The 3rd Annual Carpetime Club Championships are right around the corner!
They begin next week on the 7th and run through the weekend on the 11th!
We have lowered the prices, they are super affordable, only $10 for singles and $15 for doubles (2 event limit). You may fill out an entry form at the club and leave it on Bri's desk, or email us and we will get you signed up (Please make sure you get an email response confirming your entry, sometimes Bri can be scatterbrained and miss one!)
There will be prizes for winners!
SEE YA SOON. ALSO, CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR THE MOST UPDATED UPCOMING EVENTS SCHEDULE, AND THE BLOG IS NOW GOING TO START FEATURING WEEKLY UPDATES OF CLINICS, EVENTS, ETC FOR THAT WEEK.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
SAM'S TENNIS TIPS #2
Watching the Ball – What It Really Means
“Watch the ball” is a phrase that has become so familiar to most people that it doesn’t have much meaning. When they hear an instructor tell them to watch the ball they think, “Yeah, I know. Now what?” But in my opinion the one thing you can do to improve your game the most is to become disciplined about watching the ball and make it your number one priority.
If you think about it the only time that we can influence where the ball goes is when it is on our strings. So all of the stroke techniques, strategies and other things that we’ve learned are meaningless if we don’t hit the ball in the place that will make it go where we want. And that right there is the key. Tennis is not about hitting a target on the other side of the net – it’s about hitting the spot on the ball that will send it to the target on the other side of the net.
So the next time your game goes off a little and you want to start changing things around. First, focus your eyes on the spot on the ball you need to hit in order to get it to go where you want and see what happens
“Watch the ball” is a phrase that has become so familiar to most people that it doesn’t have much meaning. When they hear an instructor tell them to watch the ball they think, “Yeah, I know. Now what?” But in my opinion the one thing you can do to improve your game the most is to become disciplined about watching the ball and make it your number one priority.
If you think about it the only time that we can influence where the ball goes is when it is on our strings. So all of the stroke techniques, strategies and other things that we’ve learned are meaningless if we don’t hit the ball in the place that will make it go where we want. And that right there is the key. Tennis is not about hitting a target on the other side of the net – it’s about hitting the spot on the ball that will send it to the target on the other side of the net.
So the next time your game goes off a little and you want to start changing things around. First, focus your eyes on the spot on the ball you need to hit in order to get it to go where you want and see what happens
Monday, November 24, 2008
CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY
CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY!
When: Friday, December 12th, 5:30-8:30pm
Where: The Club
What: A Tennis Mixer on courts 2-4, and hors'd'ouerves and drinks on court 1
A White Elephant Gift Exchange.
Table Tennis/Ping Pong
Fun Fun Fun
Cost: $10/person
RSVP: By December 8th, at the club, phone, or email us. (or leave a comment on the blog)
SEE YOU HERE!!!
When: Friday, December 12th, 5:30-8:30pm
Where: The Club
What: A Tennis Mixer on courts 2-4, and hors'd'ouerves and drinks on court 1
A White Elephant Gift Exchange.
Table Tennis/Ping Pong
Fun Fun Fun
Cost: $10/person
RSVP: By December 8th, at the club, phone, or email us. (or leave a comment on the blog)
SEE YOU HERE!!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sam's Tennis Tips...
Hi Junction Indoor Tennis Club members,
This is the first installment of Sam’s Tennis Tips, which will be a regular posting on the JITC blog. My goal with this is to provide information that will help you to improve your tennis game, no matter what level of player you happen to be, by simply looking at the game in a different way. So let’s get started!
Tip #1 – Pace and Height – The Foundation of Tennis
Pace and Height is a concept that is used by successful players from the newest beginners all the way up to Roger and Rafa on the lawns of Wimbledon. The bigger meaning behind these two words is that the highest percentage shot (or most successful) is to return the ball at the same pace that it comes to you and clear the net at the same height as the shot your opponent hit to you. When you do this you are basically neutralizing whatever your opponent is trying to do and keeping the point alive. It’s like saying, “Nice shot… Back at ya’.”
Pace is a combination of the speed and spin of the ball and has a lot to do with how “cleanly” someone hits the ball. So a ball with a lot of spin is going to have more “pace” than a ball with little spin hit at the same speed. Common mistakes that occur in the pace department are when someone is hit a soft shot that they think they should be able to kill (and they do – right into the net), or when someone is hit a hard shot and they try to hit it back soft – only to have their racket wobble on impact and the ball goes flying two courts down.
Hitting the ball back at the same pace is not enough – it also needs to clear the net at the same height as the shot coming to you. This is because the shape of a tennis court is long and narrow, meaning that to be successful you have to hit the ball deep. Common mistakes in this area occur when a player hits a soft shot low over the net, giving their opponent a short ball and control of the point; or when they hit the ball hard and high, making that lovely booming sound as it hits the back wall on the fly.
How to practice Pace and Height:
After I teach a beginner the technique of the forehand and backhand and they become 70% proficient with hitting fed balls, I then teach them the concept of pace and height. Our goal then becomes to hit a ball back and forth 100 times in a row from the baseline, and we devote time to that in each lesson. On that day when we fnally make it to 100 we celebrate - because they have just graduated and are no longer a beginner.
