Essential Tennis Podcast - Instruction, Lessons, Tips

If you want to play your best tennis then setting up healthy habits and routines is critical, especially around the “Big 3”: sleep, exercise and nutrition. In this special episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll hear what tips, tricks and rituals I use to maximize those three areas of my life so I can go into every day with the most energy, focus and drive possible.

It's been a long time since I've uploaded an episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast. I'm sorry! I felt like I should explain where I've been so this is a quick update. No coaching or instruction. Just letting you know how things are going and what my plans are.

Recently I took off my coach’s hat and put on my student hat as I took my first tennis lesson in two decades from a local high performance coach. It was an amazing experience and in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast I’ll share how I dealt with him asking me to focus on different technical elements than what I was trying to do in my own training. Having the right mindset about development and training approaches is key to your success!

If you think old dogs can’t learn new tricks this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is for you! You’ll hear the story of a 76 year old coaching student that transformed his first and second serves within just a few hours of training. He even used his new technique in a match the very next day with amazing results. We can all learn from the attitude and mindset of this experienced player!

Have you invested in lots of online coaching only to feel overwhelmed and stuck? If so this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is exactly what you need to listen to! Ian uncovers his 7 step process for identifying what to work on, how to make steady, positive progress in the right direction, and knowing when to move on to something new. You’ll finish the episode knowing exactly how to guide yourself to the next level and beyond!

Do you have a bad tennis habit that’s been stuck for 10 years or more? So did John, but recently he made a huge breakthrough! Find out how he was able to do it and what steps he took that you can copy yourself. Hint: it did NOT involve hitting more balls, taking more lessons, or playing more matches. This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast contains the key to finally dropping your old, frustrating habits.

Guess what you DON’T need to improve your tennis game: a coach, ball machine, hitting partner or even a tennis court! Sure, those things could all be helpful but often we’re restricted in our ability to access them which is why this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is so important. You’ll learn what other two things you need to advance your skills and exactly how to use them so you can improve no matter where you are or what means you have.

Millions of tennis players dedicate mental and emotional energy to the WRONG things every single time they play a match. The result is no bandwidth left over to focus on what really matters when it comes to playing great tennis! In this special episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn what your mind should be focused on, what it shouldn’t, and how you can improve this critical skill and become a better competitor.

What do skateboarding tricks and tennis improvement have in common? You’ll find out in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast! Any time you venture out and try new techniques, swings, or upgrades you’re making a risk. Time, energy, and money is on the line but so is one other BIG factor. Find out what that is so you can keep improving your tennis game.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing your whole life or picked up a racquet for the first time yesterday: tennis is chock full of challenges, obstacles and disappointments. What really matters is your response when you encounter them, which can have a tremendous effect on your success as a player and your enjoyment of the game. In this episode we’ll discuss the difference between action and reaction, and how choosing the right one can turn your game, match, or whole tennis career around.

In life we’re frequently put in situations that feel hopeless. Where it doesn’t seem like there’s anything we can control and everything is working against us. I was recently put in an uncomfortable position exactly like that and some people around me wondered if I was going to throw in the towel. Thankfully tennis has taught me valuable lessons and in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast I’ll share which have pulled me through tough times!

Have you had a long break away from the court and you’re wondering how to transition back in an effective way? If so this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is critical listening! You’ll learn how to mentally, physically, and technically ease back into high quality tennis without overdoing it, injuring yourself, or setting unrealistic expectations that leave you frustrated and dejected. This is your roadmap back to the tennis court!

Most tennis players have terrible feel because they view “touch” as being an on/off switch. Find out how you should approach it instead in this special episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast! You’ll even learn a feel drill that you can do right now with a racquet and ball to help develop your awareness of an element critical to developing soft touch.

A lot of changes have taken place at Essential Tennis over the past two months. This quick upload explains them! Not a regular tennis instruction episode. Thanks for your support!

Today’s special guest is a two time tennis world record holder who knows a thing or two about focusing on what matters most! You’ll learn about Angelo Rossetti’s breakthough “3-2-1 Method” for drawing his student’s attention to the most essential elements of tennis success, why thinking about the “controllables” is so important to your tennis happiness and much, much more!

Believe it or not being stuck at home presents 3 big opportunities for tennis players! Unfortunately they're overlooked by most because their mindset and perspective has been thrown off by the difficult situations around them. Find out how you can break free of the negativity and fully take advantage of the chances to improve your tennis game at home on this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast.

Some time ago, while Ian was teaching a week-long clinic, he lost the feel for his simplest, most practiced shot – the feed! It's a universally dreaded experience for tennis players to have an off day and lose one of their most trusted tools, often in the middle of a critical match. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast, Ian shares how to navigate yourself out of this common situation so you can get back to playing your best tennis when it matters most.

With leagues cancelled, clubs closed, and tennis courts all around the world being shut down it feels like the improvement journey has to be put on hold. Wrong! There is SO much you can do right in your own living room, garage or yard to improve every aspect of your tennis performance and IQ. In this special episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn which 6 parts of your game you can work on away from the court as well as step by step resources to help you with each of them. Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep working hard on your game!

