Brad Gilbert presents: 5 wonderful exercises for quarantine coaching
The blanket falls on your head at home? Brad Gilbert , ex-professional, book author, coach of Andre Agassi and a tennis fanatic, has a few tips for you!
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Apr 05, 2020, 08:40 am
Brad Gilbert has always been known as the man who made very little out of very little. Even in active times, Gilbert was never considered to be the player with the best technique and the fastest shots - but as one who acted with brains. Result: 4th place in the ATP ranking in 1990 and the tennis classic Winning Ugly , perhaps the most famous tennis book ever.
It's no wonder that "BG" doesn't get boring even during the corona quarantine. Keyword "Make a little out of a little", Andre Agassi's ex-coach regularly reports on Instagram to give you a few ideas on how you can improve your tennis even without a tennis court.
Q-tip number 1: volley training
Is your neighbor building a new garage? Do you have one yourself? Or some exercise in the apartment? Perfect! Then put your racket and ball in your hand and off you go!
Q-tip number 2: the good old ball throw
It is an old hat, but an important one, because throwing the ball at the serve is perhaps the most important tool. What helps the most beautiful technique if the throw is not right? Gilbert also sees it that way. What do you need to improve in the Corona crisis? Actually only a chair and high ceilings.
Q-tip number 3: never without my racket!
When he travels to Australia, Gilbert says he always has his racket with him - even if he can't play. Because for the feeling it is important to grip the racket regularly, practice dry strokes and work with the ball. Further exercise: wait with the return with the Continental Grip and learn to change quickly!
Q-Tip number 4: Build your own clay court
Okay, okay: A house near the beach is of course an advantage here. But maybe your own garden also does it? A little unevenness is even an advantage here, says Gilbert - this is how you get used to bad ball bounces and also have to get your tired legs moving.
Q-tip number 5: mini-tennis with "social distance network"
Do you have a tennis freak in the family? Excellent! Gilbert used son Zach for his (for the time being) last tip for volley training. Instead of a net, the two simply set up a corona protection field in which the ball must not jump open. Perfect on the beach, of course, but here again your own garden or a somewhat cleared living room and some crepe tape should do. Have fun!