Bailey’s Blog

‘If you discipline yourself, then no one else has to!”

If I TELL you about learning footwork you will FORGET it,

If I SHOW you how to teach footwork you will REMEMBER it,

But, not until YOU ARE willing to be disciplined enough to TRY THE BAILEY METHOD…to experiment, experience, embrace and question…too improve your knowledge and commit to your craft….ONLY THEN…..will you UNDERSTAND IT!!!

On Sunday 1st April we held our first Customer Appreciation Day for members and friends at the Sydney Olympic Tennis Centre. In bright sunshine, David, described by one player, as informative, enthusiastic, cool and smart, led some fun and energetic sessions with “Kids” from 6 to 60!

Coaches, players & parents alike pushed through demanding routines, highlighting the significance of fitness and agility and the importance of having balance and control over your footwork.

After a brief update of the latest footwork, David led a Tennis Fit Class with Choreographed Fitness/ Footwork Drills To Music, Tennis Tai Chi, Tennis Boxing, Shadow Tennis, Tennis Skipping, E Formation and See, React and Explode Drills.

This was followed by an interesting talk on “Tuning Your Racquet” given by Ron Kohn, the official racquet stringer for this year’s Australian Open and preceded lunch where everyone had an opportunity to chat with David and others sharing their experiences and seeking answers to their queries.

After lunch it was back to work when David did a demonstration “Foot Fit Class” with 6 students doing shadow tennis and fed ball drills of the “Magnificent 7″ Contact Moves. Participants were asked to “TAG” the team as in world championship wrestling and were quite surprised to see how some of the kids under 12 were able to outclass them, many of whom have only worked with Dave for a very short time.

After a fun and lively day all round, it ended with time for “Questions and Answers” and a “Magnificent 7″ quiz.

The feedback of the day was positive and inspiring with everyone agreeing that footwork and balance is a fundamental in tennis and the way forward in developing your game. “David’s unique method is the next best thing with progression for students. It gives a simple, clear message across to students and coaches” said coach Daniel Dilucca.

“Very impressive! I had very little knowledge before today and it seemed a little overwhelming to begin with but it does make a lot of sense. The progressions were simple but very effective”. Sam Hull, Coach

“I come to see this man again and again because he’s does such good things. I want to learn another area of tennis and to make it more interesting for me as a coach, but also for kids and adults to enjoy their tennis more. You can have all the right techniques but if you can’t move it’s worthless” said Alison Scott, Coach

“I think Dave’s method is really good and it makes tennis so much easier” said Jacinta Schinckel - Brown, “My balance and movement were very poor and now its improved dramatically. I’ve had less injuries; my speed and fitness have come up and I’ve won more matches and I’ve won my first singles title this year”.

When the opportunity arises, David plans to do more of these days in some of the capital cities around the world, so if you are a member keep an eye out for our emails and make sure you make a habit of regularly checking our website and David’s informative Blogs.

Diana Hole - Dave’s PA