EasternNewsletter USPTA
EDITION 3RD QTR / 2018
EDUCATION MONTH 5 PG
UPDATE FROM THE AROUND THE SECTIONS
7
PG
THE LEFTY SIDE OF THINGS 8 PG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 10 PG
president’s message USPTA Eastern Members, As we move into the indoor fall tennis season it’s that time of year to nominate your fellow USPTA Eastern members for their efforts within our industry. I encourage you to think about whom in your district has made an impact and to take the time to provide our awards chairperson Jackie Clark with that information. You can see a list of the awards and a description in this publication on page “?” along with the nominating form. Please feel free to email Jackie your nominations jacquelineclark55@gmail.com November is USPTA National Education Month and we have some great offerings around the division. These are FREE continuing education
credit events and we encourage you to take the time to attend one of these in your area. Thank you to all the district presidents (Justin Fernando, NJ; Jesse Smith, Metro; SteveThirolle, Northern; Steve Pekich; Western and Ryan Berthod, Southern) for helping put together the events and additional thanks to Education Chairperson Jason Speirs for adding another webinar for those who like that convenience. Please check out the list of events on page “?” Save the dates for these upcoming USPTA events: • USTA/USPTA Eastern will again combine forces for the January 2019 conference, Jan. 25-26 at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel, White Plains. • USPTA Eastern and the NY Open
The USPTA Eastern leadership is sad to announce the resignation of Esu Ma’at as the divisions Vice President. He has been promoted from Director of Diversity and Inclusion at USTA Eastern to Manager of Diversity and Inclusion for the national USTA office in Lake Nona, Florida. Throughout his tenure at USTA Eastern, Esu also served as the Director of High Performance Development for the Harlem Junior Tennis Center and Education Program, he completed a Master’s Degree in Sports Management at Columbia University and he sat on the national board of the American Tennis Association. As a result of his contributions to the sport at the local level, in 2014 Esu was inducted into the New York City Parks Hall of Fame. As active member of the USPTA Eastern Division, Esu held several roles including District President, Vice President and Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is an advocate for continuing education; he hosted numerous workshops in the district, he spoke at various conferences and he has inspired many coaches to pursue certification. Whether on the court or off the court Esu made sure to use the opportunities he’s been given to help others. This kind of inspiration will not go unforgotten. While he will be sorely missed, we congratulate him on his new position, wish him much success and thank him for his time, effort, and leadership.
present HS Coaches & Net Generation Workshops, in Feb. 2019…more details to follow. • USPTA Eastern Annual Conference will be May 4-5, 2019 at the Doral Arrowwood Resort in Rye Brook, NY See you On Court, Geoffrey Jagdfeld USPTA Eastern President geoff@solarisclubs.com
2018 Member Benefits Racquets, Balls, Strings, and Accessories
Wilson
Member pricing with approved contract Supplemental Savings Program contribution
Apparel and Footwear
Nike/Fromuth Tennis
30% member pricing discount Supplemental Savings Program contribution
On Court Equipment and Awards
10-S Tennis Supply - AER-FLO Caribbean Sol - Har-Tru - NetKnacks USPTA special member discounts Supplemental Savings Program contribution
SportMaster
USPTA fix-a-court referral program
Insurance
• $6 Million in on-court liability insurance • Ability to purchase sexual abuse & molestation insurance • Ability to purchase additional facility insurance • Ability to purchase non-member employee insurance • Liberty Mutual discounts on home, auto, pet, legal, and ID theft insurance • Access to Select Quote life Insurance marketplace
Business Opportunities
• TGA Premier Youth Tennis franchising opportunity
Job Search and Personalized Promotion
• Listing in USPTA Find-a-Pro Online tennis professional database • Personalized USPTA professional products available for purchase • Free personal tennis professional website • Access to the USPTA career center
Health Care
• Ability to purchase discounted dental coverage through usptadentalplans.com • Prescription discount card save up to 85% on medication costs
Education and Professional Development
• Full access to TennisResources.com, USPTA’s online education resource library • USPTA World Conference and division conventions • Free monthly webinars • Specialist degree programs • Online educational opportunities • Free Net Generation certification background check for USPTA members completing the program • Positive Coaching Alliance discounts • Accredited Professional Coach (APC) designation • Eligibility for national and division awards • iPTA discounts
