Addvantage 1994 March

Q The Voice Of The Tennis Teaching Profession

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Gordon Collins First Vice President Dave Sivertson Vice Presidents Kathy Woods Will Haag Joe Thompson Kurt Kamperman Secretaryffreasu rer Jim Davis Past President Jack Justice WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO Tim Heckler Director of Operations Rich Fanning

The Trade Magazine of Men and Women Tennis-Teaching Professionals ..'

Volume 18- Issue 3

March 1994

On the cover Across America Tennis Day brings fun to children and adults across the country and the world .

Photo by Steve Burman

SPECIAL SECTION USPTA's Across America Tennis Day program guide This issue contains a complete program guide for running a US PTA Across America Tennis Day clinic. The pullout section includes promotional tips, press information, suggested outlines on how to run clinics, and guidelines on round-robin formats and competition. Pull it out and get started on your Across America Tennis Day clinic today.

Executive Assistant Marty Bostrom Director of Shawna Riley Communications Communications Gayden Cooper Marketing/Business John Tamborello Operations Magazine Coordinator Julie Myers Sports Marketing Karen Unger Coordinator.

Public Relations Dan Soine Assistant Corporate Services Christi Call Manager Secretary Dale Henry Computer Services and Kathy Buchanan Club Relations Education Coordinator Susan A. Thompson Membership/Education Sharon Duste Assistant Membership/Education Karen Mahon Assistant Membership/Education Vicky Tristan Assistant Financial Manager Renee Heckler Controller Theresa Weatherford Accounting and Michelle Williams Merchandise Services

FEATURES 4 Sponsors help potential members, Association 4 Asahi offers special discount on shoes 11 Public relations Improve your image with USPTA

12 Across America Tennis Day provides publicity for members 13 Across America Tennis Day registration form 14 Managing competitive anxiety and fear keeps athletes calm under pressure

by Jim Taylor, Ph. D.

15 mr. pee Wee tennis introduces children to the big world of tennis 17 Super charge your teaching tactics

by Douglas A. Lewis

21 USPTA pros pass USTA exam 24 Pro Penn quarterly discount

Receptionist Cindy Sauer Director of Certification George Bacso and Academies Co-Director of Academies Bill Tym Advertising/Marketing Phone (713) 97-USPTA Information LEGAL COUNSEL Attorney-at-Law Paul Waldman

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

For information, write the World Headquarters US PTA One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, TX 77042 Phone (713) 97-USPTA or fax (713) 978-7780 Office hours: 8:30a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time.

Copyright Š United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1994. All rights reserved.

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

DEPARTMENTS 3 President's message: Make something happen!

by Gordon Collins

4 Letters 5 CEO's message: Super Show is productive event for USPTA and tennis

by Tim Heckler

9 Off-court foc¡us: Oscar Johnson Jr. Member's past forges children's futures

19 Dates that rate 20 Ask the professor: Good balance essential for serving effectively

by Jack Groppel, Ph.D.

22 Industry action ADDvantage March 1994

The hoa1se that Monica, Jim, 1, Michael, Andre,_Chris, and Gabnela built.

Year after year, the biggest names in tennis have worked tirelessly to make the Lipton one of the great tennis tournaments in the world. And now, there's a stadium to match.

It's a new centerpiece - for the sport and for Dade County It's a stadium so thoughtfully designed, not one of the 14,000 seats has an obstructed view And series seats are still available. So now the only way you'll miss any action is if you wait too long to get tickets.

The Lipton 1994. March 11·20. ~,t\!U} Calll-800.725-5472 for tickets.

Presents

!lm~ru!u19 ~o.ti1Jo~ THOMAS

&te ~mldo~

J.

LIPTON COMPANY

METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY RYDER • GRAND BAY HOTEL • BURSON I MARSTELLER TOSHIBA AMERICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS INC. • NIKE, INC. • VASELINE INTENSIVE CARE SUNCARE • WPLG TV 10

!Amo,ti.t'.9 ~o.t/Jo~ RADO SWISS • WATCHES HUGO Boss • WLYF 101.5 FM • PEOPLES TELEPHONE COMPANY • CRICKET • LEXUS PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES • LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES DECECCO • THE MIAMI HERALD • NORTHERN TRUST BANK

WDI r-..· 1/R

9Tmt~uou

Make something happen!

Gordon Collins, President

E r most USPTA professionals, 1993 was a very challenging year. Many of us have been used to experiencing only growth during the past few decades, and probably did not anticipate a downturn in our reve ues. But with the combination of an economy in recession and a shrinking tennis market, profits were a little tougher to come by.

. . . only those who are delivering an exceptional product and service will continue to prosper.

Now, to reverse this trend, it is up to all of us to make something happen! During the past 20 years, our profession has seen tremendous growth We are in a very competitive market, and only those who are delivering an exceptional product and service will continue to prosper.

The days of just maintaining and succeeding are gone.

challenge all of you to critically analyze your programs and services. People are looking for new and innovative activities to stimulate their interests. n comparison to the rest of the fitness industry, we have become stagnant. We must make something happen, or the decline in tennis will continue.

If players do not have goals to pursue, they may feel it is useless to invest money in lessons. firmly believe that programming drives our lesson business. Naturally, after a long day on the court, it can be difficult to hit the office and create programs to generate new clients and increase business, but if we don't do it, we will be left with a shrinking industry.

Whether or not we want the position , tennis professionals are looked upon as the leaders in our local tennis communities. We cannot expect the volunteer sector to stimulate our industry. They will be very stong supporters and allies, but we must be the ones to make something happen, Currently, one of the hardest hit areas in tennis is the commercial club business. With decl n ng membersh p and general revenues, it will be very difficult for club owners and managers to justify raises for tennis professionals. The creative and resourceful professional though, will be in

high demand.

