Mini tennis ...

[Davis937]

One of my hitting partners is not quite a fan of mini tennis ... after warming up, he prefers just going out to the baseline and start hitting groundies ... I usually have to plead with him to do some mini tennis ... in addition to serving as a "warm up" mechanism, what are some of the specific benefits of mini tennis (... maybe I can use these arguments on my buddy) ... also, are there specific things that I should be working on with the mini tennis ... someone told me that mini tennis is a good way to improve your top spin techcnique on both FH and (for me) 2HBH ... others say that mini tennis is a waste of time (that's why we don't see the pros using mini tennis before a match) ... any thoughts re mini tennis are welcome ... thanks in advance for your comments!

 

[USERNAME]

Pros play mini tennis before they get onto center court... It's meant to get your timing in check and make sure your watching the ball. I'm an itf and national playing junior player and have never had a practice session or match without a little mini tennis before.

 

[larry10s]

mini tennis is a good warm up and good for "touch" .one game i like
extend the service line to the doubles alley so the allowed area includes the alley. each person is facing each other in the diagonal service box( ie duece to duece or ad to ad) you play points so that the ball has to land in the extended service box. no volleys ball has to hit ground. it helps alot with angles and touch great for doubles and using your slice.

 

[larry10s]

p.s. when i play with people who wont do mini tennis to warm up i take volleys and let them blast from the baseline. this way i can warm my body up some get my hand eye coordination awake before i go to the baseline

 

[OrangeOne]

One of my hitting partners is not quite a fan of mini tennis ... after warming up, he prefers just going out to the baseline and start hitting groundies ... I usually have to plead with him to do some mini tennis ... in addition to serving as a "warm up" mechanism, what are some of the specific benefits of mini tennis (... maybe I can use these arguments on my buddy) ... also, are there specific things that I should be working on with the mini tennis ... someone told me that mini tennis is a good way to improve your top spin techcnique on both FH and (for me) 2HBH ... others say that mini tennis is a waste of time (that's why we don't see the pros using mini tennis before a match) ... any thoughts re mini tennis are welcome ... thanks in advance for your comments!

It's been said by UserName, I'll say it too. You don't see pros do it, as that 5min hit is just a tune up. They've been warming up for an hour before on an outside court, and odds are they started with mini..

Many pro warmups (that I've seen) start with rotator-cuff band work, then mini or very very slow full-court.

The whole point is a gentle warm up. Get the blood flowing, warm the muscles (cold muscles = tears), get the joints to warm up and start 'lubricating' themselves (cold joints = pain), I could go on.

You only get one body, don't listen to someone who thinks a '5 min warmup' is what the pros actually do....

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

It is not the best way to warm-up muscles but it has many other bennies.

Some pros use it, some don't. I've seen scores of collegiate players and high level junior players employ mini-tennis. While some top level pros may not feel that they need short-court tennis, I believe that it can still be beneficial for most players. I've noticed that many players who do not like mini-tennis often have a difficulty doing it properly -- they also tend to be one-dimensional players -- they can only hit one speed, usually fast -- they often lack touch and variety in their game.

Properly executed, mini-tennis should employ a full follow-thru. The takeback may be moderate (or somewhat abbreviated), but the finish should be complete for mini-tennis groundstrokes. Short-court tennis can, as you suggest, be a great way to emphasize & develop topspin -- particularly with at wiper stroke/finish. Other benefits of the short-court game are "warming-up" the hand-eye coordination, promote early preparation, develop improved timing and touch,work on hitting on-balance and improved stroke variety.

I also use mini-tennis as an excellent opportunity to make sure that I fixate on the contact point and keep my eyes & head still (before, during and for a short time after contact). Quite often, players look up too soon while playing. Mini-tennis helps to cement the muscle memory on this.

Justine Henin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_yYgT-CL4

Nicole Luetolf (great mini-tennis footwork):
10 minutes on court with Nicole Luetolf 2003

Some previous threads on mini-tennis:
tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=2735858 (post #6 & #10)
tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=611405
tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=288352
tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=66993
tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=66993&page=3
.

 

[GuyClinch]

I think the benefits are oversold but I have come to find it helpful. Its not going to greatly improve your game but its a good way to warmup especially with inconsistent sluggers who otherwise can take a whole set to get going..

 

[papa]

It is not the best way to warm-up muscles but it has many other bennies.

Some pros use it, some don't. I've seen scores of collegiate players and high level junior players employ mini-tennis. While some top level pros may not feel that they need short-court tennis, I believe that it can still be beneficial for most players. I've noticed that many players who do not like mini-tennis often have a difficulty doing it properly -- they also tend to be one-dimensional players -- they can only hit one speed, usually fast -- they often lack touch and variety in their game.

Properly executed, mini-tennis should employ a full follow-thru. The takeback may be moderate (or somewhat abbreviated), but the finish should be complete for mini-tennis groundstrokes. Short-court tennis can, as you suggest, be a great way to emphasize & develop topspin -- particularly with at wiper stroke/finish. Other benefits of the short-court game are "warming-up" the hand-eye coordination, promote early preparation, develop improved timing and touch,work on hitting on-balance and improved stroke variety.

