Addvantage 1990 August

MONICA

SELES

The Art Of The Two-Handed Forehand

The Trade Magazine of Men and Women Tennis-T~aching ProfessionalsT•

Volume 14 -

Issue 8

August 1990

The Voice Of The Tennis Teaching Profession NATIONAL BOARD OF. DIRECTORS President

Rod Dulany

First Vice President

Jack Justice

Vice President

SecretaryiT reasurer CEO LEGAL COUNSEL

Gordon Collins Dave Sivertson Kathy Woods Cliff Drysdale Vl{ill Hoag Tim Heckler Paul Waldman

On the cover ...

Monica Seles' unique two-handed forehand has helped vault her to near the top of the women's rankings. See th is month's cen terfold Tennis Tip Pullout.

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Photo by Mike Daniel Photography.

Assistant to the Executive Director

Rich Fanning

Coordinator of Tennis Teacher Development

Allan Henrv

Communications Coordinator

Bill Gordon

Marketing Coordinator

Dana Stull

Magazine Coordinator

Becky Senseney

Public Relations Coordinator

David Selman

FEATURES 6

TAXTIPS

Important tax notes and deadlines for teaching pros.

Christl Call

By BRU CE WEEBER, CPA

Corporate Administrative Assistant

Dale Henry

8

Corporate Secretary

Lori Garrett

By DAVE PORTER

Corporate Services · Manager

Computer Services and Club Relations Membership Coordinator

Kathy Buchanan Laraine Reid Donna Woodstead

Membership/Education Assistant

Nanci Seehorsch Renee Heckler Stephanie Hulbert

Director of Certification and Academies

George Bacso

Advertising/ Marketing Information

TENNIS TIP PULLOUT: MONICA SELES

20

TEACH THE VOLLEY FIRST

Move your novice students to the net and watch them grow.

Merchandise Services and Accounting

Co-Director of Academies

16

A photo analysis of the game 's most unusual forehand.

Membership/Education Assistant

Financial Manager

DOWN A BREAK IN THE HEAD

Unlocking the keys to success for your students.

BiiiTym Phone(81 3)973-3777

ADDvantage is published monthly by the Umted States Professional Tennis Association.

For information , write USPTA National Headquarters at Saddlebrook, The Golf and Tennis Resort, P.O. Box 7077, Wesley Chapel, Florida 3354 3, phone (813) 973-3777, or fax (8 13) 973-164 7.

Office Hours: 9:00-5:30 EDT Copyright@ United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1990. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this magazine is not permitted without written permission from the publisher.

B y ROBERT GAMBLE

DEPARTMENTS 3 4

-· 1o 15 18 24 27

29 32

CEO'S MESSAGE LETTERS USPTA DRILLS DATES THAT RATE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT ENTRY FORMS TENNIS QUIZ UPCOMING EVENTS INDUSTRY ACTION PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROD DULANY President

GO RDON COLLINS Vice President

KATHY WOODS Vice President

WILL HOAG Secretary/Treasurer

PAUL WALDMAN Legal Counsel

(703) 524-3227

(408) 395-71 16

(201) 329-9146

(305 ) 564-1271

(212 ) 354-8330

JACK JUSTICE First Vice President

DAVE SIVERTSON Vice President

CLIFF DRYSDALE Vice President

JIM REFFKIN Past President

TIM HECKLER CEO

(803) 642 -6642

(512) 453-7249

(919) 256-6735

(602) 791-4896

(8 13) 973 -3777

DIVISION PRESIDENTS AND REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS ------,-----._

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CALIFORNIA DIVISION

MIDDLE STATES DIVISION

PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIVISION

DON GOMSI President (7 14) 792-4829

ANDREW POGONYI President (215) 233 -3 191

LISA MOLDREM President (206) 526-0435

HANK LLOYD Regional Vice President (714) 535-7740

PETER DAUB Regional Vice President (714) 793-2121

CAROLYN LUMBER Regional Vice President (503) 287-0250

EASTERN DIVISION

MIDWEST DIVISION

SAN DIEGO DIVISION

STEVE DIAMOND President (201 ) 857 -74 76

MIKE HURLEY President (216) 478-2712

JUDY PRESTON President (619) 931-3807

RAY TU CKER Regional Vice President (718) 238-3880

KIRK ANDERSON Regional Vice President (513) 390-2740

DON HENSON Regional Vice President (619) 282-2900

FLORIDA DIVISION

MISSOURI VALLEY DIVISION

SOUTHERN DIVISION

MARK McMAHON President (407) 482-011 0

JAIME VARGAS President (314) 449-1332

FRED BURDICK President (404) 832-6570

JIM HAHN Regional Vice President (407) 395 -0128

DOUG BOSWELL Regional Vice President (918) 496-1523

RANDY STEPHENS Regional Vice President (912) 474 -50 75

HAWAII DIVISION

NEW ENGLAND DIVISION

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

DINO BONDALLIAN President (808) 322-3441

HOWARD BURNETT President (603) 772-6191

JOE LONG President (505) 822-0455

DAVID PORTER Reg ional Vice President (808) 293-3755

DAVE FLEURY Regional Vice President (207) 846-3675

BRIAN CHENEY Reg ional Vice President (602) 840-6412

INTERMOUNTAIN DIVISION

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVISION

TEXAS DIVISION

DAVE ROMBERG President (303) 761-9900

DAVE HOUSTON President (415) 388-1727

RON WOODS President (512) 991 -7561

DAVE BROWN Regional Vice President (303) 232-6272

BILL RAPP Regional Vice President (415) 364 -6272

BOB KING Regional Vice President (71 3) 622 -5921

MIDDLE ATLANTIC DIVISION

NORTHWEST DIVISION

CHIP KING President (703) 273-2056

RAJAN KESWANI President (612) 426-1308

MIKE EIKENBERRY Past President (1986) (703) 893-4428

TED MEYER Regional Vice President (804) 320 -3244

STEVE WILKINSON Regional Vice President (50 7) 931-1614

BILL TYM Past President (1984) (61 5) 297-3340

~~-----------------------

Looking to the Future USPTA and its programs strive to remain one step ahead of times

Tim Heckler, CEO

It

truly is remarkable how far the tennis-teaching profession has come over the yea~s . As recently as 10 years ago, the majority of most teaching pros' time was spent on the court either giving lessons or playing the game. The idea of the tennis pro as manager and administrator of an allencompassing (and profitable) business was little more than that - an idea.

Just as the overall work force has evolved toward specialized functions, the tennis-teaching profession has moved into a bold new era of responsibility. No longer is it sufficient for the teaching pro to live up to the traditional meaning of the title; he or she also is expected to be proficient in such areas as activity programming, pro shop and human resource managment, promotion and- even accounting, to name a few.

How does the teaching pro go about preparing for these and other careeF challenges? It's not easy, but. fortunately, there is help. If you are among the thousands of serious-minded professionals who have made plans to attend this month's USTA Tennis Teachers Conference in New York and next month's USPTA National Tennis Teachers Convention in Palm Springs, Calif., you already know of two invaluable resources.

Continuing education is the foundation of both of these events, as evidenced by the scheduling of many of the

tennis and business worlds' top educators. As for the USPTA Convention, we are extremely pleased to be offering seminars by Bobby Riggs, Jack Kramer, Roscoe Tanner, Jim Loehr, York Onnen, Jack Groppel, Lynne Rolley, Bill Tym and many, many others. Indeed, this event represents the goals and objectives of our entire Association as it approaches. its 65th year.

Over the past several years, USPTA has helped pave the way to tennis teacher specialization through a continuing education program that now includes certification testing and training, tennis teachers courses, specialty courses, coaches clinics, national and divisional seminars, allied workshops, teacher publications, and cooperative programs with organizations such as CMAA, USTA. IRSA. ATIF and Ferris State University. Effective Jan. 1, 1991, we will expand this program to include various new means by which USPTA members can improve their knowledge, some of which will be achievable in the convenience of the member's own home.

Over the years, USPTA also has provided its members with numerous other benefits and services, a few of which include $1 million liability insurance, employment assistance, prizemoney tournaments, giveaway and discounted merchandise, divisional conventions, magazine subscriptions, individual promotion and leadership opportunities.

These have been designed to support and assist all our professionals in their individual career needs. While one can point to various reasons why USPTA members occupy so many prominent positions throughout the industry, it also would be accurate to say that their membership in the world's oldest and largest tennis teacher trade association has played a significant role .

It's no coincidence, then, that top teachers like Vic Braden, Peter Burwash, Nick Bollettieri, Ron Holmberg, Arthur Ashe , Rod Laver, Stan Smith, Doris Hart, Cliff Drysdale, Fred Stolle, Tim and Tom Gullikson, Roy Emerson, Bonnie Gadusek, Pancho Segura, Tim Wilkison , Tony Trabert and thousands of others have chosen to affiliate with the USPTA name and its symbol of excellence.

I invite each of you in New York for the Tennis Teachers Conference to stop by the USPTA booth and inquire about the many beneficial tennis teacher programs offered by our Association.

