🎾 EP 116 – Prodigy Maker Tennis Show

“Bad Tennis Lesson” – What Makes a Lesson Bad?

Classic archive replay featuring Chris’ high-performance perspective

In this classic replay episode, Chris breaks down a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough:

👉 What actually makes a tennis lesson bad?

From a high-performance coaching lens, it’s not about personality, energy, or even how “fun” the session is. It’s about whether the lesson truly moves the player forward.

0:00 Intro + show setup

0:38 Pandemic schedule + summer camp update

3:37 Topic begins: What makes a bad tennis lesson?

4:21 U10 / Red-Orange-Green: where bad lessons happen

5:06 Biggest red flag: too many “PE games,” not enough racket time

6:23 What a good kids lesson looks like: racket in hand, lots of swings

7:43 Another red flag: kids not swinging hard / no athletic intent

9:38 Bad lesson sign: no movement, no footwork, no sweat

12:50 Kids lessons should be cardio + training the body

13:29 Bad lesson sign: holding kids back with soft balls / small courts

16:29 “Typical club lesson” problems (adult + junior)

18:11 The ball cart trap + wasted pickup time

20:02 Bad lesson sign: coach talks too much

21:56 Bad lesson sign: coach on the phone during lesson

23:12 Live Q&A comment (yellow ball injury myth)

25:17 Bad lesson sign: outdated technique (1970s strokes)

26:48 All drills or all live ball = usually not ideal

29:21 Coach extremes: only tactics or only technique

30:11 Best coaching = balance + range

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We apologize for the microphone/sound issues!

In this episode of The Prodigy Maker Show Replay from the archive, Chris breaks down the hot-topic debate around moonballers and moonballing in junior tennis — including the recent controversy at the Little Mo Regionals and Nationals. Chris shares what he thinks is fair, what’s not ideal for development, and how parents/coaches can respond without losing their minds.

You’ll learn:

• Is moonballing dirty tennis or honorable?
• Should tournaments discourage/stop moonballing?
• The good and bad about moonballing as a junior strategy
• The difference between true moonballing vs. attacking with a heavy, high topspin ball
• Do the pros ever moonball?
• The connection between moonballing, pushing, and drop shots
• The best way to beat a determined moonballer (and what Chris teaches his players)
• The best technique to use if you want to “moonball” the right way

Chris also shares real match observations from Little Mo, why high balls are so disruptive for young kids, and the #1 solution he teaches: the swinging topspin volley.

Vamos! 🇪🇸🎾

00:00 Episode intro + location (Manchester, Vermont)

00:25 Why this show: moonballing frustration + Little Mo controversy

01:38 Is moonballing a legit strategy in 9s/10s/12s?

03:11 Does moonballing work long-term? Do pros do it?

03:42 “Moonball” vs heavy topspin high ball (what Chris teaches)

04:49 The extreme “cloud ball” example from Little Mo Nationals

06:13 Why super-high balls are so disruptive (tracking + timing)

07:22 Is it “dirty”? Comparing moonballing to drop shots/underhand serves

08:03 Why moonballing works in young juniors (size, strength, overheads)

09:48 The real solution: teach the swinging topspin volley

10:39 Take it on the rise vs take it out of the air (what’s more reliable)

11:21 What if a kid moonballs every single point? (reality check)

12:03 Respect the tactics, but don’t build bad long-term habits

13:19 Use high balls selectively + with racket speed and topspin

14:10 Fixing technique: accelerate, use spin, footwork, positioning

15:02 “There’s no height limit” — why it’s legal tennis

16:05 High/slow/short/low: all are valid ways to attack

17:29 “A slow ball can be an attack” (big tactical lesson)

18:33 “Disturb your opponent” (Luis Bruguera concept)

19:42 Develop technique so kids don’t rely on ugly moonballs

21:22 Moonballing in Little Mo: thoughts + invite comments

22:24 Put yourself in the kid’s shoes (why they do it)

23:42 Moonballing vs pushing (and why it wins)

25:12 Moonballing, pushing, drop shots = psychological warfare

27:22 Tactical maturity vs overusing the strategy

29:18 Coaching it right: tools + timing + technique standards

31:17 Praise creativity, then guide long-term development

33:23 “Who wants to watch that?” (boring but legal)

34:19 Final take: don’t villainize — teach better habits

35:29 Little Mo circuit overview + why Chris recommends it

36:46 Whooshing vs pushing (racket speed mindset)

38:06 Training announcements: Florida (Oct 12 week) + Vermont training day

40:25 Train with Chris in Manchester, VT + closing

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Technique Explained 🎾 | Sunday Evening Q&A with Chris Lewit LIVE

PMTS 114

In this session, we talk about Carlos Alcaraz’s technique and, more importantly, what players of all levels can learn from it. This isn’t about copying swings — it’s about understanding the principles behind elite movement, spacing, balance, and shot selection.

Topics discussed include:

• What makes Alcaraz’s technique so effective

• How movement supports every shot

• Why spacing and balance matter more than mechanics alone

• What juniors and adult players should actually focus on

• How Spanish player development shapes modern technique

These Sunday conversations are designed to be interactive, thoughtful, and practical, giving players, parents, and coaches real insight into high-level tennis development.

Thanks for being part of the podcast community.

Drop your questions in the comments — we read and respond.

0:00 Welcome + Sunday Evening Community Talk

0:47 Topic: Alcaraz Technique Through the Spanish Method Lens

1:54 Backhand Changes: Ultra-Compact “Hook Loop” Two-Hander

2:32 Forehand Grip: Conservative vs Modern Pro Grips

3:08 Visiting Ferrero Academy: Watching Alcaraz Train Up Close

4:39 Academy Origins + Antonio Cascales’ Role

6:10 Coaching Philosophy: Freedom, Variety, All-Court Identity

7:26 Serve Evolution: The “Cobra” Serve Debate

9:45 Footwork + Spanish Movement Training

10:35 Two #1 Players From a Small Academy (Why It Matters)

12:58 Ferrero–Alcaraz Split: Context + Possible Reasons

15:01 Q&A: Progress Without Ferrero + Coaching Impact Over a Season

17:16 Backhand Takeaways: Wide Ball + Open/Semi-Open Stance

20:01 Compact Backhand Mechanics + Straight-Arm Extension

22:32 Forehand Takeback: Copy or Not?

25:36 Forehand Takeaways: Stances + Lateral Movement

26:10 The Lasso/Helicopter Forehand Trend (Why It’s Spreading)

29:02 Serve Question: “Palm Up” and the Waiter’s Tray Myth

33:01 Lasso Follow-Through: Future of the Forehand?

37:27 Forehand Finish: Palm Down vs Palm Out (Pronation Debate)

42:03 Q&A: High Elbow Takeback—Should the Elbow Drop?

48:44 Serve: Is Alcaraz Copying Djokovic?

49:03 Serve Breakdown: Why He Changed + What Matters Most

53:02 Coaching Takeaway: Old Serve Easier to Learn

55:20 Placebo Effect vs Real Biomechanical Advantage

55:53 Serve Takeaways: Posture, Leg Drive, Simple Fundamentals

57:02 Wrap-Up + Where to Leave Questions

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.