Raising Athletic Royalty | Frank Giampaolo's Maximizing Tennis Potential

Neurology and Athleticism

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Raising Athletic Royalty

Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Neurology & Past Belief Systems in Sports

You may be asking yourself, what does neurology (central nervous system) have to do with athletic performance? The answer is everything. Thinking, seeing, breathing, moving, sleeping…everything the human body does is reliant on their central nervous system. It is the system of the body that receives and processes all information from all parts of the body. It is arguably the most important system of the body. The following collection of questions addresses common athletic development challenges.

Q: Why is it hard for some athletes to try new things & new ways of thinking?

A: A person’s upbringing forms their belief systems. Humans naturally protect their existing beliefs. When confronted by different ideas or opinions a chemical reaction in the brain takes place. The new idea is then viewed as a threat, because it hasn’t been analyzed yet, so minimizing and avoiding it is often normal.

When new techniques are presented they are often uncomfortable simply because they’re different. The new method clashes with the old comfortable method so the new method is disregarded as wrong. Sometimes the new way is actually the right way…but it feels wrong to the athlete.

Q: After a loss, why do smart coaches ask their athletes to go back to the event/site to watch other athletes still in the event?

A: The brain mirrors events it recognizes. Viewing the final rounds creates a mental and emotional picture for the athlete to absorb and become comfortable with…

It is very common for up and coming athletes to experience complete performance meltdowns in the final rounds of their first big tournaments. Why? The finals are an unknown entity. Unfortunately, most athletes choose to leave the site after a loss and not stay to watch the final rounds.

The more the athlete physically, mentally or emotionally gets dialed into a situation, the less uncomfortable the situation becomes and the more comfortable the athlete becomes performing in the manner in which they have trained- regardless of the round.

Q: Why do smart coaches inject humor while training for upcoming athletic events, which is often perceived as a very stressful situation?

A: Neurological studies prove that laughter helps relax and calm nerves. Laughter decreases stress hormones and triggers endorphins – the body’s natural feel good chemicals. Adding humor to stressful events will help the athlete enjoy the battle! Playing in the zone demands a calm and stress free preparation phase. Laughing is also a terrific ab workout. Hello six pack!

Q: Why is repetition so important in developing athletic royalty?

A: Physical repetition is essentially motor programming. Developing a motor program begins with a thought, which is messaged through the nervous system, down the spinal cord and into the muscular system. The more we pre-set the protocols (pre-set plans)… the easier it is to execute the proper protocol during match play.

Cognitive processing skills and emotional responses are neurological programs that also need to be organized, developed and constantly nurtured. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing it, imagining it or observing it, you are developing a pathway. Neurological-connections are strengthened by repetition.

Q: How can a coach assist a perfectionist who is his/her worst enemy?

A: First, I suggest the coach share with the player his/her personality profile. This should provide the player, parent and coach with a better understanding of the player’s preferred learning style. Understanding that neurology studies show that the human brain undergoes tremendous pruning of the neurons and myelination (which translates to growth) throughout adolescence. Scientists agree that the human brain doesn’t reach full maturity until the early 20’s. Performing perfect 100% of the time is an illusion.

Second, in my opinion, the age old motto of trying 110% in competition is dead wrong. Athletes who constantly attempt to force perfection over press and play sloppy. Protectionist should simply be asked to aim for an A- grade versus an A+ grade. The athlete should try 90% instead of 110% and learn to accept a few minor errors along the way to victory.

Third, ask the player to “Shoot for an excellent performance versus a perfect performance.” Perfectionists are so worried and stressed about being perfect that it often stunts the actual growth they seek, and leads to misery for everyone around them.

