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Maximizing Potential

Posted on July 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 GiampaoloThe Tennis Parent's Bible by Frank Giampaolo

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 lesson. The critical factor in the formula is not the lesson, but what the parents choose to do weekly around that lesson.

FUN FACT: 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.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Learn Watching Wimbledon

Posted on July 2, 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

Watching Tennis on Tv

It is time to revisit my post on learning from the professionals.  Tennis on TV represents a great learning opportunity – watch the professionals with a purpose and improve your game:

Watch One Player’s Feet

Most Pros take 10 steps for every 3 steps a ranked junior takes. Have your child simply watch the player’s shoes.

Watch Between Point Rituals

They often appear to be looking at their strings while they use internal vision. Pros control their emotions and spot tendencies. This means they pay attention to how points are being won and lost.

Spot Offense-Neutral-Defense Situations

Shot Selection Way before the incoming ball reaches the net; a pro has chosen the next appropriate shot selection. Call out the correct choice as a Pro prepares to strike. If you can spot the appropriate selection with a Pro, spotting your opponents next shot will become easier.

Spot This Typical Mistake: “Change the Angle …Lose the Point”

Changing the angle is encouraged when you are inside the court. It is discouraged when you are behind the baseline. Watch for appropriate angle changing and inappropriate angle changing attempts. Even top pros often miss when they attempt a down the line screamer from way behind the court!

Spot Styles of Play

Who’s the hard hitting baseliner? Who’s the counter puncher retriever? Is there an all-court net rusher? Spotting the opponents style is the first step to devising patterns and controlling a match. If your child can spot a pros style of play, my bet is they’ll be terrific at spotting their next opponents style of play!

Spot Proactive Patterns

Pros do not simply react. They run one-two punch patterns. Can your child spot them? Ask them to point our serving patterns, return patterns, rally or net rushing shot sequences.

Spot Secondary Shots

Pros do not just have a forehand, a backhand, a serve and a volley. They have a whole “Tool Belt” full of secondary shots and they know when to activate them. Can your child spot a swing volley, a short angle/side door building shot?

Watch for Open versus Closed Stance Ground Strokes

Call out “open” and “closed” when you spot a Pro choose the appropriate stance. Understanding when and why you need them both is an important tool.

Chart Errors to Winners

Having a great understanding of where your winners and errors are coming from, as well as your opponent’s winners and errors may prove to be the deciding factor if your next match goes into a tie breaker! Actually charting a pro will lead to comprehending the importance of limiting errors.

FUN FACT: Top professionals often generate 5 unforced errors a match and 30 winners. Juniors generate just the opposite!

Court Positioning Chart

Chart a pro’s winning percentage while they stay behind the baseline versus their winning percentage while going inside the court. Often, juniors think they are better from behind the baseline. After charting a match, they find their winning percentage is actually better from inside the court. Watching tennis on TV can be a wonderful learning experience. It will secretly lead to improving your child’s mental and emotional performance on the court.

Thanks Frank

 

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
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Practice Smart

Posted on June 30, 2015 by in Championship Tennis, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from Championship Tennis.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

 

 

“Practice in the manner in which you are expected to perform.”

Players wanting to maximize potential at the quickest rate are practicing in the manner in which they are expected to perform.Frank Giampaolo

Here’s a common scenario: John takes a lesson on Friday with his local teaching pro. The pro feeds every ball right to John’s primary strike zone. After a half hour of hitting these perfectly placed balls, John thinks, Forget the club tournament tomorrow—I’m going pro! John leaves the lesson feeling great about his game. The next day, he draws a moonball pusher in the first round of the tournament. The opponent plays at two speeds: slow and slower. He also hits with a higher trajectory than John is accustomed to, forcing John to hit at head level all match long. Not surprisingly, John goes down in flames. After the match, he thinks, I don’t get it. I was on fire yesterday. I’m great in practice, but I stink in a real match. The moral of this story? Players must practice in the manner in which they are
expected to perform. This is why some players feel good about themselves during lessons but seldom improve. Accelerated learning means practicing shots in those pesky secondary strike zones so that they’re second nature during competition.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
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Doubles Part 2

Posted on June 26, 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

DOUBLES- PART 2

Question: My son is on the court working on his strokes five days a week. He practices more than most kids ranked above him at the club. My question is why are doubles so hard for him?

