Are You A Sharpshooter?

The essence of tennis is very simple.

Deliver a projectile to a specific target more effectively than your opponent.

It sounds a little like an archery competition or a golf match, doesn't it?

Well in archery, you have your bow and your projectile (arrow), then you stand still, at a fixed distance, and having factored in wind speed and direction, you execute your technique.

In golf, the same concept of delivering your projectile (golf ball) applies. You stand still at a fixed distance, but then you pick one of the fourteen clubs at your disposal that matches that specific distance and then once again, after factoring in wind speed and direction, you execute your technique.

Those activities are considered CLOSED SKILLS and are used in CLOSED ENVIRONMENTS (standing still with a fixed target).

Tennis is a totally different breed of cat!

Number One: You have to chase down (unless you are serving) the projectile you need to launch back toward your opponent!

Number Two: If your opponent is any good, you'll likely still be moving, or will have just screeched to a halt when you execute your technique.

Number Three: The distance and direction to your chosen target varies on every single shot you will ever play.

Number Four: Wind speed and direction must be calculated and factored in as you are moving to your shot. (And you may need to hit six or eight shots in a fifteen or twenty-second burst).

The sport of tennis is considered to be played in an OPEN ENVIRONMENT.

In tennis, your CLOSED SKILLS (stroke techniques) will degrade and break down unless they are etched in stone.

Considering the stress your strokes are under, be sure to have your coach give you a clear understanding of the racket skills and swing paths you'll need to lock in on your targets, and then gradually increase the ferocity of the environment until you become a Certified Sharpshooter!