tips

Tips Vol 1, No. 11

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:07:51 +0100

WINTER CONVENTION NEWS: USPTA Southern will partner with the Memphis Pro Tournament to host a winter convention as well as join them in promoting the top tennis event in the south. Our convention will be Fri.-Sat., Feb. 19-20. The welcome party will be held on Thursday evening in a court side box at the tournament. Additionally, you can purchase tickets at a discount.

MORE BIG NEWS: USPTA Elite Staff Program. Bring your members, purchase tickets at a reduced price, receive 2 free tickets, plus dinner. Get a signed poster, your club will be listed in the program and shown on the electronic board during your session. Adam Requarth is our contact to purchase tickets or for more info 901-765-4431. Check out full details at www.usptasouthern.com.

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business. All past tips are online at www.usptasouthern.com.

NEXT ISSUE: NEWSLETTER ARTICLES/TIPS and Best Customer Service Tips (see more below). We all hate to come up with new material (and we did not receive much yet). Copy your previous tips or articles and share.

QUOTES

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" Maya Angelou

“The most valuable of all talents is never using two words when one will do.” Thomas Jefferson

"Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay” Jiddu Krishnamurti

Great Service - SHARE YOURS

We provide our members and guests with peppermint towels after they play. We also greet all of our members by name at all times, our tennis staff always sets the ball machine up for our members before they arrive, sets it to their liking and then the pros will stay on court with them for a few minutes to give them a pointer or two before leaving. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Scott Mitchell Charlotte, NC

Newsletter Articles

To loop or not to loop? That’s the question

Have you ever seen a top player not make a loop on the forehand swing? Answer: NO!! Why do you think they add additional weight to their racquets? Answer: To take full advantage of the gravity part of the swing. The extra weight increases the actual speed. Some players complain that they don’t have time to make a loop. Look at it this way: When Rafa and Fed exchange ground strokes they both have time to make loops on their forehands, so you should be able to do the same thing at your level! Timing and rhythm are key. Bringing the racquet back too early could cause a disruption in the flow of the shot. Remind yourself to make a “C” or NIKE swoosh. In other words prepare the racquet high to allow it to “drop” into the forward motion. Conclusion: YES, to loop!!

Hans Romer Portland, MA

See A Pro Tennis Match In Person

As most of you know, go to the early matches and get up close and personal to the outer courts to see the greatest "reality show" going. The depth in the men's game is incredible and there will be great contests whenever they step onto the court. The ladies have a little more separation after the top 15 seeds but nonetheless the tennis will be something that we do not see on our humble home courts.

Most of the television coverage focuses on singles, a game that is not played often at Shadow Hills. Even though, we can still learn quite a bit from watching a little bit different. Instead of watching the ball go back and forth try picking something out from each player. Watch how each player finishes the shot. How far is their follow-through? Watch their feet for a few points. When do they get their racquet back? Watch their ball toss on their serve, how far in front of them is it? How much do they turn prior to hitting their serve?

Go to the doubles matches. This is our best opportunity to see how the game should be played. Watch their movement. Now I know we cannot move like they do, but we can shuffle around every once in awhile. Look to see when the net person aggressively goes after the ball. Every player is moving during the point. Do not focus on the ball all the time, but watch each player for awhile, see when and where they move.

Have a great time and I will see you on the courts.

Rod Dunnett Indio, CA

Tips Vol 1, No. 10

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:44:25 +0100

NEXT ISSUE: NEWSLETTER ARTICLES/TIPS. We all hate to come up with new material. Copy your previous tips or articles and share.

QUOTES

“Hiring someone who does not have a service attitude, and then trying to train them to serve, is a little like the expression, ‘You can’t teach a pig to sing; it’s just wasting your time and annoys the pig.’” – Peter Burwash - The Key to Great Leadership

"If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse." Anonymous

IMPODERABLES

If you think nobody cares if you are alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.

TRIVIA - US OPEN

1) Who played in the most Men's Singles finals?

2) Who played in the most Women's Singles finals?

3) Rounded to the nearest thousand, what is the seating capacity in Arthur Ashe Stadium?

4) In what year was a tie-break first used at the U.S. Open?

5) Who won the most Men's Doubles titles?

More Camp Tips

MINI TOURNAMENTS
Run Mini-Tournaments periodically throughout the summer. Many of our campers are not yet regular attendees to our clinics in the fall and spring but come out during the summer and/or aren't exposed to 'playing' tennis outside of clinic times. This gives players the opportunity to play "Tournaments" without having to pay entry fees, and also with players they already know. Use different formats, court sizes, balls, and offer prizes for the winners. This all keeps the kids on their toes, interested, and wanting to play more tennis!

Off-Court or On-Court Conditioning
Many children learning tennis don't know or understand the benefits of training in addition to hitting the tennis ball or playing matches. We usually start each camp day with 15-20 minutes of footwork drills, conditioning, coordination drills or races just to get the blood flowing and the feet moving. Use rain days to your advantage and do some sort of off-court work with your kids (medicine ball drills, close touch volleys, rules quizzes or games, etc.)

