Mattspoint Tennis

Took a couple months off from posting on social media. For the most part, I just needed a break (I’m sure many can relate!). In any case, for those interested in motor learning, skill acquisition and its application, I urge you to check out this podcast I did on @leetaft ‘s show. ... Lee does an unbelievable job of poking guests with the right questionsand in this episode, it was no different. Scroll down for the link/URL to the show. - Posted @withregram @leetaft I love having conversations about Skill Acquisition and Motor Learning. Matt Kuzdub of Mattspoint Tennis, coaches tennis players both on and off the court. His approach is "there is more to tennis than x's and o's. Efficient mechanics, mental toughness, high-level conditioning, and proper nutrition all contribute to peak performance - nothing can be neglected. In this show, Coach Kuzdub does a fantastic job of breaking down the science and application of how tennis players and athletes benefit from properly programmed drills and training sessions to make the most out of learning. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com//episode-38-skill/id1526495242 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1c1aKX0XvkMPSSlWjQP8vn

Took a couple months off from posting on social media. For the most part, I just needed a break (I’m sure many can relate!). In any case, for those interested in motor learning, skill acquisition and its application, I urge you to check out this podcast I did on @leetaft ‘s show. ... Lee does an unbelievable job of poking guests with the right questionsand in this episode, it was no different. Scroll down for the link/URL to the show. - Posted @withregram @leetaft I love having conversations about Skill Acquisition and Motor Learning. Matt Kuzdub of Mattspoint Tennis, coaches tennis players both on and off the court. His approach is "there is more to tennis than x's and o's. Efficient mechanics, mental toughness, high-level conditioning, and proper nutrition all contribute to peak performance - nothing can be neglected. In this show, Coach Kuzdub does a fantastic job of breaking down the science and application of how tennis players and athletes benefit from properly programmed drills and training sessions to make the most out of learning. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com//episode-38-skill/id1526495242 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1c1aKX0XvkMPSSlWjQP8vn

LAST CHANCE! Here’s a little look inside Beyond the Swing, the Course. I think if you’re an eager student, you will get a lot from this course. ... And while I work with a lot of good/developed players, the concepts have been adapted by manyincluding young juniors and recreational folks. If you do decide to give it a go, use code BTS100 (today’s the last day the discount will work). Link in bio. #mattspointtennis #beyondtheswing #bts

How ‘chunking’ can improve your tennisaudio ON Chunking is a type of learning strategy where the aim is to literally ‘chunk’ many movements or information together, to make execution or memory recall easier. When learning a complex motor skill - like a volley - it’s easier to ‘chunk’ several movements together, rather than focusing on every single body part (and where it needs to be, and at various points of the movement, etc). ... In this simple drill, we are asking the player to call out either ‘punch’ when the ball is above the level of the net or ‘catch’ when the ball is below the level of the net. It’s a lot easier to use a ‘cue’ or ‘command’ word that can help group many movements togetherand as far as our bran is concerned, it turns several actions into one coherent movement (or mental representation for motor learning geeks out there). That’s how chunking unfolds - effectively, we ‘chunk’ files in the brain to make detection, analysis, problem solving and solutions a bit easier to access and utilize (Pfaff 2020). If you want to learn more about chunking, cue + command words - and how to apply these concepts when learning tennis skills or executing tactics, check out my course - Beyond the Swing. And for another couple days, it’s $100 off (code BTS100). https://www.mattspoint.com/online-course-buy #mattspointtennis #beyondtheswing #chunking #learningskills

Honestly speaking, I’m pretty bad at promoting stuff I’m so bad, that the first time I launched my online course (which is open again), I didn’t tell anyone except those that signed up to get info eek. What I believe I’m good at is taking some pretty complex topics, simplifying them and linking them to the tennis court. ... Things like... - skill acquisition (and refinement) - Feedback and cueing - Timing and rhythm - Rally lengths in tennis (and how to apply them) - Footwork + movement (and all the variations) And how these (and many other concepts) interact with one another. So if you’re a coach or a player that wants to further their understandingcheck out out my course - Beyond the Swing: https://www.mattspoint.com/online-course-buy And use code BTS100 to save $100. #mattspointtennis #beyondtheswing

Throwback from last summer... Me and @washigervais practicing (well, me standing in a corner and him running...one of the reasons I Iove this drill ). Overall, I often hit with players...gets them to problem solve a bit, forces me to curb the feedback and it can also provide additional insights that I my not see from observing the practice.... In all honesty though, just missing being on the tennis court right now... See you this spring big Wash . #mattspointtennis

