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           <title>Cramping: How to Prevent It on the Tennis Court</title>
           <description>Whether you are getting ready for a league match or a tournament, your body needs to be prepared. One of the worst pains you can endure is cramping. Cramping is one of those problems that people seem to forget about until it actually happens. This is not a good habit; you want to get ahead of cramping and prevent it. Fortunately, there are many ways to stay cramp-free from the first point to the last!Read more at https://tennisexpress.com/blogs/news/cramping-how-to-prevent-it-on-the-tennis-courtAbout the author: Chris Brown is an Assistant Tennis Pro at Stonebriar Country Club with over 20 years of teaching experience. He actively competes in leagues and tournaments and contributes to local tennis events.</description>
           <link>https://tenniscoaches.com/tips-and-drills/how-to-prevent-cramping-on-the-tennis-court</link>
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           <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:54:58 +0000</pubDate>
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           <title>Mastering the Volley: Keep It Simple, Stay Consistent</title>
           <description>Volleying in tennis often feels complicated—but simplicity is the secret to success. As tennis pros know, consistent volleys come from solid fundamentals, not flashy technique. Whether you’re just starting out or want to sharpen your skills, these simple tips and drills will help you gain control and confidence at the net.Key Technique TipsContinental GripDespite some modern debate, the continental grip remains essential for effective volleys. It allows your racquet face to stay naturally open for both forehands and backhands, giving you better backspin and soft-touch control.Firm WristUnlike topspin groundstrokes, volleys require a firm wrist. A floppy wrist leads to unpredictable contact and poor placement. Keeping your wrist steady allows for precise racquet control and shot direction.Think “Catch,” Not “Punch”The common advice to “punch the volley” can backfire under pressure. Instead, visualize catching the ball with your strings. This mindset encourages a softer touch, better control, and less shanking in tense moments.Practice DrillsToss &amp; Catch (2 Players)A great warm-up for feel and control.·       Player 1 stands two steps behind the net with tennis balls.·       Player 2 stands across the net, racquet ready.·       Player 1 underhand tosses the ball; Player 2 volleys it back softly.·       Player 1 catches the return. Switch roles after 10–15 reps.Focus: Soft hands, open racquet face, accuracy.Wall Volleys (Solo or Partner)Use a wall to build consistency and quick reactions.·       Solo: Stand two steps from the wall, toss and volley the ball repeatedly until it drops.·       Partner: Both players stand 4 feet apart, two steps from the wall. One tosses against the wall toward the other, and they alternate volleys off the wall.Focus: Timing, control, no swinging.Final TipVolleys aren’t power shots—they’re about precision. When you simplify your grip, firm up your wrist, and train with purpose, you&#039;ll gain the consistency needed to own the net.</description>
           <link>https://tenniscoaches.com/tips-and-drills/mastering-the-tennis-volley</link>
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           <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:35:47 +0000</pubDate>
           <category>Drill</category>
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           <title>Serve Covering Dominant Eye with Guillermo Milisenda</title>
           <description>🎾👁 TRY SERVING WITH ONE EYE COVEREDSounds crazy… right?But here’s why I sometimes have players practice serves covering their dominant eye 👇When you remove your dominant eye, your brain is forced to:• Track the toss more consciously• Improve balance and body awareness• Feel the contact point instead of “chasing” it• Stabilize the head better through impactMost players rely too much on vision and not enough on rhythm and proprioception.When you limit visual input:Your nervous system works harder.Your focus increases.Your mechanics often clean up naturally.Then when you uncover the eye and serve normally…🎯 The ball looks slower🎯 The contact feels clearer🎯 The toss looks more stableIt’s neurological training — not just technical training.⚠️ Only do this in controlled practice. Start at 50% speed.Sometimes to improve performance…You remove something.Have you ever trained with vision constraints? 👇#TennisTraining #ServeTechnique #TennisCoach #HighPerformanceTennis #NeuroTraining #TennisTips</description>
           <link>https://tenniscoaches.com/tips-and-drills/serve-covering-dominant-eye-with-guillermo-milisenda</link>
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           <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:35:23 +0000</pubDate>
           <category>Tip</category>
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           <title>Stay Loose, Play Better: 5 Ways to Stay Relaxed on the Tennis Court</title>
           <description>One of the most important pieces of advice I’ve received—and continue to share—is simple: Relax. A relaxed body improves timing, control, and overall play. But too often, pressure creeps in: pressure to win, to perform, to avoid embarrassment. That tension, both mental and physical, can sabotage your game.Top athletes like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Patrick Mahomes, and Maria Sharapova have mastered staying composed under pressure. They understand that tension is part of competition—but they’ve learned to regulate it. Here&#039;s how tennis players can do the same:1.     Meditate Daily  Even just 5–10 minutes of meditation each day can help you quiet the mental noise and lower physical tension. Use this time to reset before a match or to reflect afterward. With regular practice, you will find it easier to stay present and grounded, even under stress.2.     Breathe Between Points  You’ve seen it with pros like Maria Sharapova—strategic deep breathing between points helps calm the nerves and re-center the mind. It is a quick reset that makes a big difference.3.     Don’t Fear the Grunt  Yes, it can be loud. Yes, it may annoy your opponent. But grunting is more than a sound—it is an intentional way to exhale, reduce tension, and stay loose while striking the ball. Let your breath move with your swing.4.     Simplify Your Focus  Coaches sometimes overload players with too much technical advice. But when it is go-time, try focusing on just 1–3 clear objectives—like footwork, consistency, or first-serve percentage. Too many thoughts create chaos. Less really is more.5.     Slow Down and Be Present  Many American players struggle with this, likely because we are conditioned to value speed and productivity. But on the court, fast is not always best. Slow the pace. Take your time between points. Let yourself be present in the moment. Europeans and South Americans do this well—it is not stalling; it is being intentional.Bottom line: Relaxation is a skill, just like your serve or backhand. The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes—and the better you will perform when the pressure is on.About the author: Chris Brown is an Assistant Tennis Pro at Stonebriar Country Club with over 20 years of teaching experience. He actively competes in leagues and to...</description>
           <link>https://tenniscoaches.com/tips-and-drills/ways-to-stay-relaxed-in-tennis</link>
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           <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:39:17 +0000</pubDate>
           <category>Tip</category>
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           <title>Stretch Like a Pro: Essential Moves for Tennis Performance &amp; Recovery</title>
           <description>Let’s talk stretching. You might roll your eyes at it, skip it entirely, or promise to “do it later”—but it’s one of the simplest habits that can make the biggest difference in your game. Stretching keeps your muscles flexible, your movements fluid, and your body primed for peak performance. Ignore it, and you risk stiffness, tightness, and injury that could easily have been prevented.I’ll admit, I’ve felt that post-match soreness simply because I didn’t take a few extra minutes to loosen up. It’s not hard to do—but it’s just as easy to forget. That changes today! Here are our favorite basic stretches every tennis player should be doing—before and after stepping on the court.Read more at https://tennisexpress.com/blogs/news/best-stretches-for-tennis-playersAbout the author: Chris Brown is an Assistant Tennis Pro at Stonebriar Country Club with over 20 years of teaching experience. He actively competes in leagues and tournaments and contributes to local tennis events.</description>
           <link>https://tenniscoaches.com/tips-and-drills/stretching-for-better-tennis-performance</link>
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           <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:27:19 +0000</pubDate>
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