Kendon Warren, Atlanta Ga

Fun Games

+ or – 5

This is a drill that requires a lot of concentration to win. Our ladies and juniors really love to play this game. The way the game works is you have two teams with two players on the baseline versus two players at the net. The object of the game is for one team to be winning by five points to win the game. I have the baseline team be + team and the net team be the – team. You feed the ball to the baseline team and play out the point with anything goes. If the baseline team wins you go +1. If the baseline team wins the next point +2 and so on. If the score is +3 and the net team wins the point then you subtract a point from the score to go to +2. In the same way if the net team wins the 0 point the score is –1. Continue playing until one team gets to + or – 5. This means that no team is ever out of the game and forces the team close to the 5 points ahead to really try to close out the game. In clinics we have the winners move up and the losers move down. You can really have some long games and it is good to help coach different situations in the game that come up.

Offense vs. Defense

This is a drill that we use for our quicker players as this is a very tough drill and a great workout. You will have two teams again and you spin the racket to see who wants the offensive or defensive position. The net is the offensive position and the baseline the defensive position. Once the sides are chosen the rules are as follows: The net team can only win a point by hitting a clean winner against the baseline team. The baseline team can only win a point by making the ball bounce against the net team. Feed the ball in play to the baseline team (can vary and feed the need team) and play out the point. The first team to five points wins the game and then you rotate. This is another great drill to make the players think about what they are trying to set up with the point and also to hustle for every shot. You can really use this drill to discuss the important of the drop volley and angle volleys. This is also a great way to talk to your players at the times they are deciding to go for shots and what alternatives they can also use.

Ian Thomson Johns Creek, GA

Pre Schoolers Pay Off
Pre school’s get out at 1:00 pm in Charlotte. Mom’s with older kids then look for activities for the little one until the older sibling gets off the bus. Or they are always trying to set up play dates to consume the afternoon time.

So I offer a Pre school motor movement tennis class from 1:30 to 2:30. But of course the moms have nothing to do so they get their own lesson at the same time.

Class Name: Parent / Child
Most churches run a pre school program and are looking for additional services to offer to their kids. With the quick start equipment, you can go to them and get even more kids involved. Use their gym and never get rained out !

John Trimp Charlotte, NC

Quick Kids Coaching TIps

1. It is important to do quarterly progress reports with the development plan.
2. Get involved with the Quick start program.
3. Make sure we are not only helping kids become players, but better people.

Greg Amerson, Atlanta,GA

Trivia Answers

1) Bill Tilden played in 10 finals. 8 in a row from 1918-25. Bill Johnson lost in 6 finals, 1916, '20, '22-25.

2) Molla B. Mallory played in 10 finals. 1915-18, '20-24, '26

3) The seating capacity at Arthur Ashe Stadium is 23,000

4) The tie-break was first used at the U.S. Open in 1970

5) Who won the most Men's Doubles titles? Richard Sears and James Dwight won 6 in a row from 1992-1887. Don't you remember??

Tips Vol 1, No. 9

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:13:05 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business.

NEXT ISSUE: Fall Programs - Are you running a new program for this fall?? Share it with us.

QUOTES

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. " Dale Carnegie

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy." Norman Vincent Peale

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen." Claude M. Bristol 1891-1951, Author of "The Magic of Believing"

IMPODERABLES

No one is listening until you make a mistake.

Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.

TRIVIA - GRAND SLAMS

1) Roger Federer has set the mens record for most grand slam semi finals in a row at 21. Who has the most for the women, and what is her record?

2) Who played the longest fifth set at Wimbledon?

Tennis Is FUN

Are you playing tight or playing free when you play? ... both take the same amount of energy. It amazes me that most tennis players don't even try to play fun points or don't even play enough of them. Whether new strokes learned or strategies, why not play with FUN in mind just to see? I was watching MNF (Monday Night Football), watching two great coaches, Gibbs and Parcels, with 5 super bowls between them, implementing "trick plays" on National television with all the other league players and coaches watching after their Sunday games. Why? Cause it's FUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!! The guys like practicing them and want them to work to put the dagger in their opponents if they work. And if they don't, who CARES???? .... IT WAS FUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN trying!!!!!

"No one keeps his enthusiasm automatically. Enthusiasm must be nourished with new actions, new aspirations, new efforts, new vision." - Papyrus

The key word here in this statement is NEW! So follow Carlos and Papyrus and start expanding your game to heights you have only dreamed of. The old Chinese proverb is perfect here... "The journey of a thousand miles (100 points played) begins with one step."

Best of good fun times ahead.

Mike Popienko Alpharetta, Ga

Coaching Tips for Strokes & Play

(thanks for sharing Robby. These can make very useful tips for newsletters or a short tips article.)

1. On the forehand groundstroke, use of the opposite hand is critical. Placing the opposite hand at the throat of the racket will help the coiling action of the shoulders, arm and racket as they should all go back together.

2. Using a loop or semi circle action on the backswing for the groundstrokes allows you to develop more rhythm on the strokes. The loop will also allow the racket to drop into the contact zone quicker.

3. When preparing to hit a two backhand keep the elbows bent.This allows for relaxation in the arms and this type of backswing will also help extension of the arms at contact feel more natural.

4. Players who hit two handed backhands should strive to keep both hands on the racket during the entire stroke. Failing to do slows down the racket speed and interferes with the proper rotation of the shoulders into the contact.

5. The one handed backhanded slice is an extremely versatile shot. A player can rally with the slice, attack and defend, hit drops shots and improve net play. The best grip to use is the continental grip.

6. The best grip to use on the serve is the Continental grip. It keeps the grip loose, allows for greater racket head speed and improves the variety of spin serves.

