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Dear John,
I just wanted to thank you for all the amazing resources you make available through tennisplayer.net. The site has really helped me get better at teaching. The funny thing is, I read "Visual Tennis" years ago, but I'd have to say in retrospect that I wasn't ready for it then. I am now going to get another copy and re-read it.
In the last six months or so, I've found myself devouring articles from tennisplayer.net (the teaching systems section has been especially helpful of late) and incorporating more and more kinesthetic and visual methods in my teaching (more kinesthetic than visual; I don't have the tools for video yet).
When I've had the chance to work one-on-one or in small groups I've had some really rewarding results. Last week, for example, I took three 9th graders aside at one of my team practices and worked with them for about 3 minutes using just one element from Joe Dinoffer's "new forehand teaching progress" article. I had the three of them pushing physioballs with their racquets to develop a feeling for the swing shape and they immediately demonstrated significant changes. I get excited thinking about what could be accomplished if there were time and space to work more individually and in-depth on a regular basis.
I've also started using some of the mental techniques from Jeff Greenwald, along with Dave Hagler's exaggerated learning system.
Perhaps the piece from the site that has meant the most to me as a teacher and player has been your multi-part series on the Sampras serve. By the way, when I sent you video of my serve, you suggested I narrow my stance and quiet my feet. After resisting for a long time due to the "discomfort" of it, I've gotten used to it and have seen marked improvement. Mind you, I have a long way to go (my drop can get better and I can use more knee bend), but simplifying in this way has led to a better drop and a more fluid, powerful arm action. I can't articulate the connection between simplified footwork and better arm action, but the outcome is undeniable.
The next step for me, after re-reading your book, will be to incorporate more visual approaches into my teaching. I'll eventually need to get set up to use video, of course, but it'll be well worth it. I think learning how to use video and visual techniques, and learning to develop connections between visual images and kinesthetic experiences will be really powerful. I'm also looking forward to using video to help me continue to improve as a player as well. There's no one around here from whom I can take lessons that wouldn't be just another litany of tennis tips. I really need to get my game up a notch (and I know that I can). If ever I am to make tennis my career in some way (which I would love to do) I must get at least to 4.5 (I'm only a 4.0 at present) in order to have some credibility.
Thank you again for all you do for tennis.
Sincerely,
Brandon Ferris
I just wanted to thank you for all the amazing resources you make available through tennisplayer.net. The site has really helped me get better at teaching. The funny thing is, I read "Visual Tennis" years ago, but I'd have to say in retrospect that I wasn't ready for it then. I am now going to get another copy and re-read it.
In the last six months or so, I've found myself devouring articles from tennisplayer.net (the teaching systems section has been especially helpful of late) and incorporating more and more kinesthetic and visual methods in my teaching (more kinesthetic than visual; I don't have the tools for video yet).
When I've had the chance to work one-on-one or in small groups I've had some really rewarding results. Last week, for example, I took three 9th graders aside at one of my team practices and worked with them for about 3 minutes using just one element from Joe Dinoffer's "new forehand teaching progress" article. I had the three of them pushing physioballs with their racquets to develop a feeling for the swing shape and they immediately demonstrated significant changes. I get excited thinking about what could be accomplished if there were time and space to work more individually and in-depth on a regular basis.
I've also started using some of the mental techniques from Jeff Greenwald, along with Dave Hagler's exaggerated learning system.
Perhaps the piece from the site that has meant the most to me as a teacher and player has been your multi-part series on the Sampras serve. By the way, when I sent you video of my serve, you suggested I narrow my stance and quiet my feet. After resisting for a long time due to the "discomfort" of it, I've gotten used to it and have seen marked improvement. Mind you, I have a long way to go (my drop can get better and I can use more knee bend), but simplifying in this way has led to a better drop and a more fluid, powerful arm action. I can't articulate the connection between simplified footwork and better arm action, but the outcome is undeniable.
The next step for me, after re-reading your book, will be to incorporate more visual approaches into my teaching. I'll eventually need to get set up to use video, of course, but it'll be well worth it. I think learning how to use video and visual techniques, and learning to develop connections between visual images and kinesthetic experiences will be really powerful. I'm also looking forward to using video to help me continue to improve as a player as well. There's no one around here from whom I can take lessons that wouldn't be just another litany of tennis tips. I really need to get my game up a notch (and I know that I can). If ever I am to make tennis my career in some way (which I would love to do) I must get at least to 4.5 (I'm only a 4.0 at present) in order to have some credibility.
Thank you again for all you do for tennis.
Sincerely,
Brandon Ferris