Tag Archives: The Tennis Parents Bible

Champions Work Smart

Posted on January 29, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Tennis Parent Education, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt of Maximizing Tennis Potential. Thanks, Frank

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TENNIS CHAMPIONS WORK SMART

Every athlete wants to succeed. They all want the exact same outcome goal. So what separates the champions from the early round losers?

  • Is it cleaner strokes?
  • Sharper anticipatory speed, quicker foot speed?
  • Smarter shot selections?
  • Calmer frustration tolerance levels?
  • Longer focus?

The answer is that the best players begin working EARLY on all of these issues. Great coaches, however, have the ability to zero in on the players re-occurring issues (nightmares) years before the player or the parent actually even see it.

This is where Smart Work comes into play.

Let’s use an analogy. If a race car continually loses race after race due to its tires blowing out, is spending 4 hours a day polishing the fenders going to solve the problem? Not likely…  Hey but their working hard 4 hours a day!  Your child may be working hard 4 hours a day, heck, maybe even 6 hours but is it Smart Work?

Translation: “Are you spending your limited time and money wisely?”

In my last blog post,  Maximize Performance with Accountability,  I posed the below questions to a top 200 tournament level player. Now let’s look at the same question posed to a top 10 nationally ranked player.  The answers are dramatically different, except number 7.

  1. How long have you been playing? “4-5 years”.
  2. What does your weekly training schedule look like? “I train about 20 hours a week. My routine consists of off court training, hitters, stroke lessons, occasionally I go to an academy for sparring, sets, video analysis, tournaments”
  3. Ok, what has been your developmental focus? “Mainly strokes, that’s why I’m here! I need to beef up my mental and emotional sides.”
  4. Primary and secondary strokes? “Mostly primary?”
  5. What is your style of play? “I’m a hard hitting baseliner”
  6. Have you developed your B & C game plans? “Yes, I play sets weekly as a retriever and as a net rusher?”
  7. What type of players do you hate playing the most? “Moonballers, for sure pushers!!”
  8. All right, what patterns have you developed to beat those retrievers? “I can bring them in, and I have a solid moonball approach to swing volley pattern that usually works”
  9. Ok, last question, what are your goals in the upcoming year? “To improve my drop volley, kick serve, my frustration tolerance and get fit enough to reach the semi’s of most events”. I want to begin playing pro Challenger events this summer.

Champions, with very few exceptions, are the smartest workers. Why? Because their parents are the smartest “tennis” parents!

Parents of national champions are extremely involved. Usually, at least one parent is the “tennis” parent. Raising a world class athlete is a full time job.  Most champions require a team approach. (Check out Rafa’s new book to drive this point home.)

One of the initial ways to begin to develop a National Champion is to use the same developmental methodology used in school. Children study math, science, English, and history year in and year out. It’s a proven successful method of developing a well-balanced child. In tennis they need to apply the same principle. Trust me, it works!  Branch out and develop your child’s “other” sides!

The four sides in tennis development:

  1. Strokes (Primary & Secondary)
  2. Movement (Spacing, Speed, Stamina)
  3. Mental (Shot selection, Pattern selection, Spotting tendencies)
  4. Emotional skills (Choking /Over thinking and panic/Under thinking).

Working smarter yields numerous benefits:

  • Greater your self esteem
  • Increased confidence in your personal ability
  • Decrease the likeness to surrender when the going gets tough
  • Master more tools to problem solve on court

Thank you for visiting.  Frank Giampaolo

To order The Tennis Parent Bible or Raising Athletic Royalty CLICK HERE

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

Maximize Performance with Accountability

Posted on January 28, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

 

 

 

TENNIS TIME MANAGEMENT STARTS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY

Chances are you are wasting time and money if you are not being accountable. Whether your child’s goal is a professional tennis career, college tennis scholarship, or even high school or recreation tennis, it is critical you have a plan. Everyone gets the same 24 hours a day. It is what you do with it the counts. What’s your plan?

To begin, let’s look at an accountability question. But first, review a schedule breakdown of the hours in a week of a typical top 200 nationally ranked junior player:

  • There are 168 hours in a week.
  • Sleeping takes up roughly 56 hrs,
  • School/homework takes up roughly 60,
  • High performance tennis training takes up 15 hours,
  • Add on travel and meals and the average player is still left with approximately 25 hours unaccounted for?
  • That is an extra 100 hours a month!

