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Tennis Expectations and Guidelines

Posted on February 14, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

Maximizing Tennis Potential with Frank Giampaolo

Establishing Expectations and Guidelines

Parents have to communicate their expectations to their child during both practice as well as match play. This is especially important in the beginner and intermediate levels of the game. It may also be in your best interest to share your list with your child’s primary coach.  You will develop an alliance through clarifying your expectations and guidelines.

When speaking with your child, avoid starting with the standard “When I was your age, I had to walk to school uphill…in the snow…both ways…”

Here are my top twenty practice session tennis parental expectations:

  1. Place the improvement of your performance over having to win the match, social game or live ball drill.
  2. On the court be grateful, enthusiastic and polite.
  3. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled practice session to stretch.
  4. Arrive on court dressed and ready to compete.
  5. Avoid complaining or criticizing others.
  6. Give the coach your best efforts and your undivided attention.
  7. When the coach is talking, hold the balls. Stop, look him/her in the eyes and listen.
  8. No cell phones allowed on court.
  9. Move quickly between drills and during ball pick up – yes the student helps pick up balls!
  10. Hustle and give 100% effort.
  11. Avoid negative tones, body language and facial expressions.
  12. Avoid using profanity.
  13. Admit mistakes and understand the cause of the error.
  14. Come to practice with a pre-set game plan and an eagerness to learn.
  15. Be open to constructive criticism.
  16. Be willing to develop your weaknesses.
  17. Stay fully committed and focused for the entire training session.
  18. Rehearse staying in a positive frame of mind for the entire training session.
  19. Take full responsibility for your words and actions.
  20. Practice in the manner you are expected to perform.

Ask your child to challenge themselves daily. Remind them that choosing to train below their capability breeds “mediocrity.” A customized evaluation/plan will ease the stress and lack of communication that often results with lack of preparation.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Building Confidence

Posted on February 13, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo0623P_5063

 

In my opinion, confidence is one of the top factors in achieving peak performance. To achieve confidence as your child progresses on her journey, it is first best to consider her goal in tennis matches. Keep in mind that the best parents and players strive for a certain type of success. That success comes in the form of performing in tournaments at the child’s highest level versus having to win every match.

“The second week in a Grand Slam is all about belief.”  Chris Everett

FUN FACT: Often professionals are quoted as saying “I’m satisfied and happy when I play in a match at the same level I do on the practice court!”

Lack of confidence issues such as self-doubt and a negative self-image arise from how athletes view past experiences. Often, when asking an adolescent what happened in the match they reply, “I don’t know, I‘m horrible!” Getting to the root of the issue is done by organizing tournament experiences by using match logs.

Champions have experienced losing hundreds of times more often than your junior player. The difference is how they view it. So, how should your daughter view tournament competition? Junior tennis tournaments in general should be viewed as information gathering missions. Success lies in doubling your child’s level of competence every six months. They have to be twice as good as they were six months ago. Replace focusing on winning with focusing on improving every week. Lack of confidence is a common issue. It sneaks into every athlete in every sport.

Confidence Fades:

  • Players are not training or being trained properly
  • They are injured or sick
  • They are returning to the game after an injury or sickness
  • They have underperformed in recent competition
  • They are burnt out

Players in a slump may be under achieving in more than one of these issues simultaneously.

Rebuilding the Belief

Confidence is a progressive spiral of positive input which leads to positive attitude. True belief and trust is earned by doing everything in your power to be the best you can be. Let’s first look deeper at ten common stepping stones that will rekindle your daughter’s confidence.

  1. Re-Commit to Getting Fit: Tennis specific speed, agility and stamina are key. Cross training is terrific. Hit the gym, hit the track and get physically stronger.
  2. Clear the Mind: Re-focus on tennis. Teens can get derailed by numerous factors. School, parties, peer pressure, other sports, hobbies, shopping, etc.
  3. Proper Nutrition/Hydration: What she puts in is what she gets out. It takes just 1-2 percent dehydration and the body is impaired mentally and physically. This could take effect with blurred vision, mental confusion, headaches, cramping etc. As for proper nutrition, the body needs high quality protein and carbohydrates at the right time to function most efficiently.
  4. Customize the Instruction: “Practice in the manner in which you are expected to perform.” Build a game plan around exposing her great strengths while hiding her weaknesses. Customize her style to her brain and body type.
  5. Promote and Educate Independence: Independent problem solving promotes confidence on and off the court. Even though some parents think they are helping, it may be wise to slowly stop doing everything for your little phenom.
  6. Surround Them with Supportive People: Positive coaches, trainers and friends with character are key. Is her new boyfriend pulling her focus in a new direction? Do her new friends at school want to party and shop all the time? Is her coach pessimistic or negative? This includes keeping your child away from negative or jealous tennis players or tennis parents.

