Tennis Speed Show – Details, episodes & analysis

One of my pet peeves is the use of medicine ball throws to simulate ground strokes with sloppy form, too heavy of a med ball, and too demanding footwork. The goal of a performance coach is to improve athletic ability so the tennis player can use that improved athletic ability on the court. We are not trying to make them excellent at difficult to perform drills that do not transfer. Medicine ball training can either support performance or hinder performance. Choose wisely! 

I love having conversations about skill acquisition and motor learning. Matt Kuzdub coaches tennis players both on and off the court. His approach is "there is more to tennis than x's and o's. Efficient mechanics, mental toughness, high-level conditioning, and proper nutrition all contribute to peak performance - nothing can be neglected.

In this show, Coach Kuzdub does a fantastic job of breaking down the science and application of how tennis players and athletes benefit from properly programmed drills and training sessions to make the most out of learning.

Tennis just got better because of a fantastic, productive, and very respectful conversation on tennis footwork. I had a great discussion with tennis coaches who support the cross-under (I call cross-behind) while supporting the lateral run step. It really will make you love "footwork" conversation in the sport of tennis. It is important to keep discussions like this one out in the open as often as possible to give tennis the kick in the pants it needs.

University of Louisville Tennis Performance Coach Caryn Bailey Robbins breaks down the importance of speed and having proper mechanics. She also dives into the importance of using open or reactive based drills to help players develop more quickness. Listen in as she also shares her experience of why having excellent communication skills with coaches and players so that messages do not get misunderstood and success is greater!

In this special edition of the Tennis Speed Show, Lee addresses the importance of creating scenarios where tennis players must learn to solve the variety of problems that are in front of them on every movement. The more they are exposed to the kinesthetic differentiation variable, and the more they are challenged to make split-second decisions on the speed, angle of pursuit, and effort level, the greater the problem-solvers they become.

You are going to love this interview with Elizabeth Guy! Coach Guy is a strength and conditioning coach, Physical Therapy Assistant, personal trainer, and a former college tennis player. She has experience as a strength and conditioning coach for the USTA. Elizabeth delivers some great points about training, court movement quality, the importance of core development for staying strong, and being mobile to play better and stay healthy!

What an incredibly important show with a vital message you can't afford to miss! Jae Taft and Andrew Gregory share their perspective on why staying physically and mentally active during the pandemic is necessary. Andrew dove into the specific skills athletes can do right now to stay sharp and active. Jae brought with her a key message and strategies on how and why mental preparedness is so crucial- especially not allowing your identity to become wrapped up in the sport where you lose who you are and your self-worth.

Listen, as Colin Masterson, of Villanova University Women's Tennis Program, shares how the staff assesses and prepares them to become better athletes first—followed up with allowing the athletes to shine on the courts. Coach Masterson explains how to use lateral and linear speed and unilateral and bilateral strength patterns. You have got to listen in on this one!

This is one of the most unique shows I have published. Stephen Davide takes us through his HydroAthletics Program. He explains how he helps tennis players feel better, move better, become stronger and more mobile, and feel in more control. Stephen talks about reps and levels of intensities as well. A very cool interview

Coach Kris Borthwick, Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Wake Forest, shares loads of practical information. This show really should have been a three-part series. Listen in as Coach Borthwick describes in detail the repeat sprint test he developed for tennis athletes.