Another side of accountability is based on the fact that National tournaments are often held over holiday breaks. Do you choose Thanksgiving at home with your family & friends or are you ok with spending Thanksgiving in a hotel out of state? Or remaining home so your child can prepare properly for the winter nationals or would you rather go skiing the week before the event?

The accountability factor I’m talking about here is yours- The Parents!

If you truly wish to witness your child’s success you need to be accountable. Your actions will teach meaningful time management and accountability lessons to your children.

On the first day upon arriving at our workshops I ask each student a few questions. Not only am I looking for their answers, but their knowledge of the game, their concerns, their communication skills, their tournament frustrations and how they are wired.

The conversation with a typical top 200 national player sounds like this:

  1. How long have you been playing? “4-5 years”
  2. What does your weekly training schedule look like? “I…ummm”
  3. Ok, what has been your developmental focus? ” I don’t know…strokes I guess “
  4. Primary and secondary strokes? “What’s that?”
  5. What’s your style of play? “I like hitting hard”
  6. Have you developed your B & C game plans? “My what?”
  7. What type of players do you hate playing the most? “Moonballers, for sure pushers!!”
  8. All right, what patterns have you developed to beat those retrievers? “Patterns?”
  9. Ok, last question, what are your goals in the upcoming year ? “To win and be #1!”

Tennis is full of inevitable trials especially without a plan. This is a wake-up call.  For more information, buy The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

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

Building Confidence

Posted on January 26, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Tennis Specific Training, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

Maximizing Tennis Potential with Frank Giampaolo

Confidence is Like Friendship 

A meaningful friendship is founded on time, energy and hard work.  The same components are found in true confidence.

Lack of confidence issues such as self-doubt and/or a negative self-image arise from how athletes view past experiences. Often, when asking an adolescent what happened during competition they reply “I don’t know, I’m horrible!”

Getting to the root of the issue is done by organizing tournament experiences 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. Lack of confidence usually occurs when:

  • Not training or being trained improperly
  • Injured or illness
  • Returning to the game after an injury or illness
  • Underperformed in recent competition
  • Burnt out
  • Players in a slump may be under achieving in more than one of these issues simultaneously.

Rebuilding Confidence

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. So let’s first look deeper at ten common stepping stones that will rekindle your child’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!

  1. Clear the Mind

Re-focus on tennis! Teens can get derailed by numerous factors. School, parties, peer pressure, other sports, hobbies, shopping…etc.

  1. Proper Nutrition/Hydration

It takes just 1-2% 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.

  1. Customize the Instruction

“Practice in the manner in which you are expected to perform”. Build a game plan around exposing your child’s strengths while hiding her weaknesses. Customize her style to her brain and body type.

  1. 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.

  1. 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 his coach pessimistic or negative?

  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 of their terrific fortune.

  1. Avoid Negative Comments

This is any advice or stimuli that are perceived as unfavorable. The key word here is perceived. 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. Warming up all the primary and secondary strokes. This includes swing volleys short angles, top spin lobs…etc. Proper nutrition, hydration, scouting, visualization, and going for a short run before you go on the court.

  1. 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 are in the zone for a while, it is 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 from their preparation and performances!

Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

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

Handling Cheaters

Posted on January 24, 2015 by in Tennis Parent Education, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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Raising Athletic Royalty

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

HOW SHOULD MY SON HANDLE CHEATERS?

Handling cheaters or “creative line callers” is a very common problem in all levels of tennis. But I must admit that learning to handle cheaters improves your tennis game.

Before we look at cheaters, let’s take a quick look at your own vision. That’s right, your eyes. Studies we did back in the 80’s at The Vic Braden Tennis College showed some interesting data. The human eye cannot register a two millisecond event. That means you cannot actually see the ball hit the court or watch it hit your racquet. The eye is greatly affected by two variables: perspective angles and motion blur.

First Variable: The perspective angle from which you are viewing the ball.

Try this eye opening exercise at home. My bet is that you’ll laugh as you fail miserably. Stand at the back fence on one side of a court. Turn facing the fence so you can’t see the court. Ask a friend to place 4 balls on and just beyond the service line on the other side of the net. Ask them to repeat it with 4 new balls on the opposing baseline. When the task is complete, walk slowly to your baseline and try to make 8 correct line calls. Which balls are in, which are out? Don’t forget that in match play, the ball is only sitting there for about 2 milliseconds (two one thousands of a second). Next, walk towards the other side. As you take a sideline view things change! Now go stand behind the other baseline. Things really become clear.

We find that your child may be cheated on average 5 times a match, but usually your youngster plays out balls in even more. You see balls landing a half an inch long appear right on the line from the angle behind their own baseline. This means your child may be falling into the common trap of cheating themselves!