There's nothing more frustrating than putting your valuable time into improving an aspect of your tennis game, only to look back weeks, months, or even years later and still be struggling with the same problems. The truth is, it doesn't matter how correct the instruction you're receiving is if you aren't following the correct process for learning, applying and developing a new habit. Here's how we've been able to see real, lasting improvement in students' games in as little as 30 minutes – and how you can, too.

Have you ever wondered what separates a tremendously successful tennis player from a struggling one, or what separates a world-class player from an amateur? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast features Warren Pretorius, founder of Tennis Analytics – a company that provides detailed match analytics, scouting along with detailed statistical reports. We take a deep dive into the fascinating world of tennis statistics, and discover what they really mean for you and your game.

It doesn’t matter if your mental game, strategy game, technique or even fitness is holding you back: this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will give you the solution to breaking through those barriers and reaching the next level of performance! It all starts with viewing improvement through the right lens which is exactly what you’ll hear Ian explain. Enjoy and keep working hard on your tennis game!

This mindset episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will get you thinking deeply about why you love the game, what you really want to get out of it, and where you should set your sights in the coming weeks, months, and years. Get this wrong and your tennis experience can become miserable just like it did for me! Get it right and literally every time you walk onto the court can be a big success.

What patterns, techniques and strategies can you copy from the pros NOW? Find out in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast! You’ll hear a special conversation with Matt Bradshaw, the host of “Coffee Break Tennis” on YouTube who’s been breaking down the stats and data from the best players in the world for years. He’ll fill you in on exactly what top pros are doing with their serves, returns, net game to get an edge and win more matches, things that you can do yourself in your very next match!

Feedback is a crucial element for any successful student-coach relationship, but what about directing your coach to work on the things you want to improve? In this episode the of the Essential Tennis Podcast we'll discuss how trying to manage your your own tennis improvement can do more harm than good, and why you probably don't know your tennis self as well as you think you do...

We like to believe that simply knowing how to fix bad technique is enough to help us correct it, but when the rubber meets the road and the ball starts flying our way, we find ourselves going right back to what we know. Unlearning a deeply-rooted habit can be a challenge, but knowing how to counter your tendency to stick with what's comfortable can mean the difference between tennis transformation and a lifetime of being stuck. This week we'll discuss how to "trick" your brain into following the correct technique – even when it doesn't want to!

Get ready to have your tennis match obstacles flipped on their head! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn why the things that bother you the most during competition might actually be great opportunities in disguise. This one, simple mindset shift could make the difference between winning and losing your very next showdown with a tennis foe.

It’s a common struggle for players on the road to tennis improvement: learning how to hit a better forehand, backhand or serve, practicing it several times, then trying to use it in a match only to find your old, bad habits coming back to bite you! The hard truth is, those old tennis habits never go down without a fight, so knowing HOW to fight them is the key to success. In this episode, Ian shares what really works (and what doesn’t) after working with thousands of students...

Have you been improving on the tennis court fast enough? If your answer is “no” then the message in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is critical to listen to. You’ll hear the story of a little boy and a swimming pool that illustrations an essential mindset we all need to keep from getting stuck in a rut in every walk of life, on and off the court.

If you ever feel lost at the net then do NOT miss this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast! You’ll learn the one shift my student made to go from ducking and going the wrong way at the net to athletically pouncing on balls no matter which direction they went. Apply what you learn and you, too, can double your confidence and effectiveness at the net in either singles or doubles.

This is the ultimate checklist for tennis success in 2020! Listen as Ian counts down his top ten tools, mindsets, processes, and approaches to learning that have made the biggest difference in his students over the past twelve months. Use any 5 of them in the New Year that you’ll see a huge difference in your game. Use all 10 and you’ll have the best tennis year of your life! Thanks for another year of support for the Essential Tennis Podcast.

Tennis has been a core part of my life for almost 30 years and during that time I’ve come to be incredibly thankful for a great many things that the game has given me. This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will explore the top four of those things as well as give actionable suggestions on how you can make all of them a more deep, purposeful part of your own tennis experience.

Do you truly have what it takes to reach your next level of tennis? Today’s special guest, Bob Litwin, shares what he has discovered during his incredible journey from losing every national level match for over three years to winning 25 US National Championships, becoming ranked #1 in the world and many more impressive accomplishments. His insights into the mental game, performance and self development are incredible so don’t miss this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast!

Tennis players are constantly caught in a terrible downward spiral of nerves, tension and errors. That probably sounds familiar but how in the world do you break the cycle?? In today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn how and also why the way out is very counterintuitive. It’s time to break free of those tight, choking mistakes that lead to frustration and lost matches.

What you focus on during training and match play has HUGE implications about your level of success and development. I recently learned that the hard why while playing a classic board game with my daughter! Find out what mistake I made and how tennis players all over the world are making the same one every time they step onto the court. This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen for every player who’s passionate about improvement!

If you love doubles and have a passion for improvement then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is for you! My very special guest is Gyata Stormon who recently authored “On the Ball - Doubles Tennis Tactics for Recreational Players”. Together we discuss what the “shot cycle” is in tennis and why it’s important to understand, the biggest keys to being a supportive partner, and how to successfully use a staggered attacking formation.

One key tennis perspective can make the difference between having a fulfilling, satisfying experience on the court and spiraling into negativity. This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will share what that perspective is and how in the past it led me to completely lose confidence in my most confident swing: the forehand. Now my response is completely different and I’m so grateful for that which is why I wanted to share today’s topic!

You have a “smart phone” and a “smart TV” but what about a “smart tennis court”? Today’s special guest is working hard to make it reality! You’ll learn how AccuTennis is pushing the technology envelope when it comes to drills, coaching, match analysis, line calls and score keeping all at the same time using their special hardware and software. Best of all it’s WAY more affordable than you probably think! Be sure to check them out at www.accutennis.com.

The journey of every tennis player is marked by a million little victories and disappointments: hitting the ace or double faulting... winning the match or being blown out... experiencing our greatest level of play or being sidelined by an injury. It's not IF we will experience disappointment, but HOW we respond to it that really counts. A recent lesson taught me the perfect word that to keep telling ourselves to keep ourselves on track; I hope it helps you persevere through every disappointment you encounter along the way.

Your mindset and perspective around winning and losing will determine your happiness on the tennis court! That’s why today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is so important. It shares a student story about battling a familiar foe. One with more skill, weapons, and talent. How do we approach those matches and how should we judge our performance? Find out now!

You’ve been told to “keep your eye on the ball” in tennis but what if that’s exactly what’s holding you back from improving your technique?? In many cases it is and this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast tells a story that illustrates exactly how that happens. Plus, you’ll learn how we use two special kinds of instructional progressions to help players of all levels break free from the ruts they’re in.

Are you blocking yourself from tennis improvement? Countless tennis players all around the world are without knowing it! That’s because they’re too scared to know the truth about what their game really is and stepping out towards the fear isn’t something they’re willing to do. Good news: you CAN break through and reach your goals but only with the right mindset and perspective! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is aimed to do exactly that.

If you’ve EVER been down in the dumps after losing a tennis match then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is critical to hear! You’ll learn some stats from professional player results that will blow your mind, a new perspective on what it means to “fail” in tennis, and also a step by step approach to practically break down your losses so you can come away with priceless insights into your own game. The result: consistent improvement instead of getting stuck in negativity.

Every once in a while we get a glimpse into the mind of a champion like Rafael Nadal. That’s exactly what happened during his post match press conference after the US Open final this past Sunday where he won his 19th grand slam title. He was asked about negative thoughts, the slam race, adjustments as he ages, and possibly becoming world #1 again. His responses were filled with wisdom and insight which I’ll share with you in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast along with my thoughts on how you can apply them to your own game!

There are great tennis lessons and BAD tennis lessons, but how do you tell the difference?? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will dive deep into the top five ways you can tell that a tennis lesson won’t get you where you want to go. Of course, different players are looking for different types of lessons, too, so you’ll also learn about what to look for depending on your goals and aspirations on the court!

We're super excited to announce a brand new audio podcast from Essential Tennis called the "Shankcast"! This is a quick update to give you the details on that show plus let you know how you can get FREE access to any of our online coaching programs, but only through the end of September. If you love tennis then you'll absolutely love the Shankcast podcast. Go subscribe today! http://www.essentialtennis.com/shank

How would you like to tell the future on the tennis court by knowing EXACTLY what your opponent is going to hit next? You can do it! But only if you know exactly what to look for, watch, and analyze as your foes move around the court and prepare to hit each shot. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn all 5 elements needed to deconstruct your opponent, read their patterns and intention, and show up in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Nothing is more fun!

If you’re frustrated by what Father Time is doing to your tennis game then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! You’ll hear an incredibly specific, practical conversation between Ian and Brent Abel who is world ranked in men’s 70’s competition. Not only has he stayed sharp over time but he’s playing better than ever and has a tremendous amount of wisdom to share for players of all ages!

What is it exactly that separates beginner, intermediate, and high level tennis players? What’s the magic combination of skills, abilities, and traits that sets them apart? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will explain the top 7 things beginners miss that keep them at low or intermediate levels of play. Plus you’ll learn exactly what to focus on instead of those mistakes so you can propel your game to the next level and beyond!

Did you know you have a lot in common with one of the best tennis players ever to step onto a court, Rafael Nadal? You do! Today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will explore the mentality and perspective around making mistakes including how the world’s most elite competitors respond after hitting a shot they clearly didn’t mean to hit. You’ll also learn my own personal philosophy about hitting and missing feeds during point play, drills, or practices.

This special episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast features a conversation with Marcus Cootsona, the author of "Occam's Racquet" and "TNNS LSSNS, Filling the Gaps in Your Game". Together we discuss why tennis isn't an intuitive or natural game, how we can tell if a coach is worth taking lessons from, plus what the gaps in our games are and how we can fill them.