FUN FACT: Girls 14’s, Super Nationals Clay Court Championships in Florida. Minutes before a second round match a Southern California parent cornered my daughter, Sarah, to inform her that she is about to get killed by the next “Martina Hingis.” He practically chased Sarah to her court as he continued to banter about how unbelievable her opponent was and how she should not feel bad about losing to this “great” player.

Luckily for us, Sarah had no idea about this second round match up. We simply told her the parent was a jealous nut and just keep the ball to the girl’s pitiful backhand and we’ll go to her favorite lunch spot in an hour or so. Result: My daughter won in two and 6 years later this parent is still causing trouble on the tournament circuit.

  1. Help Others: Ask your daughter to assist the local food bank once a month and feed the homeless. Seeing the positive attitude of someone less fortunate reminds them how fortunate they truly are!
  2. Avoid Negative Comments: This is any advice or stimuli that are perceived as unfavorable. The key word here is perceived. Remember this, often parents will say five positive comments and one negative ones but guess what your child hears? Only the negative. We find that derogatory comments, tone of voice, body language or even facial expressions can tear down a sensitive player’s confidence.

Examples:

  • A friend telling your daughter “You play Amanda next? Oh no!!! Nobody ever beats her. She won two nationals and is ranked in the top 5!”
  • A coach saying “You’re going to run 20 laps if you miss another backhand. Just do it right!”
  • A parent saying after a tournament loss “You always make so many errors, maybe you should quit!”
  1. Proper Warm Up and Pre-Match Routines: Confidence comes from rituals, such as, warming up all the primary and secondary strokes. This includes swing volleys, short angles, top spin lobs, proper nutrition, hydration, scouting, visualization and going for a short run before you go on the court.
  2. Perfectionists Set the Bar Too High: Unrealistic expectations kill confidence. Parents, just because your son won last week’s tournament, don’t expect him to win every one from now on. Players, a sure fire way to disable your confidence is to expect perfection. Even if you’re in the zone for a while, it’s a borrowed experience. No one owns the zone. No one stays in the zone and lives there year around.

Parents, ask your player to read through these ten common confidence busters. Do any of them apply to your child? If so, customize a plan to erase them!

Thank you visiting, Frank

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximizingtennispotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com

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Teaching Strategy Simply

Posted on February 12, 2015 by in Customized Organizational Plan, Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

 

Those strategy books seems so technical.  Can you make it easy?

What is strategy? Tennis is a very strategic sport.  Strokes may get you into the match, but strategy brings success.

  • Strategy can be so easy yet so complicated
  • Strategy is changing, adapting yet ritualistic It is science and art
  • It is psychological yet physical
  • It can be beautiful and oh so ugly
  • Strategy applied correctly allows your child to meet the opponent under advantageous conditions
  • Strategy keeps your child focused and in the correct mind set

Let’s look at strategy in a simple, yet effective format. There are three factors in understanding strategy on the tennis court. They are generic, stylistic and customized.

 Generic Strategy

Generic strategy is simply applying the player’s core strengths in patterns. The plan is that the opponent has to respond to your child. Create your child’s patterns, plans and tactics ahead of time. Your child’s generic strategy is to run their patterns and plays. Generic strategies and tactics could include getting in 70 percent first serves or staying neutral until you get the opponent vulnerable, then attack. Patterns can be detailed or so simple. In times of trouble, saying “bounce, hit” as the ball actually bounces off the court and hits their racquet is an s age old generic tactic. It is a wonderful tool used to control the player’s vision and calm them down when they are overcome by the occasion. These generic tactics will be used in January through December, from the first round through the final, In Miami or Moscow, on clay or hard courts. These are your child’s everyday “nuts and bolts” game plan. The idea is to make the opponent react to them.

