certifiedtennisspeedspecialist

One of my pet peeves is the use of medicine ball throws to simulate ground strokes with sloppy form, too heavy of a med ball, and too demanding footwork. The goal of a performance coach is to improve athletic ability so the tennis player can use that improved athletic ability on the court. We are not trying to make them excellent at difficult to perform drills that do not transfer. Medicine ball training can either support performance or hinder performance. Choose wisely! 

I love having conversations about skill acquisition and motor learning. Matt Kuzdub coaches tennis players both on and off the court. His approach is "there is more to tennis than x's and o's. Efficient mechanics, mental toughness, high-level conditioning, and proper nutrition all contribute to peak performance - nothing can be neglected.

In this show, Coach Kuzdub does a fantastic job of breaking down the science and application of how tennis players and athletes benefit from properly programmed drills and training sessions to make the most out of learning.

Coach Matthew Flaherty brings a new way to look at tennis training and overall athletic development. As a 4th degree martial artist, Coach Flaherty brings expertise to how movement should occur, which carries over to tennis. He gives us some tremendous insight into KB training's importance and value on shoulder stability and strength for the tennis player. Matthew speaks about being strong in a full range of motion to "own the positions." This is just the tip of the iceberg of our conversation!

I am honored to have my first guest of the Tennis Speed Show make another appearance. Coach Andrew Gregory delivered some pure gold on why and he uses certain chosen drills. He frequently posts these same drills on his social media. Andrew is consistent with educating his athletes, parents, and coaches with creative yet sound training strategies. You must listen and follow Coach Gregory!

In this episode, I touch on a subject that is often glossed over. It involves "education"! We tend to hold education as one of the most important areas a coach needs to improve continually. The question is, "What kind of education?". I believe in many cases; traditional education hasn't held up its end of the bargain! The belief system is most often if you pay TONS of money, then the Education will take care of you. I 100% percent conclude this not to be the case. Take some time and listen in as I share my thoughts and beliefs on how to get ahead with education - with the outcome of being the best tennis performance coach possible.

This coach might not be a household name "yet," however, he is on his way to being just that! Coach Josh Rifkin was a highly accomplished collegiate tennis player who turned into a very educated and highly respected performance coach. Josh sit down with me to talk about the importance of the assessment process of setting up tennis coaching with his players. He dives into strength, power, isometrics to improve positions for strokes, and so much more. 

A top collegiate player at the University of Houston, Eleni Kordolaimi, went on to play professionally. She earned her degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science, and for such a young person, she has an amazing grasp of what is need for tennis training and skill development. Originally from Greece Eleni currently coaches in Belgium and is enjoying her time helping players reach their dreams. Eleni dives into the importance of strength and speed in the development of players.

This show was one of my top favorites! I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the top professionals in tennis. Ruben Gonzales has been in the professional tennis world for many years and brings so much experience to the table. Listen up, players, because Ruben shares his training workload, the benefits of being strong and fast, and how he MUST stay mentally engaged to compete week after week. This show is pack-full of many, many golden nuggets from one of the game's best doubles players.

Coach Caleb Kennedy of Kennedy Sports Performance took time out of his busy schedule to share how he runs his performance training for tennis athletes of all ages and abilities and all athletes. He breaks down the importance of strength, speed, and injury prevention. Coach Kennedy shares what his session looks like and how he utilizes the various sections of his program (warm-up, speed/jump, and strength). Caleb also dives into the importance of communicating with parents to build your business

Chris Halliday, a player since the age of 10 - turned coach, shares his approach to working with beginning youth and adult players with the end goal of helping them enjoy the game of tennis. We often forget about the 1,000's of people who want to learn how to play tennis. It is such a fantastic life-skill sport. Chris also discusses the importance of strength, footwork, and a topic often missed - the mental part of the game.

Tennis just got better because of a fantastic, productive, and very respectful conversation on tennis footwork. I had a great discussion with tennis coaches who support the cross-under (I call cross-behind) while supporting the lateral run step. It really will make you love "footwork" conversation in the sport of tennis. It is important to keep discussions like this one out in the open as often as possible to give tennis the kick in the pants it needs.

University of Louisville Tennis Performance Coach Caryn Bailey Robbins breaks down the importance of speed and having proper mechanics. She also dives into the importance of using open or reactive based drills to help players develop more quickness. Listen in as she also shares her experience of why having excellent communication skills with coaches and players so that messages do not get misunderstood and success is greater!

What an incredibly important show with a vital message you can't afford to miss! Jae Taft and Andrew Gregory share their perspective on why staying physically and mentally active during the pandemic is necessary. Andrew dove into the specific skills athletes can do right now to stay sharp and active. Jae brought with her a key message and strategies on how and why mental preparedness is so crucial- especially not allowing your identity to become wrapped up in the sport where you lose who you are and your self-worth.

Listen, as Colin Masterson, of Villanova University Women's Tennis Program, shares how the staff assesses and prepares them to become better athletes first—followed up with allowing the athletes to shine on the courts. Coach Masterson explains how to use lateral and linear speed and unilateral and bilateral strength patterns. You have got to listen in on this one!

This is one of the most unique shows I have published. Stephen Davide takes us through his HydroAthletics Program. He explains how he helps tennis players feel better, move better, become stronger and more mobile, and feel in more control. Stephen talks about reps and levels of intensities as well. A very cool interview

One of the most successful YouTube tennis resources there is was developed by Ian Westermann. His Essential Tennis site is jammed-full of valuable resources for tennis players, coaches, and trainers. In this interview, Ian explains the importance of skill development through progressions. Coach Westermann shares the very important footwork patterns that all players should have as a foundation and so much more!

I could listen to this coach speak all day and every day! Coach Donnie Maib is a good friend and amazing professional. He shares what it is like to work with the University of Texas Men's Tennis Team. Coach Maib tells how he uses various tests to look at the players' quality of movement and then how to attack those areas in need of improvement. He teaches how to use short burst change of direction to help players move better on the court, and an entire bucket of golden information!

Check out this episode with Coach Howard Green. He is creating such wonderful content for coaches, players, and parents to learn from. This show is packed with great advice as Howard talked about the importance of strength, speed, core development, breathing, and discipline. This podcast is worth several listens!

Chas Ossenheimer of Ole Miss shares his awesome perspective of how a college tennis strength and conditioning should be executed. He has coached National Champs and many other top-rated players. Coach Ossenheimer has a great approach to making sure his players continually reach new levels through strength and proper movement on the court. This is a great interview for all coaches and players to listen in on.

Allow me to teach you why the Hip Turn is one of the most important footwork skills a tennis player can develop. The Hip Turn teaches the player to escape space and attack new space. This is critical in so many areas on the court. Listen to the detailed breakdown!