Growing up, a teaching pro used to tell me, “You’re only as good as your second serve.” He would always say, “I only need to see one ball, and that’s the second serve if I want to see how good somebody is.” The first serve might be the glamour shot, but the second serve is…
If you’re like most tennis players I meet, whether on the court, in our workshops, or deep in the comments on one of our PlayYourCourt videos, there’s one question that always comes up: “Am I using the right grip for my forehand?” The challenge? Most players choose a grip by accident. You pick up a…
“Can I switch hands in the middle of a point?” Yes… but it’s not quite that simple. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, experimenting with a two-forehand game, or just curious if it’s a viable strategy to level up, switching hands in tennis is one of those weird-but-fascinating topics that deserves a deep dive. And…
You go through your serve motion, swing like you mean it, and still the ball floats forward, then dies in the net. It’s the most frustrating moment in tennis. When your serve won’t clear the net, it can mess with your rhythm, your confidence, and let’s be real, your love for the game. I’ve been…
👉 Try 7 Days of Game Improvement Coaching Free “Move your feet” might be the most overused, least understood phrase in tennis coaching. I’ve seen it shouted from the sidelines, whispered by frustrated doubles partners, and scrawled on practice notes like it’s some magical fix. Most players don’t actually know how to move their feet….
If you’re a 4.0 to 5.0 rated tennis player who feels stuck despite training regularly, this article is for you. You’ve already mastered the basics, now you need drills that actually reflect the high-pressure, match-like scenarios you’re facing. Feel like you’ve hit a ceiling with your game, even though you train hard? Advanced players don’t…
Let’s face it, volleying is a statement. When you step inside the baseline and own the net, you’re telling your opponent, “I’m in charge now.” But if you’re like most recreational players I’ve coached over the years, the volley feels more like an awkward handshake than a confident strike. Maybe you’re not sure if your…
I’ve played more tennis matches than I can count, from juniors to college ball to now hitting with my students and I’ll tell you this. The players who show up “cold” rarely walk away with the win. You can have the cleanest strokes on the practice court, but if you’re not dialed in, physically, mentally,…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y96A26lfkJQ If you’ve ever watched a tennis match swing wildly in momentum, or felt one slip away in your own hands, you already know how important the mind is in this sport. I’m here to tell you something the traditional tennis world doesn’t talk about enough: your brain might be the most powerful tool in…
The one-handed backhand isn’t easy. That’s why most players, especially under pressure, default to two hands. The two-hander gives you built-in stability, more forgiveness on timing, and a quicker path to consistency. But here’s the trade-off: the one-hander gives you reach, disguise, slice versatility, and when done right, a level of effortless power that makes…