Essential Tennis Podcast - Instruction, Lessons, Tips
371 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 days ago - ★★★★★ - 445 ratingsImprove your tennis with the Essential Tennis Podcast, the very first podcast dedicated to tennis lessons and instruction! Tennis professional Ian Westermann answers listener questions about technique, strategy, mental toughness, and much more.
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Episodes
Get Your Tennis Stroke Unstuck - Essential Tennis Podcast #305
December 05, 2018 21:19 - 27 minutes - 31.1 MBDo you have a tennis stroke that’s been stuck for weeks? Or maybe you feel like your whole game is in a rut even though you’ve been working hard to advance? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast has the solution! It outlines 5 simple but critical things that are needed to continue moving from level to level in the game of tennis. Unfortunately most players don’t take advantage of any of them, but that stops now!
The Secret To Tennis Happiness - Essential Tennis Podcast #304
November 27, 2018 22:13 - 26 minutes - 30.3 MBIf you’re constantly disappointed in your progress on the tennis court then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is incredibly important to listen to. You’ll learn why your relationship to “left arrows” and “right arrows” explain whether or not you’ll be happy in tennis, how failures can lead to more fulfillment on the court, and why your perspective on the game at large has everything to do with which path you take year after year.
Best Doubles Of My Life! - Essential Tennis Podcast #303
November 21, 2018 00:22 - 31 minutes - 36.3 MBMy junior year of NCAA tennis thrust me into a crazy situation that unexpectedly produced the best doubles of my life. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast I'll unpack the top 6 lessons I learned from my experience. Practical mindset, tactics, and strategy insights that you can implement in your very next doubles match!
Roger Federer Mindset Secrets - Essential Tennis Podcast #302
November 06, 2018 22:57 - 23 minutes - 27.2 MBWhat goes on in the mind of a great champion like Roger Federer? Is it all positivity, forward progress, and confidence? Nope! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast breaks down an insightful interview that Roger gave talking about being mentally fit. You’ll learn how it deals with nervousness, distractions, and what he feels is most important to strive for each and every time he steps onto a court. Hope you find these insights inspiring and easy to put into practice!
Eliminate Huge Tennis Momentum Swings! - Essential Tennis Podcast #301
October 30, 2018 21:17 - 19 minutes - 22.7 MBEver win the first set of a tennis match 6-1 only to lose the next one 1-6? What’s up with that?! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn why those shifts in momentum are actually much easier to come about than you think and what mindset you should have around lopsided scores has they travel back and forth. You’ll also learn exactly which singles and doubles patterns of play will insulate you the most from big momentum swings.
Maximizing Your Tennis Training Calendar - Essential Tennis Podcast #300
October 17, 2018 14:18 - 30 minutes - 34.9 MBHow 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!
Seek and Destroy For Tennis Match Success! - Essential Tennis Podcast #299
October 09, 2018 22:49 - 23 minutes - 27.4 MBAll 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!
Advice For Tennis Parents - Essential Tennis Podcast #298
October 01, 2018 21:30 - 24 minutes - 28.4 MBIf 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 ...
STOP Tinkering With Your Tennis Strokes! - Essential Tennis Podcast #297
September 17, 2018 22:07 - 23 minutes - 27 MBAre 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.
How To Beat Lefties At Tennis - Essential Tennis Podcast #296
September 11, 2018 22:46 - 30 minutes - 35 MBHate 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 Podca...
How To Fix Your Serve Toss - Essential Tennis Podcast #295
September 04, 2018 18:12 - 31 minutes - 35.9 MBIf 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 develo...
Why Your Tennis Rating Is Useless - Essential Tennis Podcast #294
August 27, 2018 22:24 - 21 minutes - 24.6 MBThere’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.
Strategy Secrets From Novak Djokovic’s Analyst - Essential Tennis Podcast #293
August 20, 2018 20:38 - 38 minutes - 43.9 MBThis 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 match...
How To Keep A Tennis Diary - Essential Tennis Podcast #292
August 13, 2018 22:49 - 21 minutes - 24.8 MBA “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!
How To Find Tennis Happiness - Essential Tennis Podcast #291
August 06, 2018 21:08 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBEver 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’...
How To Handle Tennis Cheaters - Essential Tennis Podcast #290
July 02, 2018 22:17 - 28 minutes - 32.7 MBIf 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 ...
Tennis Gear Myths BUSTED - Essential Tennis Podcast #289
June 18, 2018 22:44 - 28 minutes - 33.2 MBDON’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!