I look forward to meeting each of you . tt

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Editor's note: The following letters are in response to CEO Tim Heckler's June editorial, A Question of Debt, which addressed the relationship of coaches and their prized pupils. USPTA pros Nick Bollettieri and Rick Macci, whose dealings with Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati were the subject of the editorial, will share their views at length in next month's ADDvantage.

Editor: The relationship between coach and pupil interests me, especially from the point of view of the coach.

A man with a large facility who has a merry-go-round of good players, none originally developed by him, should not b'e upset when a player hops back on the merry-goround. He's certainly been burned often enough that he should have enough sense to have a contract. On the other hand, a Rick Macci may not have had such an experience in the past. I ;:;uspect from what my ex-pupils have told me, however, that Rick is not averse to having received the benefit of prior coaching - it's free to him - and taking on any new, promising youngster he can get his hands on. For the Maccis of this world, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).

I am much more concerned with the "home" pro who has taken on a maybe awkward youngster and helped him through all the vicissitudes of becoming a first-class player of national rank. At this point the vultures come out of the woodwork and offer to take the child on for free, or at a greatly reduced rate . Frequently enough it is not the player who makes the decision to change, but his or her parents. What recourse does (and should) the local pro have? None, I think, on both counts. When I agree to work with a player, I give a lot of myself to a sincere, hard-working player, including free lessons and time. That is my choice . I was told year¡s ago by one of the top women pros of the 1940s that she no longer taught juniors because they are so fickle. That is her choice . I enjoy seeing a junior develop, and I'm well aware of what is likely "down the road" for me. When I can no longer handle being "left behind," my time will be for sale and there'll be no freebies. When that happens, I'll quit teaching. Tennis has given me a lot, I'll give some back. Nothing pleases me more than to see one of my kids playing high-level tennis.

I think the problem should be addressed at the beginning of the relationship between the coach , parent and child . A pro should be realistic enough to admit his limitations, be they teaching skills, financial, time restrictions, or whatever. The pro should say. "I 4

think I can take Gwendolyn this far, then she'll need somebody to take her to the next level of play (or somebody with more time or more resources) . I hope you'll consult me about decisions affecting her." I always know months ahead when "the troops are getting restive." The mother or father tells me how great I am and how the child will never leave me. The relationship with the child changes, often in a nebulous way. I know, but I can't say how I know.

When this happens, there's no turning back. They're going; I don 't know when or how or to whom, but they're going. It hurts because I care about the child, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Some of the fault must lie with us, the pros. If we didn't think highly of ourselves, we wouldn't be able to teach at all. But we also sometimes have the more human emotions: jealousy, avarice, fear of people thinking we've "lost it" and so forth. I hate to see my kids used by someone to further his own ends, but I suppose that will happen, too. And who's to say that in the end, my self-gratification from working with a promising youngster isn't a form of using? It's up to us to be as realistic about ourselves as we can, and to endeavor to view events in an adult manner, the better to help our students.

Parents can be quite unrealistic, on the one hand, but their obligation is to do the best they can for their kids. If they honestly believe that the current pro has taken the player as far as he can, then they should be looking for someone better, or more interested, or whatever. It's unfortunate that so many parents listen to other parents no better informed than they, and make decisions based on rumor or what's " in" this week. Until they can be better educated, that's the reality of it.

In the final analysis, I have to believe that my kids don't owe me anything. I did what I did because I wanted to, and if I expect some financial reward at the other end, I should have that in a contract from the outset.

Lloyd H. Thomas Winchester Indoor Lawn Tennis Center Winchester, Mass.

Editor: We have created the inequities that exist in player-coach relationships ourselves. I have coached 15 nationally ranked players over the past eight years and have never given any of them discounts, low fees or charged no fees. Yes, they have spent thousands of dollars, but they also received full scholarships to decent schools. There is

no "free lunch" in any business world, so why should ours be different? You have to let someone use you. On the other hand, (Nick) Bollettieri uses students. I personally knew a male junior player ranked in the top five nationally who went to Bollettieri's on a scholarship. After one week, I read in the paper that Nick was his coach . He was not his coach nor responsible for his national ranking, yet intimated that he was. So it is a double-edged sword which has ego printed on the side.

Frankly, I do not have a problem with A Question of Debt. I am paid for my services, and not one nationally ranked player has left me. I probably would have a lot more if I gave free lessons to ranked players, like most of my colleagues. In fact, I have had offers from two highly ranked juniors to be their coach; however, only if the lessons were free. I chose to let go.

Bollettieri and (Rick) Macci were compensated by the publicity they received . That is why they gave (Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati) the scholarships in the first place. Every great player is there because it is free, and every run-of-the-mill player is paying exorbitant fees because of this.

I feel professional about my services and have not created the problem you have written about. It is an interesting topic, and one that can easily be corrected .

Gina Rose Genovese Owner, Gina's Tennis World Berkeley Heights, N.J.

TESTING AND UPGRADE NOTICE Anyone interested in testing or upgrading a certification rating at the 1990 National Convention must be pre-registered through the National Headquarters.

No walk-ins will be allowed. Times for written exams are: Wednesday, Sept.

19, Thursday, Sept. 20, Friday, Sept. 21, 1-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 23, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (on-court activities only-no written test) . When registering, please state which day you wish to tp.ke the exam. On Wednesday, Sept. 19, an upgrade clinic will be held from 1-2 p.m. and an upgrade exam from 1-5 p.m.

All persons must pre-register by calling (813) 973-3777 and all applicable fees must be paid when registering.

Tax Tips

by Bruce Weeber, CPA

Editor's note: Bruce Weeber is a certified public accountant and USPTA member.

His tips on tax and financial matters appear periodically in ADDvantage.

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An important note for the self-e~ployed : Pay the hospitalization insurance on your family prior to Oct. 1, 1990. This is because

the tax provision allowing you to deduct one-fourth of your hospital insurance (in arriving at your adjusted gross income) does not apply to payments after Sept. 30.

Contact your insurance agent or place of business and request the amount or a bill.

Your check must be dated and mailed before Sept. 30. (A note of caution: Payments of insurance that cover periods after Sept.

30 will not be allowed as a calculation for this deduction.)

Auto expenses: The deductible rate per mile for 1990 business purposes is 26 cents, but the limit of 15,000 miles is waived. This year we will be able to deduct all business mileage at 26 cents per mile.

You will still need to keep a business log with details of your business trips. Avoid pro-

blems and save some money by keeping both good mileage records and actual auto expenses.

Change of address: Prior to moving, obtain form 8822 from your accountant and let the IRS know about your new address.

Otherwise, problems could arise if the IRS is unable to contact you regarding one of its proposed tax changes. Do not wait until the next tax filing due date to alert the IRS about a change of address.

Pensions: If you haven't established a pension account in the prior year, be certain to do so before Dec. 31 , 1990. If the pension is not established by that time, you cannot contribute to it for 1990. Payment is due by April 15, 1991 or the extention due date.

Tennis Tutor provides world-class performance in a portable package. And it's powered by an internal rechargeable battery that provides hours of playing time so you can play with it on any court.

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Wheri it comes to building better tennis players, nothing beats Tennis Tutor.

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For the latest in TENNIS TEACHER EDUCATION Don't Miss The USPTA National Convention

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Marriott's Rancho Las Pal mas Resort near beautiful Palm Springs, Calif., is the setting for this year's US PTA National Convention. Enjoy all the amenities of this magnificent 5-star resort, while benefitting from a wide variety of educational seminars designed to maximize your teaching and business skills for the upcoming decade.

Make your room reservations by calling Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas resort directly at (619) 568-2727 and be sure to mention you are attending the USPTA National Convention to ensure you receive special convention rates. These rates cannot be guaranteed after August 27, so make your reservations early. If you are interested in sharing a room, contact the USPTA National Headquarters at (813) 973-3777 for details.

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USPTA NATIONAL CONVENTION • SEPT. 15-23, 1990

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It's not too late to register at the door.

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Bring this coupon to the USPTA Convention Registration Desk.

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DOWN A BREAK IN THE HEAD The keys to success for your students may be locked deep inside their brain

by David Porter

Recently, while teaching a beginner tennis class to about 20 college students, I asked which of the ground strokes did they feel were most difficult? Each student answered the backhand . I then asked for a vo luntee r who had never attempted a backhand.

A yo ung lady stepped forward and assumed a ready position. Her first two attem pts at hitting a backhand were awkward and tense. I could not he1 p noticing her nervousness, and so I asked, "What is the matter?" She giggled, said , " nothing," and proceeded to miss hit her next two attempts. Her stroke production was st:lort, tight and neNous.

I asked , "What is your greatest fear right this minute?" " Everyone will laugh at me when I miss the ball , like they always have."

I told here to get ready because that fear was going to be realized . I then asked the class to laugh with me if she completely missed the ball. She did and we laughed .

She joined us and her tension disappeared.

I tossed her some more balls. She contacted each of them with a smooth and relaxed swi ng. She appeared to have lost her fear and anxiety.

This novice co-ed is si milar to many of our more advanced students in letting fear adversely affect performance. Recent scientific research suggests that this phenomenon is a learned behavior and that skillful coaches and teachers may assist competitors on all levels in enhancing performance .