Answer: Winning doubles consist primarily of serving, returning and secondary strokes. In fact, with high school age boys, the doubles points last an average of 3 hits. That is a serve, a return and maybe a volley. Practice in the method in which you are expected to perform. To be great in doubles, spend at least one day a week on serving, return of serve and transition volleys.

 

Question: When should a net player look to poach in modern tennis?

Answer: There are 3 basic poaching opportunities. Poaching as well as “fake” poaching is a critical element in keeping the opponents uncomfortable. Emphasize that poaching is tons of fun! Reward your child every time they attempt a poach.

FUN FACT: Often the poaching player draws errors and wins points without ever touching the ball. Visual distraction is an important element in competitive tennis. If your child needs to poach more, they should look for an opponent who is vulnerable. This could be a vulnerable court position or strike zone at contact.

SPECIAL NOTE: The primary strike zone is waist level. An opponent striking a ball around their shoe laces or leaning back to strike a ball above their shoulders puts them in a vulnerable position. So…poach!

Here are the three most common times to poach:

(For the below example, A= Server; B= Servers Partner; C= Return of Server; D=Return of Server’s Partner.)

1.) A serves to C’s backhand= B is poaching.

2.) A serves & volleys, C returns at the feet of A= D poaches.

3.) A and C are in a baseline exchange, B or D spots a vulnerable strike zone, body language or court position from the opponent= poach.

 

Question: How are doubles different than singles?

Answer: The only true similarity is that both games are played on the same of court. Here is how we break down the differences:

  • Different “secondary” technical strokes are called upon more often
  • Different tactical patterns are used in different formation
  • Different movement is required
  • Different communication and anticipatory skills are required

SPECIAL NOTE: Plan on training doubles and/or playing doubles a minimum of one day a week.

 

Question: My daughter doesn’t like to volley. Can she still win at doubles?

Answer: You bet! At least up to a certain level. Her first step in playing doubles without attacking the net is to choose a partner that’s ok with this fact. Second, she’ll need to choose a system of doubles that exposes her strengths and hides her weaknesses.

The four common systems we see on the WTA pro tour are:

1.) Both players rush the net

2.) One up and one back

3.) Double back

4.)”I” Formation

FUN FACT: The most vulnerable system in doubles is one-up- one-back. The most common system played around the world? One up one back!

 

Question: Our high school coach says don’t ever look back at your partner’s ground strokes, yet I see pro’s doing it. Which is right?

Answer: In my opinion, slightly using your peripheral vision to quickly detect the quality of your partners shot is a huge advantage. Picking up visual and audible clues as soon as possible is a major part of the evolution of the game. Pros make their living by picking up these clues and moving before the opponent even makes contact with their shot. Anticipatory speed is a learned behavior.

FACT: Let’s say you are at the net, only looking forward. Your partner is in trouble hitting a vulnerable, lunging floater. Well, your partner knows your dead, both opponents know your dead…Guess who does not know you’re dead? …You!

 

Question: My son and his partner serve 120 mph and can rip the ball. They are super aggressive, yet they lose in doubles to less talented players. What are they doing wrong?

Answer: Being aggressive in doubles is critical. Offense, unfortunately, is more than just hitting hard. Ask your son to look into the other sides of offense.

  • Time management: Taking away time with aggressive positioning.
  • Changing the angle of the ball versus just crushing it.
  • Applying building shots: These are essential in forcing the opponent into vulnerable strike zones and positions.

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Economics Before/After a Match

Posted on June 21, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

 

Talking Economics Before/After a Match

Dumping unnecessary loads of pressure on a player before or after a match is one of the most common mistakes. I have often heard parents say “If you lose one more time to someone ranked lower than you, we’re pulling the plug! Do you know how much we spend on your tennis?”

How do you expect them to hit their performance goals, if you are stressing them out about finances?

FYI: An average family with a young tournament player participating in local/ sectional events spends an average of $300.00-$500.00 per week on tennis related activities!

Estimated Annual Expenses of National Level Sport

Developing world class level athletes takes serious money. Be grateful tennis parents, it could be worse. Here is a 2010 example of estimated costs (found on Google) of individual national level sports and their estimated average annual price tag:

Cycling and Paintball – $18,000 – $40,000

Dance and Cheer – $50,000 – $70,000

Golf and Tennis – $40,000 – $80,000

Gymnastics and Figure Skating – $70,000 – $100,000

Equestrian, Yachting and Motocross – $80,000 –$150,000

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Listening

Posted on June 20, 2015 by in Parent Player Communication, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

This post was requested by a reader to be re-posted.  

