Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent anyone else's view in any way, including those of my employer.
© Copyright 2009
The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent anyone else's view in any way, including those of my employer.
© Copyright 2009
“Jeff Greenwald’s book The Best Tennis of Your Life climbing the best seller list for good reason. It is a book that packs a punch and you will know you have your hands on a book that is a culmination of every tennis psychology book written to date.”
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Book Reviewed: The Best Tennis of Your Life by Jeff Greenwald
jeff greenwald, best tennis of your life, best tennis book
Mental tennis books claim they have the keys to getting you to the next level but how do you know if they really work? Is it just hot air?
Jeff was number one in the world in 2002 in the men’s 35s age division which is no small accomplishment. As well as being a world-class tennis player, he is a performance coach and psychotherapist. In his book he talks about his own experience with nerves on court and his journey into tennis success. This is not just a book on psychology, it’s absolutely practical.
This book teaches specific strategies that help create peak performance on the court.
The book contains extremely helpful information, check out some of the chapter headings to get an idea…
Find Pleasure in Pressure
Play With Gratitude
Separate Unproductive Worry From Productive Worry
Use Winning and Loosing as Springboards for Future Success
Behave Your Way into the Zone
Momentum is with You if You Think It is
Focus Your Attention on What Matters
Loosen Up When It Counts
Focus on Your Game, Not Your Opponents Ranking
Build Your Game With A Vision
Engage in the Learning Process
Don’t Get Too Satisfied After a Big Win
Be Patient Against Pushers
Give Yourself Permission To Miss
Leave Your Expectations off The Court
Establish Your Presence Before Serving
Play For Yourself
Get Comfortable With Winning
Create Your Ideal Intensity Level
Narrow Your Focus In the Warm Up
Don’t Let Your Emotions Run The Show
Keep Your Cool When A Bad Line Call Happens
Treat Sitters with the Same Intensity as Other Shots
Channel Your Anger
Trust Your Body
Quiet Your Mind
Train Yourself To Be Loose
Play With Controlled Aggression
Choose Your Tennis Coach Wisely
Be Patient With The Process
Your investment will pay you many returns so take the time to read this cover to cover and use what Jeff teaches on the court. The advice in here is cutting edge sports psychology added with practical application guidance.
Jeff really knows what he’s talking about and what he has written is knowledge for those of us who want to learn how to play with confidence and keep steady on the court without sacrificing the game experience. He stresses that when you become more aware of yourself on the court you will free yourself up to go for your shots, enjoy playing more, trust you body more and watch balls start landing in.
This book is so comprehensive, you don’t need to scramble for more information elsewhere because provides you with virtually everything you need to know to get your mindset healthy and stay cool on the court.
jeff greenwald, best tennis of your life, best tennis book
Click Here To Get, what is now nick named ‘Best Tennis’
“Tennis For Dummies by Patrick McEnroe is absolute gold for people new to tennis, tennis beginners and intermediate tennis players. If you really have no clue and want to get one then Tennis for Dummies is the one.”
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Book Review: Tennis For Dummies by Patrick McEnroe
tennis For dummies, tennis rules for dummies, best tennis book
As I was thinking about how much there is to rave about Tennis for Dummies and when I sat down to write my review, I wandered off and had a look on amazon and I found the review of a new-to-tennis reviewer who is fourteen years old, see for yourself…
“I’m fourteen but I bought this book entering my freshman year of high school to get acquainted with the game. It really does a thorough job of introducing one to the tennis world, covering everything from gear, tennis racquets, grips, strings, and the different types of strokes (forehand, backhand, volley, lob, serve, spins), and what the strokes ARE, but does not focus on how they should be implemented during matches.
“Advanced tennis players will probably already know most of the info in the book, but absolutely superb for beginners. It really helped me get started with tennis and reduced a LOT of beginner’s confusion (eg. what stroke is that again… which is my forehand/which is my backhand, and what they should look like, how do i score, what in the world is a volley??
“There is really detailed information on gear, how to score, what the grand slams are, short bios on historical players, and a lot more. It’s really, really helpful and a must read for all beginners, a good reference book for intermediate players.
“After attending 6 weeks of tennis camp and hard work outside of tennis camp, I got into my school’s JV team, muchly thanks to this book but also thanks to the fact that we didn’t have cuts this year because too many people dropped out of tryouts.”
