April 27, 2004
7.0 Mixed Doubles Season End Party
April 25, 2004
"The Lob" by Bob deVente
The Lob- Monthly Pro Tip by Bob deVente
The lob is one of the most misunderstood and under-utilized weapons in both singles and doubles. The lob can be hit to accomplish offensive as well as defensive objectives.
A lot of players think the lob to be a "sissy" shot." However, top players understand that the lob is an important shot for a complete game. The lob is a specialty shot like angles, drop shots and high loopers. A complete game includes both power and touch shots. This combination of power and finesse makes your opponent defend in all four directions: left and right, up and back. If you draw your opponent to the net, the lob or lob-volley allows you to hit the open backcourt and win the point.
WHEN DO YOU LOB?
* If your opponent is effective at staying at the baseline, never choosing to advance to the net, the best strategy is to force your opponent to come in toward the net. Using defensive short ground strokes, dinks and drops shots you can pull your opponents out of their comfort zones, making them come to the net. Their skill at the net will determine your success in using the lob and/or passing shots. If they are weak at the net, you can exploit their position tirelessly.
* Even players who often come to the net and are good at volleys and overheads should be lobbed on occasion. The lob creates the opportunity to beat your opponent by improving the effectiveness of your passing shots.
* When you are forced deep into the backcourt, it is best to lob rather than try a passing shot. The lob allows you time to reposition and continue the point. The passing shot is more vulnerable to being picked off because it has to travel 8 to 10 feet further.
* Your opponent's position on the court ultimately determines when to lob or when to pass. Lobbing occasionally forces your opponents to adjust their position to protect for the possibility of a lob. They now become more vulnerable to your passing shots. Alternating between cross-court, down-the- line passing shots and lobs will force your opponents to move right, left or back to a more neutral position on the court, increasing your options to pass or to lob more effectively.
* If your opponents never see you lob, they stop positioning to guard against it. You must use the lob to push your opponents back from the net area toward opening opportunities for you to pass.
* When you are caught in a defensive situation, the lob can be the answer to keep you in the point or force your opponent to hit the "put you away" overhead. It can be a big momentum breaker for your opponents if they miss the overhead on a key point!
BASIC LOB TECHNIQUE:
* The flat lob is hit low to high and is disguised as a regular groundstroke with a slightly open racket face, aiming 10 to 15 feet over the net using less power.
* The underspin lob is hit slightly high to low more like the slice or chip ground stroke and is the easiest lob to execute when in trouble. For the opponent, the underspin makes this lob a more difficult overhead to smash.
* The topspin lob is a well-disguised hit with a low to high motion together with excessive racket head speed. This lob is the most effective offensive weapon.
DOUBLES ANYONE?
Good doubles teams use angles, drop shots and the lob to set up opportunities to close out points. The lob is the tool in doubles to back a team off the net and create openings for you to pass. The lob is used more frequently in doubles than singles, ranging from lob return-of-serves to topspin lob winners!
CONCLUSION
* To master the lob takes time and practice, so make it a point to practice it under all playing situations.
* The lob should be used at all levels of play and be part of your game. The lob sends a message to your opponent that you will lob even if you have little success early in the match. You then have a better chance of passing because there will always be a chance that your next shot will be a lob.
* You may lose some points as your opponent punishes your short lob with overheads or a swinging volley. Don't let that discourage you from using the lob when the situation is right. The more you practice and use lobs in your match play, the more successful you will be at executing the lob!
Binghamton U Tennis Clinic
The Binghamton University Men's tennis team will be holding a tennis clinic on Saturday, May 8 from 10 am -12 at their West Gym tennis courts. Besides instruction, drills and college style practice, there will be games, prizes and raffles, with a tennis racquet being the top prize. The entire men's team will be conducting the clinic, under the superivison of Head Coach Michael Starke.
Cost of the clinic is $25. One may fill out an application form located at the club, or mail entry to Binghamton University, West Gym, attn: Michael Starke mens tennis, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000. Checks payable to Binghamton University. Entry deadline is Thursday, May 6. The clinic is open to all levels of play, and is limited to 65 signups. The rain date of Sunday, May 9. This is a fundraiser for the tennis program.
April 15, 2004
Contract Renewal
We are now in the process of signing up contract renewals for the 2004/2005 season. We have mailed all captains and contract members a renewal letter outlining the process.
We hope to have a list of players from the captains by March 31, so we can bill out deposits. Contract deposits are due no later than May 15. Deposits are $75 for singles and $50 for doubles.
.You can greatly help in the process by letting your captain know if you intend on playing in his or her contract next year. Once again we offer a 5% discount on contract and membership fees if you pay in full by May 15. Contract prices will remain the same as last year for the 04/05 season.
April 05, 2004
April Pro Shop
11th Annual Pro Shop Spring Fling!
April 1 - 30
20% off ALL CLOTHING!
Shop now for all your summer tennis!
Discount on already marked down prices!
New DEMO Racquets!
We now have in stock new Demo's from Wilson and Head for you to try!
The latest HEAD Racquets to make an appearance are:Head Liquidmetal Radical (Yes the Agassi racquet!)
Head Liquidmetal 2 (another great Racquet in the Liquidmetal line!)
Great New WILSON Racquts include:
Wilson H Wave, H Blaze, New Triad: T4
New Shoes from Prince for Women:
Prince Fastcourt: Now in stock!
For a complete list of items, from racquets to shoes, see Pro Shop Detail!