Online Management
• Setteo - Free member profile, 10% discount on premium registration
Additional Benefits
• Tennis Industry magazine with ADDvantage • AIM Initiative - membership referral dues discount program • Avis Car Rental - save up to 30% at participating locations • Enterprise Rent-a-Car - save up to 5% at participating locations • National Car Rental - save up to 10% at participating locations • FTD Florist - 20% product discount • TrueCar.com - additional dealer discounts on new and used cars • US Open Series - free access to tournaments that lead up to the US Open • USPTA Surface Championships - compete against fellow Pros • Universal Tennis (UTR) membership and database access (Summer 2018) • BookingCommunity.com - travel and hotel discounts
Supplemental Savings Program Wells Fargo Financial Advisor and USPTA Elite Professional, Bo Gard, along with Marshall Lynch, CFP, First Vice President, have partnered with the USPTA to develop a program that provides USPTA-certified Professionals with the option of a savings and retirement plan, each customizable to their unique needs. The Supplemental Savings Program will feature a vendor-supported savings plan, with select vendors providing concessions to the USPTA for the benefit of participating member pros. For more information go to uspta.com/supplementalsavings
TENNISEUROPE
How would you like to add a spectacular travel team concept to your junior tennis clinics? After you have completed your basic lessons, your players can then apply what you have taught them to tournament match play. USPTA Eastern pros Dr. Martin Vinokur and Gary Weiner have been taking juniors 13-18 to tournaments in Europe and California for the past 46 summers for 2 or 3 weeks. The program is called Tennis; Europe and their goal is to improve your junior’s match play. This will provide a capstone to your clinic season. Tennis: Europe makes no major changes in your players’ games, focusing instead on tactics, strategy and mental approach. In fact, their participants become so motivated,
they take extra lessons to prepare for the trip and when they return from this memorable tennis tour, they are psyched to play still more with you. According to the USTA, the red clay in Europe is a surface which requires the ultimate in fitness, teaches patience at the baseline and improves mental toughness. Tennis:Europe also visits the major sights and your players spend lots of time meeting their European teenage counterparts through tennis. Tennis: Europe never takes more than 2 or 3 players from the same club (unless you wish to do a customized team just for your club members) and offers commissions to tennis pros for players you suggest. Teams are available for unranked high
2018 Tennis Europe trip, D.J. Wilson, Stony Brook Assistant Coach and USTA boys & girls 16 zonal coach conducting red clay practice session at a club in The Netherlands.
school or junior high school level players who have mastered the basicsand also for ranked players. Staff: If you wish to apply for a coaching position, just contact us for further details. For players/parents, see our web site at: www.tenniseurope,com (video on home page) For job description, send your resume (CV) to us at: tenniseurope1973@gmail.com or telephone toll-free at: 1-800-253-7486
EDUCATION
MONTH
Singles Tactics & Long Term Development Planning Speaker: Craig Cignarelli Day: Thursday Date: Nov 15th 2018 Site: USTA BJK National Tennis Center Time: 11am-2:30pm • 11:00-11:30 - Welcome and Pop Tennis • 11:30-1:00 - Classroom topic 1 • 1:00-1:30 - Lunch • 1:30-2:30 - On-court presentation topic 2 • 2:30 - Closing remarks Craig Cignarelli is one of the game’s foremost thinkers. His original analysis of tactics and development has led him to speak at coaching conferences all over the world. From the red ball trenches to the Grand Slams, he has coached at every level of the game. His final objective before retirement is to pass on the wisdom he has gained from working with the world’s most elite coaches. He considers it an honor to have been invited to your conference.
meet your district presidents Metropolitan President Jesse Smith jesse.smith212@gmail.com
NewJersey President Justin Fernando jnando12@gmail.com
Northern President Stephan Thirolle stevetinthenyc@gmail.com
Southern President Ryan Berthod rberthod@lifetimefitness.com
Long Island President Position Open Please contact USPTA ED Paul Fontana for details
Western President Steve Pekich ssteve1e@cs.com
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UPDATE FROM THE AROUND THE SECTIONS: Highlights from the Northern/Western District
Net Generation Clinic at the Binghamton Challenger Held by Laramie Gaving and Steve Pekich on July 26, 2018.
