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In terms of tennis, technological developments have had a positive as well as a negative effect on tennis development. Improvements in racket, string, ball and shoe technology has resulted in an exponential increase in power but with a detrimental effect in the artistry of the game. American players, in particular, are affected the most because we don't tend to play as much on clay (which takes away some of the advantages of power and teach the player how to create opening with angles, placement, spin, depth and guile).

Now, we can talk about the benefits of playing on clay until we're blue in the face. The fact is that until clubs and parks figure out a way to make clay court maintenance as financially efficient as hard courts (maybe a wash once every two weeks) the fact remains that we will continue to be a hard-court nation. So, with this in mind, how do you learn to patiently push your opponent around the court and create openings? One answer is to PUT THE RACKET DOWN! Literally! Put the racket down and play games where the players have to THROW the ball around the court. This game will not only develop your throwing ability (good for serves) but is is also a great way to figure out the geometry of the game. In addition, this is one of the best ways to improve tennis-specific fitness because the points last longer and you don't have a racket with which to reach the ball.

I suggest that, once in a while, you spend 10-15 minutes (perhaps as a warm-up, perhaps as a way to finish the workout) by playing games up to 15 where the players have to catch and throw the ball. The rules are fairly simple: the player must throw from the place from which s/he catches the ball (or, like frisbee games, can only take one more step to stop and throw). The clever player will figure out how to push their opponents around the court with just as much angle to make the opponent sprint for the ball, but not so short that the player can "attack". Your tennis IQ will improve dramatically when you learn how to open up the court and make the opponent work for every point.