I also use mini-tennis as an excellent opportunity to make sure that I fixate on the contact point and keep my eyes & head still (before, during and for a short time after contact). Quite often, players look up too soon while playing. Mini-tennis helps to cement the muscle memory on this.

Good post.

One thing I'd like to add is that unfortunately, a lot of players are not comfortable at net and try to avoid being there at all costs - too bad. Had a player yesterday in a doubles clinic that would start each point (as netman) up at the net in the correct position but when the point was over, he was at or behind the baseline. He's not alone, many club players have a tendency to drift backward instead of the other way around - coming in.

 

[Davis937]

Thanks to all of you posters for the responses ... I thought the comments were EXCELLENT and extremely informtive ... a couple of comments ... I didn't realize that the pros actually used the mini tennis warm up (it's good to know that) ... someone mentioned that those who don't like this warm up or who don't do the warm up correctly (i.e. hit too hard with no control), also demonstrate this in their regular play (i.e. hit at one speed, hit everything hard, and have little control or touch) ... also, that was a good comment from one poster who mentioned that you need to have a full finish on your strokes for this drill ... does anyone know if the women pros are more likely to use this drill than the male pros ... just curious ... one other thing ... I've been told that I play too deep when I do mini tennis (I stand right on the service line) ... thanks!

 

[BMC9670]

Mini is also a great practice game. If you actually play points, it can get quite fast and is great for footwork since you don't have the time you would full court. It's all fast reaction. As others have mentioned, it helps develop touch and hands as well.

 

[papa]

I've been told that I play too deep when I do mini tennis (I stand right on the service line) ... thanks!

I actually like that, standing on/starting at the serviceline. Doubles players, in particular, should get accustomed to practicing from that area and even further back. It always amazes me at how poorly players play/practice from behind the service line.

 

[decades]

they never used to do this back in the 70s and 80s. must be a new thang....

 

[FuriousYellow]

Like most practice/warm-ups, I guess it's what you make of it.

Most of the players I do mini-tennis warmups with just bunt the ball back over the net to keep in the service box neither of us really gets much out of it other than maybe warming up the muscles. When I warm-up with my instructor, I'm amazed at how he can put so much spin on the ball and still keep it in the service box. It just tells me, I'm not swinging nearly as fast as I think I am.

 

[Jonny S&V]

they never used to do this back in the 70s and 80s. must be a new thang....

That's because of the modern stroke, it's easy to hit a continental/eastern forehand without warm up because it relies on moving forward for power, while the semis/westerns of today require the entire body, and it's hard to coordinate that right away.

 

[Jonny S&V]

Nicole Luetolf (great mini-tennis footwork):
10 minutes on court with Nicole Luetolf 2003

I swear, that girl has one of the ugliest, most uncomfortable backhands out there...

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I swear, that girl has one of the ugliest, most uncomfortable backhands out there...

It's her footwork in the context of mini-tennis that caught my eye. Her BH appears to be rather abbreviated, not sure I'd characterize it as ugly tho'. I believe that she was a top Polsih junior and played collegiate tennis (Div I?) in the US. Con't know if she ever played WTA or ITF.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

... I've been told that I play too deep when I do mini tennis (I stand right on the service line) ... thanks!

Service line too deep!!! I always start on or a little bit behind the back service line (further back against certain ppl who ALWAYS hit at my feet at that distance). After a short while I'll back up a bit more -- check out the mini-tennis postion/depth used by Justine & Nicole in the videos I provided.

 

[Davis937]

Service line too deep!!! I always start on or a little bit behind the back service line (further back against certain ppl who ALWAYS hit at my feet at that distance). After a short while I'll back up a bit more -- check out the mini-tennis postion/depth used by Justine & Nicole in the videos I provided.

Hey SA ... great comments and information - thank you. Just to clarify ... I stand on the service line and NOT the baseline ... does that make sense ... my friend was saying ideally for mini tennis I should stand halfway between the net and the service line ... to me, that was too close to the net so I have been opting to play right on the service line ... is that not OK?

 

[pvaudio]

Justine Henin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_yYgT-CL4

I don't care if people berate me for saying this, but I'm fairly confident that Henin has one of the if not the greatest 1HBH the game has ever seen. That's men and women included.

 

[Jonny S&V]

It's her footwork in the context of mini-tennis that caught my eye. Her BH appears to be rather abbreviated, not sure I'd characterize it as ugly tho'. I believe that she was a top Polsih junior and played collegiate tennis (Div I?) in the US. Con't know if she ever played WTA or ITF.

She's using what appears to be a semi-western, maybe full western on her right hand for the two-hander. Her footwork is beautiful, and she did play DI, but still doesn't make here backhand look anymore comfortable...

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I don't care if people berate me for saying this, but I'm fairly confident that Henin has one of the if not the greatest 1HBH the game has ever seen. That's men and women included.

No "B" rating from moi. Her 1-hander is arguably better than that of Fed or Sampras. The only 1-hander that comes to mind that might be better than Henin's is that of Richard Gasquet. But then Henin's BH might be a better one to emulate than Gasquet's, since the latter BH takes a sense of timing that most humans do not posses.

