If you would like to increase your speed in tennis, you must learn to get ready for your opponent's return immediately after each and every shot you hit. Sounds logical and easy enough, but I spend months and years training players to "get ready NOW!" Most players waste time judging the quality of their shot before they get ready for the return shot. They are slowing down their game tremendously, yet they have no idea they are even doing it. Because players are not aware that they are guilty of this infraction, the toughest obstacle to overcome in mastering this concept is the player themselves. Most players believe they are getting ready quickly, but they are not! Are you?

Watch this video below where I demonstrate what happens to many players after they hit a tennis ball. Then note as I demonstrate how most tennis pros get ready. Are you getting ready like a pro?

Executing this 'get ready quick' technique is more mental than physical. When you are focused on whether or not you made the shot after you hit it, you are thinking incorrectly. Instead, you should immediately take your mind off your shot and onto what your opponent is going to do with his shot.

This thought process occurs as you are simultaneously straddling back into ready position. I call this technique "the Vision Straddle." You are watching to see what your opponent is going to do as you are straddling back into ready position. Not an easy task for most players who have trained themselves to stand back and marvel at the magnificence of their shot!

Or if their excellent shots do not make them stand there and stare, the bad shots certainly will! Often when players hit a bad shot, even though the shot lands in the court they stop and judge the poor quality of the shot instead of getting ready for the next shot.

In my tennis clinics I often yell, "Get ready! Get ready!" when I see players completely stop during a point. Because they did not hit the ball according to their mental blueprint, they have momentarily drifted off to wonderland. The point goes on, and they ultimately lose the point.

How are you supposed to get ready for the next shot when your focus is on the quality of your shot and not on getting ready for your opponent's next attack? Thousands and thousands of points are lost daily because of this misdirection of focus. Although this mental blunder is occurring right in the middle of the point, "the next shot is more important than the last mistake" certainly applies!

Getting ready quickly is all about how you think and NOT some exceptional physical athletic feat. You can increase your speed on the court significantly if you are willing to change your thinking.

If I were you, I would watch this video a number of times and then hit the courts with a friend to practice the Vision Straddle technique. NO ADMIRING your great shots and NO ADMONISHING your bad shots...just get ready NOW!