Tag Archives: tennis

Dealing with Tennis Cheaters

Posted on November 5, 2015 by in Cheating, Emotional Tennis, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the second edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible coming soon!

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QUESTION: Why does my daughter become irrational when cheated?

 

Frank: The human brain simply can’t stand being treated unfairly. It’s that resentment of injustice which triggers the downward spiral. Youngsters feel they deserve a fair chance of any reward being offered and with that taken away … so goes their rational decision making abilities.

How to handle unjust situations is not a tennis issue, it’s a learned life skill. When a tennis opponent is repeatedly cheating and provoking your athlete, a full-blown meltdown is often the result. Biochemical reactions in the brain distort rational reasoning and the fight or flight syndrome overtakes the situation. That is, unless your athlete has been trained to insert the correct protocol- which is the solution to the problem.

Taking back control begins by understanding Channel Capacity- a term neuroscience has assigned to the brain’s inability to process multiple forms of important information at one time.  A common example of channel capacity is texting and driving.

“The human brain cannot solve two complicated tasks simultaneously.”

On-court, the creative line caller systematically pulls your athlete away from the present (performance state of mind) and into the past or future (outcome state of mind.) Understanding this phenomenon is key to salvaging seemingly catastrophic matches.

So instead of little Zack focusing on his performance goals such as “ I’m going to serve to the backhand, hit high and heavy ground-strokes and crush short balls.”, Zack finds himself stuck in the wrong thought process. He is thinking “This guy is such a punk!!! I can’t lose to such a cheater, what will my friends say? I can’t believe I lost the last set, he’s ranked 57 spots below me…” The creative line caller has now got Zack right where he wants him-mentally far away from his performance goals.

If your athlete has issues playing against cheaters, ignoring the issue and hoping it will go away is not in their best interest. I recommend practicing their pre-set protocol during practice sessions to reinforce their match tough confidence. Arrange a few practice matches each week with the opponent being allowed to call any close ball out. Learning to deal with adversity and staying on the correct side of your brain under duress is a skill set that must be rehearsed.

“Tennis, like life, is not fair…but remember, sometimes it’s not fair in your favor.”

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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What the Experts Are Saying…

Posted on November 3, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following is a quote from Shaul Zohar about the Second Edition Tennis Parent’s Bible- Coming Soon!

 

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“A first-class book from a first-class coach.

Frank is an encyclopedia of tennis knowledge, has extraordinary talents to share and a model of professionalism. When all of these components come together, an excellent book such as the Tennis Parents Bible appears.

This is a must read for all parents, players and coaches to understand everything related to this sport we love.”

Shaul Zohar, Manager, Kiryat Shmona Israel Tennis Center

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
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Coming Soon- The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible

Posted on October 31, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

The Following is a quote from Susan Nardi about the  upcoming second edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible.

Thanks for visiting, Frank black_ebook_design2

“Frank has taken his master piece book and has even made it better. Tennis Parents Bible is a must read for every parent and coach.”

Susan F. Nardi

Assistant Chief Performance Architect
MTM Level 4 International Tester & Clinician
PTR International Tester & Clinician
USPTA Elite Professional
Nexx Player Tennis Academy

OPPONENT PROFILING

Posted on October 27, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

GREETINGS,

Just last week while watching 60 Minutes, I was reminded of how important pre-game preparation truly is for the high performance successful athlete.  The show interviewed Darrelle Revis, NFL’s highest-paid corner-back.  I was in awe of his incredible dedication to his physical, mental and emotional athletic skills. Not only did he work on his athletic skills, he spent hours and hours reviewing high speed videos of all the opposing teams’ wide receivers during actual game play. This excellence does not come by chance- it comes with resiliency, hard work, dedication and a growth mind set. Darrelle’s dedication to opponent profiling makes him one if the highest paid corner-backs in the NFL.  How is your child’s opponent profiling skills?

