Feb. 17, Sunday, One week before the Feb. Tennis tournament.

February 17, 2019, Sunday - Tennis.

Today, the responsibility of writing the BLOG for the Tennis Club BLOG fell to me.  There were 13 of us there and I was the first to draw in the lottery...  BAM! I got the red stick!  So I wrote the BLOG.  So, I'm going to put it here since I put a lot of time into it.  Then, I'll add the match info at the end.

Welcome to the Le Grand Tennis Club’s

ENGLISH (with a little 日本語) BLOG!!!

Table of Contents (目次)

1.  Introduction

2.  Practice Review, Level 1

3.  Practice Review, Level 2

4.  Tennis English: 1-Point Lesson

5.  Tennis English: 英語と日本語の違い

6.  Conclusion

1.         Introduction

“HELLO!”

The first word Naomi Osaka said in her speech after winning the 2019 Australian Open.  It was so simple and sweet, and original. I have never heard any player beginning a victory speech with a simple, “Hello!”  I was not expecting to choose the RED chopstick after practice today because I was positioned right next to the “member-in-charge” today.  I was the first one to pick and I picked the RED chopstick.  At first, I was like, “OH NO!”, but it is actually a privilege to get to write the Le Grand BLOG.  So I will do my best to produce an interesting and readable BLOG entry.

2.         Practice Review, Level 1:

Today is Sunday, February 17, 2019.  Practice at the Meiwa tennis courts started at 10 o’clock in the morning.  Unfortunately, I arrived about thirty minutes late.  When I arrived, 12 tennis club members were already into the first drill, “Volley and Stroke” practice.  The second drill was “Serve and Receive” practice.  I thought it would be colder today, but when the sun was shining, it was very warm.  It felt good to be outside exercising and breathing the fresh air.

Around 11:15 pm the “Serve and Receive” practice ended and we split the two courts.  One court was used for playing matches, and the other court was used for drills.  Special thanks to the tennis coach for running the drills.  There is a tennis tournament next Sunday in Chiran.  There will be 4 teams representing Le Grand in that tournament.  So, the match court was mainly for those teams playing in next week’s tournament.  Matches were played until the end of the practice.  Drills were done in many different variations until the end of the practice.  It was a very fun practice today.  It was a very good practice today.  I think that everyone who came to today’s practice improved their tennis skills.  Good job, everyone!

3.         Practice Review, Level 2:

Today’s practice started at ten in the morning as usual, but unfortunately, I was not able to go to the practice on time.  I actually ended up going to the tennis courts around half-an-hour late.  When I arrived, the courts were buzzing with activity.  Everyone, about twelve people, was going at it with the first round of drills, “Stroke and Volley”.  The pace of today’s practice was a bit faster than normal Sundays.  I’m not sure why, but I assume that it is because the practice leaders wanted to have a lot of time for “Match Practice” because of the tournament which will be held next Sunday in Chiran.  There are four teams who will be representing Le Grand in the tournament, one team for the mixed doubles on Saturday, and then three teams for the men’s doubles on Sunday.  In about 90 minutes, there were six or seven matches played on the match court.  For me, match-play practice is extremely valuable because the weakest part of my game is the mental part.  I need to put myself under the match-pressure so I can get used to it and learn to deal with it.  When I am down 40-15 on my serve, I need to learn to buckle down, get my first serve in, and gut out a win.  Thanks to Le Grand Tennis Club, I have been able to strengthen my mental game considerably over the last year and a half. 

On the drill court, as I said, there were several varieties of drills going on.  First, the coach was feeding two balls alternating between two lines, the first ball was to go down the line and the second ball was to go cross-court.  The next drill was two balls at a time, first to the player on the ad side, then the player on the deuce side.  The first ball was a short ball for an approach shot, and the second ball was a volley.  Keeping the movement forward was key in this drill.  Footwork to get in position for each shot was also key.  During the drills, I switched over to the match court, so I missed participating in some of the other drills.  There was an Overhead drill that I just missed that I wish I could have done because my overhead smash is awful.

The practice went right up to 1 o’clock so everyone had to cooperate to pick up balls and brush the courts.  With everyone working together, as always, the clean-up went very fast.

4.         Tennis English: 1-Point Lesson

“COME ON!!!”

In the introduction, I spoke about Naomi Osaka and how she said “Hello!” to start her victory speech at the Australian Open.  Another phrase we heard her use a lot during the match was “COME ON!”.  The correct pronunciation is “カッマーン” but don’t emphasize the “m” sound or hold it too long. 

There are several meanings for the phrase “Come on”:

1.  Come on = 頑張れ / やれやれ

2.  Come on = 何してるんだ？ （ちょっと怒ってる気持ちで）

3.  Come on = 行くよ

4.  Come on = 違うでしょう！ / あれ！なんで？

など

When Naomi Osaka hit an incredible shot or an awesome winner, she would shout, “COME ON!” (#1).  逆にwhen I hit a bad shot, I shout, “Come ON!” (#2). 

