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From the Coach My Tennis Life
FROM THE COACH
RETURN
with interest Showcasing his long consistency with a fifth consecutive appearance at the elite year-end ATP World Tour Finals in London, Tomas Berdych also demonstrates how an effective return is proving as potent as a powerful serve in the modern game. By CALLUM BEALE The serve has dominated the return throughout the modern era, however some are suggesting a slight shift in this battle over very recent times. Today’s players ability to neutralise a first serve and attack a second serve may leave the return as one of the most improved shots in today’s game. Given the reduced time a player has on return, we see a number of technical variations to what may be observed in a rally situation. In this edition we consider the backhand return of Tomas Berdych, which demonstrate a number of key characteristics. START: – Hands in front, racquet elevated, and non-extreme grips. – Berdych assumes a wide base of support to assist balance. BACKSWING: – Hands and shoulders work together during the backswing (note a possible variation between first and second serve return) – Weight is positioned on the outside leg and close to the line of the oncoming serve FORWARD SWING: – Racquet moves in a small circular motion from backswing to forward swing. – Racquet drops slightly below the ball height as it moves towards contact. CONTACT: – Contact point at a comfortable height between hips and shoulders. – Racquet head remains vertical and stable. FOLLOW-THROUGH: – Balanced throughout the stroke with noted forward momentum – Racquet finishes over the opposite shoulder Consider the ability to read an opponent’s serve (perception related) and the impact this can have on the quality of return.
Callum Beale, a former professional who achieved singles and doubles rankings on the ATP Tour, is Tennis Australia's Coach and Talent Development Manager in NSW and a High Performance Coach. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science, Human Movement. 60
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014
DECEMBER 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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MY TENNIS LIFE
When UK born David Grainger enjoyed a working holiday as a coach in Sydney he never imagined that the chance to positively influence young athletes would develop into a dream career.
From little
things… I
started playing when I was about seven years old. I am the youngest of four boys, and I just wanted to do what they were doing – much to their annoyance! My most memorable moments, always, have been playing as part of a team. That I could have been representing and captaining my home county team, Hereford and Worcestershire (in the United Kingdom), or recently winning the summer premiership with Henley South Tennis Club. I never thought I wanted to coach full-time, as playing and competing in tennis was my hobby and I didn't want to overdo it. However, spending a year in Sydney in 1999, 2000 and working at the Vince Barclay Coaching Academy gave me a drive to want to take a coaching career seriously. Plus, I look back and realise how difficult I was to teach, and this has given me a great level of patience and understanding, which is key to be a coach.
I first started out with a carleasing firm in the UK, when I left school at 18 years old. It was a great company to work for. However, the company was taken over and our office was made redundant. With my redundancy money I went and spent a year in Sydney and coached full-time, which gave me the bug to want to continue. I pride myself on providing a good grassroots program, mini tennis in the UK or ANZ Tennis Hot Shots in Australia (to) give players a positive experience and want them to stay in the sport. I have been coaching at my current club, Henley South, for three years now, so I will soon be seeing players going full circle and coming out of the Hot Shots program at the other end. I want my players to take ownership and practise what they have learnt within their lessons. Coaching is not tennis. Go out and enjoy the game. Train how you want to compete.
It is very important to take notice of what other sports are doing and how they are putting information to their players, as these are our competitors. Locally I admire what local netball and athletic clubs have going, with regards to their training, discipline and participation levels. t os m rainger
dG l to a player, Davi PROACH: Asbut as a coach, it’s critica AP AD O BR A s es cc su am cherishes te hlete as an individual. treat every at
David Grainger QUALIFICATIONS: fessiona l coa ch Ten nis Australia Club Pro CLUB/S: Grange Lawn Henley South Tennis Club and tralia Aus th Sou , laide Ade , Tennis Club OTHER: is coach and Tennis Australia Cardio Tenn assador ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Amb
I look to try relative techniques within my coaching. We are currently spoilt for role models in the professional game. All of our top players are great for the game’s image. I just encourage my players to try and find a player they want to be like. Copying what your role model does can help you understand and develop your own technique. It's important to show encouragement, create an enjoyable environment, communicate well and have common sense. Treat everyone as an individual and use their name. If athletes are competitive and want to win, then they have to work hard. I set a work ethic for my players on the court that they can see. Don't let the ball bounce twice for example. Show intensity. However, if your player just wants to be social then you help them enjoy the game. I enjoy giving athletes an experience of success at whatever level that might be. It could be a Red Hot Shots player who cannot connect with a ball, and seeing their face when they have finally get a hit, or seeing one of your students achieve their goals and win a match or tournament. Also seeing friendships develop. For example, new players come along to a Cardio Tennis session not knowing anyone, and then
before you know it, they are arranging hits and socialising with others they have met in the group. My focus is to further develop my current venues to help cater for the growing number of participants and the ability levels. Always look to evolve and keep up-to-date with latest programs and techniques. Both of my clubs have benefited from the introduction of ANZ Tennis Hot Shots and Cardio Tennis. As a result, they’re experiencing increased membership and court usage. As well as having a successful senior summer season, Henley South Tennis Club recently had eight of our 10 courts resurfaced in the Australian True Blue. The club has funded this refurbishment themselves. I believe there are also exciting times ahead at Grange Lawn Tennis Club. A forward thinking committee is considering improvements to their facility and one may include permanent modified courts. Having good personal mentors through my own coaching career made me want to help educate other coaches. I am now a learning facilitator for Tennis Australia and enjoy having other coaches achieve their goals. DANIELA TOLESKI
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