Showing posts with label tennis training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tennis training. Show all posts

Professional Tennis and Pickleball Lessons Review - TopCourt Deep-Dive

TopCourt: a golden ticket for Tennis Training Videos

TopCourt is the premier tennis streaming service on the market, offering an extensive library of high-quality tennis videos.

Featuring Hollywood-level production and innovative 4K camera action angles.

More than 56 tennis professional players and coaches. All showcasing their favorite drills and plays.

Now featured on Pickleball.com - TopCourt is the e-learning of racket sports.
Growing the global tennis and pickleball communities on multiple platforms. (Android, iOS, web, AppleTV)

Key Features of TopCourt:

  • Hollywood-quality production
  • Innovative 4K camera angles
  • Demonstrations by professional players
  • Access to over 60 professional tennis athletes and coaches
  • The "Netflix of Tennis" – featuring top-ranked players, drills, and documentaries

Perfect Practice by Pros


"Amateurs practice until they get it right.
Pros practice until they can't get it wrong."

Tennis is their livelihood. You witness the skills and trade secrets of their craft. Each player has invested years of their life in mastering their best shots.

Learn the signature shot that each teacher will be best remembered.
If pros could only share one tip with the World, what would that be?



Bruce Lee's method of "fighting without fighting."

Yes - Court time is important. Matches are Important. Practice is Important.
After learning the proper Technique. There is a time and place for mass repetition.

First, the form must be correct.
Then, Perfect practice makes perfect.
Otherwise, bad technique makes you sloppy.

Why not learn from the grand slam champions or a World #1?
They are paid and trained to win at the top levels. Experience counts.

Mirroring proper actions will train the mind.
Avoid risk injury from improper swings or overuse

Even popular YouTube tennis coaches preach these concepts:

  1. Visualization - Imagery training is vital in tennis
  2. Learning by Osmosis - replay only the best examples
  3. Create Mental Snapshots - freeze action at critical points

Willy Wonka and the Golden Ticket - VIP Passes

On Court with TopCourt (filming behind-the-scenes, with a look at taping for Miami and Indian Wells)

In March and October, I took the invite and attended a behind-the-scenes look at the magic that goes into making these high-quality production videos. They offer pickleball VIP events too!

The interviews are the most original and authentic looks at the players. It gives them their true voice to express memories and moments. Shared lunch with Alexander Zverev and Brandon Nakashima between morning and afternoon takes.

You realize these young men are not paid as actors. They are genuine human beings who have a passion for the game. They often surprise you with a clever thought or joke they want to share.
Hearing how they think about tennis will transform and inspire how you play your game.


Better value for your tennis education

  • Train the mind before working on the body.
  • Full access to 56 tennis professionals at $180/year or ~50 cents per day.
  • Hours of content with each player and coach.
  • Before expensive lessons and court fees, learn the basics!
  • Pickleball lessons included, get two for one.

TopCourt is still $15 per month - Typical private tennis lessons cost around $50-85 per hour in the USA. That's very good value, considering you get a year's worth of unlimited access anytime and anywhere. 5% cheaper (if you factor inflation), plus tons more pros with twice the sports than in 2020.

A perfect complement to live coach-led instruction

Yes, private lessons are essential.

If your kid learns faster today with video and YouTube, this is a healthy option that isn't 24x7 TikTok. 

Youtube highlight reels are just eye candy - you need real tennis education.
Taught by pros, demonstrated by people who do it for a living. Not a YouTube celeb.

Inspiring stories are shared by teenagers (Iga Swiatek and Leylah Fernandez).
Both reached their first grand slam a few months after filming. A few genuine and kind words could be all it takes to inspire a young child to work hard at tennis. Hearing someone accomplish such an incredible feat can spark priceless motivation for what is possible.

You get to learn something new from so many teachers. If you are a game fan or student of the sport, it is designed with you in mind. Anyone on YouTube can call themselves a tennis coach these days. How many ATP or WTA championship titles has your coach won?

The annual subscription is a gift of education. A much better souvenir for lasting memories than anything found at the tennis gift shop.


14-Day Free Trial and Offer with CALITENNIS.com

TopCourt with CaliTennis.com has an exclusive 14-day free trial.

Designed for super-fans of the sport, this preview allows full access with all videos instantly unlocked. Prize giveaways are also included for sign-ups.

Allowing you to explore the platform without any financial commitment. You will also receive an email notification two days before the trial expires. Just cancel if you're unsatisfied.


Experience the Presence of Tennis Masters

TopCourt allows you to learn from the best through their words, presence, and body language. Over time, you'll absorb subtle nuances and perfect techniques, bringing your skills to new heights.

Discover What You Can't Get on TV or at Live Events

As part of credential media, I've covered numerous professional events as a tennis coach and photojournalist. TopCourt offers a unique perspective, capturing the relaxed atmosphere and intimate moments that traditional broadcasts and live events often miss.

In conclusion, TopCourt provides an unparalleled platform for tennis and pickleball enthusiasts, offering world-class instruction, exclusive content, and innovative camera angles to bring you closer than ever to the game's top players.



