How to improve my game to a 3.0?

[Redsfan320]

Hey guys, I'm 15 and have taken tennis lessons with a group for a few years, but never took it very seriously. Still, I learned the basics of the game there. Now I play with my family about every night, and am currently looking for a league/team to join. Anyway, using this, I am right between a 2.5 and a 3.0 right now. Would really love to get my game to a consistent 3.0. My strengths are a decent slice shot, and a good return. My biggest weakness is my 1st serve, which I can hit hard, but not accurately (maybe 35%?). I can always float the 2nd serve in, but I'd really like to improve the 1st.

So, any tips for being more accurate on the 1st serve, as well as getting my game to a consistent 3.0 overall? I'm using a Head Liquid Metal 8 Oversize. Thanks,

320

 

[Redsfan320]

Forgot to mention, I also have problems keeping my emotions in check on the court, I tend to beat myself up a lot and lose focus.

320

 

[MNPlayer]

You'll get to solid 3.0 and higher just by playing more (say a couple time a week). If you can afford it I would take some private lessons though, unless you get a lot of instruction on strokes and such in your group lessons. You'll probably develop bad habits like I did and have to fix them as you get better. Good fundamentals will allow you to improve much faster while poor fundamentals start to hurt you at 3.5 and above. You can win at 3.0 and somewhat at 3.5 by being consistent with crappy strokes but above that it gets much tougher.

 

[MNPlayer]

About accuracy on your serve - this is something I also need work on. I think a lot of it is consistent technique. Try to make the exact same motion every time you serve. You'll see some of the pros take this to an extreme, where they wipe off the sweat and even move their hair in exactly the same way every time before they serve. The ball toss is really important too. Once you have a consistent serve (that goes in the box), you will be able to make the small adjustments needed to hit the spot you want as well. If you don't have a good "base", you won't have any chance of consistently aiming the serve.

btw, if you are not yet a 3.0, you probably don't have a good service motion yet. Try to learn this first before worrying too much about accuracy. You don't need accuracy to win at 3.0, you need consistency.

 

[Redsfan320]

MN, by accuracy, I suppose I mean consistency. I don't mean hitting a certain spot, I mean getting it in the box at all.

320

 

[skiracer55]

Go to the Fuzzy Yellow Balls website...

Hey guys, I'm 15 and have taken tennis lessons with a group for a few years, but never took it very seriously. Still, I learned the basics of the game there. Now I play with my family about every night, and am currently looking for a league/team to join. Anyway, using this, I am right between a 2.5 and a 3.0 right now. Would really love to get my game to a consistent 3.0. My strengths are a decent slice shot, and a good return. My biggest weakness is my 1st serve, which I can hit hard, but not accurately (maybe 35%?). I can always float the 2nd serve in, but I'd really like to improve the 1st.

So, any tips for being more accurate on the 1st serve, as well as getting my game to a consistent 3.0 overall? I'm using a Head Liquid Metal 8 Oversize. Thanks,

320

...they've got good, comprehensive video instruction on all the shots and a library of the pros best...start there, and see where it goes...

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Forgot to mention, I also have problems keeping my emotions in check on the court, I tend to beat myself up a lot and lose focus.

320

Are you a perfectionist? Frustration and anger seem to go hand-in-hand with those who demand perfection of themselves. Instead of focusing on perfection, strive for excellence. This is an important distinction. Strive to enjoy the learning process. Look at errors as an opportunity to learn.

Note that the Head LiquidMetal 8 is a fairly powerful racket and control, esp depth control, might be an added challenge. You might consider a less powerful racket, particularly if you have a long swing that is medium-fast to fast. Your racket is also very light (10 oz), but somewhat head heavy. Consider adding some weight to the throat or the handle to get the weight closer to 11 oz with a more even balance. The added weigh may help the quality of your swing. Also string at a higher tension (closer to 64 lbs) if you are hitting a lot of balls long.