Tennis Anatomy

If you're serious about tennis coaching, then you'll probably realize that there are only so many tennis books before you plateau in knowledge.While there are many, many great tennis books, they all cover a revolving set of topics - technique, strategy, and so-called "tips and tricks" books that just buckshot a bunch of tennis wisdom in a largely disorganized manner. All three have changed significantly over the past twenty years, rendering many of these books outdated, if not outright useless for modern tennis. Using technique from as recent as the early 2000's would be difficult to compete with today's heavy, baseline-slugger style of game, and strategy has grown to depend a lot more on physicality than pure shot-making and placement.Tennis Anatomy addresses the issue of outdated knowledge by going to the root of the problem - the human body. The human body does not evolve (at least not in a lifetime), and with better understanding of it, you acquire what I consider the foundation of great tennis knowledge. Great tennis knowledge, in my opinion, is not about memorizing thousands of drills and copying swing techniques of top pros. It's about understanding the subtle differences between sound biomechanics and individual style. This book will plant those seeds if you study it well. It will allow you to develop drills that specifically address certain parts of the body when development starts to lag. In turn, this translates into smarter and more targeted training plans, resulting in more efficient practices. The exercises in this book, although relevant, are not the most cutting edge. However, they are simplistic enough to help you understand why and how they target the specific areas, and why they are needed. If you approach the book this way, it will help you become extremely prolific in developing unique tennis exercises based on sound, scientific research. As such, it is an invaluable resource for those who aspire to become great tennis coaches / athletes.At the risk of sounding elitist, this book isn't meant for someone looking to just play a Friday night mixer once a month, or even once a week. It will help, but you will feel like you are in way over your head with knowledge that doesn't seem to matter. This book also isn't for someone who doesn't make the effort to train and/or modify the exercises when equipment isn't available. No weights? Use gallon jugs with water, or elastic bands. No barbells? Use backpacks with books. No boxes? Use park benches. Just because you don't have the equipment should not stop you from taking advantage of the treasury of information in this book. This book is meant for high-performance athletes, and should be treated with such work ethic.

I ordered this book to help me get stronger for competitive tennis. I assumed I would have to develop routines based on the anatomical illustrations in the book. I was delighted that the authors had already done all of that work for me with suggested exercises that are clearly illustrated and explained. I was familiar with the authors contributions to the USTA fitness publications, but this book is much better. Highly recommended.

Very good advice but need to get out there and do it. Can not just read the book. Illustrations of different muscles helpful.

As a more than 40 years old tennis lover (6 times per week), I have begun 10 years ago with a personal trainner a fitness program to avoid any injury chance.In the process I have collected many tennis fitness books with the intention of improving my condition.This one in the best one I have read, making clear what exercise to do to improve each specific stroke.I recomend also to buy - The Complete Conditioning for Tennis.Tennis Anatomy

This book is for top pro players. For the rest of us all these exercises are completely unneccesary to play the game well. There is however a place for the selective use to remedy weaknesses and to prevent injuries. For myself for example the exercise for forearm pronation would have been very useful. The pronation exercise described is incorrect as the hammer depicted assists the movement instead of resisting it. It actually resists the supination movement. Even if the hammer was used correctly the resistance is not constant as it increases with the movement. Idealy it should be the other way round. The bent arm power roller with string and weight attached would have been far more effective exercise. Exercises are generally well described and superbly illustrated. Coaches and serious players would find this book a good reference.

I got this for my tennis-obsessed husband, and he loves it. Now he knows exactly which muscle is aching after every game. Seriously, though, he appreciates the information on how to prevent injuries to those muscles. -- a loving tennis widow

Love this book! This is my second copy - my first copy was stolen. Great pics. Great suggestions for strengthening. I do massage only on tennis players, and this book is invaluable!

I have found these types of books to be particularly helpful in focusing my attention on the appropriate muscle groups and avoiding injury. I purchased this book for my son, who is on a tennis team. While he hasn't used it much (because mom suggested it :-)) I have found the arm and shoulder exercises particularly helpful. It also introduced me to resistance equipment, which I have added to my home workout routine- thus avoiding the need to buy a gym membership or expensive machines.