Competitive Tennis

By Brett C. Schwartz and Chris A. Dazet

Book Overview

Golfers and bowlers have always looked at their handicaps to see where they ranked with competitors and to track their own improvement. But for you and the millions of other tennis players, there has never been a universal, systematic method for gauging yourself against others or for tracking improvement. There is now-the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP). The NTRP guidelines in Competitive Tennis will help you gauge your present playing level, determine the specific skills you need to improve, and coach you to climb up the rungs of the rating program's ladder. Geared toward improving skills and technique in both singles and doubles play, Competitive Tennis contains 56 drills designed to help players progress to the next NTRP level. The NTRP ladder goes from the beginning 2.5 level to the intermediate 3.0 and 3.5 levels to the advanced 4.0 and 4.5 levels to the superior level of 5.0, just a few notches below the players on the pro circuit. There are two ways to put the NTRP system to use: 1. You can unofficially rank yourself and track your own progress by using the rating criteria described in Competitive Tennis ; or 2. You can visit a USTA-certified verifier at a designated site who will watch you play and give you an official rank. This enables you to play in an official USTA league or tournament and be matched up only against players of your own skill level. All of this information, including how to contact the USTA, is included in Competitive Tennis . Each chapter in Competitive Tennis is devoted to one specific playing level, so as your game improves, you move on to the next chapter. The structure of each chapter is as follows: 1. NTRP Guidelines - helps readers identify their playing level and the playing characteristics associated with it. 2. Objectives - identifies the skills readers need to develop in order to improve their game. 3. Keys to Success - outlines the shots and skills readers need to be successful at that level. 4. Practice Drills - provides practice drills for both singles and doubles play that develop the skills, shots, and strategies covered in the Objectives and Keys to Success. 5. Quick Tips - lists problems common at each level and the solutions readers should consider. Additionally, Competitive Tennis contains 110 photos illustrating technique and more than 80 diagrams of drills and strategies, making it easy to add new skills to your game. This truly is the book that players need to take their game to the next level.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880117559
• ISBN13: 9780880117555
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book to get you out of a rut

I am a self-learning tennis player and have been stuck in a tennis rut playing at the 3.0 level for about 6 years off-and-on (2 years of which I was inactive). I didn't know much about strategy and this book has helped me move up to the 3.5 level within 3 months. I found the singles and doubles strategy sections to be extremely valuable and easy to understand and execute with effective results. With the tips provided on technique I'm able to compete against 4.0 players in doubles and give them problems with my serve and forehand. This book is great for people like me who are stuck playing at low levels and don't have the money to spend on expensive coaching. However, it is not as valuable for players at the 4.0 and above levels, but can be used as a reference guide for those players if they are coming back from a long time of not playing.

Great tennis resource for me!

This is a great tennis resource for anyone who loves the game and respects the mechanics of tennis. It systematically takes you through the drills and skills to move up the ladder in your tennis ability. It's anchored firmly in the real world by basing its perspective on USTA ratings, which all of us have to deal with if we're going to pursue this wonderful pastime. The authors are clear and concise, and explain everything in a perspective that never loses sight of the goals.If you buy several tennis books, this will be your favorite; if you buy only one, this should be it!

Great Book!

..."Competitive Tennis" is a well-written book designed to help the club player improve his/her game. It successfully does that, so I would highly recommend it.

Tennis Our Way

The word "comprehensive" comes to mind. Covered all aspects of the game and covered them in great detail. It even provided useful drills. Stroke maechanics were well explained and some of the strategies were enlightening.This tape is pretty close to a one stop tennis shop.

An excellent resource for improving my game!

This book has been a valuable tool in helping me move up in the USTA ratings scale. The exercises are helpful and easy to execute. It is a book I recommend to any club player looking to improve or maintain their game.