Brain scientists study chemical changes in the brain. Research by Dean K Black indicates that two brain states exist, one which operates from a context of exploration, the other from a context of resistance.

The context of exploration, known as mastery, is of order, openness and risk.

Mastery is an attitude, a way of being. The context of resistance, or survival , is of avoidance, fear and anxiety. Survival is also

Dave Porter is the men 's tennis coach at Brigham Young University in Hawaii, where he also serves as assistant professor of physical education. He has been named NAJA District 29 Coach of the Year six times, worked with the nati onal tennis teams of Guyana and Kiribati, and visited the Soviet Union and People 's Republic of China as a player and coach. He cu rrently serves a regional vice-president of USPTA's Hawaii Division and president of the NAJA Tennis Coaches Association . and is completing his doctoral studies at the University of Hawaii.

an attitude and a way of being.

The brain is designed to respond to uncertainty. For example, someone pokes his head in the door and everyone turns around to see who it is. This reaction is called the orienting reflex. This reflex is particularly strong in infants and young children whose drive toward exploration is almost unstoppable . As we grow older this reflex is slowed and sometimes stopped as we are taught fear and its accompanying anxiety.

As new situations present themselves our brain responds according to experiences and beliefs in our past. For example, if a 3-year-old boy walks up to a little girl on the driveway and says, " hello," she may respond, "go away, creep." He may believe

SURVIVAL~-----------------~ MASTERY

(avoidance, fear, resistance, anxiety) 8

UNCERTAINTY

(exploration , risk, openness, order)

that he 's a creep, or that girls are mean, or that he does not make friends easily. These early beliefs may stay with him a lifetime ... if he lets them . Tennis experiences may also create non-productive beliefs in our students.

A recent member of my team lost all of his close matches. As we discussed the possible reasons for this pattern, he explained to me that as a child he once lost a close match and his father told him he had choked . Twelve years later he was still losing close matches and supporting his belief that he could not win the close ones.

As his matches would become tighter, his anxiety would increase. He would become fearful of what was about to happen, and this fear would negatively affect the outcome of the match. His defeat was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

According to studies by K.H. Pribram, what this player - and many of our students - may not know is that we can only be on one side of the line of uncertainty at any one time . It is likely that most students have experienced both survival and mastery. The challenge is to teach them to recognize when they are projecting a survival approach or are moving from mastery to the other side of the line of uncertainty.

Determining on which side of the line we are operating is easy. Think of a goal, something you want in your life, or something you are working toward . Now, answer the following questions: 1.

2.

3.

Will I be happier when I have reached my goal?

Am I looking forward to the process?

Is the solution outside myself?

Your responses to these questions may provide you with insight into how you are approaching the specific goal you selected.

As an example, imagine that your goal is to be ranked in the top five of your USTA section . First, if you are happier when the rankings come out with your name in the top five , you are essentially saying, "My happiness is based, at least to a degree, on a thing (in this case, a ranking), not on me. I am not as happy as I can be. "

Second, if you are not looking forward to the process of becoming highly ranked , your participation may not be from mastery.

In other words, if you want the ranking but are not excited about the tournament schedule, the conditioning, the practice, the diet and all that goes into becoming a winner, you either will not meet your goal or, at best, it will be stressful .

Finally, do you see your ranking or your own tournament results as having to do with anyone or anything other than yourself - the ranking committee, the seeding committee, the surface, the weather, an opponent being "in the zone," the crowd, bad line calls, bad draws? Looking for solutions outside yourself is moving in the direction of survival.

Knowing your students' responses to these questions may assist you in teaching them how the brain resolves uncertainty. Choices of exploration and openness. will move your students toward mastery, whereas choosing to resist and blame will keep them in uncertainty. As we allow uncertainty to grow, our brain changes it to avoidance and ultimately stress.

Let's look at the brain 's response to both mastery and anxiety, or stress. A relaxed or focused brain wave is steady and calm .

According to Arthur C. Guyton, it -gives off 8-13 waves per second .

in the round of 16, John McEnroe in the quarterfinals and Jimmy Connors in the semifinals. Against all three opponents, Curren's first serve was exceptional. In the semifinals, his first-serve percentage was 69.7 and he won 87 percent of those points. No one gave him much of a chance to win any of these three matches, and he was relaxed, focused and playing from mastery.

But something interesting happened. in the final. For the first time in several Wimbledon matches, Curren was favored to win . His opponent was an unranked West German teen-ager who had earned considerable attention by becoming the youngest player in modern times to reach the final. That player was Boris Becker.

It is my belief that Curren felt a pressure to win that caused him anxiety and contributed to his loss to Becker. This anxiety may have increased his brain wave activity, placed him in an avoidance and survival pattern and contributed to his low 46.9 firstserve percentage for the match. Curren won only 76.3 percent of those points. Both his first-serve and points-won percentage were personal lows for the tournament.

Curren may have unconsciously chosen survival attitudes that affected the outcome of the match.

As tennis-teaching professionals, how can we assist our students to choose

mastery? First, we must make them aware of the results their choices will produce and create challenges for them during training.

Some possibilities, as studied by Jim Loehr, include: 1) allowing the opponent of the student with whom you are working one bad call per set (without your student's knowledge); 2) forcing the student to play with an unfamiliar racquet, or; 3) shouting to someone on an adjacent court while your student is training.

An immediate " look out'" response may occur, which is to be expected. The challenge is to move from uncertainty to mastery.

Those who dwell on the " bad call," the unfamiliarity of the racquet, or the distracting noise, will experience the chemical production resulting from survival. Mastery is attainable only to those students who take responsibility for their decisions. This concept of personal accountability is essential for the teaching pro to nurture in students.

According to brain scientists, people facing a challenge look to one of two places for a solution: themselves and others.

This factor is stressed because the brain works differently in each case .

As teaching professionals, we can assist our students to attain mastery in tennis. By teaching, counseling and exploring with them, we can provide the necessary tools for them to choose never to go down a break in the head. ~~

RELAXED BRAIN WAVE

per second

When a focused golfer is putting, this wave is in the relaxed state. But if during the backswing of the putt someone were to yell " look out! " or click a camera, there would be a disruption in brain function . This disruption, says Guyton, may increase the waves to 40-50 waves per second.

DISRUPTED BRAIN WAVE

per second Research by Charles First suggests that anxiety creates the same brain pattern as experienced by the distracted golfer .

Students playing tennis while in the survival state are, in effect, saying to themselves, " look out'" This anxiety, or survival , state of mind is like going down a break in the head.

A possible example of this occurred with Kevin Curren at Wimbledon in 1985. Curren was outstanding in defeating Stefan Edberg

']Jr. James f£. Loelir Intemationa[ C[u6 !J\&tworl( _ Now you can bring the Mental Toughness Training Techniques of Or. Jim Loehr to your club and your students!

• Personal, on-site Mental Toughness Training seminars by Dr. James E. Loehr, sport psychologist, UST A and NBT A Director of Sport Science • Coaches Instruction Seminar at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, FL • Mental Toughness Hotline • Newsletter, Books, Videos and special merchandise discounts • Exclusive territories For more information, contact Carlos Salum, NBTA-Sport Science, 5500 34th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34210 or call813/755-1000 (FAX: 813/758-0198)

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USPTA DRILL$ Shots 1 and 2

Lob/Chase Purpose: To practice covering lobs in a doubles situation.

Students A and 8 stand at the net in a doubles position while the instructor feeds four balls from the opposite baseline. The instructor hits a deep crosscourt lob over student B's head . Student A moves back and plays the lob as a crosscourt ground stroke or a lob as student B switches to cover the open court. The instructor then feeds a short ball to student A, who comes in and hits a crosscourt approach shot. ¡ Student A takes two more feeds, hitting a crosscourt volley and an overhead. The sequence is repeated with student B taking the feeds.

Shots 3 and 4

Dessie Samuels Terrell, Texas

B

Player Movement Ball Movement

Closing the Door Purpose: To close off the net, volley and finish the point with an overhead .

Student A and the instructor are positioned as¡ illustrated. Player A starts at the service T and moves to position X to hit a backhand volley, then to position Y to hit a forehand volley, then to position Z to hit an overhead.

The instructor should feed the volleys short, forcing player A to move in. The overhead is fed to the player's left.

Ed McQuillin Wilmington , Del.

3-on-1 Volley Students A B and C are positioned

near the net in a volley position . Student D stands on the opposite side and begins by volleying to either student A or C. Students A and C attempt to volley back to student D as much as possible. Student D tries to avoid volleying back to the middle. If student D hits to the middle, student B attempts a putaway into the singles court.

Rotate positions after several attempts.

David C. Ray Greensboro, N.C.

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Take a break from the hard courts, head for the grass.

Take your best shot in the USPTA Golf Tournament The championship course at Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort is the setting for the fifth annual USPTA Golf Tournament. Tight, rolling fairways and undulating greens make every hole a unique challenge. After a hard day on the courts, retreat to the course and tee up for a great day of golf.

WHEN:

Tuesday, September 17 Noonto6PM

ENTRY FEE:

$42 (to cover greens fee, cart fee, tournament preparation, scoring and prizes)

GOLF CLUB RENTAL:

$22 per set

ENTRY DEADUNE:

September 5

r~------------------------------------,

GOLF TOURNAMENT ENTRY FORM

All golf tournament players must register for the USPTA Convention.