Aside from moving well, if a player wants to have better shot quality + consistency (i.e. shot tolerance), they must have good decision making (tactical) skills. But beyond that, it also means they need to have proper racquet prep + an appropriate swing path (technical), for the shot they are intending to hit. This means knowing when to attack (level out the ball), knowing when to rally (add shape to the ball), and when to counter + play balls that are compromising a player’...s timing (having a compact prep and/or adapting the finish). In the first sequence, Raphaëlle is working on her ability to level out her forehand. We’re ‘closing’ off the drill a bit by asking her to hit several shots in a row into one corner (her partner can hit anywhere in the court, but with a softer type of shot). We can progress this drill by asking her partner to mix up the shots - sometimes hitting with more pace/spin/depth etc, while other times hitting short or soft etc. In this variation (sequence 2), the player has to make a decision when to level the ball or when to stay in the rally and so on. In my course - Beyond the Swing - we go through a number of these types of concepts and drills. Get more info on the Mattspoint site - just click the link below (and sign-up to get an early bird discount once it launches). https://www.mattspoint.com/online-course #mattspointtennis #beyondtheswing #levelitout #forehand

You don’t need cones, fancy obstacle courses (or even a lot of time) to tackle various physical qualities. For instance, after our physical warm-up, we often do various plyometrics (often bounds or hops) and some linear sprints. These are general in nature and contrast (on purpose) what we do on court - (i.e cover shorter distances, change direction and all of which are more ‘reactive’ in natureand repeat this over and over). ... But if we want to improve speed, elasticity and athleticism in general, tennis-play is NOT enough. Lastly, this only took about 10-15min out of our 2 hour practice (we warm-up before we hit the courts). But over time, if we do these types of activities consistently, we’ll surely get the adaptations we’re after. Solid work here by @juancholopezr and @raphi_lacasse . #mattspointtennis #beyondthecourt #athletictennis

Yes, this is happening...my new toy @roguefitness #mattspointtennis #beyondthecourt

Racquet prep, in my opinion, is rooted in perception. In this simple task, the aim is to call out ‘forehand’ (‘fore’ for short) OR ‘backhand’ (‘back’ for short) AS SOON AS YOU PERCEIVE which stroke you’ll be hitting. Turn on audio to hear @raphi_lacasse call out each stroke. Elite players are able to start prepping their stroke prior to the oncoming ball crossing the net. ... This in itself often cleans up racquet prep length (ie how long the backswing will be), along with the impact point (and it’s 3-axis positions) WITHOUT directly targeting those aspects of the swing. Check out my ebook (it’s still on sale for $5...link below) to learn about perception AND for more simple (but highly effective) drills like this. https://www.mattspoint.com/shop/beyond-the-swing And all the best for 2021...it’s up to you to make it a good one! #mattspointtennis #beyondtheswing

So I didn't write as many articles in 2020 as I have in previous years. Mainly because I created (+ launched) a new course...And despite this year's unprecedented circumstances, I was really busy coaching players. That said, my most popular post was in regards to strength training for young tennis players (and any developing athletes for that matter). ... Click the link in my bio to learn more about why I think young players should perform traditional strength training (and the scientific & anecdotal evidence that goes along with it). https://www.mattspoint.com//should-tennis-players-strength Happy New Year’s Eve! #mattspointtennis #beyondthecourt

Couple points about squatting I’d like to make here: First, I like quarter or half squats at various times of the year. We can tackle certain joint angles (at heavier loads) that are more specific to change of direction demands in tennis. But... I still believe players should squat to sub-parallel the majority of the time. We’re working knee extension strength, getting more involvement from the posterior chain (and contrary to what many believe, it may help with knee injury m...itigation). Secondly, this is @c1ocanu - he’s a 6’4 college player and can squat full depth (front, back, you name the type). I’m not saying all tall athletes can squat to this depth, but I don’t think we should put them into a box because they are ‘tall’. This was an easy 60-70% (post-holiday) front squat session that he killed for 4 sets of 6 at 165lbs. Let’s go ! #mattspointtennis #beyondthecourt #tennisplayerslift

Weighted Pullovers for Tennis Listen to my hypothesis for a second... I think the tennis serve is quite an elastic activity (especially as you go further up the chain). ... Med ball variations, like the ones from yesterday’s post, would be less elastic than serving (and a bit more force oriented). Ballistic lifts (not shown) would follow - ie, moving weights quickly (and in some cases, projecting/throwing them). Static lifts - like the one shown here by @raphi_lacasse - are even further towards the force end of the spectrum. You can use a barbell or dumbbell (we don’t currently have DBs) but I actually really like using a plate when first starting out with pullovers for overhead athletes. In general though, I’m not really sure if these will transfer to serving, but I still want to hit these positions with a variety of loads and speeds (just in case). This is just prep work...we’re working our way towards heavier loads. Stay tuned... #mattspointtennis #beyondthecourt

I think Oly lifts can be a great training tool for many athletes, including tennis players. - Are they for everyone? Not at all. But personally, they help me feel explosive/reactive on court. - And once we get back to some form of ‘normalcy’, I’d like to compete in a couple ‘old timer’ meets...so I train them a couple times a week.... - Just keep this in mind if you do use Oly lifts in training - focus on technique, keep the reps on the low side and get volume through added sets. - #tennisplayerscanlifttoo See more