The 24th Annual Rochester Conference The 24th Annual Rochester Conference was held on Saturday, August 25, 2018. at Midtown Athletic Club in Rochester, NY, thanks to Racquet Sports Director Laramie Gavin. It was hosted by Sue Bloch of Rochester and moderated by Steve Pekich Western District President. There was a mix of USPTA pros and high school coach attendees and lasted from 9am to noon with lunch provided after. Three prominent USPTA pros each gave an hour’s presentation: 9am Jason Stephens (and many of his juniors) of Midtown “Doubles in the Modern Game” 10am Jason Joseph of Village Glen and Southtowns Tennis Clubs “Technical Skills through Physical Training” 11am Greg Yahia of Midtown “One Point Makes a Real Difference” Each attendee received a notebook with the outlines of the presenters in it, and got a gift of a keyring “Tennis Coach” as well as bagels and coffee before and lunch after.
The Lefty Side of Things It’s at that moment you realize your opponent looks strange. The ball isn’t bouncing the right way. You say, “Oh, they’re a lefty”. Speaking from the lefty’s point of view, the most important tactic is to get off to a quick start. The lack of awareness from your opponent is an advantage you should be taking advantage of. Eventually righties will make the necessary adjustment to get back in the match. Hopefully by that time, you have a comfortable lead.
Righty Spin, Lefty Spin Lefties hit the same spin a righty does. The difference is the side of the ball the they hit from. For example, a righty’s slice serve is struck on the right side of the ball and bounces left to right of the returner. A lefty’s slice serve is hit on the left side of the ball and bounces right to left of the returner. A practical serving tactic is for the lefty server to jam the returners forehand on the Deuce side and take them out of the court on the Ad side. This is an easy way to create a weak return or open up the court to take control of the point. For ground strokes, a lefty forehand will tend to jump right to left of the opponent and the backhand side, left to right. There are usually some cheap points to win off of those shots since the righty may not be prepared for the awkward bounce. Lefties work on your weakness On the Deuce side, work on serving out wide and up the service T. Now, when you are warming up your serve during your match warm up, serve to your strength. Do not show them you can hit the other spots. Once the match begins, after a few points, start mixing up location, like
a dominant pitcher does in baseball game. Once your opponent has made their adjustments, mixing up location becomes more important to keep them off balance and guessing.
Do you like your backhand? What I have noticed, as a fellow lefty and a teaching pro over the years, is that we tend to favor our backhand over the forehand. How many lefties do you know, if they swing a bat or golf club, swing from the righthand side? This is more common than you think. Ask a lefty, because if that’s the case, their backhand should be stronger, since that is their backhand side. That should be the first test in the warm up, check to see if the lefty is running around their forehand to hit a backhand. Federer and Nadal The cross court lefty forehand is a natural shot and it is important to take advantage of your opponent’s backhand side. When you watch Nadal, you can’t help but notice how much topspin he uses. A strategy that works well for him against Federer is he hits a high looping topspin forehand cross court to Roger’s backhand. The ball jumps up quickly out of Federer’s comfort zone. This creates either a weak shot for Rafa to move in and take control of or Roger tries to go for a shot that’s not there and makes an unforced error. Countering a Lefty Challenge them on their serve by favoring their stronger targets. Meaning, take their lefty serve away from them and make them show you they can hit the out wide serve on the Deuce side and up the T on the
Add side. Once they show you they can, get into a more neutral returning position. As a server, try to serve more to the lefty serving targets. Serve up the T on the Deuce side and out wide on the Add side. Remember, earlier I mentioned lefties generally prefer their backhands. If you can catch them off guard and serve to their forehands, you might be able to get an easy hold. They are expecting you to serve to their backhand. Now you can stay on pace and go for the break on their serve.
