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Podcast #133: Learn 3 things to help you return more shots in play that your club pro hasn't taught you! Also learn how the pros create tons of power on groundstrokes and serves.
Monday, August 30th, 2010

There are 3 simple yet incredibly important factors that completely decide whether or not you'll get to a ball comfortably, or even get to it at all around the court. On today's show learn what those things are and how you can improve them right away! Ian also talks about how the pros make so much power on their groundstrokes and serves, and why many recreational players do not even though they try super hard.

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Podcast #132: What 5 things should you do to be a respectable member of the tennis community? Find out now!
Monday, August 23rd, 2010

There are just some things that you should or shouldn't do when you're on a tennis court. Some are tradition, some are just good manners, but not all of these things are commonly known to all recreational tennis players. Ian also talks about what to develop next after achieving a great spin serve!

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Podcast #131: Not everybody has the same potential for improvement, but are there players out there that will never get to a 4.0 level? Ian also discusses volleys while poaching.
Monday, August 16th, 2010

Is it possible that you could work super hard at your tennis game but never get beyond a certain level? What level would that be? In today's show Ian talks about different ability levels for different people, and how much natural athleticism plays a role in your improvement. He also answers a question about missing volleys while poaching in doubles, start making more!

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Podcast #130: Improve your doubles game now! Learn now to strategize like the pros in today's interview with professional player Ashley Fisher.
Monday, August 9th, 2010

So what do the pros do that set them apart from the rest of the world? Today Ashley Fisher spends some time with Ian telling him about the ins and outs of professional level doubles. Many listener questions are answered and they also discuss the newest product from Essential Tennis: Doubles Domination. Check out what free instructional downloads are available right now!

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Podcast #129: Stop positioning yourself too close to the ball on your ground strokes! Learn how.
Monday, August 2nd, 2010

So many recreational players position themselves too close to the ball over and over again. Stop doing that! In today's show you'll learn two drills that you can do with a partner that will improve your judgement of where the ball is and your relationship to it after it bounces. Also learn how positioning yourself better for easy, short shots.

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Podcast #128: Learn what to improve so you can beat pushers. Also find out what tactics are best to use on low, short shots.
Monday, July 26th, 2010

So many tennis players absolutely hate playing pushers: tennis players who put no pace on their shots and simply put everything back in play safely. Today Ian talks about what parts of your game need to be improved to start winning against these types of opponents. Ian also talks about dealing with low, short shots. Where should you aim these?

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Podcast #127: Avoiding Momentum Swings in Three Easy Steps
Monday, July 19th, 2010

Ever get way ahead in either a singles or doubles match only to see your lead quickly slip away? Today Ian talks about the causes of these big momentum shifts as well as a three step process for avoiding them. By the end of today's show you'll know what to look for and how to prevent big swings in score from one side to the other!

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Podcast #126: Gear Talk with Master Racket Technician Jeremy Plumley. Lead tape for more spin, racket selection, string gauge differences.
Monday, July 12th, 2010

Listen in on part 2 of 2 in a discussion with gear expert Jeremy Plumley. Ian and Jeremy talk about using lead tape to create more spin, selecting the correct racket for certain types of players, and the differences that string gauges make.

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Podcast #125: Mental toughness expert Dr. Cohn gives advice on staying relaxed, confidence vs arrogance, and what to think about during changeovers.
Monday, July 5th, 2010

Dr. Patrick Cohn is back on the podcast to talk about all things mental toughness! Along the way he and Ian discuss three different listener questions. The first one has to do with staying relaxed during tense moments in a match. The second deals with the difference between confidence and arrogance as well as how much of each is a good thing. Lastly they discuss what to think about during changeovers. Check out his own show: The Tennis Psychology Podcast on iTunes by clicking here!

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Podcast #124: Ian and Jeremy talk about several important gear topics such as pros and cons of different strings, frame fads, and using lead tape to change balance.
Monday, June 28th, 2010

Being able to chose the right gear and customize it exactly the way you want can make a huge difference on the court! On today's show Master Racket Technician Jeremy Plumley talks about three important topics: different types of strings along with their pros and cons, different fads in rackets such as extended lengths and heavy frames, and also using lead tape to change the balance of your racket. Part 1 of 2.

f Download (MPEG Layer 3 Audio, 16.3 MB)

 

Podcast #123: Find out if you should be picking a target for every shot that you hit and also what factors should play into selecting one.
Monday, June 21st, 2010

Would picking a target for a tennis shot ever lead to actually missing it? Today Ian answers that question and also talks about what factors should go into picking your targets as you play your matches. Also discusses is hitting the ball on the rise more aggressively while still maintaining control.

