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PRE-MATCH WARM-UP RITUALS

Posted on April 11, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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PRE-MATCH WARM-UP RITUALSblack_ebook_design2

 

Before each PGA tournament round, Tiger Woods warms up every club in his golf bag, just in case he needs it. In the high performance tennis world, players who routinely warm up both their primary and secondary strokes have a major advantage in tightly contested matches. Grooving fundamentals before a match is important, but let’s go deeper.

A first-set tiebreak can often come down to a player executing a winning secondary stroke such as a swing volley or topspin lob.  Confidently perform secondary shots at crunch time, without hesitation, stems from properly warming them up before the match. Players who neglect their secondary strokes have a very different mind-set when faced with the same exact situation. Instead of instinctively moving forward to hit the swing volley to take the tiebreaker, they hesitate and are caught thinking, “I don’t remember the last time I hit one of these? Can I make it? Should I go for it?”  Now guess who misses the easy shot, gets upset and blows another breaker?

Obviously, any stroke has to be developed on the practice court long before tournament competition begins. Once developed properly, it should be placed into your match day tool belt and warmed up before competition.

 

“A smart tennis player has developed and then systematically warms up every secondary stroke before competition.”

 

If your athlete is still holding on to the “old school” fundamental stroke warm up routine, I highly suggest keeping it for comfort sake but also begin to warm up in the manner that they are expected to perform. This includes, whenever possible, taking extra time to warm up the below list.

6 Different Forehands and Backhands:

  • Primary Drive Ground Strokes
  • High and Heavy Ground Strokes
  • Short Angle Ground Strokes
  • Defensive Slice
  • Drop Shots
  • Defensive Lobs

3 Different Serves:

  • Flat Serve
  • Slice Serve
  • Kick Serve

3 Different Volleys:

  • The Swing Volley
  • The Drop Volley
  • The Transition Mid Court Volley

2 Different Overheads:

  • Stationary, Service Box Overheads
  • The Turn and Run, Overhead with Movement

The 2 Different Approach Shots:

  • Traditional Approach to Volley
  • Spot a Vulnerable Opponent and Steal the Volley

 

NOTE: Customize the warm up whenever possible. For example: If your athlete’s next opponent is a Moonball/Retriever, it might be wise to warm up their swing volleys, side doors and drop shots.

 

“Often, what separates two talented players is the time and energy put into properly preparing for battle.”

OPPONENT PROFILING

Posted on April 3, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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OPPONENT PROFILING

 

Top competitors are continually seeking an advantage. One of the best strategic (mental) and calming (emotional) advantages comes from scouting an upcoming opponent. Casually observing is one thing, but profiling the opponent is a skill set. Each playing style has an inherent group of strengths and weaknesses. Opponent awareness is an important part of match day preparation. Player profiling involves looking past strokes.

NOTE:  Whenever possible, as I coach players from the 12’s to the ATP/WTA pros, I apply the below profiling topics.

 

Opponent Profiling Scouting:

  • Primary style of play.
  • Preferred serve patterns (especially on mega points).
  • Preferred return of serve position and shot selection on both first and second serve returns.
  • Favorite go-to rally pattern.
  • Dominant short-ball option.
  • Preferred net rushing pattern.
  • Stroke strengths and weaknesses (Advanced players should also consider the strengths and limitations of strike zones.)
  • Movement, agility and stamina efficiencies and deficiencies.
  • Frustration tolerance, focus, and emotional stability.

Opponent profiling should continue from the pre-match phase, all the way through the actual match and into the post-match. Intelligent athletes even jot down notes regarding the opponent’s game on their post-match match logs. This is used as a reminder for the next time the two meet.

 

Looking Past Strokes:

During the warm up, the uneducated player/parents/coaches often think Player A has the match in the bag.  But what they do not realize is that Player B often wins because of their ability to identify and execute a game plan exposing their opponent’s weakness. Player A may have great looking fundamental strokes but “hidden” flawed mental and/or emotional components. Player B may have average looking strokes, but an incredible proficiency in their mental game. Hence, giving player B the edge due to his ability to isolate weaknesses or exert emotional intelligence at crunch time.

