Podcast #181: Struggling Against Weaker Players
Today’s show covers a topic that is extremely familiar with the vast majority of tennis players: struggling on the court against somebody that in your opinion is weaker than you are. It might be just a little bit, or maybe even a large difference in ability level but either way you seem to constantly play down to their level and make things difficult for yourself. Stop that cycle! In this episode of the podcast I outline the biggest psychological and physical reasons why tennis players can’t consistently crush weaker players and how to fix them!
Podcast #168: Return of Serve Success
This episode of the podcast is completely dedicated to an extremely important shot in tennis: the return of serve! Listen in as I talk about the most important elements of a good singles and doubles return of serve. When should you try to beat a poaching player down the alley? Where should you aim your singles return of serve with so much court to work with? I give a full overview of what to keep in mind, what to forget about, and how aggressively you should be hitting this important shot!
Podcast #167: When Should You Work On Offense?
Today’s podcast episode is on an awesome topic: at what point in your tennis development should you stop being so focused on being steady and start developing some big weapons? Is there a certain level that you should transition over? Are their specific cues in your game that you should be looking for? I talk about the “sliding scale” of tennis players on this episode and give advice on what to develop and when based on your current level of play!
Podcast #166: How To Beat Serve and Volley
Serve and volley players can be extremely tough to beat, they really make you come up with great shots in order to win! In today’s episode of the podcast I will tell you exactly what you need to do in order to defeat these tricky opponents. Topics include how best to handle the return of serve, two main tactical options to use once the point has begun, and also some mental toughness advice as well. Don’t get bullied around by these types of players anymore!
Podcast #165: Breaking the Directionals
In today’s episode of the podcast I answer some great listener questions about adding more weight to your favorite frame by using lead tape. Will adding weight really slow your swing down and decrease power? Where should you put the lead exactly and how much? I also talk about the correct times to NOT use the directionals! I list four specific times in which using the directionals would actually be a bad idea and how to implement those shots selections into your game!
Postal scale on Amazon.com for measuring lead tape: Click Here!
Podcast #162: Will Hamilton of FYB
Listen as Will and Ian discuss four big concepts that are vital to winning at tennis, all having to do with your strategy and tactics. Make sure to sign up for the completely free strategy course that Fuzzy Yellow Balls is making available until this Wednesday only! You can sign up with your e-mail address by clicking the link below. Also make sure to keep an eye on your e-mail inbox for a sweet deal coming from Ian this Thursday!
Sign up for FYB’s FREE video course: Click Here!
Podcast #160: How To Hit Passing Shots
When your opponent comes to the net in singles you have so many different options: cross court, down the line, drive, heavy topspin, lob, etc. What is the best type of shot to chose and why? Find out on today’s show! Ian also gives advice on how to hit effective forehands and backhands on the run. How are the pros able to hit such amazing shots when in trouble and running off the court?
Podcast #159: Raise Your Tennis IQ
On today’s show Ian answers a great question about developing the skills needed to win. We’re not talking about forehand or backhand technique but rather the intangibles that really make up a player that just seems to pull out wins even against “better” players. Ian also discusses a question about what parts of your technique you should be thinking about and which should just be “automatic”!
Podcast #157: 3 Simple Singles Necessities
Two great singles tactics questions occupy today’s episode of the podcast! First off I discuss what tactics patterns, and strategies are most essential when it comes to being successful in singles competition. Secondly I talk about how to approach a match tactically against a player who is obviously much stronger and you. What can you do to increase your chances of coming out on top? Find out!
FYB’s “Variety is Overrated”
ET’s approaching in singles
Podcast #156: Win More Singles Matches NOW!
In today’s episode I talk about three big ways that you can win more matches in your singles game: improving your singles practice, singles strategy, and mental game specifically for singles play. Improving even one of these areas will absolutely earn you more points, just image what would happen if you spend the time aPodcast156nd effort to become better at all three!
Podcast #144: Low, short shots can be some of the toughest to handle for recreational players. Learn how to deal with them! Also find out if it’s smarter to attack a weakness over and over again.
Do you struggle hitting topspin on really low shots that are close to the net? Most people do and sometimes it’s just better to play a slice or “push” type shot. Find out when this is best to do and how to do it! Also listen in on a discussion about singles tactics: should you play your opponents strength in order to attack to their weakness? Find out!
Podcast #142: Learn what is most important to putting together a winning strategy both in singles and doubles play!
Stroke technique is only part of winning a tennis match. Being mentally tough and putting together a winning game plan are completely separate and even more important than technique a large percentage of the time. Today Ian talks about what is most important tactically to winning both singles and doubles matches. Start winning more matches with better tactics!
Podcast #127: Avoiding Momentum Swings in Three Easy Steps
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!
Podcast #114: Andy Zodin gives his thoughts on what it takes to build a game plan and anticipate your opponents moves in singles
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.
Podcast 105: What do you do when ‘Plan A’ doesn’t work in your singles play? How should lefties strategize for singles?
Today I answer two great questions having to do with singles strategy. The first question has to do with changing up your strategy once you realize that your A Game isn’t cutting the mustard. Learn how to mix up your strategy and try something new during competition. Secondly I talk about the Wardlaw Directionals and using left hand dominance to be an advantage in singles play.
Podcast 92: How do you best defeat an opponent to comes to the net, deal with high backhands, or determine which internet instruction is best for you?
When your opponent in singles continually comes to the net what are the best strategies to use in defeating them? How about when your opponent hits you deep, high shots to your one handed backhand? Lastly I answer a question about picking out the good tennis instruction from everything available on the internet.
Podcast 83: Today I share my top three things to do and not do if you want to strategize like a pro. I also discuss which is better: power or placement.
Are you playing your tennis matches blind, focusing on the wrong things and giving up more points than you should be? I talk today about what’s at the core of strategy: making adjustments on the court. I also spend time talking about which is better: placement or power. A question for the ages!
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