The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible
Available through most online retailers!
PLAYER ACCOUNTABILITY
Player accountability stems from a champion’s mindset- which includes a positive moral compass, core values, and a high standard of behavior. Teach your children that even though the hardest path is often the road less traveled- it is also the quickest way to the top!
QUESTION: What are some hidden roadblocks and myths in high-performance tennis?
Frank: It fascinates me how some junior athletes will hold on to crazy beliefs. They would rather live in their “altered state of reality” and continue to get poor results than simply be accountable to their deliberate customized developmental plan. Below I have compiled some of the most common myths coming out of your kids’ mouths!
Procrastination
The champions win big-time national titles because they accept the fact that they will be shedding serious blood, sweat, and tears months before the event begins. Procrastinators often do everything else except focus 100 percent on improving. 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 have beat her…etc.”
Thinking that Practicing for One Hour is Good 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 match as well.
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.
“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
Cramming in training days before a national event will lead to your child’s “batteries” half full come match time. Also, their millisecond decision-making skills won’t be sharp. They will likely hesitate with their judgments and often overthink 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 anger. Plans and patterns should be nurtured months before an event. Tools are sharpened, and the rust is buffed out.
“It’s not the opponent that causes the actual anger issues in a match. It’s the fact that the opponent has exposed a weakness that wasn’t fixed
before the match began.”
Blame Management
Blaming is a common excuse many juniors have perfected. Changing string tension, racquets, coaches, and academies are a short-term, feel-good fix. However, designing a strong personalized developmental program and sticking to it is the solution to their problems.
“Intermediates spend most of their time working on the strokes they already own. Advanced players also spend time perfecting the strokes and patterns they wish to add to their tool belt.”
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 properly. Champions act like champions long before they become champions.
To review, I highly recommend taking a bit of time to communicate the above player accountability issues with your athlete and their entourage of coaches. Plan on organizing solutions to the common roadblocks and de-bunking the myths. Again, if you, as a parent, are not comfortable with the developmental process, please hire a high-IQ tennis professional to oversee your child’s strokes and their mental and emotional training components.
