Tennis Bully

Best Treatments for Tennis Elbow

Scott Thyroff — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:12:32 +0000

What are the best treatments for tennis elbow? If you’ve ever come home from the tennis court with a sore elbow, you’ve probably wondered: how can I get rid of tennis elbow for good? What’s the fastest way to heal? How can I prevent injury from happening next time I play?

It’s the injury so common among tennis players, doctors have named the malady just for us. Yes, tennis elbow plagues all of us at some point. I’m going to give you some tips on dealing with tennis elbow. Check ‘em out…

It sounds simple, but icing a sore elbow at the first sign of trouble is a great way to stop tennis elbow in its tracks. Take an anti-inflammatory, like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.

The best treatment, of course, is rest. Take some time off to really allow your tendons to heal. Depending on how severe your injury is, rest could mean anywhere from a few days to a few months. If your condition doesn’t improve, you might need surgery. This isn’t typical, though – only about 5% of tennis elbow patients will need surgery.

Many patients need rehabilitation at some point. A physical therapist can do wonders to help you recover. Certain exercises done in rehab will decrease pain and increase range of motion. Many patients also wear a special counterforce brace. This brace spreads pressure throughout the entire arm, taking stress off of the tendons in the elbow. You don’t have to see a doctor to snag a brace like this – check your local sports store.

Another option is corticosteroid injections. This is a good choice if you’ve done rehab exercise and you’re still feeling pain after 6 to 8 weeks. Still, it’s no miracle cure. The injections can actually be harmful to the tendon if done excessively.

None of these remedies will be effective for long if you don’t get to the root of the problem. Listen to your body. Tennis elbow is frequently caused by performing moves that stress your forearm muscles. Meet with a tennis coach or sports trainer and have him/her correct any techniques that may be putting excess strain on those muscles. An expert can often pinpoint exactly what’s causing the problem.

These remedies should get you back on the tennis court in no time, but if tennis elbow continues to cause problems for you even after trying some of these remedies, consult your doctor. Your elbow will thank you!

See you on the court,
Scott @ TennisBully.com
Home of the Tennis Serve

Tennis Forehand – Learn the Windshield Wiper Forehand

Scott Thyroff — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:05:16 +0000

Want to learn the tennis forehand? The windshield forehand is the modern stroke in tennis. Popular among the pros, this technique creates heavy spin on the ball. It’ll really bring your forehand to the next level. I’ve got a few simple steps for you to try. Follow them and you’ll master this swing in no time. Check it out…

Tennis Forehand – Prepare

With the windshield wiper forehand, you need to seriously choke up on the handle. Try holding it at the very top, where the cushioned handle meets the metal frame. Make sure you’re positioned right, too. You should be standing sideways on the baseline.

Swing up

When performing a regular forehand shot, you typically try to push through the ball. With the windshield wiper forehand, you want to swing up on the ball. This helps create the top spin that makes the maneuver so useful.

To Learn the Tennis Forehand, Think Across the Body

Bring your racquet across the body, holding it up rather than sideways. This is one of the main differences between the windshield wiper forehand and its class counterpart. If you can see through your strings, you know you’re doing it right. This differs drastically from your classic forehand, where you’d typically be facing the edge of your racquet.

Also remember to keep your handle straight up. Typically, when performing a forehand, your handle pulls back towards your wrist or forearm. With the windshield wiper forehand, the handle should stay in the same position: straight up and down.

Follow through

Bring your racquet completely across your body, all the way up past your left shoulder. As you release your arm, you’ll get that natural windshield wiper motion that this move is named for. The natural momentum will allow you to get back into the ready position.

Many people struggle with keeping their racquet in just the right position. Next time you’re having trouble, imagine the top of your racquet tied to an imaginary ceiling. Pull down too hard, or too far one direction and you’ll break the rope. This will keep your handle upright and in the proper position.

This is a very versatile shot that will certainly come in handy. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be windshield wiping better and faster than your car in the parking lot. Of course, putting in the practice time necessary to master this skill is a given. Put in the time, and you’ll be showing off your new found skills in no time.

See you on the court,
Scott @ TennisBully.com
Home of the Tennis Serve

Ball Toss Tennis – Three Steps to the Perfect Ball Toss

Scott Thyroff — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:58:28 +0000

Want to really perfect your serve? It all starts with mastering the ball toss. Often overlooked when practicing, the ball toss sets the stage for a great serve, no matter how unimportant it may seem. I’ve got some great tips that’ll really seal the deal for your perfect ball toss. Try ‘em out for yourself.

Ball Toss Tennis Tip #1 – Hold your Ball.