In order to make something happen, there are numerous vehicles you can use to stimulate your local tennis community.

USPTA and the USTA both offer many programs that you can implement. You do not need to reinvent the wheel. encourage you to review these programs and select at east one to wse n your club or neighborhood.

. . . tennis professionals are looked upon as the leaders in our local tennis communities.

The outlook for those US PTA professionals who are taking the initiative is outstanding .

We have the ability to control our destiny, which is all we can ask. As USPTA professionals, we will be able to demand better contracts once we clearly establish that we are the ones who can make something happen. o ADDvantage March 1994

3

Sponsors help potential members, Association

I ..I~'I"I'IUl~ Perfect timing for Wilson, USPTA

Us

PTA sponsors should do more than sign their names on potential members' applications they also should play an active role in educating applicants about the Association and helping them through the testing procedure.

A good sponsor acts as a mentor to guide the applicant through the application and testing process. This includes assisting the applicant in filling out the membership application , preparing the potential member for the Certification Exam reviewing the test results with the applicant; and if the applicant is not successful in passing the exam helping him to improve in any weak area.

Also, the sponsor can provide inforll)ation about the Association , its education program and its opportunities.

'We want the sponsors to take the time and effort to properly prepare th¡e applicant for the test, said George Bacso, USPTA director of certification and academies. 'That way we get better prepared tennis pros, and the tennis industry will be helped by having better teaching pros in the industry.' .Unfortunately, many sponsors are not preparing the applicants, Bacso said .

'We found there were people who were not prepared to take the Certification Exam, he said . 'As a result, we are trying to get sponsors to take a more active part.

Another responsibility of the sponsor is to

assure the USPTA of the applicant's ethical credit and educational worthiness. The USPTA wants members who will uphold the standards of the Association in all their related activities.

The sponsorship program as it is today, began in 1969 at the same time as testing certification for membership. Before that, testing was not required , and there was a different process for obtaining membership.

A potential member worked as an apprentice for a member, learning how to teach Then the potential member was invited to a USPTA meeting to meet other members, who would then observe him teaching . The potential member also would be invited to play tennis with .the members. Finally, recommendations were required from the sponsor and another member to join the association.

Today, proof of sponsorship from a current USPTA member is required, as well as a completed application , a nonrefundable application fee, and prorated dues for the current year. Any current member, regardless of rank, who has fulfilled her educational requirements for the first period is eligible to be a sponsor. However, a member cannot sponsor a family member.

In order to become a sponsor, the member must fill out the sponsor section of the application form and sign it, thereby recommending the applicant for membership. <3

Asahi offers special discoWlt on shoes Asahi , the official shoe of USPTA, has announced a special buying program with discounts on USPTA logo shoes through March 31

MY-4U LY-4U Prism Durra Glacier 4

24-27 pairs net 60 $17 .50 $17.50 $22 $24 $22

ADDvantage March 1994

Anyone who purchases a combination of the Innovator, Dimension and Pro Asahi totaling 24 pairs or more is eligible for the following discounts. o

48-95 pairs net 90 $17 $17 $21 $23 $21

96+ pairs net 90 $16.50 $16.50 $20 $22 $20

Dear USPTA. As we move into 1994, want to commend you on your foresight in going with Wilson .

Obviously, this letter may be construed as a prejudicial one because of my long-term association with Wilson ; however, the timing is perfect. Wilson is one of the most innovative, progressive companies in the world today, and they have succeeded in bringing an incredible number of quality individuals on board.

I have the highest regard for Jim Baugh , who is a true visionary. Although I have not met the new president, John Riccitello, have been told by the people at Haagen-Dazs that he is a brilliant marketer.

Our organization should continue to align with the best in the business. know this wasn't easy, as Prince had been a loyal supporter, but the timing seems right.

Thanks a lot.

Kind regards, Peter Burwash President, Pete¡r Burwash International Honolulu, Hawaii

Dear USPTA. Like everyone at Wilson, am very excited about the new chapter that is about to unfold, knowing that the opportunities are huge for both of our organizations bound only by the limits of our creative imagination . feel this will be a truly unique, symbiotic growth and benefit for Wilson and the USPTA. As an 11-year active member involved in many facets of the USPTA, I personally couldn't be more pleased that Wilson is now partnered with the organization which has always been very important to me. plan on being an integral part of spearheading projects between our two organizations.

Best regards, Lee DeYoung Western Promotions Manager, Wilson Racquet Sports Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.

ADDvantage magazine welcomes your comments. Letters should be typed and signed and may be sent to ADDvantage, USPTA, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042. For more information on submitting articles for publication , write to the same address, or call (713) 97-USPTA.

Super Show is productive event for USPfA and tennis Tim Heckler, CEO Another Super Show has come and gone. It's always a productive event tor USPTA and its members, whether our officials are meeting with industry leaders, ot individual professionals are stocking their pro shops.

This year's show symbolized more than the usual sporting goods buying and selling frenzy it may well have been a turning point for our industry and the stimulus that tennis needs to get back on track.

There were no dramatic announcements about increases in tennis equipment sales.

In tact, most of us heard quite the opposite.

Many of the tennis meetings were pessimistic by nature of their titles, 'What's Wrong with the Tennis Industry?' and How to ncrease Participation in the Tennis Industry.' People were quick to point out the negative aspects of our business, but there were fewer remedies tor the ailments.

What is significant is that the industry finally has recognized its problems. And, even more encouraging is the sincere interest everyone has in the long-term health and success of our sport and its related businesses.

USPTA, as the world 's largest organization of tennis-teaching professionals, has an important stake in the future of tennis and is a necessary component to the overall wellbeing of our industry. As such, our annual presence at The Super Show is important.

This year we participated in the second annual Tennis Industry Association (TIA) Forum , met with endorsee representatives from Penn and Asahi and held a joiflt press conference with Wilson our newest endorsee.

