Archive by Author

Training Zonal Tennis

Posted on January 23, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Tennis Specific Training, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Frank Giampaolo

Modern Zonal Tennis

Mastering Zonal Tennis is essential for the most successful tennis career, whether it is playing junior tennis, collegiate tennis, country club tennis or professional tennis, players that choose proper shot selection (laws of zonal tennis) advance at a quicker rate. The following questions and answers may help you understand the importance of zonal tennis.

Question: “I must have spent $10,000 on lessons, forehand, backhands, serves…all the strokes.   I look like a pro during lessons, but in real match play, I stink! I can’t even beat Mildred on the super senior squad. Why?”

Frank: The quick answer is that your loses are most likely due to poor shot selection and not stroke technique. There are four causes of unforced errors in match play: Stroke Mechanics, Shot Selection, Movement/Spacing and Emotional/Composure.  The most common cause of errors in match play is poor tactical choices or shot selection.

Another interesting tidbit is that the human brain can’t consciously fix stroke mechanics while playing in the zone. Try shifting focus away from your own back-swing and follow-through and onto zonal tennis. Hitting balls short into your opponents court  or continuing to hit a ball your opponent is hitting winners on is the equivalent of asking them to beat you.

Question: “Do retrievers have all the trophies due to their elegant strokes or their well-developed shot selection skill sets?”

Frank: The player with the smartest shot selection is usually the winner. Reduce your errors by applying Zonal Tennis: the use of proper air zone and court zone tactics. Note: Be aware that exceptions shadow every rule, so use your court sense in match play.

Air Zones

The Air Zones refer to the height at which the ball travels above the net. Your court position dictates the height your shot should be traveling above the net.

The Three Air Zone:

  1. Aim 2-3 feet above net when positioned inside the court.
  2. Aim 3-5 feet above the net when positioned on the baseline.
  3. Aim 8-10 feet above the nest when positioned ten feet behind the baseline.

Unforced errors and short balls multiply dramatically when players choose to ignore the laws of the air zones.  Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com

Anticipatory Speed

Posted on January 22, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

 

Assuming that Tennis Speed is ONLY Foot Speed is a Mistake 

Have you heard of anticipatory speed? 

Tennis specific speed-training requires a combination of foot speed and anticipatory speed. Heredity plays an important role in your child’s muscle type.  Simply put, some humans are born with more fast-twitch muscle fibers. Parents and coaches can’t improve the genetic predisposition of an athlete, but they can nurture both their foot speed and anticipatory speed. The path to better court coverage lies in avoiding hesitation and anticipating situations.

Anticipatory speed is greatly increased by understanding and rehearsing the art of vision control.  Here’s a sports myth “keep your eye on the ball.” I suggest shifting focus from narrow vision (watching an incoming ball) to broad vision. Broad vision is picking up visual clues as the ball travels toward the opponent.

Your child doesn’t have to be the fastest runner on the court if they develop their anticipatory skills.  Just ask one of my all- time favorites, former #1 Lindsey Davenport.

Court Zones

Divide your side of the court (39 feet) into three even zones. The zone (location) in which your opponent’s incoming ball lands will dictate your shot selection.  The high percentage players simply match their shots intentions with the landing zone.

The Three Court Zone choices are:

  1. The Grinding Zone is located from the baseline inwards 13’
  2. The Torment Zone is located from the Grinding Zone (13’ inside the court) to approximately 26’ from the baseline.
  3. The Obliterate Zone is located from the Torment zone (26’) to the net.

Note: Advanced players should apply the same zonal warfare on the opponent’s side. Simply put, the location your shot lands on the opponent’s side dictates their shot selection options. Playing Zonal Tennis greatly increases your anticipatory speed, court coverage and shot variations.

FUN FACT: Zonal tennis warfare has been applied successfully for decades. It was known in the 1970’s by: offensive, neutral, defense zones. In the 1980’s it was popular to call the zones: defend, attack, kill.  Last decades catch phrases were:  control, hurt, and finish zones.