Many people hold the ball in their palm and roll it off their fingers when they throw it in the air. This causes the ball to spin and doesn’t make for a consistent ball toss. Instead, imagine you’re holding a dainty drink that will spill with any sudden movement. The less surface area your hand covers, the better. Try using just two or three fingers to hold the ball straight out in front of you. With your weight on your front foot, toss the ball out in front.

Toss with Confidence.

Ball Toss Tennis Tip #2 – Toss Height

Height is key to the perfect ball toss. Bring your arm straight up and release the ball at the top of your head. Allow your tossing arm to continue to extend even after you’ve released the ball. You want to toss the ball at about 1-2 feet over your contact point. That’ll give you enough time to execute your motion and get to that contact point. The higher you toss the ball, the harder it will be to track and time, so find the happy medium.

Ball Toss Tennis Tip #3 – Wind it Up.

When you toss, start bringing your racquet back with your dominant hand. Bend your knees, and as you release the ball in the air, start gaining momentum with your racquet. This creates a kind of wind-up maneuver, giving you an extra boost in power. Toss the ball so that the tennis ball at your contact point is at your shoulder, out in front of your body. Then swing away!

Many players struggle with the ball toss and dismiss it as unimportant. No other move in the game will set you up better than the perfect ball toss. Misjudging a toss is one of the most common mistakes made by new and experienced players alike. Experiment and find that “sweet spot” between too high to track and too low to hit.

Like any aspect of tennis, you can’t master the perfect ball toss without lots and lots of practice. Your toss is really the solid foundation of any great serve, so don’t underestimate the power it can have on your game.

See you on the court,
Scott @ TennisBully.com
Home of the Tennis Serve

Backhand Volley – Four Tips to Improve This Stroke!

Scott Thyroff — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:48:47 +0000

I’m going to share four amazing tips to improve your backhand volley. After reading this article, you’ll be a master at this stylish shot. Follow these tips and with a little practice, I swear you’ll love the results. Check ‘em out…

Check Your Grip

What grip are you using? Try the continental grip next time. It’s the best for the backhand volley, since the continental grip allows you to hit both backhand and forehand volleys without having to switch grips. Make sure your racquet is out in front, in the continental grip, with your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. No matter what comes your way, you’ll be able to quickly transition.

Rotate Your Shoulders

Rotate your shoulders counter clockwise, so you’re facing sideways to the net. Place your left hand on the throat of the racquet, and bring it back for a short backswing. The shorter the better – it allows you more control, so try not to bring the racquet further than your right shoulder. If you’re a lefty, just reverse this process. This stance and rotation of the shoulders will put you miles ahead of your opponents – many players mistakenly stand facing the net while performing the backhand volley.

Position is Everything

Balance your swing by separating your hands. Use your non-dominant hand to move backwards, counterbalancing your racquet hand. Next, transfer your weight from your left foot onto your right foot, out in front. It’ll minimize errors, and give your shot extra power from the momentum built up when pushing off.

Open Your Stance

After you’ve hit the ball, remember to open up your stance. Face the net and get back on the balls of your feet. You’ll need to be in ready position for whatever your opponent serves up next. It’s tempting to stand flat-footed, gazing after your glorious backhand volley, but if and when the ball does come back, you need to be prepared.

Many people have trouble mastering the backhand volley, simply because it’s such a flashy shot. The next time you practice the shot, try backing further up from the net. Most people practice too close to the net, which makes them ill-prepared for actual game play, since many backhand volleys will be played further back.

These four tips will vastly improve your backhand volley if you truly put in the practice time to master them. Try ‘em out today and see for yourself.

See you on the court,
Scott @ TennisBully.com
Home of the Tennis Serve

How to Kick Serve Revealed

Scott Thyroff — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:43:44 +0000

People are always asking how to kick serve. In this article, I’ll share some tips for learning the kick serve. It’s a must-have technique for any tennis player’s arsenal. The side-spin utilized in the kick serve is one of the most useful aspects of serving. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to use the kick serve like a pro. Put ‘em into action today…

How to Kick Serve Tip #1: Perfect the Toss

Starting off with the perfect toss sets you up for the perfect kick serve. It’s an undervalued skill that you really can’t spend too much time practicing.

Throw the ball up in the air, and backward. Keep your eye on the ball. Your point of contact should be directly above your head. For maximum control, keep the ball low and lined up with the baseline. This ensures the perfect timing for your serve.

Of course, if you’d like to provide further height or depth for your serve, you can always meet it further back. This is a tip that the pros utilize all the time. Just master the basics first!

How to Kick Serve Tip #2: Shoulder Turn More Than You Think You Need

Here’s where a lot of players get tripped up. The kick serve requires a sharper turn of the shoulder than your normal swing. When you’re bringing your shoulder back to swing, remember to pull it even further back than usual – almost as if you’re hitting sideways. This will ensure the perfect kick serve – a twist with an added punch of power.