次回の練習で、良いショットを打ったら、”COME ON!” を大きく叫んでみて下さい。周りを気にしないでください。

楽しいよ！楽しみにしてます！

5. Tennis English: 英語と日本語の違い

「わっち」

日本語テニス用語で、「わっち」と言う言葉聞いたことがありますか？ 使い方は、ダブルスの時、敵のボールがアウトになりそうでしたら、後ろの選手は，「わっち」を叫んで、ネットの選手はボリーを打ちません。実は英語テニス用語で、「わっち」(WATCH)と言う言葉はありません。同じ場面で「Let it go!」か「NO!」か「IT’S OUT!」です。「わっち」を初めて聞いたときに、「なにを見て欲しい？」と思いました。結局ぼりーを打ちました。ダメでした。「わっち」は英語で、「watch a movie」とか「watch TV」とか 「watch the kids」です。テニスの用語ではありません。

6. Conclusion

I hope you were able to read and understand today’s BLOG entry.  I actually write my own BLOG about my personal workouts, so writing this BLOG was a nice change from that.  Feel free to use Google Translator for the English parts of today’s entry.  If you have any questions about today’s practice or English or anything else, feel free to ask me, Daddy!  Thank you, and see you on Wednesday.  Our next practice is on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.  I believe the venue is at Frespo, the indoor courts.  Thank you, and Good Night!

-----------------------------

I played three matches with the number 1 girl in the club because her partner was absent.  We actually played very well together.  The first match we played we won 4-0.  We played against two older but experienced players.  We were getting all the breaks and catching the lines.  It was a good match.  

Our second match was against another team entering the tournament, and we lost 1-4.  My serve suddenly decided to take a vacation.  In my one and only service game, I double-faulted four times.  You just can't win when you hit four double faults.  

Our last match was against a member team not in the tournament, but we promptly lost the first two games, but we came roaring back winning the next 4 out of 5 games taking the match 4-3.  I hit two aces that just clipped the service line, and then an incredible topspin lob that our opponent let go because he thought it was going out, but it landed inside the line.  They were good wins.

In the end, I burned a good 1765 kcals.  The main reason for the low Sunday burn was the fact that I came over 30 minutes late to the practice.  That initial warm up and starting the drills are necessary for getting and keeping my heart rate up for the whole three-hour practice.

Feb. 14, Thur. Valentine's Day Yoga Recovery

February 14, 2019, Thursday - P90X3 - X3 Yoga + Shoulder Care Yoga.

Today is Valentine's Day all over the world, but here in Japan, it is a day for women to give men gifts.  Then, men return the gifts on, what I can only assume is exclusively a Japanese creation, "White Day", March 14.  Truly a commercialized holiday created purely for profit and greed of businesses.  I do not participate in the White Day Fraud on a personal level so I gave my wife and daughter a small token of my love today.  Nothing on White Day.  But socially, I do white day as it is a social thing, if I receive something.  I did, so I will.

Anyway, today was a relatively free day, but I did have a little work to do in preparation for my business trip tomorrow.  After that prep was done, I got really sleepy.  I ended up taking a nap which lasted way longer than I had expected.  That oversleep put me into a time crunch for my workout.  I had intended to do X2 Yoga which is about 70 minutes long, but I ended up having to do X3 Yoga plus the 14-minute Shoulder Care routine.  I felt stronger this time around and the push-ups during the Vinyasa were not painful.  But my legs were still pretty sore from LIIFT4 Legs on Tuesday.  The routine went very well, but there was one move that is sort of my benchmark for X3 Yoga success.  Yes, you got it, the "Wrap" move.  I barely was able to do it last time, but today, I think it was mostly because of the stiffness and soreness in my legs, but I couldn't even touch my fingers together on either side.  It wasn't even close.  Last time I was able to grasp a bit on both sides, but today, not even a glancing touch or brush.  One bright point was the fact that I was able to hole Crow Pose for 25 seconds.  I felt very stable in it.

The shoulder Care was good, I am getting to be able to slowly open up my shoulders.  I did cut out the portion of the routine that is done in Warrior two pose.  I was using a smaller towel today and it wouldn't have really done anything today because I wouldn't have been able to extend my arms or pull my shoulder tight.

In the end, I burned a very modest 230 kcals.  Pretty much what I expected.

Feb. 13, Wed. - Night Tennis

February 13, 2019, Wednesday - Tennis.

There was another rain scare, but it stopped early enough so the courts were totally dry by 7 pm.  It was a very warm day, no coat necessary, but there was an extreme chill in the air at night.  I had sort of dressed thinking it would be a little warmer, but I was wrong and I felt chilly most of the night.  Plus, my legs were so sore from doing Legs yesterday.  I knew it was going to affect my mobility especially, but I was pretty sure I would feel it in all aspects of my game.  I was right.