This review really says it all (and good on you who ever you are for getting on the team 
)
Tennis For Dummies table of Contents…
PART 1: Tennis Anyone?
Ch 1: What is Tennis?
Ch 2: Meet me on the Grass, Clay or Hard Courts
Ch 3: The Well-Equipped Tennis Player
Ch 4: Scoring in Tennis: Love Means Nothing
Ch 5: Knowing All The Rules and Regulations
Ch 6: Tennis Etiquette: Do You Really Want to Throw That Racquet
PART 2: Playing The Game
Ch 7: Mastering Your Tennis Fundamentals
Ch 8: The Forehand: Your Bread and Butter
Ch 9: Your Backhand: Use It or Lose It
Ch 10: The Volley: An Exclamation Point
Ch 11: The Serve: It’s Entirely in Your Hands
Ch 12: Completing the Arsenal: Lobs, Overheads, and Drop Shots
Ch 13: Winning Strategies and Tactics
PART 3: Taking Your Game To The Next Level
Ch 14: Enjoying Your Amateur Status
Ch 15: Practice: The “P” Word
Ch 16 : Physical Conditioning for Tennis
Ch 17: When the Machine Breaks Down: Common Tennis Injuries
Ch 18: Improving Your Game with Lessons
PART 4: Tennis Aficionados Only
Ch 19: The Pro Game
Ch 20: I’ll Take Four Grand Slams and a Cup, Please
Ch 21: Tennis from the Stands and on TV
PART 5: The part of Tens
Ch 22. Ten Tennis Tips
Ch 23. The ten Best Men Players of the Open Era
Ch 24. The Ten Best Women Players of the Open Era
Ch 25. The Ten Greatest matches of the Open Era
tennis For dummies, tennis rules for dummies, best tennis book
Click Here To Grab Tennis For Dummies From Amazon
More Reviews on Tennis For Dummies…
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If you prefer to get on with learning right now I recommend this Online Coaching Here…
Tennis scoring and rules are the same for doubles and singles. Tennis Doubles is two players each end of the court where you use the whole tennis court to hit into (the ball needs to land inside the most out lines). Singles is one-on-one play where the outer one metre alley each side of the tennis court is not counted as a winning shot.
Game scoring looks like this:
0 points = the word “Love”
1 point = 15
2 points = 30
3 points = 40
1 point each you say 15 All
2 points each you say 30 All
3 points each you say the word “Deuce” (not 40 All)
At Deuce the person who wins the next point has the “Advantage” and depending on what country you are playing in you might say this differently, some players say “Your Ad” or “My Ad” or “Advantage Receiver” or “Advantage Server”
If the player with the advantage wins the very next point too they then go on to win that game. But if the player who has the advantage looses the next point then the game continues and the score goes back to Deuce, then the game is played until the player with the Advantage wins the point and so wins that game.
But if the game doesn’t get to Duece then the player who won 4 points first wins. For example if the score was 40-15 the player with 40 wins the game if they win that next point.
When you say the score out loud you always say the score of the server first. Eg. ‘40-love’ would mean the server has 3 point and the receiver has zero points.
You change ends of the court every second game starting from the end of the third game in the first set. In a tie break you change ends after every 6 points. (Sometimes in social tennis you don’t change ends, it just depends on what you and your partner decide on and how seriously you are competing.) Officially change end time frames are 90 seconds between games, 2 minutes between sets, and 20 seconds between points.
Each point the server gets two chances at getting a serve in. If the server misses it is called a ‘fault’ if the server misses both tries it’s called ‘double fault’. When a player double faults the other player wins the point.
When scoring, if you play tournaments, most the time you play best of three sets. In social tennis though it is popular to only play one set.
A set is won by the person who wins 6 games first. However if the score reaches 5 games all then the match has to be won 7 games to 5 but if the score ties at 6 games all the players then play a tie-break. A tie break is won by the first person to win 7 points and they must win by 2 points eg. 7-5 but if it ties at 6 points each they play on until one player wins by 2 points.
If you’re new to tennis and have been invited for a hit, basic tennis is to hit the ball so it lands inside the lines. If you are just having a social hit and you are not keeping the score it is polite to hit the ball straight to the person (not away from them). In that case try to make the tennis ball bounce about 1-2 metres (3-7 feet) in front of where they are standing on the other side of the court.