7. If you are having trouble with the consistency of the service toss, be aware of where you are releasing the ball. By holding the ball in the fingertips and not releasing the ball until your tossing hand has passed your eyes on the way up, you should be improve both the accuracy of the toss and the contact point.

8. Baseline players are comfortable staying back and keeping the ball in play. Add some different strategy to your game and sneak in to the net. This simple tactic will not only keep your opponent guessing but improve your net play.

9. Working on your footwork and movement in an effort to get to the ball quicker will certainly pay dividends in your matches. Another way to get to the ball quicker is to pick up the ball coming off your opponents racket earlier.

10. When making an approach shot think move forward and get closer to the ball. This will get you weight into the shot and you will get closer to the net for your first volley.

11. When returning serves think of turning the shoulders instead of taking back the racket. By doing this you will give yourself more time needed for solid returns.

12. Practice both types of lobs, defensive and offensive. Defensive lobs are normally hit higher getting you out of trouble and giving you time to stay in the point. Offensive lobs are hit topspin over the net opponent with winning the point as the objective.

13. When hitting a drop try to remember to loosen the grip and develop "soft hands". A successful drop shot will bounce 3 times in the opponents service box.

14. When volleying make sure your racket face stays on line with your intended target. Don't leave the path of the intended shot too quickly trying to get back to the ready position. This will affect the quality of your volley.

Robby Edwards Louisville, KY

Trivia Answers

1) Chris Evert has the most for women. Her record is 34. Chris reached the semis in the first 34 grand slams she played, starting with the 71 US Open . She had food poisoning at the 83 Wimbledon and lost in the 3rd round to Kathy Jordan.

2) The Longest fifth set: At Wimbledon in 2007, Marcelo Melo/André Sá beat Paul Hanley/Kevin Ullyett 5–7, 7–6(4), 4–6, 7–6(7), 28–26.

Tips Vol 1, No 8

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:23:36 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business.

NEXT ISSUE: Team Lessons - Doubles Drills/Ideas. Send us your best!!!

QUOTES

"Whatever your goal in life, be proud of every day that you are able to work in that direction." Chris Evert

"Failure is more frequently from want of energy than want of capital." Daniel Webster

"I think believing in yourself has a lot to do with the words. You are what you say you are. Your children will be what you say they are. Words are important and powerful." Margaret Smith Court

TRIVIA

1) Who played the longest singles match by number of games before the introduction of the tiebreaker?

2) Who has the most prize money won in a single season?

3) How many players have career earnings over $10 million?

Summer Camps

This will be an extended tips edition to allow all the submitted summer camp tips to be included. Thanks to everyone that took time to contribute.

Spreading Out the Little Ones

For many of us it is simply impossible to find enough instructors or volunteers to have one “instructor/volunteer” for every 2 quickstart students, allowing each pair of participants their own personal QS court and teacher. Court space and set up time may also prohibit you from being able to provide this.

If your quickstart numbers are blowing up fast, try combining the new quickstart teaching style with traditional tennis teaching ratios. Mark out 1 QS court per instructor and divide the class into smaller more manageable groups (1 to 4,5,6 etc.).

Students can learn to Rally, Serve, and Score in small groups (with an instructor or volunteer) until they are able to play on a QS court with less direct supervision.

Chris Hinson Greenville Recreation & Parks Department

Taming the Ball Toss

Since tossing the ball is difficult for most, here is my tip:

Rather than thinking in terms of "tossing," think "lifting" or "pushing" the ball and pretend that you are the Stature of Liberty with your ball release hand...EXTEND your arm!

Mary Anne Kendall

Bucket Toss Game

Equipment Needed: 2 “kick ball” style balls and 2 five gallons buckets.

We have 4 teams of 6 players. Team 1 X 2 & 3 X 4. Winners play winners runners up play the consolation match.

Format: 5 players on one side of the net (1 team on deuce 1 on add) in single file line close to net. 1 player on opposite side holding a bucket. When the whistle blows, the first player in the line of 5 will turn their back to the net and toss the ball over their head and the net in hopes of their team mate will catch the ball in the bucket and quickly return it to the next team mate who will also turn their back and toss the ball backwards into the bucket. Every 30 seconds you switch catchers until everyone has had a turn. (If numbers are uneven, simply have someone repeat). After 3 minutes winning team has the most successful catches.

We had a sudden death playoff today due to a tie score in the championship game. You can play 4 teams at once (with enough equipment) but this way encourages cheering from the other two teams and more excitement.

Jim Demos Charlotte, NC

Use of High School Age Instructors for Summer Camp
Since you have so many kids out of school, take advantage of this time to "audition" instructors from your better players. We make all of our potential instructors teach camp for free for one week. During this week, we train them, offer advice on areas for improvement, and see who really "makes the grade" as a teacher. If they do well, they can move up to being paid.
We try to keep rotating the kids so we have 2 a week. This way, we may have 2 free instructors per week for 6 straight weeks. This saves an incredible amount of money and then you can pick who you want to use for the rest of the summer and the school year.
Remember, your best players are not your best instructors. In addition, the better players usually are not as available during the school year because of their workout schedules combined with academic load. We try not to use any of our high school instructors more than 2 hours a week during the school year. If you have a succesful summer trying out and training new youth instructors, you can easily rotate these helpers during the school year.

