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Tennis Parent Job Description

Posted on September 25, 2020 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE TENNIS PARENT’S JOB DESCRIPTIONFrank Giampaolo

 

“The parent is the architect of their child’s tennis career.”

 

Experts agree that there is a great need for an organizational blueprint for tennis parents, as well as parents of athletes in every chosen sport.  Until now, the role of the tennis parent has been controversial and mysterious. The ultimate quest of The Tennis Parent’s Bible is to empower the tennis parent by defining their role. In my experience, a large percentage of the parents that I have worked with were optimistic and willing to learn about the tennis developmental process; while a small percentage of the tennis parents were perfectionists, pessimistic, and unwilling to consider the possibility that their methods were counterproductive toward the athletic growth of their child.

 

“If you’re a bit of a perfectionist, this book is aimed at making you a “Recovering Perfectionists.”

 

Serious harmful consequences result from well-intended perfectionists’ imposing their beliefs and actions on their children, which ultimately poisons their children with negativity and an unwillingness to accept change which stunts their growth.

Listed below are the three types of tennis parents. The first group probably wouldn’t even pick up a book like this because their ego wouldn’t allow them to possibly be proven wrong – of course, they already know all there is to know.  The second and third type of tennis parent shares my interest in raising athletic royalty. Let’s take a peek at the three types of tennis parents to see where you fit in.

 

Three Types of Tennis Parent’s

1) The Under Involved Parent:

  • The only sports they are passionate about are their own.
  • 100% sure that they already know it all and aren’t interested in learning more.
  • Unaware of the life lessons learned through sports.
  • Seek zero accountability for their child’s growth.
  • Oblivious towards their children’s personal desires.
  • Unable to attend weekend tournaments due to their heavy social calendar.
  • Unwilling to spend money on their child’s tennis.
  • Views their child’s sports as an inconvenience and a waste of time.

 

2) The CEO Facilitator Parent:

  • Educated about the process of raising athletic royalty.
  • Realizes that commitment demands long, mid, and short term goal setting.
  • Understands the positive emotional demands of the parent and athlete.
  • Understands the logistical organizational demands of the parents/player/encourage.
  • Understands the lesson, clinics, sparring, and tournament scheduling demands.
  • Understands the invaluable life lessons learned through participating in sports.

3) The Over Involved Parent:

  • Places too much emphasis on winning every drill, practice set, and match.
  • Attempts to coach the athlete with no real coaching background.
  • Overly negative, pessimistic, and critical.
  • Seeks a return on their financial investment.
  • Over-reacts to errors and losses.
  • Live vicariously through their child’s success.
  • Obsessed with the game and how it benefits their personal “agenda.”

 

A family’s moral code and developmental climate have a lifelong effect on the athlete, whether the parents know it or not. Because parents and coaches are so influential in shaping their young athletes, I urge you to take an optimistic approach to raising athletic royalty. It is my hope that by reading this book you’ll fall into the CEO facilitator role of a world-class tennis parent.

 

The Tennis Parent Mission Statement:

 

“I vow to create a positive experience for my child by providing optimistic emotional guidance, logistical, organizational & financial support as I oversee my child’s entourage of coaches.”

Training Periodization

Posted on September 13, 2020 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

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INTELLIGENT TRAINING BLUNDERS

 

Being Oblivious to Periodization

Parents are often so blinded by winning that they unknowingly sabotage their child’s success. This is especially true in the beginner and intermediate levels of competition.  Understanding when to train the different elements of your child’s game is called periodization. It’s based on the upcoming tournament schedule.

Asking your child to bulk up in the gym, run five miles, or to dismantle and fix a flawed stroke a day or two before a big event are samples of poor periodization training. Adding an unfamiliar element the day of a match also falls into this category.

An essential parental skill is choosing your battles. It is important to understand when to put your foot down and pick a battle. Starting a war right before a scheduled lesson will pull your child into the wrong mental state and surely destroy any hopes of a productive session. It is also a waste of your money. Likewise, choosing to battle the day of a scheduled match is a sure-fire way to drain your youngster’s emotional batteries and sabotage the actual peak performance you are seeking.

