Tag Archives: maximizing tennis potential

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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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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How to Beat Net Rushers

Posted on February 9, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

The following post is an excerpt from my Player/Parent/Coach Summit in New Zealand with Craig Bell.  Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximzingTennisPotential.com
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Accelerate Your Game with B and C Game Plans

Posted on January 18, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Primary and Secondary Strokes, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following in an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. 0623P_5063

 

Ignoring their B and C Game Plans?

Developing your child’s secondary strokes is essential for the greatest tennis success. Only practicing basic ground strokes for hours each week is not the best game plan for winning tournaments.  As I say over and over- tennis is a game of keep away and not a game of catch.

At the competitive stage of tennis, spend a few moments to discuss your child’s primary and secondary styles of play in matches. Styles include hard hitting baseliners, all court, net rushers and retrievers. In lower levels of competition, continually bringing the opponent into the net is also an effective style of play.

Set up practice sets for your child against lower level players and ask your child to rehearse their secondary styles of play. Champions have mastered more than one style.

Example:

My step- daughter played her first adult U.S. Open at age 15. In the first round, Sarah’s opponent came out with her plan A (hard hitting baseliner). Sarah won the first set 6-4.  At the start of the 2nd set, the opponent switched to plan B (net rusher) and Sarah went up 4-1. The opponent then switched to plan C (moonball/pusher), Sarah’s least favorite style.  Sarah was amazed to see a 30 year old WTA veteran pushed her way to a $15,000 victory in the 3rd set.

SPECIAL NOTE: Moonball/pushers style never goes away, so your player had better learn to handle it!

Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

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

Fundamentals are only the beginning!

Posted on January 15, 2015 by in Customized Organizational Plan, How To Attract A College Scholarship, Maximizing Tennis Potential

Raising Athletic Royalty: Insights to Inspire for a Lifetime- Provides essential insights, motivational quotes and perfect phrases to assist parents and coaches to inspire greatness in their athletes.

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

 

Are you saying fundamental tennis strokes are NOT important?

In a word, NO.  Building a solid stroke foundation is vital to your child’s success.  You can find thousands of YouTube instruction videos on the subject.  But winning tournaments involves much more than fundamental stroke production.  Here are few new insights to share on this topic.

A flawed stroke causes unforced errors, produce short vulnerable balls, cause injuries and inhibit your child’s growth into the next level of competition.

FUN FACT: Strokes are a prerequisite to playing in the highest levels. Just as being tall is a prerequisite to playing in the highest levels of basketball. If just being tall earned you the right to play in the NBA, my cousin Big Vinnie wouldn’t be driving a limo at Kennedy airport.

Yes, strokes are important. For some of your youngsters, it may be time to look into developing the hidden side of stroke production. The insight I want to reiterate with you is the development of secondary strokes.

The Painter’s Analogy

To this day, we can all run to the store and pick up an intermediate paint set. These pre-packaged sets come with canvas or paper, a few brushes and a strip of colored paint. These “strips” are made up of the primary colors. As we dabble and enjoy the art of painting one thing becomes evident, if only primary colors (red, green and blue) are used, the paintings will continue to look “amateur.”

Advanced artists and surely professionals have learned that to make a painting jump off the canvas, to become “life like” they need to use secondary colors as well. Now, instead of applying one shade of green, they have numerous versions of green! Advanced painters use both primary and secondary colors.

As parents, we have to encourage, educate and develop secondary stroke principles. The following are the primary and secondary strokes in a Champion tennis player’s tool belt.

The Four Different Types of Forehands and Backhands:

  1. Primary drive
  2. High, topspin arch
  3. Short angle or side door
  4. Slice or drop shot

The Three Types of Serves to Develop:

  1. Flat
  2. Kick
  3. Slice

The Four Types of Volleys to Develop:

  1. Traditional punch volley
  2. Drop volley
  3. Swing volley
  4. Half volley

The Three Types of Lobs:

  1. Topspin lobs
  2. Slice lob
  3. Re-lob (lobbing and over-head smash)

The Two Types of Overheads to Develop:

  1. The stationary “freeze” overhead
  2. The turn & run/scissor overhead

The 6 Types of Approach Shots:

  1. Serve and volley
  2. Chip and charge
  3. Drive approach
  4. Slice approach
  5. Drop shot approach
  6. Moonball approach

Intermediate players simply hit their primary strokes and react to whatever the opponent throws at them. Advanced players are proactive. They often run patterns used to control both sides of the net. In essence, they control both players’ actions.

It takes an average of two years to develop these tools into reliable weapons. To assist your youngster in controlling the court and the match, shift focus and have some fun developing all these skills.

Before each tournament match, remind them to warm up every stroke in their bag. Winning a close tie breaker is often decided on a few points. Making that crucial swing volley versus missing it is often a matter of confidence.

FUN FACT: I got to know Tiger Woods a bit when I was the tennis director at Sherwood Country Club. We hosted his multimillion dollar charity event at Sherwood annually. Before each round of golf, Tiger practiced every club in his bag. He often, secretly, flew to the site a week or so before the actual event to rehearsing the courses uneven fairways, the speed of the greens, the feel of the sand traps and elements such as the wind. Winning is persistent preparation.

Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
(949)933-8163
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com