"Team Day" at Summer Camp
We put 6-16 year olds together in our Summer Camps for Beginner-Intermediate level players. Every Wednesday or Thursday we do team competitions. We divide the players into two large teams. Within the teams, we will have at least three, if not four different skill levels.
·         For Group 1, we will do cooperative skills. If the players pass a bean bag back and forth on their racket seven times, they score a point for their team. After a point is scored, they run to their scoring area and record a point for their team. Less skilled players may pass the bag four times to score; whatever it takes to make them successful.
·         We may do four different skills for Group 1, with a time limit of two or three minutes for each skill. Some of the skills will involve changing places with their partner every two or three minutes, so we might have up to eight different rotations that last a total of 20 minutes.
·         Group 2 might be the more experienced U10 kids who will be playing points on the 36' court. They will play first to four points to score, and then rotate opponents. We may have them play a little longer than Group 1, maybe 25 minutes.
·         Group 3 might be all full court players who are playing doubles. They will change opponents and partners each round and will generally play up to 30 minutes.
·         Once Group 1 is through, they will root for their teammates playing in Group 2. When Group 2 is finished, the Group 1 and 2 kids will go watch the matches in Group 3 and cheer on their teammates.
At the end of the competition, we have all the assistants add up the points and have a giant ceremony. We always have a type of bonus for the winning team that is in good fun. Winners get first throw in water balloon fights, no ball pick-up, etc.
Kids of all ages love this format. You will have a 6 year old cheering for a 16 year old, which they just don't have in any other sport experience. Just because someone can't serve and rally yet doesn't mean they can not experience the feeling of winning for their team.

Craig S. Jones     Martinez, GA

Basket Battle

One of the games that we like to run with the juniors in the summer program is a game called "Basket Battle." You divide the kids into two teams and let them place baskets or cones (5 min.) into one of the service boxes for the opposing team to try to hit. You then line both teams up for volleys hitting at the opponent's baskets. Two pros feed the balls in for volleys. One volley and move to the back of the line. If they hit the basket then you remove it from the game. The team that hits all the baskets first wins. This game works great with beginners to the tournament players.

Brain Damage

For the intermediate to advanced level we play a game called "Brain Damage." You have a line of players at the baseline in a single file line in the middle of the court and one player that is the champ on the other side. You feed short balls to the challengers and they attack and come in and play out the point. You need to win 3 points in a row or 5 total points to become the champ. The key is once the point finishes you immediately feed the next ball in play and the champ must recover quickly. If the champ beats all the challengers in a row the challengers do 10 push-ups or whatever you choose.

Both submitted by Ian Thomson Johns Creek, GA

Camp Recognition

I always assign ranking numbers after each lesson to all players in the group. These rankings are competition for trophy's at the end of Camp. Also, at the end of each session I have the top players listed in the local paper, sometimes with their picture. The promise of recognition seems to stimulate incentive to do more.

Alan Avdoyan Mandeville, LA

Camp Levels/Teams

Summer camps are fun when the camp is split up into “camp teams” according to age and level. Have one counselor/pro be responsible for one team. It makes organization and competition easy and fun. Tons of water balloons are also make the camp fun.

Heather Silvia Alpharetta, GA

Camp Drills

12 shot drill which starts student at net. It is two series of six shots apiece. Pro feeds forehand volley, backhand volley, lob to get player to baseline; then a forehand and backhand groundstroke to return each crosscourt and lastly approach to bring player back to net. Repeat this sequence for total of 12 shots.

45 seconds. Each player is fed shots all over the court with no pattern-short, deep,wide groundstrokes, volleys, lobs.
The point is build endurance and teach each student to return to the middle of the court for next shot. Each student will be tired from this drill.

4 strikes. It is break the group into even teams for round the world hitting one shot and running to other side of court. This works on consistency, teamwork, and competition. Each player gets 4 errors (strikes) , and then are out. Last player in wins a gatorade, can of balls, or does not have to pick up balls as the prize.

Rick Willett Atlanta, GA

Camp Format

We just finished a 5 day summer camp at Hammond School for rising 2nd-5th graders. The camp was from 9-12 noon Mon-Fri. Each day we had a theme of the day that was inserted at about 10:30 for about 45 minutes. This theme was at a great time to break up the on court work. The themes we used for this camp were:
Monday-Tennis History-I brought in a couple of old wood rackets (real old), a Jack Kramer, my old high school racket, a T2000, an original Prince and told a little story about each one.
Tuesday-Video Day-we showed the campers the Rick Macci video of the 5 year old hitting groundstrokes and that caused a lot of excitement.
Wednesday-Picture Day-we took action shots and still shots (with the 5 foot tennis rackets-1 wood and 1 Wilson) of all the campers to be printed and put in their folders for graduation as well as e-mailed to parents.
Thursday-USTA.com day-we went into a classroon with a large screen display and pulled up USTA.com and explained some of the different subjects that could be viewed. We showed two things of high importance:
1) how to find tournaments-especially Rising Stars (Novice) and 2) video of the pro's strokes under game improvement.
Friday- Test Day-a simple 10 question test (multiple choice, true/false, and one fill in your favorite tennis professional-(Federer got most of the votes-I received 2) see a copy of the Bernie's most recent test after the trivia questions.

The campers were given a folder that included: the test, pictures, certificate, a court diagram listing some shots and some of the subjects that were covered over the week.

Bernie McGuire Columbia, SC

We still accept ideas for the One Good Idea CD Book. It is still available in the most up to date version online. Click HERE to see the latest version.