Name Division

Member#

Handicap

Average Score

I will be needing to rent clubs:

0

yes

0

s. .

No

I I 1 I

Please complete and return this form along with entry fee to:

; " ; 1 I

-=".k {· -;

USPTA National Headquarters P. 0 . Box 7077 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

L_______________________________________ _j

~

9

US PTA NATIONAL CONVENTION PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA SEPT.15-23, 1990

The same kind of German engineering responsible for some of the world's fastest cars is behind the new Pro Penn tennis shoe. Created by a famous German designer, this shoe embodies the same obsession with performance and refmed sense of style that you might see.in a 911.

Look beyond the Pro Penn's uncluttered, white leather exterior and you'll find high-tech materials. Like an interior

¡~~(](~~

strap of nonstretching Hytrel* which anchors your foot in the shoe. And a sole made of Long Play Formula 144A; a new rubber compound which will wear for hundreds of hard matches.

This brilliantly conceived shoe is manufactured with the stringent quality control that has made Penn and Pro Penn tennis balls number one in the world. The USPTA recently named it the official.shoe for tlleir ....

organization of tennis professionals.

Men's and women's Pro Penn tennis shoes are available in narrow; medium and wide widths. Look for your pro shop or tennis specialtv store. Stickel's..DI

Part tennis shoe, part Porsche.

..

1

First Impressions are Important!

Enhance your imBt)e with U0PTA personalized Business Cards, 0talionery, Note Cards (li Memo Pads The business cards, stationery, and envelopes are gold foil embossed with the OSPTA logo and imprinted with your name and address; the matching envelopes are also gold foil embossed and imprinted with your name and address.

The USPTA uses high quality 24 pound white linen paper and 80 pound matching card stock. The memo pads are imprinted with only your name on 22 pound 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 white linen paper. Navy blue ink is used for imprinting stationery, note cards, matching envelopes, and memo pads. High quality thermographic navy blue raised lettering is used for imprinting business cards.

SAVE MORE THAN 10% WITH THESE SPECIAL PACKAGE OFFERS

(No Substitution on Package Offers)

ITEM/QUANTITY

100

250

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1000

QTY.

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PRICE

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BC914 · Business Cards

N/A

55.50

69.50

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• Includes 10 additWnd second sheets per 100

MEMO PADS (1 00 sheets per pad) MP913 M913

Personalized Not Personalized

1 Pad 5 Pads 10 Pads N/A 5.00

42.50 20.00

72.50 36.00

·················································································································································································· ······················· ················································

PERSONALIZATION AND SHIPPING

Subtotal

(Print or type exactly as you want information to appear on your items. If shipping address differs, please include shipping information with this form.)

TOTAL

Name

PLEASE NOTE: Prices are subject

Title

to change at any time.

Club/Business Address

City, State, Zip

U&PTA Gift &hoppe

Area Code/Phone

ALL ORDERS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY

D

Check

Card# Cardholder Name Signature Phone#

D

MasterCard

D Exp. Date

Visa

P. 0. Box 7071.

Wesley Chapel, fL 33543 (813) 9TI-3ffl

Dates That Rate

December December December December December December December December December

1-2 7-8 7-8 9-1 0 9-1 0 11 13-15 15-16 15-16

Hilton Head , SC Naples, FL Minneapolis, MN Denver, CO Myrtle Beach, SC Flushing, NY Phoenix, AZ Tampa, FL Jackson , MS.

August 4-5 August 5-6 August 5-6 August 16-1 7 August 19-20 Augu st 19-20 Augu st 26-27 September 6-8 September 9 September 9-1 0 September 21-23 September 24-25 September 28 October 4-5 October 5-6 October 6-7 October 7-8 October 9 October 19-20 October 20-21 October 20-21

Cherry Hill , NJ Parker, CO Richmond , VA Chillicothe, OH Carmichael, CA Houston , TX Atlanta, GA· Phoenix, AZ Richmond , VA Mclean , VA Palm Spri ngs, CA Chicago, IL Woodland Hills, CA Hot Springs, AR Minneapolis, MN Ft. Washington, PA Las Vegas, NV Flushing , NY ·Bradenton , FL Boca Raton, FL Detroit, Ml

Sept. 16 - Strategies & Tactics Bill Tym, Instructor Sept. 1 7 - Stroke Analysis George Bacso, Instructor

Certification Training -courses Exams and Upgrades

SPECIALTY COURSES OFFERED AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

August 5 August 5 August 16 August 19 August 19 August 26 September 6 September 9 September 24 October 4 Octobef 19 October 20 October 20 November 9 November 10 November 17 November 18 December 1 December 7 December 9 December 13 December 15 December 15

Parker, CO Richmond, VA Chillicothe, OH Carmichael , CA Houston, TX Atlanta, GA Phoenix, AZ Mclean, VA Chicago, IL Hot Springs, AZ Bradenton, FL Boca Raton , FL Detroit, Ml Tampa, FL Louisville, KY Milwaukee, WI Los Gatos, CA Hilton Head, SC Naples, FL Myrtle Beach, sc Phoenix, AZ Tampa, FL Jackson , MS

Sept. 1 7 - Personal & Professional Development Barbara Braunstein, Instructor Sept. 18 - First Aid & CPR American Red Cross Sept. 23 -Nutrition jack Groppel, Instructor

Each Specialty Course is $50 for US PTA members and $60 for non-members.

Call the USPTA Education Department to sign up.

(813) 973-3777 All participants must preregister.

WARREN MILLER PRESENTS

J'HE U171MJIJ'E J'ENNIS VIDEOI

Tennis Teachers' -courses August 16-18 September 6-8 October 17-1 9 November 15-17 December 12-14

November November November Nove mber November November November November November November

Portland, OR 3-4 Redlands, CA 4 La Jolla, CA 5 Tampa, FL 9-1 0 10-11 Louisville, KY 11 • 12 Dallas, TX Flushing, NY 13 17-18 Milwaukee, WI Farmington , CT 18 18-19 Los Gatos, CA

Houston, TX Mclean, VA Tampa, FL Los Gatos, CA Tampa, FL

Specialty Courses ,, August 11 August 12 September 16 September 17 September 18 September 23 October 19 October 31 _ November 8

Maywood , NJ Maywood , NJ Palm Springs, CA Palm Springs, CA Palm Springs, CA Palm Springs, CA Minn ./St. Paul, MN Hilton Head, SC Kansas City, MO

The above schedule of USPTA Certification exams and courses is subject to change. For more information, call the USPTA Education Department at (813} 9 73-3 777.

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.. .

Her hips and shoulders rotate , giving her great power, an upward racquet drive and lifting her off the ground. Her elbows begin leaving her trunk.

-

-

- -

•

• !II! - -

- ·

-

_ _..,.

TWO-HANDED FOREHAND ***

11~

Monica Seles' stance is wide and open, her hips and shoulders rotated , her elbows in close. The racquet face, pointed down, will become vertical as she rotates forward.

~

Monica's shoulders are fully rotated and her arms continue to move upward and through the fol low through. Her lead foot has nearly returned to the ground.

3

Pro Tennis Assoc.

u.s.

Her wrap follow through nearly complete, she plants her lead foot, looks at the shot and prepares to react to her opponent's next move .

Knowledge. Commitment. Experience.

Be certain your pro is USPTA certified.

Your USPTA pro can help you with this and other shots.

Arrange for a Iasson today.

Jack Groppel Director of Player Development Harry Hopman /Saddlebrook International Tennis

Hitting two-handed from both sides shouldn 't be encouraged, but with more students adding the two-handed forehand to their .repetoire , it is important that teaching pros be prepared to assist with this unusual style . Evaluate whether your student has sufficient footspeed . If not, the student will wind up hitting defensive shots when stretched wide for a forehand.

Over the past two decades, only two players - Gene Mayer and , of late, Monica Seles- have made the top 10 in singles using a two-handed grip from both sides. The reason more players don 't hit this way is, in doing so, reach is severely restricted , a problem only overcome by great leg speed and power. ·Seles has the quickness and has made it easier on herself by gripping the racquet from both sides with the same hand· on top. Her two-handed forehand is now one of the most feared weapons in the women 's game.

.................. . ····--·.

USPTA National Team Championships WHAT: Doubles-only divisional team compet ition for open teams (Open Team Championships) and senior teams (Senior Team Championships) comprised of women 35 -over and men 45-over.

WHEN: Sept. 20-22 (to Sept. 23 if rain) , 1 p.m. daily.

WHERE: Marriott 's Rancho Las Palmas Resort. Rancho Mirage, Calif. with a contingency for playing some matches at alternate sites.

SURFACE: Hard PRIZE MONEY: $10,000 distributed among both tournaments .

ENTRY FEES: Open Team Championships - all fees paid by divisional presidents (to register , contact your divisional president).

Senior Team Championships - $20/team .

