Podland Tennis Talk with Scott Ficks: Recent Episodes
Scott Ficks
Career tennis & pickleball coach Scott Ficks discusses various topics in the tennis/pickleball coaching and business world along with other life lessons and current events. I have made a career out of making stuff up, this podcast might have something for players and coaches looking for new ideas. It could also be an incredible waste of time that you will never get back.
This weeks show covers a wide range of topics as usual. The U.S. Open, Red Auerbach, and Baby On Board sings are discussed. I also tell a story that ends with someone hoping the WAC falls in a sinkhole. Find all of my stuff on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube at scottfickstennisandpickleball.
Episode #54 talks about my trip to Cleveland along with many other nuts and bolts topics. Working on managing your Monkey Mind, no technology gyms, gas prices.....again, and more. I give some feedback on whether players should use words or signals when poaching, and wonder why the best tennis players on the planet aren't being shown on national television. Find more random things on Facebook, IG, and TikTok at scottfickstennisandpickleball.
This episode covers 3 book reviews, introduces a new segment "Whats Wrong With People" and asks why "taking candy from a baby" isn't so easy.
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This was a fun one that covers a variety of topics including mice fighting gerbils, the oboe, and band camp. We also discuss our favorite players, communication versus coaching, lesson planning, and finally decided that Michael Jordan is clearly better than Lebron. Coach Ron "Flamer" Albers and Chris "Freaka" Gelb provide some highly intellectual insight on our world. Enjoy!
Wisconsin tennis legend Denny Shackter and I discuss the Milwaukee Tennis Classic. The MTC has been around for 47 years and features some of the best division one college players and teams in the country. We talk about what it is, where it is, how it works, and why you should attend.
Episode #50 includes a discussion with my Dad, Bill Ficks and my nephew, Tristan Ficks. We cover a lot of topics including different types of competitiveness, movies, books, doubles, and teamwork. Also, is it firefly's or lightning bugs? Why did Dad find a cat's claw on the table and why Tristan uses pulling his shorts up as a strategy.
Episode #49 gets into how tennis players prioritize what they want out of a group lesson. How to get out of dark times on the court and preparing for the eventual demise of your tennis game. Crocs are okay on vacation, gas stations, and fishing trips now. Find me on TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook at ScottFicksTennisandPickleball.
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Episode #48 discusses how Micky Mantle failed 3,444 times and is still considered one of the greatest to ever play baseball. Why straight roads and no time zones make total sense regardless of the facts, and have tennis coaches lost sight of important details.
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Episode #46 recaps our trip to see Annie in California and revisits my questions on gas prices. Also, how the Navy Seals may help you get more value out of challenging situations on the courts. I wore Crocs for 10 days, ate nothing but bad food, and rank my best and worst states of the trip.
This short episode talks about my recent podcasting experience, 8th grade graduations, why practicing alone is important, and culture versus experience.
Episode #44 is quite a family event. My Mom, Carol Ficks joins us, along with my niece Madison Ficks, and my nephew Tristan Ficks. We talk about growing up with a tennis Dad, high school tennis experiences, raising tennis sons, and a whole lot of random stuff. If you have a family, this might be for you, but probably not.
This episode starts with Shannon leaving me in a Pile of Sadness on a party bus and how I didn't handle some really great news for her very well. Costco has amazing deals on soda and my grocery store has locks on the wheels now. But there is some tennis talk about making your warm up more focused and building up to a strong finish. I also question why pickleball doesn't get me to an intensely competitive level.
Episode #42 covers a lot of television, including Ted Lasso, The Office, and Shrinking. I also cover Air, the new movie about Nike and Michael Jordan. There is some tennis talk that continues to focus on handling adversity, putting things in perspective, and understanding that sometimes people are "gooder" than you.
Episode #41 covers my Birthday, catching up with old friends, and finishing another half-marathon. There is a wide range of topics from dressing up like a cowboy at a concert and wearing house slippers to Olive Garden. The only tennis part involves enjoying working through the difficult parts of a match and how to pace yourself in order to finish strong.