The following is an excerpt from the second edition of
THE TENNIS PARENT’S BIBLE COMING SOON!black_ebook_design2

OPPONENT PROFILING

Top competitors are continually seeking an advantage. One of the best strategic (mental) and calming (emotional) advantages comes from scouting an upcoming opponent. Casually observing is one thing, but profiling the opponent is a skill set. Each playing style has an inherent group of strengths and weaknesses. Opponent awareness is an important part of match day preparation. Player profiling involves looking past strokes.
NOTE:  Whenever possible, as I coach players from the 12’s to the ATP/WTA pros, I apply the below profiling topics.

Opponent Profiling:

  • Make an effort to scout an upcoming opponent beforehand.
  • Scout opponent’s primary style of play.
  • Scout opponent’s preferred serve patterns (especially on mega points).
  • Scout opponent’s preferred return of serve position and shot selection on both first and second serve returns.
  • Scout opponent’s favorite go-to rally pattern.
  • Scout opponent’s dominant short-ball option.
  • Scout opponent’s preferred net rushing pattern.
  • Scout opponent’s stroke strengths and weaknesses (Advanced players should also consider the strengths and limitations of strike zones.)
  • Scout opponent’s movement, agility and stamina efficiencies and deficiencies.
  • Scout opponent’s frustration tolerance, focus, and emotional stability.

Opponent profiling should continue from the pre-match phase, all the way through the actual match and into the post-match. Intelligent athletes even jot down notes regarding the opponent’s game on their post-match match logs. This is used as a reminder for the next time the two meet.

Looking Past Strokes:
During the warm up, the uneducated player/parents/coaches often think Player A has the match in the bag.  But what they do not realize is that Player B often wins because of their ability to identify and execute a game plan exposing their opponent’s weakness. Player A may have great looking fundamental strokes but “hidden” flawed mental and/or emotional components. Player B may have average looking strokes, but an incredible proficiency in their mental game. Hence, giving player B the edge due to his ability to isolate weaknesses or exert emotional intelligence at crunch time.  

Tournament Periodization

Posted on October 24, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible is coming soon! Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

 

Frank Giampaolo

The Tournament Players Periodization Cycle

 

Scheduling requires the understanding of the Periodization process. Periodization training requires factoring in the following 10 essential stages to insure growth as well as optimal performance during competition. Educated coaches and parents not only know what to focus on, but even more importantly, when to focus on them. Uneducated parents and coaches often sabotage their player’s year in-year out by unknowingly choosing the incorrect time to dismantle a flawed stroke, begin a new regime or even engage in a confrontation … Let’s look at the cycle from a tournaments end all the way through to the next tournaments beginning.

 

Stage 1: Post Match Recovery
Insist your player completely detach from the sport. Allow them to recover and heal their physical body, emotional wounds and the pressure of cognitive processing under stress.

Stage 2: Slowly Restart the Fitness Component
Re-introduce the athlete’s endurance, speed, agility and stretching requirements.

Stage 3: Begin Match Chart Reviews and Essential Match Play Video Analysis
Topics include: Performance assessments, opponent profiling- styles of play/shifts in styles, favorite go-to patterns ( Top 7), movement strengths & weaknesses, focus issues/lapses in concentration, anger/ emotional management, athletes problem solving skills, between point rituals /changeover rituals, fundamental and secondary stroke efficiencies and deficiencies.

Stage 4: Devise an Agreed upon Action Plan Based on Stage 3’s Findings
This includes on-court as well as off court physical, mental or emotional development. Seek weekly improvement versus the need to always win. Focus on improving -fixing weaknesses.

Stage 5: Re-Introduce On-Court Basic Stroke Production with Dead Ball “Feeding” Drills
This includes grooving existing strokes, strike zones and motor programming, while adding fundamental on-court movement, spacing and footwork essentials.

Stage 6: Incorporate Negative Scoring to Re-Introduce the Essential Emotional/ Focus Component
In a negative scoring drill, the athlete is asked to perform a stroke or shot sequencing pattern ten times throughout the drill, deducting a point for each error along the way. Mistake management is essential.  Error awareness in practice is a missing link in the art of developing the emotional muscle.

Stage 7: Introduce Secondary Strokes and Customized Offense, Neutral, Defense Patterns of Play
Shot sequencing patterns are selected with purpose and are essential pre-set protocols customized to each athlete.

