New Usta Season Begins the 1st Week of May

Welcome to the 2007 edition of the tennisfriends blog. We would like to add more teams, more pictures, more trash talk, and more contributors. If you want to add your team and post pictures and news please email me at tennis.friends@gmail.comEmail .. We would also like to link you videos if you post them to photobucket.com or youtube.com. It looks like and exciting new year for USTA play with River Oaks having it's full complement of teams.

Kathy Luengo has already joined the bandwagon and sent in the following suggestions for the coming season:

USTA PRE-SEASON ORIENTATION / WORDS OF WISDOM

• Keeping your eye on the ball…. is a commonly misunderstood concept. Conventional wisdom dictates that all it will result in is shattered specs and shiners.

• Seasonal line calls….A ball –or a fraction of the ball – catching any portion of the line on a bounce is normally considered to be in play from September through April. However, from May through mid-July, or later for teams that advance to the championships, just as with last year’s fashions, what was once considered in is more than likely to be out.

• Foot faults…..from September through mid-July, anything goes. Amazingly, many players, including those with higher level ratings, are consistently seen foot-faulting throughout the off-season. It is recommended that players who believe they may advance to championship rounds practice serving from behind-the-line as early in the season as possible as to avoid getting called on it when it counts most.

• Double bounces….if you need them on occasion, be sure to distract the opponents with a big yelp and grand gesticulation (as if you’re falling) with your non-racquet arm while clicking the racquet frame on the floor as you meet the ball on the shortest possible rise of Bounce Two. Another option is to dip your body low and keep your non-racquet arm out front to obstruct the view of the second bounce. (Your partner can also create a distraction in lieu of yours.)Be ready with this response in advance of any challenge: “What do you mean it bounced twice – no way!” If you’re playing doubles, make sure your partner backs you up. If you are successful at this maneuver you can consider yourself a master of the game. (Remember, there are no shot spots in summer leagues, at least, not yet!)

• Hospitality….make sure to take note of what clubs have the best spreads and reciprocate accordingly when your team is hosting the match. Otherwise, it would be appropriate to yank Auntie Till’s leftover holiday fruitcake out of the freezer and pair it with warm, flat beer. The guests will leave soon after which you can order up the pizza and ribs.

• Digital cameras….are allowed at all times and provide fodder for the Tennis Friends blog. Capture the best moments and submit the pics. The season and team coverage just wouldn’t be the same without them.

• Team uniforms….are not often embraced by the guys, but the unwritten rules require deodorant (for your partner’s sake if playing doubles), mouthwash (more for excessive cursers) and shoes with treads (to avoid having to fake out your opponents when the ball bounces twice.)

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And just to get you ready for the season.....