Neglecting Smart Work

Posted on September 12, 2020 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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INTELLIGENT TRAINING BLUNDERS

Neglecting Smart Work

Great coaches have the ability to zero in on player’s weakness long before players or parents even know it exists. High IQ coaches are a bit like fortune-tellers who can read the future. We see mechanical –structural damage the days leading up to an event and we know which components will surely crack under the strains of stressful competition.

If your child has some major holes in their game, please don’t continually send them off to competition. The opponent doesn’t have to beat your child because they’ve come to the game broken. That’s a little like sending a battleship off to war with structural holes in its hull. That majestic ship’s going to sink all by itself.

Encouraging “One Set Wonders”

Posted on September 8, 2020 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

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INTELLIGENT TRAINING BLUNDERS

 

Encouraging “One Set Wonders”

First of all, I congratulate any juniors that actually play full practice matches. Across the country, most juniors hit for 20 minutes, maybe finish a set and then leave. They become accustomed to being “one set wonders!” This is especially true in the intermediate levels of junior tennis.

Winning those tough three-set tournament matches require practicing whole matches. Rehearsing the art of closing out full matches versus a single set will improve their mental toughness.  If time is of the essence, I recommend that players play 3-sets, starting at 2-2 instead of the typical one set routine. Handling the stress of closing out the set is a big advantage.

 

“There is a huge difference between mechanical confidence and competitive confidence.”

Group Tennis Training Value?

Posted on September 7, 2020 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

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INTELLIGENT TRAINING BLUNDERS

 

Putting Them 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. Although it may be cheaper, large group training isn’t always in your athlete’s best developmental interest.

I’ve found that the top players 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?

 

“To get your child ahead of the crowd, why would you put them in the crowd?”

 

Tennis Lesson Value?

Posted on September 6, 2020 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

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INTELLIGENT TRAINING BLUNDERS

 

Believing Weekly Lessons are Enough

I teach two families from Los Angeles. Both families come for 2 hours of private lessons each week. That’s where the similarities end.

The parents hold opposing views on how to raise a tennis champion. The Johnsons believe that they need to make their 12 year old Kelli 100 percent self-sufficient. Mrs. Johnson says “It’s up to her to do it, I can’t force her.” As a result, Kelly hits about two hours a week.

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.  They both get the same 2 hours’ worth of weekly lessons. The critical factor in the formula is not the lesson, but what the parents choose to do weekly around that lesson.

 

The parents who see it as their responsibility to actively stay engaged consistently have higher-ranked children, all the trophies, and all the college scholarship offers.

Proper Tennis Training

Posted on September 5, 2020 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

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INTELLIGENT TRAINING BLUNDERS

 

Going Into Battle Unprepared

Preparing for a tennis tournament is twofold. First, your child should consistently train properly a month or so before a big event. Secondly, they should have a pre-game set of rituals to assist them in their match preparation.

Hours before a match, Nadal morphs into a different personality. Chris Evert said she wouldn’t even call a friend before a match in fear that it may break her concentration. Before each concert, Tom Petty and Taylor Swift say that they sit quietly alone with his acoustic guitar visualizing and preparing for that night’s concert.

Preparing mind, body, and soul before a match is a learned behavior. Allowing your son to go wrestle in the grass with the other kids before a big match isn’t in his best interest. Allowing your daughter to text 39 friends then fight with her boyfriend leading into a big match isn’t in her best interest.

Knowing how and when to turn on the competitor within is critical. Assist your child in finding their own unique game-day rituals.  After the match is complete, your child can leave it all behind with no regrets.

Intelligent Tennis Blunders

Posted on September 3, 2020 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

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INTELLIGENT TRAINING BLUNDERS

 

“If you’ve never faced conflict with your tennis phenom, you’ve never been a great tennis parent.”

 

Parents who fully commit to their child’s passion can spend the rest of their life satisfied that they’ve succeeded in the most important job of their lives.

