USTA Florida is working hard to keep players active and engaged at home! Every weekday evening at 5 p.m. EST throughout April, join us for Pro Power Hour – an hour of tips, technique, and activities provided by our USTA Florida tennis teaching professionals.
The pro tips cover a variety of topics for players of all levels:
- Warm-Up and Health – If your body isn’t ready, your muscles aren’t ready! Before a match, it’s important to set aside some time pre-practice or pre-competition to properly warm-up.
- Rules and Sportsmanship – Tennis is a unique sport, one that is often played without supervision, referees or officials. As a tennis player, it is important that you know and follow the rules and practice the courtesy of good sportsmanship on the court.
- Strategy – Advance your game with various strategies to help maximize your strengths and rule the court.
- Groundstrokes – From high forehands to slice backhands, learn about different tips to enhance your game from the baseline.
- Serves – Improve your first shot in every point by working on these serving tips to help you play each point on your terms.
- Volleys –Whether you’re looking to finish the points quickly by approaching the net or helping your partner out at the net in doubles, these tips will help you feel more confident in your volleys.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/USTAFlorida and tune in every weekday at 5 p.m. for the latest tips. All Pro Power Hour videos will be available at www.USTAFlorida.com/ProPowerHour after release.
Here’s what you may have missed this week:
The Toss
The toss is easily the most underrated motion of the tennis serve that can either be an asset or wreak havoc on your game. Frank tackles some technique to help you develop and improve your toss.
Forehand Backhand Slice
When do you use a forehand or backhand slice? What’s the proper technique? John goes in-depth to help you spice up your slice.
Tweener
Talk about an entertaining shot! As the name suggests, the tweener is a shot played between the legs. So how difficult is it to pull off? Travis demonstrates.
Situational Shot Selection
Situational shot selection – can you say that three times fast? Frank breaks down how to apply what you’ve learned through practice to a particular point, set, or match.
Wheelchair Warm-Up
Developing good stretching and warm-up habits is vital to your game. Bill explains why it’s important for wheelchair players to keep their muscles active and engaged.
Mental Warm-Up & Match Play
Get your head in the game! Lori explains how to win the mental warmup and why it’s important to focus on your mental game before and during a match.
Slice Serve
It’s one of the biggest weapons you can have with your service game – the slice serve! John explains the techniques you can use to control the spin and keep your opponents off balance.
Tennis Kinetic Chain
What sets great tennis strokes apart from mediocre tennis strokes? The power put behind the shots! Christopher goes in-depth on the Tennis Kinetic Chain and why it’s so important to your game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az-0RalGinM
Five Controls of the Ball
Mastery of the five controls of the ball is essential to mastery of tennis stroke production – but what are they? Christopher breaks down the ball control basics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiaOMxJRqiM
Two-Handed Backhand
Travis goes over some of the advantages and disadvantages of the two-handed backhand and discusses some drills you can practice at home.
Topspin is in the Palm of Your Hand
Having issues with your ball dropping in the bottom of the net or your ball sailing out? Lori shares a tip on how to get the most out of your topspin.
Stroke Grips
The tennis grips you use have a big influence on your style of play. So what grips should you be using when it comes to executing different shots? John demonstrates.
Areas of the Court
It’s time to get up close and personal with the court! Learn why spatial awareness on the court is important when it comes to determining your shots.
Doubles Approach Shots
An important set situation for you and your doubles partner! John explains why you want to have a strategy when it comes to your doubles approach shots.
Indoor Footwork Drills
Put those feet to work! Whether in your backyard, driveway or living room – working on your quickness, agility and footwork at home can happen anywhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1An7FvqB2U
Wheelchair Workouts at Home
Even if you can’t get to the gym or the court, it’s important to get your heart pumping! Bill shares some workout tips for wheelchair athletes at home.
Ladder Drills
Your fitness is the cornerstone of your tennis game. Lace up your sneakers, grab your racquet, and get your feet moving with these ladder drills from John.
Choosing Your Racquet
Looking for the perfect fit? In search of “the one”? Christopher explains why it’s important to weigh all your options when choosing your racquet!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7uTBzquItw
Backhand Approach Shot
Up your game when it comes to approaching the net! Learn the differences between two different types of backhand approach shots and the grip, footwork and strategy needed for a successful completion.
Modified Strokes
Recovering from an injury or surgery? Lori goes over how you can work to modify your stroke for a safe return to the game – with doctor approval of course!