Our Tennis-Bargains Exclusive Preview -
Extended trial link is exclusive for our Tennis-Bargains (and now CaliTennis) fans.


Step-by-step instruction with personal attention

  • Education: Drills, Exercises, and Instructional episodes all in 4K format.
  • Entertainment: Hottest pro players on men's and women's pro tours.
  • Expertise: Tennis concepts guided by tour-level professional players and coaches.
Hollywood production value sets up an All-Star lineup. Each month we get treated to new videos from more than 56 online tennis stars on the ever-growing talent list. New features include the Andriod/iOS mobile apps, webTV sync, and personalized drill recommendations.

Close-Ups Camera Angles

The unique first-person experience makes TopCourt so different and special. It is unlike any TV camera angle. You feel like you're so close on the court that you might get hit by the shots.

 I saw several times when the cameramen did get hit during one of their film operations for special behind-the-scenes peeks in March (Miami) and October (Indian Wells).

The players swing full speed at the rovers and multiple body cameras that are live filming footage on the actual playing surface. The realistic perspectives are unmatched.

Overhead drone footage, courtside camera angles, and personalized commentary from the pro speaking directly to you at home. You feel as if you're the only student taking the private lesson.

3 reasons why fans go attend pro sports events

When attending Tennis Majors like the US Open, I value these 3 experiences above all else:

1) Matches - Watching the Big 5th set Grand Slam match live on the center court.
2) Practices - Seeing the Tennis Pros prepare with their team from the courtside.
3) Emotions - Real human joy. Sharing the thrill of victory with thousands.

Spector sports have been fundamentally changed. We missed all those special moments of exhibition genius and unscripted, off-camera candid insights outside the stadium.

TopCourt allows touring pros to share their favorite tennis drills and retell treasured moments.

TopCourt offers the feeling of a personal conversation.


Pro players are gathered together, then filmed while being mic'd up for one reason - to show you their inner game and key life experiences that shaped them into who they are today. Viewers are offered the perspective of a "fly on the wall," - allowing home viewers to witness those rare moments.

Each tennis player/coach presents you with unique skills and training regimens. The campus of TopCourt is very diverse and cross-generational.

The edits are well done with many enhanced cues (such as the mini-court icon at the bottom revealing where the player and each ball bounce are placed).

You get the benefit of all their combined years of experience on tour, which distills differently with each pro's own style and humor in their teaching role. Front and center for every moment.

Free Pickleball Lessons are now included.

For 2023, it now includes free lessons for pickleball too. Featuring teachers like World #1 Ben Johns and #3 Jessie Irvine. Think of this as the new 2-for-1 racket sports library (more tennis and pickleball videos are coming).

So you can share with family members who want to try Pickle, or can't play active singles - like elderly parents. It's ok; we won't tell anyone if you watch along too!

Seriously, Pickleball

For my tennis students transitioning or recovering from tennis, using pickleball as a fun "mini-tennis" alternative to play with kids or seniors is more fun than I originally expected. I've tried indoors and outdoors with earplugs and without (just kidding!).

As a USPTA coach, I still play 4x tennis a week. But now, I save pickle for the "social" days - or whenever I host a wide mix of ages and skills. Just stay competitive about it so that everyone can enjoy the fun. Try it with food or drinks while relaxed with no pressure to ace someone!

Nike Training Center (NTC) - Mobile Fitness App

For fitness and tennis athletes, I found a very good smartphone app - FREE from Nike Training Center on both Android and iTunes. You can even download add-on free bonus videos from Nike Stars, such as Serena Williams!



Each workout has 10-12 different short workouts, with both video and step-by-step images to follow along.

The app even into your Nike+ account so you can track your Nike Fuel, and it also lets you play any songs or playlists you have on your phone while you workout *Not bad - worth checking out*

US Tennis Congress - Top Teaching Pros all in one place (Atlanta, Oct 11-14)

US Tennis Congress - Train with the Top Coaches in America

What: Learn from the Best Tennis Coaches in the USA in one place
When: Oct 11-14, 2013
Where: Atlanta, GA

* Check out their USA Today story published earlier this week!

* The founder P.J. Simmons, is the creator of the site The Road to 4.5 Tennis which I came across several months ago. I highly recommend it to any tennis player who wants to be the best they can be...

I also believe that with the right training, nutrition and the proper routine *anyone* can play 4.5 level tennis. I have trained under several of these world-class coaches and can personally recommend the quality of their instruction and level of professionalism.

The coaches and speakers at this Tennis Congress have helped me tremendously towards reaching my personal goal of becoming #1 Mid-Atlantic Men's 4.0 Singles (2011-2012)


About USTC:
The idea behind the USTC is simple but new: to give passionate adult recreational players (NTRP level 2.0-5.0+) an inspiring, intensive, in-person opportunity to learn from a world-class faculty about all aspects of training necessary to advance to the next level (technique, movement, strategy, fitness, injury prevention, and mental conditioning)—using both on-court training and innovative and dynamic off-court techniques. What’s most unique is that each US Tennis Congress builds the curriculum around the individual needs of those who take part.

