Trafford Publishing: Whening Tennis: In Tennis, as in Life, Timing is Everything

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Whening Tennis: In Tennis, as in Life, Timing is Everything

by Larry Huebner

129 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-1550; ISBN 1-4120-1172-8; US$19.95, C$25.95, EUR16.95, £11.95

Beginners to experts will find what they need for improvement in Whening Tennis: In Tennis, as in Life, Timing is Everything. You'll like its fresh, new answers for your game.

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about the book about the author excerpts and Table of Contents catalogue info

About the Book

Whening Tennis: In Tennis, as in Life, Timing is Everything is an instructional book. It is unique in that it does not focus on the "how to" of playing the game as much as the "when to" for more tennis success. The author's primary focus on "when decisions" is an entirely new instructional approach for many aspects of the game. When a player learns to combine good "when" decisions with real effort to play the game to the best of their ability, regardless of the final score, winning has been achieved. Thus, Whening Tennis becomes winning tennis, the essence of the book. The subtitle, In Tennis, as in Life, Timing is Everything, emphasises the importance of "when" decisions and their crossover from tennis into life's experiences.
"What a fantastic job Larry Huebner has done with his great publication, "WHENING TENNIS!" First, one would be hard pressed to find anyone more qualified to write about tennis than Larry - no one is more respected in the tennis world by people who know the game. Second, how refreshing it is to have something other than just a "How-to" book to help one understand and enjoy tennis more! Larry has done a fantastic job in selecting, simplifying and organizing his topics. Everything Larry writes about is relevant to today's game. I enthusiastically recommend this book for players of all abilities, as well as parents. ENJOY..."

-Dick Gould, Coach of 17 NCAA Men's Championships Director of Tennis, Stanford University

For more information try the website at www.w-tennis.com.
or see the link to the student workbook Whening Tennis Student Workbook

About the Author

Larry Huebner's life has been filled with many different tennis experiences. Coaching beginning to tour players, winning at national levels, retailing equipment and clothing, building courts, running tournaments and being a tennis parent has ensured an uncommonly broad perspective for writing Whening Tennis: In Tennis, as in Life, Timing is Everything. The author conveys this broad knowledge for a mirad of "when to" decisions answered for you in the book.

Excerpts and Table of Contents

CONTENTS
FOREWORD - By Peter Burwash
INTRODUCTION
PHASE ONE - UNDERSTANDING WHENING TENNIS

WHEN - The most important word in tennis
WIN - What can it really mean for you?
PHASE TWO - OUR CHANGING GAME

COURT TECHNOLOGY - What has it done to change our game.
LIGHTER RACKETS - An easy sell, but correctable.
STRINGS CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Proper selection and tension do the trick.
SPIN - Why is it more important now?
PHASE THREE - THE LEARNING PROCESS

DON'T GO IT ALONE - Teaching yourself is impossible.
A GOOD PRO IS HARD TO FIND - But worth the effort to find one.
THE TIME/MONEY BUDGET - It*s the best way to do it.
PRIVATE LESSONS VERSUS CLINICS - Do you really want to learn the game?
COMMITMENT - It's necessary but a lot tougher today.
PARENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR KIDS - In more ways than one.
SAS - The only way to fly.
PHASE FOUR - UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S ABSOLUTELY BASIC

PERCENTAGE TENNIS - Why is it so important?
WATCH THE BALL - It's still as important as it ever was.
PLAYING THE BALL - Not letting the ball play you.
THE BALL CONTACT POINT - Out in front on most shots is best.
THE READY POSITION - When not having one really hurts.
SOUND FUNDAMENTALS - Learn them to stay healthy - and play better.
FOOTWORK - Moving your feet for good balance.
GRIPS - What do they do?
PHASE FIVE - EVERYTHING SHOULD MAKE PERFECT SENSE

UNDERSTANDING THE STROKES - They're very logical.
CORRECTING YOUR STROKES - You're the coach.
COMPETITIVE DRILLS - Purposeful, quality workouts.
PHASE SIX - GROWING IN THE GAME

WHEN CHILDREN SHOULD START - Starting at an early age makes tennis easier to learn.
TENNIS MOMS AND DADS - How to be one.
COMPETITIVE PLAY - Learning to enjoy the challenge.
LEARNING TO WIN - An important part of growing in tennis.
SETTING GOALS - Make them attainable - but dream a little.
ACHIEVING GOALS - Can be very rewarding to juniors as well as parents.
LEARN TO PLAY DOUBLES - It's your IRA.
WHENING TENNIS - You can't do any better.
LOSING TENNIS - Shake it off - but learn something.
PHASE SEVEN - CHAMPIONSHIP REQUIREMENTS

CONCENTRATION - Focusing on what you're doing is number one.
BE REALISTIC - Play within yourself.
DIFFERENT GAMES REQUIRE A DIFFERENT MENTALITY - Serve and volleyers versus baseliners.
BE PATIENT - But stay aggressive.
DEPTH IS IMPORTANT - For keeping control.
SERVE WITH A PITCHER'S MENTALITY - Keep Œem guessing.
RETURNING SERVE - More important now than serving?
ANTI-SHOTS - Lifting your game to counter-attack.
PLAN "B" - It could be more important than plan "A."
PLAYING THE BIG POINTS - How important are they?
PERFECT BOTH BACKHAND SHOTS - One isn't enough anymore.
ANTICIPATION AND FOOT SPEED - What they add to your game.
EMOTION ON COURT - Help or hindrance?
THE BIG PICTURE - How farsighted are you?
CONDITIONING - Be ready to go the distance.
CONFIDENCE - Earn it and you can keep it.
PHASE EIGHT - CURRENT TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

