Tennis Forecast for week of Feb 23

Here we go friends, the season is starting up! Here's the forecast and what to pack.

FYI, we're going to start offering 6:30am optional practice time if the weather is dry and above 40 degrees. Some people want the extra personal work on a specific stroke. Come and go anytime after 6:30am.

Here's the agenda of Tuesday. 

• Students Released from Class: 1:30pm

• Leave White County High School: 1:50pm

• Arrive at Warren County: 2:35pm

• Match Time: 3:00pm

Here's a couple of tips that will give you more success.

• Talk to your LAST BLOCK TEACHERS today about missing most of their class on Tuesday.  Prepare them for your early departure with good, positive early communications.  

• Sleep this Monday and eat well.  Stay away from the excess sugary drinks that promote inflammation

• Do your work that is due Tuesday on Monday night.

• Pack your tennis bag on Monday night. 

  • 9 essential items to always keep in your tennis bag

  • 1. Racquets (2): You obviously aren't getting too far in a match without these.  However, many people DON'T bring backup racquets in case something happens to the first one out of the bag.  Your strings could break, the racquet could slip out of your hand and crack, your grip could get worn and slippery...if any of these things happen, you should always have another racquet to pull out of the bag.

  • 2. Water (and/or sports drink): Don't be too cool to bring hydration to the court - it's not smart.  Make sure you bring plenty of water or a sports drink to the court.  Even mild dehydration can affect your concentration, emotions, and how quickly you fatigue.  More importantly, it's simply unsafe to get dehydrated during exercise.

  • 3. Sunscreen: This is another no-brainer to bring to the court for players who play outdoors.  Skin damage affects way too many tennis players, so make sure you lather up and protect yourself from the sun when you go out on court.  There are some great ones that are water and sweat-resistant and also absorb into the skin quickly.  Once again, don't be too cool to protect yourself from the sun.

  • 5. Hat/Visor: A lot of tennis players say they don't like playing with hats, but I think you always have to keep a lightweight hat in your bag in case that spring sun just gets too hot and bright.  This goes in the category of skin protection, but it also has to do with performance.  When the sun is getting in your eyes on your service toss or overheads from one side of the court, a hat can be a simple and easy solution to the problem.  If you don't like hats, go with a visor!  They are good to have just in case.

  • 6. Hand Towel: A towel is always good to have in your bag.  It helps with sweat management, but there are endless other uses for it as well.  What if you need to stretch out after your match on a hot court or a grassy lawn?  What if you slip and fall on the clay and need to wipe yourself off?  I don't think I need to explain any further. Carry a towel with you in your tennis bag!

  • 7. Band-Aids - they help if you cut yourself on a ball can, slip and fall on the court, or get a blister mid-match.  We will have our team travel first aid kit in my green Solenco bag, but it is handy to keep a few in your bag. 

  • 8. Extra overgrips (if you use them): For players who like to use overgrips, it's always good to keep a spare one or two in your bag just in case.  A dirty or slippery grip can cost you during a key service game, so be sure you can replace it if you need to. Get them at Walmart or Academy Sports.

  • 9. Extra dampeners (if you use them): Once again, this is for players who use vibration dampeners.  If you make off-center contact, they can come flying out pretty easily - it happens all the time.  And those of you who have had that happen to you, you know they can go bouncing off in any which way, and you may not be able to find it.  It's always good to have a spare one or two in the bag so you don't have to be worried about it if you can't find your lost or broken one.

• Pick up your uniform shirt from Coach Hawkins. It will be cold, so think in layers over your uniform.

Also, here's a graphic of the updated schedule as of 2/22. Shouldn't be a lot of changing from here on out. Notice the extra boys match on 3/5 at Home.