I wasn't able to move my feet as quickly and just taking steps towards that ball was tough and painful.   I was trying to keep my moaning and groaning to a low rumble.  But good strokes were few and far between.  For my serve, I was just not getting anything in.  I couldn't jump to the ball and I was unstable on my stance, to begin with, so my base was mucking up the whole thing.  But that first hour and some change must have loosened me up some because when I started to play a match, I was moving much better and smoother and my serve was finally starting to go in.  I won my first two service games almost both at Love.  But I must have tired because my third game was junk and I hit 4 double-faults giving the game away. 

It was a warm day in the afternoon, but it got very chilly at night.  I was dress expecting a warmer temperature, but I got cold.  That probably had some effect on my play as well.

In the end, I burned a good 1377 kcals.  Again, not too bad for a winter's night.

Feb. 12, Tues. LIIFT Finishing Week 5.

February 12, 2019, Tuesday - LIIFT4: Week 5, Day 4 - Legs LIIFT 50/50 + Shoulder Care Yoga + TCF + Push-Up 50.

Second day in a row of resistance.  The weighted leg day in LIIFT4 is brutal but quick.  I went with a heavy weight, but not too heavy because I knew if I did, I would cramp up really quickly.  My shoulders were sore and aching, but the only move that gave me a problem with was the very first move because I have to rest the dumbbells on my shoulders.  Aside from that, it was fine.  Here is the workout roundup:

Set 1
Front Loaded Squats - 17x2 kgs x3
Calf Raises - 17x2 kgs x3

Everything went well, but I started to feel the strain on my quads from the end of the first round.  I should have used heavier weights on the Calf Raises if I do both legs at the same time, or I should have gone with one leg at a time.

Set 2
Goblet Squats - 22 kgs x3
Reverse Alternating Lunges (double reps)- 10x2 kgs x 3

The 10 kgs for the Reverse Lunges was ambitious, but I got through it.  I was feeling a cramp coming on, but I slowed my pace and range of motion a bit and I was able to finish it out.  Next time, I should lighten my weight and not sacrifice range of motion.  I regret doing that now.

Set 3
Deadlifts - 17x2 kgs x3
Alternating Side Lunges (Double reps) - 10x2 kgs x 3

I should have lightened my weights for the Deadlifts.  I still need to be very careful about my back giving out.  I don't want to be laid out because I'm trying to go too heavy.  The most brutal move is the Alternating Side Lunges.  10x2 kgs was too heavy.  And even though I got through it, I again sacrificed range of motion and definitely form in the last round. 

Core Set
Dumbbell High Toe Touch to Extension - 5 kgs x3
Leg Lifts - 10 reps x 3 (+? sec.)

I was keeping up with Joel's pace in the first round, but as the burn got more intense, I had to go slower and even stop a couple times to breathe.  So, I decided to keep the 10 rep ceiling instead of the 30 second time.  So, I did 10 reps no matter what, and in the last couple of rounds, it took a little longer than 30 seconds.

I'm wondering how I'm going to do at tennis tomorrow after having done two resistance days in a row.

The other parts of the whole workout were fine.  But one new addition is the 50-Push-up rush.  I actually started it a few workouts ago but kept forgetting to add it to the entry.  Yesterday, I went for 50 reps, but only got to 40 reps, then I did the remaining 10 after a quick breather.  Today, I nailed 50 reps straight.  I want to keep that number at least 50 reps.

In the end, I burned a good 786 kcals.  Leg Day with weights is brutal.

Feb. 11, Monday - LIIFT4 Shoulders

February 11, 2019, Monday - LIIFT4: Week 5, Day 3 - Shoulders LIIFT Intervals + Shoulder Care Yoga + TCF.

Today was a national holiday so I was able to do a workout today.  It is rare for me to be able to workout on a Monday, so I took advantage.  It did pose a small problem for me because I would be forced to do two resistance workouts on consecutive days, then have a tennis day on Wednesday.  I wonder how that will be. 

Anyway, here is my workout roundup:


Set 1
Upright Rows - 14.5kgs x3
Shoulder Press - 17 kgs x3
Single Let Plyo Lunges - 15 seconds each leg for a 30 second total.

Actually, on the Upright Rows, the first round was the toughest.  Once I got warmed up and my muscles woke up, the later rounds were a little easier.  The Shoulder Presses were tough and I hit failure on the last set because I had to take a mid-set break at 8 reps, then finish out the set.

Set 2
Front Raises - 6.25kgs x3
Lateral Raises - 6.25kgs x3
180 degree Squat Jumps - 24 reps, 26, reps, 28 reps in 30 seconds

Here again, the third set was brutal.  I had to really gut it out to the end.  But I pushed it hard on the cardio move.  I was able to progressively speed up each round and get a couple more reps each time.

