Tag Archives: Coach Frank Giampaolo

Tennis Emotional Regulation

Posted on February 16, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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Emotional Regulation

As Jenna Hanson’s match begins, her father, Steve, starts to pace the cage. By the first game, he’s offering illegal advice to Jenna “Jen, toss higher…come on!” Next, he’s offering “advice” to the roaming official, “Ref, my daughter is being cheated on court #5 … let’s go, get out there!” After the referee stays for two games and disappears, Steve begins yelling at Jenna’s opponent. “Do you need to cheat?” In his hijacked state of mind, Steve is asked to leave the facility once again.

We’ve all had firsthand experience witnessing our youngsters get cheated. We’ve all lost perspective and momentarily felt like Steve.

Regulating our emotions when our little babies compete isn’t easy. Our self-worth and self-esteem are on the line as a silly junior tennis match feels like the Super bowl. Powerful protective instincts rise as we try desperately to react with just the right amount of emotions not to upset our precious phenom.

Solution: The very nature of tennis tournaments are mentally and emotionally intense for children and their spectator parents. A tennis match is a helpless experience for parents as we sit and only smile when our child’s crying in anguish. Tennis tournaments have rules and even roaming officials, but a few bad calls inevitably occur in every match.

Emotional regulation is about controlling our reactions. Staying calm under attack in a Zen-like fashion is a tennis parent strategy. Fake it until you make it is an emotional strategy. Managing one’s mindset, facial expression, and body language is a vital tennis parent job description.

Tennis Coaching Nurturing Happiness

Posted on February 12, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parents

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Nurturing Happiness

 

 

 

“Winning isn’t the way to happiness … Happiness is the way to winning.”


 

Teach Happiness

At the heart of a tennis parent’s job description is to teach happiness. Happier athletes are more likely to play longer, develop deeper skill sets, perform more freely, become successful tennis athletes, and become accomplished adults. Neuroscientists report that just hearing another person laugh triggers mirror neurons in the brain—these mirror neurons insight laughter. Interestingly, to date, Harvard University’s most popular class is a happiness course taught by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar.

Solution: Parental guidance greatly influences an athlete’s success, especially through modeling – children do what you do and not necessarily what you say. So, if you want to nurture happier athletes, the first step is to show happiness. Focus on the positive and avoid stressing the negative. Your happiness or disappointment affects your athlete tremendously. Joy and laughter are contagious, so laugh with your children daily. There is a time and a place for correction but be sure to lighten the mood on tournament days and enjoy the journey.

Available Now The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Posted on February 2, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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INTRODUCTION

 

It’s our job as parents and coaches to teach the science of achievement and the art of fulfillment. The Psychology of Tennis Parenting will help the reader uncover how to juggle both topics. Your family’s happiness depends on your ability to navigate the waters. As I’ve said a thousand times:

“Educated parents about the developmental process are the ship’s motors…uneducated parents about the developmental process are the ship’s anchors.”

If your athlete is already competing, you have seen that winning titles requires more than just athletic ability. The prerequisite is a healthy mental state: emotional fitness and psychological strength matter. Our emotions determine our course of action, and these pages assist you in shaping the mental and emotional state of the athlete and their entourage of coaches and trainers.

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting is a tool to assist the parents and coaches in forming their athlete’s life skills and positive character traits. Changing bad habits is the prelude to winning higher-level matches. After all, winning and losing doesn’t just happen. The quality of one’s preparation determines success.

This book will teach parents how to educate their children to advocate for themselves, be assertive under pressure, make good decisions, and, most importantly, apply gratitude along the journey.

More Expert Industry Testimonials

Posted on January 24, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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EXPERT INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS

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In our ever-changing world, raising an exceptional athlete seems to have more and more challenges. Frank paints a beautiful roadmap that navigates the difficult relationships between player, parent, and coach. He gives parents some tremendous ideas on how they can best help their child reach their potential. Frank has done a number of camps with our high-performance juniors and their families, and we receive nothing but rave reviews. I highly recommend this book for all families with young athletes.

Bob Hochstadter, President USTA Southern California

 

“Frank is a big asset to the Southern California Tennis Association in the world of player development and The Psychology of Tennis. Our parents, players, and coaches are lucky to have his knowledge, drive and passion front and center. Those that work with his philosophy and understanding of the game; instantaneously become better. I have seen it over and over. There are very few coaches that capture your attention and make the game easier to understand at any level. I wish that I would have had him with me as I pursued my dreams and aspirations. Simple and realistic concepts that will help you, the parent/player, navigate the game successfully. Take advantage of every opportunity you get to hear Frank speak or read his material. You will get better.”

Trevor Kronemann, Executive Director SCTA/USTA

 

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting is amazing! Every parent and coach need to read this book repeatedly and apply its lessons with their children and their students. Kudos to Frank for bringing his knowledge and wisdom to the world to help parents and their most prized possessions, their children. I highly recommend this book if you want to improve in all areas of life.