Stylistic Strategy

Stylistic strategy is your child’s ability to adapt tactics depending on the current style of the opponent. Remind your child not to change a winning tactic just because the opponent changes game styles. A change is only made if the opponent starts to win and the momentum has switched to their side. Styles include retriever, hard hitting baseliner and all court players. It is imperative that your player develop and rehearse patterns used to beat each style of opponent.

Custom Strategy

Custom strategy is your child’s ability to adapt to the day. Your child has to customize or adapting to different elements (wind, heat), court speeds and surfaces as well as the particular strengths and weaknesses of the current opponent. A common word in this phase is tendencies. To borrow from the boxing world, your child needs to spot what is causing the opponent to hurt or “bleed” and then do it more. It is just as important for your child to spot what is causing their own “bleeding” and systematically stop the bleeding. If your child is competing well in every game and often has the winning shot on his/her racquet, it is in their best interest to modify their tactics slightly while keeping the current strategic style of play. If they are losing and are not even in the points or games, a much larger shift of complete game styles may be in order. (For example: Take a bathroom break then change from a hard hitting baseliner to a steady retriever style of play.)

SPECIAL NOTE: A wonderful tool is video analysis. Record a tournament match every week. Have a weekly “Match Play Video Analysis Lesson” with an experienced coach. That’s right, a non- hitting lesson.

The preferred learning style of most players is “Visual Learner”. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Together, they will spot strokes that break down under stress, movement and footwork issues, opponent awareness issues and of course tactical and strategic issues that arise under stress. This allows your coach to customize the lessons as they actually provide solutions to the real issues!

For more information: The Tennis Parent’s Bible    Thank you for visiting, Frank

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
wwwMaximizingTennisPotential.com

Anticipatory Speed is Essential

Posted on February 11, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

FOCUS CONTROL: Broad Vision Versus Narrow Vision

Have you ever watched a match, amateur or professional, and the player with flawless strokes loses to a player with less than perfect strokes? Winning tennis requires more than perfect stroke production.  The best player uses proper broad and narrow vision on the court.

Why: Employing both broad and narrow vision develops quicker anticipatory speed, court coverage, court awareness.

Narrow vision is used when the incoming ball is approaching your child. Their attention should be on watching the ball after the bounce in their strike zone.

FUN FACT: Avoid asking them to watch the ball hit their racket. Kids are smart. You’ll be embarrassed. No human can actually see a 2-3 millisecond event.

Broad vision is employed when the ball has left your child’s strings and is out bound towards the opponent’s side. Ask your child to shift their focus to the big picture. They’ll need to spot where their ball is about to land, their opponent’s court position, their swing speed and swing length and their probable strike zone.

If they sense the opponent is on defense, they should be moving to an offensive position. On the other side, if they spot the opponent moving forward preparing to cream the ball, your child should be preparing for defense.

Good players have fast reaction time. They possess quick hands and fast feet. Great players have those skills as well as anticipation. Average players focus on simply tracking the ball. Advanced players pick up visual clues milliseconds before the opponent strikes the ball. Top players position themselves based on the pre-strike observations of the opponent. Examples include:

  • Watching the knee, hip and shoulder rotation as well as the ball toss angle before the opponent serves. Can you spot the obvious ball toss of a kick serve?
  • Watching the shoulder position and racket face angle before an opponent volleys. Can you read a crosscourt versus down the line incoming volley?
  • Watching the flight pattern, swing speed and swing length of the opponent’s backswing on their ground strokes. Can you spot a slice backhand versus top spin backhand before the opponent strikes the ball?

FUN FACT: Top players aren’t always faster; they simply understand what they are seeing and adjust quicker than the average player.

Thank you for visiting, Frank

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.Maximizingtennispotential.com

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Acknowledge your Child’s Efforts

Posted on February 10, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Parent Player Communication, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Thank you for your continued support. I truly appreciate the endless kind words about my blog postings and especially my books The Tennis Parent’s Bible, Raising Athletic Royalty and Championship Tennis. Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

 

 

Acknowledging Your Child’s Efforts

Here is a very positive action that brings about happiness:

Once a month, throughout the course of your youngsters tennis career plan on sitting down and writing a letter stating how proud you are of them. Place it on their bed at night.

