8 PHASES OF TEACHING
PHASE 1: Developing Reliable Motor Programs – Strokes
PHASE 2: Repetition of those Strokes – Stationary/Consistent Feeds
PHASE 3: Repetition of those Strokes – On The Move/Random Feeds
PHASE 4: Live Ball Hitting – Stationary/On The Move
PHASE 5: Shot Selection Comprehension – Developing Personal Winning Plays
PHASE 6: Application/Execution of Patterns Under Match Conditions
PHASE 7: Opponent Awareness/Analysis – Strokes, Athleticism, Mental, Emotional
PHASE 8: Devising Gameplays – Your Strengths Into Their Weaknesses
Eight Phases of Teaching
Replacement Series Videos- #1 Courtesy Stroke
The Replacement Series Videos is a series of video drills that focus on simple yet highly effective ways to replace the old school, warn out drills with new, unique, fresh tennis tips. Following is a YouTube link to The Replacement Series Video Tip # 1: Courtesy Stroke
The Replacement Series Videos Tip #1: Courtesy Stroke
Frank describes the benefits of starting a rally with your weaker stroke.
Click Here
Thank, Frank
Strengthen Neurological-Connections with Repetition
Coming soon Emotional Aptitude in Sports – a practical guide to solving competitive issues.
The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most on-line retailers! Click Here to Order
QUESTION: Why is repetition so important in developing athletic royalty?
Frank: Most professional coaches view repetition as the godfather of mastery. 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 the more it “grooves” the pathways. So, the more familiar the habit, the easier it is to execute the proper protocol during match play.
Repetition doesn’t just involve the physical strokes. It also applies to the athletic, flexible skills movements, the cognitive processing skills and emotional responses. All four of these components need appropriate, deliberate repetition.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re actually doing it, imagining it or observing it,
you are developing a pathway.”
Neurological-connections are strengthened by repetition. One of the most important keys to repetition is to “practice in the manner in which you’re expected to perform.” Often, improvements are maximized through manipulating the exercises with variations. Examples include:
- Athleticism– Varying the direction, physical reps and/or sets.
- Strokes– Varying the strike zones, tempo and/or movement.
- Emotional– Varying the performance anxieties and their pre-set solutions.
- Mental– Varying the different patterns used to beat the different styles of opponents.
Applying each of the four components under stress effortlessly requires an intuitive process. What appears to be a natural talent is actually a learned behavior through repetition. Mastering each component requires repetition.
It’s important to note that repetition isn’t always good. Repeating the same old flawed mechanical stroke or repeating the incorrect emotional response to stress is only ingraining that flaw deeper, making it harder to fix later.
CONTACT: Frank Giampaolo FGSA@earthlink.net
SUPERSIZE Your Practice Sessions
The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most on-line retailers! Click Here to Order
The following post is taken from Section IV- Practice Session Dramas:
QUESTION: How can we help supersize practice sessions?
Frank: Below I have created a checklist of solution to help Super-Charge Practice Sessions.
Stop hitting without accountability.
Hitting without accountability is like spending money with an unlimited bank account. Juniors perceive they hit better in practice because they are not aware of the sheer number of mistakes they are actually making. They remember the 10 screaming winners they hit, but forget about the 50 unforced errors they committed in the same hour.
Change the focus in practice sessions.
Concentrate on skill sets such as shot selection, patterns, adapting and problem solving, spotting the opponent’s tendencies, tactical changes and between point rituals.
Quit being a perfectionist!
Trying 110 percent promotes hesitation, over- thinking and tight muscle contractions. If you must worry about winning, focus on winning about 66 percent of the points. Yes, you can blow some points and allow your opponent a little glory and still win comfortably.
Replace some of the hours spent in clinics with actual matches.
Do you want your child to learn how to play through nervousness and manage their mistakes? Do you want them to get better at closing out those 5-3 leads? Do you want them to actually beat that moonball/pusher in the third set?
Players must begin to address their issues in dress rehearsal before they can expect them to win under pressure. Playing great under stress is a learned behavior. Practicing under simulated stress conditions is the solution.
