Practice during practice

Are you practicing to be better or worst player? Sounds silly question right? But maybe you should review the way you spend your time on the tennis court.

Hello everyone, Coach Martini here. Will speak about practicing during practice because ain't going to happen during match.

I'm sure you have heard this before: "Practice makes perfection", but the truth behind is: "perfect practice makes perfection". What ever you do on the practice court will reflect on your game on the match court. Just to show you a simple example: If you throw your racquet when disappointed on practice, I'm 100% sure you will do it again when disappointed during match. So the main point is use your practice to practice right. If you feel you're about to throw your racquet hold hold hold, take a deep breath and re-group yourself. This way you have that emotion under control in practice and most likely that will help you to be ready when it strikes in match situation.

Another example I see a lot on practice court is players trying to come out with crazy shot selections during completely wrong moments. Say game point to your opponent and you decide to slam a winner down-the-line right off the return of serve Duh instead use practice to practice your safe solid deep returns. I tell my junior students to remember that Tennis is not won by winners shot but by unforced errors and by no means I want them to play defense but play solid high percentage shots especially when match is very close. Keep in mind, you don't want to give any freebies to your opponent.

There are tons of things to master to become a better player but you can not achieve it all at once so I recommend you to break down by day/week/month and use practice to improve them. For instance:

• Practice positive attitude: No matter what you will remain positive during practice all time.

• Practice control emotions: Find a way to walk out of bad behaviors when you nervous or upset.

• Practice Concentration: Stay focus during practice. Watch your thoughts and always redirect them when you feel its slipping out of the game.

• Practice shots: Choose a shot you want to improve and stay focus on executing it.

• Practice Strategy: Use practice matches to master strategies. Stick to your game plan.

• Practice 110%: if you don't get out of practice sure you gave it all, I'm sorry that was not a good practice.

There are different ways to use your practice so just try to remain focus in what your goal is for that day, week or month. Don't forget it takes commitment, discipline to master it. It won't happen in a day but it will for sure happen if you devote to improve it.

Best of luck, and keep practicing "right".

Respect, Love for the game!