Learn to Play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need your racquet restrung?

Often players call and ask us where they can get their racquet restrung in Conway. Although we don't have any full time tennis businesses that will string a racquet, there are individuals who string out of their home that do a great job.

  Harold Henderson 501-269-4033
  Be Pham 501-733-3077 (after 5pm)
  Mike Rush 501-329-4974
  Burns Park Tennis Center - NLR 501-791-8585
  Rebsamen Tennis Center - LR 501-664-0736

If you string racquets and would like to be added to this list, please let us know. The Conway Area Tennis Association does not endorse any of the above but believe they are all good options to get a racquet restrung to get back out on the court!

Internet resources to learn to play tennis

The Internet is full of great resources on how to improve your tennis game. The following are some of the sites that I have found useful. Email me if you find others and I'll take a look at them and post them here for others to reference as well.

  Teaching Tennis This is a the St. George's tennis Academy site with a lot of content on tennis shots and strategies. You'll find something there that you need for a shot you need to work on.
   Operation Doubles Operation Doubles is a system. It takes a holistic view of the game, focusing on teamwork, not individual up and back play. It puts you in command — at whatever level you play — and lets you be the strategist. Which is more than half the fun.

Topics covered include proper eyework and footwork at net, the three basic formations, switching, poaching, serving, returning serve, Australian Doubles, net play, match play, and shotmaking tips on strokes like the serve, the lob, and the overhead. Note that singles players can get valuable information here, too, especially in the articles on shotmaking and match play.
  Racquet research This is a great site for choosing a new racquet. It has excellent information on which ones are safer for your shoulder, writst, elbow, etc. You can also find good information at Tennis Warehouse, where you can compare similar racquets and also demo racquets to try out ones you think you might like.
   Fit for Tennis This site has an excellent newsletter and workout recommendations for tennis players. They also sell videos, which I have not purchased and can not recommend. If you purchase them, be sure to email me and give us a report to print here for others.
  Tennis Magazine This is the official site of Tennis Magazine and contains a lot of informaiton about the game of tennis and how to play. There are sections on instruction, fitness and selecting the right tennis gear. Join the USTA and you'll get Tennis magazine every month!.

Tennis is a sport for a lifetime . . .

Tennis is a sport for a lifetime. Some people like Andre Agassi began playing when he was 3 years old. The rest of us start somewhere between 3 and 83. They say if you haven't started playing tennis by the time you are 83, chances are you won't.

Seriously, Vic Braden, a Master USPTA Pro, reminds us that "if you begin playing tennis at the age of 60, you have 20 years to become ranked #1 in the 80 and overs!"

Tennis Tips

If you play tennis here are some simple tips to help you improve your game play.

Clear the net by a foot
Many match errors are shots into the net. It may seem fun to hit line drives just clearing the net but odds are more may hit the net. Watch the pros, they clear the net with room for error. Low shots have their place but mostly for passing shots. Remember long or wide are not an issue if you do not clear the net. Also clearing the net by a foot will give you more depth on your shots.

Depth is more effective than power
Hitting the ball deep is an important way to neutralize your opponent. Power is good but only with depth. Short hard balls can be the easiest shots for opponents to hit winners on. Keeping the ball deep in the court will increase your chances of getting a short ball to hit a more aggressive or placed shot.

The Game is played with your feet
Many times errors on the court can be attributed to mistakes in footwork. Every shot requires moving your feet to set up for the best possible shot. This will make the stroke simpler and reduce errors.

When you play, play by the rules...

Tennis is a fairly simple game to learn and to understand. There are some lengthy rules that cover all of the details of the game as well as a set of informal rules for NON-OFFICIATED matches. These are things like who calls the ball in or out, basic etiquette, how long to warm up, when to announce the game score, etc. Click here to read the rules of tennis.

Used tennis gear for sale -

   

Have something to sell? We'll try to connect you with a buyer. Send us an email and we'll post the information. Please notify us when the item is sold. We do not participate in the sale of used equipment in any way other than to introduce sellers and buyers.