The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.
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I work primarily with nationally, and ITF-ranked juniors, college athletes, and young touring professionals. Athletes at this level are successful due to their skills management. In my world of high-performance athletes, stats are important because they help customize the athlete’s training regimen.
In regards to stats, the following are the typical percentages ratios of physical skills to life skills that I have witnessed throughout the three primary stages of junior tennis. I’m convinced that positive character traits and customized life skills development hold the secret key to maximizing athletic potential.
At Ages: 7-11, junior athletes I work with possess:
- 10%: Medium physical talent, medium desire, medium commitment.
- 40%: Medium physical talent, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
- 10%: Gifted physically, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
- 40%: Gifted physically, no desire, no commitment.
In this introductory stage, there is nothing more heartbreaking than the estimated 40% of gifted athletes I see with zero desire or work ethic (AKA life skills.)
At Ages: 12-15, junior athletes I work with possess:
- 25%: Medium physical talent, medium desire, medium commitment.
- 45%: Medium physical talent, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
- 5%: Gifted physically, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
- 25%: Gifted physically, no desire, no commitment.
In this developmental stage, the medium talented athletes with customized developmental plans and well-nurtured life skills begin to shine. Simultaneously the gifted athletes with poor nurturing, and life skills development are dropping out.
At Ages: 16-18, junior athletes I work with possess:
- 10%: Medium physical talent, medium desire, medium commitment.
- 70%: Medium talent, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
- 20%: Gifted physically, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
- 0%: Gifted physically, no desire, no commitment.
At the top of the junior tennis food chain, life skills trump physical talent.
The outcomes (wins and rankings) are contingent on how well the parents and coaches deliver the four skill sets and how adept the athlete is at assimilating this information.
As youth sports researchers often say, “Life skills are purposely taught, not hopefully caught.”
The following chapters will identify the hidden benefits of life skills and character building. Life skills and positive character traits are essential elements found in The Soft Science of Tennis.
