<![CDATA[Stony Stratford Lawn Tennis Club - John\'s Blog]]>

<![CDATA[Stony Stratford Lawn Tennis Club - John\'s Blog]]>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:02:35 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[The Mental Game: How to Shake Off a Double Fault]]>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:39:03 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/the-mental-game-how-to-shake-off-a-double-faultHi Team Stony Tennis,

Every tennis player has experienced it…a double fault at the worst possible moment.
It can be frustrating, but the best players know that what happens next is far more important than the mistake itself. Tennis is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and learning how to reset after an error is a skill that can make a huge difference to your performance.

Here are three simple ways to move on after a double fault:

Take a breath.
Before your next point, take a deep breath and give yourself a moment to reset. A calm mind leads to better decisions.

Focus on the next point.
You can't change the last point, but you can influence the next one. Treat every point as a fresh opportunity.

Stick to your routine.
Whether it's bouncing the ball before serving or taking a few seconds between points, having a consistent routine helps keep your mind focused and confident.

Remember, every player…from beginners to professionals, makes mistakes. The difference is learning not to let one error become two or three.

If you'd like to build greater confidence, improve your focus under pressure, and strengthen your overall game, our coaches are here to help.

Ready to take your game to the next level?

Book a coaching session today and learn practical techniques to stay composed, bounce back from mistakes, and perform at your best when it matters most.

We look forward to seeing you on court!

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis]]><![CDATA[Double Sofia Power: Underdog Duos Lead Bucks to Dramatic County Cup Victory]]>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:44:57 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/double-sofia-power-underdog-duos-lead-bucks-to-dramatic-county-cup-victoryHi Team Stony Tennis,

I wanted to share some exciting news from Team Stony Tennis that we know you'll enjoy hearing about.

Two of our talented Team Stony players, Sofia H and Sofia C, recently played a key role in helping Buckinghamshire become 11&U County Cup Champions.
Representing the county as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeded players, the girls produced a series of outstanding performances throughout the tournament. Despite entering the competition as underdogs, they helped Buckinghamshire record impressive victories over Wiltshire, Norfolk and Bedfordshire to reach the final.

The championship match provided plenty of drama, with the title being decided in a tense tie-break. Under immense pressure, both girls showed exceptional composure, resilience and determination to secure the win and bring home the County Cup trophy.

Reflecting on their achievement:

"I'm so proud of the girls as I know how much hard work they put into their tennis every day. They've had a great experience and to be able to come through some very close matches shows their resilience and determination."

Stories like these are a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved through commitment, perseverance and a love for the game. We are incredibly proud to see our players representing both Team Stony Tennis and Buckinghamshire with such distinction.

Please join us in congratulating Sofia H and Sofia C on this fantastic achievement. We look forward to following their continued progress and sharing more success stories with you in the future.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis

]]><![CDATA[Why Summer Camps Are So Much More Than Just Childcare]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:37:11 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/why-summer-camps-are-so-much-more-than-just-childcareHi Team Stony,

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many families start looking for ways to keep their children active, engaged and happy throughout the break. Summer camps offer so much more than simply filling the school holiday calendar – they provide children with opportunities to learn, grow and create lasting memories.

At our More Than Just Tennis Camps, children benefit from a wide variety of experiences that support their physical, social and emotional development.

The benefits of summer camps include:

Building confidence and resilience:
Trying new activities and developing new skills helps children grow in confidence and become more independent.
Developing friendships and social skills:
Camps bring children together in a fun and supportive environment, encouraging teamwork, communication and the chance to make new friends.
Staying active and healthy:
With a mixture of tennis coaching and a range of exciting activities, children remain physically active throughout the day, helping improve fitness, coordination and overall wellbeing.
Learning through play:
From problem-solving treasure hunts to arts and crafts, camps provide opportunities for creativity, critical thinking and personal development outside of the classroom.
Creating positive holiday experiences:
Children thrive when they are having fun. Summer camps give them the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, discover new interests and build happy memories that last long after the holidays end.

At Stony Stratford Tennis Club, our More Than Just Tennis Camps combine high-quality tennis coaching with a fantastic range of activities including football, basketball, Nerf games, yoga, arts and crafts, movie time, dodgeball, Kwik Cricket and much more.

