TRAINING
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Student-athletes looking to excel in tennis can benefit significantly from additional training beyond their regular season. Consistent practice sessions, focusing on technique and endurance, can sharpen their skills and improve overall performance. Additionally, watching instructional videos and professional matches can provide valuable insights into advanced strategies and proper form. By combining hands-on practice with visual learning, student-athletes can develop a deeper understanding of the game and elevate their competitive edge.
YEAR-ROUND TRAINING OPTIONS
Enhancing your skills outside the spring tennis season can significantly boost your development. From doing drills in group lessons to playing matches, staying active year-round helps you stay on top of your game.
Are you looking to up your tennis game? Rumeal Setts offers seasonal Tennis Camps and personalized private or group lessons (open to anyone from any school—private, public, or homeschool, and any age) tailored to your needs, whether you're just starting out or aiming to refine your skills. With a passion for coaching and years of experience, Rumeal is dedicated to helping you reach your full potential on the court. Don't miss out—visit his website for more details!
EDUCATIONAL TRAINING VIDEOS
Training videos can significantly enhance your tennis game by providing expert tips, techniques, and strategies to improve your skills and performance on the court. Here are some suggested videos to help you get started.
TRAINING ON YOUR OWN
Improving your tennis game on your own is easier than you might think. Start by practicing your serve—focus on consistency and accuracy by setting up targets. Work on your footwork with ladder drills or shadowing your movements on the court. You can also use a backboard to practice groundstrokes, perfecting your timing and form. Fitness training, like running and strength exercises, will boost your endurance and power. Lastly, mental training through visualization and strategy planning can sharpen your game sense, preparing you for any match.
Self-Feeding: Drop-feed balls to yourself and hit a variety of shots. This technique allows you to work on specific areas of your game, like volleys, groundstrokes, or approach shots, at your own pace.
Use a Ball Machine: A ball machine can help you practice consistent strokes, footwork, and reaction times. You can adjust the settings to simulate different speeds, spins, and angles, making it a versatile tool for solo practice. (Ask Coach Bertram about the complimentary use of the tennis team's ball machine.)
Wall Drills: Find a flat wall and use it as an opponent. The wall never misses, so it’s a great way to improve your reflexes, accuracy, and consistency. Vary your shots to simulate different match situations, from baseline rallies to volleys. Add targets on the wall, practicing cross-court and down the line.
Shadow Swings: Practice your strokes without a ball to focus on perfecting your form and muscle memory. Visualize different shots and simulate match situations to improve your technique and footwork.
Strength & Conditioning: Building strength and endurance will help you last longer on the court. Incorporate resistance training with bands or weights to strengthen your arms and legs, and add cardio workouts like running or jumping rope to improve your stamina.
Video Analysis: Recording your practice sessions allows you to review your form and technique. Analyzing these videos can help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.
Serve Practice: Serve practice is key to developing a powerful and accurate serve. Set up cones or use chalk to mark specific areas of the service box for which to aim. You can also practice shadow serves, where you go through the serving motion without the ball to fine-tune your technique.
Footwork Drills: Footwork is crucial in tennis, and drills like using a speed ladder can enhance your agility and quickness. Shadow tennis, where you mimic the movements of a rally, helps you focus on your footwork, positioning, and balance.
