Tennis Training – Australian Open Women’s Final

The Australian Open was fun to watch…I wish it wasn’t over.

The women’s final was both fun and disappointing.

Tennis Training – What was “FUN”

Azarenka is hitting her stride.  She was aggressive, sharp and fit.

Tennis Training – What was “DISAPPOINTING”

Sharapova appeared to be out of gas in the final.  She lost 6-3, 6-0 in 1 hour, 22 minutes.

Tennis Training – The “Take Away”

Here’s what I took from the match…

Sharapova is not in the kind of shape needed to compete with a 24-year-old.  She appeared tired and impatient, so she was forced to hit winners…instead of working the point to set up her shots.  Sharapova’s serve was inconsistent, which is common when you are tired.

If she wants to compete with the slew of young talent on the tour, she is going to need to step up her training…much like Andre Agassi during the last several years of his career.

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Do you run out of gas on the court?  Do you get impatient and forget to work the points when you are tired?  If so, it’s time to step up your tennis training!

Tennis Training – Speed Training

In tennis, speed can be a real asset.  Yes, some people are naturally fast, but most of us have to work at it.

You should incorporate speed training into your tennis training program.

Tennis Training – 3 Speed Drills For You!

1. Up hill sprints – this will help develop power and acceleration.  Run 30-40 feet per sprint up a 30 degree incline.
2. Ladder drills – this will help develop coordination and lateral speed, which is critical on the court.
3. Suicides – in this drill you run out 10 feet, then run back to your starting point.  Next you run out 20 feet, and run back.  Third you run out 30 feet, and run back.  Last you sprint out 40 feet, and then sprint back to the starting point.

Tennis Training – Speed Training Frequency?

As a recreational tennis player, it is hard to a tennis training workout more than 3 times per week on top of your on-court time.  I suggest doing a speed workout 1 time per week, in addition to 1 power workout and 1 core workout.

Tennis Training Aid Review: The Miracle Ball Method

This tennis training aid comes with 2 therapy balls and an instruction book.  The product sells for $17.95.

For more information go to: http://www.elainepetrone.com/pages/products.html

Tennis Training Aid Review – What is The Miracle Ball Method

“Elaine Petrone was a dancer who badly injured her leg. She was told she might never walk again. So she went on a quest to heal herself starting with doctors and chiropractors, then with yogis and other bodywork professionals. In the end, she invented her own system of pain relief that not only worked to heal her leg, but also relieved stress and reshaped her body. Pain relief, stress relief, and a way to look thinner. Sounds too good to be true, but Elaine Petrone’s miracle balls program really delivers. Her system has delivered relief to thousands of patients who have taken her classes in New York City, and now thousands more she is reaching through her work at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. Her work is endorsed by doctors and physical therapists there. The method is simple: Weight plus breathing equals relief. That is to say you put a ball under the part of your body that hurts, breathe (sounds automatic, but in fact most of us hold our breath most of the time), and let the weight of your body be absorbed by the ball. In a way, you can think of the ball as a magnet for anxiety and pain–the stress is sucked out of your body and into the ball as your muscles release their tension. This book delivers a complete program for relief all over your body from head to toe.”

http://www.elainepetrone.com/pages/products.html#synopsis

Tennis Training Aid Review- What I liked

I received the Miracle Ball Method this last holiday season.

I suffer from tight hips, tight hamstrings, and a pesky t-band.  Currently, I  use the Miracle Balls to work out these problem areas.

This system is really similar to a foam roller, but it in a much small footprint.

Tennis Training Aid Review – What I didn’t like

I’ll be honest.  This system is pretty darn good…

At under $20, it is a great alternative to physical therapy or a trainer.

Overall Thoughts

I give the The Miracle Ball Method an “A” rating.  If you suffer from soft tissue pain or discomfort, you will get immediate relief from this product.  You will have to work at it, but it really is a great product.

Please note that you can buy the product from the website mentioned above, thought it can be found cheaper at buy.com and walmart.com.

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For more information on tennis training and tennis fitness, check out the Fitness For Tennis blog at http://fitnessfortennis.com