Second Variable: The motion blur that impacts your vision when moving.

This occurs when you are running, landing, jumping etc. While in motion, your eyes are actually moving in their sockets and you could be considered “legally blind.” (That’s why you can’t read the paper as you go for your run!) So the first time your child says, “Are you sure?” your child should be asking themselves not the opponent.

Now let’s look at those Cheaters or “Creative Line Caller” from a deeper perspective. Cheaters will force your child to grow. They will stretch your child beyond their normal frustration tolerance levels. Handling cheaters is a necessary stepping stone to becoming a tennis champion.

In coming blogs, I will share with you six factors you can share with your child and they will never have to worry about playing a cheater again.  Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

 

Contact: Frank Gimapaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com

Anticipatory Speed

Posted on January 22, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Tennis Parent's Bible

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

 

Assuming that Tennis Speed is ONLY Foot Speed is a Mistake 

Have you heard of anticipatory speed? 

Tennis specific speed-training requires a combination of foot speed and anticipatory speed. Heredity plays an important role in your child’s muscle type.  Simply put, some humans are born with more fast-twitch muscle fibers. Parents and coaches can’t improve the genetic predisposition of an athlete, but they can nurture both their foot speed and anticipatory speed. The path to better court coverage lies in avoiding hesitation and anticipating situations.

Anticipatory speed is greatly increased by understanding and rehearsing the art of vision control.  Here’s a sports myth “keep your eye on the ball.” I suggest shifting focus from narrow vision (watching an incoming ball) to broad vision. Broad vision is picking up visual clues as the ball travels toward the opponent.

Your child doesn’t have to be the fastest runner on the court if they develop their anticipatory skills.  Just ask one of my all- time favorites, former #1 Lindsey Davenport.

Court Zones

Divide your side of the court (39 feet) into three even zones. The zone (location) in which your opponent’s incoming ball lands will dictate your shot selection.  The high percentage players simply match their shots intentions with the landing zone.

The Three Court Zone choices are:

  1. The Grinding Zone is located from the baseline inwards 13’
  2. The Torment Zone is located from the Grinding Zone (13’ inside the court) to approximately 26’ from the baseline.
  3. The Obliterate Zone is located from the Torment zone (26’) to the net.

Note: Advanced players should apply the same zonal warfare on the opponent’s side. Simply put, the location your shot lands on the opponent’s side dictates their shot selection options. Playing Zonal Tennis greatly increases your anticipatory speed, court coverage and shot variations.

FUN FACT: Zonal tennis warfare has been applied successfully for decades. It was known in the 1970’s by: offensive, neutral, defense zones. In the 1980’s it was popular to call the zones: defend, attack, kill.  Last decades catch phrases were:  control, hurt, and finish zones.

In the spirit of evolution, let’s coin our own phrases: Grind, Torment, Obliterate Zones. Incorporate zonal tennis into your tactical play and you’ll have a house full of trophies.

Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximixingtennispotential.com

Winning Tennis Demands Strategy

Posted on January 20, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Special Limited Time Offer– Raising Athletic Royalty ONLY $9.99!

The following post is an excerpt from  The tennis Parent’s Bible. Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo 0623P_5063

STRATEGY MADE SIMPLE

Let’s look at strategy in a simple, yet effective format. There are three factors in understanding strategy on the tennis court. They are generic, stylistic and customized.

 

  1. Generic Strategy

Generic strategy is simply applying the player’s core performance goals throughout each point of a tournament. Generic strategies and tactics could include getting in 70% first serves or staying neutral until you get the opponent vulnerable, then attack!

Even saying “Bounce, Hit” as the ball actually bounces off the court and hits their racquet. This age old generic tactic is a wonderful tool used to control the player’s vision and calm them down when they are overcome by the occasion.

These generic tactics will be used in January through December, from the first round through the final, in Miami or Moscow, on clay or hard courts. These are your child’s everyday “nuts and bolts” game plan.

 

  1. Stylistic Strategy

This is your child’s ability to adapt tactics depending on the current style of the opponent. Remind your child not to change a winning tactic just because the opponent changes game styles. Change is only made if the opponent starts to win and the momentum has switched to their side. Styles include retriever, hard hitting baseliner and all court players.

Our players develop and rehearse patterns used to beat each style of opponent. It is also important to note. A smart competitor will change a losing style of play (shift to plan B). Has your child developed rock solid B and C game plans? The players who are winning national titles have!

