The safest way to warm up before playing tennis seems to be to have both players stand on the service line and tap the ball on one bounce back and forth. This allows you to warm up your hand/eye coordination and find good contact without risking a painful mis-hit with a full swing.

For some players this is not easy. Many players today are taught to take a full swing the first time they step onto the court. If your opponent prefers too warm up from the baseline, be sure to swing slowly and watch the ball closely to avoid mis-hitting the ball with a full swing.

It is best not to do anything quickly until you have broken a sweat. Overdressing at the start helps. Some like to jog a few laps around the court. Some like to take a few practice swings without the ball.

Another good idea is to do some stretching exercises before even picking up the racket. Warming up is always fun if you have some buddies. For kids, its good to take tennis lessons with other kids or do a tennis camp in Marin.

If you would like more information, check out our website at Dave Kregel Tennis Academy

]]> http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/tennis-in-marin-warming-up.html/feed http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/how-to-handle-the-outcome-of-the-tennis-match.html http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/how-to-handle-the-outcome-of-the-tennis-match.html#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:00:38 +0000 admin http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/?p=451 Handling the Outcome

Being in the Here and Now to have super focus to make every single shot without having to try to hard…

Handling the outcome of a tennis match can be divided into 3 time periods: the conclusion, the aftermath and the period of the match when the outcome is being determined.

No matter how close and hard fought the match, the winner and the loser should be gracious at the end. When the match is over we return to real life and have to live with each other. So encourage the loser and congratulate the winner.

After losing a match, don’t beat yourself up. Try to figure out why you lost. Did you blow a lead by changing your game? Were you tired? Does one or more of your strokes need improvement? You will learn more from losing than from winning.

During the match, if you are struggling and getting frustrated, try not to show it. Frustration feeds on itself. Try to relax and tell yourself that the more balls you hit the better you will play. Shouting, cursing and throwing your racquet only ruins it for everyone including yourself.

If you want to find out more about strategy, mindset, and technique and learn how to take your tennis to the next level click the link tennis lessons in marin or call Dave Kregel (415) 515-7724

]]> http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/how-to-handle-the-outcome-of-the-tennis-match.html/feed http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/tennisinmarin.html http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/tennisinmarin.html#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:00:02 +0000 admin http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/?p=457 The Rally

The term “rally” has several meanings in tennis. It generally means “to hit the ball back and forth without keeping score”. The object is to hit the ball to the other player with the hope she will hit it back to you so that you will have time to hit a nice stroke back to her. A compatible partner allows you to “groove” your strokes. Many players spend a lot of time doing this. Some players prefer this to”playing”, that is, serving and keeping score. The object in playing is to hit the ball where your opponent will have trouble returning it.

Another meaning is when rally means to warm-up before a match. Again you should hit the ball where your opponent wants it.

When we say “there was a long rally in the last point” we mean that a lot of shots were hit before the point ended.

In tennis we don’t “rally for serve”. Instead we spin the racquet.

Finally, coming from behind is called “rallying’ or “putting on the rally cap”.

Come join us at our tennis in marin location and find out How to hit that effective rally ball.

There are two basic strategies after hitting a nice tennis serve: you either follow your serve to net, or you stay on the baseline after you serve.

Serve and Volley: If you follow your tennis serve to the net, it is not advisable to run to the net without stopping. A low return, a lob or a return near the sidelines are nearly impossible to get. The best approach is to take a few steps toward the spot where your serve will land and do a split step when your opponent strikes the ball. A split step is done by landing on both feet parallel to the net and then moving forward toward the return if you take it in the air or stopping if you have to hit it after it bounces or if you have to hit an overhead smash. The best net rushers do not come to a complete stop when they land on both feet. Instead they spring forward to the right or left with their racquet up for a forehand volley or a backhand volley, depending on where the return is going. If it is high, angle it off the court. If low, hit it straight ahead. The Dave Kregel Tennis Club in Marin will teach all of this techniques and more.

If you see that the receiver has hit the ball low, you should stop and hit the ball on the bounce, straight ahead and deep in the court. Then move in for an easy angled volley.

NEW RESERVATION SYSTEM

If you wish to reserve a court for play or ball machine practice, call me at 415- 515-7724. If you get voicemail, please leave your phone number and the time you want the court. I will call you if there is a conflict. Unless you specify differently, I will assume you want to play for two hours. Ball machine use is limited to one hour.

If you like this information and would like to schedule a lesson, please call me at

(415) 515-7724 or visit our Marin tennis website

This has got to be the craziest shot anyone has pulled off. Roger hits this shot at the US Open Semifinal.

Check this video out:

There are two basic positions for the partner of the player returning serve. Which one you chose depends on your personal safety. The two positions are just inside the service line and just inside the baseline. The first is generally referred to as playing “up”, while the second is playing “back”. Both are usually midway between the sideline (opposite from where the serve must go) and the middle line of the court.

If the server is coming to net and your partner cannot keep his return low, you should be playing “back”. Likewise if the server’s partner is successfully poaching on a regular basis. Clearly, if your opponents are nailing volleys at or past you, play back. If your partner is having no problem in returning crosscourt and low and is keeping the netman from poaching (with lobs and passing shots), you should play up.

When you play up, you should “cross” when your partner hits a return that a net rusher must play on the bounce. When you cross, move toward the center net strap so you can hit a winning volley. If the server stays back and your partner hits his return to the server, move toward the server to a point midway between the net and the service line.

Always remember that when you play up, your goal is to dominate the net and confuse your opponents. When you play back, your goal is to move to the up position as soon as you can. If your partner lobs the return and your opponents are not setting up to hit an overhead, move forward.

If you are playing up, you should call the service line since you have the best view of that line. The receiver should call the center and side lines.

In conclusion, always cheer up your partner and never criticize him. If he wants you to stand in a strange position, try it. The player returning the serve should be in charge.

Here is a great video explaining what your tennis partner should do depending on how well your partner hits his serve.

If you are interested in playing some doubles check out tennis in marin. There is a great forum where you can arrange matches or just find some  to play with. I hope you enjoyed this post.

]]> http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/tennisinmarin-thetennispartner.html/feed http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/perfect-forehand-movement.html http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/marin-tennis/perfect-forehand-movement.html#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 07:00:49 +0000 admin http://www.tennisinmarinblog.com/?p=363 To achieve the best tennis shot you must learn the basics of motion. From shoulder movement, to moving the wait, each simple step makes the perfect shot. Tennis In Marin helps teach these movements in a concise and friendly manner which is also an effective way to achieve perfect movement. If you are looking for a more spin tennis forehand, I would recommend changing your grip to a more eastern grip as well as flicking your wrist at the end of your stroke. If you are looking for a flatter shot, use a more western grip and keep your wrist planted against the racket. Do not flick the wrist.

If you like any of these tips and would like to learn more, please visit our marin tennis website.

You may step into a spin serve or a slower serve if you can do it and still control the return. If not, stand in closer and use an open stance.

If you like any of these tips and would like to learn more, please visit our marin tennis website.