TENNIS IS A GREAT CARRYOVER SPORT - Schools should emphasize it in physical education curriculums.
LEAGUE VERSUS TOURNAMENT PLAY - Which one's for you?
TENNIS ELBOW - Have you ever had it? I hope not.
SPORTSMANSHIP - Has it died and gone to Heaven?
NATIONAL TENNIS RATING PROGRAM - It's not perfect.
FUTURE CHAMPIONS - How will they have to play?
WINNING THE GRAND SLAM - Is it possible any more?
COACHING PLAYERS DURING MATCHES - Will it make tennis better?
LET BALLS ON SERVE - Should they be played over?
THE BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME - Who's your pick?

CONCLUDING REMARKS CONCERNING WHENING TENNIS FOR YOU
PICTURES OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
GLOSSARY
INDEX OF PERSONS
INDEX OF PLACES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOREWORD
by PETER BURWASH
Larry Huebner is the best tennis coach I have known. He is also one of the nicest human beings one could meet.
When I arrived at the Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club in the fall of 1968, I had no idea what a strong impact Larry would have on my life. At the time I was a struggling young tennis professional trying to survive on the tour. In spite of being a very marginal player, Larry offered to help me out for free. And during the next seven years, Larry, his wife Gretchen and their three kids, Jim, John, and Karin became my second family. Whenever I had a break from the tour I would fly to Fresno. In 1975 I formed a company of tennis professionals that manages tennis facilities globally. Up to the year 2001, we have taught over 3 million students. And, of those 3 million students, a good percentage was indirectly influenced by Larry Huebner.
I have interacted with a multitude of tennis teachers, professionals and coaches over the years, and there are very few who truly understand the game, and more importantly, understand how to teach it. Larry Huebner is in this elite class. In life it is often not the marquis name who makes a difference, but rather those who toil humbly and diligently in relative obscurity within their profession.
When Larry talked to me about writing a book, I enthusiastically endorsed the idea. One of the key ingredients of happiness in life is sharing. And I am honored to be able to write this foreword and encourage you to read on. Larry Huebner is sharing with you a bundle of gems so you can enjoy the sport by getting your game to another level.
Larry is one of the most sincere, dedicated individuals I have met. I thank him for all that he did for me as a role model on and off the court. It has been an honor to know him. You are now about to learn from one of tennis' truly great ambassadors. Peter Burwash, Canadian Davis Cupper and Founder of Peter Burwash International.

INTRODUCTION TO Whening Tennis
In Tennis, as in Life, TIMING is Everything
When I first thought of writing about my lifetime of tennis, the person I felt I needed to talk to was Peter Burwash, a former Canadian Davis Cup player I had coached. He was experienced in tennis coaching himself as head of PBI, the worldwide tennis teaching company he had founded. And most importantly to me, he was experienced as an instructional editor for Tennis Magazine and as a writer who was working on his tenth book. I've had this idea that when you do something in tennis, as in life, it's often the most crucial part of the action. "When" kept coming into my mind as the focus for this book. But I needed some direction to get started. Peter has helped me with this and has been flattering as usual in his forward.
I have to tell you a little story about how his flattery set me straight a few years ago. It was in the 1994 Northern California Tennis Yearbook that Peter wrote an article titled "The Leading Edge" in which he outlined the top traits of twenty-five tennis "greats". He described Jimmy Conners as "enthusiastic", John McEnroe as "adaptable", Rod Laver as "secure", and among others, such as Michael Chang, Martina Navratilova, and Billie Jean King, he included me as "exemplar" and the coach he would take on tour. Now, I was indeed flattered by this accolade so I showed the article to my dear wife, Gretchen. She complemented me on being one of the "greats" whom Peter had selected, but remarked that I was the only one listed that she had never heard of. Needless to say, this brought me back to earth in a hurry. Her timing was impeccable. She had "whened" me into humility beautifully. Tennis isn't often thought of as an art form. The science of the game is important, but when you think about it everyone has his or her own style. It's when players use what they've got that they get the most out of their game. A player may not have perfect strokes, or even one perfect stroke, but like a great artist can paint the canvas with a beautiful picture even though all the best paints, brushes, and canvases are not at his or her disposal. Another analogy would be the way a lioness stalks her prey. When she comes out of the bush too early she gives her prey the advantage. When she comes out too late she misses in another way. Tennis players must time their attack similarly so as not to overplay or underplay. Timing is everything.
This is why I feel the emphasis on "when" is crucial at all levels of tennis. The "art" or "when" is tantamount to success. The best players in the world can make most every shot. Their challenge is to make them when they are needed the most. Lesser players might need to concentrate on a certain fundamental to make a shot during a crucial point. When they do this and execute properly they have met their challenge. The timing of life's "when" challenges are also crucial to success. Whether you're a beginner or tour player, if you want to reach your full potential I think that following some of my thoughts in WHENING TENNIS will help you.
The game of tennis is ever changing. "When" decisions are constantly required. Whether the decisions need to be made during play or when planing play, they are part of everyone's tennis challenge.
WHENING TENNIS is a winning philosophy. When you've read this book or those sections that interest you, it is my hope that when you need to make decisions about tennis, for whatever reason, my book will help you. Enjoy.
Larry

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