When preparing to play tennis WARM UP YOUR STROKES SLOWLY!
Sounds simple doesn't it? Yet, most club players warm up
too fast and attempt to consistently hit winners. All good
athletes, ballet dancers, and even race horses warm up
slowly, but club players go out and beat on the ball in the
warm-up! Here is a simple plan that you can execute within
10 minutes to warm up properly.
- For a few minutes warm up the eyes. Do not worry if the
balls you hit go in or out, just keep your eye on the ball
and WARM UP YOUR EYE TRACKING SYSTEM.
- Next, for more controlled ball placement in a match try
to consciously aim the ball at your opponent with increased
accuracy. WARM UP YOUR BALL PLACEMENT.
- And last, begin moving a little faster to run down a few
more balls. WARM UP YOUR MUSCLES.
Too many players immediately run fast, hit the ball much too
hard, and attempt to hit winners consistently in the warm-up.
When I confront them about hitting hard and hitting winners
they usually tell me, "Well that is the way I am going to
play." I quickly tell them they are not playing a match,
they are WARMING UP! The truth is, they have trouble slowing
down their strokes because it throws off their timing. Can
you slow down your strokes and still maintain your timing?
I can tell you one thing, it will be great practice to try.
In a match, you must learn to play at different speeds,
depending on the circumstances. The warm-up is a perfect
opportunity to see if you can control the ball at slower
speeds.
The next time you play, WARM UP SLOWLY and give your eyes,
mind, and body a chance to work itself into improved timing
and rhythm. You will be surprised at the difference it will
make in your match play.
The WARM-UP is to WARM UP! I am not quite sure why many
players cannot get that, but it seems to be a universal
malady. Do not be guilty of attempting to win the warm-up.
Save it for match play!