Jeff Salzenstein, Former Top 100 ATP Singles and Doubles Player, Stanford All-American, USTA High Performance Coach, Performance Coach, And Speaker

 

“This is a must-read for every tennis parent. Frank cuts right to the chase on navigating the tricky times ahead and creating a game plan as a supportive parent. He not only gives real-world examples but also backs them up with science. This will be my go-to recommendation to anyone looking to step up their role as a tennis parent.”

Danny Bryan, LSU Mens Head Coach, Louisiana

 

“For decades it has been abundantly clear that parents can play either a very positive or even a very negative role in the development of tennis playing juniors. Most fall in between but ALL can improve but most need help. Frank has stepped to the plate once again to assist. It is safe to say that any parent who reads and applies even a small part of this book will benefit for a lifetime.”

Joe Dinoffer, President, On Court Off Court, Texas

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Posted on January 20, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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“As a coach, navigating the relationships between Coach, Player and Parents are tricky at best. Everyone wants the best result for the player, and The Psychology of Tennis Parenting provides a clear road map. A must-read for serious parents and coaches!”

Chuck Gill, USPTA President (Past), Florida

 

“A much-needed book about a very important subject. Frank organized years of expertise and knowledge in a masterpiece for any tennis parent”.

Cassiano Costa, Ph.D. Costa performance, Florida

 

Being a tennis parent was the most challenging job in my 50 years of tennis coaching and playing. We care so much for our junior players that we often don’t realize the consequences of our love.

Frank has a unique perspective that can assist you in being the best tennis parent you can be. In turn, your junior player will get the best care, direction, and love from you – to be the best they can be. This is a MUST-READ for every tennis parent!

Ken DeHart, PTR Hall of Fame/PTR International Master Pro, 2 Time PTR International Pro of the Year/USPTA Master Pro, USPTA Life Time Achievement Award Winner, 4 Time USPTA Divisional Pro of the Year, California

“If your child loves tennis and is competing, do yourself a favor and invest in Frank’s newest book, The Psychology of Tennis Parenting. Frank walks you through the competitive junior tennis minefield so that you and your child will enjoy the process.”

Jorge Capestany, master coach, owner TennisDrillsTV, Michigan

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Posted on January 17, 2023 by in The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

Pre-order your eBook copy for only 0.99 Cents on Amazon

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INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS

“Frank Giampaolo has done it yet again. I have had the pleasure of reading most of his 10 great books, but “The Psychology of Tennis Parenting” is his best and most relevant publication to date! He absolutely nails it when addressing one of the most important challenges facing youth sports today – that of the role of the parent in the development of the athlete.

Frank understands the importance of the parent’s role in this development. We all want the best for our children, but often our good intentions produce less-than-desirable results. This is the main reason that 70% of our youth leave their sport by the time they reach high school, and tennis is no exception.

The vast experience Frank has gained working with athletes of all abilities and with their parents has given him valuable insight into specific and positive ways to address the challenges of competition. Parents of successful athletes play a critical role in their child’s development and in their ability to thrive under pressure, both on and off the court.

“This extremely well-written book provides a tangible and indispensable road map for all – the athlete, the parent, and the coach. It feels good that information is presented in a positive manner we can all take to heart without feeling we are being talked down to. In fact, it is a “must-read!” Thank you, Frank Giampaolo, for this incredible contribution!”

Dick Gould, Emeritus: Men’s Tennis Coach; Director of Tennis Stanford University (1966-2018), California

 

“Few coaches have Frank’s experience and expertise when it comes to understanding the mental and emotional components of high-performance tennis. More than just technique and tactics, he delves deeper to develop a player’s psychological capabilities. This book will be an indispensable resource if you’re a parent or coach with an aspiring junior.”

Jon Levey, Editor Tennis Magazine, Tennis.com, Connecticut

 

“Success in junior tennis and beyond requires a ‘Trust triangle’ between the player, parent, and coach. Each can maximize their potential by understanding their role. People go through all sorts of schooling and education to be prepared for any field of endeavor. Unfortunately, parents are thrust into the minefield-laden world of junior competitive tennis with less education than even the simplest jobs.

Frank’s new book provides a practical guide for the critical job of tennis parenting. Good intentions don’t cut it. This is required reading for any parent serious about doing what is best for their child and not adding to the current high drop-out and burn-out rate statistics.”

Wayne Elderton, Tennis Director-North Vancouver Tennis Centre, Tennis Canada Head Course Facilitator-British Columbia

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More Industry Expert Testimonials

Posted on January 14, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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“As a former top ATP Touring professional, now the father of two budding competitive tennis players, me and my wife go through all the same junior “pitfalls” as all the other parents. No matter that I was top 10 in the world and my wife played D-1 tennis at Virginia Tech, this junior tennis world is full of “derailment points,” none more devastating to a junior tennis player than parents doing the wrong thing.