I’ve been a BIG fan of @ericcressey for over a decade now (a lot of what I do is based off his work!). - So it’s cool to be able to contribute to his blog (above is a short excerpt). - This post (link in bio) discusses cueing; both the research - and in-the-trenches practical application. ... - Coaches at any level will surely appreciate this post. - Have a look and thanks to EC for the platform! See more

I've been a big fan of Eric Cressey for over a decade now...and always cool to have a chance to contribute to his blog (this is my second time). In this post, I outline the research on cueing in coaching and expand with some personal experiences and tips. If you coach at any level, I'm sure you'll appreciate this post. ... Thanks again for the platform EC! https://ericcressey.com/a-coachs-view-on-internal-vs-extern

@marcpolmans didn’t get the 2nd round win @rolandgarros, but he was damn close! - I’m fortunate to have had a small hand in his success this year (made the 2nd round at the AO and RG). - Both on and off the court, he always brings it - a true pro! ... - Here’s a short clip of parts of his training from this past year . See more

NEW article is up (check link in bio). - I tackle 3 topics... - 1 - ‘Other’ uses for med ball training.... - 2 - High set/low rep strength & power training for tennis players. - 3 - Energy systems in tennis (ATP-PCr and its CRITICAL role) - Take a look! See more

In today’s post, I’m going to share 3 thoughts on physical training for tennis. There isn’t a lot of research on these topics as they relate to tennis directly - but I’ll provide my own insights (with some basic science explained...for more eager learners). The 3 topics include:... 1. Additional uses for med ball training 2. Using high set/low rep schemes when strength training 3. The role of the ATP-PCr system in tennis (+ training strategies) Here's the post: https://www.mattspoint.com//3-thoughts-on-physical-trainin All of these are framed differently than what you’ve probably seen or read elsewhere - so check it out!

Probably a good idea to include some side lunge variations in your program...

Snatch... - stability - mobility - coordination - anti-rotation... - functional - powerful - I could go on... @razvan_baiant See more

Chunking is a powerful learning strategy. Because when learning to hit a forehand on the run, it’s easier to ‘chunk’ several movements together, rather than focusing on every single body part. The reality is, there are simply too many moving parts. Nobody is capable of thinking about turning their shoulder, keeping their elbow out, getting their racquet tip to face up, keeping a wide base, with the weight on one leg and so on and so forth - and all at the same time. ... The unit turn in tennis is a great example of a chunking strategy. Whether coaches who coined the term knew it or not, aiming to prep the entire upper-body/torso with one cue (or thought) is a lot easier for the brain to process (and execute). Learn more about chunking in this post - and how it can be applied to 'technical' training in tennis.

I'm excited to announce that my new online tennis resource, Beyond the Swing: The Course, is up and running! https://www.mattspoint.com/online-course I won't lie, it's a bit of a beast. It's the project that not only took the most out of me (it also made me stretch beyond what I thought I was capable of). ... But it's well worth it. Because at last count, there were just over 100 videos in the course. From insights and analyses, to drills and unique games - overall, it's not your typical instructional tennis course. And I'm offering it at a 25% discount (for a limited time). Just enter SAVE25 at checkout, and you'll save $75 off the base price. Here's the link again: https://www.mattspoint.com/online-course It's a different type of tennis course. One I don't think you'll want to miss out on (especially given that I'm only releasing it twice a year, for less than a week at a time). Hope to see you inside!

While there’s nothing normal about the current competitive tennis calendar, we've had the luxury of playing some league matches organized by Tennis Canada. And because there are 2-3 matches per week - a lot of our training is aimed at complementing that schedule. Which means, more point/game situations and less 'drilling'. So I thought I'd share a few of those situations and games this week. ... You'll find a video and a brief description of each drill in this post - check it out!

I received several replies and comments from last week’s post on ‘why was I late’. Some of these were more ‘technical’ in nature. Others focused on the perceptual abilities that tennis demands (which if you haven’t noticed already, I can’t stress enough). My favourite was from a friend and colleague - Wayne Elderton. The main point was this: "Pros will always 'sacrifice' their technique for their timing' while the rest of us will sacrifice the timing for the technique."... That's what this post is about - timing. What is it, why it's important and some research on the topic.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the chance to play more tennis. More than usual anyway. It's been great overall. But if you’re like me - getting back into more tennis - you probably have some good days on the court and some not so good days. On this particular day, I felt late on a lot of my shots. I was moving ok. I was fresh and motivated. So how come I was late? ... In this week's post, I dissect one of my mistakes (where I was late) and offer an alternative approach at analyzing it. Check it out and let me know what you think - was I on point with my analysis? Or am I missing something? https://www.mattspoint.com//alternative-approach-mistakes-

Simple little drill here...partner stays in 1 corner and aims at the targets. We did this in an ‘open’ format (ie I didn’t know where he was hitting)...3-4 min and then switch roles. Just make sure to take some rest between rallies (not shown here) and stay reactive off the split step - key if you have to cover a lot of ground...I’m slowly making progress...