The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible
Available through most online retailers!
YOUR ATHLETE’S ORGANIZATIONAL BLUEPRINT
Regardless of your child’s long term tennis goals, improving their chances of maximizing their potential begins with efficiency. A customized blueprint reduces stress, wasted time and, most importantly, money spend unwisely. In today’s era, even the most talented athlete has very little hope of reaching elite status without being properly organized.
NURTURING A DELIBERATE CUSTOMIZED PLAN
“Junior tennis champions are born from great sacrifice.
They are never the result of selfish parents.”
Outstanding parents are outstanding teachers. The parent is the most important adult figure that will define and shape a child. An experienced coach may assist in developing technical tools such as a topspin backhand. A trainer may assist in developing core strength. But, please never underestimate the power of your child’s greatest teacher…you!
The job description of a tennis parent is to provide a safe and loving environment. A tennis parent nurtures the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth of the child. A gifted athlete with the desire, work ethic and character of a champion will never achieve his or her full potential without the loving support of a tennis parent/manager.
“A junior competitor without a tennis educated parent
is like a ship without a rudder.”
Terrific children, wonderful adults and tennis champions aren’t born, they are developed. It’s not simply heredity. It’s an organized plan. No one becomes extraordinary on their own. “It takes a Village” is the age old saying. As you raise athletic royalty, your village will be your entourage of coaches, hitters, mental/emotional trainers, off-court tennis specific experts, physical therapists and sports medicine doctors.
The Williams sisters are an actual example of a parent with a vision. The story goes: Richard Williams planned to have more children for the sole purpose of developing them into professional tennis players. Wayne Bryan also had a plan with his twin boys, the Bryan brothers. Without an actual plan, you’ll never know your child’s true potential.
