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Specific Match Chart Purpose- Part – Part 2

Posted on November 22, 2021 by in Innovative Tennis Charting

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, INNOVATIVE TENNIS CHARTING.

Click Here To Pre–Order through Amazon

Innovative Tennis Charting_3D_Final

LENGTH OF POINT CHART:

The length of your point is dictated by the athletes playing style. This chart will expose the athlete’s shot tolerance level.  Knowing shot tolerance levels will help you customize the athlete’s playing strategy.  For example: If the opponent can’t hit more than three consecutive balls in, your player doesn’t need intricate strategies; they simply need to hit 3-4 balls deep and let the opponent self-destruct. On the other hand, if the opponent has a shot tolerance of 10 balls, your player often needs to run patterns to maneuver the steady player into a vulnerable position.

MEGA POINT CHART:

Mega points are game-winning points. This chart is essential in competitive tennis because it highlights the game’s important points. Tipping a close match in your favor requires spotting a big point before it’s actually played, paying attention to match details, and running the smartest patterns.

SERVING PERCENTAGE CHART:

This chart focuses on the varying factors required to hold serve, such as serve consistency, serve location, and first and second serve win-loss percentages. Ask the athlete to focus on the factors above and let go of the serve speed. FYI: On the WTA tour, second serve win-loss percentages are the most telling factor in holding serve and deciding the outcome of the match.

Specific Match Chart Purpose- Part 1

Posted on November 19, 2021 by in Innovative Tennis Charting

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, INNOVATIVE TENNIS CHARTING.

Click Here To Pre–Order through Amazon

Innovative Tennis Charting_3D_Final

 

SPECIFIC MATCH CHART PURPOSE:

 

CAUSE OF ERROR CHART:

Tennis is a game of errors.  The first most critical step in error reduction is to spot the actual cause of the error. This chart will require you to identify the cause of the error. Once the most common cause of errors are identified, customized development begins. Note: Not all errors are caused by improper form!

COURT POSITIONING MATCH CHART:

This chart will differentiate whether playing “reactive” tennis from behind the baseline earns the best winning percentages or whether playing “proactive” tennis from inside the court increases winning percentages.  The comfortable court position the athlete prefers to play may not be the position that earns them the most points.

BETWEEN-POINT RITUALS CHART:

This chart will identify the player’s ability to stay focused and execute their critical between-point rituals. Players who do not keep their brain focused on the task at hand have to defeat two opponents-the opposition and their wandering mind. Between-point routines could be considered a second performance critical to the software development of an athlete.

 

Innovative Tennis Charting- Soon to be Released

Posted on November 15, 2021 by in Innovative Tennis Charting

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, INNOVATIVE TENNIS CHARTING.

Click Here To Pre–Order through Amazon

Innovative Tennis Charting_3D_Final

 

 


INNOVATIVE TENNIS CHARTING

 

Innovative Tennis Charting is a series of resourceful charts that have been designed for easy implementation and maximum information gathering potential. The charts quantify detailed match performance by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a player’s performance under stress in real match conditions.

The charts’ “user-friendly” format makes them attractive to athletes, novice tennis parents as well as advanced tennis coaches. The goal is to encourage coaches, parents, family, and teammates to assist in the athlete’s mental, emotional growth. After charting a match, the charting notes should be shared with the player and the developmental team to organize future training sessions.

 

ADDITIONAL CHARTING ADVANTAGES:

PAST MATCH CHART REVIEW:

Players often play the same opponents repeatedly at the higher levels. Reviewing past charts against the same opponent will reveal the opponent’s tendencies, strengths and weaknesses.

CHARTING POSSIBLE FUTURE OPPONENTS:

You may also want to consider asking your athletes to stay at the tournament site and chart future opponents for a comparison study.

SELF-CHARTING:

Recognizing and applying the present match stats during actual match play is a valuable, learned behavior that the top players have mastered. Question: Would it prove meaningful if the athlete knew the opponent’s forehand to backhand unforced error count heading into a tie-breaker?

Innovative Tennis Charting

Posted on November 12, 2021 by in Innovative Tennis Charting

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, INNOVATIVE TENNIS CHARTING.

Click Here To Pre–Order through Amazon

Innovative Tennis Charting_3D_Final

SO, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MATCH-CHARTING?

