Posted on
10:50 AM
by doublefour
Tennis is the newest and greatest method to start losing weight. You can burn thousands of calories and build a hard body using these simple steps.
Step 1: Make a commitment. The biggest part of losing weight doing anything is the commitment. To get committed, make a measurable goal with a date set. Write it down. Write down three obstacles that might prevent you reaching your goals and write down how to get around them. You are on your way to achieving weight loss the fun way.
Step 2: Learn the game. Of course, to play tennis you need to know the rules. Try and learn the game inside and out, take notes of rules, strokes, and techniques. Posture is very important while playing tennis, pay attention to proper form and follow through the professional players use. Learn about serving, and note how the boundaries change with singles and doubles.
Step 3: Get a partner. A partner is going to be extremely important if you want to lose weight. Not only is a partner needed to play the game, but they will also keep you motivated and encouraged. Pick someone who is enthusiastic, likes tennis, and also has the need to exercise and be active. Always try to be the person who is more willing to play a match and set things up, you and your partner should strive to play a game at least once a day.
Step 4: Purchase the equipment. This part might seem expensive, but not when you compare it to gym memberships or fancy equipment. A nice racket and a ball can be bought for under twenty dollars. However, I strongly recommend buying at least thirty tennis balls. This should be enough to cover at least one game before having to retrieve all your tennis balls.
Step 5: Lose Weight! Now your at the fun part of the process, playing the game and dropping pounds. Try and start off slow with your partner, don't slam it in their face. Begin with slow rallies and aim for your partner (make it easy for them to hit it back), as you progress you will get more competitive. The more competitive your game becomes, the more calories you will burn. Not only that, but you will begin to love the game of tennis.
Posted on
4:52 PM
by doublefour
What should you look for when choosing a doubles partner and had me reminiscing about partnerships I've had in the past, some successful others abject failures and why they turned out as they did. This is one of those tennis lessons especially for doubles players!
I always looked for an accurate serve when choosing a doubles partner, notice I say accurate rather than powerful. Obviously both are preferable but I've found that accuracy is the more important attribute. An accurate serve allows both yourself and your partner to plan the point easily with percentages in mind.
One particular doubles strategy I had much success with was the body serve and the cross interception, this only consistently works if the server is accurate; should the ball deviate into the opponent's hit zone they have plenty of time to switch their shot. I'd still use this play with servers who are less accurate but I would ensure they crossed and stayed on the baseline thus giving us the best chance of success should the returner read the move.
We all know how vital the serve is in the modern game of tennis but an often overlooked shot; especially in doubles is the return of serve. If you can make a high percentage of returns success is becomes far more probable; there is nothing as satisfying for a server as seeing an opponent's return hit the bottom of the net or fly out the back. The returning player in doubles should be looking to play the ball back across the court 90% of the time, doing this increases percentages and avoids the high part of the net and the net-player. If an opponent is rushing the net after their serve - force them to play a volley and keep it low and at their feet.
The first volley is a very tough shot, if an opponent is constantly being forced into playing it, as the match wears on mistakes will happen. Be sure to throw in a few cheeky returns up the line - this will keep the net-player on their toes. Keep them guessing or they will be constantly crossing and intercepting. Doubles strategy is simple but so often forgotten and winning at doubles can be achieved through a combination of hard work, solid doubles strategy and taking tennis lessons from the right people.
I have found over the years that a partner's personality crucial. It is sometimes the intangible traits of two potential partners and how they complement each other that make the difference. Winning at doubles usually comes down to which partnership[ gels best. Be sure to communicate between points because it is this that enables you both to strategise and maintain the same wavelength.
It is of vital importance that both of you remain positive even when the going gets tough - avoid blaming each-other or yourself. If communication breaks down your strategy will fall apart. Play to each other's strengths and encourage each other's weaknesses; this allows not of you to perform at your full potential.
A final 'secret' tip I'll give is this; think about playing the more consistent player (in particular the most consistent returner of serve) on the advantage side of the court, this means the more solid player faces more of the 'big' points thus increasing your percentages of winning.
