Tennis: Steps to Success (Steps to Success Activity Series) [Paperback]

Jim Brown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873225554 | ISBN-13: 978-0873225557 | Publication Date: September 2004 | Edition: 2nd

This book aims to make learning the basic skills and strategies of tennis easier. Like the first edition, this second edition provides a sequential programme of lessons and drills that allow players to learn at their own pace and develop the fundamentals they need to play competitive tennis. The book includes 128 illustrations that show players proper tennis strokes and strategies and more than 100 drills to help them develop their game. Each drill comes with instructions that explain how to either increase or decrease the difficulty of the drill according to ability level. Players who use this book will learn how to develop powerful forehand and backhand groundstrokes; select the appropriate serve for their game; execute and effectively use the volley, lob, overhead smash, half volley and drop shot, as well as how to return each shot; put tennis strokes to their best use in singles and doubles play; adjust strokes and strategies when facing different kinds of players, court conditions and weather conditions; and handle mental distractions and improve playing concentration.

Editorial Reviews

Review

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

"A very thorough and clear guide to the game of tennis for anyone new to the sport."

Kathy Woods President United States Professional Tennis Association

"Jim has found a way to make learning how to play tennis easy."

Jeffrey Williams Publisher Tennis Industry Magazine

"Jim Brown has written a very thoughtful, sound, and thorough instructional book for the beginner, the accomplished player, and especially the teacher and coach."

Eve F. Kraft Founder and Former Director USTA Education and Resource Center

"Jim Brown has produced a comprehensive and easy-to-use guide to the secrets of playing better tennis—for anyone at any level of skill."

Terry Kirkpatrick Managing Editor Reader’s Digest

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 2nd edition (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873225554
• ISBN-13: 978-0873225557
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #995,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good activity book for teaching fundamentals to 1-8 pupils, January 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tennis: Steps to Success (Steps to Success Activity Series) (Paperback)

This book is useful to teach people the fundamentals of the game without the aid of video or trained personnel. I've read many books on the subject and found very few printed resources that can communicate as effectively as this book. The chapters are well-organized, pertinent, and clear.

I haven't seen my copy of the book in 3 years, as a co-worker I loaned it to refuses to return it. My recollection is that the chapters take the reader, or more appropriately the coach/instructor, through the steps to accomplish each outlined task. The introduction/overview, demonstration, drills, and review of each topic is handled quite well. I've been an accomplished player for 29 years and a teaching professional for the last 21 and I learned some helpful drills that are very appropriate for most levels of players. I use this guide as a training manual for my newest assistants. Additionally, I place copies of lessons at each court for a circuit-type, self-learning/drilling workout for many of my teenage intermediate/advanced player workouts. The drills are easy to follow.

While I don't advocate all of the drills, I'm impressed by the layout of the learning structure created. I recommend this reference book for virtually all instructors. I believe many learning individuals would benefit from reviewing the contents, as they could easily follow the steps.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides a solid foundations of basic skills, February 18, 2003

By 

Sherry Russell "Reviewer/author" (Vero Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tennis: Steps to Success (Steps to Success Activity Series) (Paperback)

It is hard to learn a game like tennis from a book but this book does the best job on communicating the basic skills and concepts. Jim Brown helps new players develop confidence through the well written instructions. When a family member wanted to learn about tennis, this is the book I had them read.

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, October 1, 2007

By 

Liliya Leontyeva - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tennis: Steps to Success - 3rd Edition (Paperback)

Book is in a good condition. It was send, however, a bit tool ate. Everything else is wonderful.