You’re Doubles partner is a lefty If a lefty and righty are playing together in doubles, I feel the lefty should play the Deuce side. This gives the doubles combo overheads and forehands in the middle of the court. To hit to a lefty’s backhand, the ball must be hit down the line or hard cross court. These are tougher shots than down middle and may create unforced errors. But subconsciously, forced. These are just a few things to think about from the lefty’s and the righty’s perspective. Of course, every individual is different and really what you want to do during a warmup and match is to see where your opponent might be comfortable and uncomfortable. But most importantly, notice which hand they are swinging their racquet is before it’s too late. Michael J. Smookler USPTA Easter Vice President/Elite Tennis Professional General Manager Centercourt of Florham Park, NJ
Executive Director’s REPORT
I live in Brooklyn. I work in Manhattan. Whether I drive to work or take the train or a bus, the connections I make on the journey have a tremendous impact on how long it takes to get to my intended destination. Connections effect our professional destinations in a similar way. How we connect with our students, our co-workers, our employers or employees is important at our job and how we can achieve a full and well-rounded career. I think many of us join the USPTA in order to make better professional connections. We all want to connect to the information provided in continuing education
programs, workshops, webinars and conferences. These opportunities provide excellent connections to our professional growth. We also look to connect with fellow teaching professionals, coaches, directors and managers. These connections often provide insights into the pulse of the tennis industry. Information regarding programs we need to connect with and those we need to disconnect from. Our ability to communicate with our fellow professionals help us grow in the industry and helps us benefit from being a USPTA member. Over the past month, the USTA and the USPTA had made a very important connection. The USTA has granted the USPTA academic accreditation as an association and guaranteed an extremely strong connection between the two associations. This bond will benefit both associations and strengthen our professional development for years to come. I hope all USPTA members take advantage of this connection. Over the next 5 months there will be several opportunities to connect and grow as a USPTA member. In November we will have several
workshops and webinars during National Education Month. In January the USTA Eastern Section will hold its annual conference and awards dinner in White Plains. It is a free conference and the USPTA Eastern Division will be holding a general membership meeting during the conference. In February we will be partnering with the NY OPEN to present a High School Coaches Workshop during the tournament. We will also be offering tickets to the tournament at a discounted rate to all USPTA members. Please take advantage of these educational opportunities and connect with the USPTA. This is your association and we want to connect with you. Help us make that connection with you. I hope everyone has a great fall season and successful 2018-19 indoor season. Paul Fontana Executive Director USPTA Eastern Division
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USPTA Testing Schedule 2018 Friday, November 2, 2018 - Saratoga Springs, NY • Saratoga YMCA Wilton Branch Sunday, November 25, 2018 - Flushing, NY • USTA Billie Jean King, National Tennis Center Thursday, December 20, 2018 - Fairfield, CT • Fairfield Tennis Club Saturday, December 30. 2018 - Flushing, NY • USTA Billie Jean King, National Tennis Center
Unlimited Perseverance.
Shop Fall ‘18 Colors and Styles. Get the looks to stand out inspired by tennis’ most relentless athletes and the courts they seek to conquer.
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Need Credits?
USPTA requires all certified members to earn 6 credits of continuing education in a three-year period. (International members and those 65 or older are exempt.) The time period coincides with the date you completed the certification exam or reinstated your membership. Please login to My USPTA to check your Professional Development Program end date to see if your credits are due by Dec. 31, 2017. If the requirement is not met, you will have your membership suspended. To help you meet that goal, USPTA provides hundreds of hours of education every year in the form of conferences, workshops, webinars, DVDs and more. TennisResources.com is an excellent
resource for free education opportunities. In addition, the Coach Youth Tennis website offers six free online courses that earn a 1/2 education credit each. Upon completion of the sixth course, you will receive 3 bonus credits, bringing the total to 6 credits and completing the continuing education requirement (you do not need to complete the online workshop unless you are completing your USPTA certification). Go to coachyouthtennis.com for more information. Click here to view a list of all certified members who have earned 6 credits from Jan. 1, 2014-Dec. 31, 2016.
Eligible activities Look for the credit stamp to see how many points an event is worth (see sample to right). The list below is only a partial listing of events eligible for educational credit. If you have questions concerning events or activities not listed, please contact the Education Department at education@uspta.org or 713-978-7782 and 800-877-8248. Members are responsible for submitting proof of attendance for non-USPTA events (email, letter, certificate, receipt, etc.) USPTA activities/events
Book review Business meeting w/education Conferences Education events/workshops Professional Tennis Management Program PTCA I Seminars Speaker (Conference) Specialty courses (4 hours) World Conference DVDs**
Credits* 2 .5-2 1-6 .5-5 9-18 4 .5-2 1 2 10 .5-2
USTA activities/events
High Performance Coaching Program High Performance Coaching Program Continuing Conferences Sport Science Exams Tennis Teachers Conference Officials clinic Workshops Seminars Annual meeting Semi-annual meeting Sectional meeting
Allied organizations activities/events (CMAA, PCA, IHRSA, TIA, ITA, NCAA, ATP, WTA, ITF, ITPA, HPI, ARC, AHA, NASM, AAPHERD, RPT, ASC, PTR, GPTA, YMCA, YWCA, etc.)
Conferences College courses Courses and training CPR/AED Clinics Workshops USRSA Courses and Exams Seminars Certifications
Credits*
12 2.5-11.5 1-6 2 8 2-3 1-6 .5-2 5 3 2-3
Credits*
2-5 1-10 0.5-10 1-4 0.5-5 0.5-5 1-4 0.5-2 1-4
* Credit may vary according to the number of education hours included in activity. Credit given for events that are more than one day may vary depending on length of your participation. ** Only USPTA seminars, specialty courses or player development DVDs are eligible. “On Court with USPTA� DVDs do not qualify for education credits.
