WebTennis.net Newsletter

January 13, 2004

*** Next Instructional Live Webinar ***
Wed. Jan 14, 6-7pm PST
"The Fundamentals of a
One-Handed Backhand Groundstroke"
How to drive this shot with pure topspin (non artificial)

Available to WebTennis.net Premium Members
Not yet a member?  It's only $7 / month.  Check it out here

Hi and welcome to the Jan 13, 2004 issue of the WebTennis.net Newsletter. 

Many of you weighed in on my little rant in my last newsletter about Tennis Magazine's article on how to actually play doubles from the baseline.  Yeah, right...!

The overwhelming majority agreed, that was crazy-making by Tennis mag at it's very best...!  Thanks for your feedback and comments, some of the replies were just priceless!  I may have to post a few of them...

OK, this week we're gonna focus on the one-handed backhand drive groundstroke and how to hit this shot with pure topspin, not artificial top that just rotates out there in space, but actually penetrates through the bounce on your opponent's side of the net...!

And if you've got a two-handed backhand, this stuff will help you, because not only do you need to have a one-handed backhand slice in your arsenal of strokes, the instruction of the one-handed backhand drive will really help your two-hander. The fundamentals are very, very similar...

So, before I get into my tip for the one-handed backhand, I've got a full blown instructional Webinar scheduled for next Wed. Jan 14, 6-7pm PST where I'm going to present in detail exactly how this stroke works, how to practice it, and answer any of your questions on the one-handed backhand groundstroke.

OK, here are the fundamentals of a really solid one-handed backhand groundstroke.  And this stuff is time-tested. 

These fundamentals are only slightly different today because of our current racket technology.  Whether you take a players on the tour today like Tim Henman and Justin Henin-Hardenne or players from the past like Don Budge, Ivan Lendl, and Gabriella Sabatini... the pure fundamentals for amateur players like us are the same...

• A "Ready Position" that promotes overall athletic balance and hands that are relaxed

• A method of "Turning" as you identify a ball has been hit to your backhand

• Two fundamental footwork patterns based on how far you have to move to get into a good hitting position

• A "Set-Up Position" that sets your hand placement on the racket handle into some form of an Eastern Backhand Grip and sets your wrist in the eventual contact position

• A "Pre-Contact Swing Shape" that keeps your racket close to the eventual Contact Point" and that allows natural body and racket weight to be delivered against the ball

• A "Contact Point" that is precise and is a natural position for allowing your body to deliver your racket without having to "fight the ball"

• A "Finish Position" that keeps you on balance and ready to recover back to the "middle" of the court or even better, allows you to approach the net...!
   

And the other Fundamental on all of this is...  how do you practice this stuff correctly?  How do you maximize your already amazingly limited available time to do it right from the start?  And that's the real key to all of this...  take the right information and have a system for practice that is realistic.

The #1 way for you to improve your one-handed backhand (assuming you're practicing the right stuff...!) is to start every rally for the next year by dropping a ball and hitting a backhand to start the rally.  I'm dead serious...

I'll bet that you, like the most players, start a rally with your forehand groundstroke.  So, if you're really interested and committed to improving your backhand, decide right now that for the next year, yep, 12 months, 365 days, that you'll start off every rally with a backhand.

And you'll feel like an idiot the first few times you do this, but no worries, you'll work it out soon, and then you'll be able to start off rallies with a pure backhand that will be one more controlled opportunity to practice how the stroke should truly "feel"...

To do this right, turn to your backhand "Set-Up Position" first before you drop the ball.  Pause for a second in that position, and then either place your non-racket arm on top of or under your racket. 

Drop the ball exactly where it should be so you can make contact at the ideal "Contact Point", place your non-racket hand back onto the throat of the racket, and let 'er rip. 

Do this for one year (I heard somewhere along the way that Ken Rosewall did this to develop his backhand when he was a kid and the guy developed about as sweet a backhand as has ever been hit...).

Here's where to enroll for the instructional Webinar on Wed. Jan 14, 6-7pm PST

This is a one hour live instructional Webinar on the one-handed backhand groundstroke presented by me where you'll also be able to ask questions specific to your backhand.

You'll receive the instructional PDF file, teleconference phone number and access code, and the webpage link for listening to the post Webinar recorded audio.

To enroll...

Current Premium Members:  Please enroll via the Premium Member Center

Non Premium Members:  Here's where to become a WebTennis.net Premium Member

Check this out below...!

NEW Instructional Product from Brent

The Fundamentals of the One-Handed Backhand Groundstroke Drive

How to Hit this Shot with Pure Topspin (non-artificial)

I've produced my own instructional product for this shot, the one-handed backhand groundstroke.  It's a CD and DVD of 60 minutes of video lessons and audio clips.  The video lessons play on both the CD and DVD.  The audio reminders play on the CD from either your computer or car CD players.

The CD and DVD set will be shipped within 24 hours of your purchase and generally take no more than a couple of days to arrive to you if you live within the continental U.S. 

Here's what you get...

• Immediate access to the online portion of this lesson.  As your CD and DVD set is being shipped to you, once you pay via credit card or PayPal, you'll get instant access to the online portion of this lesson which includes everything that is on the CD and DVD...!
   

  • I go through each and every one of the stroke mechanic fundamentals with you with a fine toothed comb.  I break down everything for you with video where I get to work the video in real time, pause, slo-mo, and frame by frame where I discuss with you exactly what you should copy and what things you want to avoid.
    
    The video lessons are located on both the CD and DVD and include not only the instruction but also a practice plan to help you make significant improvement.
     