Frank’s writing is unapologetic and straight to the point. He’s got the guts to share what coaches and parents should be teaching around the world. In this practical masterwork, Frank showcases common problems and provides clear and practical solutions that every parent and coach needs to apply on a daily basis.”

Johan Kriek, ATP, Multiple Grand Slam Champion Florida

 

“I’ve known Frank for a long time. He’s definitely one of the best in the business regarding the mental side of the game. Enjoy this great book.”

Eliot Teltscher, Former #6 ATP, Grand Slam Champion, & Former USTA Director of High Performance, California

 

“In his new book, Frank Giampaolo has succeeded in giving parents profound insight into the most important and difficult issue in creating true champions. In “The Psychology of Tennis Parenting,” Giampaolo shows how the focus on process, effort, and empathy is the true secret in developing great players and great people.”

Tim Mayotte, Former ATP Top 10, Massachusetts

Industry Expert Testimonials

Posted on January 13, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Psychology of Tennis Parents

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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INDUSTRIAL EXPERT TESTIMONIALS

“Frank Giampaolo has written a sacred text for maximizing athletic potential.”

Jon Wertheim, Editor Sports Illustrated, Author, Tennis Channel, 60 Minutes

 

“Frank continues to create tools for tennis players and families to help navigate the pathways of development. This book offers invaluable knowledge to help players & parents navigate the emotional aspects of the competitive environment in a healthy and productive way. A must read, Bravo Frank.”

Paul Annacone, Former Top 40 ATP, Coach of Taylor Fritz, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras

 

“This is an impressive and hard-hitting book. As a clinical psychologist, I strongly recommend it to any parent who wants to help a child reach peak performance. Giampaolo is a celebrated and sought-after tennis coach who understands what works and what doesn’t. Each chapter is power-packed and filled with sound advice on how to maximize performance. There’s no psychobabble here, only what makes practical on-the-court sense. Don’t just buy it. Study and apply its principles as you encourage your child toward athletic excellence.”

Clinton W. McLemore, Ph.D., Founder, Clinician’s Research Digest, Author, Inspiring Trust: Strategies for Effective Leadership, APA Award for Outstanding Contributions to Professional Development in Psychology, California

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Posted on January 10, 2023 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

Released on January 28, 2023

The Psychology of Tennis Parenting

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Tennis Playing Style

Posted on January 10, 2023 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
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QUESTION: What determines my daughter’s best playing style?

 

Frank: I recommend developing the path of least resistance. The game of tennis is an extension of your child’s personality whether you like it or not. Fighting their natural genetic predisposition is a waste of time and money. As is training without considering the athletes genetics. Simply put, your athlete’s best style of play is a reflection of their unique brain type and body type.

NOTE: If you haven’t done so already, please read the opening section regarding this critical topic.

Start by understanding your athlete’s personality profile and body type efficiencies and deficiencies. Below are a few examples that will help clarify the effect of a player’s unique brain and body type. (Note: There are exceptions to every rule. On occasion, some player’s off-court personality opposes their on-court personality.)

 

A prime time example is my Aunt Loretta, a super kind and polite old lady until she got behind the wheel of her Chevy Nova!

Matching Personality Profile & Body Types with Appropriate Playing Styles:

  • Players that show impatience would be well advised to devise deliberate one-two punch patterns ending in shorter points. Patient players should use their frustration tolerance as a weapon to possible wear down opponents with longer grueling points.
  • Players that are flamboyant, with loads of energy, would likely thrive with a fast pace, attacking style of play.
  • Players that show restraint and are rather stoic would likely benefit from a safer, counter punching style of play.
  • In regard to body type dominance, fine motor skilled athletes (with good hands) may benefit from a net rushing style. Gross motor skilled athletes (who coil and uncoil more efficiently) would likely thrive in a back court style of play.

I worry when parents spend boat loads of time and money without ever acknowledging the athletes likes and dislikes with the player and their hired entourage of coaches. Assessing and organizing the athlete’s organizational blueprint is parent accountability 101.

 

Caution: A misconception of many parents and junior players, is to copy the style of their favorite ATP or WTA star, who is successful with a particular style. Just because Serena Williams prefers a 4-ball rally with her “all out attacking” style doesn’t mean that your child has the brain or body type to flourish within that system.  Or just because Novak Djokovic enjoys 10 ball rallies with his “patient counter-attacking” style doesn’t mean his style is the best system for your athlete. Customization is key.

It’s the role of the CEO- facilitator parent to make sure that their athlete’s coaches are aware of their child’s unique brain and body design. Their child’s genetic predisposition along with their nurtured environment dictates their ability to maximize potential in the shortest period of time.