Tennis For Beginners: The ready position

If you're a newer adult entering the game of tennis, feeling a bit lost on the court or wondering why the ready position matters, this post should help. If you've landed here, you're on the right path to becoming the player you want to become. I'm not here to bore you with fancy terminology or complex drills, but as a tennis director with over two decades of adult coaching experience and a lifelong love for the game since my junior days, let's dive into a crucial aspect of tennis – the ready position.

Adult Tennis Holiday: Gift yourself noticeable improvement in Mallorca

When you picked up tennis you quickly learned it had its challenges and perks. At the risk of sounding clever, you likely skipped past foundational steps that inhibit your growth. You can’t learn what you weren’t taught. Finding the time to apply what you’ve learned is difficult for most adults. It’s why I enjoy Directing adult tennis holidays in Mallorca, Spain. The pace of the island is perfect for learning & enjoying.

Adult players don’t have the time juniors do to drill down & tweak that part of our game that makes us mental. Often, that standing tennis time at home gets sidetracked by other responsibilities. And before you know it, it’s weeks since you’ve played. What´s started out as an annoyance, is now totally in your head and you need help.

Tennis Holiday in Mallorca: Solo Travel's Big Hit for Adult Players

Solo travel and tennis holiday’s to the Mallorca, Spain is high on adult players destinations. Post pandemic people have cash to spare despite the looming recession we’re constantly threatened with now. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Tennis players who’ve felt safe enough to play with caution during the pandemic are taking their lives back & moving ahead with holiday plans. People are ready to go & happy to travel solo! I was a solo traveler myself on my way back to Mallorca this October to coach an adult tennis camp in Mallorca. My players traveled solo too. At first it felt bizzare landing in Spain with no facemasks in sight. Spain was hard hit by covid & stayed on high alert long after other countries had relaxed theirs. Now, travelers move with excitement are pouring out of baggage claim at Palma’s international airport (PMI) even on it’s shoulder season. What shouldn’t have surprised me, was the amount of female solo travelers. I’ve long said, Mallorca’s THE BEST place for a woman to travel, solo. Women who know the island travel here free & easy any time of year. And many decide to settle on Mallorca for its beauty, vibe & the safety they feel here. Mallorca’s the Spanish IT spot for tennis training. Its beaches, beauty & easy low cost flights make it a breeze to get here➡️ (for Europeans).

The Rafa Nadal Academy: The truth about the Rafa Nadal Experience - Is it worth it?

As a Tennis Director in Spain it’s always smart to keep your ears open to what’s happening in the world of tennis training. Good coaches need to freshen & update their own skills & programs regularly. With such great coaches in Spain, I’d be a fool not to learn from them myself. Coaches talk. Whispers between coaches about the Rafa Nadal Academy seemed positive. I started doing my adult programs at the Nadal Academy and the facility is exceptional. So is the price tag. So what’s really under the surface? Is the Rafa Nadal Academy worth the price?

I hung out with former Rafa Nadal Academy coach, Francesco Mendo who spent a year at the academy from Italy. He’s ranked on the ATP, helps me with Indie Tenis adult programs but now dedicates his time to his studies.

Tennis Grips for Beginners: Give yourself a leg up from the start

So, diving into tennis, and grips are all the buzz, right? The whole, "What grip are you using?" and, "Look at these cool new grips," chatter can be a bit much, especially when you're just starting out. You don't want to admit you're a bit lost, but the confusion is real, and the context doesn't always help. No worries, though. Let's unravel the grip mystery right here.

Tennis Classes: Why you should start taking them as an adult

Tennis classes are THE best way to learn how to play tennis. It’s never too late to start to play. It’s also a lifetime game meant to be played throughout adulthood, anywhere in the world. You don’t always need to join a club in order to take private lessons or group tennis classes and there are benefits to taking classes you’ll enjoy. The cost varies around the world depending on your country and how popular tennis is but tennis classes are less expensive, allow you to meet new people your playing level & they give you a reason to play more tennis. In this article you’ll learn the highlights of taking different styles of tennis classes to improve your game.