Parents, do you realize that most full grown adults don’t focus on their job 100 percent of the time! They may be at work, but what are they actually doing? It’s my bet that most adults could not handle the pressure a serious junior competitor endures day in and day out. Take a few moments to acknowledge how proud you are of their efforts. Thank them for the courage they show as they lay it on the line week after week.

The Tennis Parent’s Bible Testimonials:

The below testimonials are just a sample of the many satisfied customers.  As a parent and/or a coach, you are faced with difficult and sometimes challenging situations as the director of your child’s tennis career. The Tennis Parent’s Bible provides solutions and directions.  It is a one of a kind tennis tool!

Tennis Industry Professional Testimonial:

“Frank Giampaolo just published a great new article in the December issue of Tennisplayer, adapted from his new book the Tennis Parent’s Bible. Subscriber response was very positive! But even if you didn’t read the article, you might want to check out the book, because it’s tremendous.

The Bible is an eBook that is over 230 pages of fascinating, valuable information. And if you order it now there are two free bonus booklets. How to Attract a Tennis Scholarship AND The Tennis Parent’s Bible Match Chart Collection. It’s $39.95 for the whole deal.

Frank has had the opportunity to work with over 60 players (and their families) who went on to win national junior titles. He’s seen it all–the beautiful and the ugly–and talks about what players, coaches, and parents need to know and need to do to help kids have a fabulous, positive life experience and become the best players they can. And he does it with honesty and humor.

I enjoyed and learned from the book myself and that’s why I am recommending it. As I worked through it I saw that the principles and situations Frank describes are really about tennis in general. It’s great to see it applied to high level juniors but it’s relevant to club players and competitive players at all levels. In fact, it’s relevant to life.

So do yourself a favor and order this one. And write in with your own review or leave us a comment in the Forum!”

Tennis Parent Testimonial:

“Dear Frank, Thank you so much for writing The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  My family is finally at peace.  We have been at “war” over how to best pursue my son’s tennis goals. Now we have a direction and plan of action.  My son’s coach, my son and my wife are all on the same page. There is so much to know about developing a tennis player. You have opened my eyes and brought so much clarity for us.  I feel my son really has a chance to be the best he can be…Thank you from the bottom of my heart! “

Tennis Coach Testimonial:

“Thank you Frank!  I could of not said it better myself!  If only every teaching professional would read this manual!  It is such a helpful source of information.  It takes the blame off all parties and makes the game of tennis much more enjoyable. I am asking all of my tennis instructors read it and I am suggesting that all the tennis families at the club read it! I cannot thank you enough! “

 

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Why Does My Child Play Great In Practice But Horrible In Matches?

Posted on February 8, 2015 by in Match Day Preparation, Maximizing Tennis Potential, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

 

 

Why Does My Child Play Great In Practice But Horrible In Matches?

It’s Friday, the day before a local junior event, John the young hitting pro carefully feeds balls waist level, in the perfect strike zone for your little Nathan. Nathan doesn’t have to move and hits like a champ. On the way home, Nate says, “Man, I’m on fire! Tennis is easy! Forget the open tourney, I’m going pro!”

Saturday morning rolls around and little Nate’s opponent is playing “keep away” from him. He’s wisely keeping balls above Nathan’s shoulders out of his primary strike zone. Nathan goes down in flames. After the match Nate says, “I don’t get it, I was famous yesterday.” Practicing in the manner in which you are expected to perform is a battle cry heard at my workshops daily. There is a totally different set of skills that provide “competitive” confidence or confidence under stress versus simply hitting.

It is important to understand that the essence of a champion doesn’t simply lie in their strokes but in their head and heart. The ability to stay comfortable when things get uncomfortable is undeniably a skill. Mastering their emotions may be just the ingredient your child requires to break through to a higher level. In typical private lessons, clinics and academies around the world the primary focus is on stroke mechanics. The attention is placed on bending your knees, change your grip, toss higher and run faster.

No question, developing sound fundamentals is a critical element of success. However to improve your child’s ability to perform under stress, it is in their best interest to switch from 100 percent stroke repetition practice to the following five practice solutions:

Practice Solutions:

  1. 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.

  1. Change the focus in practice sessions

Concentrate on skill sets such as shot selection, patterns, adapting and problem solving, spotting the opponents tendencies, tactical changes and between point rituals.

