Month: August 2020

Hyacinth’s Corner

As we bump into September it is hoped that your tennis game is improving. Covid 19 has certainly changed our recreational and social habits. Golf and tennis seem to be two sports where social distancing is more easily met. Still remember, Covid is still around; social distance on the courts and wash your hands…..

Hyacinth’s coaching posts and quizzes have been an enjoyable way to stay current and competitive, if only with yourself. For myself I am thinking a lot more when I am on the court, practicing Hyacinth’s suggestions. I’m not sure if my game has improved, but I have had more fun playing the game this year.

As always, feedback to Hyacinth on these posts is appreciated.

So off we go………

HELLO !    BONJOUR ! IT’S A WRAP !   My weekly E-connection—in summer-2020 designed to cheer you along, from a “virtual” court-side in this “covid-combat-time” during JULY and AUGUST, has featured the following …            

•[1]—FUN-FACTS (including quizzes)                    
•[2]—HELPFUL-HINTS (charting progress)                                
•[3]—PRACTICE-PLAYS (honing skills)

MERCI / THANKS    Many thanks to those who read-&-absorbed these weekly“communication-bits”, and especially to those who carved-out some time to participate, by providing me with your feedback!

YOUR NEXT STEPS   
(A)—For those who were wondering, yes—there is still time (up to and including Monday August 31st) to send-in responses for any-or-all of the 3 areas mentioned above. I will continue to tally the points earned, and everyone’s participation will be recognized towards the end of the season.   
(B)—Choose additional areas and continue practising your “Percentage-Check” as suggested in last week’s Section under “HELPFUL-HINTS”/ This practical way of keeping tabs on your progress will expand your comfort-zone, and also increase your “fun” quotient while playing this fab sport.  Sans doute.   
(C)—Try your best to complete the recent True/False Quiz. The link to the quiz is below

Rules Quiz

Every T/F answer gets a point for effort (minimum is 18-pts.) & Correct responses get double points (maximum is 36-pts.) 

CHEERS ! … 
Hyacinth-C Smile —613-623-0976
ATC-Pro & Adult Programme Coordinator

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Hyacinth’s Corner

Cooler weather has arrived. It seems that a portion of the membership likes their tennis weather hot, hot. July made these people very happy! August seems to have brought moderate to cool temperatures. I looks like this year, everyone gets their wish. So get out and enjoy the bottom half of our ATC summer season.

Hyacinth’s Corner will be completed on July 28th, and Hyacinth is asking for feedback on her series of virtual coaching. When you have a few minutes, please respond to her with your comments. I have found myself “thinking” more when I am playing, based on Hyacinth’s posts this summer. For me it has made the game more enjoyable which in turn offers a greater incentive to play more often. What about you?

So here we go with the next coaching tips……………

SECTION#-[2]
HELPFUL-HINTS Sub-Section-[ii]:  
CHECK YOUR PERCENTAGES!

YOU may tell yourself—“I feel I’m really improving.”B-U-T you may wonder—“How can I be sure of this”?           

NO PROB  …  /  PAS DE PROBLÈME …HERE’S YOUR ANSWER

Do a Percentage-Check!WHY? 
•Easy to do  •Provides a factual response! SAMPLE OF AREAS TO CHECK
Here’s my suggested sampling of some areas that you might like to choose for checking your improvement …   
(a)->reliable placement of service   
(b)->accuracy of down-the-line approach-shots   
(c)->accuracy of cross-court approach shots   
(d)->lobs—defensive, offensive, & “sky-scraper”   
(e)->effective overhead shots & smashes   
(f)->use of various spins when serving or stroking   
(g)->alley-rally for accurate grounds—b/h + f/h   
(h)->net-play (volleys, ½-volleys, drop-shots, etc.)   
(i)->footwork (split-step, shuffling, running, etc.)   
(j)->poaching—from the left or right forecourt

And many others that you may personally wish to add to the above.

MY SUGGESTED “ACTUAL/FACTUAL” APPROACH   
At your next on-court-session, slot-in some minutes of practice-time, and proceed as follows: (good to work w/ “practice-pals”, as some areas benefit from ball-feeding, while others, e.g. the serve, are self-feeding)   
(1)•choose an area in which you’d like to improve   
(2)•take 10 balls, one at a time, and try the shot   
(3)•record your successes w/ these 10 balls   
(4)•if you make, e.g., 3 of the 10 tries, that’s 30%   
(5)•practise over the course of say, a week-or-less   
(6)•then check again with 10 balls
An increase in percentage shows your improvement. … BRAVO!!

YOUR FEEDBACK—SUMMER-2020   
As always, I welcome-&-enjoy your feedback during this summer-2020-series of my “virtual” cheering from courtside.  During this time, we have adjusted to, and coped w/, restrictions necessitated by the pandemic. Please keep in mind that e-a-c-h feedback/response earns “equi-points”, for which you will be recognized after the season ends.  So, if you wish to review some“communication-bits”, there’s still time—up to August–31st—to submit answers/comments.  These will add to points already earned … ergo, 
E-N-J-O-Y the process !

My 9-wks. of “virtual-visits” will end FRI-28th-AUG—thanks/merci, for your participation !
HYACINTH-C

ADHS Tennis

Youth represent the future of our club membership. To that end, ATC will again welcome students from the Almonte District High School physical education program to participate in supervised instruction and play for the fall season.

In addition to school board rules concerning Covid 19, the supervising teacher will undertake to apply the ATC Rules and Recommended Behaviour while students are on the courts.

As planning becomes more defined, scheduled times will be posted on the ATC website.

NOTE:
This season has noticed a higher participation in Tuesday and Thursday morning play. For this reason, all courts have now been blocked for the remainder of the 2020 season, for member play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 – 11:00 AM