All sessions are delivered by a team of DBS checked, First Aid certified, safeguarding trained and fully insured coaches, providing parents with peace of mind that their children are safe, supported and well cared for.

Whether your child is a keen tennis player or simply looking for an exciting and active holiday experience, our camps are designed to cater for children of all abilities aged 5–14 years.
We would love for your child to join us this summer and experience the many benefits that holiday camps can offer.

Register here - More Than Just Tennis Camps

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis]]><![CDATA[Why your "ugly" shots are actually a secret weapon]]>Wed, 27 May 2026 10:04:22 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/why-your-ugly-shots-are-actually-a-secret-weaponHi Team Stony Tennis,

Have you ever seen yourself on a video recording and thought “Is that what I look like?”

It’s a common trap. We watch Alcaraz or Swiatek on TV, see that effortless, whip-like motion on their forehands, and then get frustrated when our own swing looks a bit more "homemade." We start to believe that because we don’t look like a pro, we’re limiting our potential to be better.

I’ve got to tell you that most of the time, it’s your belief that is holding you back, not your technique.

Most club players are obsessed with Aesthetics and how the swing looks. They’ll study hours of YouTube footage, watch every instructional video and fail to be able to put this into their game. You don’t win points for looking good…tennis isn’t figure skating! The ball doesn't have eyes and it doesn't know if you look like Roger Federer or a windmill. The ball only responds to Physics. If you really want to build a game that actually wins matches, you need to stop chasing "perfect" and start chasing "functional." When you stop trying to look pretty, you free up your brain to focus on what actually matters.

Instead of worrying about the angle of your elbow or the "pro-style" follow-through, focus on these three things. If you hit these, the ball must go in:

The Contact Point: Is the ball in front of your body? If yes, you have power.
The Balance: Are your feet in position with your head and shoulders still at impact? If yes, you have control.
The Recovery: Are you back in position for the next one? If yes, you have a future.

Everything else is just "style."

There is an international 14&U Tournament in France each year and when you look at some of the juniors reaching the quarterfinals or semi-finals, they have some very interesting technique but they arrive in time and manipulate the racket to get good contact with the ball to achieve their desired outcome. Some of the toughest players to beat at the local level have the "ugliest" strokes but ‘Why’? It’s because they aren't overthinking their technique. They are focused on the target, the movement, and the strategy.

When you realise that your "homemade" game is capable of hitting the lines just as well as a textbook stroke, your confidence will skyrocket. You’ll stop apologising for your technique and start using it to dismantle your opponents.

The win counts exactly the same, whether the shot was "pretty" or not.

The Team Stony Tennis Coaches are always on hand to help players find what works for them. We know that there is a range of acceptability with technique and that what works for one player will not work for another, but it’s about establishing the fundamentals for each individual or your “Tennis DNA”. When you understand what you’re trying to achieve (strategy) you can implement the tactics to achieve it.

So next time you’re on court, focus on getting into position on time and contacting the ball in front rather than how you look. I promise, you will see better results

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis]]><![CDATA[Smiles, Confidence & Community – A Parent’s Journey with Team Stony]]>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:27:29 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/smiles-confidence-community-a-parents-journey-with-team-stonyHi Team Stony Tennis,

We love it when we get great feedback from parents and here are the words from one of our parents, Jordon Cox, about his journey with his daughter Kitty.

Kitty has been coached by Team Stony Tennis for the past two years and is now beginning her third year — still full of smiles, enthusiasm, and positivity.

As parents, we were initially very cautious about moving clubs to Stony Stratford L.T.C. We worried that a change in environment and unfamiliar faces might affect the love and passion for tennis that Kitty had already developed. It was a big decision, and we approached it carefully.

Those concerns were quickly eased after Kitty attended her very first introductory session. She came back to the clubhouse beaming, full of energy, and genuinely excited. In the past, she would often leave sessions feeling tired and hungry, but that changed immediately. Despite the hard work on court and in fitness sessions, she now finishes every session buzzing with enthusiasm. Looking back, we only wish we had made the move sooner.

Kitty now looks forward to every session — whether it’s sunshine, wind, rain, or even snow. She thoroughly enjoys both the tennis and fitness training, and to our recollection, she has rarely missed a session unless away on holiday or due to school commitments. That level of consistency speaks volumes about the coaches’ ability to engage the players and the strong friendships Kitty has formed through training.

