Welcome to Flitwick and Ampthill Lawn Tennis Club

Terry Mabbitt can also be contacted at:

Topspin Racquets
The Oxlip, Rear of Market Square
Ampthill,
Bedfordshire,
MK45 2EH

01525 406695

Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach

DAY

COACHING SESSION

DOWNLOAD A COACHING BOOKING FORM

17:00 - 18:30   Junior advanced coaching (yellow)

16:00 - 17:00   Junior development coaching (red)

17:00 - 18:00   Junior intermediate coaching (orange)

Click here for Thursday evening junior coaching

Click here for Friday ladies morning coaching

18:00 - 19:00   Junior intermediate and advanced coaching (green)

09:15 - 10:45   Ladies intermediate coaching

17:30 - 19:00   Junior matchplay (yellow)

Click here for 11+ years match play group

08:30 - 09:00   Junior tiddlers coaching (red)

09:00 - 10:00   Junior development coaching (orange)

Click here for Saturday morning junior coaching

10:00 - 11:00   Junior intermediate  junior coaching (green)

11:15 - 12:45   Junior advanced coaching (yellow)

COACHING TIPS

Strengths win matches – so why not use your best shots as often as possible?

If your forehand is your best stroke then run around a ball coming to your backhand to take it on your forehand. 

This particularly applies when your opponent is serving their second serve. 

Not only move forward, for what will probably be a slower serve, but also move a little bit sideways so that it is easier to play your best shot.

This is the most difficult of the 3 types of game to play but also the most intelligent.    

Singles is your problem alone, doubles is more patterned and less emotional.   

Mixed doubles can be infuriating but should be more tactical and probably needs a more varied shot selection. 

Generally, at doubles the better player plays on the left as they get most of the big points and their forehand and smash are down the centre if they are right handed. 

So what is needed from the right court player? 

A big forehand to give their partner a chance to intercept on the 4th shot of the rally; a consistent first serve down the middle; plus a nice chip lob over the lady at the net when the man is serving to make him play a backhand from the back of the court.    

Plus to be gutsy and be on top of the net for their partners return. 

One major ethical point is that the man does not blast balls directly at the lady. 

And finally, an etiquette one in that the man should always let his partner cross over first when they are changing ends.

 Wimbledon is nearly with us again.

Time to tidy up your attacking play as there will be fewer rallies and more volleying than at the French Open due to the faster surface. 

This is similar to us playing on the carpet or the tarmac. 

So if you are on the carpet more volleying with a solid first volley and then move in further to the net for your next shot which could well be the one to put away for a winner. 

If on the tarmac you must be more patient for your forays to the net. 

Either way sort your game plan out so that you know the tactics you will try to use in the match.

Stringing 

Finding the right strings and tension for your racket is crucial for your tennis happiness on court!

Federer has a stringer who strings his 6 rackets daily, a nice balance for us lesser mortals would be that however many times a week you play, that is how many times a year you should get your rackets re-strung.  

Finding the right tension for you is worth experimenting with.   The looser the tension the more power and tighter the more control.   As you become older gradually start to drop the tension.  McEnroe’s rackets are strung 10lbs less than the manufacturer’s recommendation.   Plus also dabble with the type of string.    If you break strings a tough polyester is appropriate.    For players who spin the ball a lot a high quality synthetic gut or even a hybrid which is a polyester main string and a soft nylon cross string for more feel.

Have a go because it might just tip the balance to win your next match.

The Lob 

When you lob put some height on the ball. 

Firstly, that will make it more difficult to smash and secondly it will give you a better chance so that your opponent will have to let it bounce.   Now if you hit a good enough lob so that they have to let it bounce then 9 times out of 10 you should run in and be up at the net, as from a defensive position, you are now in an attacking one.

When playing doubles if you are the non-returner then as soon as your partner puts up a lob and you are mid court, then move back, but as soon as you have decided they are letting the ball bounce then both move in together.

Doubles Team Work

The sports council will tell you that playing tennis is an individual sport, let them dream on.

Doubles which is what most of us play, is very much a team game.

To me selling is not only about the current sale but whether that customer will come back again. 

The same applies to doubles.

Will your partner want to play with you again in the next match.

Talk to your partner.   If they hit a good shot make your partner feel good by telling them.    A bad shot say unlucky or whatever way you can clear their mind to be ready to win the next point.

Don’t let balls go between you with both of you looking at each other.   If one of you is taken out wide the other covers the middle of the court. 

If your partner throws up a lob, go back with them on the baseline and if your opponents let the ball bounce go up to the net together.    Plus if the ball is going out tell your partner loudly to leave it.   

All these small points make a good team.

Watching the Australian Open I noticed the players are continually attacking their ground strokes given any opportunity.

So why not have a go at finding ways to add more pace to your drives.

Let me give you a few thoughts, keeping in mind you only try one at a time. 

• Attitude – look to be positive
• Big shoulder turn
• Bend your knees
• Broad base so that you are nicely balanced
• Hit through the ball

Good luck!

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