The bad news: we are all in the grip of a killer heat wave as we roast under the latest weather phenomenon - the "heat dome." (Similar to Mad Max's Thunderdome in that you might die but more sunscreen is required.) The good news: fall tennis leagues are about to start up! Yes, I received the sign today when I got an e-mail from my captain telling me its time to pay my league dues. So, let's forget about the furnace outside and get ready for a fantastic fall season! To help you (and me), here's a blast-from-the-not-too-distant-past "Retro Tennis Fixation" post (retro because its from the past, get it?). Originally titled, "Your 'Tennis Fixation' Personal Assistant," here's every tip you need to kick-off your best fall tennis season ever:
Summer is pretty much over, the kids are back in school and its time to start playing league tennis again - Hooray!
That's right - its time to get organized and ready for another fantastic season of tennis. This is the season you're going to be a winner! This is the season you're going to have fun and feel good about your game! This is the season you're going to beat the tennis skirts right off your opponents!
And, to get things rolling in the right direction, your Tennis Fixation Personal Assistant is here with everything you need to prepare. Just go through the list below and do as much as you can NOW to prepare for an incredible season of tennis:
1. Get your gear in gear. When is the last time you restrung your racquet? Do you even remember? (Read this post to figure out when you're supposed to restring: Quick Tennis Fix of the Day: Time to Restring!) Do you have balls in your bag? A towel? Any of the other stuff you should have in there? (Read this to find out what to keep in your bag: What's In My Tennis Bag?) Maybe its time for a new racquet, maybe its time for new shoes. Take some time to check all of your equipment out and make sure you're ready to play great tennis.
2. Tune-up your game. I love to take lessons, love to go to clinics, love to do drills. I always say - if they would just get rid of those match things, I'd be such a great tennis player! So I've been going to lessons and drills all summer long and am ready to play. If you have NOT, now would be a great time to do a tune-up session or two with your pro. Maybe get your team together for a group lesson. And if that sounds like too much work, get together with teammates or friends for some fun, practice matches.
3. Talk to your captain. Believe it or not, every captain has some kind of plan for the team. Whether the plan is to win the division or to just have a lot of fun, your captain is thinking about where she wants the team to go this season. So be sure and touch base with her and get an idea of what the expectations are for the team and for you, as a player. Find out who your partner is, if you don't already know, and let your captain know what you think of that. Offer to help in any way you can. Let her know your availability, or unavailability, now, before the season gets going. Being a captain is often a thankless job so any help you can give to your captain will be appreciated.
4. Have you paid your league dues yet? Your captain probably has to write a check to cover the league fee for the entire team and then waits for you to reimburse her for your portion. Don't stick your captain with the bill on this one. Send her that check today!
If you take these four simple steps, you and your team are sure to be off to a great start for this season!
© Kim Selzman 2011 All Rights Reserved
