Wardlaw directionals

[Noelle]

This thread got me searching for the Wardlaw directionals. I decided it might be useful to put up a guide about what's been written about this, particularly on this message board. Hopefully, this list will be useful for other people who are looking for information about this, since they won't have to scrounge around to find the various threads on the topic. I hope this will also benefit those who for some reason cannot get their hands on the book or the video yet.


"TENNIS AT THE NET. DIRECTIONALS": condensed principles of the Wardlaw directionals

"Wardlaw's directionals - 90 COD": Talk Tennis discussion about using the directionals to change ball direction

"Change of direction": Talk Tennis discussion about using Wardlaw directionals to play high-percentage shots

"Better anticipation...": Talk Tennis discussion about using the directionals to anticipate ball direction

"Calling BB...": Talk Tennis discussion containing information about the book and video which presents the Wardlaw directionals

 

[ClemsonTennis9]

Coach Kriese at clemson uses the wardlaw directionals, i have gone to his camp twice and this is what he implements a lot to the junior players, its all about percentage shots...if you want to buy his book go here http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1570281238/002-4137858-3174467?v=glance its a very good book, it shows many ways of training, how to use your emotions in the right way, and how to use the flow of the match to win. you get a free book when you go down to his camp in the summer.

 

[Grimjack]

Coach Kriese at clemson uses the wardlaw directionals, i have gone to his camp twice and this is what he implements a lot to the junior players, its all about percentage shots...if you want to buy his book go here http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1570281238/002-4137858-3174467?v=glance its a very good book, it shows many ways of training, how to use your emotions in the right way, and how to use the flow of the match to win. you get a free book when you go down to his camp in the summer.

Good book, too. Wardlaw himself has a book available through amazon.com, too. It's called "Pressure Tennis," and I can't be bothered to ferret up a link. It's very much about how to cope with the psychological side of the game, but in a methodical way, rather than in the "just relax and let go" way made popular with "The Inner Game." Having a set of guidelines (The Directionals) is one of Wardlaw's prescriptions for dealing with match-time pressure. Know what you're going to do ahead of time, and it's easier to execute when you get out there, is essentially his plan.

The actual info on the directionals in these two books is identical. I don't mean very similar -- I mean IDENTICAL, as in the words, paragraphs, diagrams, etc., are all just cut and pasted from one to the other. So if you're in the book buying market, and want a book with info on this topic, choose Kriese if you're interested in physical preparation as well, and Wardlaw if you're more interested in mental prep.

 

[Noelle]

Pressure Tennis by Paul Wardlaw.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...9/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-1342866-8752828

High Percentage Tennis video can also be found on Amazon, but it's being sold by a TW competitor. It wouldn't be proper to post the link here.

 

[Jet Rink]

Gotta be honest. While merit goes to the author for his effort at quantifying something that may indeed be impossible to quantify, this book, in my opinion did very little in directly improving my game.

Essentially, the book's an attempt to improve anticipation via recognition of a directional shot under consistent circumstances. Again, great idea. But the real world of tennis does not always operate in a vaccuum. I thought, believeable or not, that this book was simultaneously overly simplified and overly confusing - again, my opinion.

If a player were interested (and who isn't ) in improving anticipation, it's a matter of focusing on the next ball played to you. It's about desire and a NEED to know where that ball's going. Pretty hard and pretty basic at the same time.

But if this book helps you, then it's certainly worth it.

Jet

 

[kevhen]

What I get from Wardlaw's directions is to hit it back crosscourt if your opponent hit a deep hard crosscourt shot. Now if your opponent hits a short ball to the center of the court, you should step in an hit it to the opposite court with whichever side you like to finish points with. That is how I use Wardlaw's directionals.

If I get a short ball to my forehand side I will go usually down the line for the winner, but sometimes crosscourt. A short ball to my backhand side, I usually hit crosscourt unless I am pretty sure of a winner going DTL.

 

[Camilio Pascual]

Anna Kounikova might have won a title if she had used the directionals. She often pulled a COD for no apparent purpose.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

This thread got me searching for the Wardlaw directionals. I decided it might be useful to put up a guide about what's been written about this, particularly on this message board. Hopefully, this list will be useful for other people who are looking for information about this, since they won't have to scrounge around to find the various threads on the topic. I hope this will also benefit those who for some reason cannot get their hands on the book or the video yet.


"TENNIS AT THE NET. DIRECTIONALS": condensed principles of the Wardlaw directionals

"Wardlaw's directionals - 90 COD": Talk Tennis discussion about using the directionals to change ball direction

"Change of direction": Talk Tennis discussion about using Wardlaw directionals to play high-percentage shots

"Better anticipation...": Talk Tennis discussion about using the directionals to anticipate ball direction

"Calling BB...": Talk Tennis discussion containing information about the book and video which presents the Wardlaw directionals

Noelle,

The Directionals are an excellent way to learn ball control and build a fundamental approach to high percentage shot selections.

Many people limit the directionals to just groundstrokes which is only a part of the Wardlaw Directional approach to tennis.

Not everyone is going to agree with Paul and some of the more "free spirited" players may feel it confining. The truth is we can all learn from what Paul has created and elevate our game IF we practice it! Most players that downplay Paul's information hardly practiced them.

The other thing I like about Paul's stuff is it helps you learn when you are going for too much or when you are about to risk a low percentage shot. If you do take the shot, you will know why you may have made the error. If you are having a tough day, staying in the high percentage zone may help you turn the tables.

Even if playing the Directionals is "revealing" or "predictable", the game of tennis is still about errors not winners. So if your opponent wants to go for the lower percentage shot and is anticipating well - you might want to let 'em go for it. If they hit a winner - clap. The law of averages always pans out.

Once you learn how the Directionals can help you, your ability to make your ball tough to hit will help you fend off a strong or "anticipating" player. In other words, your ability to mix up the ball speed, spin, and placement will help you exploit the Wardlaw Directionals to the maximum and you will do very well in tennis. With the Wardlaw Diectionals you are trying to get your opponent to hit the weak ball or the short ball to take advantage of it. Also, your ability to add techniques like running around your backhand can help elevate your use of the Directionals to an advanced level.

I would not recommend the book alone, I would highly recommend the video. The video is called HIGH PERCENTAGE TENNIS.