The sense of support and community at the club is truly special. The coaches are attentive and perceptive, quick to notice when something isn’t quite clicking and proactive in making adjustments. The variety of coaches is another huge strength, ensuring the right fit for each child. The club is also fortunate to have many high-quality junior players who give back to the younger ones. Kitty has found a fantastic role model in Emily Marshall and really enjoys their practice sessions together.

Another standout feature is the large junior community. With so many young players, there are endless opportunities to play, support one another, and grow together — creating a genuine family feel both on and off the court.

At times, we even wonder if Kitty is playing too much tennis, but she always reassures us how happy she is on court. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved at the club and at Team Stony Tennis for creating such a positive, healthy, and nurturing environment.

There is also excellent support for parents, with coaches who are approachable, communicative, and always willing to offer guidance as players begin their competitive journeys.

Beyond improving tennis skills and physical development, this experience has given our daughter valuable life lessons — all within a safe, friendly, and supportive setting.
Thank you.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis

]]><![CDATA[How Adding Topspin Changes Your Groundstrokes]]>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:58:42 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/how-adding-topspin-changes-your-groundstrokesHi Team Stony Tennis,

I wanted to share a quick coaching insight that’s made a huge difference to many players I work with…. mastering topspin on groundstrokes.

I remember working 1-to-1 with a player who struggled with consistency from the baseline. They could hit hard, but balls were often flying long or breaking down under pressure. We didn’t change their swing dramatically but instead, we focused on how they used topspin.

Once they learned to brush up the back of the ball, trust the net clearance, and accelerate through contact, everything changed. Their shots started dipping inside the lines, rallies became longer, and confidence grew almost immediately.

What surprised them most was this:

Topspin didn’t just add safety, it added control, depth, and pressure on their opponent.

With solid topspin, groundstrokes:

Stay in play more consistently
Push opponents back behind the baseline
Higher bounce to make it hard for the opponents to judge
Allow you to swing freely without fear

This is exactly what we focus on in our sessions to build reliable, repeatable topspin that holds up in match situations, not just during drills.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re hitting “well” but not getting the results you want, improving your topspin could be the missing piece.

If you’d like to work on this personally and see the difference for yourself, just reply to this email and one of the coaching team would be delighted to help.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis]]><![CDATA[A Simple Shot That Can Win You More Points]]>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:56:50 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/a-simple-shot-that-can-win-you-more-pointsHi Team Stony Tennis,

I wanted to share with you something that’s come up a lot on court recently…the lob.
So often, players see the lob as a “panic shot,” something you hit only when you’re in trouble. But used at the right time, it can be one of the smartest and most effective shots in your game.

I see great opportunities for a lob when an opponent is pressing the net, when you’ve been pulled wide, or when you want to slow things down and reset the point. Instead of forcing a difficult pass, a well-timed lob can turn the tables completely.

A good lob does a few important things:

It makes your opponent turn and run
It forces awkward overheads
It pushes players back and opens the court
And most importantly, it makes opponents think twice before coming forward again

Once someone knows you can lob well, they hesitate and that gives you control.

Players need to work on recognizing the right moments to use the lob, improving disguise, and placing it deep rather than just hitting it high. It’s a small adjustment, but it can make a big difference to how many points you win.

Next time you’re on court, don’t be afraid to look up and use the space behind your opponent and you might be surprised how effective it can be.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis]]><![CDATA[Building Players, People, and a Proud Tennis Community]]>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:52:33 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/building-players-people-and-a-proud-tennis-communityHi Team Stony Tennis,

I wanted to share something a bit special with you today.

Some nights, while I’m on court running our coaching sessions, I often get the chance to chat with parents and players about their experiences. This week, one conversation really stuck with me, and with permission, I wanted to share it with you.

These are Toli’s words – Toli is our Men’s Team Captain and trains in our Monday night Team Stony Tennis session. He’s also a dad who has looked around plenty of clubs locally before finding his home here.

“When we were looking around for clubs in Milton Keynes, honestly, I wanted to choose a place that has a real impact on kids’ tennis and their manners. I wanted somewhere where coaches are engaged and passionate about what they do.

Team Stony is the best club in Milton Keynes, no doubt. The difference is huge. From the start, they’ve been so professional, yet incredibly approachable and natural.