Listening

(Written by a teenage girl to her father)

Dear Dad,

What I’m about to say is hard for me. So hard I can’t seem to look you in the eyes and say what I want to say. I guess I’m afraid. Maybe it’s best this way. Maybe you’ll listen with your eyes since you haven’t been hearing me. Maybe you just want to see what you want to see. That’s the champion you’ve been forcing me to be.

Dad, are you listening?

I know you want what’s best for me. I know you believe all the messages you’re sending will make me a better player. Dad, communication isn’t just sending messages, it’s also receiving them.

Dad, are you listening?

Look at my face, there is no joy. I’m angry all the time. I still continue to play week after week, tournament after tournament. I’m sad. No I’m miserable. Why can’t you see that? Do you notice any of this? I utter how I hate competing. I protest every single practice and yet you push me to try harder. You demand, “Be tougher Sasha, you have to aim to be perfect!” Well Dad, I’m not perfect. I just want to be normal.

Dad, are you listening?

I’m depressed and confused and feel that this life is your life, not mine! I love you. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me but I don’t think I want to play tennis any more.

Dad, are you listening? Love, Sasha

On the other side of this coin, is whether gently pushing your child through a difficult stage in their career/development is the right thing to do? You bet! There isn’t a single champion who didn’t have a parent or paid authority figure pushing them past their comfort zone or carrying them when they couldn’t go on. After he received the letter, I met with Sasha’s Dad and my advice was this:

Stan ask Sasha this question, “Would it be alright to take a one month sabbatical?” Then, take her rackets away and hide them. Don’t even mention the word tennis to her. If she never again brings up the subject, then she is done. That means you have a normal, healthy, average child. Go on vacations, enjoy weekends and appreciate your family!

If the game begins to pull her back, then she’ll be engaged for all the right reasons. It’s about choices. Giving her some time to see for herself that being an average teen, playing video games, texting nonsense to her friends and hanging out at the same mall every weekend isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. She needs to see for herself that the grass isn’t always greener. She’s a great kid. She’s got talent. Trust me, just let this play out.

NOTE: By the tenth night of Sasha’s sabbatical, she was bored to tears. She came into her parent’s room and asked if they can hit a few balls tomorrow. Sasha went on a tear. She has won two national titles in the just last months.

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Academy Scholarships?

Posted on June 19, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

The XYZ Tennis Academy has offered us a scholarship, should we take it?

This is a touchy subject. Some of my best friends and lifelong business partners run successful academies. I am often presented business plans to open a full time academy, but I am convinced that a new blueprint is needed to ensure that each student is receiving the customized attention he/she deserves. I’ve opened and directed clubs and academies since the mid 1980’s. These include Vic Braden Tennis Colleges, the Rancho San Clemente Tennis Club and the Sherwood Country Club- some of Southern California’s most prestigious clubs. As a result, academies are very familiar territory.

FUN FACT: Since closing my academy and opening The Mental, Emotional Tennis Workshops our players have won 77 National singles titles since 2003.

Here are my feelings toward academies in this stage in my coaching career.

The Positive Side:

  1. Academies provide a terrific social environment for the players. The players can hang out with their peers of both genders.
  2. Players can experience the bonding of a team versus the individualism the sport often requires.
  3. A few top players receive free t-shirts, bags and sweats with the academies logo. Other players may receive a discount.
  4. Academies provide a convenient one-stop shop for parents. In essence, the parents can rely on others to organize and develop their child’s career.
  5. Academies should provide plenty of free hitting, off- court training options and match play for the motivated individuals.
  6. Live ball sparring. Players grow from the daily battle.
  7. Academies get players good. How good? With the rare exception, most attendees advance to high school varsity, top sectionally ranked and/or NAIA to Division 2-3 level college ball.
  8. Players experience many different coaches and coaching styles.

FUN FACT: Most juniors are not truly interested in putting the hard work it requires to be a national champion.  They are hobbyist. In that situation, academies could be the right choice. Remember, tennis is a terrific hobby.