Episode #40 covers topics ranging from Papa Smurf to Voltaire quotes from 1707. Apparently someone else has the secret to better tennis and is pickleball surviving only because tennis did all the work?
Episode #39 clears up my questions on gas prices and my IU will win the championship next year. Someone revolutionized the volley on Instagram too! How to use your serve to fix smaller problems instead of blaming your partners and not think so reactionary. Also, delay your actions but not your thoughts....genius.
Ben joins me to talk about tennis, weight loss, and missing his big sister. I had no idea the Indian Wells final was being played and that can't be good. Why I don't think pickleball is a great watch on television and apparently there are 5 drills that will change your life forever. I continue to talk about building relationships with your coaches and not getting trapped into quick fixes. Go Hoosiers!
Molly joins me for a few minutes to talk tennis and movies. Quite a bit of pickleball talk in addition to updates on various topics including weight loss, gas prices, no socks at the gym, and other random stuff.
Annie leads off episode #36 with her thoughts on tennis, don't blame me. I talk randomly about gas prices, my hotel tv, the greatest travel plaza ever, and my weight loss results. Someone hated my drill this week and why I hate untied shoes on tennis coaches. I also discuss the "Contribution Zone" and how to put yourself in the best situation on the court. Enjoy, or don't, I will never know.
Episode #35 covers more serving content and why the Daytona 500 reminded me of many club players serves. I'm tired, sick, and starving but lost some weight even though it was miserable. My career now includes victories over a Hall of Famer and why do players struggle to identify positives on the court. Enjoy, or not, just don't tell me if you hate it.
In episode #34 I talk about a change to my job situation, how I finally returned a kickoff for a TD in Madden, and a review of A Man Called Otto. The tennis side of things questions why players don't invest time in practicing their serves and why they should. Follow on Instagram at scottficks_tennis_and_pickle and Facebook at Scott Ficks Tennis & Pickleball.
Episode #33 talks about learning how to hit slower and make opponents uncomfortable. It also discusses why I think pickleball is starting to advertise that it isn't a very good sport. We also get an Annie in California update, the bad news about losing 4 pounds in a week, and why Starbucks doesn't let me park close to the building. I also have finally accomplished something in my life, a fantasy football championship.
Episode #31 discusses my addiction to Little Debbie's and why I weigh more than I ever have. I also talk about why pickleball requires clubs to post signs about "etiquette" and "sportsmanship" and should they have to. My daughter Annie also bailed out on the family to start her new life and just like my students, I hope we prepared her for the big match. I have a chance to win my fantasy football league too, which would be my greatest victory as a human. The tennis discussion involves how to use your non-racquet hand a bit better than you probably do.
This special episode is a collection of my mistakes and unpublished conversations. My Dad tells us about his soon to be famous "Lean" method for using the restroom and I say a lot of useless words. There is no tennis talk in this one and it's only 12 minutes long. Merry Christmas everyone.
Episode #29 talks about my Nick Bollettieri story, my lost battle with the sun, more social media magic and mystery, and strategy vs. execution.
Did you know Sea Otters hold hands when they sleep so they don't get swept out to sea? This episode is only 20 minutes and covers several quick tennis topics from my week on the courts. Why don't we call pigs, hamsters? Seriously.
Episode #27 covers my new job at the WAC, why WalMart should make a business model change, and how I was too sad to watch Federers last match. There are also some tips on moving better in doubles and managing your highs and lows. Is pickleball about the competition or the beer?
Episode #26 marks the 4th appearance by my Dad who helps me discuss the US Open, double faulting and low first serve percentages. A legendary idea that players get one toss per decades they have been alive has been submitted and will likely be adopted by the USTA.
Episode 25 discusses electric scooters, playing better players, and how binge watching Master Chef could help you ELEVATE your tennis games. No pickleball talk this time but over 6000 people watched a video of me putting ice in a cooler so that's something.
I would suggest passing on this episode. I discuss some of the usual tennis and pickleball items that interest me while dealing with my first Covid experience. After three straight days in the basement I needed something to do, probably not my best effort. But a good coach once told me "effort beats half the competition" so I'm going with trying to beat half the podcast world.