EQUIPMENT PREPARATION- Part 1

Posted on March 24, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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The Match Chart Collection 2D

EQUIPMENT PREPARATION

 

The day before the match, review their Match Day Equipment Essentials List with your athlete. In case you need to run to the store to pick up an essential item or if their lucky shorts aren’t washed. Remind them that they may also want to pack their perishable Match Day Essentials the night before and keep them refrigerated and/or frozen and ready to go- ice, food, drinks etc.

 

“Waiting until the last minute is a common blunder and adds un-needed stress

that can steal everyone’s emotional energy before even getting to the tournament.”

 

Match Day Equipment Essentials: (For Competitive Athletes)

  • Three- four rackets freshly strung and re-gripped.
  • Extra sets of strings (your brand and gauge) and extra vibration dampeners.
  • A first aid kit composed of Band-Aids, athletic tape, elastic bandages, appropriate pain reliever, plastic bags for ice, sun screen, liquid Band-Aid, hair ties etc.
  • Extra shoelaces, socks, shirts and a fresh towel(s). (You may need an extra towel to soak in ice water to cool you down in very hot temperatures.)
  • Water, sports drinks, electrolyte powders, easily digested fruit (banana), and energy bars/gels to be used as quick energy and/or to bridge between meals.
  • Performance goals and match notes. (Reminders) Examples include: how to beat moon-ball/pushers, opponent notes, match performance goals, etc.

 

 

THE SCIENCE OF MATCH DAY PREPARATION

Posted on March 20, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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THE SCIENCE OF MATCH DAY PREPARATION

 

The expression, “success is found when proper preparation meets opportunity” would seem to have been written for tennis players.  Sadly, most unsuccessful junior competitors are ill-prepared to compete, yet blame their poor results on bad luck. Truth be told, growth and success on court, is a result of months of deliberate customized training and systematic game day routines and rituals. Success on and off the court doesn’t happen by chance…it happens by choice.

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. A player who is ready to compete creates an impenetrable wall that keeps the human elements of fear at bay.

 

“Spectacular achievements are preceded by spectacular preparation.”

 

Players who disregard pre-match rituals often unknowingly start a downward spiral that inevitably results in a loss. Their lack of self-discipline leads to self-doubt, a condition that fuels nervousness and then causes a lack of confidence and low self-esteem. These negative forces have a way of fostering a lack of self-control on match day.

 

“Although not preparing properly for competition may provide short-term fun, it comes with long-term consequences.”

 

Getting geared up for a match involves a type of self-hypnosis. Top players use a series of internal processes to spur a metamorphosis in preparation for competition. This involves putting on their “game face” as they prepare their physical, mental, and emotional components for competition. Confidence is high and all energy is devoted to the task at hand. This section of the book contains information to help players of all levels find the state of readiness that enables players to transform from a normal person into a tennis warrior.

Morphing into a warrior isn’t reserved for athletes. Game day transformation is done by every world-class performer. Preparing physically, mentally and emotionally for their role is a mandatory learned behavior. To demonstrate this point, let’s look at an elite professional Broadway actor’s pre-show preparation.

 

Broadway Actor’s Pre-Show Preparation:

On a nightly basis, the actors transition through a metamorphosis. They go from being a normal person with their own issues, emotions and agendas to morphing into the characters they play on Broadway. Real life issues (car problems, relationship issues, dog ran away…) must be dismissed and their mindset must shift into character they play on stage. The actual metamorphism is specific to each actor, but generally the actors will review their lines, quietly mediate, rehearse their movements, etc. Once on stage, the curtain rises and great actors transform into their character- making the audience believe.

 

Socializing prior to matches often pulls competitors away from their pre-match routines and rituals. Remember, a transformation should take place before each match. Your athlete simply cannot transform from a normal person into a warrior if they are hanging out with friends or bantering with friends over texts.