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NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY !
Give them the recognition they deserve. Please see the award categories and rules below:
College Coach of the Year – Award recipient is selected based on their results as a college team coach. Recipients may be honored for success as a coach over a school year or for their long term commitment and coaching success. Division Tester of the Year – Recognizes a USPTA tester who makes significant contributions to advance the Divisional certification process. The Divisional Head Tester will recommend a nominee to the Awards Committee. Nominations are not accepted for this award. Education Achievement Award - The recipient of this award will be a current USPTA Eastern Division member who has earned the most educational credits within the USPTA career development program in a calendar year. Nominations are not accepted for this award. Facility Manager of the Year – This award is available to USPTA members and non-members. Nominees must be the General Manager (in function, if not in title) of a club or tennis facility. This award is for a person and not for a facility. High School Coach of the Year - Award recipients are selected based on their results as a high school coach. Recipients may be honored for success as a coach over a school year or for their long term commitment and coaching success. Industry Excellence Award – Is given to teaching professionals who take both an entrepreneurial and altruistic attitude toward their job. They use their own resources and those offered by the industry to build programs that bring tennis to more people. At the same time, they are successful in growing a tennis business. Major Contributor of the Year – Recognizes a USPTA member that is very active within the Division and makes “significant” contributions to the Division within the year (not over a period of years). Professional of the Year - Recognizes a member who, over a career, has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas, including contributions to the USPTA and USTA; as a teaching professional, player and coach; in education, research and publications; and with other organizations, achievements and contributions. Publication of the Year – Recognizes a publication that supports tennis and tennis teaching professionals. This award is given only be given when a “Publication” is deserving of this special recognition. The publication may be in an electronic or printed format. USPTA Stars Award – Recognizes a member who has dedicated many years volunteering in grassroots tennis and has a profound impact with the players that they touch. Their giving spirits have made them heroes in their own communities. Few of us will have heard of people who receive this award, but their stories are inspiring, and almost all of us know at least one person who deserves a nomination. Regional Volunteer of the Year – Recognizes a USPTA member from each region that volunteers their time and efforts to benefit their USPTA Region and/or the Eastern Division. Each Eastern Division Regional President will nominate the Regional Volunteer of the Year for their Region. This award is not open to members of the Division’s Board of Officers. Nominations are not accepted for this award. Recommendations may be sent to the appropriate USPTA Regional President. 30 & Under Award - This award is presented to a USPTA member who is under the age of 30. This member, through their tennis-teaching and volunteer spirit, has increased the opportunities for others to participate in tennis. The grassroots program or initiative of this member can incorporate but not be limited to multicultural activities and events. This member exemplifies and emphasizes individual achievement and sportsmanship along with teaching the physical attributes of the sport. While they have not previously received national or other significant recognition from USPTA or USTA for their contributions to tennis, they are well-known in their communities and are true advocates of grassroots tennis. Their commitment to grassroots tennis has made an indelible impression on their community. This member has also served the USPTA in one capacity or another.
USPTA EASTERN, 2018 AWARDS PROGRAM Nominating Ballot Member Name:
___________________________
Member address:
__________________________
Award Category:
___________________________
Member Phone :
(H)_______________________(Cell)_ _________________________
E-mail: ------------_____________________________
USPTA Number_______________
In order to receive due consideration, submission of a bio and detailed information why the nominee is deserving of the award is needed Submitting the names of references is encouraged: Nominating USPTA member:
__________________________ Phone _____________________
Reference Name:
__________________________ Phone _____________________
General Rules 1. Award period is for January 1 – December 31, 2018 unless noted otherwise in the award category description 2. Only certified members (Master Professional, Elite Professional, and Professional) in good standing are eligible for USPTA member awards. All other member categories are ineligible. Only the Facility Manager of the Year award is open to nonmembers 3. Only members in good standing are eligible to submit nominations 4. Self-nominations are acceptable 5. All information is confidential 6. Awards will be presented at the USPTA Eastern Division Convention in April 7. All nominations must be received by the Awards Committee Chair by November 16, 2018 Nominations and questions should be sent via email to: Jackie Clark USPTA Eastern Awards Committee Chair jacquelineclark555@gmail.com
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