[tennisbiz] Re: Teaching Pointers

Dear Tommie Ray,

A very good progression to follow with your students, regardless of what
stroke they're working on is the following:

1. Get it in.
2. Direction
3. Depth
4. Spins
5. Power

You'll find this in Peter Burwash's Tennis For Life book. It makes complete
sense. Until one can get it in and place the ball to different depths and
directions, spin is usually too difficult.

You are, however, on the right track beginning with underspin.
Unfortunately, most students today learn topspin first and then end up not
being able to volley or understand or feel control and touch and often don't
even know why. But wait until they have a feel for being able to control
depth and direction. Opening their racquet face to get different depths and
heights will cause underspin, so they may get somewhat of a feel for
underspin while varying depth. It will just make it that much easier once
you begin to add spin to their game.

Respectfully,


Jim Leupold
Director of Tennis
Marriott's Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Palm Desert, CA
DesertLeup_at_aol.com
Leupold_at_deserttennis.com
www.deserttennis.com


 
Received on Mon May 28 2001 - 09:05:47 CDT