 

“Physical, mental and emotional readiness is a skill set your athlete must master.”

 

THE TOURNAMENT PLAYER’S CYCLE

Posted on March 18, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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Frank Giampaolo

THE TOURNAMENT PLAYER’S CYCLE

 

Periodization training requires factoring in these 10 essential phases to insure growth as well as optimal performance during competition. Educated coaches and parents not only know what to focus on, but even more importantly; when to focus on them.

To customize your athlete’s formula for success, be sure to apply these 10 very different phases to your tournament player’s cycle.

 

The 10 Essential Phases of Tournament Play

Phase 1: Post tournament recovery -Insist they completely detach from the sport. Allow them to recover and heal their physical body, emotional wounds and the pressure of cognitive processing under stress.

Phase 2: Slowly restart the fitness component – re-introduce the athlete’s endurance, speed, agility and stretching requirements.

Phase 3: Begin match chart reviews and essential Match Play video analysis.

Topics include: Performance assessments, opponent profiling- styles of play/shifts in styles, favorite go-to patterns ( top 7), movement strengths & weaknesses, focus issues/lapses in concentration, anger/ emotional management, athletes problem solving skills, between point and changeover rituals, fundamental and secondary stroke efficiencies and deficiencies.

Phase 4: Devise an agreed upon action plan based on phase 3’s findings. This included on-court as well as off court physical, mental or emotional development. Seek weekly improvement versus the need to always win.  Focus on improving aka -fixing weaknesses.

Phase 5: Re-introduce on-court basic stroke production with dead ball- grooving/ motor programming of the new, improved strokes. Add fundamental on-court movement, spacing and footwork essentials.

Phase 6: Drill with negative scoring to re-introduce the essential emotional/ focus component. (Deduct a point for each error.) Error awareness in practice is a missing link in the art of developing the emotional muscle.

Phase 7: Introduce secondary strokes and the athlete’s customized offense, neutral, defensive patterns of play. These shot sequencing patterns are strokes with purpose and are essential pre-set protocols.

Phase 8: Begin practicing in the manner they’re expected to perform. Introduce live ball serve games, return games, rally games and approach shot versus passing shot games.

Phase 9: Introduce the essential multi-tasking requirements required in match play. Begin playing sets starting at 2-2. This adaptation allows the competitors to arrive at the important pressure packed, “money”, part of each set faster and more frequently.

Phase 10: Ask the athletes to play set-Tie Breakers (first to 7) and Championship Tie Breakers (first to 10) to insure the athlete is comfortable with the process. Before each breaker, remind the athletes to mentally revisit the set. Apply match charting to organize your game plan and opponent profiling to assess their probable strategic options.

 

NEGATIVE PARENTAL BEHAVIORS TO AVOID

Posted on March 14, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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NEGATIVE PARENTAL BEHAVIORS TO AVOID

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Listed below are common negative behaviors of an athlete’s parent.

 

Problem Tennis Parent Attributes Checklist:

  • Unrealistic assessment of their child’s level.
  • Unrealistic expectations.
  • Over emphasizing winning and rankings.
  • Coaching their children without coaching credentials.
  • Coddling and pampering the child too much.
  • Pushing the children into playing tennis.
  • Frequently discusses the financial burden of tennis in front of the athlete.
  • Assisting the coach in coaching during their child’s lessons.
  • Placing their needs and motives above their child.
  • Allowing their mood to mirror their child’s outcome.
  • Refusing to allow the athlete to make any decisions.
  • Neglecting to apply the periodization training method.
  • Becoming negative or violent when success is not achieved.
  • Unrealistic scheduling.
  • Critiquing and or blaming the coach after their child’s loss.
  • Failing to follow a deliberate customized developmental plan.
  • Expecting their part time coach to handle all the child’s full time needs.
  • Criticizing the child’s performance and skills in front of the child.
  • Neglecting to observe new coaches in action before hiring them.
  • Unaware of the importance of brain typing or body typing in their child’s development.
  • Living vicariously through their child’s success.

