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The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Posted on February 6, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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PREFACE

 

The most important and neglected component of the competitive tennis athlete is their mental and emotional aptitude. Yet, year after year, most athletes and their parents ignore the psychological aspects of the game of tennis. The Tennis Parent’s Bible was my first attempt to call attention to this issue. With great success and professional recognition, the importance of mental and emotional development is finally acknowledged, but a lack of implementation is still an issue over a decade later.

Parents of high-performance athletes have a detailed job description. While their job doesn’t typically involve the development of the sports mechanics or athleticism, it does comprise the mental and emotional aptitude needed to navigate competitive pressures. I wrote The Psychology of Tennis Parenting as a psychological guidance system to assist parents with developing the software their athletes need to maximize their full potential.

I am a Philomath, which is a lover of learning. For the past two decades, I’ve traveled around the world coaching top athletes and examining the role of parenting athletes, and identifying ways to improve those systems. Though I have written many books to help athletes, parents, and coaches fine-tune their training routines, those athletes that have found the most success have had a parent eager to direct the team.

Athletes need mental clarity at crunch time, and this book provides the mental and emotional training pathways lacking in most athletes’ development. A successful athlete on-court is also an accomplished person off-court. Parents devoting time and energy to developing strong mental and emotional skill sets are raising confident and resilient future leaders.

Praise Effort Not Results

Posted on February 5, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Psychology of Tennis Parents

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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Chapter One Excerpt- Nurturing Happiness

 

Praise Effort, Not Results

When parents say, “Ethan, if you win the whole event, we’ll buy you a new computer game!”

The reality is that winning is out of Ethan’s control. An athlete can influence winning a tournament but can’t control it. There are far too many variables to manage in a match. Outcome goals create an anxious environment and obstruct the learning process. Parents should instead encourage process goals and view each match as a learning experience. The research is very consistent: praise effort, not results.

Solution: Replace this outcome bribe with an attainable goal, “Ethan, if you hit your three performance goals each match this event, we’ll buy you a new computer game.” Now Ethan is given a goal within his control.

After the tournament, parents should avoid discussing the laundry list of mistakes their athletes made during the match. This negative list of faults destroys your athlete’s self-esteem and confirms that they are broken and unworthy. Parents should send their match notes to their athlete’s coach, and the coach can address the issues during practice. Avoid a post-match verbal attack.

Lastly, parents avoid using their friend’s success against them. Praising their rival’s positive results compounds the pressure. Praising your athlete’s effort instead keeps them focused on the improvement process.

Available Now The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Posted on February 2, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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INTRODUCTION

 

It’s our job as parents and coaches to teach the science of achievement and the art of fulfillment. The Psychology of Tennis Parenting will help the reader uncover how to juggle both topics. Your family’s happiness depends on your ability to navigate the waters. As I’ve said a thousand times:

“Educated parents about the developmental process are the ship’s motors…uneducated parents about the developmental process are the ship’s anchors.”

If your athlete is already competing, you have seen that winning titles requires more than just athletic ability. The prerequisite is a healthy mental state: emotional fitness and psychological strength matter. Our emotions determine our course of action, and these pages assist you in shaping the mental and emotional state of the athlete and their entourage of coaches and trainers.

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting is a tool to assist the parents and coaches in forming their athlete’s life skills and positive character traits. Changing bad habits is the prelude to winning higher-level matches. After all, winning and losing doesn’t just happen. The quality of one’s preparation determines success.

This book will teach parents how to educate their children to advocate for themselves, be assertive under pressure, make good decisions, and, most importantly, apply gratitude along the journey.

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Posted on January 28, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parents

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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Posted on January 25, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parents

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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Check out the Table of Contents:

 

CHAPTER 1: Nurturing Happiness

  • Teach Happiness
  • Happiness is a State of Being
  • The Habit of Happiness
  • Gratitude
  • Heart-Based Parenting
  • Praise Effort not Results

 

CHAPTER 2: Behind the Curtain

  • The Multi-Sport Theory
  • Successful Parental Habits
  • Old School Parenting
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Mentors
  • Teach Independence vs Dependence
  • Chicken Blood

 