Stage 8: Practice in the Manner They’re Expected to Perform
Introduce live ball serve games, return games, rally games and approach shot versus passing shot games.

Stage 9: Introduce the Essential Multi-Tasking Requirements Required in Match Play
Begin playing sets starting at 2-2. This adaptation allows the competitors to arrive at the important pressure packed “money” part of each set faster and more frequently. Playing only one set practice matches does not prepare you to win 2 out of 3 sets required in a real match. By starting at 2-2, athletes can rehearse closing out 3 sets instead of one set.

Stage: 10: Play Set-Tie Breakers (First to 7) and Championship Tie Breakers (First to 10)
Tie breaker repetition insures your athlete is comfortable with the process. Remind your athlete to mentally revisit the set before each tie breaker to identify tendencies/ strengths/ weakness.  Apply match charting to organize their game plan and opponent profiling to assess their probable strategic options.

Parents, please meet with your child’s coaches regarding this critical developmental cycle. High IQ Tennis Coaches will assist you in organizing your child’s blue-print.

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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COMMON PIT FALLS OF TOURNAMENT PLAY

Posted on October 18, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

 

COMMON PIT FALLS OF TOURNAMENT PLAYThe Tennis Parent's Bible by Frank Giampaolo

 

As tournament play approaches, common stumbling blocks sabotage even the most talented athletes. Does your athlete apply the below winning habits? Often the difference between winning and losing isn’t their athletic ability, it’s their preparation for battle.

Complete Pre-Match Warm-Up

Warm up the primary and secondary strokes and patterns needed to beat any style of opponent. Every tool in the tool belt should be warmed up.

Maintain Match Focus

During the match, does your player keep their intensity and focus up until the match is complete. Often intermediate athletes have a comfortable 4-1 lead and tend to relax and lose focus, now thanks to them; it’s a 5-5 dog fight!

Adapt and Problem Solve

Worthy opponents change their losing game plans.  If an opponent switches to their plan “B”, it’s your child’s responsibility to spot the tactical change and adapt/problem solve. Does your player have a script to pull each style of opponent out of their comfort zone?

Spot and Control the Mega and Mini Mega Points

Remember, your player must take the match from a champion. Expecting opponents to fall apart and quit when it gets tough won’t happen against the top players. Controlling the “big” points is a critical factor. Does your player know the difference between a positive and a negative game point?

Perform your Between Point Rituals

Controlling the tempo of the match, your heart rate, mistake management, anger management and problem solving takes place in between points. Often against weaker players, your athlete may be able to ignore between-point and change-over rituals. Though later when your child comes up against a real competitor and needs rituals to problem solve, they find themselves in unchartered territory- uncomfortable with their rituals and therefore unable applying them to problem solve. Has your child mastered between point rituals?

Apply the Laws of Offensive, Neutral and Defensive Shot Selection

Some players tend to go for glamorous offensive shots when they are in a neutral “building” situation. Others tend to get scared and fall back to simply hitting neutral shots when they have an offensive situation. Have you dedicated lesson time to focus on hitting the shot the moment demands?

Control the Energy Flow

The opponent wins 3 games in a row and your player just wanders aimlessly to the next point. Their head is slumped, with a “poor me”…or a “deer in the headlights” look on your face. They are the only one who can stop this energy flow. Does your player have a pre-set protocol to set in motion when they lose three games in a row?

Second Match Warm up Routines

Before the second match of the day intermediate athletes don’t bother to re-start their pre match rituals. They don’t bother with a short warm up or visualization with their next opponent’s game in mind. Heck, they don’t even go for a run before checking in. They’re sluggish, unfocused and often go down in flames. Does your player have a second match of the day warm up routine?

Read Notes As Needed

If your player is being outplayed and can’t find an answer to get into the match, he/she should have their patterns and plans written down and should review them during the changeover. For example, if your player is losing to a moonball pusher…reviewing their moonball/pusher notes will refresh the appropriate patterns needed to be employed. Are your player’s notes typed out, laminated and placed in a safe pocket of your racket bag?