As you play more and more you will get better at controlling where the ball lands. If you are a real beginner please remember that it’s not just about hitting the ball hard so try to go for placement first before power. (Don’t worry though, you will soon be able to hit the ball hard if you get some coaching then you can learn how to hit the ball hard and still make it land where you want it to. But for now, just go for placement and hit the ball to the person you are playing with (that way they might still ask you to play with them again 
)
(Feel free to let me know if i’ve forgotten anything and also ask me any questions by adding a comment below)
For more rules and many more tips you should take a look at the book Tennis For Dummies. Click Here for my review or Click Here to go straight to Amazon.com
tennis rules and scoring, tennis rules for dummies
‘The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey is a thoroughly mind expanding tennis book that explains and teaches you to play ‘out of your mind’ tennis. A combination of practical information with spiritual enlightenment that when applied can calm the most self crucifying tennis player out there.’
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Book Review: The Inner Game Of Tennis
inner Game of tennis, timothy gallwey, tennis book
This book deals with the beating yourself up that happens when you’re on the tennis court. You know, when you yell at yourself, or talk to yourself in your mind, instructing yourself what you should do? He explains that this ‘talking to yourself’ is actually a conversation that affects whether your balls land in or out.
So many players, probably all of us at one point or another, have not understood why we lose to players we know we are better than, and wonder why we miss easy shots. We often put it down to ‘it’s not my day’ because we’re not sure how it happens, it’s frustrating. But Tim, in this book, gives insights that explain why this happens to us and he shows us that it doesn’t need to be this way.
I find it hard to see a flaw with this book, probably because I used to be a player with a temper problem and I had a tendency to choke under pressure. This book changed everything.
Tim is a tennis coach and he also explains some coaching techniques to help people learn. His methods have helped me teach players more effectively. If you’re a tennis coach you will find this book invaluable.
The book gets heavy in places, but it is regardless an easy read. It is very simple to follow because it’s written in everyday language, so anyone can understand it.
I recommend every tennis player has a copy of this book so you understand the importance of your self talk and find out the secret to playing, as the TV commentators say, ‘out of your mind tennis’. You’ll discover that it all comes down to letting go and trusting yourself.
Click Here To Grab A Copy of The Inner Game of Tennis from Amazon
inner Game of tennis, timothy gallwey, tennis book
Click Here To Grab A Copy of The Inner Game of Tennis from Amazon
“Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert is a book jam packed with tennis tricks, tips and strategies and even though the book was written in the 90s it will never go out of date. Brad Gilbert is the ultimate tennis strategist and he proves it with results.”
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Book Reviewed: Winning Ugly By Brad Gilbert
I have heard through the grapevine that all tennis players who train with Nick Bollettieri (world famous coach responsible for helping players make it into the top 10 in the world of tennis, 10 of them to number 1: Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Martina Hingis, Yelena Jankovic, Marcelo Rios, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova and Venus and Serena Williams. As well as a other world-class players, including: Tommy Haas, Anna Kournikova, Jimmy Arias and Nicole Vaidisova, to name a few.) Anyway I heard that players and coaches at Nick’s academy must study Winning Ugly as part of their tennis studies. That’s how important this book is to serious tennis players!
winning ugly, brad gilbert
When it comes you, applying what you learn from this book it’s a matter of discernment on your behalf. There are so so many tips and tricks it can be quite overwhelming, especially if you are an up and coming player.
Brad Gilbert was the coach of Andre Agassi, he played and won against the greats such as Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Stephen Edberg.
I recommend this book to players to who take tennis seriously and enjoy having an advantage over their opponents. I also recommend this book to anyone who wants an insight into life on tour, what it’s like as an up and coming player because Brad’s story reveals a lot about when he played on the professional tour, and he gives very relevant advice.
As well as that, the stuff in Winning Ugly will definitely help you kick butt in club tennis too. I found especially helpful the tips on how to handle psyching, playing players who cheat, the tips on scouting your opposition, knowing how to choose ends according to the wind and sun, and it’s great fun having strategies about how to play against different types of players like retrievers, serve volleyers, lefties etc.
Winning ugly is jam packed full of stories of matches Brad played against other big guns of the 90s like Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendel, Stefen Edberg and he tells entertaining stories about what it was like being on the other end of the court playing against the two showmen, John McEnroe and Jimmy Conners.
