Kenapa 2nd Serve mesti lebih kuat daripada 1st Serve ?

Soalan yang menarik dan juga amat menarik perhatian, kenapa 2nd serve mesti lebih kuat daripada servis yang pertama ?. Kebanyakkan pemain lebih suka untuk melemahkan pukulan untuk servis ke dua agar kebarangkalian bola untuk masuk ke gelanggang pihak lawan adalah lebih tinggi, betulll keee ... atau sekadar risau permainan akan tamat begitu sahaja dan akan menyesal dengan tindakan sendiri kerana tidak mengawal pukulan servis tadi ?

Apa yang hendak di risaukan ? pernahkan anda mendengar mengenai "muscle memory" ?.
 
Saya pernah terbaca mengenai suatu artikel lama-lama dahulu, di mana bagi seorang pemain tennis yang selalu melakukan servis yang sama setiap hari dan setiap masa akan membentuk tindakkan refleks yang serta merta ataupun tanpa disedari. Bagaimaan ini berlaku ?.
 
Pencetusnya adalah kerana latihan dan habit yang berterusan menyebabkan pukulan servis pemain tersebut semakin konsisten dan mantap.

Beginners : Returned Serve in Double

Returning serve in doubles is a complicated animal. Not only do you have to get the ball in play, but you have to direct it to a spot that will neutralize your opponents and hopefully make your partner at net a factor.

That’s why it’s a more pressurized situation than returning serve in singles and is a key to your success as a team. Here are some things to consider that will increase your chances of making an impact on your opponents’ service games.

BEGINNER OBJECTIVE 1
Get into the point. The most important thing on the return is to keep it simple. Try to make solid contact and put the ball in play. One of the biggest booby traps for beginners is the tendency to worry too much about the opposing net player. This causes your concentration to waver and makes a successful return more difficult.

Pick a big target area crosscourt that gives you plenty of mar-gin for error, and don’t con-cern yourself with whether the net player poaches. If he does, so be it. Hit a good re-turn and he’ll have trouble with the volley anyway. Once you can get the ball back crosscourt consistently, you can start to get a little more creative. Hit down the line to keep the net player honest or toss up a few lob returns for a change of pace. Much of this will revolve around the movement and activity level of the opposing net player. If he’s stationary, you can focus on getting the ball back to the server.

BEGINNER OBJECTIVE 2
Put your net player in the right position. In a perfect doubles world, the returning team’s net play-er would look to cut off as many balls as possible. But with less-skilled players the role is a less intrusive one, as you should focus primarily on protecting your side of the court and preparing for any potential volleys. It’s impor-tant to make sure you give your partner the best chance to return.

If that means mov-ing back to the baseline so there’s less pressure on him to keep the ball away from the net man, then do it. If you’re going to be up at net, stand on the service line halfway between the singles sideline and the center line. That puts you in a good position to cover your side of the court. It also allows you to move forward if your partner hits a strong return or retreat to the baseline if it’s a weak one.

Article by Paul Annacone

My Comment : very informative

Famous Golfer advice help Nadal Improve his Serve

The greatest golfer in history may have had a direct impact on whether Rafael Nadal becomes the greatest tennis player in history. A tennis tip by Jack Nicklaus gave in a video helped shape Nadal's new serve, according to the world No. 1's uncle and coach, Toni Nadal. The ATP website reports: "I saw a video by Jack Nicklaus that changed my vision," Toni Nadal, Rafa's uncle and coach, told daily newspaper ABC.

"In it Nicklaus said: 'First strike far, then we will think about getting the ball inside.' I said to myself: 'This man must be right'. That is what I applied with Rafael. First strike hard, then we will get the ball inside," he added. Nadal's increased the speed of his serve at the Open and was able to put away service games with ease.

He was only broken five times during the tournament. Nicklaus, who won 18 golf majors, is an avid tennis player. He has three grass courts on his property and tries to play every weekend.

Note : That was a very good advice, player like us should think about it.

Lesson : The Forehand of Roger Federer

A full shoulder turn, good balance, and tremendous racquet-head speed make this a much-feared weapon. On the list of all-time great forehands, Roger Federer’s should be near the top.

It’s struck powerfully and has remarkable variety and adaptability. Of all the shots in his arsenal, it’s his forehand that he relies on most to win points. Whether he’s defending or attacking—as he’s doing in this sequence—Federer makes it all look effortless.

 
1. Federer is turning his shoulders as he’s moving to the ball. Notice how his left hand is on the racquet even though he’s well into his preparation. This forces him to turn his shoulders. Federer uses a semi-Western grip and he’s bringing his racquet back with the head cocked above the wrist. This will ensure a loop back-swing and good spin production. He’s moving diagonally forward, rather than straight to the side, so the ball doesn’t get away from him.

2. Federer brings his racquet back and his left hand comes off the throat but stays to his right side. That’s a big change from my day, when players such as Chris Evert had their non-dominant hand out front and pointing to the oncoming ball at this stage. Keeping your off hand on the same side as your racquet produces a fuller shoulder turn, which helps you get more racquet-head speed and a more powerful shot.