 

If you’re not sure whether your tennis parenting attitude is positive or a bit too negative simply ask your athlete. They’ll have a pretty darn good clue.

 

PLANNING THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE- PART 3

Posted on March 11, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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SAMPLE WEEKLY TRAINING SCHEDULE

 

Just as a player’s tournament schedule will vary based on their short and long term goals, a players training schedule must also be customized.  Your youngster’s requirements will dramatically vary from age divisions, maturity levels, and how well they digest information.

Training regiments also vary depending on the upcoming tournament schedule (called periodization). Obviously a player in the semi-finals of a big event would train radically different than a player four weeks away from their next tournament/team match.

Time management skill will prepare your athlete for life on and off the courts. It’s important to remember the estimated success formula to becoming world class: Approximately twenty hours a week of applying a deliberate customized developmental plan for about ten years.

The following is a sample week of one of my top nationally ranked U.S. Juniors. His long term goal was to play division 1 college tennis and then progress to the pro tours.

SAMPLE Training Week
 

Training Component

  

Time Per Week
Practice Sets/Tournament Matches:

He schedules different styles and different ability levels of opponents.

 4 Hours
Technical/Mechanical Stroke Lessons:

He corrects flaws in their primary strokes and builds upon his secondary strokes.

 2 Hours
Mental Training:

He focuses on pattern repetition. Being sure to practice his Top 7 patterns and the patterns to run to beat retrievers.

 4 Hours
Emotional Training:

He focuses on applying his between point rituals as well as his protocols to overcome performance anxieties.

 4 Hours
Video Analysis:

After videotaping a tournament match, we analyzed patterns, lapses in focus and opponent profiling.

 1 Hours
Off-Court Gym

He hits the gym to improve explosive speed and power, and to prevent injuries.

 3 Hours
Off-Court Cardio

He cross trains with a random directional approach to clean up foot speed and brain speed (hesitation).

 4 Hours
Watching Tennis on TV:

He charts the pros, spot styles of play, analyze footwork, and decipher patterns.

 2 Hours
Total Weekly Training:

(Non-Tournament Schedule)

 24 Hours

For more information, investigate how a successful athlete’ family got them there. Invite them out to lunch. Ask process oriented questions. Take notes about their developmental plan, scheduling and obstacles. Parents who have been through the wars are often eager to help.

PLANNING THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE- PART 2

Posted on March 9, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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PLANNING THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE- CONTINUED

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Your Child’s Rest and Rejuvenation Schedule:

I recommend two weeks on and one week off: This is a very workable formula for most athletes who are still developing. It allows for competitive play as well as down time to fix flaws, build weapons, re-charge batteries and heal injuries. Note: Occasionally, travel expenses dictate that your child stay on the tournament trail longer.

Your Family’s Economics:

Here in the US, hospitality options are rare. In Europe, there is a host family waiting with room and board for the player and coach at each event. I recommend calling the tournament director to inquire about it. Parents need to factor in the expenses of tournament play.

Your Child’s Educational Commitments:

Consider your child’s school commitments. Factor in final tests and exams. National events and exams all seem to fall around holiday breaks.

Your Child’s Fitness Level:

Remember the ever ready battery “takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” Well, that may or may not be your child. Having the physical, mental or emotional batteries to play two matches a day for weeks on end may be a bit much to ask of your player. Even the top professionals are not competing two singles matches a day for three weeks straight!

Your Child’s Tolerance Levels:

Emotional tolerance and frustration tolerance is worth looking into. Keep in mind that every round your child marches through the draw, half the players lose. Pressure and stress can often double or triple. What is your child’s stress tolerance level?