I encourage my players develop and rehearse 3 styles of play. Encourage your child to play lesser players in practice sets. This will allow them to rehearse their B and C game plans.

 

  1. Custom Strategy

This is your child’s ability to adapt to the day and the circumstances.  Competition require a player adapt to varying elements such as wind, heat, court speeds, court surfaces as well as the particular strengths and weaknesses of the current opponent.

A common word in this phase is tendencies. To borrow from the boxing world, your child needs to spot what is causing the opponent to “bleed” and then do it more. Also, it’s important to spot the cause of their “own bleeding” and stop the bleeding.

There are the two types of losing:

If your child is competing well in every game and often has the winning shot on his/her racquet, it is in their best interest to modify their tactics slightly while keeping the current strategic style of play.

If they are losing and are not even in the points or games, a much larger shift of complete game styles may be in order. For example: Take a bathroom break and then change from a hard hitting baseliner to a steady retriever style of play.

A very useful tool is video analysis. Record tournament matches as often as possible and take a “Match Play Video Analysis Lesson” with an experienced coach. That’s right, a non- hitting lesson!

Together they will spot strokes that break down under stress, movement and footwork issues, opponent awareness issues and of course tactical and strategic issues that arise under stress. This allows your coach to customize the lessons as they actually provide solutions to the real issues!

Remember: The preferred learning style of most players is the “Visual Learner”.  A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

For more detailed information, the USPTA has a terrific, in depth; Player Development Program that every tennis parent should read. (uspta.org)

Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

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

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

Enjoying the Athletic Journey

Posted on January 16, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Parent Player Communication, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

0623P_5063

Postponing Happiness

Good memories are your most valuable possessions. Impatience ruins the moment. Arriving at the top of the junior tennis world is a slow walk up a million steps, not a quick elevator ride to the top!

Some parents spend their child’s whole junior career frustrated, anxious and depressed. You will too, if you dwell only on failures, problems and future concerns.

Some parents postpone their happiness, gratitude and love.  I beg you to enjoy the journey. It is a wonderful game full of life lessons!

I am often told by parents, “I’ll smile when she finally wins one!”

Enjoy the journey. Your child will be off to college sooner than you think.

FUN FACT: Half the things you worry about don’t happen anyway!

Here are just a few of the addition benefits of sports affords:

  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

Thank you visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact Information:

FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximizingtennispotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com

Juniors Making it on Tour?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by in The Tennis Parent's Bible

Greetings,

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

HOW COME SO MANY GREAT JUNIORS NEVER MAKE IT ON THE PROFESSIONAL TOUR?

There are several key components that undermine great junior tennis player’s careers. I call them roadblocks- secret ways the game weeds out the weak. Tennis champions work hard on and off the court long for many years before they become champions. Below I have listed a few common roadblocks that face many great junior tennis players:

Believing that if they are a better athlete, then they will win

Being a better physical athlete is only one third of the battle. If your child is weaker mentally or emotionally they will struggle. Another way to look at this issue is if an opponent looks physically superior to the rest of the field, then there is most likely something missing or something broken in their mental or emotional components. If they were superior in all three, they wouldn’t be in that draw.

Procrastination

Big time national titles are won by the champions because they accept the fact that they will be shedding serious blood, sweat and tears two months before the event begins. Procrastinators often do everything else except focus 100 percent on improving and fixing their problems. As long as they do not actually give 100 percent on the practice court, they will have a built in excuse…”If I had the time to practice, I could of beat her…etc.”

Quantity of practices versus quality of practice

Hopefully this tip is beginning to sink in, but rallying back and forth to a hitter or even worse, having balls fed right to your child’s strike zones does not in any way simulate tough playing conditions. Our battle cry is “Practice in the manner in which you are expected to perform.” Remember high end tennis is not a game of catch; it is a game of keep away!

Thinking that practicing hard for one hour is enough

Top tournament play often requires that your child compete in two, best of three sets, single matches daily. Since doubles play results count for their overall ranking, throw in a doubles matches as well. Let me ask you, how many hours a day is your child expected to run their tail off?

Under training off court

If your child “thinks” that they are mostly in shape…they are most likely not in shape. Players that are in great shape know they are in great shape. Getting past the third day of a big event is going to be a challenge for every junior who only “thinks” they’re in shape.

