VasMaz Tennis's Posts - Tennisopolis : Tennis Social Network2024-03-29T10:10:39ZVasMaz Tennishttp://tennisopolis.com/profile/VasMazTennishttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3139298587?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://tennisopolis.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=1fpoe57ty9398&xn_auth=noLe Backhand- One Small Detail Nobody Has Taught You That Will Transform Your One-Handed Backhandtag:tennisopolis.com,2013-10-10:1869403:BlogPost:10889282013-10-10T19:30:00.000ZVasMaz Tennishttp://tennisopolis.com/profile/VasMazTennis
<h4><a href="http://tennisopolis.com/profiles/blogs/le-backhand-one-small-detail-nobody-has-taught-you-that-will" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149149159?profile=original" width="600"></img></a> The one-handed backhand even though not as popular and not as widely taught as the two-handed backhand is a shot that when executed well can become a player’s biggest weapon. Now, in a different blog, I will discuss the reasons most tennis coaches choose to teach the two-handed backhand over the one-handed variation, but today I want to reveal to you a…</h4>
<h4><a href="http://tennisopolis.com/profiles/blogs/le-backhand-one-small-detail-nobody-has-taught-you-that-will" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149149159?profile=original" class="align-center" width="600"/></a>The one-handed backhand even though not as popular and not as widely taught as the two-handed backhand is a shot that when executed well can become a player’s biggest weapon. Now, in a different blog, I will discuss the reasons most tennis coaches choose to teach the two-handed backhand over the one-handed variation, but today I want to reveal to you a secret that makes players, such as Richard Gasquet or Stanislas Wawrinka have a deadly one-handed backhand.<br/> <br/>
The trick lies within the follow through. Most players are taught to follow through straight up; howeverm the best players in the world go beyond that point. They actually overextend their shoulder; however, they do so WITHOUT losing the balance of their upper body! Easier said then done, right?<br/>
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If you train yourself the right way and strengthen your core and shoulders you will be on the right track to improve your one-handed backhand. Next time you are on court, force yourself to extend your hitting shoulder, but only do so without letting your entire body rotate too early. It will take practice, time, and an adjustment period, but you will not regret it.</h4>
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<p><a href="http://www.vasmaztennis.com">www.vasmaztennis.com</a></p>Talent: How is talent defined and who is considered to be talented from the pros?tag:tennisopolis.com,2013-10-09:1869403:BlogPost:10889272013-10-09T22:30:00.000ZVasMaz Tennishttp://tennisopolis.com/profile/VasMazTennis
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<h4>When I conducted a poll on my Facebook page asking you guys about your opinion regarding the most talented player on the ATP World Tour, it came as no surprise to me when most of you voted Roger Federer as the most talented tennis player.<br></br> <br></br> The available options were<br></br> <br></br> a. Roger Federer<br></br> b. Rafael Nadal<br></br> c. Novak Djokovic<br></br> d. Other…<br></br></h4>
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<h4>When I conducted a poll on my Facebook page asking you guys about your opinion regarding the most talented player on the ATP World Tour, it came as no surprise to me when most of you voted Roger Federer as the most talented tennis player.<br/> <br/> The available options were<br/> <br/> a. Roger Federer<br/> b. Rafael Nadal<br/> c. Novak Djokovic<br/> d. Other<br/> e. Is that a trick question?<br/> <br/> Is that actually true though or is there a chance that most of you that voted are wrong? Is there a right answer to that question?<br/> <br/> Let me give you my answer to this poll question:<br/> <br/> <strong>e) Is that a trick question?</strong><br/> <br/> Yes, it is a trick question. The right answer is that it is very difficult to determine the level of talent of all these players. You know why?<br/> <br/> Because a tennis player has not one, but several talents that need to be combined for him to become elite.<br/> <br/> Before I continue, let me clarify that if you would ask me this question 10 years ago, I would most certainly also consider Roger Federer as the most talented tennis player.<br/> <br/> Up to this day I describe the three players mentioned in the poll in the following way:<br/> <br/> Roger Federer = Artist<br/> Rafael Nadal = Warrior<br/> Novak Djokovic = Complete<br/> <br/> Now, the word “artist” itself is associated with talent. In the tennis world, most of the people associate the word “talent” with good hands.<br/> <br/> My experiences on the ATP Tour taught me that talent cannot be limited only to ”good hands.” There are so many talents an elite tennis player needs to have; a reality that is sometimes mind-boggling.<br/> <br/> When opening a dictionary, under the word “talent” one can find the following definition:<br/> <br/> <strong>*Talent = natural aptitude or skill*</strong><br/> <br/> So, what talents/skills does a tennis player possess, beside the obvious “good hands?”