The coaching here is just incredible. My son has so much fun, and the coaches are amazing at keeping the kids engaged, making it really amicable and amusing. They’re teaching him the fun of playing a sport and also, importantly, how to be a good human being with his peers and adults.

I honestly can’t think of a better club for my kids to learn tennis and all those great life lessons. Can’t wait to see Alcaraz’s face when my kid beats him at a major wearing his Team Stony T-shirt!”
Reading this made me smile for all the right reasons.

What Toli describes is exactly what we work so hard to build at Team Stony Tennis – a place where:

Kids love coming to tennis

Parents feel confident in the environment their children are in

Players learn skills for life, not just forehands and backhands

Coaches genuinely care, engage, and enjoy being on court

Whether you’re here as a parent, a player, or someone who simply loves tennis, thank you for being part of this community. Helping people grow on and off the court is what drives us every single day.

And who knows… one day we might see a player in a Team Stony T-shirt ready to take on Alcaraz :)

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis]]><![CDATA[Why Teamwork Matters – The Heart of Team Stony Tennis]]>Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:44:38 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/why-teamwork-matters-the-heart-of-team-stony-tennisHi Team Stony Tennis,

At Team Stony Tennis, we often talk about technique, tactics, and training, but at the heart of everything we do is something just as important: teamwork.

While tennis is an individual sport on court, no player ever develops alone. Behind every confident serve, resilient comeback, and positive attitude is a team of coaches, parents, teammates, and supporters working together.

What Teamwork means at Team Stony Tennis

Supporting each other:
Players learn to encourage teammates, celebrate effort, and respect one another, whether they’re winning or learning.

Learning together:
Training in groups helps players pick up habits, ideas, and confidence from each other, creating a positive environment where everyone improves.

Building resilience:
Through team activities, match play, and shared challenges, players learn how to handle pressure, mistakes, and setbacks together.

Developing communication skills:
Team sessions teach players how to listen, share ideas, and express themselves respectfully on and off the court.

Creating a sense of belonging:
Being part of Team Stony Tennis means more than attending sessions. It means feeling included, supported, and proud to wear the badge.

Why This Matters for Long-Term Development

Teamwork helps players:

Build confidence and emotional control
Develop leadership and responsibility
Enjoy the sport for longer
Learn life skills that extend far beyond tennis

These values shape not only better tennis players, but better people.

We’re incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built at Team Stony Tennis. It’s one where players push each other to improve, celebrate successes together, and learn from challenges as a team.

Thank you for being such an important part of our community and for helping us create an environment where teamwork truly comes first.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis]]><![CDATA[Celebrating Sofia’s Incredible Tennis Journey]]>Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:37:03 GMThttps://www.ssltc.co.uk/johns-blog/celebrating-sofias-incredible-tennis-journey

Hi Team Stony Tennis

I wanted to take a moment to share a story that truly captures what Team Stony Tennis is all about.

Sofia H has been coming to the club for the past three years and is now 10 years old. Her journey began when her next-door neighbour introduced her parents to the club. She joined our weekly coaching sessions, quickly caught the tennis bug — and before long, so did her parents!

Over the past three years, Sofia has developed in so many ways, both as a player and as a person. Like many highly competitive young athletes, managing emotions was one of her early challenges. When the competition heated up, the “red mist” would sometimes take over.
Through regular training, competition, and learning how to handle pressure, she has made huge strides.

Only the other day, we ran a session focused on how to react after making mistakes, and Sofia showed just how far she has come — responding positively, staying composed, and turning situations around in a way that will make any opponent think twice.

Alongside this mental growth, Sofia has been working incredibly hard in both training and competition.

This year has been a standout one for her, with some fantastic achievements:

Selection for the county team
Crowned 10&U Girls County Champion
Recipient of the Bucks LTA Outstanding Contribution Award

Sofia makes both her parents and myself extremely proud. Her journey is a wonderful example of how being part of Team Stony Tennis can help shape not just tennis success, but confidence, resilience, and character.

Over the years, we’ve been lucky to witness many stories like Sofia’s. These are the moments that motivate my coaching team and me every single day — getting up with the purpose of helping young people grow through tennis.

Thank you for being part of our community and for trusting us with your children’s development.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill

Director of Tennis

]]>