1) Athletes who are charting and teaching (explaining their data) accept and retain more information than those who are solely hitting. Why? Because they are learning to identify the reasons a point is won or lost (focusing on performance) instead of simply focusing on the outcome.

2) To the athlete charting, match charting provides non-threatening data acceptance.

3) Researchers have found that student-athletes enlisted to teach others work harder to understand the game’s intricacies, recall it more accurately, and apply it more effectively.

4) Athletes, parents, and coaches with the ability to chart develop a higher tennis IQ and EQ.

5) Athletes charting others develop increased self-awareness and solution-based problem-solving skills.

6) Students, parents, and coaches gain more significant insights into designing their customized game plans.

7) Charting skills enhance opponent awareness skills.

8) Charting exposes the game’s critical tipping points and “mega points.”

9) Interpreting match charts requires tactical dialog between students, parents, and coaches, which is an essential interactive learning skill.

10) Peer charting elicits confidence through cooperative learning, which makes charting a powerful learning vehicle for group sessions.

 

Developing the mental component through peer learning exposes the gaps between our athletes’ hitting skills and match awareness. If you want athletes to understand the art and science of winning, incorporate group charting and peer learning.

Innovative Tennis Charting- Release December 17th

Posted on November 8, 2021 by in Innovative Tennis Charting

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, INNOVATIVE TENNIS CHARTING.

Click Here To Pre–Order through Amazon

Innovative Tennis Charting_3D_Final

Every parent, athlete, and coach talks about mental toughness.  Sadly, most don’t know how to teach it.  Match awareness is key. These easy-to-use ingenious charts shine a light on the science of winning.  Charting performance and quantifying performances have many benefits.  If you want to maximize potential at a faster rate, read on.

WHY PEER TEACHING IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO LEARN

Researchers have long known that the best way to understand a new concept is to explain it to someone else. To quote Seneca, a famous Roman philosopher, “What we teach, we learn.” Scientists have labeled this learning strategy “The Protégé Effect.” Innovative Tennis Charting is a tool that brings this ancient wisdom to the modern tennis competitor. The athlete, parent, or coach that learns to utilize these simple yet effective charts is secretly developing their software skills and tennis IQ.

THE SOFT SCIENCE OF TENNIS

Posted on November 5, 2021 by in The Soft Science of Tennis

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.

Click Here to Order through Amazon

soft science

 

CONCLUSION OF THE SOFT SCIENCE POSTS

It is my hope that The Soft Science of Tennis reveals insights that motivate parents and coaches to create an irresistible, positive culture. This book highlights why there’s more to developing a champion that meets the eye and how specific educational pathways should be customized to suit the sixteen different personality profiles found within your students.

The heart of The Soft Science of Tennis recognizes brain preferences and why it’s an essential tool that enables us to maximize athletic potential at a much quicker rate. The values and beliefs shared throughout these pages define how coaches and parents will connect with their athletes at a deeper level in the very near future.

The soft science concept is a new way of looking at things for many industry professionals. Rather than continuing to place exclusive emphasis on fundamental stroke perfection, the focus is now on the whole athlete. Developing the athlete’s software (mental and emotional) is just as significant as developing their hardware (strokes and athleticism.)

Connecting with someone shouldn’t have to feel like winning the lottery. It should be an everyday experience. To me, coaching is never just about the drill. I care much more about how people feel when they’re improving. That’s the real connection. The emotional connection between people is the real magic. In writing this book, it’s my wish that coaches and parents apply these insights to establish a genuine bond with their athletes and connect on a higher level.

Enjoy the journey, Frank

Developing Confidence and Self Esteem- Part 3

Posted on October 27, 2021 by in The Soft Science of Tennis

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.

Click Here to Order through Amazon

Frank Giampaolo

Memories are Malleable

 

Over time, the mental images of an event shape one’s view of the situation, and memories are created. We choose which “past movie” runs in our minds. With events like weddings, we forget the bad (Aunt Martha got up and sang “Feelings” with the band) and recall the good (Dad cried through the entire ceremony.)

In regards to athletic competition, we tend to do the polar opposite. We forget the good and magnify the bad. Frequently, over-zealous parents go to great lengths to document detailed laundry lists of their athlete’s match performance shortcomings and then proceed to review their findings with their athlete right after the match, which of course, disheartens the athlete. With persistent criticism, the athlete begins to build a subconscious, unpenetrable wall of memory recounting their failures. Confidence or lack thereof is malleable like our memory.