The coach should encourage their athlete to seek the courage to let go of unrealistic and damaging beliefs like athletic perfectionism and enjoy the journey. Visualize Kobe Bryant smiling …enjoying his performance as he dominates the NBA.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
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Smart Training

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from Blunders and Cures e-booklet. Week in and week out two of the most common parent question are related to academy enrollment and training schedules. These blunders are worth repeating. Thanks, Frank

BLUNDER: Putting Yourself in the Crowd to Get Ahead of the Crowd

In my opinion, group clinics or academies are terrific for intermediate players seeking repetition, socialization, and tons of fun. But, while it may be cheaper, large group training isn’t always in your best developmental interest.

The top juniors spend about 20 percent of their time in group situations. Top players at an academy usually are sparing or working with a private coach. When is that last time you saw a phenom in a large group standing in line to hit one forehand every five minutes?

CURE: Simply doing what everyone else does, will not likely get you ahead. The key to accelerating your growth is to customize your training to your exact needs.

Ask Yourself?

Am I hitting for hours at an academy and hardly improving? if I lose while playing a set, do I get sent down to the loser court? If so, doesn’t that stop me from developing the weaknesses in my game? Lastly, with my current situation, am I getting the results I truly feel I am capable of?

Write down your Personal Action Plan:

BLUNDER: Believing Weekly Lessons Are Enough

I teach two players from Los Angeles. Both players come for 2 hours of private lessons each week, but that’s where their similarities end. The players and parents hold opposing views on how to raise a tennis champion. The Johnsons believe that they need to make their 12-year old Kelly 100 percent self-sufficient. Mrs. Johnson says, “It’s up to her to do it, I can’t force her.” As a result, Kelly only hits about two hours a week.

In the other family, Mr. Asari believes that no one gets famous all by themselves. He and his son spend approximately 15 hours on the ball machine, playing practice sets, serving baskets, going for runs, hitting the gym, and watching tennis on TV each week.

Both players get the same 2 hours’ worth of weekly lessons. However, the critical factor in the formula is not the lesson time, but rather what the player chose to do each week around that lesson.

CURE: Each week plan to arrange practice matches, ball machine drills, practice serving drills and off court training. Ask your entourage if they can help you reinforce your required developmental plan.

Ask Yourself?

Is your weekly practice schedule more like that of the Johnson’s or the Asari’s? List three things you can do to improve your chances of success. List three positive people you can enlist to assist?

Thanks Frank !

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
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Interview with Frank Giampaolo

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Raising Athletic Royalty

Tennis Coach Alex Slezak on-line interview with Frank Giampaolo during the writing of :Raising Athletic Royalty

How did your career begin?

While attending Ohio State University, my friends were talking about this great new opportunity working for the Greyhound Bus Factory after graduation. The starting pay was a whopping $9/hour versus the $4 minimum wage- this was in 1985. I wanted no part of that! Around that time my father was changing careers and moving to Southern California. I was packed and sitting in the car 2 days before we left!

On my first Day in California, I drove out to The Vic Braden Tennis College. I mentioned that I wanted to learn how to seriously teach this game and asked if I could sit and observe Vic’s classroom sessions and on-court lessons. I went back every day for two weeks. After that, I was offered a position. My years at the tennis college and the National Tennis Research Center in Coto De Caza taught me everything I didn’t even know… I needed to know.

How have you grown as a coach?

Back then, tennis teaching was primarily focused on fundamental stroke development and repetition. The growth came by developing the other components that are commonly found in champions. I went deeper. I traded in the financially rewarding academy approach for my current spiritually rewarding customization approach.

How have you grown as a coach?

What’s the greatest factor in your success?

Understanding each individual’s preferred intelligence. We are all born with a genetic predisposition to excel at a certain style of play. Our brain type (or personality profile) and body type play the most significant role in maximizing potential at the quickest rate. Also, shifting focus from fundamental stroke production to the mental and emotional components of the game has helped my players win 77 National titles in the past 10 years.

Why did you write the Tennis Parent’s Bible?