“The challenge is to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Rehearse doing what you’re scared of doing. Take the tougher road less traveled. One of my favorite sayings is “If you want to get ahead of the pack, you can’t hang in the pack.”
This goes for parents as well. Obviously dropping your child off at the group lesson then going shopping for shoes is way easier than finding practice matches, charting and/or paying a college hitter to play sets. But ask yourself, is taking the convenient way out stunting your child’s growth?
CONTACT: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
Repetition and Developing Athletic Royalty
“If you’re a parent who thinks you already know all there is to know…hold on, because you’re in for a bumpy ride. This book is like turning a light on in a darkened room. I highly recommend it to any parent or coach serious about maximizing player potential.”
Angel Lopez, USPTA Master Professional, PTR Certified, Angel Lopez Tennis Academy
The paperback version of The Tennis Parent’s Bible is now available for pre-orders. (Pre-order yours with Amazon and email Linda the receipt at lindateresag@hotmail.com and get two free gifts for immediate download.) Click Here to Order
The following post is a Q & A excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible.
QUESTION: Why is repetition so important in developing athletic royalty?
Frank: Most professional coaches view repetition as the godfather of mastery. 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 the more it “grooves” the pathways. So, the more familiar the habit, the easier it is to execute the proper protocol during match play.
Repetition doesn’t just involve the physical strokes. It also applies to the athletic, flexible skills movements, the cognitive processing skills and emotional responses. All four of these components need appropriate, deliberate repetition.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re actually doing it, imagining it or observing it, you are developing a pathway.”
Neurological-connections are strengthened by repetition. One of the most important keys to repetition is to “practice in the manner in which you’re expected to perform.” Often, improvements are maximized through manipulating the exercises with variations. Examples include:
Athleticism– Varying the direction, physical reps and/or sets.
Strokes– Varying the strike zones, tempo and/or movement.
Emotional– Varying the performance anxieties and their pre-set solutions.
Mental– Varying the different patterns used to beat the different styles of opponents.
Applying each of the four components under stress effortlessly requires an intuitive process. What appears to be a natural talent is actually a learned behavior through repetition. Mastering each component requires repetition.
It’s important to note that repetition isn’t always good. Repeating the same old flawed mechanical stroke or repeating the incorrect emotional response to stress is only ingraining that flaw deeper, making it harder to fix later.
Contact Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Are doubles really that important anymore?
The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Is the game of doubles really that important anymore?
If tennis is known as the sport of a life -time, the most popular form of tennis has to be doubles!
In Southern California, doubles can be found in the 10 and under events, all the way up to the 90 and over division. Our children will be enjoying the game of doubles way after their competitive career is over. A common thread found in senior tennis, recreational tennis, junior club teams, high school ball or even college tennis are doubles.
FUN FACT: A top woman’s college coach said this about recruiting players. “In college tennis, doubles is so important, I’d much rather have a top 40 ranked player in singles with a top 30 doubles ranking any day than a top 10 singles player who has avoided playing doubles throughout their junior career.”
The USTA made a critical decision a few years back- combining the singles and doubles rankings into the national ranking system. This means that here in the U.S., a player’s doubles results are an important addition to their overall National Ranking. (The rankings formula includes doubles ranking as a percentage in the overall ranking calculation- singles and doubles are not weighted equally. For more information:http://www.usta.com/YouthTennis/JuniorCompetition/Ranking/#Calculating%20Standings%20&%20Rankings )
On a monthly basis, 20 percent of the questions I now receive are doubles related questions. Below, I have 4 common questions along with answers and solutions:
Question: What do we look for when picking a partner?
Answer: There are a few essential elements that make a winning combination: Chemistry! Can they laugh and have fun winning or losing.
- Seek a partner that compliments their style. It is often called: The Hammer & Wedge System. If you are a hammer…seek a wedge.
- Possess a common understanding of the nuances of doubles.
- Pick someone better than you.
I recommend going out to lunch and “talk shop”. See if the basic personalities of all parties “gel.” Some parent/coaches will only allow their child to play one style on all points regardless of the situation. This could prove disastrous. (The pro’s on tour rotate their formations.) Next, play at least 2 practice matches together before committing to an event.
Question: My son is shy. He knows he should communicate to his partner during the match, but does not know what to say. What’s your advice?
Answer: Doubles communication is critical in avoiding let downs and dissecting opponents. It is also important that team is synchronized; working as one. Here are some very important strategic issues that your son can use to communicate with his partner:
- The opponent’s technical strokes, strengths and weaknesses.
- The opponent’s favorite tactics and patterns that he has spotted.
- Identify the opponent’s system of play and their likes and dislikes.
- Investigate the opponent’s focus, intensity or lack of intensity.
- How to expose your team’s strengths and hide your weaknesses.
- Nonverbal communication is also very important. Facial expressions, body language or even tone of voice is detectable.
SPECIAL NOTE: Between points and during change-over is when constant communication occurs. On the Pro tour, doubles partners communicate an average of 80 times a match.
Question: My 12 year old daughter is scared of doubles. She says it’s confusing. Can you point her in the right direction?
Answer: Promote that doubles is a blast! Its team tennis, so she’s not out there all alone. Take her to watch high school tennis matches or better yet, college ball. As you watch doubles, begin explaining the role of each position in doubles. There are unique job descriptions, patterns, positions, and tactical options in each one.
She will need to develop the tactical options for all four of these positions:
1.) The Server
2.) The Server’s Partner
3.) The Return of Server
4.) The Returner’s Partner
Question: My daughter will not go to the net because she says she just gets lobbed. What is she doing wrong?
Answer: Often in juniors, we see players attack the net and place their volley’s back deep, right to the baseline opponent. This gives the baseline opponent plenty of time to lob.
Here’s a question. Which opponent doesn’t have reaction time? Is it the opposing net player or the opposing baseliner? The opposing net player is vulnerable and they can’t lob effectively from that court position.
FUN FACT: The basic rule is hit long to long and short to short. That means if your daughter is back, hit to the opposing back court opponent. If your daughter is at the net, juice the opposing net girl!
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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The Customized Peak Performance Cycle
The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
The Customized Peak Performance Cycle Versus The Old School Obsolete Cycle
In high level tennis, there is often a very fine line between competitive success and failure. A poor start, an initial lack of focus, or a bout of wavering confidence can cause a seemingly winnable match to quickly slip away. The will to properly prepare for competition usually makes the difference. For players to achieve consistent positive match results, their preparation must include ritualistic, inflexible routines. Success in tournaments is directly related to the quality of preparation. Champions become champions because they’re the few who are actually willing to put in the grueling hours of pre-match preparation. Spectacular achievements are preceded by spectacular preparation. Remember the old saying “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”? Make today be the last day that you go into an event unprepared. Below are two different match preparation cycles.
The Customized Peak Performance Cycle:
- Rest
- Review Match Logs/Match Video Analysis
- Retool: Stroke Components
- Movement Components
- Tactical Components
- Emotional/Focus Components
- Pattern Repetition
- Practice Sets/ Tie-Breakers
- Tournament
- Take Home another Trophy
Versus
The Old School Obsolete Cycle
- Rest
- Refuse To Do Match Analysis
- Ignore Your Issues
- Take Privates (While the coach feeds right to you)
- Pay Good Money to Boom Back & Forth in Academies
- Play King of the Hill
- Play Points (Winners move up, losers drop down)
- Tournament
- Lose Early
Which one of these cycles best represents your (or your player’s) cycle? It’s easy to see that The Customized Peak Performance Cycle is what will produce the results you want to see. Need help getting started? Pick up your copy of my International Player Evaluation or email fgsa@earthlink.net for a custom evaluation package.
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Tennis Strength Training
Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
STRENGTH TRAINING FOR TENNIS
The following excerpt is from my book Championship Tennis. For more information see The Tennis Parent’s Bible and/or Championship Tennis.
Although equipment and improved technique can help increase the power of strokes, the greatest gains are brought about by physical improvements. Resistance training is an excellent training method for tennis players because the sport of tennis forces players to control their body through space, just as an athlete would during competition. This is not to say that free weights such as dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells have no value. Far from it.- they are great for building strong muscles and developing power.