FUN FACT: Remember, solid fundamentals will get them in the draw. Being crazy fit keeps them in the draw. But being mentally and emotionally stable under stress wins titles

Cramming last minute for an event

Peak performance requires that your child applies periodization. Cramming in training days before a national event will lead to your child’s “batteries” half full. Also, their millisecond decision making skills won’t be sharp. They will hesitate with their judgments and often over think under stress. Lastly, last minute crammers usually end up playing sore or injured.

Mistake management

It is essential that your child understands the difference between a “good” mistake and a “bad” mistake. Also, did the mistake stem from technical form, inappropriate “shot selections” or poor movement? Mentally making the appropriate corrections without emotional condemnation is important.

Anger management

Poor preparation is the source of the problems that cause the anger. Plans and patterns should be nurtured months before an event. Tools are sharpened and the rust is buffed out.

SPECIAL NOTE: It’s not the opponent that causes the anger issues in a match. It’s the fact that the opponent has exposed a weakness that wasn’t fixed before the match began.

During the event, proper between point rituals and change over rituals is the key ingredient to managing emotions such as anger. Proper rituals also allow your child to save their precious physical, mental and emotional batteries needed later in the finals.

Blame management

Blaming is a common excuse many juniors prefect. Changing string tension, racquets, coaches, and academies is a short -term feel good fix. However, designing a strong personalized developmental program and sticking to it is the solution to their problems.

FUN FACT: Intermediates spend most of their time working on the strokes they already own. Advanced players spend most of their time perfecting the strokes and patterns they wish to add to their tool.

Lack of pre-match routines and rituals

Essential routines and rituals are used by professionals and often overlooked by junior competitors. Teens are often too cool to prepare. Rituals may include equipment preparation, nutrition and hydration at the right times, warming up their primary and secondary strokes, applying visualization sessions, going for a short run before going on the court. Champions act like champions long before they become champions.

SPECIAL NOTE: Kelly doesn’t like to eat when she is nervous. So, she chose to skip breakfast before her first round match at this year’s Easter Bowl. Kelly was scheduled to play at 9:30 am. The previous match went 3 long sets and Kellie didn’t get on court until 10:30.

Flash forward two hours and Kelly is going into the third set.  Kelly has not eaten for over 16 hours! Kelly is out of gas. Not eating has led to low blood sugar, which has led to a severe physical and mental breakdown. The breakdown lead to an entire emotional melt down and Kelly loses early to a player she could of beaten easily. Why?  She did not feel like eating.

Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com

Maximize your Tennis Game

Posted on January 12, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Personality Profile/Learning Preference

Greetings,

Happy New Year!  I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season. I just released  my all sports book: Raising Athletic Royalty: Insights to Inspire for a Lifetime. I combined the latest sports science discoveries and neuroscience personality profiling along with personal lessons to assist parents and coaches in motivating belief, confidence and passion in their athletes. It is now available at www.raisingathleticroyalty.com, www.maximizingtennispotential.com, Amazon, Nook, Smashwords, and  ibook.

The following is an article to help energize your tennis game.

Maximize your Tennis Game

Boost your child’s success by understanding his or her unique learning style. Educated tennis parents are the most crucial factor in the development of a tennis champion.

Do you know your child’s learning preference?  Teaching within the guidelines of the specific characteristics of each person’s preferred intelligence has been proven to accelerate learning.  By identifying your child’s preference, a whole new whole of excitement and success will open up on and off the court.

So why are players re-energized and performances accelerated at my Mental Emotional Tennis Workshops? As a coach, I first identify the player’s personality profile and learning preferences. I then customize their lesson accordingly. Tennis parents can ease the difficulties of their child’s tennis development with the same principles. Energized learning occurs when the player is coached in their preferred style of learning. This accelerates their progression and generates more smiles.

The following is a list of some of the more common learning preferences. Can you spot your child’s learning preference?

  • The Linguistic
  • The Logical-Mathematical
  • The Elegant -Kinesthetic
  • The Musical-Rhythmic
  • The Spatial Brainiac
  • The Interpersonal
  • The Intrapersonal

Let’s review the characteristics of each style:

Linguistic oriented players have a preference for verbal and written directions. These children use an expanded vocabulary and usually prefer detailed explanations for tasks at hand.

Positive ways to engage language-oriented players on court include:

  • Have them repeat lesson plans back, such as strategies and patterns. Ask them to reverse the roll and to explain the reasoning for the drill.
  • Ask them to write down their lesson review in the last 5 minutes of every training session.
  • Ask them to complete match logs after each match as well as daily focus journals.

Logic Minded players prefer structure, order and closure for each drill set. They want to successfully complete an exercise before moving on. These learners demand knowing not only how to hit a specific shot, but where and why. They enjoy working with numbers and facts. They are no-nonsense players who prefer quality over quantity when it comes to training.