It’s a great read for anyone who has the audacity to believe they can beat anyone if they set their mind to it, because Brad says ‘you can beat anyone, you just need to figure out how’.
winning ugly, brad gilbert
Click Here To Get Winning Ugly From Amazon
Another fantastic Strategy Book is Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia which in my opinion is more suitable for anyone at any level (it makes tactics simpler to put into action immediately better than winning ugly) have a look at my review of the ebook Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia Here
“Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia at tennismindgame.com is worth every cent you pay, in fact I personally think Tomaz should raise the price because it’s got it all. The Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia covers tips for tennis beginners and advanced tactics for tennis professionals”
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Book Reviewed: Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia
tennis strategy encyclopedia
Tomaz, the author of this priceless book, begins talking about basic tactics for the beginners, but as you keep reading on through this book, the tactical lessons are of a tournament level, and even an elite tournament level.
Here is a list of topics covered:
I honestly can’t find a flaw in this book I know I’m supposed to be critical as a reviewer but in my opinion it’s the perfect accompaniment to your coaching lessons. (I would recommend coaches use this as a resource too.)
Tomaz offers a bonus with the book which is three emails where you can chat with Tomaz and get advice on anything about your game, strategy or technique.
Many players are skilled mechanically as tennis players but when it comes to strategy they are quite predictable as they only know a few. This book will fill you in on what you’re missing out on if you are one of those people.
Click Here To Grab a Copy of Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia
tennis strategy encyclopedia
Click Here For More Information About The Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia
“Tennis Mind Game The Mental Manual for tennis is a book that gets into psychology on the tennis court, Tomaz, the coach, talks about what happens in your head while you aren’t hitting the tennis ball.”
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Website Reviewed: Tennis Mind Game: The Mental Manual
tennis mind Game, the mental manual for tennis
I like this book because of the way it is arranged. The chapter titles make it easy for the reader to get tips for specific problems. You just scan the Contents page to find what you need
Here is what I mean…
AROUSAL CONTROL
CONCENTRATION
ACCEPTANCE
VISUALIZATION
PRE-MATCH SITUATIONS:
PRE-MATCH ANXIOUSNESS – OFF COURT
PRE-MATCH ANXIOUSNESS – ON COURT
DELAYED MATCH (rain, long match before yours, darkness…)
GETTING AHEAD OF YOURSELF
BAD LINE CALL
OPPONENT CHEATING
OUTER DISTURBANCES
INNER DISTURBANCES
MEDICAL TIME-OUT – of your opponent
GAME INTERRUPTED
BAD DAY (NO FEEL)
EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD DAY – for your opponent
PLAYING A WEAKER OPPONENT
FATIGUE
UNFORCED ERROR
MISSED AN EASY BALL (SITTER)
DOUBLE FAULT
LOST THE SERVE
BROKE OPPONENTS SERVE
SCORE DEPENDABLE SITUATIONS
LOST A SET
WON A SET
SET ALL
BEHIND IN A SET – a lot
BEHIND IN A SET – a little
AHEAD IN SET – a lot
AHEAD IN SET – a little
EVENED THE SCORE
LOST A LEAD
SCORE TIED
SITUATIONS IN THE GAME
LEADING IN THE GAME (15:0, 30:15, 40:15…)
SCORE IS TIED (0:0, 15:15, 30:30…)
BEHIND IN THE GAME (0:15, 15:30, 30:40…)
AFTER THE MATCH
MATCH ANALYSIS
So you see it is very specific.
Overall the book is specific to mental stuff and it also stresses the importance of visualization. It is simple in wording and a little academic. However this is the most specific book I’ve found that really zones in on critical moments in a match.
The book is layed out with a notes section for each chapter so you can write your own notes about your personal ways of dealing with those situations. If you print out the chapters you can actually fold the pages in half and make a book.
Click Here To Go To The Mental Manual
You will see that Tomaz offers a discount if you buy this book with and the Tennis Encyclopedia. Click here for my review of the tennis encyclopedia
Go To Tennis Mind Game: The Mental Manual
“Insider Tennis Strategies and Tactics with Glenn Sheiner will see you win more tennis games very quickly. Even if you just pick one or two tips out of the book you will have a true advantage over your competitors.”
