Rain, Rain Go Away Little Ruju Wants To Play

Hi Buddies

It has been raining since last five days and hence there has been no tennis. Not going to the tennis court is disheartening because you are losing a valuable practice day. However, I received calls from my tennis warriors i.e. Ruju, (under 10 years) Ronit (under 12 years) and Jilani (under 12 years) for practice.

We have no infrastructure for practice or fitness for such kind of weather. Mostly during such periods we do some shadow practice, ball toss, skipping etc., and if it is drizzling then have fun out on the tennis court by playing mini tennis. Tennis balls bounces pretty ‘ok’ in the wet and once you get used to it then it becomes more thrilling and altogether a new feeling….. but don't practice footwork.

To be away from the tennis court for five days is a big gap and which can defocus the player. I request my tennis warriors to read the stuff (tennis and motivational) given by me, which helps them to keep the fire burning and keep up the passion for their game and sport.

Ronit, watches Rocky movies and reads tennis related books. His father helps him in the Gym, specifically working on his legs. Allan does more of cardio work out in gym, which does help him in longer matches.

Whereas, Jilani watches the recorded tennis matches. Jilani initially had challenge in his swing path and hence he gives good amount of time on shadow drills. Jilani loves to do Skipping and is a master at it. He always skips with a smile because he has been told that skipping will improve his first step towards the ball, while helping his split step in a big way. Above all he is motivated by Allan’s Five thousand skipping every day.

Shivani too practices all her shots in front of a mirror, because she knows it is the best way to get the stroke into muscle memory. Why mirror? Because mirror will give you a feedback on what improvement has to be made in your stroke.

Me and Shivani use to work out in the St Xavier’s Loyola School pavilion and play Table tennis game at the School Table tennis Hall, where my younger brother Anthony Gomes is the Chief Coach. Besides the fun, the game helped her to improve her reflexes, hand eye co-ordination.

I used to instruct Shivani and Jilani to clean up their tennis bag. These school going players are on a tight schedule, hence during this period they can get rid off the empty cans, the dirty napkins and what not. One can re-arrange the bag with necessary things.

So True:

It is not God-given talent alone that ensures success, but instead the utilization of that talent that requires sacrifice and hours of hard work that leads to superstar success. - Vince Dooley

Ok guys … waiting for the Sun to come out…..

To Your massive Tennis Success

Alex Gomes

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EnthuIndian