How to Play Tennis Better: Powerful tennis tips for BEGINNERS

How to play tennis better is always the goal after you decide you like tennis. Once you put skin in the game and go deeper, tennis classes let you start hitting a lot of tennis balls. Having simple tennis tips for beginners helps when things start to overwhelm & paralyze you. You decided to play the game to get in better shape, meet more people & have more opportunities. You’re doing your due diligence watching video after YouTube video but don’t find much there for actual beginners. Even though the titles read, “for beginners”🧐. As you fall down the rabbit hole of YouTube “secrets”, nothing seems to work like it does for the coach. You’re trying to hit balls as cool & hard as they do but it hits the frame or finds the bottom of the net most times😡. Sure looks easy when they do it, but you’re struggling. HARD. My number #1 tennis tip for beginners is to take tennis classes. Tennis classes will make these tennis tips for beginners an easy reminder when you need them.

Tennis Holiday Mallorca 2024: A Racquet-Ready Getaway

Welcome to your best tennis holiday in Mallorca 2024, Port de Sóller. Where exactly is Port de Sóller you ask? It’s nestled in its scenic bay along Mallorca's north coast. It’s more than just a pretty spot. It's where laid-back charm meets the vibrant energy of Mallorca. Connected by road and a charming tramway to Sóller, this area has evolved from a quaint fishing district into the go-to sophisticated destination for both local & global travelers.

If you're an adult tennis player planning to soak up the sun and improve your game this is where you want to be.

Tennis Strokes 101: Mastering the Art for On-Court Success

Your tennis strokes are your basic forehands, backhands, volleys, overheads and serves. It’s your tennis strokes that usher in that new tennis lifestyle you want from the game. That new exciting activity breathing life into your day to day. Those new friendships, opportunities & events that you’d like to get involved in are all going to revolve around your tennis strokes!

Want to Improve Your Tennis Game? Pick the right coach, here's how.

Finding a good tennis coach takes discernment. I hired a local tennis coach to look at my game when I was 31. I quickly lost 50 minutes of my time & $85 on a coach who didn’t give a shit about my tennis game. And I knew it. No corrections, no visuals, and 1 major tip after I pressed him why my balls soared past the green curtain on repeat. Turns out, I was in the wrong grip. Excuse me? 50 minutes & $85 later I find out I was in the wrong grip! I knew exactly what happened. I was an adult & not as interesting a prospect to coach as a junior. This particular coach figured shits & giggles tennis would pacify me. Little did he know my history in the game or that I was looking to potentially coach. I wanted my money & lessons taken as seriously as any junior they would develop. That underwhelming experience taught me so much. The game that made me feel special as a junior was lost on me as an adult. That experience drove me over the moon to develop an adults game towards becoming the player they wanted to be. At any age. At any level. The right tennis coach will get you where you want to go -as a team.

League Tennis: Do you have the nerve to play?

League tennis is THE perfect excuse to wear cute matchy-matchy outfits (if you’re into that sorta thing 😉)and get adult players out on court. If you’re a newer player, experienced, young or old, the more players the game has, the more opportunities you have. League tennis gives you a reason to play more tennis. Period. There’s zero excuse around age because it’s offered to over 18, over 40 and over 55. It gives you a reason to improve and put your tennis lessons to work. To play with more confidence, get invited to more socials, or travel with your teammates. And if competition was something you did in your youth, now you have a whole new reason to compete. League tennis gives you an opportunity to test your tennis chops - for real.

Tennis Strings: Beginners, have you popped yours yet? A beginner's guide to tennis strings

When I put myself in the shoes of a beginner tennis player my head spins. There’s a lot to break down, including the tennis strings in your racket. From how to play tennis to the gear involved, it’s impossible to keep things simple when you compare yourself to your favorite touring pro. While you may want to know what they play with or how they hit the ball, it’s overkill in the beginning and leads to frustration. Gear overwhelm will lead you into a financial mistake. If you’re learning to drive, do you need a Ferrari? Same idea. Keep tennis strings, simple. In this post I speak to tennis coach, Mark Sansait. Mark’s transparent & over the moon on his YouTube channel about tennis strings. Together we keep you aware of only what you need to know at the beginner stages around tennis strings. You’ll learn the basic lingo, find some great string options, and how to ultimately save money replacing your tennis strings. It’s a big deal to pop your 1st set of strings! A real badge of honor for a tennis player. From there it gets annoying & expensive if you’re not careful.

Is Tennis the Best Sport? Adults, prepare to be courted

If you already play tennis, you know tennis is the best sport for adults looking for an exciting & healthy way to grow older. If you’re a new player curiously lurking how to get started, prepare to be courted - hard! Adults looking for an athletic charge, a way to improve yourself & engage in friendly competition with other adults will agree, tennis is the best sport. THE sport that offers adults; movement, momentum, connections & longevity. 4 things that motivate adults on the road to a long, fun life. You don’t have to compete to enjoy tennis. It’s beauty are the ways the sport connects people, organically. The fact that it’s played year round helps maintain those connections. Adults can play the sport into old age. The added longevity tennis adds to an adults lifespan is the sweet spot. A game that’s ever evolving, just like you.