Choosing a Perfect Shoe

Playing tennis is very fun, especially with friends. I prefer playing singles, but doubles are a lot more fun. My topic here is about shoes, tennis shoe actually. So why do we need the right tennis shoe ? Well hellooooo ! it's for the comfort of course. Choosing the right shoe also help with your game as well.

A good shoe will help you running around the court with ease and comfort. Trust me when i say that the right shoe can improve your game dramatically, even if it's expensive. So how do you choose the right shoe ? Here a tip that you can follow when choosing or buying a new tennis shoe :

1. It doesn't bite your nail :

A good tennis shoe doesn't bite your toe nail, trust me that when you're running around the court, and turning left to right and vice versa, your toe nail will eventually become the victim here. Make sure your shoe has some space for your feet to move around, that way your toe can move freely inside.

2. Fit your feet perfectly :
When your feet goes inside a shoes, you must feel the comfort, the perfect match as you would say it. When you move around, you won't feel any tightness around the feet, and it must be able to flex without any difficulty.

3. Long lasting shoe :
Why long lansting shoe ? For a regular tennis player, that would save a lot of money, even though expensive, in long term, it's worth buying. Unlike Pro tennis player, they have their own sponsor to back them up.

4. Light with cushion ( means not to heavy ) :
Well, light tennis shoe also help to improve your game, especially running around like crazy. You would'nt want a shoe that 's going to slow you down isn't it. A cushion shoes also makes your feet feel at ease when running. As long it does'nt hurt your feet.

Lesson : The Rubberband Vibration Dampener by Kim Selzman at Tennisfixation

In my post Using a Vibration Dampener on Your Tennis Racquet, I talked about why you might or might not want to use a vibration dampener on your racquet. In summary, with one you reduce string vibration and possibly noise. But you also reduce the amount of "feel" you get when you hit the ball.

Well, I can't let this subject go without talking about the famous (or infamous) rubberband vibration dampener and one its most well-known proponents - Andre Agassi. Apparently, Andre was not only a fan of vibration dampeners but he preferred to rig his racquet with the rubberband version (see photo).

And, now, you can do this too! By clicking on this link - How to Install Rubberband Damper - you will be taken to a post that clearly explains, with photos, how to tie a rubberband onto your strings to create a vibration dampener. It evens shows you the size of rubberband preferred by Andre - Rubberband #64 (in case you wanted to know the exact size to use).

I myself gave this a try (all part of the R&D we do here at Tennis Fixation) and I can report that a rubberband really does work as a vibration dampener! (As if Andre Agassi might be wrong about this.) But, as I've previously concluded, I am not a vibration dampener person so I didn't keep this on my strings for long.

But maybe it will work for you! If you give the rubberband dampener a try, let me know what you think

Article by Kim Selzman at www.tennisfixation.blogspot.com

Lesson : Roger Federer's Forehand Swing

Lesson : Learning to Serve Curve Ball ( Slice Serve )

Developing an effective stroke takes practice and hard work—most of the time. But follow these six steps and in 15 minutes you’ll be on the road to unleashing a wicked slice serve.

1. ADJUST TO A SLICE GRIP To hit an effective slice, you’ve got to start with the right grip. For many players, holding the racquet with a Continental grip allows them to put adequate slice on the ball. If this works for you, then stick with it. However, if you have trouble generating enough spin this way, I recommend adjusting your hand slightly beyond the Continental toward a backhand grip.

This “slice grip” makes it easier for the edge of the racquet to lead the way toward contact, creating more brushing action against the side of the ball, and consequently extra slice.

Lesson : Hitting a Top Spin

PROBLEM You’re a flat-ball hitter. This is a huge disadvantage when you’re trying angled shots, offensive lobs, or safe, high rally balls. You’ve heard the term “brush up the back of the ball” more than you can stand, and you finish your swing up high over your shoulder, but there’s still no topspin.

Lesson : Making the Most of Your Second Serve

Instead of just trying to get it in, create a plan of action. From beginners all the way to advanced players, the second serve is one of the most undervalued strokes in the game. Most players think of the first serve as a weapon.

But many of those same players, once they have to put a second serve into play, change their mentality—their goal becomes simply to put the ball in the box. That’s a fundamental mistake because the serve, whether it’s the first or the second, sets the tone of the point.

And if you start it on a cautious note you’re placing yourself in a hole before the point has even begun. By concentrating on strong and repeatable mechanics, good placement, and spin, you can develop a second serve that helps you play points on your terms.

Lesson : Moving Your Arm the Correct Way

Proper use of the tossing arm can be the difference between putting your serve in the box or in the bottom of the net.


PROBLEM Your tossing arm drops prematurely and away from your body. This throws off the mechanics necessary for an effective serve. Your shoulders open too soon, causing your head to pull down and drag your upper body with it. You collapse over and drift into the court, making contact with the ball behind your body. The result is a poor serve that usually finds the net.

