A good practice today, and I'll see you all Monday from 1-3 for the continuation of tryouts. Here's is a short video bit about the need for proper footwear. The last video tip seen here is on the need for aerobic conditioning for tennis. We must all be able to run an 8 min mile. The grip change is something we'll start work on Monday with, so such is a heads up. PLEASE check out the blog and have your parents check it out too as all the information seen on it we'll cover during the course of the season.
Continental Grip ... Bevel 1 ... Eastern Grip Bevel - Right Side ... We are using that same Eastern forehand grip for our backhand also ... we're only using 2 different grips, so to simplify ... notice the circled area on the hand print ... its just a quick shift up or down from that circled point on your hand.
Here are two videos, one on the proper grip for the volley, which is the same grip for the serve and overhead. This was the very first thing I tried to implement in our daily practice routine last season, through our extended practice of the serve.
Notice in the volley video about the contact point and keeping the ball in front of you while still improving your technique. This is something I've always stress when were drilling you on the volley. The second clip is a video is about the need for proper equipment to avoid injury.
Grips and shoes are discussed. Tennis specific shoes have extra side support, that cross trainers and running shoes don't. We have never had an injury, which is a fact that I'm very proud of. KNOCK ON WOOD RIGHT NOW PLEASE!!! That is the central reason I've been tough on your need for the right footwear. Injures to the feet, leg, knee and ankles' are all to common to tennis.
Tennis requires much running with frequent starting and stopping. You do all of this on essentially asphalt, which isn't that soft. Playing tennis for 2+ hours a day without said shoes would put you at an unnecessary risk. I don't want you to get injured !!! How much would and MRI cost due to a tennis injury, then compare that to the cost of a pair of tennis specific shoes? $50-$60 compared to maybe $1000 for the MRI on your ankle to check for ligament damage. Whatever you'd pay I don't know. Safety 1st, 2nd and 3rd !!! I think I remember a teacher once saying that phrase???