Set 3
Shoulder Flys - 6.25 kgs, 5 kgs, 5 kgs.
Y Raises - 6.25 kgs, 5 kgs, 5 kgs.
Twisted Mountain Climbers - Averaged 12 double reps in 30 seconds

This was the toughest.  I was only able to do the first round with the heavy weight, then I had to drop because I was just swinging the dumbbell up on the last reps of the weighted moves.  The cardio move is a lot tougher than it seemed because it combines core and cardio.  I had to pace myself and stick with it.  I could have blasted the beginning, but then I couldn't have lasted the full time.

Core Set
Dumbbell Drivers - 5 kgs x3, 10 reps in 30 seconds
Prayer Crunches - Averaged 12 reps in 30 seconds

Got a good burn and I was feeling the pull in the last round, for sure.

The Shoulder Care Yoga was very helpful this time around.  I really wanted to keep my shoulders open after this routine.

In the end, I burned a good and surprising 839 kcals.  See! That combo of Resistance and Cardio is potent in burning calories.

Feb. 10, Sunday - Tennis.

February 10, 2019, Sunday - Tennis.

Another rain scare, but again, luckily it cleared up in time for the court to be in good shape and we could play.  It was rather cold the night before so I think a lot of the members were thinking it would be really cold during the practice as well, but actually, although it started out a little chilly, it sort of warmed up to the point that I had to take off my outer jacket.  I still had on three layers of thinner shirts, but it was fine without the insulated jacket.  There ended up being only 10 people attending on two courts, so we sped through the drills and started matches about halfway through the practice.  We played many matches.  I myself played four matches, while some others played five.  I could have played five, but I bowed out of the last match to let a guy sitting out the previous match play.  Plus, there wasn't enough time to play a full match, so it was all good.

In my first match, I was paired with a guy who has been absent from practices for over two months because his wife had a baby.  I was a little afraid that he might be out of it, but we played really well together.  However, we dropped the first two games going down 0-2.  But we promptly broke back and I held my service game to tie it at 2-2.  Two holds later, it was 3-3 and the deciding game was on. Luckily we were able to take that game and win the match.  I was starting to get my timing for poaching as well, and I had some good poaches.  The team we played is a team that is paired for the upcoming tournament on the 24th.  The same tournament I'm playing in with my son.  So they were worried about losing this practice match.

Match two, I was paired with the same guy and it was the same story in the end, but this time, everyone held serve with no breaks getting to a 3-3 tie.  Again, we were able to take the deciding game.  It is a lot more fun to win than lose.  My serve was a lot better in this game, only a couple of double-faults, and a win at Love.

Match three, I thought I was going to have the same partner again, but the team we were playing had already lost two of their matches so one of the guys kind of wanted a new partner.  So, after doing Rock-Paper-Scissors, I ended up with the weaker of the two.  We promptly lost the first two games, then I was up to serve.  I took the game at Love.  My serve was feeling really good.  We were able to break and hold, and they held one, so it was back to my serve as the decider.  I really wanted to hold, but the double-faults started to creep in and the game went to deuce.  I decided to go for it on my strokes so no holding back, no timidity.  BOOM! Took the game and match.  All day, my strokes were feeling really good.  I had a lot of confidence in them.

In the final match for me, I was paired with the same guy as the last match, but as a tell-tale sign, from my last service game, my serve started to fall apart and I was not able to hold, but we fought as best we could, but we ended up losing 2-4.

Today was a big boost to my confidence in my strokes and my serve.  I was able to start to get a sense of my contact point and really hit out on the ball.

In the end, I burned a good 2231 kcals.  Pretty big burn for a cold day with lots of matches.

Feb. 8, Yoga and Recovery Stretch day.

February 8, 2019, Friday - Shoulder Care Yoga + P90X3 - Cold Start + X3 Yoga + TCF.

Today, I was able to make it home with enough time to do a series of Stretches, Yoga, and Flows.  My goal was to be able to do the Wrap move without cramping or hurting my shoulders or back.  That is why I started with the Shoulder Care.  I wanted to get my shoulders loose so I could do it in X3 Yoga.  But after I got started, I realized that I should have started with Cold Start, then do the Shoulder Care and finish off with X3 Yoga.  Next time.  Long story short, I was able to do the Wrap move and I didn't hurt anything, but I wasn't able to grasp my hands/fingers as much as I used to be able to.  So, that is my new goal, to get flexible enough to do the Wrap with room to spare on my flexibility.  Doing the Push-Ups in the Vinyasa's was painful at first with the soreness setting in from the two resistance routines, but as the routine went on, the pain slowly dissipated.  I was very happy about that.

In the end, I burned a good  373 kcals.  Modest, but good burn.