Your Child’s Ranking Goals:

Here’s a formula to increase your child’s national ranking. Year in and year out, certain level 2 national events draw the top field of 64 players in your child’s current division. Occasionally 58 out of the 64 players are ranked higher and are presumably stronger than your child. What are the actual chances of getting deep into the draw and collecting those precious national points? Often, during the same week, another level 2 national event (same points available) is being held in a less desirable city. By checking the internet, you’ll notice that historically some tournaments draw a lower level field. By playing the ranking game your child’s confidence and national ranking will begin to sky- rocket.

 

PLANNING THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE- PART 1

Posted on March 6, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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PLANNING THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULEfrank

 

“We don’t improve quickly enough by chance, we improve by organized change.”

 

As you read this book, I recommend planning a tournament schedule broken down into quarters. When organizing the schedule, be sure to consider your child’s short and long term goals. Plan to evaluate your player’s progress throughout the year and adjust their schedule accordingly.

Long term and short term goals will dictate your child’s training and tournament schedule. If your child’s goal is to be ranked in the boys 10’s and possibly play high school tennis, their training and tournament schedule will be very different than a child that has a long term goal to play NCAA Division I Tennis. Goals may change along the developmental journey and a change in goals will require a change in training and scheduling.

 

Important Factors to Consider When Planning An Optimal Competitive Schedule Include:

Your Child‘s Age:

Check with your specific USTA section or country organization for age eligibility requirements. Be sure to also check the limits on the number of events a junior can participate in each age division. Customize your child’s stay in each division to maximize rankings and exposure to prospective college recruiters.

A general guideline to follow: if your child is winning approximately 25% of their matches, consider entering lower level and current level tournaments; if they are winning approximately 40 – 60% of their matches, remain at their current level; if they are winning approximately 75-90% of their matches, move up to the next division.

 

Your Child’s Tournament Level and Type:

When scheduling, plan on including lower level, current level and higher level events into the tournament schedule. Nothing breeds confidence like winning trophies. Playing up is not always in the best interest of the athlete. Be sure to also schedule doubles events. The game of doubles requires a different set of skills- both in tennis and personal skills.

 

Your Child’s Peer Pressure Dramas:

If your child plays terrific in practice sets but shows symptoms of extreme performance anxiety against their peers year in and year out, it may be wise to break the “psychological barrier” and choose to play in a different setting.

 

THE THREE PHASES OF ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

Posted on March 4, 2022 by in The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

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THE THREE PHASES OF ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

 

Once you’ve discovered which type of tennis parent you want to be, the next step is to identify which phase of development best categorizes your child’s current level. All too often, parents have an unrealistic view of their child’s current phase of development.  This is a result of the parent’s lack of awareness into the developmental process.

Due to personality profiles, growth development schedules and maturity levels, I don’t like to pigeon-hole athletes based on their age. At each level, customization is encouraged. It is very common to find mature 9 year olds in phase 3 and immature 17 year olds in phase 1. Customization is the key.

 

The Introductory Phase:

In this stage of the game, children are sampling many sports. The primary objective is enjoyment while developing sound fundamentals.

Special Note: I’m a firm believer that proper motor programming is essential. Allowing a child to groove poor mechanics only to spend thousands of wasted dollars, hours and tears fixing them later doesn’t make sense. You can still laugh and have fun while developing world class strokes.

 

The Developmental Phase:

Also known as the intermediate phase. In this stage, tennis is the main hobby. Social clinics are the norm. Specialized training has begun and juniors are experiencing sectional tournament play.

Special Note: This is when the parents, uneducated in the process unintentionally push talented athletes away from the sport by allowing them to train like a hobbyist and then expect the child to be getting championship results.

 

The Break-Through Phase:

In this stage, athletes are dedicated to the sport and are engaged in full time training. Each component of the game is developed as the athlete begins to invest in the future. Players begin to look towards National level or ITF level events to secure a college tennis scholarship at a major university.

Special Note: This is when a shift from hardware development (strokes and athleticism) to software development (mental and emotional) is most often needed.