How many times per week should you be playing matches if you want to improve your tennis game? How about practicing or working out off the court? Mixing and matching those elements with the right ratios is critical to your ongoing development and in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn exactly how to do that. It’s time to work smarter, not harder, so you can maximize your efforts and break free to the next level!
Oct 17, 2018•30 min•Ep 427•Transcript available on Metacast All around the world tennis players perform much better in practice than they do in matches. Why? One of the biggest reasons is they bring their practice mindset with them into competition which severely limits their chances of winning! Today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast clearly outlines exactly what you should be focusing on in practice and the big shift you should make when you walk onto the match court. Execute what you learn and you’ll win more tennis matches, period!
Oct 09, 2018•24 min•Ep 426•Transcript available on Metacast If your child is playing tennis, thinking about playing tennis, or you want them to give tennis a try then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is critical to listen to! You’ll hear Ian talk about the biggest tennis parent blunders, how to approach motivating your child on the court, and what the biggest question is that needs to be asked before pursuing the sport seriously. You’ll also hear feedback from two other Essential Tennis coaches who worked in the world of high performance juni...
Oct 01, 2018•25 min•Ep 425•Transcript available on Metacast Are you a tennis “Tinkerer”, “Dabbler”, or “Hacker”? Most players fall into one of those three categories whether they know it or not which keeps them from the meaningful improvement that they crave! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn the hallmarks of each player personality, why it's so easy to fall into those traps, and most importantly the keys to breaking free and getting on the path to mastery.
Sep 17, 2018•24 min•Ep 424•Transcript available on Metacast Hate playing lefties in tennis? This strategy podcast episode will give you the keys to success the very next time you face off against a dreaded southpaw! You’ll learn WHY left handed players have such an advantage on the court, which patterns you need to focus on to make them suffer as much as you do, and even how to position yourself and read their serves so you can return twice as effectively as you normally do. It’s all laid out step by step in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast....
Sep 11, 2018•31 min•Ep 423•Transcript available on Metacast If your serve toss gives you fits (especially during matches) then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! You’ll learn step by step drills that will retrain your toss for precision and confidence. Plus, you’ll learn the methodology behind our teaching approach so you can apply the same principles to ANY other tennis skill. Not only will you come to understand how to train yourself or somebody else for mastery of a new and improved physical skill but also how to develop me...
Sep 04, 2018•31 min•Ep 422•Transcript available on Metacast There’s a LOT of obsession among tennis players over the numbers next to their names. Unfortunately many of them are completely arbitrary! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn the difference between useful ratings, useless ones, and how much you should really be comparing yourself to others. You’ll also learn what your “north star” should be in your training so you shoot for the right goals, make the best use of your time, and maximize your happiness.
Aug 27, 2018•22 min•Ep 421•Transcript available on Metacast This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast features a very special guest: tennis data guru Craig O’Shannessy! Craig is the official strategy analysis for Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the ATP Tour, and the New York times just to name a few. Plus, he works directly with Novak Djokovic to help him create game plans that defeat the best opponents in the world. Listen as he applies what he’s learned to everyday players like you and me so we can be more successful on the court, win more matches, ...
Aug 20, 2018•38 min•Ep 420•Transcript available on Metacast A “tennis diary” is the perfect way to track your improvement, optimize your practice sessions, and troubleshoot your opponents so you can win more matches. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn the top 5 things to track, record, and document to give you the best tennis results as fast as possible. A small time investment on your new diary can reap huge breakthroughs if you focus on the right things!
Aug 13, 2018•22 min•Ep 419•Transcript available on Metacast Ever get frustrated with your tennis development? Did you set out to make it to a certain level or play on a certain team but it feels like you’re stuck in a rut? If so this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a critical listen because it discusses the importance of focusing on the right things to maintain your happiness and enjoyment of the sport. The wrong perspective can lead you down a path of dissatisfaction and anger, just like it did for me. Hopefully the stories told in today’s ep...
Aug 06, 2018•31 min•Ep 418•Transcript available on Metacast If you’ve ever been cheated out of a point in tennis then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is critical to listen to! You’ll learn how often bad calls are made (it’s probably a lot more than you think), how to deal with them in the middle of a match, and even what the “Nuclear Option” is for when things get really, really ugly. More than likely you’ll be surprised at what I have to say and what the other ET coaches think. If you play competitive tennis at all then don’t miss this coac...
Jul 02, 2018•29 min•Ep 417•Transcript available on Metacast DON’T buy a new racquet until you listen to this podcast! You’ll learn if that new frame technology can actually provide additional power, spin, and accuracy or if it’s all marketing talk. You’ll also hear Ian’s recommendation for frame and string specs from beginner all the way up to advanced tennis players. Whether you’re in the market for a new frame or simply want to optimize what you already have this is the episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ve been waiting for!
Jun 18, 2018•29 min•Ep 416•Transcript available on Metacast If you’ve ever had a hitting partner, teammate, or any other peer razz you for working hard to make changes to your game then today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! Recently I’ve had several different VIP students of ours share stories about their peers making fun of their improvements efforts and I think a mindset check it critical to deflecting those kinds of comments. You’ll learn why you’re special, why understanding motivations is key, and how to stay focused on y...
Jun 11, 2018•20 min•Ep 415•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wonder what the pros are telling themselves during a match? Thanks to a sneaky courtside reporter now we know EXACTLY what Andy Murray was trying to keep in mind during one of his matches and the list he made for himself is super revealing! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn which of those 10 elements apply to you, which don’t, and what you should be focusing on during your next match.