Great ways to engage a logical minded player on the court include:

  • During training sessions, require them to close out drills while employing negative scoring. This keeps them accountable for unforced errors.
  • At each tournament, ask them to classify other competitors into their preferred playing styles and list the patterns used to beat that style.
  • Teach them how to chart the top seeds at tournament sites and then compare those charts to their own.

The kinesthetic player gives meaning to the word graceful. These players posses excellent core balance and can easily master elegant looking strokes. Give a gross motor skilled kinesthetic player a ball into their strike zone and “lights out.”

Profound ways to assist an elegant – player on the court include:

  • New developmental programs such as strokes or patterns should be slowly started by asking the player to shadowing an instructor. Also, ask them to stand behind a graceful player with smooth strokes and mimic and shadow there movement.
  • They prefer dress rehearsal repetition so they can simply recreate those patterns during match play. Pattern repetition is crucial.
  • Flexible skills training are mandatory for the kinesthetic player. Take them outside their predictable comfort zones to simulate actual match play conditions.

Musically in tune players thrive with rhythm. They enjoy playing opponents who hit the same ball speed, spins and trajectory. These players find the zone when they sing their favorite song during play. Training with an I-pod or music on the court is like heaven to this type of intelligence.

Perfect ways to engage a rhythmic player on court include:

  • Employ cadences and dance steps. For instance, to them, learning a serve motion may have a 5 count rhythm. An approach shot volley pattern may have a 3 step, split step cadence.
  • The best way to engage this type of player is through a consistent rhythm of a clean rally. Grooving is what they love to do best.
  • Train this type of player to handle players who have mastered the art of mixing the spin, speed and trajectory of their shots. Junk ball artists frustrate rhythmic players to death.

Spatial players are often, not the most naturally gifted athletes. They have to work extra hard and are usually prepared to do so. Brainiac’s are great tacticians. They have an uncanny ability to dissect opponents accurately and create a detailed game plan. They enjoy spotting strengths and weaknesses. They easily master the anticipatory skills found in the use of broad vision.

Positive ways to assist a spatial intelligence on court include:

  • Purchase a weekly planner. Structuring all the mandatory components into a detailed, organized plan rationalizes the lesson/instruction for this type of intelligence. Follow the plan day by day.
  • In practice ask them “What was the cause of that error” versus telling them what they did wrong.
  • Video analysis of tournament match play is right up their alley. Developing the art of winning versus simply “how to stroke a ball” truly fits into their frame of mind.

The Interpersonal (Myers-Briggs) personality profiling calls this intelligence “Extrovert- feelers.” These children have an emotional connection to almost everything and everyone. If there are 50 players in a group and 48 love them only 2 don’t like them, their day is ruined. They enjoy harmony and highly sensitive to people and relationships.

Great tips to engage the interpersonal player on court include:

  • These types enjoy group clinics with plenty of interaction with their peers. Gentle reminder: Group workouts don’t always offer accelerated learning, just social interaction.
  • Problems commonly arise in tennis match play due to their short attention span. They often have an inability to focus over the long haul and of course, they get bored with a commanding lead. Closing out practice sets is tenfold more important than rallying back and forth in a group.
  • These sensitive people need to design a protocol for handling cheaters as well as opponents who apply gamesmanship.

Intrapersonal (Myers-Briggs) personality profiling calls this intelligence “Introvert-Thinkers.” This preferred intelligence is remarkable at controlling their feelings, emotions and attention span on the tennis court. Since tennis is an individual sport by nature, these players have a genetic advantage when it comes to distraction control.

Profound ways to assist the Intrapersonal players on the court include:

  • Since they prefer to reflect and think things through before making rash decisions, they need detailed explanations as to why? “Because I said so” doesn’t cut it for this type.
  • They enjoy working alone in private lessons versus stressful group settings.
  • Attacking the net isn’t in their genetic design. They have to buy into the rational and be nurtured to spot a vulnerable opponent. They have to truly understand that rushing the net at the opportune time is in their best interest.

In Conclusion

Identifying and embracing your child’s personality profile will energize their tennis game as well as improve family dynamics. Encourage your child to embrace their preferred learning style and to approach the game (and the world) on his/her own terms. Boost your child’s success by understanding his or her unique learning style.

Thanks, Frank Giampaolo
fgsa@earthlink.net
www.maximizingtennispotential.com
www.raisingathleticroyalty.com