Lastly to the Player…Gratitude

Does your player realize their family is 100% behind them? Players need to know that their team is assisting them with their life’s quest. Whether they are driving to lessons, hitting sessions, off-court workouts, practice matches and tournaments or organizing daily developmental essentials, they are sacrificing the hundreds of things they could be doing for themselves…because they believe in you! They spend their time and money on ….you because they want to help your achieve your goals. Yet, some athletes’ are all too often mad at their parents/coaches.

Players, you don’t have a chance without the support of your parents. Instead of the “attitude” try “gratitude.” Your parents and coaches are the best allies you’ll ever have. When was the last time you thanked your parents/coaches?

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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REMINDER: Frank Giampaolo Talk Show Today

Posted on October 15, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

JOIN US
TODAY-  THURSDAY
OCTOBER 15, 2015 at 5:30 P.M. Eastern Time

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John L. Danise,

Executive Director of the Florida High School
Tennis Coaches Association
Interviews

Bestselling Author Frank Giampaolo
Discussing the process of
Raising Athletic Royalty.

To Listen Live Call: 714-583-6853 or
Connected to:
www.BlogTalkRadio/UR10Snetwork
(Or log on later to hear the recorded pod cast.)

Frank will be available to answer questions after the show!

Cheating in Tennis

Posted on September 2, 2015 by in Cheating, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

 

“Cheating only creates a false sense of security.”Frank Giampaolo Maximizing Tennis Potential Junior Tennis

 

Those who have relied on manipulating, cheating and gamesmanship as their primary weapon in junior tennis match play lack the essential self-confidence needed at higher level tennis.

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Parent Player Harmony

Posted on August 26, 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

Parent Player Harmony

 

“Extraordinarily successful athletes have parents that have mastered their managerial role.”

One of the most important duties of a parent is to instill harmony along the journey. Performance orientated (as opposed to outcome oriented) parents have the greatest chance at enjoying the process of raising athletic royalty. Parents should understand that their role as a tennis parent offers them the opportunity to use sports to foster life lessons. Through a parent’s unconditional love and support, the ultimate outcome of the athletic journey should be to create a well-balanced, world class adult and family harmony.

Behaviors that Foster Parent-Player Harmony:

  1. Emphasize the education of positive life lessons.
  2. Leave notes under their pillow reminding them how proud you are of their efforts.
  3. After a loss, give your child time and space.
  4. On a daily basis, be effort orientate versus outcome orientated.
  5. Understand the parents’ job descriptions.
  6. Abide by the tennis parent match day guidelines.
  7. Execute a deliberate, customized developmental plan.
  8. Put visions and goals in writing to keep the team on same page.
  9. Emphasize the development of all four major components
    (Strokes mechanics, mental, emotional, athleticism)
  10. Remember that your actions speak louder than your words.

 

“A parent should hold the athlete accountable for poor behavior. Instilling manors and good sportsmanship is part of the balanced approach.”

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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Real Cause of Errors

Posted on August 17, 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

Question: How do we assist our son in decreasing his unforced errors?

Frank: In my opinion, decreasing unforced errors always starts with the identification process. On numerous occasions, I have asked parents and coaches to chart ranked players utilizing The Cause of Error Chart. (Found in Match Chart Collection at Maximizingtennispotential.com). The results were very interesting.

While the majority of the international coaches solely focused on stroke production year in-year out, the main cause of errors were consistently shot selection and NOT form.

I suggest applying the cause of error chart to identify your athletes leading cause of error. I have found that the most common cause of errors in high level athlete’s are Mental-Shot Selection, followed by  Movement-Spacing, a very close third was Emotional-Performance Anxieties…and last on the list…Technical-Stroke Mechanics!

Because poor shot selection is the leading cause of errors at the higher competitive junior levels. Shot selection starts with understanding that in between each shot in a rally, there are only about 2 milliseconds of actual decision making time. So, how much can you analyze in that small amount of time? The answer is not much. This means that most shot selection options are learned behaviors acquired on the practice court. That is right. These tools must be wired into a player’s game way before the tournament begins. Pre-setting offence, neutral, defensive and directional options is mental training.

 

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