For what it is worth, if that is the foam ball (which it looks to be based on sound and the flight of the ball) I think those kids are ready to go to a felt ball (red or orange). They have clearly developed rally skills and could probably benefit from a ball that would let them finish the point a bit sooner. Longer rallies are great, but the format isn't about turning every point into a 55 shot Djokovic-Murray marathon.
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Monday, September 24, 2012
When kids make me feel bad about myself...
I alternately love and hate the video included below. It is such a fantastic example of what the 10 and Under Tennis format has to offer in terms of player development. The mechanics, shots and court movement that these kids possess at such a young age could simply not be nearly as developed (or as correct) if they were on a full size court with the yellow ball. If you have wondered why Europe has used this format for years, here is your answer. I also hate this video for shaming my own tennis skills so badly. I would absolutely not accept a pickup game offer from either of these kids as I would get hustled immediately! Enjoy:
For what it is worth, if that is the foam ball (which it looks to be based on sound and the flight of the ball) I think those kids are ready to go to a felt ball (red or orange). They have clearly developed rally skills and could probably benefit from a ball that would let them finish the point a bit sooner. Longer rallies are great, but the format isn't about turning every point into a 55 shot Djokovic-Murray marathon.
For what it is worth, if that is the foam ball (which it looks to be based on sound and the flight of the ball) I think those kids are ready to go to a felt ball (red or orange). They have clearly developed rally skills and could probably benefit from a ball that would let them finish the point a bit sooner. Longer rallies are great, but the format isn't about turning every point into a 55 shot Djokovic-Murray marathon.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Murray.........Andrew Murray
Well, the Scraggly Scottish Stork did it. Yes I am talking about one Andrew Murray and his victory over Novak Djokovic in the US Open final last night. Let's cover my thoughts on the match shall we?
1. Murray is finally playing aggressive tennis consistently. His biggest weakness in the past has been an over-reliance on defense when it matters. He reverted back to that in the 3rd and 4th sets last night but got his aggression back in the 5th set when it mattered. Props to Ivan Lendl for having Murray finally amp up his forehand and for helping devise a solid gameplan of attacking Novak's forehand (IMHO his weaker shot)
2. Murray has the best variety of anybody in the top 10. Period. Fed fans can talk all they want about the "Swiss Maestro" but Murray can pound ground strokes, volley and create angles and openings with all sorts of spins, slices and drop shots. The fact that it looked like they were playing in a hurricane half the time only made his shots that much trickier.
3. The percentage of 2nd serve points won is a critical but often overlooked stat. At one point, Djokovic was 2 of 14 in 2nd serve points won. You are simply not going to win matches if you can't get your 1st serve in or defend your 2nd serve effectively.
4. The rules applying to trainer visits are AWFUL. It is ridiculous that somebody who is so obviously cramping ( I'm looking at you Djoker) can claim a groin strain to get a trainer. Novak has done this time and time again and he is definitely not alone either. It is even worse when the treatment comes in the changeover before the opponent's serve and only fuels the gamesmanship aspect of it. I'm not saying we should go back to the days of people writhing on the court in agony due to a "loss of conditioning", but let's call a spade a spade at least.
5. I completely agree with the commentators that it was better for Murray to win it in 5 sets as opposed to 3. Murray has a history of disappearing in big matches (see his first 4 Grand Slam finals). For him to blow a 2 set lead and then rally, I think that does wonders for his reputation and should further stoke his clearly growing confidence.
On a lighter note:
1. Whichever Jensen brother was doing the commentary on the live stream should not be allowed to do commentary ever again. Hearing him dramatcially draw out the name "Zho-Ko-Vich" over and over made me want to cry. He was being so over the top about Djokovic's name that I was waiting to see him wearing one of those shirts with a giant self portrait of Novak on the front.
2. This is the only time I'll say it is a good thing nobody watches tennis on TV in America. If they did, we would be in the middle of a firestorm today over all the times the CBS microphones picked up Andy Murray dropping the F bomb. People would be screaming about the corruption of our kids and be shouting for him to be banned from entering the country again.