Jun 04, 2018•21 min•Ep 414•Transcript available on Metacast If you've ever wondered how to BEST make use of a digital tennis training program then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! You'll learn the big mistakes most players make after signing up for online coaching plus a four step process to follow so you can make the most of your investment.
May 29, 2018•23 min•Ep 413•Transcript available on Metacast Ever take a great tennis lesson only to have all your improvements go down the drain in your next match? If so today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a MUST listen! Ian tells the story of a recent student who made incredible improvements only to have them disappear 24 hours later. You’ll learn what he did to fix the problem, what you can learn from that story, and three practical application points to help you continue your tennis advancement.
May 21, 2018•25 min•Ep 412•Transcript available on Metacast Today you’ll hear the story of one of our recent VIP students who was very much a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” case. She had an unusual disconnect between her practice service swings and her “real” serves that provides a perfect illustration for tennis players and coaches everywhere. If you take improvement seriously then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is critical to understand because it explains why so much good information goes completely to waste on the court.
May 14, 2018•22 min•Ep 411•Transcript available on Metacast What’s your reaction when you break a string on your last racquet? Or you have a match on a windy day? Or your opponent has a style that you hate? We’re all faced with challenges every single time we step onto the court. The question is how do we respond! Today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast features a story about the ET pros hitting outside for the very first time. Find out how Kevin dealt with breaking a string and what you can learn from his challenge.
May 07, 2018•22 min•Ep 410•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s special guest is best selling author, Ted X speaker, and Rio Olympic Games coach, Ed Tseng. He’s a mental performance consultant and tennis coach who has a dramatically more simple approach to mental tennis than the status quo. Together we tackle of of the most common tennis mental pitfalls including falling into a slump after winning the first set, dealing with negative or bossy doubles partners, how to navigate a match where our “Plan A” isn’t working, slow starts in matches, match rel...
Apr 30, 2018•39 min•Ep 409•Transcript available on Metacast Thousands of tennis players all over the world have heard me recommend a specific improvement tool that I’ve said over and over is the single most powerful thing they can do to advance their tennis game...but STILL haven’t done it! Today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast tells the story of a specific student who finally pulled the trigger and is now reaping the rewards. Plus, you’ll learn how to take advantage of the technology he’s using.
Apr 23, 2018•22 min•Ep 248•Transcript available on Metacast Most tennis singles and doubles points end with an error! That means if you spend time minimizing them your results will improve which is exactly what this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will tell you how to do. You’ll learn exactly what an unforced error is, what causes them, and how to minimize them through proper training and mindset.
Apr 16, 2018•24 min•Ep 245•Transcript available on Metacast I recently had the privilege of watching a Roger Federer match up close and personal. It was on a day where his performance was well below his standards which made for an extremely instructive viewing experience, especially hearing his comments after the match. In this episode of the Essential Tennis podcast I’ll be breaking down what happened and sharing the 4 lessons that you can learn from his challenging day.
Apr 09, 2018•25 min•Ep 244•Transcript available on Metacast What’s the REAL difference between where you are now and the next level of tennis performance? Not many players realize how incredibly deep the game of tennis is, or how many layers of execution there are. This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is dedicated to helping amateur players understand where they fit in the grand scheme of things and letting them know what needs to be focused on to break through the 4.0 level and beyond to higher levels of play.
Apr 03, 2018•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever feel like you and your tennis pro have completely different ideas about what a tennis lesson should be, what it should focus on, and how you can best reach your goals? That’s because tennis players and teachers can have huge contrasts in what they value: short term vs long term. Fun vs improvement. Social vs business. This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will define each main type of student and teacher, so you can figure out which you are an what type of lesson relationship you sho...
Feb 06, 2018•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you been taking lessons for months or maybe even years but you’re not sure if you’re any better than when you started? Have you hit a million balls but you don’t FEEL any improvement in your game? If so this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen. Ian explains why all students “don’t get it” at first when they’re learning something new, and why two elements MUST be present at the same time for any advancement to take place.
Jan 30, 2018•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of being told that everybody else is “wrong” each time you try another tennis pro? If so this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen so you can build a clear perspective of the game of tennis, the pressures coaches have to compete with each other, and what you should be doing to take personal responsibility of your own improvement journey to get the most out of tennis possible. You’ll learn exactly how to pick a coach, communicate with them, and what the signs are that it...
Jan 08, 2018•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is the ultimate checklist for tennis success in 2018! Listen as Ian counts down his top ten tools, mindsets, processes, and approaches to learning that have made the biggest difference in his students over the past twelve months. Use any 5 of them in the New Year that you’ll see a huge difference in your game. Use all 10 and you’ll have the best tennis year of your life! Thanks for another year of support for the Essential Tennis Podcast.
Jan 02, 2018•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re like most tennis players you judge your success in wins and losses, or your NTRP rating, or which team you play on. Big mistake if you want to stay happy and fulfilled on the court for years to come! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast Ian describes how finding his tennis “why” transformed his perspective on the game and as a result his happiness on the court. Find out how you can learn your own “why” now.
Dec 19, 2017•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast There’s an epidemic of low game awareness among tennis players of all levels and more than likely it’s keeping YOU from improving! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn the symptoms of “Rating Distortion Syndrome”, what causes it, and how you can start recovering from it today. Treatment will not only improve your tennis results dramatically but also make you a more connected player with your peers.
Dec 12, 2017•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of your game being stuck at the same level, or feeling like you’ve “maxed out” your tennis potential? Good news: there’s a way forward! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast, Ian responds to a recent email he received with 3 critical points to keep in mind while you work hard to keep advancing.
Nov 23, 2017•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