Trivia Answers

1) In 1969 at Wimbledon, Pancho Gonzales needed 112 games to defeat Charlie Pasarell in the first round 22–24, 1–6, 16–14, 6–3, 11–9 (what a first set!!)

2) Roger Federer (Switzerland) in 2007, $10,130,620

3) 30 players have made $10 million or more since 1973

BERNIE MCGUIRE, USPTA

HAMMOND SCHOOL, VARSITY BOYS’ and GIRLS’ TENNIS COACH

SUMMER CAMP TEST 06.19.09

Name_____________________

What is the most important shot for a tennis player?

Volley (b) 2nd Serve (c) Drop Shot (d) The next shot

What company claimed the first oversize tennis racket?

Prince (b) Head (c) Dunlop (d) Spalding

Balance, quick feet, loading, shifting your weight, watching the ball, racket follow through are all very important for good tennis.

True (b) False

What make crosscourt ground strokes a smart choice?

Net is higher (b) Net is lower (c) No advantage

Who calls the score out loud during a tennis match?

Opponent (b) Receiver (c) Server (d) People watching

The player who wins the spin of the racket has what choice?

Serve/Receive (b) Side (c) Let the opponent choose (d) Any one of these

The net is how high at the middle and at the post?

5 ft/10ft (b) 3 ft/3.5ft (c) 2ft/2ft (d) 3ft/3ft

To play in a Rising Stars tournament what must you be able to do?

Hit the ball hard (b) Be real good (c) Serve & keep score

How do you check your forehand grip?

Pick it up from the ground (b) Twirl the racket (c) Whatever works

Who is your favorite tennis player?__________________________

HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE TENNIS COURT

Tips Vol 1, No. 7

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:14:07 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business.

NEXT ISSUE: Summer Camp Tips. Send any tip or informational idea that help make your summer camps special.

QUOTES

"The fastest way to succeed is to double your failure rate" Thomas Watson, IBM

"Just think of the number of Grand Slam titles Roger would have if Rafa had played soccer like his other uncle" Phillipe Bouin

"Tennis is a simple game played by complicated people!" sent in by Jimmy Livesay

My Athletic Director asked me about a very good high school tennis team our school was about to play--"Are they beatable?" I answered ---"Everyone is beatable, there are just different degrees of difficulty that must be overcome to achieve victory." Bernie McGuire Columbia SC & Southern HS Coach of the Year

Pressure is a privilege; it only comes to those who earn it. Billie Jean King

TRIVIA

1) Who has the astest individual serve recorded and what is the speed? Andy Roddick (U.S.) in the 2004 Davis Cup against Belarus: 155 Mph (249 km/h).[2]

2) Who is the tallest player on tour is Croat Ivo Karlović standing at 6'10" (208 cm).

3) Who is the shortest player on tour is Belgian Olivier Rochus standing at 5'5" (165 cm).

4) Who has the most mens Grand Slam titles overall:and how many? Roy Emerson 29 (12 S/17D)

5) Who has the most womens Grand Slam titles overall and how many? female Margaret Court 62 (24S/19D/19Mxd)

6) Who has the most Grand Slam titles as a team: Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde (Australia), 11.

To Wii or Not to Wii

Playing a tennis match in front of a sold-out stadium with thousands of fans cheering and booing has always been my dream. Experiencing the pressure, profusely sweating and absorbing being in the moment, I finally lived my 15 minutes of fame.

The outside air temperature was 3 degrees Fahrenheit and the stadium was in Western Maine. My opponent on the other side of the net was a 74-year old woman from the Netherlands, running me up and down and from left to right! This 74-year old woman was actually my mom, Ineke, and after a close and competitive match, despite her jet lag, she actually beat me!

I have always thought of myself as the tennis expert in the family, but after playing Wii-tennis against all my family members during this past Christmas, I came to realize that my expertise is limited to only a real tennis court. see the full article at http://www.tennisweek.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=6629169

Hans Romer Portland, MA

Retaining Lessons from the One Good Idea Collection

Offering a variety of new drills as well as changing your lesson format, although sometimes good solutions may not necessarily be the answer in preventing clients from discontinuing regular lessons, or even changing instructors. Private lessons may be rendered inconsequential to the client for a number of reasons, but the reasons most often cited for discontinuing are ‘I need to practice what I’ve learned’ or ‘What you are teaching me is too complicated’. There is some merit in a player wishing to discontinue lessons for these reasons, but looking more deeply into the overall picture, you will find, more often than not, a client with one of these complaints, feels they are not getting the same attention they were used to getting, when they first enrolled in your schedule.

Four practical recommendations:

1) At a first lesson with a new client, be prepared to discuss all goals they may have and any physical limitations they or you consider relevant, as well as their general stats (age, weight etc.). Always go to the court with a clip board so you can record the items you and your client discuss, and file this information. It will definitely be useful down the road. Bring this information to every lesson so you can note improvements and also remember what you were working in the previous lessons.

2) When working with regular clients, if you become aware of lessons that seem too routine or ordinary it is a sign that a change may occur. To insure it is not a result of how you are conducting the lessons, always ask your client if they feel they are making progress.

3) Even if your client is not yet playing tournaments, but especially if they are, offer to watch them play a match, either at a tournament or even a friendly club match for the same price as a lesson. Analyze their effort and spend part of the next lesson going over your advice for improving their match play. Many times this results in better insight for the instructor as to which areas need attention so lessons become more relevant and constructive.

4) Distribute semi annual or annual evaluation forms to your students. Evaluation forms are also a good indicator of a professional’s effectiveness and client satisfaction.

