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Newsletter

by Brent Abel

September 13, 2004

- On a Personal Note: The latest from the home front...

Had just a great trip to Colorado over Labor Day weekend to see my nationally ranked Cal Bears play their football season opener against the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in the morning of Sep 4.

After the game, my pal Jim Fullerton and I then made the short drive to Boulder to see his alma mater Colorado University squeak out a victory over one of their big rivals, Colorado State...

A great day of college football, and by the way, I saw first hand why CU was rated the #1 party school in the country.  That place is nuts...!  Lotta fun though, and always good to spend quality time with a good friend...

Cal plays a very tough nationally televised game vs. a very good Southern Mississippi team in Hattiesburg this Thursday night if Hurricane Ivan doesn't totally mess up the proceedings.  Sorry for any of you Southern Miss fans out there, but "Roll On You Bears...!"

- Tip of the Day: Anticipation in tennis.  What is it and how do we get better at it...?

- New Instructional Product from Brent:  "Lesson Package Deal" - Buy one of my lesson packages for the regular $39 and I'll give you another lesson of your choice for FREE...! 

Yep, your basic 2 for 1 deal that will also include over $50 in BONUSES...!

Available ONLY until Sunday evening Sep 19...

Details below...

- eBay:  Tennis equipment at incredible prices.  Easy to do, fast, secure, the real deal...

Anticipation in tennis is rarely discussed, rarely taught, and hardly ever thought of as a real skill in tennis that can be learned to make any player better.

I had a nice discussion today with tennis mental expert Jeff Greenwald on anticipation and it took us awhile, but we eventually articulated the basics of anticipation in tennis and how to get better at it...

We practice our strokes, our strategies, our court positioning, heck, even our mental toughness, but it's a miracle if anyone dare considers what anticipation and what can we do to get better at it...

In its simplest form, anticipation in tennis works on both side of the net.  First, when your opponent is about to hit their shot, can you calculate where they will probably aim their shot...?

And secondly, when you are about to hit a shot, can you calculate where your opponents will be on their court as and after you play your shot...?

So, for our discussion today, let's stay with when your opponent is about to hit their shot.

Our ability to anticipate the direction and speed of our opponents' next shot is based on the laws of geometry (the dimensions of the court and the varying heights of the net), that particular opponent's style of play (grips, swing shapes, etc.), and that particular opponent's tendencies...

And that's just the basics of anticipation.  There are many other factors that will allow better players to "feel" where their opponent is probably going to hit their next shot...

The point in the match (you know, what's the score, is it early in the match, late in the match, "big" points), what court positioning has your team shown that opponent in the same situation before in the match, and on and on...

Anticipation might sound somewhat complicated, and yet, some players make it look like they just seem to know where their opponents' our going to hit their shots and almost start moving there just prior to their opponents' actually hitting their shots...

And other players simply don't recognize certain situations where there really is probably only one direction that opponent can hit this next shot.  And darn it, that player just stands there and lets that opportunity slip by.

Hey, if you knew where your opponent's were going to hit their next shot, wouldn't the game be easier...?  Of course it would.  And most players just never recognize certain situations where their opponent can really only hit the ball to a certain direction, and yet, nothing, the player just stands there.

And I understand the fear or concern, "Hey, if I leave where I am on the court to go to where I think my opponent is going to hit their shot and then I get there and miss or worse, my opponent hits their shot where I just was, well...

Come on, I never said anticipation was an EXACT science, no, it's much more of a calculated risk...  And players with good anticipation can really minimize the risk...

Showing your opponents your anticipating skills by the fact that you think you know where they're about to hit their next and that you're going to go to that spot on the court as they're hitting their shot, hey, just you showing anticipation to your opponents will win you some points on their unforced errors...

(Are we getting into a discussion here on poaching...?)

Yep, it's all related, and to get better as a player, it's just not good enough to have decent strokes and a good understanding of where to be on the court.  Now, if we're talking about WHEN to be where on the court, now we've got something along the lines of good anticipation.  (Huh, did that one make sense...?...!)