All tournamen t players m·ust also register for the Nati onal Convention , however, TOURNAMENT AND CONVENTION FEES MUST BE PAID SEPARATELY (see Convention registration form , page 7) . Divisional presidents have until Aug. 25 to submit number of teams entered in Open Team Championships along with fees (check or money order payable to· USPTA Open Team Championships) to the National Headquarters (Att.· Open Team Championships). Senior team players are encouraged to send in their entries and fee s (check or money order payable to USPTA Senior Team Championships) to the National Headquarters (Att: Senior Team Championships) by Aug . 25. Deadline for Senior team entries and final Open team rosters (including subs) is Sept. 18 at the tournament meet ing. Further details on this meeting appear on this page.

OPEN TEAM FORMAT: Doubles-only, 32 draw, Domino's TeamTennis style. Each

d ivrs ronal team consists of two Men 's Doubles, one Women's Doubles, one Mixed Doubles and one Men 's 35 Doubles. Match scorinq 8-qame pro set (no ad scoring), with a trebreaker at 7 games all Each dtvtsron ts allowed two teams and may substitu te as desired, except while a match is in prdgless.

SUBSTITUTES MAY PLAY ON ONE TEAM ON LY In the event of an incomplete draw, divisions may enter additiona l teams, which will be placed into a lottery and drawn for bye(s) .

SENIOR TEAM FORMAT: Doubles-only, regular draw, single -elim ination, with a consolation round for first-round losers.

Divisions designate (for scoring points) two teams in each of the following categories Women 's Junior Vets 35-over Doubles, Women 's Senior Vets 45-over Doubles , Men 's Senior Vets 45-over Doubles, Men 's Masters 55-over Doubles, Men 's Grand Masters 65-over Doubles. Regular match scoring , two-of-three tie-break sets. Team scoring : 2 points/main draw win ; 1 point! consolation round win . Any number of teams may enter the tournment, but ONLY TEAMS CHOSEN TO REPRESENT THEIR DIVISION ARE ELIGIBLE TO EARN POINTS. Divisions are limited to two teams per category, each team being comprised of players from the same division.

RULES: USTA 15-minute default ru le in effect. Players in Senior team event allowed a minimum 30-minute rest between matches.

ON-COURT DRESS CODE: Proper tenni s attire. T-shirts not permitted.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: Limited to current USPTA members in good standing who have pre-registered for the National Convention . All membership requirements, in-

eluding comp letion of the certification exam , must be fulfilled and submitted at least 60 days prior to the entry deadline to allow reasonable time for grading the member's certifi cation exam and processing his or her membership application. A member will be permitted tournament entry only after all requirements are met, his or her certification exam is graded and the results are recorded by the National Headquarters.

USPTA wi ll not be held responsible by any individual or division if the entry is not accepted due to the above stated requirements not being fulfilled by the 60-day deadline.

Team members are selected by their divisions. US PTA 's chief executive officer, in conjunction with the national president and Executive Committee, shall immediately ensure that members belong only to those divisions in which they physically reside and that the records of the Association be changed accordingly. When a member moves to another division, he or she may decide which division to represent in team competition provided the entry deadline for the team competition falls within 90 days of the date the member began physically residing in the new division. Thereafter the member is no longer eligible to represent the former division and must play for the new division.

TOURNAMENT MEETING: Sept. 18, 6 p.m., Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort (meeting room TBA). For team captains and divisional presidents. Topics - seeding, draws, rules, guidelines.

TOURNAMENT STAFF: Will Hoag, national tournament committee chairman; Allan Henry, tournament director.

,-------------------------------------------SENIOR TEAM ONLY ENTRY FORM

Mail to: USPTA National Team Championships p_o_ Box 7077 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Date of Birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Social Security# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Street _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ City

State _ _ _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ __

Telephone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ US PTA Division Current USPTA # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Current USTA # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Events: DW35D D W45D D M45D

D M55D D M65D

Fee: $20/event Total Enclosed:

Current Playing Record USPTA Ranking USTA Sectional Ranking: _ _ _ __ USTA National Ranking: _ _ _ __

Doubles Partner's Name - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Date of Birth Social Security #

State Ranking : Current Results: _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I, , hereby relea?e the United States Professional Tennis Association , its officers, directors and employees, including those of the USPTA Divisions, from any and all liability for inJu ry to me, including illness, resulting from my participation in the USPTA National Team Championships.

I assume all risks inherent in my participation.

LDate _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 18

~

Signe~ -------------------

USPTA National Championships •

Presented by /1_1/DCB®

WHAT: Singles and doubles competition in

open and age categories.

WHEN : Sept. 14-19 (to Sept. 20 if rain) Singles entrants to be mailed first-match starting times on Sept. 1.

WHERE: Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Rancho Mirage, Calif.

SURFACE: Hard PRIZE MONEY: $40,000 , distribution affected by number of entries.

ENTRY FEES: $50/singles, $20/doubles.

All tournament players must also register for the National Convention, however, TOURNAMENT AND CONVENTION FEES MUST BE PAID SEPARATELY (see Convention registration form , page 7J Singles entries along with fees {check or money order payable to: 'VSPTA National Championships ") must be received no later than Aug. 25 at the USPTA National Headquarters (Att: National Championships). Doubles teams may register at the tournament site but are encouraged to sign up beforehand.

MATCH SCORING: Regular match scoring, two-of-three tie-break sets. , RULES : USTA 15-minute default rule in effect. Players allowed a minimum onehour rest between singles matches, 30 minutes between a singles and doubles match, 30 minutes between two doubles matches.

ON-COURT DRESS CODE: Proper tennis attire. T-shirts not permitted.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: Limited to current USPTA members in good standing who have pre-registered for the National Convention. All membership requirements, including completion of the certification exam, must be fulfilled and submitted at least 60 days prior to the entry deadline to allow rea sonab le time for grading the member's certification exam and processing his or her membership application. A member will be permitted tournament entry only after all requirements are met, his or her certification exam is graded and the results are recorded at the National Headquarters. USPTA will not be held respons ible by any individual or division if the entry is not accepted due to the above stated requirements not being fulfilled by the 60day d~adline .

Members of the USPTA National Board are not eligible for the National Championships; members of the Executive Committee and Presidents ' Caucus are encouraged not to play.

PLAYER/ EVENT REGULATIONS: Each eligible player limited to one singles and one doubles event. It is considered an event whe_never two players or two teams participate. Men 's open limited to a 128-draw.

Each event may utilize block seeding, depending on the size and strength of the draw.

MIXED DOUBLES RULE: Only players elimi-

nated from, or not entered in , regular doubles play are permitted to enter mixed doubles, which begins later in the week.

While limiting each player to two events, this rule is designed to enable players to avoid having to decide early whether to play in a regular doubles or mixed doubles event.

TENTATIVE STARTING SCHEDULE: Sept.

14, times TBA - begin Men 's Open

Singles (MOS), Men 's 35 Singles (M35S).

Sept. 15, noon- end signup Men 's Open Doubles (MOD}, Men 's 35 Doubles (M35 D); 3 p.m. - begin M40S, MOD, M35D, WOS. Sept. 16, 9 a.m. -begin M45S, M50S, M55S, M60S, M65S, M70S, W35S; noon -end signup M40D, M45D, M55D, M65D, M?OD, WOO, W35D, W50D, W55D, W60D, W65D, W70D, MXD; 3 p.m. -beg in M40D, M45D, M55D, M65D, M?OD, WOO, W35D, W50D, W55D, W60D, W65D, W70D ; 5 p.m.

- begin MXD. Sept. 17, 9 a.m - begin M50S, M55S, W40S, W45S; noon -end signup M50D, W40D, W45D; 3 p.m. begin M5QD, M55D, W40D, W45D .

The above schedule is subject to change as draws increase in size. Players are advised to arrive one day in advance of their first match.

TOURNAMENT STAFF: Will Hoag, national tournament committee chairman ; Allan Henry, tournament director.

,-------------------------------------------Name

Date of Birth

Street

Social Security# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

City

State

Zip _ _ _ _ _ __

Current USPTA # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Current USTA # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Telephone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Mixed Doubles Partner's Name

Date of Birth _ _ _ _ _ Social Security# _ _ _ _ _ __

Doubles Partner's Name

Date of Birth _ _ _ _ _ Social Security # _ _ _ _ _ __

Note: Each player limited to one singles, one doubles and mixed doubles event. (see above) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Men'sMOS 0 M35S 0 M40S 0 M4 5S 0 M50S 0 M55S 0 M60S 0 M65S 0 M70S 0 M75S 0

Women 's MOD 0 WOS 0 WOO M35D 0 W35S 0 W35D M40D 0 W40S 0 W40D M45D 0 W45S 0 W45D M50D 0 W50S 0 W50D M55D 0 W55S 0 W55D M60D 0 W60S 0 ·w60D M65D 0 W65S 0 W65D M70D 0 W70S GJ W70D M75D 0 W75S 0 W?SD 0 Mixed Doubles

Current Playing Record ATP/WTA Ranking: USPTA Ranking: - - - - - - USTA Sectional Ranking: USTA National Ranking: - - - - State Ranking: - - - - - - - Current Results: - - - - - - Note: Please attach additional seeding information if needed.