Reinforcing the behaviors you seek versus pointing out failures is in the athlete’s best interest. If your athletes can benefit from increased confidence, check out the following five solutions.

Starting a Brand New Memory System

  1. Ask the athlete to inventory their well-developed competitive tool belt.

These include life skills, positive character traits, morals, various game styles, primary strokes, secondary strokes, match day routines and rituals, mental skills, emotional skills, self-destruction skills, etc. These well-developed tools are convincing reasons to be confident.

  1. Ask the athlete to complete a success journal.

They do so by going online and reviewing their positive tournament match success stories from the past few years. Re-living scenarios where they overcame hardship, conquered gamesmanship, performed at their peak performance level, stayed on script for the duration of the match, improved their statistical numbers, handled poor conditions, beat that pusher, took out a top seed, or won a title. These past success stories are incredibly motivational as they provide the leverage the athlete needs to build their inner trust. These accomplishments are significant, influential memories to journal and re-live.

  1. After a solid performance, ask the athlete to write a congratulations letter to themself.

Have them list in detail all the success in the four main components- strokes, athleticism, mental and emotional. Such as their strong strokes, their outstanding athleticism, their rock-solid strategies, as well as their triumphant emotional state. Ask them to reread the letter before matches and after losses. There are enough people in the world that will tell them that they can’t do it. Athletes don’t need themselves to promote the negative.

  1. Ask the athlete to complete a “life” gratitude checklist.

It’s almost impossible to continually focus on negative issues such as disappointments, problems, stress, and fear while simultaneously highlighting successes, positive attributes, and opportunities. Examples range from getting to play tennis, traveling to tournaments, owning the latest clothes and gear, eating well, sleeping well, loving pets, great friends, loving family, and of course, their supportive coaches.

  1. Ask the athlete to design a brand new customized developmental plan.

Belief follows quality persistent, repetitive practicing in the manner they’re expected to perform. This training methodology is very different than hitting another basket of balls. An individual’s belief only changes after their routines change. Studies show that the athlete’s actual biochemistry changes if and when the athlete is willing to change their approach. New habits should become the athlete’s new focal point.

 

Make time to assist the athlete in writing down their five newly adapted memory systems. Encourage the athlete to record the appropriate memories into their cellular phone’s digital recorder app and listen to their brand new memory system nightly to help reinforce their new improved confidence and self-esteem.

Destroying old bad habits, technical, mental or emotional, is not a one-time fix. Re-programming skills and thought processes demand repetition. Confidence and self-esteem are mastered through daily exercises. Changing their memory system leads to increased self-confidence, which leads to successful experiences, and these successful experiences lead to even greater confidence. It becomes a powerful upward spiral that every athlete, parent, or coach seeks.

 

 

 

 

Developing Confidence and Self Esteem- Part 2

Posted on October 23, 2021 by in The Soft Science of Tennis

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.

Click Here to Order through Amazon

soft science

The following is a list of open-ended questions that will assist in assessing the underlying confidence and self-esteem within your athlete.

  • Can peak performance coexist with having fun?
  • If you’re focusing exclusively on your shortcomings, how does it help? Could it hurt?
  • If you focused on solutions, how could that help?
  • What is confidence?
  • What does self-esteem have to do with your inner dialog?
  • Why does practice in the manner you’re expected to perform make sense?
  • What is needed to compete more confidently and comfortably?
  • Are you willing to be uncomfortable in practice in order to be comfortable in matches?
  • In competition, what is uncomfortable to you?
  • Are you ready to push past your walls and test your limits?
  • Where does mediocre training lead?
  • What poor, unproductive choices can you turn down?
  • Gamesmanship requires confrontation. How are you prepared to conquer your inner demons and then fight for your rights?
  • How do you accept feeling fearful but focus and stay on script anyway?
  • Why does healthy self-confidence lead to successful experiences?
  • How do successful experiences lead to increased confidence?

 

 

 

Developing Confidence and Self Esteem- Part 1

Posted on October 21, 2021 by in The Soft Science of Tennis

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.

Click Here to Order through Amazon

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Bill is a 6 foot lanky 14-year-old who is top 15 in Southern California. Tennis has come very easy to Bill. He is naturally athletic and much taller than his peers. Bill and his folks are convinced he’s on track to becoming an ATP Professional. He attends a local Tennis Academy, where he hits for 4 hours a day on the practice court, playing “catch” back and forth. He is also one of the best juniors at the academy.