To start, bend your knees and turn so your shoulders are practically facing the net.

How to Kick Serve Tip #3: Swing from 7 to 1

To perfect your kick serve swing, start high and swing left to right. Picture your swing as a clock, with your racquet as the hour hand. You’ll need to move from 7 to 1. The ball should sail right over the net by three or four feet. Always remember to follow through, bringing your racquet all the way up over your shoulder.

After your follow through, your arm will naturally fall back into the ready position – another perk of this serve.

Many players struggle with mastering the kick serve, but it’s truly one of the most useful serves out there. If you’re having some trouble, take a few dozen balls out and stand about twenty feet from the fence. Hit kick serves until you’ve mastered getting it over the net.

With these tips, you’ll be ready to conquer the kick serve. Put in some practice time and you’ll have it down in no time.

See you on the court,
Scott @ TennisBully.com
Home of the Tennis Serve

Learn Tennis Fast: The Best Four Tennis Drills

Scott Thyroff — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:35:00 +0000

Want to learn tennis fast? Want to step up your tennis game with some great new drills? I’m going to show you four of the best tennis drills around. By the end of this piece, you’ll be ready to hit the court and try out these challenging but fun drills.

Let’s get started…

Learn Tennis Fast #1 – MASTER Volleyer Extraordinaire

I found this drill somewhere on a tennis forum or while searching the internet – sorry, I can’t remember where I found this but it’s good.

The goal of this drill is to spell out the word MASTER by volleying into a section of the court representing a specific letter.

M – the left service box.
A – the right service box.
S – the left half of the singles court beyond the service line.
T – the right half of the singles court beyond the service line.
E – the left alley.
R – the right alley.

Line up at the service T, run forward a few steps, split-step, and then volley toward whichever letter is the current target. Hit the targets in order, but don’t start over if you miss. It might take several attempts to hit some targets, especially the later ones.

This drill will not only improve your aim, but your speed and agility as well.

#2 – Alley Rally Drill

Stand within the doubles alley and try to hit ten shots with a partner, all within the narrow alley. Mastered ten in a row? Bump it up to twenty.

It’s all about constantly challenging yourself. This drill can be tough, but will also be very effective for your game.
This drill helps teach you how to keep the ball in play despite a very small target area.

#3 – 20 Ball Suicide

Have a friend stand at the center and toss balls at you in every direction. Run down each ball and return it. If you successfully retrieve a ball, you get one point. If you miss a ball, or cannot send it back over the net, you lose a point. Continue until you reach twenty.

You’ll be exhausted, sure, but this drill simulates play against the toughest of the tough opponent. Is there any better way to prepare?

#4 – Four Ball Drill

Have a friend serve up rapid balls to you. Forehand down the line, backhand down the line, then a forehand cross court and a backhand cross court. You never get locked into hitting the same shot. This drill prepares you for anything. It balances footwork, balance and direction.

And here’s a *Bonus* drill…

Bonus Drill #5 – Five Balls or Death

Like the title? Well, this is a drill that’ll win you matches. It is simple. Get a hitting partner. The theory here is that you only need to successfully hit a tennis ball five times in a row and you will win most points. Seriously!

Even at the very highest level’s, if you can just outlast the other guy (or girl) and hang in there for a mere five shots… often that is all it takes to win the point.

So, this drill as brain dead simple. With a hitting partner, the goal is to successfully complete ten sets of “5 ball rallies.” This will force you to focus on consistency.

My wife and I warm up with this drill and it ‘locks in’ the pattern when you play real matches. This bonus drill is probably the best and most practical one of the bunch.

With some practice and a little time, you’ll master these drills in no time. Try them before your next big match – you’ll definitely see an improvement!

See you on the court,
Scott @ TennisBully.com
Home of the Tennis Serve

Tennis Bully

Best Treatments for Tennis Elbow

Recommended Reading

Tennis Forehand – Learn the Windshield Wiper Forehand

Tennis Forehand – Prepare

To Learn the Tennis Forehand, Think Across the Body

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Ball Toss Tennis – Three Steps to the Perfect Ball Toss

Ball Toss Tennis Tip #2 – Toss Height

Ball Toss Tennis Tip #3 – Wind it Up.

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Backhand Volley – Four Tips to Improve This Stroke!

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How to Kick Serve Revealed

How to Kick Serve Tip #2: Shoulder Turn More Than You Think You Need

How to Kick Serve Tip #3: Swing from 7 to 1

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Learn Tennis Fast: The Best Four Tennis Drills

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