What does it take to be good?

[KerryJ]

What did it take you guys to be good, and how long? I have been hitting since last July, didn't get a lesson until December, broke my thumb in February (dodgebal :oops:l). So I needed to re-learn the whole game. I would say I have been seriously playing since around April, but just started to get really serious about a month ago. I have beaten B14 Champs on two occasions, but still need work. I currently have 3-4 private lessons a week, 1-2 group lessons per week, hit against the wall 30 minutes to 2 hours a day, and I am just barely an exceptional player. Is there anything else I can do to improve my game?

[soggyramen]

having good strokes, mental toughness, court sense, and good footwork/form. pretty much to be "good" you have to have a mix of everything. just my two cents

[KerryJ]

What steps did you take though? Am I on the right track?

[Tennis-Chris]

What did it take you guys to be good, and how long? I have been hitting since last July, didn't get a lesson until December, broke my thumb in February (dodgebal :oops:l). So I needed to re-learn the whole game. I would say I have been seriously playing since around April, but just started to get really serious about a month ago. I have beaten B14 Champs on two occasions, but still need work. I currently have 3-4 private lessons a week, 1-2 group lessons per week, hit against the wall 30 minutes to 2 hours a day, and I am just barely an exceptional player. Is there anything else I can do to improve my game?

I think all the practice and training are good things but you need seasoning. I don't know what a B14 Champion is but I am assuming you are playing tournaments. That is hugely important in my opinion. I practice to improve my shot selection, consistency, etc. but it is the tournaments I play where I put it to use against other players.

I have played tennis a long time and my rule of thumb of practice and competition is this; "Miss a day, Lose a week."
:mrgreen:

[KerryJ]

As far as champ goes, there are three ranks in Texas. ZAT, Champ, Super Champ. It takes 65 ZAT points to be a champ, and 65 Champ points to be a super. You can only play in one per month, depending on your points, and you basically get 4 points per match won. Yes I am playing in tournaments, not with much sucess though. No wins, one consolation, one final. But this stuff takes time, I have three tournaments in December, so hopefully I can snag a win.

[KerryJ]

I'm pretty sure that is in the wrong place. ^

[soggyramen]

What steps did you take though? Am I on the right track?

there's no steps just keep practicing. particularly your mental game.

learning tennis/strokes: 90% physical 10% mental
match play: 10% physical 90% mental

[KerryJ]

Dang, that sounded scholarly.

[ROFLingpanda]

there's no steps just keep practicing. particularly your mental game.

learning tennis/strokes: 90% physical 10% mental
match play: 10% physical 90% mental

i agree especially when youre playing pushers. they can drive you crazy (at least they drive me crazy) so it's pretty much all mental

[CAM178]

What you need to get to the next level is what the top juniors do: find better competition. Usually this means finding adult players to play against. There is no substitute for match play. It's called match toughness. You eventually get into a zone on the court, and it will happen every time you play. You get to where it is second nature, and you will run every ball down, as you want to win every single point.

My advice? Contact some local college players, strong men's open players, and possibly retired pro players in your area. Get a strong rotation going, so that you're hitting with these guys at least 2-3 times per week. It will be very, very humbling the first time you play them, but eventually you will get stronger and stronger.

For me, I just played as often as I could, and with as many strong players as I could. I contacted as many as I could, so that I always had matches. Hitting's great, but it is not nearly the same as a match.

[babolat15]

footwork, is huge. fitness is huge during tourneys since u might have to play several matches a day

[KerryJ]

What you need to get to the next level is what the top juniors do: find better competition.

Thanks, I know a few people I can hit with.

footwork, is huge.

What are some things I can do to improve it.

[darbybrandon1993]

"What are some things I can do to improve it."

You can jump rope.....

[FedererISBetter]

I would say you are on the right track,,, just too much lessons unless it isnt a big problem with your budget. Remember to get a lot of match play going on when you hit with people. Try some tournments, watch some tennis... be fit. Thats about it, I think.

[MIGHTY MANFRED THE WONDER]

Get 3' of (thinner) rope, 1' 1/2" broom handle and #2 pound iron weight.

Tie the weight on one end of rope TIGHT, tie the other end to the middle of the broom handle.

Put one hand on each end of the broom handle and TWIST the broom handle, raising the weight to the handle
SLOWLY return weight to the floor by reversing twist.

NO MONEY FOR THIS? Golf Legend Gary Player said- 3 sheets of newspaper per hand (per day) Crunch each into the smallest ball you can.
Easy and makes you flat scarey- Nadal sez he doesnt "use" weights.