In the spirit of evolution, let’s coin our own phrases: Grind, Torment, Obliterate Zones. Incorporate zonal tennis into your tactical play and you’ll have a house full of trophies.

Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximixingtennispotential.com

Solutions to Self Destructing on Court

Posted on January 21, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo0623P_0227

Self Destructing on-Court

Question: My daughter seems to self-destruct every tournament. Can you help?
Answer: Below I have outlined five solutions to eliminating self-destruction.

Choose a Solution + Rehearse the Solution = Eliminate  Self Destruction
Secrets to Eliminate Self Destruction

  1. When you are donating points with first or second strike errors, simply focus on hitting three balls clean straight down the center of the court. You’ll go from handing the opponent the trophy to making them earn a seven ball rally. Trust me, this really works.
  2. While being too eager to see your beautiful shot, you sneak a peek early, pull out of the strike zone and shank balls off the frame. A new twist on an age old tip is to simply say “bounce” when the incoming ball lands on your court and “turn” as you begin to uncoil the kinetic chain into the ball. Trick yourself into thinking that you can see the ball “hit” the strings of your racket. Wa-la! No more shanks.
  3. Future thoughts are a common enemy of high quality tennis. Thinking ahead to the award presentation, your new ranking or what your friends are going to say when you beat this seed is a sure fire path to Loserville. Focus on the present execution of your performance patterns versus the post- match outcome drama.
  4. Mistakes often lead to anger. Anger leads to increased ball speed. Increasing ball speed leads to more errors. To steady up, simply match the opponents ball speed until you get your game back to a controllable level. Yes, champions simply match the ball speed.
  5. Likewise, self-destruction leads to mindless, quick walking and reckless play. Re -commit to applying the three pillars of between point rituals. Truly get over the past points, stop for a few seconds and plan the next point’s pattern. Then apply your rehearsed relaxation rituals.

Accept the fact that sometimes your opponent will be playing in the zone and/or that you will be off your game- but this is the time you must re-focus on your training (your game). believe in your game and  apply your game strategies as best as you can. Win or loose-self-destructing on court is handing the opponent the match.  Maria Sharapova is a perfect role model for self-belief. She believes in her game and she never gives up until the last point is played! Be sure your child’s coach is training competition strategies to help eliminate on court self destruction.  Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

Contact Frank Giampoalo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com

Winning Tennis Demands Strategy

Posted on January 20, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Special Limited Time Offer– Raising Athletic Royalty ONLY $9.99!

The following post is an excerpt from  The tennis Parent’s Bible. Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo 0623P_5063

STRATEGY MADE SIMPLE

Let’s look at strategy in a simple, yet effective format. There are three factors in understanding strategy on the tennis court. They are generic, stylistic and customized.

 

  1. Generic Strategy

Generic strategy is simply applying the player’s core performance goals throughout each point of a tournament. Generic strategies and tactics could include getting in 70% first serves or staying neutral until you get the opponent vulnerable, then attack!

Even saying “Bounce, Hit” as the ball actually bounces off the court and hits their racquet. This age old generic tactic is a wonderful tool used to control the player’s vision and calm them down when they are overcome by the occasion.

These generic tactics will be used in January through December, from the first round through the final, in Miami or Moscow, on clay or hard courts. These are your child’s everyday “nuts and bolts” game plan.

 

  1. Stylistic Strategy

This is your child’s ability to adapt tactics depending on the current style of the opponent. Remind your child not to change a winning tactic just because the opponent changes game styles. Change is only made if the opponent starts to win and the momentum has switched to their side. Styles include retriever, hard hitting baseliner and all court players.

Our players develop and rehearse patterns used to beat each style of opponent. It is also important to note. A smart competitor will change a losing style of play (shift to plan B). Has your child developed rock solid B and C game plans? The players who are winning national titles have!

