By Adrienne Treado
Contributions by Briana Adamovsky
Many junior tennis players fail to take advantage of a key tool that can greatly enhance performance and knowledge of the game. This tool is the ability to perform video analysis of televised tennis matches and of your own matches. Sports psychologists have shown that visual learning is the basis of the body's learning process. There are two ways to develop your visual learning in order to improve your level of play: 1) Learning from the best on TV and 2) Video taping yourself playing tennis.
Tournaments such as the U.S. Open and Wimbledon display the highest level of tennis in the world today. And who better to learn from than the most experienced and skilled tennis players? You can watch a top instructional program for tennis technique and strategy, and best of all… it’s free! When viewing a tennis match on national television, make sure to pay attention to the critique given by the commentators. Most of them are former professionals and will provide invaluable insights on technique or the strategic considerations associated with a particular match. Keep a notebook nearby so you can take notes and review the gems of wisdom later on. Don’t hesitate to rewind the video and view a key section a few times. If possible, use slow motion analysis to assist you if you are trying to examine technique.
The second tool for enhancing your visual learning involves a video camera, tripod, and videotape or DVD. The first type of analysis is individual stroke analysis. Here, you go stroke by stroke, and tape yourself from a variety of angles and perspectives. Watch yourself hitting balls and study your body position and finish. Make sure to watch in slow motion as well. The hardest part is watching yourself because it is completely normal to be your worst critic. Many times we imagine ourselves looking more graceful and less flawed. Focus on improving one or two strokes, rather than trying to improve everything all at once. If you improve one stroke every few months, imagine how far you will come in one year!
Also, tape yourself serving and receiving serves. Then tape an actual match, preferably one that is more challenging and serious to you, and review that as well. Analyze what you do well and not well, how you handle break points and pressure situations. Always view yourself with an open mind. An aspect of your game that you think is the strongest may actually need a great deal of fine tuning. What you think is your “bread and butter” can turn out to be your greatest liability. After analyzing yourself on video, set short term goals for your next visual learning experience. Visual learning when done effectively and routinely will provide you with the insight, knowledge and game plan necessary to become a stronger tennis recruit.
source: www.tennisserver.com/turbo/turbo_99_03.html