These recommendations may not be foolproof, but they are a step in the right direction. At the very least, your clients will feel they are important to you. Your best chance to retain lessons is through showing that you are interested in your clients as players as well as just a source of regular income.

Dave S. Hyams North Augusta, SC

the One Good Idea CD Book is still available in the most up to date version online. Click HERE to see the latest version.

Trivia Answers

1) Andy Roddick (U.S.) in the 2004 Davis Cup against Belarus: 155 Mph (249 km/h).[

2) Croat Ivo Karlović standing at 6'10" (208 cm).

3) Belgian Olivier Rochus standing at 5'5" (165 cm).

4) Most mens Grand Slam titles overall:and how many? Roy Emerson 29 (12 S/17D)

5) Most womens Grand Slam titles Margaret Court 62 (24S/19D/19Mxd)

6) Most Grand Slam titles as a team: Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde (Australia), 11.

Tips Vol 1, No. 6

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:47:34 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. Your assistance is needed to keep these issues fresh and usable. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business. View all of the previous tips, convention information, contact information and more at www.usptasouthern.com.

Quotes

"The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want." Ben Stein

"I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature." John D Rockefeller

"It's like a frat party without the drinking." Mike Bryan about the US Davis Cup Team

"The shoulder left by God" Justin Gimelstob on Andy Roddick

IMPONDERABLES

If practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, why practice?

Who decided "Hotpoint" would be a good name for a company that sells refrigerators?

For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

Trivia

1) Who had the most double faults in a singles match, and how many?

2) What was the longest match ever played?

3) When was the '6 pack' introduced, and by what company?

4) What company developed the original windows computer interface that we see on Microsoft and Mac computers?

Power of Coaching

The essence of good coaching is positive relevancy.

Teaching a player who doesn’t practice renders the instructor somewhat irrelevant.

Teaching a player who works hard at the game magnifies the responsibility of the instructor/coach.

Young players who grow with the game will improve regardless of what they are taught. Coaches who teach these players must be careful to maximize their players’ potential from the outset and guide them to proper technique.

At no time should you allow your player to continue with poor technique in any area you believe should change, especially during the tournament season. As long as changes you make help maximize your players’ potential for the future, do not hesitate to make them right away.

Racquet/Tennis Clubs have a tendency to divide up their junior beginners by age, gender or both, instead of athletic ability. All beginners are assigned the more inexperienced instructors. This could not be worse for the better athletes. Clubs should separate their junior beginners by athletic ability and the strongest and more experienced coaches should be assigned to the better athletes so they get the best possible start into the game.

The best coaching credo I could possibly imagine is the following:

We have a responsibility to make……..

Average athletes……….good players

Good athletes………….great players….and….

Great athletes………….Champions!

Dave Hyams North Augusta SC

Preclude Lesson Miscommunications

When I have a new student I always make sure that I e-mail them a "lesson info sheet" which gives details about where to check in, clothing requirements, what to do in case of doubtful weather, our rates and our lesson cancellation policy. In addition, I'll mention the weather and cancellation info on the phone, too. In this way, I run into much less miscommunication.

Neil Witherow Jackson, MS

from the One Good Idea CD Book

the One Good Idea CD Book is still available in the most up to date version online. Click HERE to see the latest version.

Trivia Answers

1) Marc Rosset (Switzerland) lost to Michael Joyce (United States) at Wimbledon 1995 in four sets, hitting 26 doubles faults.

2) Fabrice Santoro defeated Arnaud Clément (France) at Roland Garros 2004, in a 6h 33m first round match played over three days.

3) Coca Cola introduced the 6 bottle carton in 1923, by then president Robert Woodruff (who remained president for 6 decades)

4) In 1973, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) developed first personal computer with a graphic user interface and a mouse. Unfortunately, they did not take advantage of this and many other creations from this research unit.

Tips Vol 1, No. 5

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:56:29 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business.

PLEASE NOTE: To date, many of the tips are coming from Georgia. We are not biased towards Georgia, we are just using what is being sent. Please help and email.

Quotes

"Learning is pleasurable but doing is the height of enjoyment." Novalis

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen." Claude M. Bristol author "The Magic of Believing"

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception." Groucho Marx

"Strength lies in differences, not in similarities." Steven Covey

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." Booker T Washington

Trivia

1) What percentage of Amercan's have appeared on television?

2) What was the full name of the doll Barbie?

3) What animal was Walt Disney afraid of?

4) What liquid will pearls melt in?

Imponderables

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Do you think Houdini ever locked his keys in his car?

If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?

TIPS

The Most Important Shot

At your next clinic ask your students what they believe is the most important shot in tennis and why. After listening to a few responses and justifications tell them they are all wrong and that the most important shot in tennis is the “next one”. Even though that response may seem trite it is true because it is the only shot you can do anything about. You can use this as a good “lead in” to any lesson on footwork, racket preparation or anything that prepares you for the next shot.