3. Murray really won because of one simple thing. That thing is what I will from here on out dub "The Connery Karma." How can you lose when James Bond has your back? Seeing Sean Connery in the crowd just had me playing SNL Jeopardy lines in my head and on Facebook. The only thing that would have been better is if Murray's racquet had deployed a smoke screen or oil slick during their 54 shot rally.
In the end, I salute Andy's performance. The Scraggly Scottish Stork is flying high!
1. Murray is finally playing aggressive tennis consistently. His biggest weakness in the past has been an over-reliance on defense when it matters. He reverted back to that in the 3rd and 4th sets last night but got his aggression back in the 5th set when it mattered. Props to Ivan Lendl for having Murray finally amp up his forehand and for helping devise a solid gameplan of attacking Novak's forehand (IMHO his weaker shot)
2. Murray has the best variety of anybody in the top 10. Period. Fed fans can talk all they want about the "Swiss Maestro" but Murray can pound ground strokes, volley and create angles and openings with all sorts of spins, slices and drop shots. The fact that it looked like they were playing in a hurricane half the time only made his shots that much trickier.
3. The percentage of 2nd serve points won is a critical but often overlooked stat. At one point, Djokovic was 2 of 14 in 2nd serve points won. You are simply not going to win matches if you can't get your 1st serve in or defend your 2nd serve effectively.
4. The rules applying to trainer visits are AWFUL. It is ridiculous that somebody who is so obviously cramping ( I'm looking at you Djoker) can claim a groin strain to get a trainer. Novak has done this time and time again and he is definitely not alone either. It is even worse when the treatment comes in the changeover before the opponent's serve and only fuels the gamesmanship aspect of it. I'm not saying we should go back to the days of people writhing on the court in agony due to a "loss of conditioning", but let's call a spade a spade at least.
5. I completely agree with the commentators that it was better for Murray to win it in 5 sets as opposed to 3. Murray has a history of disappearing in big matches (see his first 4 Grand Slam finals). For him to blow a 2 set lead and then rally, I think that does wonders for his reputation and should further stoke his clearly growing confidence.
On a lighter note:
1. Whichever Jensen brother was doing the commentary on the live stream should not be allowed to do commentary ever again. Hearing him dramatcially draw out the name "Zho-Ko-Vich" over and over made me want to cry. He was being so over the top about Djokovic's name that I was waiting to see him wearing one of those shirts with a giant self portrait of Novak on the front.
2. This is the only time I'll say it is a good thing nobody watches tennis on TV in America. If they did, we would be in the middle of a firestorm today over all the times the CBS microphones picked up Andy Murray dropping the F bomb. People would be screaming about the corruption of our kids and be shouting for him to be banned from entering the country again.
3. Murray really won because of one simple thing. That thing is what I will from here on out dub "The Connery Karma." How can you lose when James Bond has your back? Seeing Sean Connery in the crowd just had me playing SNL Jeopardy lines in my head and on Facebook. The only thing that would have been better is if Murray's racquet had deployed a smoke screen or oil slick during their 54 shot rally.
In the end, I salute Andy's performance. The Scraggly Scottish Stork is flying high!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wow
Wow I have been so bad at this blogging thing lately. Definitely going to have to think of a new name for it if my current trend continues. I just read my last post and enjoyed eating crow on my comment about Murray not winning a gold medal. Job well done Big Bird (For those that don't know, Andy Murray reminds me of a giant stork with patchy facial hair)! The US Open is in full swing, with Federer getting knocked out last night. The only match-up that interests me at this point is a Djokovic - Murray final. We will see if that happens.
I went to sectionals with my 4.0 team a few weeks ago. Although I and the team did not have the best of weekends, it was still a lot of fun and I had a blast this season with all of my PuraVida! boys. We will take it to them next year!
On a light hearted note, below is one of the funniest tennis videos ever. I have decided to go out of my way to share it through every means possible because it is hilarious and completely true when it comes to league tennis!
Enjoy!
I went to sectionals with my 4.0 team a few weeks ago. Although I and the team did not have the best of weekends, it was still a lot of fun and I had a blast this season with all of my PuraVida! boys. We will take it to them next year!
On a light hearted note, below is one of the funniest tennis videos ever. I have decided to go out of my way to share it through every means possible because it is hilarious and completely true when it comes to league tennis!
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