I was a successful high performance coach and then became a tennis parent. My step-daughter, Sarah Fansler, went from a 10-year-old beginner to playing the US Open by the age of 15. She won 10 National titles as a junior. Along that journey, I realized that being a tennis parent is 1000 times more difficult than being a coach! There were great USPTA and PTR coach workshops and great junior developmental programs, but zero tennis parental educational avenues. So…. I took it as a challenge to write my first book.

How big is the factor of the parent in developing a champion?

Well, without a well-informed tennis parent, and/or “hired gun” the most gifted junior on the planet has no chance. Uneducated tennis parents waste thousands of dollars, hours, and tears. Interestingly though, most tennis parents of ranked juniors are successful, type A personalities. They don’t feel they need anyone’s help because in the past, they played on their high school or college squad. These parents sadly sabotage any real chance of their child’s success without ever realizing it.

I was coaching at the Australian Open, talking with an incredibly successful tour coach about tennis parents and I asked him, “Where they would look for the next big talent?” …With a half-smile he said, “Well, first I’d start at an orphanage…”

What’s the best advice to give a parent?

Leave the ego at home and make it a point to get educated. A tennis parent who views the role of a tennis parent as a part-time hobby usually has a hobbyist as a junior player. The National and ITF champs I know have a primary tennis parent. Raising athletic royalty is a full-time job. These parents are the teams management system. They work as the human resources department hiring and firing coaches, trainers and hitters. They are the bank, the accountants, the nutritionists, the designated driver, the airline and hotel booking agent, they register their player for events, wash clothes, get rackets strung, purchase equipment, pay coaches and tournament fees. They organize the schedules and find practice partners. They are even the psychologist, the match charter, and the match videographer. Their laundry list of jobs makes them the most important figure in a junior tennis champion’s life.

What’s the best advice for a player dealing with their parents?

Number one is to read the above tennis parent job description list! Most juniors haven’t taken the time to actually look into everything their parents are doing for them. I often remind juniors that their folks can go to Hawaii and stay at the Ritz for a week every two months for the same amount of money they’re spending on their child’s tennis dream. Realize that if you’re going to have an attitude towards your parents that attitude should be gratitude.

How has the game evolved over your career?

The physical, mental and emotional evolution of the athlete is number one. I was part of a tennis magazine shoot regarding how equipment is changing the game. We shot several top ATP pros serving with wood, aluminum and modern graphite frames. The result was that the modern pros can hit 130 mph with graphite, aluminum or wood. Modern string technology surely makes a difference in spin and control, but players around the globe are training harder. They are bigger, stronger, and faster. They develop the mental and emotional components now more than ever. So from my point of view it’s the player more so than the equipment.

Where do you see the future of the game going?

Great question! I know what I’d like to see!

On the Woman’s professional side I’d like to see the development and implementation of secondary strokes. In my opinion, it’s such a one dimensional slugfest.

On the Men’s professional side, I’d like to see taller players attack deep down the middle. It would take away the speedsters passing shot angles. The Isners, and Querreys of the game have massive wing spans and it sure would be a tough assignment to pass or lob them.

From the high performance junior development side, I’d like to see juniors occasionally trade in the typical lesson sequence (rallying back & forth for 45 minutes, volleying for 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of serves) with a different plan. I’d like to see future training sessions look like this: serve and return for 30 minutes, then work on their attacking, transition game for 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of rallying.

What are your thoughts on the transition balls and 10 & under tennis?

My overall feeling is that they are both terrific for any age beginners. I have my staff use them in the 55 & over beginner classes as well. The issue is finding the exceptions and progress them towards the real game ASAP. Remember, not all beginners enter the game with the same athletic history. For example, I’ve had two 28-year-old beginners in the same group; one is a top accountant who has never played a sport in her life, the other gal is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. Yes, they both signed up for my beginner class, but have opposing athletic histories. Also, I have two 7-year-old players; one just wants to look cool in his Nike Rafa outfit (He doesn’t even want to hit!), the other has a very different growth development schedule (He’s sure he can beat the 16-year-olds in the advanced program and is mad that he’s not in that group!).

