Entries by Gary Garner

Mental Match Play Reminders

/by

MAINTAIN RITUALS: Create rituals before and between points to help relax, focus, and maintain your intensity. Something as easy as bouncing the ball 3 times before you serve will help you stay relaxed and comfortable. CONTROLLED BREATHING: Practice deep breathing between points along with exhaling at contact to help relaxation. A WINNING PACE: Pace yourself […]

Competing Well with Distractions

/by

What bothers you in a match? The sun, your opponent’s outfit or their style of play? There are a plethora of reasons/excuses you can concoct to distract you from your goal.    To compete well you: 1st have to accept that bad things and distractions are going to happen. 2nd there are fights you need not […]

Coaching – Progression of a Player

/by

Teaching/Coaching involves many stages and phases. Applying the knowledge of growth and development is instrumental in successfully working with a player. At different ages different things are possible. The process needs to follow a simple progression of rules and drills that help establish constant improvement and success. Hands: grips, strokes production Feet:  footwork , movement, […]

Maintaining your Mental Edge

/by

Stay with your game plan. Maintain the strokes and strategy that you feel comfortable with. If you need to adjust you strategy, relish the opportunity. Use positive phrases to maintain concentration and focus such as: “let’s go, right here,” and “I love this challenge.” Always think momentum is on your side. Visualize yourself winning the […]

A Positive Mindset

/by

The game of tennis is ultimately a mind game.   Attitude is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. The more positive mind set you have, the more positive the results. There are many games you and your opponent can play during a match to disrupt your game. […]

The Ultimate Excuse List

/by

“It’s not whether you win or lose but how you place the blame”. Over the years I’ve heard some very creative alibis. This list is intended to simplify the problems of selecting the proper alibi to suit the occasion. This handy check list should help expedite the process……….. If you have any new excuses………..

HIGH % or Common Sense Tennis

/by

Know your game’s strengths and weaknesses. Recognize offensive, neutral and defensive patterns. Keep the ball in the COURT. Over the net inside the lines. Adjust to playing conditions. The heat, court surface, the wind . Hit to large target areas of the court when you on defense. High and deep cross court, keep an eye […]

Simple Thoughts to PLAY and WIN by

/by

Play by the “RULES of the GAME”. Hit the ball Over the Net, Inside the Lines. Very simply put, you can’t play the point if it ain’t over the net inside the lines. You need not fight battles you cannot win. Focus on only the things you can control. Don’t let the game with yourself […]

Interesting Tennis Percentages and Facts

/by

6-0, 6-1 match = 58% of total points won  7-5, 7-5 match = 51% of total points won Errors at 2.5-3.0 are generally Physical related Errors at 3.5-4.0 are generally Mechanical/Technical related Errors at 4.5-5.0 are generally Mentally related  A 120 mph serve slows to 90 mph before it bounces and 60 mph after it […]

Match Tactics – A Few Of My Favorites

/by

GENERAL THINGS TO THINK ABOUT ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR IN A MATCH IS TO PLAY ON YOUR OWN TERMS. Nothing has a more devastating effect on your opponent than consistent play. PLAN YOUR PLAY AND PLAY YOUR PLAN. Think tactically not technically as you “play your plan”. Know your RALLY SPEED FOR % TENNIS. […]