So what you can do is get a friend and pace and height your way to 100. If you can’t get there on the baseline, move up to halfway between the baseline and service line and do it there first. It’s a lot of fun and will remind you of why you love playing tennis.
Keep on the lookout for Tip #2 – Watching The Ball – What It Really Means
This is the first installment of Sam’s Tennis Tips, which will be a regular posting on the JITC blog. My goal with this is to provide information that will help you to improve your tennis game, no matter what level of player you happen to be, by simply looking at the game in a different way. So let’s get started!
Tip #1 – Pace and Height – The Foundation of Tennis
Pace and Height is a concept that is used by successful players from the newest beginners all the way up to Roger and Rafa on the lawns of Wimbledon. The bigger meaning behind these two words is that the highest percentage shot (or most successful) is to return the ball at the same pace that it comes to you and clear the net at the same height as the shot your opponent hit to you. When you do this you are basically neutralizing whatever your opponent is trying to do and keeping the point alive. It’s like saying, “Nice shot… Back at ya’.”
Pace is a combination of the speed and spin of the ball and has a lot to do with how “cleanly” someone hits the ball. So a ball with a lot of spin is going to have more “pace” than a ball with little spin hit at the same speed. Common mistakes that occur in the pace department are when someone is hit a soft shot that they think they should be able to kill (and they do – right into the net), or when someone is hit a hard shot and they try to hit it back soft – only to have their racket wobble on impact and the ball goes flying two courts down.
Hitting the ball back at the same pace is not enough – it also needs to clear the net at the same height as the shot coming to you. This is because the shape of a tennis court is long and narrow, meaning that to be successful you have to hit the ball deep. Common mistakes in this area occur when a player hits a soft shot low over the net, giving their opponent a short ball and control of the point; or when they hit the ball hard and high, making that lovely booming sound as it hits the back wall on the fly.
How to practice Pace and Height:
After I teach a beginner the technique of the forehand and backhand and they become 70% proficient with hitting fed balls, I then teach them the concept of pace and height. Our goal then becomes to hit a ball back and forth 100 times in a row from the baseline, and we devote time to that in each lesson. On that day when we fnally make it to 100 we celebrate - because they have just graduated and are no longer a beginner.
So what you can do is get a friend and pace and height your way to 100. If you can’t get there on the baseline, move up to halfway between the baseline and service line and do it there first. It’s a lot of fun and will remind you of why you love playing tennis.
Keep on the lookout for Tip #2 – Watching The Ball – What It Really Means
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Friday Night Mixers.
We are starting a new tradition of Friday Night Drop In Mixers. And we start Friday, November 14th at 5:00pm. This kick off night will only go until 7:00 due to the all club meeting at 7:30.
The format is going to be fun, and allows you to play with many people, play as leisurely or competitively as you like, and will be tons of fun.
The cost is only $5, and balls will be provided.
We hope this becomes a fun tradition here at JITC! So, starting November 14th, every Friday, (holidays, tourneys, etc., excluded) we will be having this drop in Friday Night Mixer.
Thanks, hope to see you there!
The format is going to be fun, and allows you to play with many people, play as leisurely or competitively as you like, and will be tons of fun.
The cost is only $5, and balls will be provided.
We hope this becomes a fun tradition here at JITC! So, starting November 14th, every Friday, (holidays, tourneys, etc., excluded) we will be having this drop in Friday Night Mixer.
Thanks, hope to see you there!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Drill Baby Drill.
You are invited: SATURDAYS WITH SAM.
When:Saturday, NOVEMBER 15TH.
Time: 11:00-Noon (Clinic) Noon - 1:00 Lunch 1:00-3 play matches and get to know Sam as he gives pointers and hangs out all day (some Telluriders are hopefully coming down!!)
What: Saturday Drill with Sam
How Much: $5 for the morning clinic, $10 for the whole day...crazy I know!
Come check out a Saturday morning of drilling with Sam.
Meet Sam if you haven't yet been able to, and see what he is all about.
RSVP to reserve your spot. 241.2280
When:Saturday, NOVEMBER 15TH.
Time: 11:00-Noon (Clinic) Noon - 1:00 Lunch 1:00-3 play matches and get to know Sam as he gives pointers and hangs out all day (some Telluriders are hopefully coming down!!)
What: Saturday Drill with Sam
How Much: $5 for the morning clinic, $10 for the whole day...crazy I know!
Come check out a Saturday morning of drilling with Sam.
Meet Sam if you haven't yet been able to, and see what he is all about.
RSVP to reserve your spot. 241.2280
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Major Mortgage.
