Think to Win: Strategic Dimension of Tennis, the

This book specializes in strategy from a geometric point of view. This means that it helps you analyze your options and explains why an option is best. It also explains what is the best spot to recover to after hitting a certain shot. I find this very useful because the author throughly explains why. I don't often apply something to my game unless I know exactly why I am doing it. This way I won't feel reluctant or unsure about doing something. This book takes away my reluctance because the author explains exactly why what he preaches is ideal. It is ideal because he explains how what he says is the best based on angles, court coverage, and percentages. I also enjoyed the chapter on strategy of past champions and current champions such as McEnroe or Becker, and the chapter on game plans. I didn't like his advice on tennis strokes though, but it is still worth the read just for another opinion because no one knows everything. I'd give this book a 4.5 star rating and I believe it is a must read for any tennis player.

"Think To Win," is the best book I've ever read on tennis strategy-and I've read a bunch of 'em. Allen Fox doesn't just tell you how to stroke the ball, he shows you how to PLAY TENNIS! Fox's book has done more for my game than many (too many, I'm sorry to say) years of lessons. His insights on the subtleties of court geometry were a revelation to me, and have improved my winning percentage immeasurably. Buy "Think To Win," along with Brad Gilbert's "Winning Ugly" (who, by the way, was coached by Fox at Pepperdine) Between the two, you'll find the majority of the information you'll need to play successful, competitive tennis.

If you're comfortable with simple geometry and like to analyze what works and doesn't in your game, then this book is excellent. The chapters on court geometry and on the mechanics of generating power alone are worth the price. But if you don't thrive on visualization and analysis, I'd look elsewhere.

I'm not fond of tennis books that tell you all about grip and how to swing the racket for top spin, slice, etc. You can't learn that from a book. It's like reading a book on how to swim the crawl. And besides, that's boring stuff that takes up the majority of every banal tennis book. This book is so very different. It doesn't mess around, but tells you that, when the ball lands here, you've got these options, etc. And it goes into detail, with illustrations, letting you know why, based on physics, that certain shots are low percentage shots. There is a wealth of info on net play, baseline play, approach shots, all with a concentration on placement, instead of racket swing. If you have the ability to play and be competitive, I suggest this book.

This book is ideal for those of us who have the strokes; however don't know what to do with them. The ideas of keeping the ball crosscourt, attack down the line, keep the ball in play, utilizing your strengths and weaknesses, as well as information on strokes can only help a player improve. My success rate in turning matches into victories has increased tremendoulsy since applying the ideas. Most coaches and players mainly concentrate on strokes which are important; moreover this book tends to avoid situations which can cause potential problems down the road. I have worked hard on my game over the years with mixed results; however I know realise if you do not use strategy properly it all does not work! Rarely do coaches teach this information to players as one parent put it "...all we ever get is forehand and a backhand " I feel more coaches should be aware that progress is a lot more effective when strategy is taught. The results of the players that I h! ! ave coached have improved immeasurably since applying these principles; the game is easier to handle! Fox looks at it from a players perspective who needs direction-there are a lot us around-I ask the question why this information was not provided earlier! You also get advice on doubles in this book which makes it unique in both singles and doubles play. This book is for those who have the strokes. There is high level of credablity in the pages, Fox who is a former professional player, a high level college coach, and an academic writes from the battlefield. I do recommend the video version of this book as the concepts are put into practice. This one is a treasure for anyone who wants to improve from beginners to professional level players.