Tips From the Tennis Pro: Training in the Summertime

June 9, 2015 | By Eric Faro
ThinkstockPhotos-511528495

For junior players, summer is a great time for them to improve all aspects of their game. These student-athletes do not have the pressures and responsibilities that go along with their education and schoolwork and can work on their games with a free and focused mind. This summer training is critical to their development as solid tennis players.

One obvious factor in the improvement of their games is the opportunity to spend more time on the court. During the school year, junior players are usually very limited to court time, especially in the Northeast. The summer months allow for more available court time and players can train like professionals spending endless hours on the court. During this training time, it is vital for junior players to work on the technical aspects of their game. Whatever the player is working on—whether it be a grip change, kick serve or inside-out forehand—there is plenty of summer court time for them to really focus on making major improvements. 

During the school year, a majority of junior players focus their training time on getting ready for tournaments. This constant tournament preparation does not allow enough time for instruction on breaking down strokes, working on strategy, and quickening footwork. Summer allows more time for making major improvements and the training focus centers on getting better rather than endless competition. My suggestion for junior players is to play a limited amount of tournaments in the summer and instead work on all aspects of your tennis game. 

Summer is also an important time for junior players to spend concentrated time off the court improving their strength and conditioning. Additionally, working out in the summer heat will not only make players much more fit, it will also make them mentally stronger. Setting workout goals is crucial, too. Always train with intention and objectives. Train to improve the first step (quickness), train for endurance, and train for overall strength building. This off-court training, combined with increased on-court practice time and focus, will make you see major improvements in your game.


Eric Faro
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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