Episode #23 discusses fishing, Game Of Thrones, tennis on television, focused practices, and how social media claims to fix your game in mere seconds.
Episode #22 talks with Tim Hartwick from The WAC Lake Country and covers Tim's unique path to the tennis business, court etiquette talk, coaching techniques, and all things surrounding the club business. Tim has a very interesting story that is not completely unlike most career tennis coaches.
This episode is a discussion with Conner Annis, the interim Director of Tennis at the South Shore Health & Racquet Club in St. Joe, MI. Conner is a 20 year old college student and now in charge of a large tennis and pickleball program. We are also joined for the 3rd time by Bill Ficks and have our first ever call in guest as well.
I'm joined this week by a very special guest, Shannon Gilbertson. Shannon is the personal fitness manager at The WAC-Lake Country and walks incredibly fast. We talk some tennis, gym etiquette, stretching, gatorade, coaching, training, and a whole lot of other random stuff that applies to club life. If you ever had any interest in becoming a tennis coach or personal trainer there is some valuable advice for you. Mostly it's just us talking about whether it's cool to wear Crocs when you workout.
Drills vs. Lessons, Gym Etiquette, Ash Barty Walks Away & Do You Apologize For Let Cord Winner?
Episode # 18 includes a visit from my son Ben, another visit from my cat Pumpkin, and I discuss Naomi Osaka, saying you're sorry, and why band-aids are better than surgery. All tennis again.
I am back to being solo again, no guests for the first time in 3 weeks and I definitely stick to tennis again. I talk about the importance of the continental grip, how to handle cheaters in social play, and mining for 10ths.
My brother Mark joins the podcast this week and discusses our path into tennis, Mr. Miyagi vs. Obi Wan Kenobi, Danny Tanner vs. Pa Ingalls, and a full minute of nothing but laughter. He is the Tennis Director at the South Shore Health and Racquet Club so there is some tennis and pickleball talk as well.
My second guest is Ron "Famer" Albers, a national championship winning coach for the Vincennes University Trailblazers, multiple Halls of Fame member, my coach, and a lifelong Bengals fan joins me. We discuss some tennis, pickleball, college tennis opportunities, and more. At least he doesn't make me throw up again!
This special podcast features my first guest ever, my Dad, Bill Ficks. We discuss my path to tennis coaching, how to raise tennis kids, pickleball, concussions, heating tennis balls in the microwave, and other topics related to my tennis journey.
This cast discusses how to get out of difficult places mentally and/or physically and how to avoid taking tennis advice from club members. Also, win a free tennis lesson with the Mrochinski Challenge. Mark Twain and the Colts are also discussed which is an odd combination.
Scott talks about his stuffed panda bear, finding ways to relax, and why multi-tasking may not be as productive as you think.
Scott discusses some thoughts on poaching, why does the pickleball community think lessons should be cheaper than tennis, 10 years between dentist visits and go get the freakin ball!
Scott discusses the Colts winning without their best players, Ms. Kaskus and her English Lit class, and how to get through a bad practice or match.
This weeks podcast discusses how to bad shots vs. losing shots, self coaching when things are going badly, and a better option when your oppenent is hitting overheads at you.
Scott asks for help sleeping and discusses some ideas of how to stop micromanaging your game. Look for patterns and accept the randomness of sports.
Scott discusses his experience learning how to teach pickleball and how it transfers to the tennis court. How to reset the point and turn a likely lost point into a chance to win.
Scott talks about how the Wisconsin culture of hunting and camping can be used on the tennis court.
Scott talks about how an Indianapolis Colts win reminded him about accepting winning points and not being negative about victories even if it isn’t pretty.
Podcast #3 involves how to separate your emotions, thoughts, and feelings from the facts. Can you look at a situation and determine what is actually happening and not get caught up in what you think "might" happen?
Podcast #2 discusses the idea of playing a more average game versus one with lots of highlights but not much substance.