The four-day show was preceded by a USPTA School of Club Operations. The twoday school attracted 65 people, and featured speakers Kurt Kamperman and Mark McMahon.

Not unlike any major industry gathering, I met many people during the six days spent in Atlanta (home of The Super Show). From casual discussions to serious negotiations, the annual show provides USPTA with one of the best opportunities to communicate with various sports- and tennis-related companies and individuals. The following is a summary of the news generated from The Super Show/94.

• The TIA and USTA Play Tennis America program (in pilot study form) has begun in Tucson, Ariz. and Austin, Texas, and will begin soon in Charlotte, N.C. The response by tennis-teaching professionals in these areas has been very good , and the initial feedback from consumer advertising has been positive.

• Reebok and Nike recently joined the TIA and are becoming active n the organization.

• Byron Quann , marketing director of the ATP Tour, presented ATP's marketing strategy for the coming year. It seems the group will present a series of grassroots activities, including mall marketing tour to generate public interest in tennis. They have invited the entire industry to participate in these programs.

• Doug Fonte, former president of Sports Tactics nternational (STI) , dissolved his STI partnership with Matt Dingman to

become the president of Boston Whaler (boats) . The Phoenix resident will move to Florida.

• Jerry Greenblatt recently left his position as president of Asahi nc. to work more closely with the parent company, Asahi Corporation of Japan. Hank Watanabe has assumed Jerry's former duties.

• met with IIana Kloss of World TeamTennis to discuss a teaching professional TeamTennis league. We will continue talks at USPTA's World Headquarters in Houston, where we will host Billie Jean King, founder of World TeamTennis.

• The Southern Division of USPTA held its board meeting during The Super Show.

New Southern president John Stone is looking forward to a positive tenure in his new office.

• We also met with individuals or organizations including the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Vic Braden, the USTA, Tennis Buyer's Guide, Tennis and Tennis Week.

Although this is just a sampling of the many meetings and activities in which USPTA participated, it's clear that there was much activity at The Super Show. Our Association , like others, attended the show tor many reasons. We were there to promote our members and the tennis-teaching profession, and we also talked with many members and provided them with the latest information about USPTA. But, most of all, USPTA attended the show to demonstrate its support for, and participate in , the resurgence of tennis. o ADDvantage March 1994

5

m w

1948

The Wilson® Jack Kramer Autograph

The Jack Kramer utilized all Ash laminated construction and became the most popular racquet of the 50's.

1967

The Wilson® T2000

The T2000 ushered in the era of metal racquets. It was perhaps best known as the racquet used by tennis professional Jimmy Cmmors.

1984

The Wilson® ProStaff®

The ProStaff was the first to utilize a unique braided graphite and Kevlru.® construction and has long been a favorite of touring professionals.

Amazingly it has helped a teunis professional win a grand slam event every year since its introduction.

The USPTA welcomes the improving people~s tenni:

Just as Wilson®has created mnovative racquet to nnprove the game of tenms for over 80 years, the teachmg professwnals of the Umted States Professwnal Tenms Association (USPTA)®have 111n·oduced millions of people to the game for almost as long. Now, these two forces have come together to h1mg you the best tenms learnmg tools 111 the 111dustry. The USPTA®ISpleased to announc1 our endorsement of Wilson teiiDISracquets, str111gs, bags, gnps, 1m. peeWee and accessones as our fil'St chmce 111 tenms equipment

Made to Win and ledge Hammer are trademark> and Dun! Taprr Beam. ProStaff. \V and Wilson arc registered trademark of Wilson SportiJJg Goods Co. Kevlar is a trademark of E. I. duPont de Nemours nnd Cmnr

ID 1987

The Wilson® Profile®

The racquet that began the widebody revolution. The patented. Dual Taper Beam® con truction created a stiffer racquet that produced incredible power and the largest sweet spot to date.

1990

The Wilson® Hammer

The Hammer revolutionized the temtis industry by introducing a patented weight distribution system that created the first lightweight racquet that maintained its mass in the racquet head.

The result--an even larger sweet spot.

1D

1993

The Wilson® Sledge Hammer,."

The Sledge Hammer took the Hammer weighting ystem one step further Tltis racquet is lighter than any pw~ou racquet, weighing just 9.2 oz strung. The weight distribution, fan S1Ting pattern and head shape raises the sweet spot to the upper pmt of the frmn e where mo t ball m·e hit.

only organization thars been game longer than we have.

Tlns means that yom local USPTA® certrfied tennis professiOnal that uses these Wilson products m lns tenms programs will be teachmg the game With the best equipment in the mdustry. With Wilson and the US PTA® together, we'll help to make yom tenms game fun agam.

MADE TO WIN Profile is a trademark of Hennru1 ' Sporting Goods. Inc. USPTA ~ a trademark of the United States Profrs ional Tcnni Association. Inc.

..

That's how many tennis publications are read before

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•

Member's past forges children's futures 0

scar Johnson Jr. has carved his niche in history, but he hasn't rested on his laurels. With the path he forged 46 years ago, he is providing an opportunity for a better future for hundreds of inner-city children .

'I feel like a millionaire when have one of my students that has excelled go on to college and do well he said . It is the greatest feeling to see my students make it.

A USPTA pro and ·founder of the Oscar Johnson Youth Tennis Foundation , Johnson was the first African American to win a major tournament the juniors division of the USLTA Long Beach (Calif.) Open Championships in July 1948. The following month , he won the National Public Parks Championsh ips junior division . was the first African American to break the color barrier in J:ennis, he said .

Johnson founded his organization in 1983 to expose inner-city youth in nglewood , Calif. and in southwest and south central Los Angeles to the game of tennis and the rewards one can achieve from the game, including an education.