Exclusive Discount Code Discount: Use"JACKYUSTC" when registering

  • $100 off the Aces program
  • $100 off the Slam program
  • $100 off the Grand Slam program



Some useful links if you're gearing up for Playing some USTA Tennis Tournaments soon:

How to Train in Off-Season like Tennis Pros: Free HD Videos

"Prepping Like a Pro" - A Tennis Athlete's Workout

"If you make me strong, I will win." - Andre Agassi


"Prepping Like a Pro" Video Series

Featuring: Yann Auzoux
Former ATP Pro / Legg Mason Doubles / Former ITF #7

Starring: ESPN Flex Appeal's Dan Riser
Former US Men's Fitness Champion /  ESPN Cast Member / Hollywood Body-Double

We were able to train with Yann and Dan at his Holton Arm's HS tennis courts. We appreciate his invitation to perform some of the exercises live. We were asked not to release the YouTube videos to the public.

Happy Thanksgiving: Our Turkey Warmup and Workout Tips

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Hey Tennis Fans! Here's a quick Pre-Thanksgiving Tennis workout you can do in your own home or tennis court.

Here are some easy 5-min warm up exercises - to stay in shape before the big meal this Thanksgiving Thursday Or preemptively burn off a couple pounds, get pumped up for all your holiday shopping on Black Friday*

From our Tennis-Bargains Team:
"Stay Fit. Shop Smart. Play Tennis"

"Prepping Like a Pro" Instructors:

  • Dan Riser - Former US Men's Fitness Champion; has appeared regularly on the show Flex Appeal on ESPN 
  • Yann Auzoux - Former Davis Cup Player for Cameroon, ATP Doubles Champion, and Former ITF #7 in the world. 
They have teamed up for this brand new video course together for this "Prepping Like a Pro" Training Course - we're launching it live to the general public very soon this December...


What's Unique about these Training Courses?

Tennis-specific Workout Course designed for *Winter Tennis Players*:
  • Stay in tennis-shape off the court
  • Be fit and ready at the top of your game, when you come back on the tennis courts!
  • Strength, conditioning, speed, endurance drills
  • Training Specifically for Tennis - not just a bunch of random P90X and Cross-Fit workouts mixed together...

    This is exactly what Yann Auzoux himself trains with every week; it's designed for serious tennis players in mind.

Special Tennis-Bargains Bonus Offer

Tennis-Bargains Facebook Fans: get an extra Free Bonus Session:
Here's sneak-peak example, filmed during my workout last weekend with Dan and Yann in this video

This One-Hour Live Training Session will allow Dan to give you personalized, individual feedback on doing these exercises. *Hurry - spaces are very limited*. Offer is only valid, if these remaining spots in these classes are still available.


Tennis Tools for Winter Training


Tennis Tools for Winter Training (updated)

Balance Trainer: Dynamic Balance
Balance is super important in tennis. If you can make small, minor adjustments to your body position - it is extremely hard for your opponent to wrong foot you. Moving laterally with your feet, while swinging forward with your arms is crucially important as it happens continually during a match.

How to Develop Better Balance
I just got this and love this little blue balance trainer! It's basically like an under-inflated cushion that you try to keep your balance on for as long as possible.  The wobbling nature of the tool forces you to keep your core balance stable in order to stand.  You actually use a lot of muscles to counter-act the forces that are tipping you over.

Creative exercises for tennis
It's actually kind of fun to see how long you can keep your body balanced and centered.  After 5-10 mins with the rubber band drill, your legs will be burning. When it's cold outside or you're limited in space, you have to be creative to stay "fit to hit"! Another drill to try is to side-step on a treadmill while simulating a swing motion with your arms (both forehand and backhand). Here are a few other tennis exercises you can do at home.

Agility Ladder: Foot Speed and Quickness

Great for doing indoor footwork drills with limited space. Just lay it out in the basement or living room and it folds away nicely! Just under $25, you can take anywhere with free shipping from Amazon!

Drills:
Check out some of these great tennis-specific drills on YouTube anyone can do.

SKLZ Ladder:
I highly recommend getting an Agility Ladder that will not snag easily and sturdy enough to last, plus this one even comes with a DVD and carrying bag.


PracticeHit: Master your swing indoors

This little device helps you simulate proper contact and timing on ground strokes, both forehand and backhand.

Easy to use, long term pay-off
Best of all it doesn't take much space and helps you with your balance and coordination tremendously.  In home or gym, all you need is a little corner to put it and just do a few mins a day with it.

You can also build core strength and stability with all these cool workouts you can do with it.


Bosu Ball - Jumping and Split-step exercises


Also featured at www.atpworldtour.com - here are some Tips for the Bosu ball too

As a professional tennis instructor, I can feel how much better my balance is now on one foot or when I get stretched out wide.

The Bosu Ball tool does a great job of isolating muscle groups and keeping you "light on your toes". These exercises can be combined with small dumbbells to add to the intensity of squats, etc.


Read more Tennis-Bargain Product Reviews

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