How to Keep Your Tennis Skills Sharp in the Winter

It's winter time. Pretty soon, your favorite outdoor courts will be covered by good old Jack Frost. Don't fret, though. If you still want to work on your tennis game, there are ways around it. Here are some tips to keep your skills in tip top shape.

Find an Indoor Tennis Court

This is the "duh" tip of the article. Look in your surrounding area to see if there are any tennis clubs. Some might offer special rates for seasonal membership. Why stop paying if you don't have to. Sure, it won't be the outside type of feel that you may be used to, but it's better than not playing tennis at all. The best way to keep your skills in tact is to keep using them.

Study the Tape

Even if you can't hit the tennis courts in the dead of winter, you can still work on some important aspects of your game. Do you have any footage of yourself playing? Give it a look. See where your weaknesses are and develop strategies to overcome them. If you don't have any footage of yourself playing, give Youtube a look. Youtube has tons of old and current match clips that you can study and learn from. You'll be surprised what little tricks you'll pick up watching old Pete Sampras matches. Along with watching the players, make sure to listen to the commentators (especially if Mary Carrillo or Patrick McEnroe are in the booth). Their insights to the game can also be a tremendous help.

Get Buff in the Gym

If you can't play matches, the next best thing is to keep in shape. Take advantage of the off season to get your body in tip top condition. Why is being in shape such a big deal? Having strength and endurance can mean the difference between winning and losing a match. Especially between two club players, the one that wears out first usually is the one to fizzle out. You can lift weights, use the elliptical machines, or both. Do whatever you like to do most. Even if you can't get in the gym, consistently do push-ups and sit-ups. It's better than nothing.

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