SOLUTION When tossing the ball to serve, you want the arm to swing up straight from the shoulder and remain in that position until you begin to uncoil. As you start to rotate your upper body, the tossing arm should come down and tuck into your belly at contact.

It almost looks as if you’re giving yourself a hug. This action will help you maintain proper body posture and stay in line with the ball as you build momentum to impact. Now you’ll better control the transition from a smooth backswing to an explosive swing, and you’ll strike the ball with added power and accuracy.

Lesson : Don't Fear To Serve Double Faults

Many players try to avoid them. Here's what you should do instead.

1. Be Confident In 1995, Boris Becker promised me a big bonus if he won a top-level clay title. In the Monte Carlo final, he had match point against Thomas Muster in the fourth-set tiebreaker. Becker went for a 122-m.p.h. second serve and missed by two inches.

He lost the fifth set at love, and there went my bonus. But Becker did the right thing: His serve was his biggest weapon, and he didn’t hold back. The second serve is a confidence shot, and no one hit it more confidently than Becker. That’s the attitude you need to strive for; you can only get there by learning to accept double faults.

Lesson : Question About Getting Started In Tennis

If you’re thinking about giving the game a try, good for you: Tennis is a sport you will enjoy for a lifetime. Here are the answers to most common questions beginners ask about getting into the game.

1. What kind of racquet should I purchase? There are many great options available, and most retailers will allow you to test racquets before you purchase one.

Rick Macci, a U.S. Professional Tennis Association-certified master professional who has trained the Williams sisters and Andy Roddick, among others, says that first-time buyers should look for a frame that has the proper grip size, depending on the size of your hand, and the correct length and weight, depending on your age and strength.

Lesson : Speed Up a Slow Racquet to Return Serve

The Problem You’re slow to react when returning first serves. It could be because you’re not moving quickly enough once the ball leaves your opponent’s racquet, or you’re taking too big a swing. The result is late contact and a shaky return, putting you at a disadvantage right from the start.

The Solution The key to speeding up your racquet on the return is to combine your shoulder turn and racquet take-back into one movement. To practice, get in your ready position and have a partner hit serves toward your forehand but deliberately into the net.

Because you know where the serve is heading, you can jump-start your motion and have your racquet back and ready before the ball even hits the net. Then just shadow your swing.

Next, have your partner hit serves in the net to either your forehand or backhand side. Continue to practice getting your racquet back before the ball hits the net, and then shadow your swing. Finally, have your partner serve over the net to either side. You’ll be amazed how quickly you react to both forehand and backhand returns.

Lesson : Panduan genggam raket tennis dengan betul.

1. Eastern forehand Untuk mencari genggaman eastern, anda perlu seolah-olah berjabat tangan dengan raket tennis tersebut. ‘Base knuckle’ terletak di atas tapak kanan pemegang raket tennis. Pemain yang menggunakannya : Tim Henman dan Lindsay Davenport

2. Eastern backhand Pastikan kedudukan ‘base knuckle’ anda terletak secara sebahagian di atas tapak pemegang raket tennis. Pukulan ‘backhand’ ini adalah yang paling klasik dan sering digunakan oleh banyak pemain profesional. Dimana pusat impak bola pada permukaan muka raket tennis adalah hampir bersudut 90 darjah. Pemain yang menggunakannya : Roger Federer dan Lisa Raymond

3. Continential Kedudukan ‘base knuckle’ terletak di atas tapak 1. Selalu digunakan untuk servis, volley, overhead dan pukulan pertahanan (defensive shot). Pemain yang menggunakannya : Hampir kesemua pemain guna untuk servis dan volley.

4. Semi Western Untuk mencari kedudukan genggaman ini, letakkan raket anda di atas permukaan lantai dan kemudian ambil semula raket tersebut pada pemegangnya, berikut adalah genggaman Semi Western. Paling banyak digunakan oleh pemain tennis di serata dunia kerana keupayaan untuk menghasilkan pukulan topspin yang kuat. Pemain yang menggunakannya : Marat Safin dan Svetlana Kuznetsova

5. Western Letakkan ‘base knuckle’ anda pada sebahagian tapak bawah pemegang raket tennis. Sering digunakan oleh pemain profesional di atas gelanggang tanah liat. Tetapi amat sukar untuk menyambut pukulan yang rendah, terutama bola yang amat laju. Pemain yang menggunakannya : Rafael Nadal dan Amelie Mauresmo Servis Samada genggaman eastern ataupun genggaman continential boleh digunakan, tetapi kebanyakkan pemain lebih kepada genggaman eastern. Volley Paling sesuai adalah genggaman eastern (hand shake), paling disukai oleh kebanyakkan pemain volley, mudah dan tidak perlu tukar kedudukan genggaman selepas servis. Sesuai untuk pemain yang suka serve dan volley.