<br/> <br/> <strong>There is the physical talent.<br/></strong> <br/> Some players are naturally faster, stronger, or bigger than others. They are physically built for tennis. Some are bigger in size, others are super fast, and a few have the ability to outlast their opponents when going to distance. Of course, EVERYBODY can work and improve their fitness levels, but regardless of the amount of work one puts in, some will not necessarily reach the level of others who have a “god-given” talent in one specific department and combine that with equal work with the rest. For example, if both put in the same hours of work, Tomas Berdych will never be as quick as Lleyton Hewitt, and Lleyton Hewitt will never be able to hit as hard as Tomas Berdych. Their physical attributes do not allow them to do so.<br/> <br/> Now, you may disagree with me, but let me ask you a question. Do you consider sprinters “untalented?” Guess what, their success depends mainly on their speed, and not everyone is born as fast as Usain Bolt. He is more talented than others in that department.<br/> <br/> Moreover, tennis requires a series of “talents” related to a player’s mental abilities. It is impossible to cover all of them in here, but I will only mention a few:<br/> <br/> <strong>Awareness of the situation and decision-making (Chess-playing ability)<br/></strong> <br/> Some players are born with the ability to be completely aware of a point situation, know exactly what is happening around them, can already see beforehand what will occur, depending on their shot selections, and based on this awareness make the right or the best decisions on court under the circumstances. They are advanced chess players on a tennis court.<br/> Example: How many times have you fallen in the trap of going down the line on the run when you see the down-the-line corner exposed and ending up missing it or hitting a low-quality shot that will result in you losing the point? The best players will make naturally the right choice based on their skills and the situation they are in.<br/> <br/> <strong>Abilities such as competitiveness, fighting spirit, determination, or the ability to handle pressure<br/></strong> <br/> Not all players are equally competitive, determined to do whatever they can to win, or willing to fight until the last point as the best players in the world. Rafael Nadal is the perfect example of a player “unwilling to die.” Furthermore, not everyone can handle pressure moments the same way. I strongly believe that pressure situations can be replicated during training; however, regardless of the training, not all people are naturally gifted at controlling their emotions and remaining as focused as the best players in the world. Some people are naturally more gifted and therefore, with the right training more superior in that department.<br/> <br/> <strong>Talents such as work-ethic, commitment, discipline<br/></strong> <br/> If you believe that work ethic is not a talent, you are mistaken. Some players are investing their entire lives in working for their tennis. They are committed and disciplined to eat, sleep, and train for their tennis and are willing to sacrifice their free hours, their favorite foods, or even their social interactions to be able to focus on their tennis development. How many people do you believe have the mental strength to do so? Do you believe the average professional tennis player is willing to do that? Do not be mistaken. Not everyone is equipped with that type of talent, or let’s say not to the same degree.<br/> <br/> <strong>Abilities such as belief, patience.<br/></strong> <br/> Without a doubt in my mind, belief is a god given talent that not everyone has in equal levels. One of the most important ingredients of the top players’ success is their belief in their abilities. When talking about belief, I mean real belief. Elite players know and believe that they will succeed and therefore, are willing to do anything possible to make it happen. And this is what real belief relies on. If you really believe, you are not afraid to take risks, make sacrifices, and invest your entire life to reach your goal. You know you will succeed one way or another; therefore, you remain patient in the hard, difficult, and disappointing moments that may cross your path. How many people do you know that will give up after a few failures? Many.. How many people do you know that will never give up, regardless of the circumstances? Very few. These few are equipped with superior mental strength that I consider a unique skill or talent.<br/> <br/> As you can see, tennis is not a simple sport of hitting tennis balls. I know many professional players with picture-perfect technique that never made it within the top 700 players in the world and others, who some of you would consider “untalented” that made it to the top 100… Tennis requires a combination of talents that need to be coordinated and developed as everything else in life. Simply possessing the various skills or talents is not enough.<br/> <br/> As Pete Sampras very wisely quoted: <em>“You need the game, you need the heart, you need the mind.”</em><br/> <br/> <strong>Conclusion</strong> <br/> In my opinion, it is impossible to determine the level of talent of the top players in the world and it is at least unfair to label one of them as more talented than the rest. All of them are uniquely and extraordinary talented and we should feel blessed to be here and witness their brilliance.<br/> <br/> I would love to hear your guys’ opinion. Please comment below or on my Facebook page and don’t forget to share this blog with your friends! </h4>
