Saturday, January 4, 2014

Getting your money's worth out of your tennis lesson

Every year, more and more people are taking up the game of tennis.  Perhaps you even got a tennis racquet for Christmas.  My first racquet was bought at Rexall Drug Store in Washington, D.C., in the early 70's, but that was then, this is now. 

Tennis is indeed the sport of a lifetime, but you won't enjoy those benefits of better health, increased social activities, and self-esteem in learning, and doing something well, unless you devote some time to learning the nuances and fundamentals of the game and practice, especially in tennis.

If you  take the time, expend the energy to go, and put out your cold, hard, cash for a lesson or two, why not take then the time to put that knowledge you've acquired into effect?

You might not see immediately the results of the lessons, but once you acquire the knowledge, you must utilize it.  It's been said: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."

Another platitude worth repeating is this Persian Proverb: "He who knows not and knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Shun him.

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a child, teach him.

He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep, wake him.

He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise follow him.

To get the most out of any lesson, you must at least attempt to apply that knowledge immediately, and it must be applied consistently for maximum results.  Once any stroke is demonstrated, and you feel, it might help your game, put that knowledge to use immediately.  Start mimicking the stroke every chance you get. Any time you have your racquet in your hand, make it a point to be practicing, mentally see yourself slowly stroking through the ball.

Even better if you can see the reflection of yourself in a mirror, car window, club house window, any thing that will give you feed back as to how the stroke should look, and feel when you are under no pressure to execute. 

Then, take this same knowledge, feel to the courts and take on some of those duffers that are hanging around, hoping to get in a match.  Here's your chance to become better known as being friendly, and approachable about the courts.  While at the same time you are actually sharpening your game, so long as you don't become lazy, and sloppy with your stroke production, just because there is little stakes on the line.

And remember this, as well: "You're not nearly as good as you think you are, and only half as good as they say you are.