I encourage my players develop and rehearse 3 styles of play. Encourage your child to play lesser players in practice sets. This will allow them to rehearse their B and C game plans.

 

  1. Custom Strategy

This is your child’s ability to adapt to the day and the circumstances.  Competition require a player adapt to varying elements such as wind, heat, court speeds, court surfaces as well as the particular strengths and weaknesses of the current opponent.

A common word in this phase is tendencies. To borrow from the boxing world, your child needs to spot what is causing the opponent to “bleed” and then do it more. Also, it’s important to spot the cause of their “own bleeding” and stop the bleeding.

There are the two types of losing:

If your child is competing well in every game and often has the winning shot on his/her racquet, it is in their best interest to modify their tactics slightly while keeping the current strategic style of play.

If they are losing and are not even in the points or games, a much larger shift of complete game styles may be in order. For example: Take a bathroom break and then change from a hard hitting baseliner to a steady retriever style of play.

A very useful tool is video analysis. Record tournament matches as often as possible and take a “Match Play Video Analysis Lesson” with an experienced coach. That’s right, a non- hitting lesson!

Together they will spot strokes that break down under stress, movement and footwork issues, opponent awareness issues and of course tactical and strategic issues that arise under stress. This allows your coach to customize the lessons as they actually provide solutions to the real issues!

Remember: The preferred learning style of most players is the “Visual Learner”.  A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

For more detailed information, the USPTA has a terrific, in depth; Player Development Program that every tennis parent should read. (uspta.org)

Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com

Control Your Brain to Control Your Game

Posted on January 19, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

 Raising Athletic Royalty Special Limited Time Release Price– ONLY $9.99 Get your copy today!
Raising Athletic Royalty

ACCELERATE YOUR GAME WITH A QUIET MIND

The game of tennis is ultimately a mind game. There are dozens of mind games that a crafty opponent will play to disrupt your game. There are also dozens of mind games that you can play on yourself to disrupt your own game. This article will focus on controlling the inner mind games first.

In my experience, high level players often need to focus on doing less…not more when cleaning up their strokes. The same holds true with their mental game. Quieting the mind is an essential part of mental toughness.

Allowing the mind to wonder into past and/or future thoughts can destroy on-court success. I get countless phone calls from parents concerned about their child’s “inability to concentrate” during a match. They watch their children lose to seemingly “less talented” players because their child cannot seem to concentrate.

First of all, what is concentration?

Concentration is focusing your energy, attention, and intentions on a singular point or plan. A wondering mind filled with frenzied thoughts and fears can destroy a well thought out game plan. Expectations and perceptions of a match are not reality…They are simply feelings. These “thoughts” take the players away from thinking about their performance goals.

As the players let their walls down, they discover that their mind games have been the culprit of many of their past losses.

Example of Mind Games:

Past Thoughts:

This might include a past loss to the same opponent, the opponents past ranking, tournament wins, or reputation, coaches or parents comments after a bad loss, how they choked in a similar situation, a bad line call several points prior, or a missed overhead on the last point…etc.

Future Thoughts:

This might include thoughts about what will my ranking be if I win or if I lose, what will my peers think if I win or lose, will the USTA invite me to Carson if I win, what will my parents say if I lose…etc.

Uneducated players often see themselves as VICTIMS. Educated Players have learned that they are in control of their feelings and thoughts. They are taught to say “STOP” and pull their thought pattern from the Past or Future back into their Present performance thoughts.

Solution:

Videotaping players playing sets allows us to show the players what their wondering minds look like. Spotting visual clues prepares the players to control their present thoughts. So what are the proper Present thoughts?

Present Thoughts:

Present thoughts are performance goals. These may include serving to the opponents backhand, getting 60% of their first serves in, isolating their opponents weaker side, playing at a slower speed, taking swing volleys on moonballs, standing closer on their opponents second serves, adapting and problem solving…etc.