Here's how to get better at anticipating where your opponents will hit their next shot.  And this is not the complete and total scientific answer where we can't find any other ways of doing this, no, but this is a good starting point, a good base to develop...

Do two things this week to start improving your anticipation, and yes, these are so basic it's almost ridiculous, but work on this...

We've talked before about our four part routine between points.  The first one of course is we try to not to have any emotional response to the outcome or result of just completed point.  Add this part to that component...

Have no emotional response after each point so you can learn from anything that just happened during that point.  Did you see any tendencies by your opponents, any shots where they're limited stroke mechanic wise and can only hit the ball a certain and a certain direction...?

Did you learn that something you did movement wise on the court forced them to hit shots a certain way or a certain direction...?  Learn after points, don't get hacked off because you just blew an easy put away, and the same holds true after you've just hit the greatest forehand since Federer did yesterday...! 

Learn, because if you don't, the information that you could have learned might just be the info you'd want to have at the end of a tough match.  Emotional responses after points don't let you learn...

The other tip that will help you anticipate better is to keep working on your ability to visually track the ball so that you know precisely when your opponent is about to hit their next shot.

Anticipation is mostly about timing, your ability to move at a certain time, and if you see the ball better, your timing for anticipation will get better...

OK, promise me that you'll at least think about anticipation as an important skill in tennis that needs to be practiced.  Practice, meaning that, hey, it's OK to make mistakes as you figure out this stuff...!  Right, don't worry about missing a few here and there, it's going to happen if you're eventually going to learn how to be better at anticipation.

I hope this has helped.  Any feedback will be greatly appreciated at brent@webtennis.net...

- Next Week's Tip:  I thought I'd have this visual contact subject wrapped up by now, but I'm not quite there yet.  If I'm not ready by next week, then we're going to discuss the reality of how we learn, what the learning curve truly is, how to embrace it, how to not fight it, and yeah, I know, boring stuff, but incredibly important...

And don't worry, I'll get something else out to you with a little more excitement...!

You know me, no quick fix schemes here, we're in this for the long haul, so buckle up and enjoy the ride...!

"Lesson Package Deal" - Buy one of my lesson packages for the regular $39 and I'll give you another lesson of your choice for FREE...! 

Yep, your basic 2 for 1 deal that will also include over $50 in BONUSES...!

And you know from me you always get a lifetime 100% money back tennis player satisfaction guarantee on all of my lesson packages PLUS unlimited email and telephone support.

Here's the kicker.  I'm going to make only 10 of these 2 for 1 lesson packages available.  So, first come first served.  The first ten get 'em and then the lesson package deal is over...

I've also included three bonuses to really make this product something that over delivers value for you. 

So, here's how this is going to work...  

• Pick any two lessons you want,
• then click the credit card or PayPal "Buy Now" link,
• complete the payment form,
• and BE SURE to write in the "Comments/Special Delivery Instructions" box in the payment form the two lessons you want me to send you...

Here are the available products for this 2 for 1 offer.  Remember, only ten of these packages are available...

• Strokes
  • The One-Handed Backhand Groundstroke:  Mechanics of the pure Topspin Drive
  • The Serve:  Mechanics and Strategies
  • The Pete Sampras Serve:
    An evaluation of Pete's serve fundamentals, what we can copy & model, and how to practice
  • The Overhead:  Mechanics, footwork, & court positioning
     
• Strategies
  • Doubles:  The Top Ten Biggest Challenges in Doubles
    with Pat Blaskower
     
