009 – Your Questions Answered By Chris Michalowski, USPTA Elite Tennis Professional Part 1

Realtennis Network With Chris Michalowski, USPTA

In today’s episode: Question and Answer Part 1, I answer each and every question from the survey results. If you have subscribed to the Realtennis Network, you were given the opportunity to take a short survey so i could get to know you a bit better and find out the exact content that you are looking for. This is what I will focus on when creating new content for the Realtennis Network Podcast, Video Instruction or Quick Tips.

As a subscriber, you become sort of an advisor to the type of content that you would like me to produce. Subscribing is FREE and by subscribing you will receive my FREE Doubles Game Changers (6 of them) and six tennis mindsets. If you have not subscribed, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.

First of all, I am very excited by the number of you who initially submitted a question and I thought that I would get this all accomplished in one episode (which usually last about an hour), but after getting though about 60%, I was already at the 1:45 mark. So the rest will be in Part 2 next week.

Below, you will find the questions that have been asked and the marked time that the question occurs. This way you can go straight to the questions that you would like to hear and skip the ones you prefer not to listen to.

For each question I added a one or two word answer, but give much more detail in the podcast.

For some of the questions I have added links to videos and even made some video of my own to go along with the questions. I have also emailed a few of you with more detailed answers and accompanying video or other resources to try to make thing s clearer for you so that you can give some of these a try.

So let’s get the questions going and please let me know how things work out for you by commenting at the bottom of the post.

Question 1 – David from Douglasville
How short can you make a back swing on a one handed backhand?
As short as you want, but will need to recover lost advantages in doing so
Go to: 10:40

Question 2- Laura From Glen Arbor, Michigan
How important is speed for first serves in doubles?
Important if it works, but if not, try some of the suggestions I give you.
Go to: 15:44

Question 3- Andrew From Petoskey, Michigan
1 – I’ve started hitting a modern forehand, with a partially open stance. This works pretty well, and its coming along. However, my 2 handed backhand is still “closed” stance… are there similar fundamentals for the backhand?
Yes, but you need to learn three basic stances
Go to: 18:14

Serena (both): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMcx_2aqbWM

Venus Semi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4csCHhuZ-8

Ivanovich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJkPsNxTd6k

Nadal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkxWY2-xW6I

2 – Whats the best way to make my ground strokes and baseline rally more consistent?
Balance, Footwork and Hitting Zones
Go to : 23:10

Hitting Zones: CLICK HERE

Andy Fitzell Interview: CLICK HERE

Please don’t judge me by this videos Old and done a long time ago, but should get the point across

Definition of balance using Analogies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5ZncmTS0kI

Pros: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wCSda5O_E

Question 4- Paul From Traverse City, Michigan
Coaching players in high school on their serve
First serve in, slow down if necessary (mental advantages) and in practice, work on placement and pressure
Go to: 32:05
Video of Drill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHyEjkDHnaA&feature=youtu.be

Question 5- Terri From Kalamazoo, Michigan
How do I start to incorporate drop shots during match play if I am not used to doing so? I don’t recognize the right situation to try this shot.
Start by just bringing them in. All depends on where you are hitting from. Good for low volleys and wrong-footing opponent
Go to: 43:18

Question 6- Cheryl From Traverse City, Michigan
How can you better anticipate where the ball will come?
How can I set up a point so the ball will be returned where I would like it to go?
Know where to move based on the shot you hit them. Hitting to the correct spot will get more balls hit back to you (examples )
Go to: 52:18

Question 7- Gary From Vancouver
Do I need to have a hatred for my opponent to beat him?
No, plus this will hurt you more harboring these emotions during a match
Go to: 1:07:02

Question 8- Kristen From Traverse City, Michigan
How can I make my toss more consistent?
Lower it and I also give you some analogies to help your toss
Go to: 1:08:50

Question 9- Meg From Lake Oswego, Oregon
How to address mental breakdowns on the court.
Control pace of match, use rituals, focus on the positive
Go to: 1:16:25

Question 10- Terry From Bear Lake, Michigan
when I come to the net, the opponent seems to lob over me. I want to be aggressive but am not that mobile when it comes to backing up. Should I just stay back?
Not at all. be more picky, don’t close in too tight and focus on your approach
Go to: 1:21:47

Question 12- Betsy From Traverse City, Michigan
How can I move in the right position for an effective overhead.
Footwork (split step), drop step, catch the ball in left hand and the scissor kick
Go to: 1:27:11

Question 13- Renee From Traverse City, Michigan
What drills can you recommend for beginning singles players?
C.A.M.P., Cross court, midcourt. Repeating Simple patterns (examples given) Counting drills are great for pressure.
Go to: 1:30:45

In Part 2 Next Week:

I think tracking the ball and leverage points on all the shots.

Hey Coach Mick, what is your most embarrassing moment on court?

Just improve forehand and doubles strategy. Thanks

Is it okay to teach my son to take the racket back low on the backhand instead of looping the backhand? I like the old school way because it helps my son get into the “slot” better?

Do you have any tips are helpful drills that myself and my partner can do together to work on getting him/her to move forward

What is the best way to teach young players or beginners about the correct serve motion?

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