Here are three tips to give you a head start controlling your mind games: Practical application is customized to each player

  1. Sit down and re-visit Past/Present/Future thoughts. Write down the recent Past and Future thoughts you had during your last match. (WARNING: Parents be ready to have some or all of the blame passed onto you! For example: “When Mom shakes her head in disgust over an error…I lose focus and I am done!”)
  2. Understand that your mind follows your eyes. Between point rituals are made up of internal vision, not external vision. Players with wondering eyes have wondering thoughts. Focusing on your string pattern in between points may help you focus on the next performance goal.
  3. Use positive feedback. Here is an example: A player hits a terrific kick serve out wide to the advantage side, and gets a floater return up in the service box. The player attacks the net and pulls the volley just wide. A Normal player would get furious for missing such an easy volley and relive the point for the next 4-5 points. A National Champion would miss the same volley, turn, look at his strings, and smile. WHY? The Champion has just figured out how to win 90% of the big points on the ad side! Positive feedback allowed the player to spot the opponents flawed high backhand return and now knows what pattern to use in the future.

The Normal player focuses on the past, and the Champion focuses on the future.

Rehearse saying something GOOD. Find something positive to say before you address a flaw in your child. Often the most difficult and sometimes paralyzing factor in a junior’s development is an ultra-negative or jaded parent. The ratio that I recommend is to offer five positive comments for every one negative comment. Reverse psychology works wonders! The player progresses happier and quicker.

Example:

The player continually tosses the ball too low on the serve. Instead of saying “Your STILL doing it wrong…How many times…” try saying “Great! You’re getting that toss higher…I can really see the difference.” The positive comment will still remind them that they need to improve their ball toss and it is more likely that the correction will occur!  Thanks, Frank

Contact:Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com

Accelerate Your Game with B and C Game Plans

Posted on January 18, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Primary and Secondary Strokes, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following in an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. 0623P_5063

 

Ignoring their B and C Game Plans?

Developing your child’s secondary strokes is essential for the greatest tennis success. Only practicing basic ground strokes for hours each week is not the best game plan for winning tournaments.  As I say over and over- tennis is a game of keep away and not a game of catch.

At the competitive stage of tennis, spend a few moments to discuss your child’s primary and secondary styles of play in matches. Styles include hard hitting baseliners, all court, net rushers and retrievers. In lower levels of competition, continually bringing the opponent into the net is also an effective style of play.

Set up practice sets for your child against lower level players and ask your child to rehearse their secondary styles of play. Champions have mastered more than one style.

Example:

My step- daughter played her first adult U.S. Open at age 15. In the first round, Sarah’s opponent came out with her plan A (hard hitting baseliner). Sarah won the first set 6-4.  At the start of the 2nd set, the opponent switched to plan B (net rusher) and Sarah went up 4-1. The opponent then switched to plan C (moonball/pusher), Sarah’s least favorite style.  Sarah was amazed to see a 30 year old WTA veteran pushed her way to a $15,000 victory in the 3rd set.

SPECIAL NOTE: Moonball/pushers style never goes away, so your player had better learn to handle it!

Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximizingtennispotential.com
www.raisingathleticroyalty.com

Enjoying the Athletic Journey

Posted on January 16, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Parent Player Communication, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

0623P_5063

Postponing Happiness

Good memories are your most valuable possessions. Impatience ruins the moment. Arriving at the top of the junior tennis world is a slow walk up a million steps, not a quick elevator ride to the top!

Some parents spend their child’s whole junior career frustrated, anxious and depressed. You will too, if you dwell only on failures, problems and future concerns.

Some parents postpone their happiness, gratitude and love.  I beg you to enjoy the journey. It is a wonderful game full of life lessons!

I am often told by parents, “I’ll smile when she finally wins one!”

Enjoy the journey. Your child will be off to college sooner than you think.

FUN FACT: Half the things you worry about don’t happen anyway!

Here are just a few of the addition benefits of sports affords:

  1. Time management
  2. Adaptability and flexibility skills
  3. Ability to handle adversity
  4. Ability to handle stress
  5. Courage
  6. A positive work ethic
  7. Perseverance
  8. Setting priorities
  9. Goal setting
  10. Sticking to commitments
  11. Determination
  12. Problem solving skills
  13. Spotting patterns and tendencies
  14. Discipline
  15. The understanding of fair play and sportsmanship
  16. The development of focus
  17. Persistence
  18. The importance of preparation
  19. Dedication and self-control
  20. Positive self-image

Thank you visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact Information:

FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximizingtennispotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com

Fundamentals are only the beginning!

Posted on January 15, 2015 by in Customized Organizational Plan, How To Attract A College Scholarship, Maximizing Tennis Potential

Raising Athletic Royalty: Insights to Inspire for a Lifetime- Provides essential insights, motivational quotes and perfect phrases to assist parents and coaches to inspire greatness in their athletes.

RAR18

The following is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

 

Are you saying fundamental tennis strokes are NOT important?

In a word, NO.  Building a solid stroke foundation is vital to your child’s success.  You can find thousands of YouTube instruction videos on the subject.  But winning tournaments involves much more than fundamental stroke production.  Here are few new insights to share on this topic.

A flawed stroke causes unforced errors, produce short vulnerable balls, cause injuries and inhibit your child’s growth into the next level of competition.

FUN FACT: Strokes are a prerequisite to playing in the highest levels. Just as being tall is a prerequisite to playing in the highest levels of basketball. If just being tall earned you the right to play in the NBA, my cousin Big Vinnie wouldn’t be driving a limo at Kennedy airport.

Yes, strokes are important. For some of your youngsters, it may be time to look into developing the hidden side of stroke production. The insight I want to reiterate with you is the development of secondary strokes.

The Painter’s Analogy

To this day, we can all run to the store and pick up an intermediate paint set. These pre-packaged sets come with canvas or paper, a few brushes and a strip of colored paint. These “strips” are made up of the primary colors. As we dabble and enjoy the art of painting one thing becomes evident, if only primary colors (red, green and blue) are used, the paintings will continue to look “amateur.”

Advanced artists and surely professionals have learned that to make a painting jump off the canvas, to become “life like” they need to use secondary colors as well. Now, instead of applying one shade of green, they have numerous versions of green! Advanced painters use both primary and secondary colors.

As parents, we have to encourage, educate and develop secondary stroke principles. The following are the primary and secondary strokes in a Champion tennis player’s tool belt.

The Four Different Types of Forehands and Backhands:

  1. Primary drive
  2. High, topspin arch
  3. Short angle or side door
  4. Slice or drop shot

The Three Types of Serves to Develop:

  1. Flat
  2. Kick
  3. Slice

The Four Types of Volleys to Develop:

  1. Traditional punch volley
  2. Drop volley
  3. Swing volley
  4. Half volley

The Three Types of Lobs:

  1. Topspin lobs
  2. Slice lob
  3. Re-lob (lobbing and over-head smash)

The Two Types of Overheads to Develop:

  1. The stationary “freeze” overhead
  2. The turn & run/scissor overhead

The 6 Types of Approach Shots:

  1. Serve and volley
  2. Chip and charge
  3. Drive approach
  4. Slice approach
  5. Drop shot approach
  6. Moonball approach

Intermediate players simply hit their primary strokes and react to whatever the opponent throws at them. Advanced players are proactive. They often run patterns used to control both sides of the net. In essence, they control both players’ actions.

It takes an average of two years to develop these tools into reliable weapons. To assist your youngster in controlling the court and the match, shift focus and have some fun developing all these skills.

Before each tournament match, remind them to warm up every stroke in their bag. Winning a close tie breaker is often decided on a few points. Making that crucial swing volley versus missing it is often a matter of confidence.

FUN FACT: I got to know Tiger Woods a bit when I was the tennis director at Sherwood Country Club. We hosted his multimillion dollar charity event at Sherwood annually. Before each round of golf, Tiger practiced every club in his bag. He often, secretly, flew to the site a week or so before the actual event to rehearsing the courses uneven fairways, the speed of the greens, the feel of the sand traps and elements such as the wind. Winning is persistent preparation.

Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
(949)933-8163
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com

 

Improve your Tennis Game by Watching the Professionals

Posted on January 14, 2015 by in Tennis Parent Education, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Special Release Offer: Raising Athletic Royalty will be on sale for a limited time- $9.99 beginning Monday January 19 through January 31.  Don’t miss out!Raising Athletic Royalty

How Can You improve Your Game Watching the Pros?

Watching tennis on TV can be truly helpful if your child is watching with a purpose.  Below, I have outlined ten specific skills your child should focus on while watching professional tennis players on TV or in-person. Better yet, watch the professionals together as you both spot these ten tendencies.

  1. Watch One Player’s Feet

Most Pros take 10 steps for every 3 steps a ranked junior takes. Have your child simply watch the shoes.

  1. Watch Between Point Rituals

They often appear to be looking at their strings while they use internal vision. Pros control their emotions and spot tendencies. This means they pay attention to how points are being won and lost.

  1. Spot Offense-Neutral-Defense Shot Selection

Way before the incoming ball reaches the net; a pro has chosen the next appropriate shot selection. Call out the correct choice as a Pro prepares to strike. If you can spot the appropriate selection with a Pro, spotting your opponents next shot will become easier.

  1. Spot This Typical Mistake: “Change the Angle …Lose the Point”

Changing the angle is encouraged when you are inside the court. It is discouraged when you are behind the baseline. Watch for appropriate angle changing and inappropriate angle changing attempts. Even top pros often miss when they attempt a down the line screamer from way behind the court!

  1. Spot Styles of Play

Who’s the hard hitting baseliner? Who’s the counter puncher retriever? Is there an all-court net rusher? Spotting the opponents style is the first step to devising patterns and controlling a match. If your child can spot a pros style of play, my bet is they’ll be terrific at spotting their next opponents style of play!

  1. Spot Proactive Patterns

Pros do not simply react. They run one-two punch patterns. Can your child spot them?  Ask them to point out serving patterns, return patterns, rally or net rushing shot sequences.

  1. Spot Secondary Shots

Pros do not just have a forehand, a backhand, a serve, and a volley. They have a whole “Tool Belt” full of secondary shots and they know when to activate them.  Can your child spot a swing volley, a short angle/side door building shot?

  1. Watch for Open versus Closed Stance Ground Strokes

Call out “open” and “closed” when you spot a pro choose the appropriate stance. Understanding when and why you need them both is an important tool.

  1. Chart Errors to Winners

Having a great understanding of where your winners and errors are coming from as well as your opponent’s winners and errors may prove to be the deciding factor if your next match goes into a tie breaker! Actually charting a pro will lead to comprehending the importance of limiting errors.

FUN FACT: Top professionals often generate 5 unforced errors a match and 30 winners.  Juniors generate just the opposite!

  1. Court Positioning Chart

Chart a pro’s winning percentage while they stay behind the baseline versus their winning percentage while going inside the court. Often, juniors think they are better from behind the baseline. After charting a match, they find their winning percentage is actually better from inside the court.

Watching tennis on TV can be a wonderful learning experience. It will secretly lead to improving your child’s mental and emotional performance on the court. Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

Contact:
Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximizingtennispotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com

Juniors Making it on Tour?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

Greetings,

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thank you for visiting, Frank

HOW COME SO MANY GREAT JUNIORS NEVER MAKE IT ON THE PROFESSIONAL TOUR?

There are several key components that undermine great junior tennis player’s careers. I call them roadblocks- secret ways the game weeds out the weak. Tennis champions work hard on and off the court long for many years before they become champions. Below I have listed a few common roadblocks that face many great junior tennis players:

Believing that if they are a better athlete, then they will win

Being a better physical athlete is only one third of the battle. If your child is weaker mentally or emotionally they will struggle. Another way to look at this issue is if an opponent looks physically superior to the rest of the field, then there is most likely something missing or something broken in their mental or emotional components. If they were superior in all three, they wouldn’t be in that draw.

