Jim Brown 2nd Edition Copyright 1995 160pp ISBN: 0873225554
Tennis: Steps to Success makes learning the basic skills and strategies of tennis easier than ever! By following the book’s sequential program of lessons and drills, players can learn at their own pace and develop the fundamentals they need to play competitive tennis.
The book includes 128 illustrations that show players proper tennis strokes and strategies and 117 drills to help them develop their game. Each drill comes with instructions that explain how to either increase or decrease the difficulty of the drill according to ability level.
Players who use this book will learn how to
• develop powerful forehand and backhand groundstrokes; • select the appropriate serve for their game; • execute and effectively use the volley, lob, overhead smash, half volley, and drop shot, as well as how to return each shot; • put tennis strokes to their best use in singles and doubles play; • adjust strokes and strategies when facing different kinds of players, court conditions, and weather conditions; and • handle mental distractions and improve playing concentration.
Tennis: Steps to Success contains 12 steps (chapters) that are designed to get tennis players involved in game-like situations as soon as possible. The first steps provide a solid foundation of basic skills and concepts. Later steps introduce more advanced skills that players can master as their confidence and ability grows. Each step
• explains why the skill is important, • identifies the keys to proper execution of technique, • points out common errors and shows how to correct them, • provides drills designed specifically to develop players’ knowledge and performance of the skill, and • lists specific performance goals for each drill, which help challenge players to improve and progress toward the next step.
Written by master teacher and player Jim Brown, Tennis: Steps to Success is part of the highly popular Steps to Success Activity Series—the most extensively researched and carefully developed set of sport skills instruction books ever published.
Tennis: Steps to Success features an 80-question test bank and sample course schedules for 24-, 36-, and 45-session classes. Also covers:
• Being an effective tennis instructor • Making the class setting safe • Rating students’ starting points • Setting up class sessions • Introducing students to the course • Teaching skills and strategies • Providing feedback • Conducting drills • Evaluating students
About the Author
Jim Brown served for five years as the editor of Tennis Industry magazine and is now executive editor of the Penn State Sports Medicine Newsletter. He began playing tennis more than 40 years ago and has experience as a teaching professional, a college instructor and coach, a city program director, a writer and publisher, a consultant, and a clinician. He has represented the United States Tennis Association; The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in clinics throughout the United States and Mexico.
Jim has written, coauthored, or edited 8 books and more than 100 articles on a variety of health and physical education topics. Jim received a PhD in health and physical education from the University of North Texas in 1971. In 1991, he was inducted into the McNeese State University Hall of Fame. Jim lives in Atlanta, GA, with his wife, Katherine.
Table of Contents
The Steps to Success Staircase The Game of Tennis: Change Is the Name Equipment: Choose Your Weapons
Step 1. Racket and Court Awareness: Getting Started Step 2. Groundstrokes: Building a Foundation Step 3. Serve: From Punch to Full-Swing Step 4. Volley: Taking Charge Step 5. Lob: Surviving the Point Step 6. Overhead Smash: Finishing the Point Step 7. Half Volley: 9-1-1 TENNIS Step 8. Drop Shot: Deceiving Your Opponent Step 9. Singles Strategy: Maximizing Your Strokes Step 10. Doubles Strategy: Selecting the Right Shot Step 11. Match Variables: Getting the Edge Step 12. Tennis Intelligence: Observe, Record, Improve
Words of Praise
"A very thorough and clear guide to the game of tennis for anyone new to the sport." Kathy Woods President, United States Professional Tennis Association
"Jim has found a way to make learning how to play tennis easy." Jeffrey Williams Publisher, Tennis Industry Magazine
"Jim Brown has written a very thoughtful, sound, and thorough instructional book for the beginner, the accomplished player, and especially the teacher and coach." Eve F. Kraft Founder and Former Director, USTA Education and Resource Center
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