October 31, 2003, Newsletter Issue #94: Power vs Control and Getting Old!

Tip of the Week

Power vs. Control



Tennis is learned by going through many stages. First, as a beginner, you are taught form, consistency and control. Second, as an intermediate, you try to continue to work on your form, consistency, control and hopefully adding some power and strategy. As an advanced junior you had better be adding power to all of your shots and be comfortable with your strategy.

As you approach middle age (30+ years old) your approach to the game must also change. You might not ever be able to hit the ball as hard as you could as a junior. At his point you had better shift gears and start working on control. Through control comes consistency. Through consistency you will possibly become a better player than you were when you were a junior.

I cannot tell you how many of my former students have told me how much better they are now than when they were juniors. The typical response is that they do not have to hit the ball so far and they have more patience. In my opinion the power displayed by the young professionals will lead to shorter careers and more injuries. In the long run stick with control and consistency. Remember, tennis is a game of a lifetime.

Good luck on the courts!

John

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