How would you define the mental aspects of the game?

The mental component is simply the X’s & O’s of strategy and tactics. It involves dissecting opponents and executing the shot the moment demands. The mental tennis is understanding the different patterns of shot sequences and knowing when to apply them against different styles of opponents.

How would you define the emotional aspects of the game?

The emotional components deal with a player’s ability to focus on their performance goals for the duration of a whole game, a whole set, a whole match or even for the entire tournament. It’s handling stress. It’s composure under adversity. It’s one’s ability to close out leads and handle gamesmanship. It’s dealing with the subtle differences between choking and panicking on-court.

How do you plans on impacting the game in the future?

My plan is to continue to take the Tennis Parents Workshops, the High Performance Mental Emotional Workshops and the Coaches Information Exchanges around the world. I’ll be heading back to Israel, New Zealand, and Australia next year as well many new countries. Of course, I’ll be here booking “crash courses” in the US.

Thanks Frank

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
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Avoiding the Nurturing Component

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Emotional Tennis, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

Guess who was an angry emotional train wreck as a junior competitor? If you said Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and even the iceman Bjorn Borg, then you’re right!

Moral excellence is a maturing process. Everyone can compete in a relaxed, happy state, but not everyone wants to. Let’s cover that again. Everyone can compete in a relaxed, happy state, but not everyone wants to!

Often negative behavior has been motor programmed into the player’s routine. It is a comfortable, dirty, old habit. The development of character lies in the ability to first learn to be uncomfortable competing without the negative act. It’s like a stand-up comedian without his props to hide behind. The old props are comfortable.

The insight lies in the understanding that each player has a character choice. Somewhere in their late teens; Borg, Federer and Nadal were taught a wiser code of conduct and chose to apply it.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
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Athletic Personality Profiling

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Parent Player Communication, Personality Profile/Learning Preference, Raising Athletic Royalty

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

Athletic Personality profiling

Terrific children, wonderful adults and tennis champions aren’t born, they are developed. It’s not simply heredity. It is an organized plan. No one becomes extraordinary on their own. The Williams sisters are an actual example of a parent with a plan! The stories goes: Richard Williams planned to have more children for the sole purpose of developing them into professional tennis players. Wayne Bryan also had a plan with his twin boys, the Bryan brothers. Without an actual plan, you’ll never know your child’s true capability.

Preparing an organizational blue print will save you thousands of dollars annually. It will also save your child thousands of wasted, unproductive hours, sweat and tears. Applying the International Player’s Evaluation comprehensive guide will assist you, the tennis parent, in having a world class plan!

Your child is born with a unique genetic predisposition and pre-wired with a specific brain and body type. Consider it carefully as you and your coaches (your team) nurture your child’s talent. This is an important consideration at all levels of the game.

So, what’s the key to maximizing success in the shortest period of time? Is it purchase the latest equipment? Maybe it’s hiring a great local pro? What if I said neither? The first and most important tool you will ever apply is discovering your child’s personality and brain design.

Old school tennis teaching looks a lot like this. The local pro Jose Gonzales came to the United States from Chile. He was a terrific collegiate player earning a full scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth. Jose even played a few ATP pro challenger events. He found success by being extremely patient. He had a natural gift with his quick feet and he enjoyed running. He took delight in being a steady counter puncher. Jose’s shot tolerance was a 20-ball rally! As a teaching professional, he demands that each of his students abide by his playing style, disciplines and logic.

Your thinking, boy that guy sounds pretty experienced, let’s hire him as our child’s coach! So, is this the right mentor for your child?

The answer is, not likely. Why? Because Jose demands that each student plays his style. The style of tennis that your child needs in order to thrive is based on his or hers own unique design. AKA: brain and body type.

Asking your child to play tennis in a style that opposes their skill sets, beliefs and temperament is a recipe for disaster. This is especially true at the beginning levels of player development. One of the quickest ways to ensure that your child will quit the sport is to demand that they play a style that opposes their brain and body type.