The foundation provides scholarship grants with funds from the Oscar Johnson Tennis Classic (formerly the Oscar Johnson/ Michelob Light Tennis Classic). Since 1978, the tournament has provided more than $30,000 to help students attend college.

My main focus is to try to help the kids reqlize it is not just all tennis. Get the education , because that's most important.

More than 100 children have been involved in the program since it started .

'The kids are very appreciative of what I'm doing, he said. I keep close with the parents as well. want them to know what 'm doing and what I'm attempting to do.

His private lessons cost $25 an hour for adults and $20 an hour for ch ildren under 18. His price is considerably less than that of a club lesson , he said , which runs an average of $50 a hour, however, I do what can to help those who can't afford it. ' am trying to bring tennis to the commu nity. My goal is to provide quality lessons at an affordable price. 'm trying to help, not make money.'

Johnson currently has a 14-year-old student, Andrea Avent, who plays in the 16-year-old division. , 'She is doing very well he said . 'She ranked 12th in the Grand Prix standing , and

early he had the day off because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The earthquake did not damage the courts at Centinela Park in Inglewood where Johnson teaches, but his condominium received a little damage. have one room filled with all my troph ies and awards, and everything was knocked down, he said. just left it there for a few days because of all the aftershocks.

Johnson began playing tennis when he was 15. He played numerous tournaments, including singles and mixed doubles in the U.S. National Championships. His doubles partner was the famous Althea Gibson, the first black to win the U.S. National Championship (in singles) .

He wanted to play professionally, but a career-ending elbow injury changed his plans.

The USPTA California Division presented Johnson with its Lifetime Achievement Award in December at its annual awards banquet.

Before presenting the award Greg Langdon, USPTA California Division executive director, researched Johnson's past and described his background and accomplishments to his peers at the banquet.

It was the first time an award recipient ever received a standing ovation , according to Langdon. It is an honor that Johnson cherishes.

'That is something you don't forget, Johnson said . 'When your peers acknowledge you it is a very good feeling .

Oscar Johnson Jr.

she just upset the No. 7 seed at the Santa Barbara tournament.

He has sent several players to the pros, including the brother-sister team of Jerome and Cheryl Jones. Cheryl Jones Woods, now the women's head coach at the University of Southern California, is one of his scholarship winners. want to create an interest in kids and parents about tennis, Johnson said. 'First, invite the kids and their parents to come over and have fun. Then , if a child shows potential, we work with them more privately.'

His youngest student is 7 but Johnson said he will take children as young as 4 or 5.

0 My main thing is to help the youth, Johnson said . " That's • President . what m all about.

Youth the Oscar J h 0 Johnson's coaching skills Honors and · nson are not limited to children , • Won USLTAawards however. Tennis is a sport sh1ps · . Long Beach (C /' one can play all one's life, he • Won Ju~,or division. 1948 a If.) Open Champ; . atlonat Pubt· . onsaid. His oldest student is 70 division. 1948 IC Parks Cham . . years old and plays on the • Won Missouri ·\/; Plonshlps, junior senior circuit.

• Men's · alley Tennis Ch smgtes and ampion h.

Other adult clients inican Tennis A . rn_en 's doubles ch s .'Ps, 1948. elude doctors, actors and • Special citatio~soc,atlon, 1950. amp1on, Amerbusiness people. On the 1987 · International Ti . day of the Los Angeles • Black enms Hall of Fame Ports Hall 0 t c• earthquake (Jan . 17), • USPTA Californi .r~':'e, 1991.

Johnson had one stuAward, 1993. a DIVISion Lifetime

Ten~i=x:~:~=ti~~ector,

s.

~:=~~=~··•••••••••Ac:h:ie:~t~:e:m:e:n:tj

premeaCourt judge,Sucall to dent, California see if he could have his lesson a day

ADDvantage March 1994

9

.. presents

emorative Collection t?ts of the game's greatest players sets of five postcards each.

All proceeds benefit The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS. Please make check for $16.95 payable to: The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, Inc., and mail to: TENNIS magazine Postcard Collection, 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull, Conn. 06611-0395.

Public relations

hnprove your image with USPTA ATA, ATP Tour, USTA, TIA , WTA, TCA, CCA, CMAA , ITA, ITF USRSA, RSA Confused yet?

Many newcomers to tennis often get confused by the " alphabet soup' of organizations in the tennis industry.

How does USPTA differ from these groups, and what makes it the best delivery system to reach the tennis player?

Answering these two questions and 'getting the word out' about the many positive projects that the Association does is one of the main reasons for USPTA's National Public Relations Program.

How does USPTA's emphasis on public relations affect the average tennis-teaching professional?

The more tennis players (and potential players) that realize the benefits of taking a lesson from a USPTA professional the more each teaching pro benefits financially.

Improving and clarifying the image of USPTA professionals increases pros' self-esteem and helps them build relationships with others in the tennis industry such as manufacturers ' representatives, club management, or the local tennis association leadership.

Now,-as the Association works to improve its imal]e among various industry groups, new public relations vehicles and resources have been developed . Specific groups such as club owners and managers, affiliated tennis associations (such as the USTA) , manufacturers and tennis consumers have been targeted in USPTA's public relations efforts.

Public relations tools such as USPTA's Pro Action page in Tennis Week, the Contact Point newsletter and a growing press release campaign all serve to improve the image of USPTA professionals.

What can USPTA professionals do to improve their image at the local level? Well , here are a few ideas.

1 Use "USPTA" after your name.

As a member, you are uniquely qualified to teach the game and manage the business affairs of a tennis facility. Use the letters USPTA after your name on all written correspondence and club literature. You also can enhance your business image by using official USPTA logo products, such as business cards,

The USPTA World Headquarters produces newsletters and brochures to spread the word about the Association and its activities.

stationery and note pads, which can be ordered from the World Headquarters.