Hey SA ... great comments and information - thank you. Just to clarify ... I stand on the service line and NOT the baseline ... does that make sense ... my friend was saying ideally for mini tennis I should stand halfway between the net and the service line ... to me, that was too close to the net so I have been opting to play right on the service line ... is that not OK?

Yes, I assumed that you meant the back service line and not the baseline. Your buddy is out of his tree. He's either talking about micro-tennis (even smaller than mini-tennis) or he's talking about volley practice (since the location he suggest is a good for volley practice). As you can see from the vids, both Justine & Nicole are quite a bit further back than where you prefer to stand.

 

[Davis937]

No "B" rating from moi. Her 1-hander is arguably better than that of Fed or Sampras. The only 1-hander that comes to mind that might be better than Henin's is that of Richard Gasquet. But then Henin's BH might be a better one to emulate than Gasquet's, since the latter BH takes a sense of timing that most humans do not posses.




Yes, I assumed that you meant the back service line and not the baseline. Your buddy is out of his tree. He's either talking about micro-tennis (even smaller than mini-tennis) or he's talking about volley practice (since the location he suggest is a good for volley practice). As you can see from the vids, both Justine & Nicole are quite a bit further back than where you prefer to stand.

I actually believe it's more "challenging" to do the mini tennis drill from the service line (versus standing half-way between the service line and baseline a la Justine and Nicole) ... standing further back (like those two) provides you with a greater margin of error and consequently it's a little easier to play back there ... doing the mini tennis from the service line really forces you to react quickly, use good footwork, prepare earlier, and still try to complete a full swing follow through ... it's challenging ... I think next time I'll start from the service line, move back to the mid-way point, and finally slide over to the baseline for my regular groundies (after my mini tennis warm up has been completed) ... am I unusual in this regard ... when playing mini tennis, I find that it's much easier to play my 2HBH ... for me, it's much more difficult to play a controlled game with my FH ... what's been your experience?

 

[featherlight]

My coach says mini tennis is to warm up your footwork

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I actually believe it's more "challenging" to do the mini tennis drill from the service line (versus standing half-way between the service line and baseline a la Justine and Nicole) ... standing further back (like those two) provides you with a greater margin of error and consequently it's a little easier to play back there ... doing the mini tennis from the service line really forces you to react quickly, use good footwork, prepare earlier, and still try to complete a full swing follow through ... it's challenging ... I think next time I'll start from the service line, move back to the mid-way point, and finally slide over to the baseline for my regular groundies (after my mini tennis warm up has been completed) ... am I unusual in this regard ... when playing mini tennis, I find that it's much easier to play my 2HBH ... for me, it's much more difficult to play a controlled game with my FH ... what's been your experience?

My feeling that it is best to perform a progressive short-court game. Start your mini-tennis near the back service line and then work your way back further - to the middle of NML (the location seen in the Nicole video).

 

[shazbot]

After playing 2-3 sets my buddy and I usually play a whole game of mini tennis. We use table tennis rules (we usually play to 11, best of three) expect you can volley of course.

Anything outside of the service boxes is out. It's almost as fun if not more fun than playing a regular set. You get some crazy angle volleys.

Having said that, I usually warm up with mini tennis as well before heading to the baseline.

 

[Davis937]

My feeling that it is best to perform a progressive short-court game. Start your mini-tennis near the back service line and then work your way back further - to the middle of NML (the location seen in the Nicole video).

Hey Anomaly .. the progessive movement backwards sounds like a good strategy to use ... did you see my comment about playing the 2HBH (i.e. I find it much easier to do mini tennis using my 2HBH vs. my FH) ... what do you use for your BH ... do you notice any difference using your FH vs BH in mini tennis ... thanks!

 

[Davis937]

After playing 2-3 sets my buddy and I usually play a whole game of mini tennis. We use table tennis rules (we usually play to 11, best of three) expect you can volley of course.

Anything outside of the service boxes is out. It's almost as fun if not more fun than playing a regular set. You get some crazy angle volleys.

Having said that, I usually warm up with mini tennis as well before heading to the baseline.

Hey shazbot ... yes, that does sound like fun ... when we do the mini tennis warm up we play by keeping the ball within the service area ... making a "ping pong" game out of the drill probably makes the drill more enjoyable ... I didn't realize that so many people use the min tennis drill ... personally, I really like it ... my practice partners "scold" me if I spend too much time on this drill ... they're usually ready to start hitting (from the baseline) much sooner than I am ... good hitting to you!

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Hey Anomaly .. the progessive movement backwards sounds like a good strategy to use ... did you see my comment about playing the 2HBH (i.e. I find it much easier to do mini tennis using my 2HBH vs. my FH) ... what do you use for your BH ... do you notice any difference using your FH vs BH in mini tennis ... thanks!

It depends who am am hitting with. Against ppl who hit deep (at my feet) in mini-tennis, I do find that the 2-hander (or a 1-handed slice) is easier than the FH. For partners that hit most balls several feet short of my position, hitting topspin FHs is not too mcuh of a problem.