Over the course of their career, players will transverse four levels of competing. They will also notice the behaviors associated with these levels of competing in the opponents they face. It is important to let players experience all of these levels so that they can handle the mental and emotional pressures these different roles create. …
Understanding how a match progresses and adapting to events is crucial to being a consistent winner. The following gives guidelines on how to approach the match at different stages. First 4-6 games: Good footwork and fast racket early, get into a rhythm by making a lot of balls, establish basic strategy, lock in your game …
Stages of a Match: Understanding How a Match Progresses Read More »
View from the Chair Not So Super: The Third-Set Tie-Breaker by Chuck Kriese, 10 August 2012 At junior tournaments throughout the country, it has become common to use so-called ‘Super Tie-Breakers’ (STBs) instead of playing out third sets. These tie-breakers are being used in spite of disapproval from players, coaches and parents. Chuck Kriese, …
Two key statistics that are required to fully understand match outcomes: the Forced Errors/Winners and Unforced Errors. Let’s review what they are and why they are crucial in understanding matches. A Forced Error is a mistake attributed to the pressure created by the other player’s ball. This is different from the more familiar concept of …
On a regular basis, athletes are required to study, practice, compete, and train with great effort and concentration to fulfill their potential. Rarely do we take time to think about how developing and understanding our character traits influence performances on the court. Parents, teachers, coaches, and the player’s environment shape these traits. Motivation – The …
The best athletes in the world can raise their game when the stakes are highest. As competitors, we romanticize and yearn for the opportunity to play at the peak of our ability against a worthy opponent. Federer and Nadal’s 2008 Wimbledon final is arguably the greatest match ever for this reason. While a worthy adversary …