• BONUSES

Buy This 2 for 1 Package Now

The Backhand Groundstroke Topspin Drive Lesson This is a detailed lesson by Brent on the fundamentals of the backhand groundstroke drive that is hit with pure topspin, not artificial rotation…  "Hi Brent. I just wanted to thank you for the help that I received from the one handed backhand lesson. Your advice on setting the wrist early has given me the ability to topspin that shot without the gymnastics that I was having to resort to before. I think I have been playing with a decent grip but a bad wrist position and your approach to this shot has already begun to make a difference even though I have plenty of practice time yet to log." Kind regards, Dickie - Immediate access to the online lesson portion of the serve (text, photos, video clips, audio clips) - 1 CD & 1 DVD which will be immediately shipped to you. - Six individual videos that focus on the 6 fundamentals of the stroke... Ready Position Turn to the Set Footwork Pre-Contact Swing Shape Contact Finish Learn the inner workings of each of the stroke elements and then how to synch them into a fluid and effortless topspin backhand. - A video on how to play this shot “on the rise” Learn how to not back up when your opponent hits a deep ball to your backhand.  Maintain good court position, “borrow” pace from your opponent’s shot, and impart real topspin that gives you control… - 6 additional video clips showing the backhand groundstroke in real time from different angles. See the different fundamentals of this stroke from the side and the rear.  You’ll get a much better understanding of what’s happening with the stroke and how to make it work for you. - 6 audio clip “reminders” that will play from your either your computer or car CD player.  Great for listening to as you drive to practice, a lesson, a match, whatever… - You get instant access to all of the above which is located on this product’s webpage. - You get a CD and DVD including all of the above shipped to you immediately. Buy This 2 for 1 Package Now

The Fundamentals of the Serve This is a comprehensive detailed lesson on the pure fundamentals of how to hit your serve with more spin, directional control, and power. You'll learn ways to practice the different parts of the service motion, and then how to synch them together into a fluid natural serve... "Brent, Have been meaning to contact you for quite some time. I have been quite busy at work, etc. I purchased the Serve Instruction about two months ago. It has helped. I am one of those (and now I realize there are many of us), that are stuck at the "backscratch" position. I have not practiced enough to get 100% out of this habit, and also have not practiced enough to get enough acceleration through the circle up, my arm is not always extended completely and I am still working on a wrist snap and not just a push through. Well, I guess you can gather that I have alot to work on! I would like to say though, that the way that you explain things, and the visual material and presentation really does help." Susan This lesson includes: - Immediate access to the online lesson portion of the serve (text, photos, video clips, audio clips) - CD & DVD which will be immediately shipped to you. CD:  - 8 video lessons on the mechanics of the serve and fundamental serving strategies for both singles and doubles. - 4 audio lesson reminders on the serve that will play in your car DVD: - All 8 instructional video clips from the serve lesson on the CD. Buy This 2 for 1 Package Now

The Pete Sampras Serve  This is a detailed evaluation of Pete's serving fundamentals, what we can copy and model, and how to practice learning those fundamentals. Learn how you can do what Pete does (well, maybe not a 135 mph serve that actually goes in during the finals of a major...). But seriously, I show you exactly what Pete does, the positions he gets in, and realistically what you can copy to take your serve to a new level. More power, a tighter spin, and better placement control are elements that define a solid and dependable serve. Pete's obviously got them, and I can show you how to easily practice the elements needed for a truly effortless service motion that works...! Brent, my man...! Awesome, awesome product on the serve. As a tennis professional, I constantly work on trying to "simplify" what I say, what I teach, and really get down to the core fundamentals. You've done just that with this Sampras product.  Nice...! Alan Margot USPTA This lesson package produced by Brent Abel includes: immediate access to the online portion, the video CD, shipping, the bonus audio lessons, unlimited email and telephone support, and your 100% satisfaction Buy This 2 for 1 Package Now

The Fundamentals of the Overhead This is a comprehensive detailed lesson on the pure fundamentals of how you can  hit your overhead with...   more power, better placement, perfect set-up footwork, and how to reclaim your good net position. You'll learn ways to turn this shot into a real problem for your opponents by you gaining... better anticipation of their lob, communication with your partner in doubles, and most importantly, how to take the pressure off of you by re-thinking what the real purpose is of your overhead... This lesson includes: - Immediate access to the online lesson portion of the overhead (text, photos, video clips, audio clips) upon successful completion of your payment by either credit card or PayPal. - I'll immediately ship you the instructional CD that includes the video lesson and a set of audio reminders that will play in either your computer's CD drive or a car CD player. Buy This 2 for 1 Package Now