Bill’s fundamental strokes are dynamite. He walks on-court cocky, smiling, and confident. During tournaments, however, when matches flip 180 degrees to a game of “keep away” Bill misses a few shots, begins to panic, and turns into a completely different person. His verbal outbursts are self-belittling, and his body language and facial expressions are borderline crazy as tears roll down his cheeks.

After reviewing with Bill one of his so-called catastrophic losses, I asked him, “What are your thoughts about your performance?” Bill stated, “I played awful! I am so confused because I beat everyone in practice games, but in real tournament matches, if I miss an easy shot, I freak out and lose all belief. Man, I have no confidence in tough matches. Sometimes I get so upset that I can’t even find my strings and I turn into shank-zilla.  What is wrong with me?”

 

If strokes and athleticism are the muscles and bones of the athlete, confidence and self-esteem are the heart and soul. Let’s go back in time and review the origins of the words: confidence and esteem.

In Latin, the word confidence means to trust. Self-confidence refers to the athlete’s inner-emotional ability. It’s their opinion of their aptitude to engage and compete successfully. A self-confident person is eager to take on challenges and seeks new opportunities.

In Latin, the word esteem means to appraise. Self-esteem refers to the athlete’s inner emotional view of their self-worth. Athletes with high self-esteem feel secure, confident, and worthwhile.

Nurtured self-confidence and self-esteem typically precede any real athletic accomplishments. Without these soft science skills, athletes often hold themselves back by inaction due to fear and uncertainties. The majority of athletes do not include emotional training in their tennis development and are not nurtured how to believe in themselves. As a result, emotionally weak competitors often view competition as a high-risk activity instead of an opportunity.

Some players have tremendous athletic skills but don’t trust their abilities.

Performing at one’s peak potential in practice is easy because the athletes are not keeping real score so they aren’t being judged. In tournament competition, judgment is inherent. Once the umpire calls out “LETS PLAY,” mental and emotional fear-based interferences come into view.

Do you ever wonder why some athletes stand up and fight at crunch time, routinely seizing the moment, while others wilt due to self-doubt and lack of courage? The difference lies in their inner belief, confidence, self-trust, and self-esteem.

Managing Fear and Risk- Part 4

Posted on October 16, 2021 by in 10 and Under Tennis, The Soft Science of Tennis

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.

Click Here to Order through Amazon

Soft Science of Tennis_3D_Cover_version5

Managing Risky Players

Like we uncovered in previous chapters, not all athletes share the same cognitive profile. We are all controlled to some extent by our genetic design. While parents and coaches promote the rewards of taking calculated risks to some athletes, it is wise to understand that other cognitive designs need polar opposite training. To these, reckless daredevils, minimizing risk is in their best interest. Some of our athletes aren’t thinking of reasons not to risk; they are thinking why not risk…

Opposite of the timid performers are the reckless athletes who are hard-wired to thrive on risk. In fact, they perform with too much reckless abandon. They are often downright mindless and inattentive to playing high percentage ball. This personality profile doesn’t have limiting beliefs; they have limitless beliefs.

I occasionally work with talented, young juniors who are so overly confident that they are sure they’re going to be #1 in the world next week! Due to their limitless beliefs, nothing is stopping them from routinely attempting low percentage shot selections. Their intuition is skewed, as we watch in horror as these impatient athletes give away relatively easy matches.

With these exciting athletes, I recommend assisting them to play only within their preset comfortable script of play. Firstly, assist them in designing their most proficient serving patterns, return patterns, rally patterns, short ball options, and net rushing sequences. Second, practice these exact scripts routinely in place of rallying. Third, bring in a sparring partner and monitor the athlete’s ability to stay on their pre-designed scripts throughout practice sets. Forth, in real tournament play, chart the percentage of points the athlete played on script versus going rogue. In my experience, exceptions follow every rule so shoot for a performance goal consisting of about 75% on script and 25% off-script. The athletes should seek excellence and not perfection.

 

“Champions understand that if they don’t apply intelligent risk, they don’t grow. If they don’t grow, they don’t reach their peak potential. If they aren’t performing at their peak potential, they’re not satisfied with their performance. If they’re not satisfied, they’re not happy. So, happiness stems from risking intelligently.”