This week’s book choice was made in a wonderfully serendipitous way. With my tennis season officially starting, I decided my next reviews should focus on training titles. To make the selection process simple, I walked to the end of the shelf where most of my tennis training books are kept and decided to review the first one that I had not yet covered. Personally, I was hoping that the next book would be relatively short, since there is a lot going on in the medical field this week. The stars aligned because I ended up with a very short book.
The player’s hit list was written by Neil Adams, someone I know from USTA Texas meetings. I’m pretty sure we’ve never officially met, although there’s a non-zero chance I’m wrong. However, I distinctly remember being in the audience when he received the 2024 Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award from the Texas Section. If the copy I picked up at a used bookstore wasn’t already signed, I could probably easily get that fixed at the next USTA Texas meeting.
The first thing you notice about this book is its brevity. It is not a story, a coaching manual or a training philosophy. It is a compact collection of clear checklists. That sounds simple, but it is not simplistic. The checklists cover a wide range of topics that every competitive player will face, from creating game plans and scouting opponents to navigating adversity and resolving disputes. There’s even a structured approach to handling bad calls that players at all levels should study closely.
Some sections are dated because the book was published in 1995 and much has changed since then. For example, paper maps and printed drawings were a standard way of conducting tennis business at the time. Yet the written format has enduring value, especially as this physical book can be taken on the field as the rules allow players to carry and refer to written coaching notes during matches. The player’s hit list functions as a ready-made version of that concept. As much as I would love to see an updated digital edition, the print version is perhaps its most valuable form. It can be put in a bag and used exactly when it is needed most.
What makes this book particularly effective is the systematic clarity it provides on tasks that many players know they should be doing, but are rarely done consistently. Scouting, game planning, mental preparation and problem solving all become easier when the steps are clearly laid out. For players who struggle to translate intentions into action, this book removes excuses and creates structure.
It’s also an excellent resource for the offseason, which is the phase I’m currently in. The checklists provide a thoughtful way to train with purpose, build habits, and review areas that are often neglected when life gets busy. The material also ties in well with preparation before the event. The written checklists would be especially useful before a major tournament or important league match.
While this book is still very useful, it is also largely out of print. Copies only appear through resellers, and the few that do appear on Amazon tend to command premium prices. This scarcity is a shame, because the material deserves wider distribution. For readers who enjoy searching for hidden gems, this is one worth checking out.
In the end, The player’s hit list is a great example of the old truism that less is more. The book is short and concise, but the value density is exceptionally high. Every page delivers something useful. For players who want to compete, prepare and solve problems more effectively, this slim volume punches far above its weight.
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