Tennis players need their fitness to mirror what they need on the court (once again, practicing in the manner in which they are expected to perform). For this reason, the most practical and valuable tool for developing massive power for tennis-specific movements is the weighted medicine ball. Medicine ball exercises work the five regions necessary for massive power: the core, legs, chest, arms, and shoulders.
Special Note: Indian Well Tennis Garden in California has a large grassy area near the tennis courts that the professional use to off-court train while playing the Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open. The public can watch the pros off court training with their coaches- It is a great learning tool for your player to watch the players train on the lawn- you will see the Pros perform medicine ball and resistance band drills as well as speed and agility exercises on the lawn.
Be sure your player includes the medicine ball inn their tennis development. Your player has an off court training regime- right? Fitness is essential to a successful tennis career!
Frank
See Championship Tennis for tennis specific medicine ball workouts
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Off-Court Training
Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Accelerating your Tennis Game with Off-Court Training
A fit player is a stronger player both physically and mentally. Off Court training accelerates a player’s on court performance. When the player gets fatigued their movement gets sloppy, their stroke spacing is off and unforced errors begin to fly off their racket. Poor decision making and negative emotions set in. Often, the actual cause of a child’s emotional breakdown is lack of fitness.
Unfit players do not perform their rituals, they do not spot tendencies and they do not manage their mistake. Poor physical fitness manifests in mental and emotional breakdowns. For instance, most juniors go for low percentage shots due to the fact that they are too tired to grind out the point. So is off-court training linked to the mental side? Absolutely!
The Following Off Court Training Skills are Essential to High Performance Tennis:
- Lateral Movement (Side to side)
- Up & Back movement (Forward & back)
- Aerobic Fitness
- Ability to Accelerate
- Ability to Decelerate
- Speed/Agility
- Stamina
- Recovery Time (Between points)
- Recovery Time (Between matches)
- Strength (Upper body/core/lower body)Body Coordination (Gross motor skills)
- Hand-Eye Coordination (Fine motor skills)
- Flexibility/Stretching
- Anticipatory Speed
Accelerate your child’s tennis game with proper off court training. High level tennis demands high level fitness. Ignoring off court training and only focusing on stroke mechanics will severely limit your child’s tennis potential. I recommend you begin by selecting two or three of your child’s weakest off court tennis skills and begin developing. A stronger fitter player will be more confident and mentally tougher!
FYI: Proper hydration and nutrition is also a critical factor in the physical, mental and emotional links of every tennis competitor. As parents, we have to insist that our players fuel up before battle. Dehydration triggers fatigue, dizziness, headaches and nausea. Improper nutrition lowers the blood sugar levels to the brain. Improper nutrition and hydration guarantees poor decision making skills at crunch time.
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Attaining Tennis Excellence
The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.
Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Top Ten Tools Needed to Attain Tennis Excellence
The mental and emotional strength of being a fierce competitor and a respectful human being is a learned behavior. Building mental and emotional muscle takes time and effort.
The way you think and feel effects how you perform. Rafa Nadal is a prime example of player that has built mental and emotional strength through hard work.
If your player truly believes in his or her game as a result of proper training and hard work he or she is bound for greatness.
No one can outperform their self-image. Due to their discipline, athletes like Rafa, have inner strength and inner excellence. They truly believe in themselves and their abilities because they’ve earned the belief.
Top Ten Tools Needed to Attain Tennis Excellence:
- Hit the gym to gain strength.
- Commit to improving with unrelenting determination.
- Develop the mental side of shot selection to master offense, neutral & defensive skills.
- Schedule time to strengthen their speed, stamina, and agility.
- Revise between point rituals to enhance “clear headedness” of shot selection on big points.
- Improve your ability to apply spin.
- Cultivate the competitive attitude. Do this by adding simulated stress with every drill. We call them “stress buster drills”.
- Perfect the ability to live in the moment (producing precisely what the moment calls for) by rehearsing closing out sets.
- Replace the need to win with the love of the battle.
- Reform calmness under stress, by simulating those intense moments.
For more information read The Tennis Parent’s Bible– hundreds of hours of lessons for less than a half hour lesson!
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
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