  1. Quit being a perfectionist!

Trying 110 percent promotes hesitation, over- thinking and tight muscle contractions. Remember this topic in the blunder section?

If you must worry about winning, focus on winning about 65 percent of the points. Yes, you can blow some points and allow your opponent a little glory and still win comfortably.

  1. Turn off the fear of failure

Top players lose almost every week. Take for example one of the ATP stars I worked with as a teen, Sam Querrey. He has been on tour full time for years. He is well adjusted, rich and famous and yet he understands that he is not going to win every tournament – which means he’s ok with the fact that he will most likely lose almost every week.

  1. 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?

Well, they have to overcome these issues several times in dress rehearsal first before you can expect them to win under pressure. Playing great under stress is a learned behavior. Practicing under simulated stress conditions is the solution.

FUN FACT: Most junior players spend hours upon hours hitting in academies and zero hours a week in full practice matches. They’ve become solid ball strikers but weak competitors.

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 keeping your child from winning national titles?

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com
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Finding the Right Professional

Posted on February 6, 2015 by in Choosing a Professional, Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

0623P_5063

 

How to Find the Right Professional?

Initial instructors are usually chosen by proximity, cost and availability. Once the athlete progresses into the competitive stage, it’s time to identify the styles and personalities of coaches that fit your needs. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to have more than one coach. Listed below are eight specialized styles of coaches that you may be employing along your journey. Let’s call it your coaching menu:

  • The Kind and Fun Loving Coach
  • The Mechanical Technician
  • The Tennis-Specific Off Court Fitness Expert
  • The Hitter
  • The Emotional-Psychological Coach
  • The Mental-Strategizing Expert
  • The Academy Recruiter
  • The Clinic/Academy- Group Class Instructor

Employing the right professional will save you thousands of wasted hours, dollars and tears. Here are a few secrets to assist you when selecting a Pro:

  • Great coaches were mentored by even greater coaches. Ask them who mentored them and/or who they trained under (as a teacher).
  • Look for a coach who enjoys what they do, it’s contagious.
  • Seek out a Pro that is so busy, that they don’t need your business.
  • The 10,000 hour rule applies! Being a master coach is a specialized/learned experience.
  • Be careful, a former college player or pro challenger player does not always translate into a great teacher.
  • Seek out a Pro who understands their clients unique Brain/ Body Type and Personality Profile (Genetic Predisposition).
  • Ask every player that beats you or your kid, “Great match…who is your coach? Where do you train?”
  • Ask a prospective coach, “We’ve heard great things about you, may we come and observe a few of your lessons?”
  • Pay the coach to chart a match and devise his game plan for improvement. Meet regarding his observations and suggestions.
  • Make sure the coach is asking questions, customizing and targeting their lessons.
  • Be wary of a Pro that discourages you from hitting with other Pro’s, hitters or trainers!

 

Match day failures almost always stem from the dozens of preparation failures. Simply put, the opponent found your weaknesses before you’ve even identified them. Uncovering the root of the losses is often done by charting.

CONTACT: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Player Evaluation 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 by in Customized Organizational Plan, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

The Tennis Parent's Bible by Frank Giampaolo

 

 

 

Player Evaluation for 2015

First of all, you are smart.  If your tennis game is letting you down, you must find a new approach to push you into the next level. Training the “old” way will get you the same “old” results. Your tournament play successes/failures are a result of choices you have made in the past. Now is the time to change directions and make new choices. Everyone gets the same 24 hours in a day- the difference is how you use it!

Second, you are here because you know deep down you are not satisfied with your results. You know that you are destined for bigger things. Day dreaming about a professional career or Division 1 tennis scholarship is great- but without a detailed plan it is simply a dream.

“A dream becomes a goal when a plan is attached”

2015 Plan- The following components need to be addressed:

  • Design your long and short term goals for the year
  • Identified your strengths and weaknesses
  • Plan to destroy your weaknesses
  • Plan to strengthen your strengths
  • Detail how many tools (strokes and strategy) you currently own.  (Most players list about four tools. A complete player has hundreds of tools in their tool box. The more you know, the less you fear!)

Whether your child is a budding high school player, a USTA Open star, or a National Champion, take the time to organize your child’s tennis goals for 2015. The Tennis Parent’s Bible provides a step by step player evaluation guide through the stages of success. You evaluation package is your navigational system for the year.  Without a plan, your child is just another kid with a dream.