Adult Tennis Lessons: The little things that change your life

The cost of lessons, a certified coach, private lessons or group clinics you can find anywhere, in any country and I´ll show you where to look. The important thing is to get out and play. A new lifestyle is waiting. It’s fun, exciting and if you play your cards right, involves you in an action packed lifestyle. When adults come to play tennis in Mallorca on holiday, they always leave with new travel buddies in tow. Having had a great time with new international tennis friends that last a lifetime. Mallorca, Spain is destination travel at it’s finest. An island for active adults looking to improve their tennis games & explore a new side of themselves in a destination so beautiful, natural and welcoming they naturally change for the better.

Single Tennis Holiday Mallorca: For the adventure lover in you

Itching for adventure in a new game? In a new place, with local sights and sounds different than yesterdays? Make a single tennis holiday in Mallorca Spain a complete adventure. And a great kickoff to adding a new sport to your life. You better believe it’s a bold move.♟

As the security of your usual lifestyle beckons you to stay put. You instead move towards the unknown, the unfamiliar, and the exciting! That solo carpet ride calling you, lures you straight into the arms of Mallorca, Spain. The best of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is easy to get to. Safe for female travelers, and a destination for tennis lovers & travel. But this one’s for Beginners …

Tennis Etiquette: For beginner tennis players to blend in nicely

As a beginner tennis player you’re coming into a great game and knowing the in’s & outs of basic tennis etiquette will help you navigate newcomers waters. While no one expects anything from you as far as match play and learning the game. Players will most certainly expect you to know basic tennis etiquette. Not everyone will follow along but it sure would help. Basic common decency is still at large around the courts. I MOST CERTAINLY appreciate & follow these simple rules to ease player personalities, practice sessions and even water cooler talk. You and I both know it’s just easier to play nice.

Beginner Backhand: Why 2 hands are better than 1

A lot of beginner players ask me on an adult camp 2 questions when it's time to learn the backhand. Why is a two-handed backhand better than 1. And what grip do I use? The backhand seems to throw people when it’s time to turn away from the forehand. But you should know the backhand may be your more intuitive, easier shot over the forehand - it was mine. This is your next step before you’re out there rallying balls. Once you’re rallying balls, you’re officially playing tennis! As always, tennis isn’t something to be learned but experienced. So be sure to get out on court and feel a ball on the strings. That’s the only way to learn this game. Especially the 2-hand backhand!

Beginner Overhead Tennis Smash: Your technique with options

The overhead smash is the last tennis core tennis stroke you´ll learn as a beginner. Best to learn this one after learning the serve since the motions are identical. The smash is more a psychological thriller than anything. When you’re comfortable and confident to use a true overhead smash to end a point, it’s effortless. When you’re first learning the overhead smash, it’s bizarre to see that spiraling green ball pummeling down at you. It’s a shot that needs your timing to be clean, coordination on point and you’ll want hit it to the open court. If the thought of an overhead makes you queasy- there’s options. These options help you keep going when you’re getting started in tennis. I always fire off some big lobs to test these options with new players on a tennis holiday.

Beginner Tennis Volleys: Half the Work of a Powerful Punch!

Ready for a change of scenery? It’s time we move you from the baseline where you’ve been hitting groundstrokes (forehand & backhands) to the net where you’ll only hit balls out of the air, called volleys. A place that feels more intense because your closer to the action, literally. You’ll have less time to react, no time to swing. You’ll end points quickly up at net. Using nothing more than the sensation of high 5’ing someone with gusto! And you’ll use THE CONTINENTAL grip on your forehand & backhand volley.

Beginner Tennis: A five star forehand & quick fix when you're in trouble

Regardless the playing level, everyone playing tennis is out to have a good time. That rush happens fast when you hit your first beginner forehand on the sweet spot and it lands in the opposite court. That 1st time is like noooo other! YOU WILL come back for more. But to do it again you’ll need to improve your beginner forehand to get into your first tennis rally. I love teaching the forehand & fixing adults on day 1 of an adult camp. Sets a terrific tone & energy for players to quickly see improvements to the #1 fan favorite shot in tennis, the forehand.

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