Don’t Listen To Tennis Haters - Essential Tennis Podcast #288
June 11, 2018 22:30 - 19 minutes - 22.6 MBIf 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 ...
Andy Murray’s Secret Match Notes - Essential Tennis Podcast #287
June 04, 2018 22:01 - 21 minutes - 24.4 MBEver 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.
How To Use An Online Tennis Course - Essential Tennis Podcast #286
May 29, 2018 22:08 - 22 minutes - 26.3 MBIf 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.
She LOST Her New Forehand! - Essential Tennis Podcast #285
May 21, 2018 22:25 - 24 minutes - 28.6 MBEver 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.
The Tennis Knowledge Deception - Essential Tennis Podcast #284
May 14, 2018 21:28 - 22 minutes - 25.6 MBToday 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.
Broken Tennis String Opportunity - Essential Tennis Podcast #283
May 07, 2018 22:06 - 22 minutes - 25.3 MBWhat’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.
The Secret To Tennis Mental Toughness - Essential Tennis Podcast #282
April 30, 2018 19:11 - 38 minutes - 44.6 MBToday’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...
The ULTIMATE Tool For Tennis Improvement - Essential Tennis Podcast #281
April 23, 2018 21:39 - 22 minutes - 25.7 MBThousands 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.
Solving Unforced Errors - Essential Tennis Podcast #280
April 16, 2018 22:13 - 23 minutes - 27.2 MBMost 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.
Roger Federer Tactics Tennis Lesson Podcast - Essential Tennis Podcast #279
April 09, 2018 18:31 - 25 minutes - 29.1 MBI 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.
How To Improve Beyond 4.0 - Tennis Coaching Podcast - Essential Tennis Podcast #278
April 03, 2018 03:25 - 27 minutes - 31.6 MBWhat’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.
How To Find The Perfect Tennis Pro - Essential Tennis Podcast #277
February 06, 2018 04:28 - 30 minutes - 34.5 MBEver 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 ...
What To Do When You Don’t Feel Tennis Improvement - Essential Tennis Podcast #276
January 30, 2018 04:39 - 22 minutes - 25.3 MBHave 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.
How To End Tennis Coach Overwhelm - Essential Tennis Podcast #275
January 08, 2018 23:01 - 26 minutes - 30.7 MBTired 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...
Top 10 Ways To Make 2018 Your Best Tennis Year EVER - Essential Tennis Podcast #274
January 02, 2018 03:46 - 31 minutes - 36.3 MBThis 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.
Learn Your Tennis “Why” For More Happiness and Fulfillment - Essential Tennis Podcast #273
December 19, 2017 04:18 - 29 minutes - 33.4 MBIf 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.
Tennis Player “Rating Distortion Syndrome”?? - Essential Tennis Podcast #272
December 12, 2017 03:51 - 21 minutes - 24.5 MBThere’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.
The Tennis Mastery Plan: Improvement At Any Level - Essential Tennis Podcast #271
November 23, 2017 03:00 - 19 minutes - 22.6 MBTired 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.
The Secret To Steady Tennis Improvement - Essential Tennis Podcast #270
November 17, 2017 22:39 - 22 minutes - 25.5 MBIf you've been frustrated with your pace of improvement in the game of tennis then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a MUST listen! You'll learn which elements you should be focusing on, and why you're probably fixated on the wrong things. Ian also gives a book recommendation for his new favorite resource on the improvement process.
How To Use “Neuro Priming” For Tennis Success! - Essential Tennis Podcast #269
November 11, 2017 03:47 - 50 minutes - 58.1 MBThis episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast has a special return guest: Frank Giampaolo who has just published a brand new book called “Neuro Priming For Peak Performance”. Frank is a veteran tennis coach who has worked with amateur players, touring professionals, top juniors, and everything in between. Listen in as he talks about how you can improve faster and easier by using simple routines and rituals!
Tennis Self Improvement Story That You Can Copy! - Essential Tennis Podcast #268
November 04, 2017 03:03 - 16 minutes - 18.9 MBListen as Ian shares the story of a fellow player who was fed up with her tennis progress, took charge of her lesson structure, and claimed a better way of improving her game. This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast features lots of practical tips for finding a better coach, or leading the coach you already have towards deeper, more impactful time on the court.