Organize your tennis game and propel far beyond the next level.  Wishing you success in 2015!

Thank you for visiting, Frank

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
Maximizingtennispotential.com
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Essential Skills Champions Develop

Posted on February 2, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Primary and Secondary Strokes, Raising Athletic Royalty, Tennis Parent Education, Tennis Specific Training, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Ten Techniques Junior Tennis Championships Develop  0623P_5063

“A Junior Champion is much more than a gifted athlete”

By Frank Giampaolo

 

John Kolouski (The name has been changes to protect the guilty.) has the Babolat Pure Drive, strung with natural gut on the crosses and polly on the mains… just like the pros. He sports the latest “Nadal” Nike shirts, shorts and shoes. His 8-pack racket bag even says “TOUR TEAM” on it. Man, he even goes to a $40,000 a year tennis academy. At first glance, he looks like a sure bet for the pros.

Now let’s look at Johns’ regiment a little deeper. John loses early every event in an implosion of negative behavior. Hummm… why?

There is nothing more common than young, talented athletes that are Weak Competitors. After reading the following Ten Essential Hidden Skills of a Champion, ask yourself if there are any similarities between John and your tennis phenom?

Ten Essential Hidden Skills of a Champion:

  1. Champions face their fears versus avoiding them. If you ask John to play a practice set against a younger retriever he has 100 excuses why he can’t and won’t play.
  2. Champions have swagger which is truly different than fake, empty confidence. John willingly practices his primary stroke production and then routinely SKIPS his weekly regime of off-court training sessions, closing out set rehearsals, and secondary stroke practice. Empty confidence shatters under the slightest bit of pressure.
  3. Champions are strong competitor’s not just good athletes. Set up a great sparring session for John and he’ll tell you “No thanks…I’m good! …I already hit back and forth to a partner today.”
  4. Champions do everything to prepare properly. John often stays out late the night before a big event; he doesn’t make time for a real breakfast; he doesn’t organize his tournament bag; and he only hits for maybe 10 minutes before the match. And he believes he is ready.
  5. Champions know that they will lose more than they will win. John believes that he should win every match he plays.
  6. Champions develop problem solving confidence, perseverance, determination and work ethic. John just focuses on stationary strokes, week in, week out.
  7. Champions have self-belief and a positive outlook. John wears his ball cap backwards and twirls his racket confidently at the start of each tournament, until he begins to play. Then like clockwork, he loses focus, misses a few easy shots and then morphs into an “Emotional Basket Case” every weekend. John only has one game style- hard hitting baseliner.
  8. Champions develop several game plans, emotional solutions to common problems, agility and brain speed. John is brain washed into believing that if he perfects his primary strokes every day, he will go pro.
  9. Champions understand that controlling their adrenaline and concentration wins matches. John believes that he is the one and only gifted, athlete out there and that should be enough to sky rocket him to success. When his opponents begin to challenge his game, he folds emotionally and mentally.
  10. Champions spot tendencies and control the energy of the match. John simply hits the shots that feel good to him versus hitting the shots that feel uncomfortable to the opponent.

In conclusion, it’s important to understand that there is nothing more common than extremely athletic individuals with weak competitive skills. This is why, to the untrained eye, it appears that the better “looking” athlete should win. As you all know, it is not the case.

Once solid fundamentals are developed, the art of winning stems from repetition of competition.  “Practice in the manner you’re expected to perform” is the motto champions follow. Training with competitive or simulated stress drills will improve match performance.

Thank you for visiting, Frank

Contact: Frank Giamapolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com

Between Point Rituals

Posted on February 1, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Tennis Parent Education, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Between Point Rituals are an essential skill of athletic royalty. For more information : The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks, Frank GiampaoloFrank Giampaolo

 

BETWEEN POINT RITUALS 

The following YouTube post was filmed at the Australian International Coaches Convention in 2011. I look forward to returning to Australia this coming January 2012. Parental tennis education will be the focus of my presentation.

Patrick McEnroe, USTA Player Development, has been quoted as saying “Player development should be called parent management.”

The importance of the parent’s role is critical to the success of a junior tennis player- regardless of their desired level of play.

 

http://youtu.be/DBLeehW4l9k

 

Thank you for visiting, Frank

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential