Here at ITS the question is always, how can we maximize our time on court and get the best results?
As coaches and students we train to be the best we can be but how can we make sure we are using our training time well?
Always training at 100 per cent intensity as if you were in a match is one way to get the best out of training time.
Working at high intensity to simulate matches and trying to maintain both mental and physical strength through every session.
Rafael Nadal was notorious for his intensity during training, especially early in his career.
Being prepared is another way to make sure your time on court is used well.
Making sure you have grips and strings in order.
Preparing drinks, towels and hats etc and making sure your nutrition has been good so you have enough fuel to perform at your best. Andre Agassi was obsessed with preparation and employed a full-time staff member who flew with him everywhere around the word just to do his stringing and grips!
Being coachable
Being coachable is so important at every level.
If you are open to listening to advice and work hard you will get better.
Roger Federer is the best player ever but remained open to his coach Stefan Edberg changing his game/tactics to further improve.
Focus at training
Having focus while training is so important.
Working on weak areas and sticking to given tasks will help you improve more quickly as will having set training structures.
When practising consistency of groundstrokes Andre Agassi would tape ‘safe lines’ around the whole court about 100mm in from the court lines so if he missed the ‘safe line’ the ball was still in. Of course, he then executed this practice in his matches.
And last but not least … follow our motto at ITS
No shortcuts and one per cent better every day
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