    • 6 videos on the 6 elements of the stroke - ready, set, footwork, pre-contact swing shape, contact, and finish positions...
       

    • a video on how to play this shot "on the rise".
       

    • several other video clips showing the stroke in real time from different angles.
       

  • The CD also has a set of audio reminders that will play from either your computer or car CD players.  Obviously, visual learning is incredibly important, but audio learning is really beneficial.  I absolutely love to listen to instructional stuff when I'm in my car rolling on down the road...

  PLUS, these bonuses...!
   

  • Unlimited Support - Yep, I know you may have some questions that are specific to you.  I'm here to help.  You can contact me via email or phone as often and as much as you need...
     

  • Guarantee - 100% money back lifetime warranty if at any time you feel you're not getting more than your money's worth...  Look, I'm real confident with my ability to help you.  But just so you know, this is a pure no-risk purchase.
     

  $39 Buy Now
  Immediate Online Access, CD, and DVD

NEW Doubles Instructional Product - Online and CD...!

"Your Top Ten Biggest Challenges in Doubles" by Brent Abel and Pat Blaskower

After reading the latest issue of Tennis magazine, maybe it should be the top eleven challenges which would include one about having to deal with all of the mis-information you have to put up with out there...!  (OK, I'm calming down, hang in there with me...!)

Doubles coaching guru Pat Blaskower and I have partnered up to give you the answers to ten of your most often asked questions about how to deal with specific situations in doubles...

Pat has authored what I believe is the best hard cover book on doubles, "The Art of Doubles".  Pat's book is truly my one and only resource for coaching doubles.  Here's where to pick up a copy of Pat's book, "The Art of Doubles".  Amazon has it for just $11.99.  It's the deal of the century...
Just click on the book photo to the left...

Pat and I took your ten most asked questions and discussed exactly how to solve those problems.

This instructional product is a one hour discussion segmented into 11 parts (intro and the answers to the ten questions).

• Where exactly do I serve and what's likely to happen with the return of serve?
  How you set up your partner with the correct placement of your serve as opposed to power.

• How do I get rid of this irrational fear of messing up if I poach?
  How you can overcome the fear of missing put-away opportunities and why losing points when you poach can turn into your team's advantage for future points.

• Where do I return serve and why?
  What are your targets for the return of serve and why establishing those potential placements early in the match will open up big opportunities for you later in the match.

• As the receiver's partner, what's my role and exact court positioning?
  What exactly is your role here and how you can control the point from this position on the court.

• I'm freaked out about the "transition" from baseline to the net.  How can I improve on that?
  How you can overcome the worry of playing shots within "no man's land" as you move forward to join your partner up at net.

• How do I deal with lob queens and kings?
  How to hit shots that force your opponents into not lobbing or trying very difficult lobs.

• When and where should I lob?
  How you can turn a simple lob into a major weapon, not as a lob queen or king, but an immediate offensive opportunity for you and your partner.

• How do I deal with those crazy "net rushers"?
  How you can neutralize those players that are barreling up to net.  What are the right shots you should play to put them in a defensive position.

• Where do I hit my shots?
  How you can have a simple formula that will decide exactly where every shot should be played.  How you can better understand the geometry of the court for your shot placements.

• How do my partner and I "get on the same page"?
  How to positively involve your partner with your shot placements and why this is the answer to a long and successful life as a doubles player...!

Here's what you get...

- Immediate access to the one hour online presentation of this lesson.  You can listen to each of the ten answers directly from the webpage. 

- Each answer is a discussion between me and Pat which gives you our combined teaching and playing wisdom of nearly 100 years (yikes...!).

- Each answer is a MP3 file that you can also download to your computer where you can listen "off-line" and/or burn your own CD.

- The lesson CD will be immediately shipped to you.

- PLUS, unlimited email and telephone support from Brent!  Yep, I'm available to help you.  Just let me know.

- And with all of my instructional products, you get my 100% fully refundable lifetime player satisfaction guarantee.

Buy Now $39
Immediate online access and CD

Feedback and Contact...

As you know, I'm always interested in your opinion of my newsletters, products, and your overall tennis learning experience with me.  Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any suggestions, criticism, ideas for topics, whatever...   I want to hear from you...!  Thanks.

brent@webtennis.net

"What's your single most important question on how to immediately improve your own backhand?"
 
Directions: Type in your question in the space below, and then click
“Submit My Question!”

Thanks for your input.  Your answer will really help me stay targeted on how to best help you...

Brent's "How to Improve Your Serve"
3 CD - 1 DVD
Instructional Package

• Immediate access to the online detailed lesson

• 3 CDs with detailed photos, video clips, and audio reminders that play play in your car

• DVD with 8 video lessons for stroke mechanics, practice drills, and singles & doubles serve strategies

• Unlimited email and phone support

$39 gets you all of the above PLUS a
100% money back guarantee!

Buy Now

OR Complete Details

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The WebTennis.net
Premium Membership

• Your membership includes..

• Get access to your membership 24 hours a day / 7 days a week...!

• Attend any upcoming LIVE instructional Webinar for free

• Get access to all archived instructional Webinars including the PDF presentation files, the recorded audio that you can listen to directly from the website, download the MP3 files, or order a CD

• Get access to the video clip library

• Get access to several online lessons and interviews available only to Premium Members

• and much more...!

$7 / Month

Complete player satisfaction.   No-risk guarantee for
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All products from Brent Abel come with a 100% buyer satisfaction guarantee...!
 

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