Major Mortgage tournament is on. There aren't tons of people, but the draws that we do have should be great. Come hang out at the club and watch some good tennis this weekend! The finals for the Men's Open are Sunday am at 9:00.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Locals featured in Colorado Tennis Newspaper, part I
USTA puts out a Colorado Tennis Newspaper 4 times/year. The fall issue just came out and there are some JITC members in it! First of all, page 12 talks about our own Susan Wright. Here is an excerpt from the paper.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has selected Susan Wright of Grand Junction, CO to be a member of the U.S. Maria Esther Bueno Cup Team for women 50 and over. Wright will compete with her team .
in this year’s international team competition in Antalya, Turkey October 12 – 18, 2008. Upon graduating from high school, Mrs. Wright spent several years playing tennis on the pro tour. Since returning to competition in 2003 at the senior level, Susan has won 8 national singles titles, 15 national doubles titles, and two Super Senior Father/Daughter national titles. Other accomplishments include: ITF Senior World Doubles Champion, 2005; Outstanding Female Player of the Year in Colorado, 2005; Sportswoman of Colorado Tennis, 2004. Wright is currently ranked number one in the USTA national singles rankings and number two in the ITF world rankings for her age group
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has selected Susan Wright of Grand Junction, CO to be a member of the U.S. Maria Esther Bueno Cup Team for women 50 and over. Wright will compete with her team .
in this year’s international team competition in Antalya, Turkey October 12 – 18, 2008. Upon graduating from high school, Mrs. Wright spent several years playing tennis on the pro tour. Since returning to competition in 2003 at the senior level, Susan has won 8 national singles titles, 15 national doubles titles, and two Super Senior Father/Daughter national titles. Other accomplishments include: ITF Senior World Doubles Champion, 2005; Outstanding Female Player of the Year in Colorado, 2005; Sportswoman of Colorado Tennis, 2004. Wright is currently ranked number one in the USTA national singles rankings and number two in the ITF world rankings for her age group
Congratulations to Susan and let's all wish her Good Luck in the International Team Competition in Turkey next week, October 12-18th! To follow her journey in the tournament, click here.
Susan plays at the club at least 3 or 4 times/week when she is in town. She practices by playing with some of the best men in the club; Jerry Lockwood, Tim Wright(also her husband), & Dan MacDonald. Her father, Enver Mehmedbasich also helps her train. She also is our member social director! Way to go Susan.
Next time learn about our JITC women's 4.0 team that was also in the colorado tennis paper.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Court Booking Emails.
If you have started receiving emails that seem a little unusual from the club, it is probably a court booking email. One of the features of our new tennis software is that the system automatically generates an email when a court is booked, this email is sent to everyone on the court (if the names of all players are given at time of booking). This works as a great confirmation that we got your court booking.
Eventually, you will be able to book your own courts online, this is projected for January of 2009. I think it will be a great feature! You also of course, will still be able to call me up and I will do it for you!
Eventually, you will be able to book your own courts online, this is projected for January of 2009. I think it will be a great feature! You also of course, will still be able to call me up and I will do it for you!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
MAJOR MORTGAGE AUTUMN CLASSIC
The 3rd Annual Major Mortgage Autumn Classic is right around the corner, it is October 10-12. We are expecting a great turnout and tons of good tennis in beautiful Western Colorado Fall weather.
Entries are now being accepted. You may enter online at USTA.com. <-- click here to go directly to the sign up page!
Get signed up! Look forward to seeing you on the courts.
Entries are now being accepted. You may enter online at USTA.com. <-- click here to go directly to the sign up page!
Get signed up! Look forward to seeing you on the courts.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The New JITC Blog....
This is the new Junction Indoor Tennis Center Blog. It is my hope, that with this blog, we will be able to keep all members up to date with what is going on with the Tennis Center. We hope to eventually have a website where we can do this, but until then, we will blog.
We plan on updating it often with Drill information, League Schedules and information, hour changes, Holiday closure info, fun articles about USTA teams, member and employee bios, etc. We also hope to keep you in the loop about ownership information. Any new membership policies, changes, etc. will also be written about in the this blog. I will most likely be writing most of the blogs, but I will also hope to have guest writers, such as Ken Scissors & other board members, other employees, members who would like to contribute, vendors, etc.
We think it will also be a great forum for you to express your thoughts and opinions on things that management is doing. Our hope from this, is that we will be able to serve you in the best way possible, and that we gain mutual respect and understanding between membership and management. If you would like to leave a comment about a post, you just press the "comments" button at the bottom of the page, here you can leave a message, or you can read messages others have left.
Thank You and I look forward to seeing the gap lessen between member expectations/desires and management realities. Have a great day!
Bri Gruwell, Club Manager
We plan on updating it often with Drill information, League Schedules and information, hour changes, Holiday closure info, fun articles about USTA teams, member and employee bios, etc. We also hope to keep you in the loop about ownership information. Any new membership policies, changes, etc. will also be written about in the this blog. I will most likely be writing most of the blogs, but I will also hope to have guest writers, such as Ken Scissors & other board members, other employees, members who would like to contribute, vendors, etc.
We think it will also be a great forum for you to express your thoughts and opinions on things that management is doing. Our hope from this, is that we will be able to serve you in the best way possible, and that we gain mutual respect and understanding between membership and management. If you would like to leave a comment about a post, you just press the "comments" button at the bottom of the page, here you can leave a message, or you can read messages others have left.
Thank You and I look forward to seeing the gap lessen between member expectations/desires and management realities. Have a great day!
Bri Gruwell, Club Manager
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