Steven White's Articles – December 2010 Archive (6)

As your level of play increases, simply keeping the ball in play may not be enough to win matches. The amount of control you have over the ball then becomes an important factor. Your shot placements can make all the difference. Maybe your opponent has good ground strokes and is able to effectively stay in every rally with you. If you have the ability to hit the ball short to him, high and low, in close and outside, then you will probably be able to discover more weaknesses as well as keep…

One of the best ways to gain control of a point in progress is accomplished by gaining control of the ball and the direction you want it to go. And although all of the great players in tennis history have learned the importance of quick feet, they have also learned that once they reach the ball it is equally important to use the correct swing to direct the ball with control.…

Nothing can hurt your game more than a negative attitude and a lack of enthusiasm for what you are doing. Ask your self a question. Who is responsible for your attitude? Well, I’m here to tell you that it is you and you alone. Strive to form positive thoughts in your head and in your heart whenever you walk on the court.

The fiercest opponent you’ll probably ever face in tennis is a “bad attitude”. Tremendous abilities can be wasted when a bad attitude sets in. It can block…

Teaching young children is not as easy as you might think. It can be very challenging. There are some adults, coaches and parents who are born with the gift of being able to communicate with children with great ease. For coaches and parents with less teaching experience where small children are concerned, here are some general principles that you should…

Although the traditional way of teaching youngsters is still the mainstream of introducing the game, a modern style of playing and teaching is beginning to raise its head even at the beginner level. The modern game is a variation that uses different techniques of preparation and ball striking. The recent explosion of “modern tennis” was and is still being created…

When was the last time you walked onto a tennis court just to hit a few balls with a friend or practice partner without having a specific purpose in mind? To make the most of your court time, my advice is to use your practice time wisely. You would do well to remember this very important point – “aimless hitting” produces “aimless play”. Balls that are directed…