SPECIAL NOTE: If your child is ranked higher than most players in the academy, you may be able to negotiate attending for FREE in exchange for attracting paying customers to the program. Also, some academies give every attendee a price break thus giving everyone a partial scholarship. That is, if you pay up front! Folks, that’s marketing 101.

The Negative Side:

  1. Most academies recruit their top players AFTER a quality teacher has developed the student’s skills.
  2. The paying customer should receive instruction equal to that given to the elite superstars, which attend for FREE. Unfortunately, in some cases, the experienced coaches are busy working privately with the non-paying super stars and NOT with your child.
  3. In the higher levels of high performance tennis, detailed customization of the lesson plans are required. For example, if a player has holes in their transition game, sending them down to court #6 to get in line with the rest of the group and hit forehands and backhands may not be in the student’s best interest.
  4. Paying customers do not progress at the quickest rate.
  5. Often they have to win to move up into the “higher” level courts. This forces the junior to choose outcome goals over performance goals. This means they avoid building their new weapons as they choose to use their old comfortable “flawed strokes” to try to win. This behavior stalls the exact progression you seek.
  6. A great young talent positioned in an unsupervised setting will often learn how to goof  off, throw their racquet, waist time, go for low percentage shots, over hit, and give half effort.
  7. Often inexpensive overworked introductory coaches are employed to oversee the paying customers.

 

FUN FACT: In the last decade, most park & rec’s, high school courts, apartment complex, college courts, country club and city facility have changed the name of their after school junior tennis program to an academy. It sounds more official, doesn’t it?

 

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Proper Nutrition and Hydration

Posted on June 18, 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 GiampaoloThe Tennis Parent's Bible by Frank Giampaolo

Just as proper nutrition and hydration are essential to maximizing athletic peak performance, poor nutrition and hydration can ruin any real chance of even reaching peak performance.

Athletes employing improper nutrition and hydration can expect:

  • Lethargic play
  • Decreased strength & reaction time
  • Low physical, mental & emotional endurance
  • Impaired concentration, reduced court awareness & problem solving skills
  • Emotional break downs
  • Delayed muscle repair and recovery

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Managing Without Guidance

Posted on June 17, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

Managing Without Guidance

Would you expect a talented, beginner athlete to be a world champion without proper coaching? Not likely. As a parent, plan on seeking out assistance and guidance through this journey. In today’s world, coaching has moved past the athletic playing fields and into every aspect of life. One of the best kept secrets of the successful junior tennis champion is a knowledgeable, educated primary tennis parent.
Parental coaching can be done in-person, by phone, in groups or in private, customized settings. Wonderful skills can be developed through attending seminars, Googling topics of interest, watching the Tennis Channel, accompanying your youngster to college or professional matches or purchasing instructional DVD’s and books!
Serena Williams said her parents learned how to coach her by watching Vic Braden instructional videos. Seek out those who can help you make clearer decisions for your child and your family. Like gasoline and fire, your education can accelerate your child’s success!

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Cultivating Life Lessons

Posted on June 15, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

Cultivating Life Lessons

Choosing to embark on this journey has lifelong benefits. It is widely known that having your child participate in the game of tennis is cultivating life lessons. Tennis is an individual, elite sport. Participation in the game of tennis breeds leaders. Congratulations for developing leadership qualities in your child.

The game of tennis teaches the ability to understand and develop the following traits:

1) Time management

2) Adaptability and flexibility skills

3) Ability to handle adversity

4) Ability to handle stress

5) Courage

6) A positive work ethic

7) Perseverance

8) Setting priorities

9) Goal setting

10) Sticking to commitments

11) Determination

12) Problem solving skills

13) Spotting patterns and tendencies

14) Discipline

15) The understanding of fair play and sportsmanship

16) The development of focus

17) Persistence

18) The importance of preparation

19) Dedication and self-control

20) Positive self-image

My favorite life lesson of the top 20 is persistence. As a coach, to see a talented player without persistence or the willingness to sacrifice and work hard is my worst nightmare! That is why at every level it is often the less talented who are willing to pay the price with smart work, and they have all the trophies!

“Nothing is more common than unsuccessful tennis players with tons of physical talent.”

Finding a way through a tough opponent even though you’re having a bad day is persistence. Staying in the right side of your brain even when things are clearly not going well is persistence. Staying engaged until the very last point is persistence. Now you know my favorite life lesson. What’s yours?

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
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