CHAPTER 3: Parental Dialog

  • The Investment
  • Parental Insecurities
  • Post-Match Banter
  • Always and Never
  • Correct Conversations
  • The Psychology of Listening
  • Ask Don’t Tell

 

CHAPTER 4: Stacking Momentum

  • Preparation
  • Stacking Momentum
  • Executing Momentum
  • Fueling Momentum
  • Heart Rate Monitoring
  • Training Blocks

 

CHAPTER 5: Mindset Matters

  • Decisions Not Situations
  • Substandard Loyalties
  • Why We Choke
  • Argumentative Athlete
  • Practice Being Likeable
  • Unplug to Reboot

 

CHAPTER 6: Thriving Versus Suffering

  • The Suffering
  • Intangibles
  • Negative Character Traits
  • Psychosomatic Dramas
  • Parental Stressors
  • Thriving vs Suffering
  • Spotting Anomalies

 

CHAPTER 7: Sabotaging Athletic Performance

  • When Advice Creates Drama
  • Suffering Defeat X 3
  • Life Skills Through Tennis
  • Knowledge Versus Wisdom
  • Discomfort Is Good
  • What If’s
  • Visiting Their Peak Level

 

CHAPTER 8: Change Equals Improvement

  • Avoidance versus Exposure
  • Competitive Pressure Triggers
  • Comfort Is Where Dreams Go to Die
  • Changing Inner Belief
  • Losing to Lesser Players
  • Trimming the Fat
  • The Pain of Changing

 

CHAPTER 9: Frustration Tolerance

  • Understanding frustration
  • Managing Frustration
  • Desensitizing To Hardships
  • Did You win?
  • Perfectionism

 

CHAPTER 10: Concentration and Focus

  • Regulating Focus
  • Overthinking Mechanics
  • Limiting Distraction
  • Time Traveling
  • Living in the Present
  • Relaxed Observation

 

CHAPTER 11: Mental Fitness

  • Cherish the Obsession
  • Hey Jude
  • Mental Fitness
  • Monkey Mind
  • Constructing Confidence
  • Tennis on TV

CHAPTER 12: Match Day Concepts

  • The Cause of Poor Play
  • Assuming a Lack of Effort
  • The Losers Draw
  • Procrastination
  • Cheaters
  • Peaceful Warrior

 

CHAPTER 13: Self-Coaching

  • Flipping Negative Inner Dialogue
  • Rock Paper Scissors
  • Positive Inner Dialogue
  • Identifying Internal Obstacles
  • Monitoring Outer Dialogue
  • Attention Seeking Negative Dialogue
  • Contaminating Thoughts

 

CHAPTER 14: Getting Good Vs. Earning Good

  • Getting Good Versus Earning Good
  • Replacement Thoughts
  • Attention to Details
  • Defeat Stimulates Growth
  • Learn to Die
  • Maximizing Progress
  • Dealing with Adversity

 

CHAPTER 15: Emotional Toughness

  • The Emotional Questionnaire
  • Where Attention Goes …Energy Flow
  • Experience Matters
  • Nurture the Warrior Mentality
  • Teaching Emotional Health
  • Performance Anxiety
  • Red Flags

 

CHAPTER 16 : Staring Down Fear

  • Self-Sabotage
  • Handling Fear
  • The Fault Finder
  • Staring Down Fear
  • Run Towards the Fire
  • Operating Under Pressure

 

CHAPTER 17 : Anticipation

  • Rudimentary Anticipation
  • The Secret of Pattern Recognition
  • Cognitive Ease
  • Situational Observation
  • Emotional Detachment
  • Modern Intelligence

 

CHAPTER 18: Anticipating Success

  • Training Anticipation
  • Set Them Up for Success
  • Mental Rehearsals
  • Parental Behavior
  • Kobe’s Approach
  • Six Anticipatory Skills

 

CHAPTER 19: Leadership

  • Characteristics of Leaders
  • Relationship Building
  • Reality Check
  • Get into their World
  • Pattern BlocksTraining Time

More Expert Industry Testimonials

Posted on January 24, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

To Pre-order your eBook copy for only 0.99 Cents on Amazon

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EXPERT INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS

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In our ever-changing world, raising an exceptional athlete seems to have more and more challenges. Frank paints a beautiful roadmap that navigates the difficult relationships between player, parent, and coach. He gives parents some tremendous ideas on how they can best help their child reach their potential. Frank has done a number of camps with our high-performance juniors and their families, and we receive nothing but rave reviews. I highly recommend this book for all families with young athletes.