Tennis Progress Evaluation - Improvement Process Keys! - Essential Tennis Podcast #267
October 28, 2017 02:52 - 22 minutes - 25.3 MBEver wonder if you’ve really “got” something new and improved that you’ve been working on in your game? Wonder no longer after listening to this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast! Ian will teach you how to evaluate your progress so you can avoid moving on to the next thing too quickly, and avoid getting stuck in your development.
Take CONTROL Of Your Tennis Improvement! - Essential Tennis Podcast #266
October 21, 2017 00:49 - 20 minutes - 23.9 MBDo you have a burning passion for improving your tennis game but can’t seem to find any players or coaches that share your enthusiasm? If so this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! You’ll learn Ian’s three top pieces of advice so you can take control of your own tennis development the very next time you step onto the court.
3 Keys To Masterful Tennis Movement - Essential Tennis Podcast #265
October 14, 2017 03:13 - 24 minutes - 28.1 MBIf you ever feel flat footed or constantly behind the action in singles or doubles then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! You’ll learn practical, actionable things that you can execute the very next time you head to the courts to play so you can be more proactive with your movement, get to more shots, and be more successful.
Tennis Improvement Is NOT “Simple”! - Essential Tennis Podcast #264
October 07, 2017 03:00 - 26 minutes - 30.8 MBIan dives beneath the surface of a recent discussion he had with a viewer on YouTube and explores the common attitude among tennis players and coaches that improvement is easy. You’ll learn the 3 Stages of Improvement and why catchphrases don’t work in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast!
STOP watching tennis videos! - Essential Tennis Podcast #263
August 26, 2017 03:09 - 14 minutes - 16.6 MBWatching all those instructional videos on YouTube is helping your game improve, right? WRONG! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast reveals why information overload is a huge game killer and what you should be doing to fight it so you can continue your progress on the court.
How To Tell If You’re Getting Better At Tennis! - Essential Tennis Podcast #262
August 19, 2017 01:58 - 21 minutes - 25.1 MBThere are SO many ways to measure your improvement (or lack thereof) as a tennis player: all time wins/losses, individual points and matches, quality of practice, beating certain players, the list goes on. The good news is there is a single most accurate way to track your progress that MOST players aren't even using! Here's how to incorporate it into your game…
Tennis Pro Forehand Power Secrets - Essential Tennis Podcast #261
August 05, 2017 01:50 - 16 minutes - 19 MBHow do the top pros in the world accelerate SO fast at their forehands over and over without getting tired? They use the correct parts of their body, in the correct order, and they’re exceptionally well trained! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will dive into all three elements that lead to world class acceleration so you can copy them yourself.
24 Tennis Improvement Progressions - Essential Tennis Podcast #260
July 31, 2017 20:54 - 35 minutes - 40.3 MBPart 2 of 2 in a series focused on how to develop real, lasting tennis technique improvements that become unconscious habits! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast picks up where the last one left off by diving head first into progressions: why they’re so vital, how you should use them, and a long list of ideas that you can use the very next time you’re on the court.
5 Steps To Tennis Stroke Mastery - Essential Tennis Podcast #259
June 30, 2017 18:55 - 23 minutes - 26.5 MBThere are so many different technique elements that you COULD focus on in your game, how can you possible decide which to make a priority? What’s the best way to systematically improve your skills without getting sidetracked or wasting time? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast lays out the step by step process that Ian Westermann uses to transform the games of his private students.
Up Is Down?! Tennis Improvement Lesson - Essential Tennis Podcast #258
April 29, 2017 02:57 - 16 minutes - 19.3 MBIan describes how in the minds of tennis players up can actually be DOWN! This story comes straight from the court while working with one of his recent private students in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn why awareness is so crucial to improvement and what you can do to improve your own.
The “Natural” Tennis Swing MYTH - Essential Tennis Podcast #257
April 21, 2017 20:57 - 16 minutes - 18.9 MBThere’s a prevalent attitude among some tennis teachers and players that good technique should happen “naturally” if you just let it. Unfortunately in most cases nothing could be further from the truth! Find out why this is a myth and what you should be focusing on to make lasting, meaningful improvements to your game in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast.
Tennis Self Deception - “Better Player”?? - Essential Tennis Podcast #256
April 18, 2017 02:42 - 15 minutes - 17.4 MBEvery day countless tennis players fool themselves into thinking they’re better than they actually are… and that their opponents are worse than in reality! Don’t fall for that trap. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn which elements of tennis matter, and which are irrelevant, earning you ZERO “bonus points”.