Procrastination

Big time national titles are won by the champions because they accept the fact that they will be shedding serious blood, sweat and tears two months before the event begins. Procrastinators often do everything else except focus 100 percent on improving and fixing their problems. As long as they do not actually give 100 percent on the practice court, they will have a built in excuse…”If I had the time to practice, I could of beat her…etc.”

Quantity of practices versus quality of practice

Hopefully this tip is beginning to sink in, but rallying back and forth to a hitter or even worse, having balls fed right to your child’s strike zones does not in any way simulate tough playing conditions. Our battle cry is “Practice in the manner in which you are expected to perform.” Remember high end tennis is not a game of catch; it is a game of keep away!

Thinking that practicing hard for one hour is enough

Top tournament play often requires that your child compete in two, best of three sets, single matches daily. Since doubles play results count for their overall ranking, throw in a doubles matches as well. Let me ask you, how many hours a day is your child expected to run their tail off?

Under training off court

If your child “thinks” that they are mostly in shape…they are most likely not in shape. Players that are in great shape know they are in great shape. Getting past the third day of a big event is going to be a challenge for every junior who only “thinks” they’re in shape.

FUN FACT: Remember, solid fundamentals will get them in the draw. Being crazy fit keeps them in the draw. But being mentally and emotionally stable under stress wins titles

Cramming last minute for an event

Peak performance requires that your child applies periodization. Cramming in training days before a national event will lead to your child’s “batteries” half full. Also, their millisecond decision making skills won’t be sharp. They will hesitate with their judgments and often over think under stress. Lastly, last minute crammers usually end up playing sore or injured.

Mistake management

It is essential that your child understands the difference between a “good” mistake and a “bad” mistake. Also, did the mistake stem from technical form, inappropriate “shot selections” or poor movement? Mentally making the appropriate corrections without emotional condemnation is important.

Anger management

Poor preparation is the source of the problems that cause the anger. Plans and patterns should be nurtured months before an event. Tools are sharpened and the rust is buffed out.

SPECIAL NOTE: It’s not the opponent that causes the anger issues in a match. It’s the fact that the opponent has exposed a weakness that wasn’t fixed before the match began.

During the event, proper between point rituals and change over rituals is the key ingredient to managing emotions such as anger. Proper rituals also allow your child to save their precious physical, mental and emotional batteries needed later in the finals.

Blame management

Blaming is a common excuse many juniors prefect. Changing string tension, racquets, coaches, and academies is a short -term feel good fix. However, designing a strong personalized developmental program and sticking to it is the solution to their problems.

FUN FACT: Intermediates spend most of their time working on the strokes they already own. Advanced players spend most of their time perfecting the strokes and patterns they wish to add to their tool.

Lack of pre-match routines and rituals

Essential routines and rituals are used by professionals and often overlooked by junior competitors. Teens are often too cool to prepare. Rituals may include equipment preparation, nutrition and hydration at the right times, warming up their primary and secondary strokes, applying visualization sessions, going for a short run before going on the court. Champions act like champions long before they become champions.

SPECIAL NOTE: Kelly doesn’t like to eat when she is nervous. So, she chose to skip breakfast before her first round match at this year’s Easter Bowl. Kelly was scheduled to play at 9:30 am. The previous match went 3 long sets and Kellie didn’t get on court until 10:30.

Flash forward two hours and Kelly is going into the third set.  Kelly has not eaten for over 16 hours! Kelly is out of gas. Not eating has led to low blood sugar, which has led to a severe physical and mental breakdown. The breakdown lead to an entire emotional melt down and Kelly loses early to a player she could of beaten easily. Why?  She did not feel like eating.

Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com