Doubles Instructional Product - Online and audio CD...! "Your Top Ten Biggest Challenges in Doubles" by Brent Abel and Pat Blaskower 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 and I took your ten most asked questions and discussed exactly how to solve those problems. This audio CD instructional product is a one hour discussion segmented into 11 parts (intro and the answers to the ten questions). "I am very happy with my purchase of your doubles product with Pat - I have listened to the audio on the site and look forward to receiving the CD. And thanks for the e-mail. Great tip. It reminds me that an excellent former coach of mine noted to me that Roy Emerson told him that Roy would often start a baseline rally holding a Continental grip (i.e. volley grip) and hitting a half-volley. Roy's thinking was that half-volleys are not practiced that much so why not practice it when you start a rally. I adopted this tip in my last year of college tennis and it definitely helped. Your tip is along the same lines - use the rally starter as a way to really practice your game. " Thanks. Edward 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. Buy This 2 for 1 Package Now

• BONUSES:  Specific Match Warm-Up Routine and Cykman Interview:
  
  Three additional audio files that will play in your car, a great tool for getting you ready for a match, where I take you through the specific routine of how to warm up for a match. 
  
  Minute by minute, what you should do when you first walk out on the court, and what you should do specifically each minute to enable yourself to play to the best of your abilities on that particular day...
   
  • Video lesson by me of what to be thinking and focusing on during each of your strokes during the match warm-up period.
     
  • Audio interview with Pat Blaskower, author of "The Art of Doubles", on what her players' specific routine is during their 5-10 minute warm-up.
     
  • Audio interview with tennis professional Alan Margot, highly successful league team coach, on a specific routine and how to have some fun with it...!
     
  • Interview with 2004 National 50s Hardcourt Singles Champion Geoff Cykman on how a guy like Geoff who started tennis relatively late in life was able to become a national champ...

These bonuses are worth well over $50...

The total price for this 2 for 1 with BONUSES lesson package is just $39.  Yep, a deal.

Plus, I'm more than glad to give you a lifetime 100% satisfaction complete money back guarantee AND unlimited email and telephone support.

I want to help you improve your serve, it's as simple as that.

Once your credit card or PayPal account is charged, you'll immediately receive an email in your InBox with the URL link to the online portion of this lesson.

Buy This 2 for 1 Package Now

Good until Sunday evening Sep 19, 2004

I am at times shocked at the incredible deals on tennis equipment that are at eBay day in and day out.  Heck, I now do most of my office supplies shopping there at eBay and I know I'll start doing more and more shopping there in the near future...

eBay is a secure and safe shopping experience.  If you've never been to eBay or bought anything there, no worries, every seller and buyer at eBay carries around their personal "Feedback" rating and comments.

The eBay "Feedback" is genius.  When you buy and/or sell something at eBay, the other party gives you "Feedback" as to how you performed your end of the deal. 

As a seller, did you deliver the product on time, was the exact product delivered to the buyer that was advertised, were there any problems with returns, etc., and as the buyer, did you pay in a reasonable amount of time.

And your Feedback" comments are available for the entire world to read, so if someone is out there ripping people off, then the ripper's eBay Feedback will doom them forever...!  Bottom line, it works...

So, if you're in the market for new tennis equipment, you must get with the program over at eBay.  Absolutely stunning prices...

New brand name equipment available through either winning an auction or their "Buy It Now" feature where you don't have to wait around to try win an auction.  Many of the "Buy It Now" equipment prices are slightly above wholesale.

It's nuts, but the prices are real and you can save significant dollars by shopping for your tennis needs at eBay.

I've set up a webpage where you can quickly see the current auction and Buy It Now listings for your favorite categories...

• Rackets
• Shoes
• String
• Clothing
• Bags
• and more...

Use this link to check out the up to the minute availability at eBay for your favorite tennis equipment.  Click here

OK, here's how to find me.

Email: brent@webtennis.net
Phone: 1-925-376-4575

And please let me know what you thought of this newsletter, obviously the content, but also the format, and if there's anything you'd like me to address in a future newsletter issue. 

Until then, as always, keep moving forward and see you at the net...!