Mark Rearden Peterburg Racquet Club, Ga

The Dance of Two Wolves
One evening, while sitting by their camp fire, a wise old Tennis Indian Chief told his grandson about a great battle that was going on inside himself, and also, inside his little grandson when he plays tennis. He said, "My grandson, a battle rages within each of us playing tennis or any sport; it is between two wolves. One is evil; negative thinking, envy, self-pity, inferiority, lies to one's self of one's own ability, superiority, and ego. The other is good; joy of the game your playing, inner peace of one's ability that day, love of the game, camaraderie, hope, patience, humility, and basic faith to persevere with gratitude for having a noble opponent to compete with in the first place."
"Which wolf wins?" asked the grandson.
The old Indian Chief simply replied, " The one I feed Grandson, the one I feed."
"Feed the good wolf my grandson. For if you do, you will win all your games you play in life, win or lose!"
- anonymous with a Mike Popienko tennis twist , Alpharetta, Ga

Swing Volleys - Player Development

from the One Good Idea CD Book

the One Good Idea CD Book is still available in the most up to date version online. Click HEREto see the latest version.

Trivia Answers

1) 1 in 4 American's have appeared on TV

2) Barbara Millicent Roberts.

3) mice

4) vinegar

Tips Vol 1, No. 4

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:01:54 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business.

NEWS FLASH: www.usptasouthern.com is active again. We will be adding to it, but currently you will find all of the recent tips e-mails, convention information, contact for all officers and more. This is not a fast site, but it is useful.

Quotes

These two tennis quotes are sent in from Craig Jones, Martinez Ga., that were heard during his visits to top academies

"It is much more important to be able to handle different spins than to be able to hit different spins." Robert Lansdorp

"Some things just can't be taught or bought." Rick Macci

"As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say; I just watch what they do." Andrew Carneigie

"Ability will never catch up with the demand for it." Malcomb Forbes

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." Mary Engelbreit

Trivia

1) What was the first product to have a bar code?

2) Only 1 planet rotates counterclockwise. Which one is it?

3) What are the plastic things on the end of shoelaces called?

4) How many cows does it take to provide footballs for the NFL in a season?

TIPS

Deep to Win Drill

This is primarily a singles drill, designed to encourage players to keep their shots deep into the court. This of course will neutralize your opponents ability to hurt you, and at the same time, possibly drawing a short ball from your opponent.

Begin a rally. Every time your opponent hits the ball short (inside the service line), or out, you call out a point for them. If at all possible, keep playing every ball, even if they are slightly out, just to get into the groove of maintaining longer rallys. First person to get 21 points called on them by their opponent, loses. Great drill for all ages.

Keith Forrester Dothan, AL

Its All In The Details

With members, often it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. You remodel a large portion of your club at great expense and feel very proud of your accomplishments. A number of members point out what an improvement it has made, but overall the response is business as usual and life at the club goes on.

Then one day you replace your weighing scale in the women’s locker room, and it’s as if you had discovered a cure to a major decease. Almost overnight, the attitude of the club, especially from the women, has changed. Compliments and accolades abound, and it only took a few dollars. In the big scheme of things, you just spent a minimal amount of money, yet it had a major impact on your membership.

This is a perfect illustration of how members perceive the quality . . . . . . . . . . . .

see the complete article at http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2009/03/21_all_in_the_details.html

Rod Heckleman is featured in Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) magazine, and will be presenting a one-hour course and a Specialty Course at the upcoming Southern Convention.

Swing Volleys - Player Development

from the One Good Idea CD Book

Feeding players swing volleys with them standing on the baseline.

This enhances a couple of areas: 1-timing improves, 2-you need to drive through the ball better as the ball is dropping, so length of contact improves, 3-racket head speed is faster, 4-judgement of the ball needs to be excellent, 5-players can also work on hitting balls above the shoulder if you feed them higher, so this shot is worked on too.

We have been doing this for 3 to 4 years now and it has helped accelerate the development of good groundstrokes as well as swing volleys.

Ashley Hobson Atlanta, Ga

the One Good Idea CD Book is still available in the most up to date version online. Click HERE to see the latest version.

Trivia Answers

1) Wrigley's Gum

2) Venus

3) Aglets

4) 3,000 cows

Tips Vol 1, No. 3

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:15:12 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business.

QUOTES:

After losing to Ivan Lendl in under an hour- Sure, on a given day I could beat him. But it would have to be a day he had food poisoning. Mel Purcell

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. John Wooden

When you get in trouble, hit a winner. Phil Blackwelder's high school coach

Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. Henry Ford

TRIVIA

thanks to Bob Love, KY, for sending the tennis trivia

1) In which of Shakespeare's plays is tennis mentioned?

2) Only two lines on a tennis court must be a set width. What are they?

3) What is the most amount of times a piece of paper can be folded?

4) In a deck of cards, which king does not have a mustache?

5) What was the first CD pressed in the US?

TIPS

Employee Evaluations and Program Planning

At the first of every year I submit to my General Manager, a 3 ring binder with every event that we have attempted to run this year in monthly order with tabs.
I include all sign up sheets as well as the flyers – this also helps with the events that did not work or need to be shifted for the following year when we set the new calendar of events.

All of my employees have a yearly evaluation, copies of their evaluations, and a report of my goals accomplished are in the front as well. Of course I take the evaluations out when it is returned to me.

My GM loves this and was amazed at the amount of programs that we do at tennis. It also serves as a history of the Tennis department.
Gary Trost Oklahoma City, OK

Is My Child the Next Tennis Star

excerpt from TennisWeek

Parents come into my office on a weekly basis. Their main questions: Is my child any good? How good? Is the time and money I’m spending on tennis worth it? Competing is a race. If you have the information on what it takes to be good, you can move faster. As a former world ranked player and a Ph.D. in sport pedagogy, I have gathered research and personal experience to help you expedite the path to success for your child/student.

