Gordon Paul uses the latest in high-tech video analysis for private and group lessons with students of all ages and levels. Each student is filmed and the video clips are downloaded on a computer where they study their technique using a slow motion replay and side-by-side comparisons with touring professionals. Recent studies have concluded that video analysis, if used correctly, has shown significant improvement in the development of students over a shorter period of time as opposed to teaching without video particularly with more advanced players.

During a lesson, a teaching pro is providing feedback about what they see and what they are trying to accomplish. The advantage of slow-motion replay is that it permits the student and teacher to focus on one particular aspect of the performance and enable both the student and teacher to work on that specific point. Video can also help to convince the student to try something they might not accept at first.

Below:  Amelie Mauresmo (left), 2006 Wimbledon and Australian Open singles champion, and Russian Maria Kirilenko (right)  who recently won both the singles and doubles titles at the 2008 Estoril Open in Portugal. It was her third WTA singles title.

With slow motion video, we can stop the action at any time during the stroke allowing our students to study each frame separately. Video is a wonderful tool that helps students figure out what direction they may want to take in the development of their strokes as they compare themselves with some of the world's best players or perhaps with how they may have stroked the ball a few weeks before.

When we teach tennis, we are guided by the Kinetic Chain. We've come to understand that no two players hit the ball the same way, but the guidelines they follow are based on the principles of the Kinetic Chain. If we break the chain, we might still hit the ball over the net but at what cost: Injuries and lack of consistency.