparisons below. Patience--it takes 30 seconds or so for two slow-motion videos to download:
Launch Your Serve Better
 Perhaps the most critical component of the service motion is the launch position. The launch position occurs as the racquet drops farthest behind the back with the elbow high and the back arched. The legs straighten into a powerful upwards drive yet the racquet remains in the slot behind the back. This delayed action catapults the racquet up and into the ball. In this article, Doug Eng examines the salient features of the launch position and how it is critical for a powerful serve.
Put Together Your Playbook
 As you work on your tennis and move up the NTRP ladder, you’re going to reach a level of play where the majority of your points are no longer handed to you. Still it might surprise you but the majority of tennis matches at the 3.5 level and below are a race to see which player or team can miss enough shots to lose the match first. Players at the 4.0 levels and above do not hand their opponents free points and one big shot will seldom break them down. To win against the big boys and girls requires patience, discipline and a game plan. Greg Moran
The Year That Was — Best Of Vintage 2008
 Paul Fein's retrospective on 2008 in the world of tennis. The year brought us two new number ones, exciting young players on the rise, veterans toppled, and one notable who just walked off into the sunset. So here it is, the best and the worst of 2008 as seen through the eyes of one of tennis' more interesting commentators — some of the great moments of the year and some others we'd just as soon forget.
ProStrokes 2.0 - Jelena Jankovic's Forehand
 Jelena Jankovic has reached the pinnacle of the women's game – currently number 1 in the Sony Ericsson WTA tour rankings, and also 1st in the Tour Race. Jelena holds nine tour singles titles but has yet to capture a Slam title. She is remarkably fit and plays an aggressive counter punching baseline game. But her matches are overly long, and she has been prone to injury if not injurious theatrics. To step up and gain a stranglehold on the number one ranking, she will have to take a page from Serena’s book, and build a weapon on the serve – anything for “free points.” Check out Jelena's forehand in TennisOne ProStrokes 2.0.
|
Rhythm and the Toss of the Serve
 Much has been written about the ideal toss height. Some pros endorse a low toss, only as high as the contact point. The argument is that when the ball reaches its peak, it is easiest to hit since it is nearly stationary. Others suggest a toss about 18-24” above the contact point. Their argument is that as the ball accelerates down, it is easier to apply topspin and there is more time to load the legs and shoulders for power. However, since there are so many kinds of serves, is there really an ideal toss height? Doug Eng looks into the quest for the ideal toss.
Developing an Attacking Game: Learning to Close
 The general idea of moving forward in the court and volleying the ball is to take the offensive and increase the chances of hitting a winner. By moving forward you increase the potential angle of your shot and reduce the amount of time that your opponent has to react to it. Your ability to intercept a volley as close to the net as possible plays a vital role in your net game. This is called “closing on the net.” In this article Doug King looks specifically at how to attack the sitter and, in general, how to become more effective at finishing points off at the net.
Teaching the Forehand
 In the 70's, the emphasis was on technique and templates (teaching each stroke as a single unit) but new research has shown that the brain does not process this information efficiently. Hence, in order to develop a new, more efficient method of development, Ray Brown designed a tennis program around two principles of learning. One is that the brain learns more efficiently when organizing information by relevance and purpose; and two, the brain is organized around the use of components, not templates.
Return of Serve – Old School
 The return of serve may be the stroke practiced least (recreationally or professionally) that bears the greatest impact on a match. So many of the Big Bangers on tour over swing and return serve with regrettable inconsistency. Jim McLennan thinks they might be improved by taking a step backwards in time to some of the Old School return of serve techniques. Namely, borrowing pace on the first serve and stepping in to make something happen on the second.
Position, Balance, Transfer -- The Modern Forehand
 Professional tour coach, Heath Waters, breaks down the modern forehand. With slight variations, this is the same stroke used by touring professionals everywhere. Heath provides three reference points designed to enhance positioning, balance, and weight transfer and guide you in the right direction. Heath also provides a unique drill to help you practice and perfect this basic stroke of the modern game.
Extreme Makeover: The Volley
 Perhaps more than any other shot, the volley tends to either be relished or feared and avoided. The ability of players to really enjoy their volleys is directly related to two main issues: the ability to execute effective volleys and the ability to defend more difficult shots while at the net. Here, Dave Smith teaches the volley from the ground up, starting with the continental grip and adding some drills to help you build a confident volley of your own.
TennisOne Newsletter - 27 Players Worth Talking About
|
|