First, how do we define success?

1. In some instances, players want the affirmation that their time, emotional and financial commitment will some day pay off exponentially in the form of a Grand Slam win.
2. What about playing college tennis, how proud would you be to watch your son play for his team!?
3. How about if your daughter gets accepted in an Ivy League school because the tennis coach finds her valuable to the school?
4. What if we manage to give your child the love of the game for a lifetime and upon his arrival in college, he joins the intramural team, makes instant friends, stays out of trouble and lives a healthy lifestyle?

My philosophy is . . . . . . . . . . see the rest of the excellent article http://www.tennisweek.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=6621485

Dr. Sophie Woorons-Johnston and Emily Jones Brookstone, SC

How Ready Are You?

Doubles players have their racquet extended for a volley when they are at the net. That is great. The problem is many have it in front of their eyes or hold the racquet so high the head of the racquet is higher than their head. I've seen some that had to look around the racquet to see the opponents. The racquet should be extended but lowered so it is not in the way of their vision. They should be able to see over the tip of the racquet. The picture shows the correct volley ready position arms extended looking over the tip of the racquet.

Fred Burdick Dalton, GA (not pictured above!!)

Trivia Answers

1) Henry V (Act I)

2) The center service line and the center mark must be 2 inches wide. All others have some variability allowed.

3) A piece of paper can not be folded more than 7 times

4) The king of hearts

5) Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA

Tips Vol 1, No 2

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:07:29 +0100

Send any tips, quotes, trivia, lesson plans or helpful ideas to whitworthp@gmail.com. Use TIPS in the subject line. We hope you enjoy this issue and find ideas that will help your business.

QUOTE:

The older I get, the better I was. John McEnroe

I hit a first serve, and if that doesn't go in, then I hit another first serve, and if that doesn't go in, then I lose the point. Goran Ivanisevic

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. Charles Darwin

I'm a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more I have of it. Thomas Jefferson

Quick Trivia Questions (see answers at the end)

1) Who has won the most Oscars / Academy Awards?

2) Who is the youngest person to win an Oscar and what was their age?

3) Who has hosted the Oscar's the most times?

4) What did all Nippon Airways do in an effort to prevent its planes from sucking birds into their engines?

TIPS

Here is a great drill for intermediate to advanced players.

The drill focuses on building consistency and repetition. Create a big circle in the middle of the court with cones or court lines. Have students try to hit all balls in the circle from any position on the court.
With a group, have them hit one to two balls and move out. Set a goal of them getting to 8, 10 or 20 balls in a row inside of the circle. :)
Coach Ne'ko

Make Your Own Tennis Video

I set a goal late last year to make a short video tip every month to publish on Youtube. I use my 4 year old camcorder, direct connect to my computer, and Windows Movie Maker (free with windows). There is a menu item on the front screen to input video, then you can easily split the video, use the portion that you want, add transitions, add effects, or use a still shot, and add music from your mp3 collection. You voice over from your camera mic or a separate mic connected to your soundcard. Here is a sample. If you find this useful, I will explain further in a future tip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJIt_lgfQgo

Pat Whitworth Suwanee, Ga

PCTV

Do not just teach tennis! Teach life's Lessons! These principles (PCTV) below apply to anything you do including tennis but focus on them as you teach and you will improve your game as well as your students 10 times faster. Helping them learn line upon line, principle after principle, one-step after another, both consciously and sub-consciously.

Preparation
Is the ability to see what it takes to do something and gather everything necessary together to be ready to actually do it. As Professionals, we know footwork, conditioning, discipline, balance, timing, practice, strategies, tactics, mental confidence and mental fortitude, commitment, love, sacrifice, knowledge, faith and many other factors make a great tennis player. This being our jobs to teach and prepare our selves and students to have fun learning life's principles and truths so that they can make this world a better place and improve the game of tennis while doing it.
Concentration
Is the ability to stay focused on what it is you are doing. As professionals, we try to teach the students to concentrate on the things they will have control of watching the ball to the point of contact where they will have control and influence over its direction, spin, speed, flight and power. After warm-up deciding on the strategy for the match, opponent, court surface and weather conditions, and before the start of a point and between points concentrating on the vision and tactics to work out and implement our strategy knowing the opponents weakness. Then making full circle with concentration on the ball to start the next point.
Timing
Is the converging of multi things to a specific juncture in an environment simultaneously. As professionals, we know that training cycle help us perform or reach our peek in the finals, timing of the grip of the racquet, and being in the right place at the right time all give us greater power and life principles that takes into the history books.
Visualization
Is the ability to create a mental image. Before a point, they should see the point play out in their mind before they start it. If, people, cannot see themselves playing professional they will not make it professionally. However, I hope we are sharing and developing the picture that you can have fun and live a happy and healthy life by playing and learning tennis and life's principles through tennis for a lifetime at any level you achieve.

Robert Allen Gibson Cary, NC

Question of the Week

Need help from the Southern Network? Send your question to TIPS at whitworthp@gmail.com

TRIVIA ANSWERS

1) Walt Disney has 26

Walt Disney holds the record for having the most Academy Awards: 22 won, and 4 honorary. He was also nominated for 64 Academy Awards during his lifetime

2) 5-year-old Shirley Temple won her Academy Award in 1934, although hers was an honorary one.

3) Bob Hope - 18 times as host

4) It painted giant eyes on the engine intakes to discourage birds from approaching.