Compete Like a Champion

CLC is back with a new episode to challenge traditional expectations about mental skills learning and training. We talk about how to enhance mental training so that players can master mental skills and transfer their...

In this skill drill episode we discuss how to match recovery strategies to the issue the player is experiencing. We all discuss how the best recovery could be preventive techniques and routines. For more information...

Recovery from training and competition is often underappreciated and unplanned based on how the player is feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this episode we discuss when to do what type of recovery. And...

The 2025 US Open is in the rear view mirror. Johnny and Dr. Larry reflect on the ingredients needed to perform in a high pressure, high stakes environment. This included regulating emotions, being flexible and...

In a follow-up to the yellow light misconceptions the team covers how to practice yellow light situations. From the conversation prior to the practice to the designing of the situation, we provide in depth analysis on...

Players use different between point routines based on the traffic light system (green, yellow, red lights). What are these yellow lights? When do they happen? Dr. Larry describes the biggest misconceptions about yellow...

In this skill drill we discuss how to prepare for challenging, teachable moments in practice, and how you can coach yourself during these moments. We provide specific questions you want to be asking yourself as you go...

How do we avoid "pinball coaching" and optimize learning? What can players do to prepare to learn, stay engaged as they execute in practice, and retain more of what they are learning in practice? How can we create...

How do you prepare players to move from slow to fast courts or vice versa? Johnny and Larry break it down in the latest skill drill episode. Johnny offers up 4 games coaches can use to make the transition. And, we...

CLC is back after a month of traveling and tournaments. Coach Johnny shares his reflections from the collegiate season and what that could mean for all players and coaches. We get into match preparation, dealing with...

What is mental fatigue? Is it for real? It is actually, but it is difficult to describe for the player. In this podcast we define it, discuss the signs and symptoms, and examine how it impacts our performance. We dive...

Awareness on the court is essential to performance and learning. In this skill drill we talk about using on-court mindfulness to overcome boredom and loss of focus, specially in situations such as when the opponent take...

The Spanish method to teaching tennis has historically emphasized the idea of "suffering" through repetitive, montonous drills. This episode covers two drills (included in The Secrets of Spanish Tennis book written by...

Chris Lewit, author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis, joins CLC to discuss the history of Spanish tennis. We dive deep into the Spanish philosophy, the six foundational pillars, and where it came from. We also discuss...

Chris Lewit, author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis, joins CLC to discuss the history of Spanish tennis. We dive deep into the Spanish philosophy, the six foundational pillars, and where it came from. We also discuss...

Being bored is a bad thing, right? Maybe not. Should we be actually looking for moments of boredom and do they benefit us? We dive into the experience of boredom in our lives and in high performance tennis and how it...

In the first skill drill of the year Coach Johnny and Dr. Larry talk about creative ways to improve when you are injured. For more information find us at Dr. Larry and Coach Johnny on X: @LarryLauer / @johnnyparkes1...

In our opening episode of 2025 we delve how coaches can help players deal effectively with the initial uncertainty and stress of an injury, and the rehab process. This episode provides specific recommendations on how to...

At the end of the year tennis players and coaches reflect on their expriences to develop important and meaningful goals. The quality of that reflection will determine the quality of the goals. This episode dives into...

Off-Court coaching is coming to ITF tournaments. Coaches, have you planned with the player how you will communicate? In this episode we discuss how to work on off-court coaching by simulating the match situation. We...

The ITF is allowing off-court coaching during matches. Coach Johnny and Dr. Larry walk through the rule change and the pro's and con's. BBC article: ITF announcement For more information find us at Dr. Larry and Coach...

Outtoughing an opponent requires perseverance, and that is something that can be trained. In this skill drill episode we offer two games that will help challenge your players to hang in there through longer periods of...

Mental toughness has many definitions, but how are you defining toughness? Johnny and Larry discuss Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum's definition of mental toughness and how that can make a huge difference in how junior...

As coaches we often try to avoid angering players on court, because it is difficult to work with players when angry. However, for players to experience success while angry they must work "anger triggers" in training...

Discussions about anger in sport and in tennis are too simplistic; it's not just "bad" or "get it out and get on with it". In this episode we talk about anger in depth and why, in most cases, anger doesn't enhance...