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Published by Brian Lutz
Short ideas from a lifetime on the racquet court. I’ve spent more than 38 years around tennis and pickleball—coaching players, watching matches, and noticing the strange little decisions that happen between points. These episodes are quick observations about strategy, psychology, and how players actually improve. Longer thinking lives on my Substack, Brian Thinks, where players go deeper and meet Narci, a conversational coaching tool built for the moments between games. The podcast starts the thinking. Narci continues it on the court.
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From the feed
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Many players say they want to improve, but quietly organize their decisions around protecting a number. A DUPR rating. A league level. A reputation on the court. The result is predictable: safer choices, fewer experiments, and slower improvement. In this episode, I explore the subtle psychological trap of identity protection — and why real progress often starts when players are willing to temporarily look worse in order to get better. This idea shows up everywhere in racquet sports, from tennis league matches to pickleball tournaments. The question isn’t whether your rating is accurate. The real question is whether it has started to define how you play. More thinking on this topic lives on my Substack at Brian Thinks , where I explore the longer version of these ideas and the questions that help players think more clearly between games. Because the next point doesn’t start with the serve. It starts with the thought before it.
In this episode, Brian dives into the humorous and absurd world of unsolicited advice—comparing it to a passenger trying to coach a pilot during takeoff and landing. He explores how, in tennis, many consider themselves critics while forgetting that the true experts are the coaches crafting the lesson plans. As we face the rise of technology, Brian poses the question: "The Robots Are Coming to Tennis Tennis!" Can they really match the expertise and style of a seasoned coach? Tune in for a lighthearted take on trust, expertise, and the quirky intersection of sports and technology! Backhand City
Today in the show Brian has a special guest, Director of Racquets at One Mile Racquet Club, Vernon Gettone Jr. (USPTA Florida Professional of the Year) as they talk about personality types on the tennis lesson court. Which one are you?
Major League Pickleball started with 24 teams and is down to 22. Brian discusses the emerging professional sport of pickleball and it pro sports league (MLP). Where to watch and what do they need to succeed in the short and long term.
Brian dives into the disadvantages of playing at private tennis clubs and taking lessons. He also discusses Simon Halep's four year doping suspension. Laver Cup without the "Big 3" and things he hates in tennis after the US Open.
If pickleball is so hot why is it so far behind tennis in prize money when comparing respective US Opens? Brian dives into the numbers and how long it takes to build market share in sports. With the digital economy and new leagues like Major League Pickleball you might be surprised how far pickleball has come as a sport.
Want to know what Brian's tennis classes are like? Take a 9 minute listen to what you can learn in his tennis class.
What are the advantages on playing on a tennis team in an individual sport like tennis? 1) Coaching 2) Comraderie 3) Affordability 4) Competition If you are interested Varsity Tennis Team go to: Backhand-City.com and fill out the tennis questionnaire.
Brian gets feedback from Pickleball Forum readers who chime in on all things Pickleball. Including why recreational players avoid the backhand groundstroke by running around and predominantly playing their forehand groundstroke in pick up games. Pickleball Forum Miami Open Play Membership Podcast Host: Brian Lutz Pickleball Drills Pickleball Kitchen
Inspirational tennis stories with students of tennis coach, Brian Lutz in Miami, FL Joey Bishop Show Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City Miami Tennis Court Map
New World Order: for the first time since 2004 there will be new number on the ATP Tour. Djokovic loses in Dubai Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
Jet Ski rescue highlights the early rounds of the 2022 Mexican Open in Acapulco. Kozlov vs Dimitrov (3rd Match in Highlight) Jet Ski Interview / Tennis TV Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
Reilly Opelka is taken down two tie-breaker by Cameron Norrie in Delray Beach 6-7, 6-7. Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
With ATP events in Doha, Qatar. Brian reviews second round action and helps with a pronunciation guide to Qatar. Doha 250 highlights Qatar Pronunciation Guide Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
Brian highlights the spirit of competition via two very different yet similar individual sports over Super Bowl weekend. Rotterdam Final Rudd vs Schwartzman Opelka Highlights in Dallas vs Brooksby UFC 271: Post Match Press Conference Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
Did former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores sabotage his future with his mindset during his job search for an NFL head coaching job? John McWhorter Kevin Hart The Rise of Victimhood Culture Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
Juan Martin del Potro plays his last career tennis match in front of his fans in Bueno Aires, Argentina. On Court Farewell Speech (In Spanish) Rocky Balboa Match Highlights Last Game Overcome with Emotion Tennis Lessons Questionnaire Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
The battle of the Sacha's in France gave a surprise ending and some draw dropping shot making. Alex Bublik vs Alex Zverev. Is Juan Martin Del Potro about to call it a career? Find your aha moment... Del Potro News Conference Sacha Highlights from France
Daniil Medvedev feels the pain after Rafael Nadal wins his record leading 21st Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. Medvedev vs Nadal Highlights Medvedev Press Conference Nadal Press Conference Backhand City Tennis Lesson Questionnaire Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City
Ash Barty brings home the long awaited Grand Slam title in her home country of Australia and Danielle Collins steals the show with her runner up acceptance speech in Melbourne. Danielle Collins Acceptance Speech Backhand City Tennis Lesson Questionnaire
Ranking source
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Observed September 20, 2026.
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