2. Get involved with local tennis associations.

Whether USTA, USPTA or other tennis associations, local input from tennis professionals is vital. USPTA pros run many of the grassroots programs, and have a tremendous influence on the local tennis community and economy.

3. Compile a local media list and use news releases to promote yourself, your programs and USPTA. It is important to establish a relationship with local media (especially the sports editor or tennis writers of newspapers).

Know them on a first-name basis and contact them whenever you or your club sponsors an event. Across America Tennis Day will be an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself to the local media.

4. Learn what USPTA has to offer to promote tennis.;teaching professionals.

The USPTA World Headquarters has brochures, fliers, newsletters, media lists (regional, national , some local) and media kits that can help USPTA professionals promote themselves. The national office is a great resource for information

about how to promote yourself as a teaching professional. Contact USPTA's Public Relations Department for more information .

5. Inform your students and club members about USPTA. The teach ng professional has a tremendous influence on students, club members and other players. Mentioning what USPTA is and how it differs from other tennis associations helps decrease confusion about tennis industry groups.

More importantly, if your students know that a professional is certifi ed by the world s oldest argest and most respected organization of tennis-teaching professionals, it can only benefit your image.

Even with a variety of national public relations tools, USPTA realizes that each member can contribute a great deal to furthering the image of the Association. Because of this, a national public relations network has been established to coordinate divisional PR activities, develop ideas and implement various national public relations programs on the local level.

For more information about getting involved in this public relations network, contact the Public Relations Department at USPTA's World Headquarters, (713) 97-USPTA. 4l ADDvantage March 1994

11

Across America Tennis Day provides publicity for members Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets depend on information that is beneficial to their audience.

Because of America's increasing interest in fitness and health awareness, the media have placed a high priority on covering stories related to these topics.

Enter USPTA's Across America Tennis Day (AATD) , the world's ¡largest, free, grassroots tennis program , scheduled for May 14, which is designed to stimulate interest in tennis and promote physical fitness. Held across the United States and the world , the three-phase program consists of the one-day event in May¡ multicultural clinics and a follow-up program The one-day event is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in May, with clinics at clubs and facilities. The multicultural. clinics are different only in that they target special groups of people who wouldn't ordinarily have the chance to try tennis, and begin as early as March and continue through the summer. The highlight of this phase is a multicultural clinic at the White House on the second Saturday in May. The follow-up program strives to keep the players' interest in tennis, with a series of olinics and group lessons. They can start as early as one week after the one-day event and often are scheduled during the summer.

Suggestions for running the clinics are

described in the USPTA Across America Tennis Day kit included in this issue.

Some of AATD 's news value to local newspapers, radio and TV is as follows: AATD can be a participatory event for their entire audience (AATD tennis clinics can be open to anyone in the community) 2. AATD is a national (and international) event reaching the local level 3. AATD multicultural clinics provide unique tennis opportunities for special groups 4. AATD is a unique, free, tennis opportunity for past, current and potential tennis players Because of AATD 's newsworthiness' to some media and organizations, the program is an effective way to generate publicity for you and your tennis facility.

Planning an AATD clinic involves some preparation , but the potential rewards, including positive publicity, new members, new players and increased pro-shop sales, are well worth your efforts.

The promotional checklist (see AATD pullout in this issue) details ways to get the most publicity from your AATD tennis clinic.

Remember to promote your event to groups such as local and regional media, club

members, local tennis associations, the USPTA World Headquarters and others in your community, such as the Chamber of Commerce, tourism bureaus and college newspapers.

News releases (also known as press or media releases), photos, posters, banners, fliers and word-of-mouth techniques are some of the many ways that you can spread the word about your AATD clinic. Uses for some of these public relations tools are explained in the AATD pullout.

AATD T-shirts can be a valuable part of your tennis clinic. Ch ildren and adults alike appreciate T-sh irts, and shirts serve as a lasting promotional tool for USPTA and AATD as they are seen by hundreds of people during and after your tennis clinic. (continued on page 21)

AATD Div.ision Coordinators California Eastern Florida Hawaii Intermountain Middle Atlantic Middle States Midwest Missouri Valley New England Northern California Northwest Pacific Northwest San Diego

Southern Southwest Texas

Across America Tennis Day is a great way to generate publicity for your club and USPTA. 12

ADDvantage March 1994

Kevin Lyons (31 0) 208-3838 ShanrJan Myers (914) 245-2169 Kevin McCarthy (305) 345-21 00 Judy Weitz (808) 946-2951 Galen Blackburn (303) 693-9340 Denis Rende (41 0) 323-7651 Shirley Mason (215) 274-8184 Mike Lange (70B) 990-3029 Russell Warner (918) 299-2643 Avis Murray (508) 283-0809 Chris Bradley (415) 851 -8843 Brian McCoy (612) 489-7452 Steve Doerrer (206) 455-7690 Debra Schroeder (619) 433-0534 Mike Casey (619) 345-2858 Reedy Toney (615) 245-2481 Jack Michalko (602) 263-5208 Chuck Sanchelli (713) 980-4219

USPTA~s

Aeross Ameriea ......~~ Tennis DaysM May 14, 1994

Dear USPT A Professional.

This special issue of ADDvantage provides you with a complete program guide for running a USPTA Across America Tennis Day clinic. I hope each of you will take part in the fifth annual event on May 14. By participating in this great grassroots effort, you help USPT A demonstrate the combined strength of its membership and its commitment to the overall growth of tennis.

This pullout section can be saved in a programming notebook for this and similar events. By including this material in ADDvantage, we are offering all members more instructional and programming information.

Yonr Across America Tennis Day kit contains:

•

. Promotional tips that will help you to publicize your event.