 

Not Having an Entourage

Youngsters that improve at the quickest rate have a full entourage. This includes private hitters, technical teachers, mental/emotional coaches, off-court trainers, and clinics.

Customizing the style of coach to your player is important. Choose wisely because the two leading influences on your athlete are you and the coaches you hire!

NAVIGATING THE ATHLETE’S PATHWAYS

Posted on August 23, 2020 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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NAVIGATING THE ATHLETE’S PATHWAYS

Regardless of the stage of development, parents should seek coaches and trainers with high tennis IQ’s and optimistic attitudes- which will stimulate growth and happiness. Hire great educators to join your elite team and they will take your child beyond your wildest dreams.

SIGNS OF A HIGH IQ TENNIS COACH

Here are a few insights to remember when seeking a new coach. Great tennis coaches offer the necessary hands-on involvement with as little coddling as possible.

“Great coaches don’t need you or your athlete…you need them.”

They deeply understand the depth of the science behind the strokes while considering the athlete’s personal flair. A great coach offers structure with the freedom to explore. Lastly, a great coach is a team player who always puts their students’ needs above their own.

Characteristics of an Elite Tennis Coach:

  • Optimistic.
  • Encourages observation of his/her lessons.
  • Listens to you and your child.
  • Combines fun and laughter with serious learning.
  • Doesn’t use a one size fits all approach to development.
  • Understands personality profiling, brain typing & body typing.
  • Organizes a deliberate customize blueprint for your child’s development.
  • Eager to view your match charts and match video analysis (during scheduled lesson times.)
  • Help define parental roles and responsibilities.
  • Knowledgeable of the essential components of a high-performance tennis player.
  • Understands the importance of positive parental behaviors.
  • Assist in organizing an entourage of mental/emotional trainers, off-court fitness experts, and physical therapists- as needed.
  • Assist in the logistics of raising athletic royalty.
  • Available for monthly entourage team meetings.
  • Welcomes parent’s emails and progressive dialogue.
  • Helps organize the player’s weekly developmental schedule.
  • Assist in organizing the player’s tournament schedule.
  • Encourage parents to use tools such as Reading Raising Athletic Royalty.
  • Conducts parental workshops.
  • Recommend that the parents educate themselves through seminars, workshops, and educational materials.
  • Teach life lessons through the sport of tennis.
  • Willing and able to be a mediator between the child and the parent.

 

Parents, world-class coaches are very hard to find. Finding one with free time in their busy schedule is even tougher.

 

“Plan on compensating your elite coach for their time on-court and off-court. If you find one with the above characteristics, hold onto them for dear life.”

 

The Tennis Parents and Frank Giampaolo- Part 4

Posted on August 11, 2020 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

 

INDUSTRY TESTIMONIAL QUOTESblack_ebook_design2

Frank Giampaolo’s original Tennis Parent’s Bible is nearing 10 years with a second edition published in 2016 and it is still considered a must-read for all parents of tennis players.  Read a few more testimonials!

“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

 

“I have been involved with tennis for 60 years and I have witnessed the development of the modern game. Frank has put together the most complete manual for Parents, coaches and players. I learned a lot from this book. It’s a must for every Parent and Coach who want to make the least amount of mistakes.”

Carlos A. Kirmayr, Centro De Treinamento Kirmayr, Brazil

 

“My favorite thing about Frank Giampaolo is his willingness to tell it like it is, no sugar-coating. We parents are sometimes treated too delicately by our child’s tennis coach for fear of upsetting the status quo. I know I can always rely on Frank to be brutally honest in our interviews and conversations which helps ParentingAces readers do a much better job of navigating the Junior Tennis Journey.”

Lisa Stone, ParentingAces.com

 

“Frank is a skilled lecturer & a top teacher. Now as an author, Frank has written one of the most important developmental books I’ve seen in my 60 years of teaching. This should be required reading for every inspiring parent, player or coach!”

The Late Vic Braden’s Review of the First Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible