Reference Books

I'm frequently asked to recommend a book on a variety of fitness/training topics, the following are the books that are on my bookshelf that I frequently reference.

SAQ Juniors   SAQ Juniors

The SAQ method applied to juniors aged, 4-11. Excellent set of movement exercises for an individual or groups of Children.

Strength and Conditioning Fundamentals for under 10s Only available from the LTA, give them a ring! Strength and Conditioning Fundamentals for under 10s

Interactive CDROM with progressive set of exercises.

A must have for parents and coaches of under 10 Tennis players.

Ultimate Conditioning for Tennis   Ultimate Conditioning for Tennis

Was originally published as SAQ Tennis.

The SAQ method applied to Tennis

Very good for basic movement, does not cover the sequence of movements a player makes around a court.

Suitable for players and coaches. 

Complete Conditioning for Tennis   Complete Conditioning for Tennis

Produced by the United States Tennis Association (USTA)

Covers all the basics of Conditioning for a Tennis player.

Although published in 1998 most of the content is still valid.

Has details on the USTA Fitness tests with normative data.

Tennis Anatomy   Tennis Anatomy

Well illustrated Strength exercises for Tennis players and coaches.

A must for players and coaches. If you only want to buy one book, sorry, its not possible!

Buy this one for Strength training and Tennis Training for the Conditioning.

 

Tennis Training   Tennis Training

Most of the exercises you need as a Tennis player with the Sports Science supporting the exercises.

 

Buy this one for the conditioning and Tennis Anatomy for the Strength training.

Complete Conditioning for Tennis   Complete Conditioning for Tennis

Book and CD

Excellent book produced by the USTA, covers all the topics.

 

Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Tennis   Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Tennis

Covers all the basics, good for exercise plans.

 

Don't think it lives up to the title!

 

ITF Strength and Conditioning for Tennis   ITF Strength and Conditioning for Tennis

A must have for coaches developing the Strength and Conditioning of Tennis players.

A good source for Tennis specific exercises.

IOC Strength Training for Sport   IOC Strength Training for Sport

produced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

A good source for the Science behind training for Sports. As the book is produced by the IOC it has been peer reviewed, as a result you can rely on the content being accurate.

A very good section on Tennis.

Strength Training Anatomy   Strength Training Anatomy

Probably the best illustrated Exercises and muscle structures.

If you want to know what exercises to use to develop particular areas, this is the book.

You can recognise the muscle and look at the exercise.

A bit light on descriptions.

Strength Training Anatomy Workout II   Strength Training Anatomy Workout II

based on the above book but with a lot more description of the exercises.

Also very good at myth busting about Strength training.

The Great Body Ball Handbook   The Great Body Ball Handbook

When the player buys a ball for home use, they should buy this book with it!

Well illustrated and explained exercises.

 

The Core Workout   The Core Workout

All of the power used in Tennis goes through the core, either to generate energy on the ball or maintain stability in the body.

A strong core for a Tennis player is a must, this book will help coaches to develop the players core.

Strength Conditioning with Medicine Balls   Strength Conditioning with Medicine Balls

General set of Medicine Ball exercises with Tennis specific ones identified.

Does not have all of the usual Tennis Specific Medicine Ball exercises.

 

Sport Stretch   Sport Stretch

 Most of the stretches you ever want will be in this book.

The flexible Stretching Strap

Describes the fastest ways to develop and maintain Flexibility and Range of Movement. Covers Active Isolated Stretching (AIS).

The Muscle Book   The Muscle Book

Good simple line diagrams showing the major muscles, what they do and how they attach to the skeleton.

Common problems outlined and how to recognise the problem.

Useful when talking to Physiotherapists etc. Helps in communicating with players/parents.

ITF Biomechanics of Advanced Tennis   ITF Biomechanics of Advanced Tennis

Detailed work on the Biomechanics used in Tennis.

How Strength and Conditioning fits in with Performance play.

ITF - Technique Development in Tennis Stroke production   ITF - Technique Development in Tennis Stroke production

This book is a candidate for the being the definitive work on Tennis Stroke Production.

Science of Coaching Tennis   Science of Coaching Tennis

Good section on fitness testing.

Tennis for Advanced Players   Tennis for Advanced Players

If you have a list of Tennis Coaching Books you have to include one by Jack Groppel!

The Best Tennis of Your Life

50 Mental Strategies for fearless Performance.

If your ever want a present for a Tennis player this is the book!