Bob Hochstadter, President USTA Southern California

 

“Frank is a big asset to the Southern California Tennis Association in the world of player development and The Psychology of Tennis. Our parents, players, and coaches are lucky to have his knowledge, drive and passion front and center. Those that work with his philosophy and understanding of the game; instantaneously become better. I have seen it over and over. There are very few coaches that capture your attention and make the game easier to understand at any level. I wish that I would have had him with me as I pursued my dreams and aspirations. Simple and realistic concepts that will help you, the parent/player, navigate the game successfully. Take advantage of every opportunity you get to hear Frank speak or read his material. You will get better.”

Trevor Kronemann, Executive Director SCTA/USTA

 

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting is amazing! Every parent and coach need to read this book repeatedly and apply its lessons with their children and their students. Kudos to Frank for bringing his knowledge and wisdom to the world to help parents and their most prized possessions, their children. I highly recommend this book if you want to improve in all areas of life.

Jeff Salzenstein, Former Top 100 ATP Singles and Doubles Player, Stanford All-American, USTA High Performance Coach, Performance Coach, And Speaker

 

“This is a must-read for every tennis parent. Frank cuts right to the chase on navigating the tricky times ahead and creating a game plan as a supportive parent. He not only gives real-world examples but also backs them up with science. This will be my go-to recommendation to anyone looking to step up their role as a tennis parent.”

Danny Bryan, LSU Mens Head Coach, Louisiana

 

“For decades it has been abundantly clear that parents can play either a very positive or even a very negative role in the development of tennis playing juniors. Most fall in between but ALL can improve but most need help. Frank has stepped to the plate once again to assist. It is safe to say that any parent who reads and applies even a small part of this book will benefit for a lifetime.”

Joe Dinoffer, President, On Court Off Court, Texas

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Posted on January 20, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Pre-order your eBook copy for only 0.99 Cents on Amazon

CLICK HERE

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“As a coach, navigating the relationships between Coach, Player and Parents are tricky at best. Everyone wants the best result for the player, and The Psychology of Tennis Parenting provides a clear road map. A must-read for serious parents and coaches!”

Chuck Gill, USPTA President (Past), Florida

 

“A much-needed book about a very important subject. Frank organized years of expertise and knowledge in a masterpiece for any tennis parent”.

Cassiano Costa, Ph.D. Costa performance, Florida

 

Being a tennis parent was the most challenging job in my 50 years of tennis coaching and playing. We care so much for our junior players that we often don’t realize the consequences of our love.

Frank has a unique perspective that can assist you in being the best tennis parent you can be. In turn, your junior player will get the best care, direction, and love from you – to be the best they can be. This is a MUST-READ for every tennis parent!

Ken DeHart, PTR Hall of Fame/PTR International Master Pro, 2 Time PTR International Pro of the Year/USPTA Master Pro, USPTA Life Time Achievement Award Winner, 4 Time USPTA Divisional Pro of the Year, California

“If your child loves tennis and is competing, do yourself a favor and invest in Frank’s newest book, The Psychology of Tennis Parenting. Frank walks you through the competitive junior tennis minefield so that you and your child will enjoy the process.”

Jorge Capestany, master coach, owner TennisDrillsTV, Michigan

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Posted on January 17, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Pre-order your eBook copy for only 0.99 Cents on Amazon

CLICK HERE

INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS

“Frank Giampaolo has done it yet again. I have had the pleasure of reading most of his 10 great books, but “The Psychology of Tennis Parenting” is his best and most relevant publication to date! He absolutely nails it when addressing one of the most important challenges facing youth sports today – that of the role of the parent in the development of the athlete.

Frank understands the importance of the parent’s role in this development. We all want the best for our children, but often our good intentions produce less-than-desirable results. This is the main reason that 70% of our youth leave their sport by the time they reach high school, and tennis is no exception.

The vast experience Frank has gained working with athletes of all abilities and with their parents has given him valuable insight into specific and positive ways to address the challenges of competition. Parents of successful athletes play a critical role in their child’s development and in their ability to thrive under pressure, both on and off the court.

“This extremely well-written book provides a tangible and indispensable road map for all – the athlete, the parent, and the coach. It feels good that information is presented in a positive manner we can all take to heart without feeling we are being talked down to. In fact, it is a “must-read!” Thank you, Frank Giampaolo, for this incredible contribution!”

Dick Gould, Emeritus: Men’s Tennis Coach; Director of Tennis Stanford University (1966-2018), California

 

“Few coaches have Frank’s experience and expertise when it comes to understanding the mental and emotional components of high-performance tennis. More than just technique and tactics, he delves deeper to develop a player’s psychological capabilities. This book will be an indispensable resource if you’re a parent or coach with an aspiring junior.”

Jon Levey, Editor Tennis Magazine, Tennis.com, Connecticut

 

“Success in junior tennis and beyond requires a ‘Trust triangle’ between the player, parent, and coach. Each can maximize their potential by understanding their role. People go through all sorts of schooling and education to be prepared for any field of endeavor. Unfortunately, parents are thrust into the minefield-laden world of junior competitive tennis with less education than even the simplest jobs.

Frank’s new book provides a practical guide for the critical job of tennis parenting. Good intentions don’t cut it. This is required reading for any parent serious about doing what is best for their child and not adding to the current high drop-out and burn-out rate statistics.”

Wayne Elderton, Tennis Director-North Vancouver Tennis Centre, Tennis Canada Head Course Facilitator-British Columbia

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More Industry Expert Testimonials

Posted on January 14, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

To order your eBook copy for only 0.99 Cents on Amazon

CLICK HERE

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“As a former top ATP Touring professional, now the father of two budding competitive tennis players, me and my wife go through all the same junior “pitfalls” as all the other parents. No matter that I was top 10 in the world and my wife played D-1 tennis at Virginia Tech, this junior tennis world is full of “derailment points,” none more devastating to a junior tennis player than parents doing the wrong thing.

Frank’s writing is unapologetic and straight to the point. He’s got the guts to share what coaches and parents should be teaching around the world. In this practical masterwork, Frank showcases common problems and provides clear and practical solutions that every parent and coach needs to apply on a daily basis.”

Johan Kriek, ATP, Multiple Grand Slam Champion Florida

 

“I’ve known Frank for a long time. He’s definitely one of the best in the business regarding the mental side of the game. Enjoy this great book.”

Eliot Teltscher, Former #6 ATP, Grand Slam Champion, & Former USTA Director of High Performance, California

 

“In his new book, Frank Giampaolo has succeeded in giving parents profound insight into the most important and difficult issue in creating true champions. In “The Psychology of Tennis Parenting,” Giampaolo shows how the focus on process, effort, and empathy is the true secret in developing great players and great people.”

Tim Mayotte, Former ATP Top 10, Massachusetts

Industry Expert Testimonials

Posted on January 13, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Psychology of Tennis Parents

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

To order your eBook copy for only 0.99 Cents on Amazon

CLICK HERE

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INDUSTRIAL EXPERT TESTIMONIALS

“Frank Giampaolo has written a sacred text for maximizing athletic potential.”

Jon Wertheim, Editor Sports Illustrated, Author, Tennis Channel, 60 Minutes

 

“Frank continues to create tools for tennis players and families to help navigate the pathways of development. This book offers invaluable knowledge to help players & parents navigate the emotional aspects of the competitive environment in a healthy and productive way. A must read, Bravo Frank.”

Paul Annacone, Former Top 40 ATP, Coach of Taylor Fritz, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras

 

“This is an impressive and hard-hitting book. As a clinical psychologist, I strongly recommend it to any parent who wants to help a child reach peak performance. Giampaolo is a celebrated and sought-after tennis coach who understands what works and what doesn’t. Each chapter is power-packed and filled with sound advice on how to maximize performance. There’s no psychobabble here, only what makes practical on-the-court sense. Don’t just buy it. Study and apply its principles as you encourage your child toward athletic excellence.”

Clinton W. McLemore, Ph.D., Founder, Clinician’s Research Digest, Author, Inspiring Trust: Strategies for Effective Leadership, APA Award for Outstanding Contributions to Professional Development in Psychology, California