WebTennis.net Newsletter

August 4, 2004

This edition of the WebTennis.net Newsletter is the complimentary,
text and audio only version.

The WebTennis.net Premium Members' version is complete with audio, video, and photos which dramatically enhances the learning experience.
Premium Members also receive complimentary access to
upcoming and past "live" instructional Webinars...

It's only $7 / month.  Check it out here


Hi and welcome to the August 4, 2004 issue of the WebTennis.net Newsletter...!

Hope you're well and getting ready to enjoy the upcoming U.S. Open.  I really think the women's draw is wide open at this point. 

On the men's side, Federer just seems to play the game with such a calm demeanor.  We can learn from how he handles himself on the court.  I've got some thoughts later in this newsletter issue...


First Volley - The first volley in singles (and often in doubles) is really so much more about what you do with your feet as your playing this shot and less about the need to hit a great volley...

Your initial goal with your first volley is to challenge your opponent by forcing them to hit an outright winner simply because you have such good court position after that first volley...

Here's a clip of Stefan Edberg taken from Jim McLennan's outstanding video "The Secrets of World Class Footwork"...

Watch how he moves through the shot, yep, doesn't ever truly come to a stop, and moves through the volley in an effort that clearly shows Stefan putting a premium on where he'll be after he plays his first volley.

You need the free QuickTime player to view this clip.  Go here to pick up or upgrade your free player...

You can do this stuff...   Put zero pressure on yourself to have to hit a winner off of your first volley and put much more emphasis on how are you going to align yourself to the incoming ball so you can smoothly move through the shot to your next court position...

Yes, you'll get passed from time to time, but that's the nature of being an all-court player, and you'll have to not consider it a failure if and when you get passed... 

Stay focused on the big picture of the entire match and measure your results as an aggregate of good court positioning, not just one point at a time...

Again, this video clip is from my good friend Jim McLennan's outstanding footwork video product, "The Secrets of World Class Footwork".  This is a must for any player wanting to move quicker, more efficiently, and developing movements that improve your ability to maintain better visual contact with the incoming ball...

Click here to pick up your copy of Jim's video. 

Buy Now  
$33.95 includes shipping to
Continental U.S.

 

 


The 85% - 15% theory...!

As I mentioned in this issue's intro, Roger Federer handles himself so well between points that he seems to really appear calm throughout the actual playing of the points...

I listened to a radio sports talk show recently and heard a guy from Cal State Fullerton talking about their NCAA winning baseball team and how he helped them with their mental and emotional skills...

And what he talked about is real, not some pie in the sky "getting in the zone" type of crud that we've all heard we have to do to be able to consistently compete well...

I wish I could remember the guy's name, because I'd like to give him credit, but his message was simple and practical, yep, something we can grasp (understand...!) and implement.

The basics of what he talked about is this...

The reality is this, when you play well, you know at the top of your skill level, you're really playing at that level only about 15% of the time during that match.  The remaining 85% is an exercise in simply maintaining your average skill level and not forcing yourself to play better...

Too often we try to make ourselves play better and that effort to manufacture better play actually has a negative affect on our overall skill level.

And it's a test of patience of looking at the big picture of the match which is can you be satisfied with that 15%...?

If you're over anxious or too concerned about playing well 100% of the time, well, then you'll kill that golden 15%.  Be patient and practice allowing yourself to play well, not forcing it...

Another good friend and tennis colleague, Jeff Greenwald, one of the world's leading experts in the mental skills needed for maximizing your potential on the tennis court, has produced a great two set audio CD.

I love Jeff's work and you may have already heard him on one of my past Webinars.  Jeff "talks the talk" as they say and a recent #1 world ranking in the 35s attests to his ability to raise his skill level by using among other skills this 15% - 85% theory that we're discussing right now.

Pick up a copy of Jeff's 2 set audio CD package, "Fearless Tennis", and you'll agree with me that he's articulated a tricky subject into practical advice that any skill level player can use now...

Buy Now
$29.95 includes shipping to
Continental U.S.

 

 


Ok, that'll do it for me today.  Off to the Giants game this Friday night against the Cubs.  Bonds hit two more last night...   

Is the guy clean?  Sorry for the digression, but if you're a baseball fan, you gotta hope he is...

Be sure to let me know if you have any questions...  Brent

Current DVD / CD / Online
Instructional Lesson Packages by Brent Abel
Serve          One-Handed Backhand          Overhead          Doubles


This edition of the WebTennis.net Newsletter is the complimentary,
text and audio only version.

The WebTennis.net Premium Members'
version is complete with audio, video, and photos which dramatically enhances the learning experience.  Premium Members also receive complimentary access to
upcoming and past "live" instructional Webinars...

It's only $7 / month.  Check it out here


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 your computer's CD and any DVD player.  The audio reminders play from 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 tennis?"
 

Directions:
Type in your question in the space below, and then click
“Submit My Question!”


If you want me to reply directly to you,
please include your email below...

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


Brent's "The True Fundamentals of 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
Buy Now

OR $19 for the online detailed lesson (text, photos, video clips, and audio reminders)
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PLUS a
100% money back guarantee!

OR Complete Details


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