•

Press information. Fill in the appropriate blanks on the press release and public service announcement sheets (photocopy or create your own if necessary) and deliver them to newspapers and television and radio stations.

•

An optional outline on how to run 45- and 90-minute clinics and suggestions for social functions at your tennis facility on Across America Tennis Day. (You may modify the format of the clinic and social play, provided the event is publicized as an Across America Tennis Day event.)

•

Helpful guidelines on round-robin formats and competition .

• This issue also contains a general explanation of Across America Tennis Day, which outlines the program's three phases and explains USPTA's campaign to increase the multicultural aspect of the program. Also, for your convenience, we have included a list of divisional coordinators for Across America Tennis Day and a brief synopsis of the programs with a clipout registration card. We urge you to contact the coordinator in your division if you have any questions or would like to assist other pros in your area with t:Qeir events Enthusiastic and dedicated tennis-teaching professionals have made Across America Tennis Day one of our industry's most successful grassroots programs. I want to thank you for your past support, and encourage you to hold an event on May 14 With your help, USPTA is helping the sport of tennis to grow With kind regards, I am, Sincerely, UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC.

T C 0

H1/IL--

ProJDotion eheeklist USPTA~s

Across America Tennis Day is an excellent opportunity to foster tennis as a fun means of physical fitness and to generate publicity for you and your facility Whether your event is for the public or for club members only, the following steps to promote your clinic can help ensure its success.

D

Organize committees or solicit pros to assist with various aspects, such as public relations, refreshments and invitations to local dignitaries.

D

Contact local VIPs or dignitaries, such as city council members, the mayor or local celebrities, and invite them to attend your clinic. Make one of them an honorary chairperson, which would provide good photo opportunities for advance press releases and would encourage greater publicity through local media.

D

If you are hosting or assisting with a public clinic, contact local volunteer groups, such as the Boys Club, the Girl Scouts or the local Chamber of Commerce, to help organize the event and to increase the number of participants.

D

Ask your facility or local parks and recreation department to donate racquets and tennis balls for participants who may be unable to provide their own.

D

Encourage local, soft-drink bottling companies, snack distributors and restaurants to gain public exposure by providing free or low-cost refreshments for participants during the event.

D

Compile a local media list of dally and weekly newspapers, television and radio stations, regional tennis publications and community newspapers, as well as contacts at the USPTA national office. You also may wish to include the Chamber of Commerce, the local tourism bureau and school newspapers. Be sure to gather information regarding deadlines, too.

Your media list should include the names of contacts for:

Newspaper

Sports editor, tennis writer, lifestyle editor, photo editor

Television.

Sports director, news director, assignments editor

Radio¡

News director, sports director, community program hosts

0¡

Send a press release to those on your media list announcing the event. You may type the appropriate information in the blank spaces on the sample press release provided, or you may create your own. If you write your own press release, remember these basic rules. The press release should be typed and double-spaced, provide your name and phone number where people may reach you for more information, number and label each page; and check for proper spelling and that all facts are correct.

D

Send a public service announcement to the television and radio stations on your media list. You may use the sample public service announcement provided, or you may create your own. If you write your own, follow the same basic rules for press releases and be sure to include the length (30 seconds or 60 seconds) of the announcement for programming purp6ses.

Remember that public service announcements are much shorter than releases for print media.

D

Encourage your students to invite friends and family to participate in the event.

D

Display the poster and sign-up sheet included in this packet at your facility or other locations where people will see them.

D

Appoint three people to take photographs of your event and send copies to the local newspaper, the USPTA national office for possible use inADDvantage magazine, and to other publications. Remember to identify those in the photo (from left to right), the location of the event and the host professional. Also, be sure to include your name and phone number

D

Create a follow-up press release with information on the attendance, location, pros who participated and any notable happenings. This release should be sent to those on your media list within 24 hours of the event (preferably the day of the event). Try to write the release before the clinic, so that you simply may fill in the details at the end when time is more pressing.

Copyright 0 United States Professional Tennis Association Inc. 1994. All rights reserved . Reproduction of any portion of this material is not permitted without written permission of the publisher

UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC.

NewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNews

CONTACT (name)

(phone)

(date)

Local Club to Participate in USPTA's Aeross America Tennis Day -----------:--:......,....,---------in---------:--:--------- will (club)

(city)

be part of the nation's biggest one-day tennis event on Saturday, May 14, that will involve hundreds of thousands of players hitting millions of tennis balls, according to - - - - - - - - - - : - - - : - - - - - - - - (pro)

tennis professional at----------,----,----,--,---------(club)

USPTA's Across America Tennis Day, sponsored by the United States Professional Tennis Associa-

tion, will be free to the public and will feature a tennis clinic and a social round-robin tournament. Beginners and advanced players, as well as those who have never played tennis before, are invited to - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - beginning at (club)

to participate in this (time)

nationwide tennis event.

"Millions of Americans already have discovered that tennis is an enjoyable way of keeping fit," Tim Heckler, CEO of USPTA, said. "Through this event, we hope to show millions more that it can be fun for them, too, and that tennis is a sport for life."

USPTA, the world's oldest and largest nonprofit organization of tennis-teaching professionals, hosts Across America Tennis Day in conjunction with the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports'

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. The fifth annual event is designed to promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle and tennis as a means of physical fitness.

For more information on USPTA's Across America Tennis Day, call - - - - - - : - - - : - - - : - - (number)

a t - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' or contact the USPTA World Headquarters at (name)

(713) 97-USPTA (978-7782)

-30-

UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC.

NewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNews

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT TIME:

:30

CONTACT: (name)

(phone)

Join the fun Saturday, May 14, in a USPTA Across America Tennis Day free terunis clUnic at ----------------------------------------------------(facility) The event, sponsored by the United States Professional Tennis Association, will be held · from

--~~~~-

(starting time)

to

Be among the thousands of players hitting millions -~~~~--

(ending time)

of terunis balls in this nationwide celebration of physical fitness and a healthy, drug-free lifescyle. Conmct _________________________________ at ______________________ (phone number)

(name)

for more details

USPTA is a nonprofit organization of tennis-teaching professionals

-30-

.ACROsS ~MERICA TENNIS DAY

......___ _ MAY 14, 19".

-

I

THE FOLLOWING EVENTS

LOCATION:

ARE PLANNED FOR MAY 14, 1994

~

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TIME: PHONE: .

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

· Assoc.

I

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

.·

USPTA's Aeross A.10eriea ~ Tennis Day May 14, 1994

SM

Sign-up sheet cllni..-/social round robin NAME

PHONE

CLINIC Yes

No

ROUND ROBIN Yes

No

.

. â&#x20AC;¢

'

.

I

USPTA~s

Aeross Ameriea ~~~~ Tennis DaySM May 14, 1994

An outline of suggested guidelines on: Running a 45-minute clinic, a clinic review and a 90-minute, social, round robin; Options, such as expanding the clinic to 90 minutes.

Run a 45-minute elinie Introduce yourself and your staff to the participants. Briefly discuss USPTA and how it promotes tennis in the grassroots through programs such as USPTA's Across America Tennis Day and the USPTA Adult Tennis League. Point out the benefits of playing tennis and how your teaching programs can

help improve their skills.

The depth of your clinic will depend upon the skill levels of participants. The following suggested guidelines are ideal for social-level players. Formore advanced players, you may wish to incorporate a drill format.

Start the clinic with five minutes of stretching exercises. Next, discuss the forehand and the backhand (10 minutes each) These strokes are basic enough to get participants involved in the game immediately Briefly explain.

A. B. C D E.

Grips and the ready position Backswing (emphasize simplicity and early preparation) Pivot and step (emphasize weight transfer) Bounce-swing concept (emphasize contact point) Follow-through and return to ready position

Movement should be introduced for more advanced players. The instructor should demonstrate each of the above points, then allow participants to hit balls fed by the instructor or ball machines. The procedure should last approximately 10 minutes each for the forehand and backhand.

Review the ellnie Allow 10-15 minutes to review the points discussed in the clinic and have a question and answer;_ session.

Explain the importance of regular practice and offer practice tips, such as how to use backboards and ball machines. This is a good time to distribute information on lessons and pro shop merchandise.

r

Then run a 90-minute, soeial round robin Remind the participants of the upcoming social round robin, then allow them to break for 10-15 minutes.

Afterward, assign each player a number and begin with social round-robin doubles. (You may use the following round-robin schedule to simplify this procedure.) Play may be divided into men's and women's doubles. This is a great public relations <;>pportunity Have the teaching staff socialize with the participants and offer advice and tennis tips.

Optional activities Yon can run an optional 90-minnte clinic Follow the outline for a 45-minute clinic on the previous page. Then, over an additional45 minutes, discuss the following shots at your discretion.

First review the volley - which should be described as a simple, blocking motion that employs the elbow, not the shoulders - and then demonstrate it (5 minutes) A. B. C

Ready position - distance from net, stance, racquet position Grip - firm wrist Pivoting of shoulders - waist

D E. F

Punch motion - little or no backswing Contact point Follow-through

After the demonstration, allow the participants to volley with the instructor(s), or with other participants (20 minutes) Next, discuss and demonstrate the serve (5 minutes) Since it is one of the more difficult strokes to learn, emphasize the need for coordination between the toss and the backs wing. The serve must be practiced often and can be done w_ithout an opponent. Briefly explain.

A. B C

Grip and stance Tossing motion (practice without backswing motion) Backswing motion - combine toss and backswing

D E.

Height of toss' as it relates to contact point, and position or location of toss Completion of service with follow-through

Divide the group into smaller groups on opposite sides of the court. One group serves, the other gathers the balls, then serves (15 minutes)

A few other options to consider Add a luncheon

Your social program can include a reasonably priced luncheon or cookout at the courts. The cookout should follow the clinic/round robin.

Expand your round robin

The round-robin format may be expanded to allow longer play If your club has a large junior program, you may wish to have the juniors participate in a clinic in the morning, followed by the adult session in the afternoon, with a cookout in between.

This would allow your whole membership to participate ¡in USPTA's Across America Tennis Day. Conduct a free demo

If your facility has a pro shop, you may wish to conduct a free demo session to encourage your members to try new products.

This also would be an excellent time to have a pro shop sale, since most shops are fully stocked with spring and summer goods. The options al.ie endless- put your imagination to work. USPTA's Across America Tennis Day is a great opportunity to increase lessons, pro shop sales and exposure for you, your staff and your club.

Round-robin format Play may consist of a four-game set. Each person serves one game with teams switching sides after two games. Play a 9-point tie-breaker if the score reaches 2-all. The assistant or head pro can fill in if there is an odd number of participants. Determine the round-robin winner by the number of games won.

6PLAYERS:

Round 1 Round 2: Round 3 Round 4: Round 5 Round 6: 8PLAYERS: Round 1 Round 2: Round 3 Round 4: Round 5 Round 6: Round 7 10 PLAYERS: Round 1: Round 2.

Round 3: Round 4.

Round 5: Round 6: Round 7: 12PLAYERS: Round 1 Round 2: Round 3 Round 4: Round 5 Round 6: Round 7 14 PLAYERS: Round 1: Round 2.

Round 3: Round 4.