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Website Reviewed: Insider Tennis Strategies
This ebook is a well written and easy to read tactical playing guide. I have read a lot of books about tennis tactics, my favorite still remains to be Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert but winning ugly is so packed with info a lot of players don’t know where to start.
What Glenn has done with this book is adapted elite professional strategy to suit club and tournament players. He also includes tactical advice that I had never heard before which is refreshing.
insider tennis strategies, glenn sheiner, best tennis book
Insider Tennis Strategies is a very easy read, there is no fluff. And quite frankly, the tips he gives work (I know because I’ve used them).
This book is suitable for every player at every level. Anyone who can hit a tennis ball over the net can be at an advantage on court, people will wonder how the heck you won, just read this book and apply just a few of the strategies.
You’ll have a lot of fun.
Click Here To Visit Insider Tennis Strategies
Also, you get some cool bonuses with the book including a claycourt tennis guide which is a short book but it has some great ideas about the tactics for playing on slow surfaces. You also get a scouting form. This is suitable for more competitive players.
Once your purchase goes through you are taken to the bonus page and he gives away more e-books and advice. One of my favorite books of his is the Racquet Specs of the Top Ten Male Players, it blew me away the insider tips he’d shares.
Click Here To Visit Insider Tennis Strategies
Note: when you visit the site, you’ll notice it’s basic, don’t be fooled because the quality of the product is great, Glenn is a coach with true tactical know-how and this stuff works.
insider tennis strategies, glenn sheiner, best tennis book
“The Ten Laws of Tennis with Coach Kyril Coach Kyril shares a lot of coaching information that other really good coaches would share if you were on the court in a lesson with them. Coach Kyril’s site and lessons allow you to have it all on your computer to watch and learn in your own time.”
Reviewer: Lillian
Rating
Website Reviewed: The Ten Laws Of Tennis
coach kyril tennis, ten laws of tennis, coach kyril review
It is utterly comprehensive and covers the most important foundations to tennis everyone needs to know and master. It’s perfect for beginners providing a work book and quizzes as you learn.
Coach Kyril shares what a lot of coaching information that other really good coaches would share if you were on the court in a lesson with them. Yet this package has it all here for you on your computer to watch and learn in your own time. You really have a live coach at your beckon call because there are real video lessons.
You get ten video lessons covering each of the ten laws, and you get two ebooks plus you’ll get access to an exclusive members only site which is jam packed with information inside that covers a lot of stroke help and equipment advice. The membership site is good for advanced players too. You get a free 30 day trial of his members only area when you buy The Ten Laws of Tennis (note that your credit card will be charged automatically if you want to stay a member).
Here’s a rundown of what is inside the members area of The Ten Laws of Tennis:
Video Tutorials on…
- How to be ready for the next shot in lighting speed
- How to improve and hit a killer forehand
- Loads of advice on Serves
- How to hit a One-handed and two-handed backhand and when to play them
- How To Improve Your volleys
- Practical Strategy application instructions
Also
- Tennis Equipment Reviews
- A Weekly Q&A Phone Call with Coach Kyril
- And separate articles inside the members area on a range of topics
It’s kept well up to date by a coach who actually cares and loves what he does and loves sharing his knowledge.
Click Here to Visit The Ten Laws of Tennis
coach kyril tennis, ten laws of tennis, coach kyril review
Click Here to Visit The Ten Laws of Tennis
Getting tennis lessons and a coach makes sure you have the tips and instruction on how to play tennis better, plus by having coaching and instruction on match strategy definitely helps you win more matches every week. Tennis lessons and tennis coaching help with serve and strokes plus a coach gives you crucial help with match strategy, tips and instruction so when you are on the tennis court you play well. The aim of a tennis coach is to help you play better then you did last tennis lesson and your last tennis match. A tennis coach is essential to help you play better and enjoy your tennis more. Tennis coaches aim to help you play better than you did before.
…….
If you want to get coaching right now on your computer Tomaz Mencinger is a professional tennis coach and he has a Complete Video Instruction Guide For Tennis Beginners so go check it out if you want some video lessons right now
……..
Or the book Tennis For Dummies has the best info for beginners about tennis rules, different types of strokes, match play and more Click Here for my review of Tennis For Dummies or Click Here to go straight to Amazon.com and grab it now
……..
But if you’re a more experienced player then check Coach Kyril out for online coaching videos that are more advanced but if you want to read my review first then Click Here
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