Understanding brain and body types is one of the first steps to becoming a world class parent.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
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Parental Post Match Role

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Parent Player Communication, Raising Athletic Royalty

Athletic informed parents are an essential component to developing athletic royalty. Win or lose, children need their parent’s to reinforce a healthy, loving and supportive relationship. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Assist your child in their static stretching, nutrition and hydration requirements.
Wait an appropriate amount of time before discussing the match.
Begin match analysis with an over-view of their positive performance goals with an optimistic tone of voice.
If not present- replace “Did You Win?” with “Did you hit your performance goals. Did you execute the correct shots at the right times?”
Remind your child to complete their match logs.

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Sports IQ

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Raising Athletic Royalty

The following quote is an excerpt from Raising Athletic Royalty. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

“LIST YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. THEN ORGANIZE PLAYS AND PATTERNS TO EXPOSE YOUR STRENGTHS WHILE HIDING YOUR WEAKNESSES.”

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The School Methodology of Tennis Training

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in New Zealand Summit YouTubes, Raising Athletic Royalty

The following post is a YouTube from a New Zealand Player/Parent/Coach Summit that Frank Giampaolo conducted with Craig Bell.

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Anger on the Court

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Frank Giampaolo in Emotional Tennis, Maximizing Tennis Potential, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

Anger on the Court?

On-court anger is very familiar to many. The ability to channel anger and improve performance is a skill many juniors have not fully developed. Most juniors displaying anger/emotional meltdowns on court are doing so because they have not properly prepared. Below are several reasons your that may help your child reduce anger fits on court. (For more detail: The Tennis Parent’s Bible)

Rehearse Successful Performance Goals Versus “I Have to Win” Goals:

Champions are performance orientated and not outcome orientated. After a match parents need to replace “Did you win?” with “How did you play?” In the 2009 Masters Doubles, one ATP team got 81 percent of their first serves in and capitalized on 3 out of 4 break points. Guess who won easily?

Tennis is Not Fair:

There are so many reasons why this game is not fair. Understanding these issues will reduce the stress some juniors place on themselves. For instance, luck of the draw, court surfaces, match location, weather (wind, sun, etc.), lucky let courts…Can you think of a few?

Everyone Gets the Same 24 Hours in a Day:

The difference is how they use it. I mentioned in a previous chapter that most juniors have an excess number of hours unaccounted for… I suggested getting a daily planner and discuss time management with your child. Assist them in organizing their on-court and off-court weekly schedule.

Managing Stress:

Experience tells us that if you are in a fight, take some time to clear your head. Get away or go for a brisk walk. Talk to your child about time management as it pertains to controlling the pace of the match. Winners often take bathroom breaks at critical times in a match, don’t they? Controlling the energy flow of the match is a super way to control the fire.

Champions Experience Failure:

Most tennis champions have probably lost way more matches than your child has lost. Ambitious people experience many failures. The majority of professionals lose every week- only one player can win the tournament. Does that mean most players are losers? Not a chance! Champions learn from their loses.

Never Outgrow Fun:

You often see top professionals battle and still smile in the course of a match. Stress and anger clutter your thought processes, which decreases your ability to perform.

Tennis is a Gift Not a Right:

Discuss how there are millions of great athletes that are the same age as your child that will never get the opportunity to compete at this level. Tennis isn’t fair, right? But has your child thought about how lucky they are to be able to play tennis and have a family that wants to support their passion?

Good Judgment Comes From Experience:

So where does experience come from? The funny answer is bad judgment. Talk to your child about how it is far less painful to learn from other peoples’ failures. After a loss, stay at the tournament site and chart a top seed. Analyze others’ success as well as pitfalls and learn how to avoid them.

Stay Aggressive through the Fear:

An old saying is “courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to carry on in spite of it.” Discuss how all too often we shift our style from “playing to win” to “playing not to lose.” Trust me folks, they are two very different mind sets.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
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