0 Mixed Doubles

Fees: Singles ($50) Doubles ($20/person) Total Enclosed:

Mail to: USPTA National Championships P.O. Box 7077 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 or call (813) 973-3777 Entry Deadline: August 25, 1990

I, , hereby release the United States Professional Tennis Association , its officers, directors and employees, including those of the USPTA Divisions, from any and all liability for injury to me, including illness, resulting from my participation in the USPTA National Championships.

I assume all risks inherent in my participation.

I I I

Date: Signed: 1 L -------------------------------------------19

TEACH THE VOLLEY FIRST by Robert Gamble

1 Tim Mayotte in action.

-

4 20

T o many beginners, tennis seems seductively simple. Watching Ivan Lendl tirelessly return shot after shot from the baseline or Andre Agassi rip crosscourt backhands for winners is the cause of many novice players approaching lessons with an overly simplistic view of the game.

Too often, the first lessons turn excitement and anticipation into frustration and despair.

The result is that many students leave the game believing it too difficult for them when , in reality, their frustration may be borne of tradition in tennis instruction.

The challenge to the instructor is to find a system of instruction by wh ich the student can attain success from the outset. The difficulty is not in methodology as tennis instruction has improved dramatically due to the development of instruction technology, the growth of professional teaching organizations and the proliferation of private tennis schools.

Neither does the student's skill level appear to be a factor since tennis requires no more hand-eye coordination and body balance than other sports. The answer to the high drop-out rate may not be the manner in which tennis is taugtit or what is taught, but rather the order in which certain strokes are taught. Traditionally, the forehand is taught first, but students may experience more success if they began with an easier stroke.

4.

Footwork. Footwork for the forehand can vary radically. Factors such as court surface, grip type and ball height at contact determine how the player approaches the ball. Beginners often find the changes in footing required for the forehand to be confusing, and often become frustrated by the need for "good footwork."

5.

The backswing. The forehand requires precise body and racquet coordination in the preparation stage. Again , the beginning student is required to "feel " the motion while focusing elsewhere.

Too often, the novice concentrates so intently on racquet preparation that contact with the ball is late and the player is off balance.

The Forehand: A Complex Stroke With rare exception, the first stroke taught to beginning students is the forehand. This choice appears obvious because the forehand is the shot hit most often and with more accuracy and power. The fallacy is that because the forehand is used most often, it should be taught first. In reality, the forehand is not the easiest stroke to learn and often can be exceedingly frustrating for a novice player.

An analysis of the forehand components reveals how a beginner can become overwhelmed .

1.

Ball bounce. The critical first step in hitting the forehand is effectively judging the ball. Anticipating the ball bounce is difficult for the novice player in that speed, surface, and spin must be considered. Practice is the best teacher.

2. Grip. Some players learn to wait for the ball using one grip, only to switch while preparing for the ground stroke. In order to hit a forehand properly, the player must learn to "feel " the change.

3. Court positioning. The margin of error on ground strokes decreases as the distance to the net increases. Most ground strokes are hit from behind the service line. Even simple tossing drills require the student to remain at a moderate distance from the net to allow the person space to step into the ball. This distance decreases the player's accuracy.

Unlike the fore hand , the volley requires min imal racqu et movement.

21

TEACH THE VOLLEY FIRST rcontinuedJ

6.

The follow through. This final stage is no easier to learn than any other.

Differing grips and varying footwork complicate the process. Additionally, positioning on the court and the type of spin to be generated change both the arm motion and the angle of the follow through . .

The fact is, learning the forehand can become exceedingly frustrating . The beginner simply has too many complicated skills to master, and frustration can easilÂĽ set in.

of variables that can complicate the objective.

Teaching the volley first elim inates the need for judgment of ball bounce. Also, grip changing is virtually eliminated as the ready-position grip is practically the same as the volley grip itself. Once beginners learn to grab the racquet like a hammer, they can focus on ball contact without the distraction of simultaneously locating a different grip.

Teaching the volley first also brings the player closer to the net, increasing accuracy.

Also, footwork is relatively consistent, with the emphasis being on moving toward the ball with a closed stance (note how Tim Mayotte, an excellent volleyer, sets up in the photos on page 20). And with few

Teach the Volley First!

Compared to the forehand, the volley is simpler and more efficient because there are fewer components to the.shot. Players can focus on ball contact rather than a set

Frantic for fast feet?

Do your feet get you to the ball fast enough?

Randy Smythe's S.O.F.A.S. T.

exceptions (Agassi for one) the backswing factor is all but negated. Finally, the follow through is short and simple ; the idea is to have the racquet face point to the area in wh ich the ball is expected to land.

Teaching the volley first presents novice players with a simple, easily mastered stroke. Additionally, the player who learns to play with confidence at the net will probably also develop a more complete forecourt and backcourt game. Players who are comfortable on the entire court can employ more tactics and strategies than those only comfortable at the baseline, and they can adapt more easily to different playing surfaces. Players with attack volleys set the tempo of a match, force errors, hit winners and make for better doubles partners.

Teaching professionals should consider breaking the traditional teaching progression of ground strokes, serve and then volley.

Start by tossing balls to an open racquet face that is close to the net, and watch how the student reacts to his or her ability to hit the ball into the court. Rather than experiencing frustration and disappointment, the student will feel excitement and enthusiasm.

H

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This video will show you specific work-outs designed for improving foot speed.

You'll work on lateral and linear speed. You can improve and we '11 show you how.

¡, .J

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$3 shipping Robert Gamble is a professor of education at Niagara (N .Y.) University and a video anaylst at Chase Tenn is Cam p. He has a Ph.D. in Earl y Childhood Education from the University of Buffalo. Gamble is a member of USPTA and formerly coached at Division I Southern Illinois University and Division Ill Castleton (Vt.) State College.

N

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Name _________________________________________________________________ Address ----------------------=~----------------------------------------City _____________________________ State __________________ Zip _ __ _ Day Phone Date of Birth _______

Evening Phone ________________________ _ __ __ __

_

*Capital Gains is offered by First Capital Life Insurance Company, San Diego, California. Policy #1094. **U nder current tax law.

Topic: Interscholastic Coaching 1. The official rulebook governing dual match play for colleges and universities is from what source?

OA NCAA 0 B. USTA 0 C. ITCA 0 D. John McEnroe 0 E. PTA 2. Name the three areas of non-playing coaching philosophies. .

0 A authoritarian , laissez faire, democratic 0 B. democratic, republican, independent 0 C. passive, irascible, platon ic 0 D. veni, vidi, vici 0 E. dogmatic, enigmatic, phlegmatic 3. True or false: Prior to the season , the coach should set team goals but· not individual goals.

4. According to Peter Daub, what percent of the time during team practices should a coach: be positive both vocally and with body language: show no displeasure with players: punish negative behavior?

0 A 50% show no displeasure : 45% punish negative behavior; 5% be positive 0 B. 50% punish negative behavior; 45% be positive ; 5% show no displeasure 0 C. 50% be positive ; 45% punish negative behavior; 5% show no displeasure 0 D. 50% show no displeasure ; 45% be positive; 5% punish negative behavior 0 E. 50% be positive: 45% show no displeasure : 5% punish negative behavior 5. True or false: It is a good idea for a coach to watch a recruit practice with th e team during an official visit to a university.

6.

0 0 0 0 0

At most major universities, tenn is is _ _ _ .

A a revenue sport B. not a revenue sport C. more popular than football D. exempt from Proposition 48 guidelines E. a non-scholarsh ip sport

7. True or false : Coaches can offer extremely promising tennis prospects a "four-year, no-cut" scholarship.

8. True or false : By NCAA regulations , all colleges do not require the same academic and SAT scores for admission.

9. What is meant by "negative rec ruiting "?

0 A When a coach makes a borderline player believe that he or she is lucky to get a scholarship

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0 B.

When a coach makes derogatory comments about other schools a recruit is interested in 0 C. When a coach puts the word out to other schools that a recruit has a bad attitude 0 D. When a coach tries to sign a recruit by using pressure tactics 0 E. When a coach offers a recrui t under-thetable compensation to attend the school 10. What is the single most effective weapon a coach can use to raise his or her program to the top level?

0 A .44 magnum 0 B. coaching knowledge 0 C. having at least one "impact" player on the team 0 D. recruiting 0 E. the ability to get 100% effort out of each player 11 . As a rule of thumb, what percent of your school's tennis schedule should be filled with very difficult competition ?

OA 100% 0 B. 75% 0 C. 50% 0 D. 30% 0 E. 10% 12. What are " recess funds"?

0 A Funds supplemented through sources such as booster clubs 0 B. NCAA funds given to Division 1 schools for minor sports like tennis 0 C. Funds set aside to purchase non-vital equipment such as sweat bands, etc.

0 D. Funds a coach collects from the parents of scholarsh ip athletes 0 E. Funds set aside to send the best players to summer camps 13. What fund covers unforeseen and miscel·laneous expenses?