<p><a href="http://www.vasmaztennis.com">www.vasmaztennis.com</a></p>Inside The Pros’ Mind- Welcometag:tennisopolis.com,2013-10-09:1869403:BlogPost:10887332013-10-09T22:30:00.000ZVasMaz Tennishttp://tennisopolis.com/profile/VasMazTennis
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<h4>“<em>The whole thing is never to get negative about yourself. Sure, it’s possible that the other guy you’re playing is tough, and that he may have beaten you the last time you played, and okay, maybe you haven’t been playing all that well yourself. But the minute you start thinking about these things you’re dead. I go out to every match convinced that I’m going to…</em></h4>
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<h4>“<em>The whole thing is never to get negative about yourself. Sure, it’s possible that the other guy you’re playing is tough, and that he may have beaten you the last time you played, and okay, maybe you haven’t been playing all that well yourself. But the minute you start thinking about these things you’re dead. I go out to every match convinced that I’m going to win. That is all there is to it.</em>”<br/> <br/> -<strong>Jimmy Connors</strong><br/> <br/> Welcome to the “<strong>Inside the Pros’ Mind</strong>” blog. Right above, you had the opportunity to read a Jimmy Connors’ quote, providing an insight into the confidence level of elite athletes. Jimmy Connors was a champion.<br/> <br/> Growing up in the tennis world, I was fortunate to have been surrounded by great champions. I had the great fortune and honor to train alongside elite tennis ATP World Tour players like Novak Djokovic or David Ferrer among others and the privelege of socializing, practicing, and become friends with pros of all levels, different cultures, and backgrounds who had a common goal:<br/> <br/> <strong>Become the best they can be and reach their full potential. Become champions.</strong><br/> <br/> Now, I was always inspired by William Osler’s quote:<br/> <br/> “<em>Observe, record, tabulate, communicate. Use your five senses. Learn to see, learn to hear, learn to feel, learn to smell, and know that by practice alone you can become expert.</em>”<br/> <br/> And that is exactly what I did my entire career and now I want to share these fascinating experiences and knowledge with you!<br/> <br/> I would not change my life as a tennis player or any of the experiences along the way for anything, as they made me understand what tennis is all about. It is about a journey. Regardless of your tennis level, whether you are an amateur or a professional, you will be a part of a journey. You will be a part of your own journey. Now, the final destination is entirely up to you. You may<strong>choose</strong> to set the bar high and expect to become the best in the world or simply <strong>choose</strong> to reach the maximum of your ability, wherever that guides you. Regardless of your choice your journey will have several stops, many adjustments periods, many happy and sad moments.<br/> <br/> And, here is where I jump in. During my 12 years as a professional ATP World Tour player, I learned that everybody and I mean <strong>everybody</strong> needs some sort of guidance. No matter how dedicated or talented you are, unless you learn the right way and are guided in the right direction, you won’t reach the maximum of your potential.<br/> <br/> The <strong>Inside the Pros’ Mind</strong> blog was created for this purpose. For the first time ever you will have the opportunity to <strong>see the game of tennis through the eyes of the pros!</strong> It will guide you in an entirely different way than you are used to. It won’t bore you with common basic information you have heard thousands of times before, but will provide you with <strong>insider tips</strong>that will make you understand <strong>how the pros approach the game of tennis, train, and most importantly think!</strong> Why should you follow this blog? Because always remember:<br/> <br/> “<em>To become the best you have to learn from the best.</em>”<br/> <br/> What makes the pros so successful? How do they practice? What are their beliefs? How do they behave? How do they think? Those are all questions that we will analyze in the “<strong>Inside the Pro’s Mind</strong>” column. I will share with you the pros’ and my experiences, and together we will enter a journey that will allow you to develop into the tennis player you would like to become.<br/> <br/> So again, welcome on board and make sure to share your questions and thoughts with me and the rest of the tennis world by commenting below.<br/> <br/> Also don’t forget to share the knowledge with your friends.<br/> <br/> As Brian Tracy says: “<em>Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.</em>”</h4>