Friday Night Tennis Fun – March 5
February 26th, 2010
We’ve talked about it. We said we would do it. And now here it is. Friday March 5 from 5:30 – 9:30 at the Hendrix Mabee Center.
4 hours of indoor tennis fun for juniors age 10 – 18. Who knows exactly what we’ll do? We’ll decide the “exactly” part when we see who shows up. But, for sure we will hit a lot of tennis balls, cheer for our teammates, eat pizza and all of a sudden realize that 4 hours are over. Brian Colton, our awesome pro who leads us in our Rise Early and Rally sessions will be here to make this a great night of tennis that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS. Tell your friends and plan to be there.
COST: $20
PIZZA: Free
HOW TO SIGN UP: CLICK HERE to send an email with your name, contact info, age and playing ability. If too many kids show up without signing up we won’t have enough pizza and a lot of hungry kids when the pizza runs out is not a pretty sight!! Spread the word and we’ll see you there.
Saturday Feb 13 – Tennis Opportunity
February 11th, 2010
Brian has invited any of the players in the Conway Rise Early and Rally program to join him with some Little Rock juniors at Pleasant Valley Country Club on Saturday night for 2 1/2 hours of fun on the courts. He’ll match you up with others at comperable playing level and you’ll play different games for points, cheer on your friends, eat pizza and have fun. Parents, head to Little Rock, drop your kids off at the courts and enjoy an evening out together. After all, it’s Valentines Day weekend!
Email Pete Tanguay or call him at 501-908-3876 for more information or to let us know you are planning to attend so we have an estimate.
Brian – you are awesome!
The Set-up Point
February 8th, 2010
Not all points are created equal. Most players sharpen their focus on game points since the game is on the line. Your strategy should be to also focus on the set-up point; any point that can result in an game point (love-30, 30-love, 15-30, 30-30, …). It’s like working to get the winning run on base in baseball. The game point is what brings the run around to the plate. All players are more focused when the game is on the line, but to raise your focus on these set-up points can give you the edge it takes to win. Be aware of when you are on a set-up point and get your mind focused, body prepared and make sure you play according to your game plan the entire point.
When you watch a close match and study the stats you’ll find that the difference usually comes down to who played the key points the best and the winner may even win fewer points, have fewer aces, fewer winners – all those things we strive for. The difference may come down to who wins the key points, and often times the key point is a set-up point.
“Well, I hope they are not doing that”
February 4th, 2010
If you want to get into a regular fitness routine, the morning is the best time to do it. Not only is it a great way to start the day but you seldom find you have conflicts with other activities, commitments and interruptions. The only down side is you will find yourself having to get to bed earlier, but this will make you sleep better. Let’s get 40 kids working out in the mornings, building a great tennis base and then we’ll add some more tennis opportunities.
I remember an ad where someone was interviewing Jim Courier and asked what his typical day was. He went through this long list of workouts in the gym, on the court, running, etc. that lasted all day. When he was done they said “and what are the other guys on the tour doing?” He looked at them and said – “Well … I hope they are not doing that!”
Plan to get up at 5am and make a commitment. You’ll be glad you did and you will be more fit, a better tennis player and almost certainly see value in other areas of your life as well. Go ahead, Rise Early and Rally.
Rise Early and Rally switching to Tue-Thu mornings
February 3rd, 2010
Brian Colton has agreed to lead the Rise Early and Rally program if we can change it from Wed-Fri to Tue-Thu. He already has a Wed-Fri tennis clinic he leads in Little Rock. Based on the assumption that everyone can adjust their schedules, we’re making the move. This enhances our program from more of a self guided “Rise Early and Rally” program to one that is led by a teaching professional. Brian will be back this Friday and we’ll switch to Tue-Thu effective Feb 9.
Tell your tennis playing friends, this is going to fill up for sure.
Focus on the fundamentals
February 3rd, 2010
Day one of Rise Early and Rally focused on the fundamentals, hitting a lot of tennis balls (plus some push ups, laps around the courts, footwork, etc.) After getting everyone warmed up, Brian fed some balls to take a look at each players stroke production. He divided them into two groups, 6 who went and worked on drills on two other courts and 7 who stayed with him to work on the fundamentals of the forehand stroke. Racquet prepartion and connecting with the ball at the highest point after the bounce. Working in a small group like this you could literally see the strokes of these players improve as their feet, body and racquet started doing the right things.
Special thanks to Brian Colton who had the morning off from coaching kids in Little Rock and made the trip up to Conway to “check out” Rise Early and Rally tennis. Brian has been working with kids on the tennis court for over 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. We’re hoping to get him back. Stay tuned.
Rise Early and Rally is underway
January 19th, 2010
After only three weeks of planning, Rise Early and Rally is set to begin Wednesday February 3rd. This is a great opportunity for juniors to get out and hit the tennis ball. Designed for kids who are experienced enough to rally through advanced juniors, the goal is to provide a consistent time for kids to hit against others of comperable ability. We’ll do our best to match up kids and provide guidance and structure so everyone has fun. Stay tuned for more information and other programs from Conway Junior Tennis.
If you are not signed up, it is not too late. Click here for complete information.