0 A unforeseen and miscellaneous expense fund 0 B. 300ZX fund 0 C. discretionary fund 0 D. arbitrary-use fund 0 E. full-plate fund 14. The fundamental building block on which the rest of a mental training program depends is 0 0 0 0 0

A B. C. D. E.

self-discipline self-control sel f-confidence effective coaching fawning

15. True or false: A coach should not interact wi th player s immediately afte r a matc h is completed.

16. The lower the skill level of your players, the more emphasis you should place on _ _ _ __ 0 A finding another sport for them to play 0 B. mental training 0 C. fundamental coaching 0 D. repetitive drills 0 E. basic strategy and racquet skills 17. Pertaining to players, the coach is responsible for what four critical areas during the preseason?

0 A recruiting , fund raising , publicity, scholarship allotments 0 B. scheduling, travel requirements, funds, budget 0 C. drills, equipment, team schedule, educational requirements 0 D. endorsemen ts, public re lations , communications, marketing 0 E. physical conditioning, racquet sk ills. strategy and tactics, mental skills 18. What types of off-season workouts should a coach encourage?

D A weight training and sprin'ts D B. heavy eating and long periods of rest D C. long, slow distance running and weight training 0 D. let individual player decide D E. any good physical workout except weight training 19. What is the fin al test of ability in selecting a team?

D A the player's potential D B. match play 0 C. blatant favoritism D D. work habits D E. racquet ski lls 20. During a high school match, your player blows a big point, curses and th rows his racquet.

As his coach, what should you do?

D A loudly curse at him D B. yell. " Nice going, McEnroe'" D C. ignore him D D. immediately end the match and tell the player he is defaulted D E. seek out his parents and slap his dad

(N ote: All questions were taken from The USPTA Complete Guide to Coaching.}

Answers on page 3 1.

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MAlCH MAlE'" ....--------------.

A DIV. OF CROWN MANUFACTURING

Ball Machine Drill

Back Hand Ground Stroke PURPOSE OF DRILL To develop accuracy and depth especially when moving quickly to the ball.

SKILL LEVEL Beginner- Intermediate.

PREPARATION Set machine to dejiver balls to the back hand side of the court. Interval should be about 4 seconds. Ball Speed should be so the player can easily return all shots. Target zones should be placed fo r areas A, B, and

D.

THE DRILL Player hits all shots with their backhand , returning to center waiting position after each shot. Return should be practiced cross-court into area B, down the line into area A, or altered between A and B. Shot #4 can also be returned to area D.

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4

2

1&3

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1&3

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T = Target Areas t> = Player Locations • = Shot Locations ----- = Ball Path

Ball Machine Tip When practicing ground strokes, always allow a longer interval between shots than it takes for .. the ball to be returned to the target area, so the player can verify the accuracy of their shots before the next ball leaves the machine.

For More Information Contact

CROWN MANUFACTURING 24807 Avenue Tibbetts, Valencia, CA 91355 (805) 257-7714 or Call Toll Free (1-800) 251-6716

Upcoming Events ~ onvention Dates

USRSA Stringer Certification - September 23 , 1990 - Peter Burwash World Headquarters - 2203 Timberloch Place, #126 -The Woodlands, TX.

~

USTA Tennis Teachers' Conference -August 2931 , 1990 - Sheraton Centre - New York, NY.

USTA Recreational Tennis Leadership Workshop - November 1-4 , 1990 Hyatt Regency Hotel - Oakland , CA

USPTA National Tennis Teachers Convention - September 15-23, 1990 - Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas - Palm Springs, CA USPTA Northwest Division Convention -October 19-20, 1990 - Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN .

USPTA Pacific Northwest Division November 4, 1990- Multnomah Athletic Center - Portland, OR. USPTA National Championships - September 14-19, 1990 - Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort- Rancho Mirage, CA USPTA National Team Championships - September 2022 , 1990 - Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort - Rancho Mirage, CA USPTA California Division October 11-13, 1990 - Costa Mesa, CA USPTA Northern California Division - October 15, 1990 -San Francisco Tennis Center - San Francisco, CA

USPTA Missouri Valley Division Convention - November 9-1 0, 1990 - Kansas City, MO.

USPTA Florida Division Educational Function - December 8, 1990 - Naples, FL. USPTA Hawaii Divisional Coaches ClinicDecember 29, 1990.

~ pecialty Courses ~ Stroke Production (Begin-

ners) - August 11 , 1990

-Maywood , NJ. Stroke Production (Intermediate and Advanced) -August 12, 1990 - Maywood, NJ .

Strategies and Tactics - September 16, 1990 - Palm Springs, CA

ther Events Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association (ITCA) - December 15-20, 1990 - Sonesta Sanibel Harbor Resort - Ft. Myers, FL.

USPTA Missouri Valley Division Educational Function - November 9-10 Kansas City, MO.

USPTA Texas Division - Summer Edu cational Seminar August 18-20, 1990.

Stroke Analysis - September 17, 1990 Palm Springs, CA

USPTA Florida Division Educational Function - August 18, 1990 - Destin, FL.

First Aid and C.P R- September 18, 1990 Palm Springs, CA

USPTA Northern California Division - August 1 3 , 1 990 Redwood City, CA

USRSA Stringer Certification - August 19, 1990 - Peter Burwash World Headquarters - 2203 Timberloch Place , #126 - The Woodlands, TX.

Nutrition - September 23, 1990 - Palm Springs, CA

USPTA Southern Division - August 17-19 , 1990- Melrose Country Club- Hilton Head,

USRSA Stringer Certification - August 19, 1990 - Sports Unlimited - Lafayette , CA

USPTA Intermountain Division- August 18, 1990 - Cherry Hills Country Club - Cherry Hills Village, CO.

USRSA Stringer Certification - August 25, 1990 - North Ridge Racquet Club - North Ridgeville , OH.

USPTA New England Division- September¡ 7-8 , 1990 - Point Judith Country Club Narragansett, Rl .

USRSA Stringer Certification - August 25, 1990 - Burke Racquet Club - Burke, VA

USPTA Florida Division - Fall Junior Championships - September 8-1 0, 1990 Patch ReefTennis Center- Boca Raton, FL.

USRSA Stringer Certification - August 26, 1990 - Waterside Tower- North Miami, FL.

~ ournaments

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sc.

Stroke Analysis - October 1 9, 1990 Minn./St. Paul , MN.

rr=~==========~~

The above schedules are subject to change. Questions should be directed to the division or organization in charge of the event. To have your upcoming event published, send the information well in advance to Upcoming Events! AOOvantage, P. 0 Box 70 77, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543.

27

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This unisex quartz watch displays the J_JSPTA logo exquisitely -laser-cut on a black stone face. The watch also features a genuine black "crocodite" leather band .

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International orders: Add 35% for shipping and handling TOTAL

Payment must accompany all orders. Make your check payable to USPTA. PAYMENT METHOD:

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SHIPPING ADDRESS (No P. 0. Boxes, please):

Name Street City State

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USPTA Gift Shoppe P. 0. Box 7077 Wesley Chapel, A.. 33543 (813) 973-3777

INDUSTRY ACTION US PTA • Lunch and a free tennis clinic were the attraction May 31 in Denver as 123 ladies players helped kick off the inaugural US PTA Ladies Doubles League . More than 300 players participated in the summer league, put on by Intermountain Division. Team finals are scheduled Aug . 2 and levels finals Aug . 9.

• What's this - Elvis as a USPT6-certified pro? A tongue-in -cheek story by Mark Preston in the August edition of TENNIS magazine entitled "Elvis Lives" suggests that the " King " is alive and kicking and that the proudest moment of his life was in 1977 when he attained USPTA certification . "I was so proud, I had one of my crew call the radio station in Memphis and tell them I'd

NCA

National Qub Associaticm.

become a certified tennis pro. He called and said , 'Elvis passed the USPTA' There must've been a bad connection or something , because the guy at the station thought he said, 'Elvis passed away.' " • The August edition of World Tennis magazine features 101 tennis tips submitted

by USPTA pros.

USTA • Plans are underway to build a new permanent home for the U.S. Open, USTA president David Markin announced during Wimbledon . Rossetti Associates/Architects Planners has been selected to conduct preliminary site planning and development.

One of the firm's first tasks will be to

evaluate the current site in Flushing Meadow, N.Y., where the U.S. Open has been held since 1978. USTA's lease of the National Tennis Centre runs through 1994.

• The 20th anniversary edition of the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference is set for Aug .

29-31 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel and Towers in New York City. Speakers include Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Roscoe Tanner and USPTA president Rod Dulany. For more information, call (609) 452-2580.

Associations • Gene Buwick is the new president of the American Tennis Industry Federation (ATIF), the association of tennis equipment, apparel and footwear manufacturers, accessory

The Indispensable Membership For Private Clu6s

The National Club Association is the club of clubs. Today, 1000 private clubs belong because it's a membership they simply cannot do without.

• NCA represents the business, legal, legislative and policy interests of private clubs , coast to coast.

• NCA provides the tools a club must have to operate within a framework of sound business practices.

• NCA develops programs and techniques that keep clubs up to date on a host of issues _and developments.

• NCA monitors Congress on issues that protect and expand clubs' business opportunities.

• NCA protects clubs' rights to select the members they want and control their destiny.

NCA promotes the business of clubs, the education of their members and the defense of their rights.

