Tennis Choke

 Tennis with Jennifer, Jay and Jonathan. Jonny said I was moving forward and hitting, that I should have split step and hit the ball from a stable base. Jay  said I didn’t execute my forehand stroke well—swing path and follow through deficient  

I know where my body parts are when hitting. I have anxiety related performance failure. Funny that I only had one double fault while serving, I’m sure because I have total control over the point as server. 

Resolved, practices should include playing points, maybe four by each player. We should then progress to playing games. 

Insanity and learning tennis

Hitting tennis balls with Tom. I said I created a spreadsheet to calculate the lowest percentage of good serves one could hit and still win a game. 31.25% if you only played through one deuce score, and the more deuce scores played in a game the closer one could approach a low of 25%. Tom didn’t comment, if he was listening.  

I pointed out a technique to improve his aim on groundstrokes, which he found helpful. After an hour of hitting,I prepared to leave. I watched as Tom hit over 75% of serves out. 

Me: is your serve improving?

Tom: it could be better

Me: I thought you just liked to knock the felt off the balls.  how would it be better?

Tom:I want a better toss. 

Me: when you have a better toss, does that make anything else better?

Tom: it’ll make my serve more consistent

Me: YouTube has a bunch of great instructions for that. I’ve sent you links before. The tip I gave you today came from YouTube  

Tom: I’ll get better if I just practice

Me, thinking: the definition of insanity, doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Me, aloud: okay, see ya later!