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Podcast #122: Listen in as Ian talks to Dave "The Koz" Kozlowski about adding more offense to your tennis game by using slice and backspin.
Monday, June 14th, 2010

Whenever tennis players think of offense hitting the ball with power and pace definitely comes to mind first. Did you know that you can also create offense by using slice? On today's show Ian talks to Koz about how this is obtained and where recreational players can start using backspin to keep their opponents off guard.

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Podcast #121: Learn 7 new drills to improve your net game in either singles or doubles. Start working on them today!
Monday, June 7th, 2010

Being comfortable at the net can introduce a whole new world of options and opportunities to you in singles. Having more solid volleys can obviously improve your doubles game as well! Listen to this episode of the podcast to learn what drills Ian uses to help his students improve at the net, 4 cooperative drills and 3 competitive ones.

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Podcast #120: Battling out a match in the summer heat can be dangerous! Find out how to protect yourself from the elements and stay safe.
Monday, May 31st, 2010

Today I'm joined by Fitness Blog writer Steve Beck to talk about how to battle the heat during your summer tennis play. I also talk about changing your grip from one forehand or backhand to another, should you use the same grip on every topspin ground stroke or is switching a good idea? Is the continental grip the best to use for a forehand and backhand slice? Find out!

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Podcast #119: Learn how to take your ground strokes early and pressure your opponent! Also listen in on how to aim your serve correctly.
Monday, May 24th, 2010

Hitting on the rise can be a great way to improve your position on the court and take time away from your opponent at the same time. Learn how to do it correctly in todays show. Ian also discusses the right and wrong way to aim your serve to different parts of the box through good technique.

f Download (MPEG Layer 3 Audio, 15.2 MB)

 

Podcast #118: Stop blaming the lob for your doubles losses! Learn how to effectively move back and hit a solid overhead at the net.
Monday, May 17th, 2010

I so often hear doubles teams complain about opponents that put up lob after lob in a winning effort against them. If this sounds familiar then you absolutely have to listen to today's show as I outline the four most important aspects of covering behind you correctly after closing into the net in either doubles or singles. Don't get caught off guard by the lob anymore!

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Podcast #117: Is your tennis playing style something that you were born with or part of your game that you can change and develop at will? What are the main types of playing styles?
Monday, May 10th, 2010

Today I discuss some great questions from a listener having to do with different playing styles of tennis. I first go over the four main styles of play in detail, talk about which pros fit each, and how you can improve your game if you fit into those styles. Next I discuss how much of our style is chosen, and how much is simply natural. Lastly I talk about how to beat each style of player!

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Podcast #116: So should you really be watching the ball during points? If so, what process should you follow? Also Ian talks about the journey of improving your game.
Monday, May 3rd, 2010

There are so many misunderstandings about watching the ball during your tennis play. Watching the ball is an incredibly simple concept, but so few recreational players do it well. Find out what steps you can take to start making better contact with the ball, stop losing your concentration! Ian also talks about the journey we all take as we try to improve our tennis games.

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Podcast #115: Listen to a round table discussion between Ian and two forum members about how to improve your tennis game.
Monday, April 26th, 2010

I often times have tennis experts on the show to talk about improving a specific part of your tennis game. Today my guests are two recreational players who have worked really hard to improve over the last several years. Find out what worked for them, what didn't, and what has been most important to them as they continue to get better.

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Podcast #114: Andy Zodin gives his thoughts on what it takes to build a game plan and anticipate your opponents moves in singles
Monday, April 19th, 2010

Andy Zodin is back on the Essential Tennis Podcast to lend his expertise on the topic of anticipation during singles competition. He discusses with Ian things to look for on the court during your matches such as your opponents balance, court positioning, and stroke technique. Did you know that playing smart tennis is very much like a game of chess? Listen in to find out how.

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Podcast #113: Listen to Ian answer three listener questions having to do with high volleys, pronation on slice serves, and racket customization
Monday, April 12th, 2010

Have you ever played a great point, setting yourself up for the easy put away only to miss your volley long? Today Ian talks about how to fix that mistake. Also discussed is the slice serve, should you be turning your hand to the right or to the left to get the most amount of spin? Lastly Ian talks about racket customization, specifically how to balance out a racket.

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Podcast #112: Listen to Ian interview professional speaker and coach Raj Gavurla about mental tennis dynamics in a team setting.
Monday, April 5th, 2010

Mental tennis topics are some of the most popular on the Essential Tennis Podcast, but did you know that mental toughness for a single player can be very different from mental toughness on a team? Listen to Raj talk about being tough as a team whether you play USTA tournaments, club matches, or on high school or college teams. Did you know that there is a difference between "self talk" and "self think"? Listen in!

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