It's the Indispensable Membership To find out how your club can join the club of clubs call (202) 625-2080, or write to Washington Harbour, 3050 K St. NW, Suite 330, Washington, D.C. 20007.

29

INDUSTRY ACTION rcontinuedJ

manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and court builders. Buwick, who has been with Wilson Sporting Goods for more than 30 years, succeeds Jack Lacey of Spalding Sports Worldwide, who will remain as an ATIF board member. The rest of the ATIF board is comprised of Hardy Katz of The Super Show, Matt Dingman of Penn Racquet Sports, Pamela Crandall of Ashaway, Mark Adorney of TENNIS magazine, Dick Funkhouser of Har-Tru, David Haggerty of Prince Manufacturing, Bob Hampton of Dunlop Slazenger, Ray Harrington of GAMMA Sports, Robert Miller of FTM Sports, Stephen Miller of Head Sports and Robert Montenegro of BabolatVS. .

• The International Racquet Sports Association (IRSA) Health Club Sales Conference and Trade Show will be held Oct. 5-7 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. More than a dozen seminars covering various aspects of club sales will be offered by sales leaders from the club industry and other industries. For more information, contact IRSA at 1-800-2284772.

• Club Managers Association of America (CMM) announced the accreditation of 11 "certified club managers." They are: Ben Whaley, Stone Oak Country Club; Joseph Gayle, Oceanside Country Club; Louise Platto, Vero Beach Country Club; Phillip Archambault, The Weston Golf Club ; Michael Greene; Thomas Bertani, Racquet Club; Clifford Speechly, Bear Lakes Country Club; Sandy McGaughey, Greenbriar Hills Country Club; James Singerling, executive vice president of CMM; William Nitschke, Golden Eagle Country Club; and Donovan Carter, Maysville Club. Certification was based on the fulfillment of specific requirements over a period of years in management, experience, education and association activity.

• Former NBA great Julius (Dr. J) Erving will appear in a public service announcement for Racquets-for -Kids, a racquet collection program sponsored by the ATIF. More than 300 television stations will receive the announcement in August. It includes shots of Erving during his NBA glory days, then switches to him in action on the tennis court, where he reminds viewers that there are thousands of youngsters who never get a chance to play because they can 't afford a racquet. For more information on the Racquets-for -Kids program , call 1-800-7SPORTS. 30

Manufacturers • A contest sponsored by Penn Racquet Sports will reward one tennis pro with the use of a Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet for one year. The tennis pro who sells the most Pro Penn tennis shoes between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 will win a one-year lease to drive the $50,000 Porsche. The runner-up will win a week's trip for two to Stuttgart, West Germany. The contest is open to retailers authorized to sell Pro Penn products in pro shops and tennis specialty stores. Official entry forms and contest rules are available from local Penn sales reps or by calling 1-800-BUY-PENN. • Head Sports recently recorded its largest shipping month ever in all racquet categories. In addition, the company announced revenues in excess of $150 million worldwide in 1989.

• Penn has been named the official ball of the Players Ltd. Challenge and Players Ltd. International tournaments in Canada.

Pro Tours • The recently elected 1990-91 ATP Tour Players Council consists of Vijay Amritraj {president), Andrew Castle, Brad Gilbert, Cassio Motta, Emilio Sanchez, Larry Scott, Byron Talbert, Robert Van't Hof and Todd Witsken. "We congratulate the new council members, who will form the leadership core for all the players on the tour," said ATP Tour CEO Mark Miles. "I know they will take their work seriously and provide balance in representing the ideas and needs of all the players." The Players Council selected Fred Stolle to represent inactive members.

• The U.S. Open wi II get plenty of television exposure. CBS and USA will feature daily action beginning on Aug . 27. CBS will telecast the finals of the . tournament on Sept. 8-9.

• Richard Evans has been appointed to the position of vice president and director of communications of the European Region

USPT~ pro Jack Michalko hopes to become the winner of Penn Racquet Sports' "Drive a Porsche for a Year Contest. The lennrs pro who sells the most Pro Penn tennis shoes between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 will win a one-year lease of a $50,000 Porsche 944 .

'•

of the ATP Tour. He will be responsible for all issues relating to the European media.

• A chronic shoulder injury forced Pam Shriver to withdraw from Wimbledon and several other events on the women's tour and will keep her out of action at the U.S. Open.

Miscellany • The 11th annual Everest &Jennings U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championship is slated for Oct. 5-14 at the Racquet Club of Irvine, Calif. More than 300 players from 18 countries will participate. For more information, contact the National Fouodation of Wheelchair Tennis at (714) 361-6811 .

Little Dix Bay for eight years, and manages seven other tennis facilities in the Caribbean region .

• Fila has signed Monica Seles to a threeyear, multi-million dollar agreement to produce a Monica Seles signature line of tennis apparel and footwear.

• Dr. Jim Loehr, noted sport psychologist and director of sport science for the USTA and the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, is producing The Loehr Sport Science Report, a quarterly newsletter for tennis coaches, players and parents. To subscribe, send a $10 check or money order to: NBTA Sport Science.Dept., 5500 34th St. West, Bradenton, FL 3421 0.

• TENNIS magazine is soliciting suggestions for nicknames of today's tennis stars.

"How can one go out and root for someone named Ivan or Boris?" asks senior editor Norm Zeitchick. " But give me an lckey, a Mookie or a Magic, and I can yell my head off." Suggestions, can be sent to: Nick-

names, TENNIS Magazine, 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull, CT 06611-0395.

• The second annual Sports Performance Conference for Coaches was held recently in St. Petersburg, Fla., bringing together notable authorities on mental training, motivation, team building, nutrition and concentration. A conference video tape, featuring speakers such as George Allen and Diana McNab, is available. Contact John Sikes at the Sport Performance Institute, (813) 367-6675.

Answers to Tennis Quiz on page 24.

1. C 2. A 3. False 4. E 5. False 6. B 7. False

8. True

9. B 10. 0 11 . 0 12. A 13. C 14. C

15. True 16. E 17. E 18. C 19. B 20. 0

The only company to offer 2 distinctive Braces and information for the teaching pro as to how to relieve the pain of tennis elbow.

Chantal Vandierendonck of Holland will defend her sing les title at the 1990 Everest & Jennings U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, scheduled for Oct. 5-14 in INine, Calif.

• Count'R-Force® Medial Brace Patent# 4,441,493

• Peter Burwash International (PBI) is introducing beginning tennis this summer to the children of the British Virgin Islands. A total of 24 kids have been participating at the courts of the Little Dix Bay Hotel. Fabio Vasconcellos, a PBI tennis professional , said that it is the first time that local children there have been exposed to tennis. "These kids are very talented and they would definitely develop into good tennis players if they continue to practice," he said . PBI has been conducting the tennis program at

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president's message

Our c¡hosen Role We must all learn¡ to deal with a growing list of responsibilities

Rod Dulany, President

During the past two years you have been reading and hearing a lot about education programs for the future that USPTA will be providing. What you haven 't heard is why these programs are so important Why does a tennis professional need to continue to upgrade his or her knowledge and skills?

To get the full answer you need to dissect the many facets Qf your job responsibilities. Take a look at the sophistication of your current clientele as compared to 10 years ago. Take a look at the future through improving your cu rrent job situation or moving on to a better position .

As you start to explore the true nature of your chosen profession , the first thing you realize is that you are truly a person " of many hats." Just think . In order to fully perform our job we must be a teacher, retailer, doctor, diplomat, politician , writer, speaker, tournament director, programmer, landscaper, maintenance foreman and facility designer. Each of these tasks must be performed with a high degree of efficiency to service the expectations of students, members, owners and managers in the 1990s.

32

As a tennis teacher, it is just as important to understand how to communicate your ideas as it is to understand the correct biomechanical procedure on the court To provide a top pro shop, we as retailers must be able to answer questions about the new technology in the wide-body racquet as well as understand how racquet strings are affected by the stiffer frames.

We need to be financially aware of what it takes to produce a profit center and not just a convenience .

In order to be an integral part of the club professional management team , you are responsible for a functioning part of the overall club facility. To fulfill this role, you need to continue to meet the needs of the members through diverse programs , well-maintained courts and a comfortable atmosphere both in appearance and attitude. In other words , you need to provide service. After all , this is the nature of the business we are in.

Since it is our job to promote tennis, we must Feach OUt beyond OUr facility into the communities. USTA has asked us to be clinicians in the Schools and Player Development programs. The local patron groups need our coopera-

lion to promote local fund-raising through tournaments, charity events and clinics.

As a tennis-teaching professional, you are the person to whom every group ¡must turn in order for tennis to continue to grow in the United States. It is a big responsibility and one which we need to proudly accept That is why USPTA has committed , as one of its major goals for the future, to provide the educational resources that will allow us to continue to grow and meet a growing number of challenges.

The future challenges will best be met by those who are best prepared.

That is what sets the USPTA professional apart n

It isrit easy to kill aProThnn.

The new Pro Penn has a 30%longer playing life than our regular tennis ball. A fact some of our competitors are finding hard to swallow. Available now at your pro shop. Š 1987 Penn Athletic Producls Div1s1on. For a posler of this ad send $2io Penn, 306 Soulh 451h Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85043

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