Round 5: Round 6: Round 7: 16 PLAYERS: Round 1 Round 2: Round 3 Round 4: Round 5 Round 6:

COURT1 1&2 vs. 3&4 2&6 vs. 1&5 5&4 vs. 6&3 1&3 vs. 2&5 4&6 vs. 2&3 1&4 vs. 5&6 1&6 vs. 2&5 2&3 vs. 5&8 1&8 vs. 3&6 1&2 vs. 3&4 1&7 vs. 2&8 2&6 vs. 3&7 2&4 vs. 6&8 1.&2 vs. 3&4 9&1 vs. 2&3 2&8 vs. 4&10 5&1 vs. 7&9 3&10 vs. 4&6 1&3 vs. 2&4 6&9 vs. 1&8 1&2 vs. 3&4 3&6 vs. 7&10 4&11 vs. 7&12 3&10 vs. 5&12 1&10 vs. 8&11 1&12 vs. 6&7 2&6 vs. 3&11 1&2 vs. 3&4 13&1 vs. 2&3 3&9 vs. 5&7 1&14 vs. 2&4 10&8 vs. 1&9 14&5 vs. 13&6 12&8 vs. 9&6 1&2 vs. 7&8 1&4 vs. 3&2 13&12 vs.7&16 13&6 vs. 3&14 9&16 vs . 3&8 7&10 vs.11&16

CQURT2

COURT3

5&6 out or warm-up 3&4 out 1&2 out 4&6 out 1&5 out 2&3 out 3&8 vs. 4&7 1&4 vs. 6&7 2&7 vs. 4&5 5&6 vs. 7&8 3&5 vs. 4&6 1&5 vs. 4&8 1&3 vs. 5&7 5&6 vs. 7&8 4&5 vs. 6&10 7&1 vs. 3&9 6&8 vs. 10&2 5&7 vs. 8&9 5&8 vs. 7&10 2&5 vs. 7&3 5&6 vs. 7&8 1&4 vs. 9&12 2&9 vs. 3&8 1&8 vs. 2&7 3&12 vs. 6&9 4&5 vs. 10&11 7&9 vs. 8&10 5&6 vs. 7&8 8&9 vs 10&14 6&1 vs. 2&8 3&12 vs. 5&11 12&4 vs. 11&7 12&2 vs. 11&8 14&3 vs. 10&5 5&6 vs. 15&16 7&6 vs. 9&12 5&4 vs. 3&10 1&12 vs. 11&4 13&10 vs 5&2 13&2 vs. 9&14

9&10 out or warm-up 7&8 out 5&6 out 3&4 out 1&2 out 6&9 out 4&10 out 9&10 vs. 11&12 2&11 vs. 5&8 1&6 vs . 5&10 4&9 vs. 6&11 2&5 vs 4&7 2&3 vs. 8&9 1&5 vs 4&12 9&10 vs. 11&12 4&5 vs 6&2 11&13 vs.12&14 6&10 vs. 9&13 14&2 vs. 13&3 10&1 vs.4&7 11&4 vs. 13&7 11&12 vs 9&10 15&14 vs. 13&16 1&14 vs. 15&6 7&2 vs. 15&10 15&12 vs. 1&6 5&12 vs. 3&6

COURT4

13&14 out 11&12 out 4&10 out 7&8 out 5&6 out 3&9 out 1&2 out 13&14 vs. 3&4 10&11 vs. 5&8 9&2 vs. 11&8 5&16 vs. 9&8

USPT A's ACROSS AMERICA

~

TENNISDAY

MAY 14,1994

WHAT IS IT?

WHERE WILL IT BE HELD?

MULTICULTURAL CLINICS:

USPTA s Across America Tennis Day is a nationwide grassroots tennis event sponso red by USPT A and held in three phases.

At clubs and pub Iic facilities across the nation

This phase is held in conjunction with the President's Counci of Physical Fitness & Sports to introduce to the sport those people not usually associated with tennis. These events are organized to promote the benefits of a physically fit and drug-free lifestyle.

Anyone interested in hosting an event should contact the Sports Marketing Department at the USPTA World Headquarters.

IS IT LIMITED TO USPT A PROS?

No. Any teaching professional is eligible to host activities at his or her facility

WHEN IS IT?

Across America Tennis Day is on Saturday May 14 but multicultural clinics wil be held before and after May 14 at more than 50 different sites throughout the country There also is a follow-up phase of clinics

Simply fill out the registration form, or ca I USPT A World Headquarters at (713) 97-USPTA.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?

WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES?

To stimulate interest in tennis as a participation sport and as a means of maintaining physical fitness. New existing and former players of the game are targeted in order to have mil ions of tennis bal s played sLm ultaneously across the country on Mayâ&#x20AC;˘i 4.

Each facility wi offer a free, basic tennis clinic, followed by a social roundrobin competition. The size and scope of the activities wil be determined by the participat ng pros An out ne of suggested activities and promotional tips will be featured in ADDvantage magazine in March .

HOW DO I REGISTER MY FACILITY?

FOLLOW- UP PROGRAM:

This important final phase can be used to extend the participation of pupils in the one-day clinic to fiv~ additional weeks through an organized lesson and league play program.

Join your fe llow USPT A pros for one of the largest grassroots events in tenn.is. For details on USPTA's Across America Tennis Day call the USPTA Sports Marketing Department at the USPTA World Headquarters.

~----------------------------R~~~;~;~~F~;~-------------------------------: Please re~ister your event for division participation points by returning this registration form.

0 host professional 0 assistant Nam e __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yes, I wil participate in USPTA s Across America Tennis Day as a/an

USPTA member

0

yes

0

no

Member number _____________ Division

Club~acility __~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Street address __~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ City State _________ Zip ___________ Phone _________________ (daytime)

My clinidsocial wil be open to :

0 public

0 members only

Location of event

Call USPTA with questions. (713) 97-USPTA

Club~acility~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- Street address __~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

City ------------------------------------~ State __~~~~Zip ___________ Phone ______________ The following people wi I assist at my event.

------------------------------------------------- US PTA member

0

__________________________ USPTA member

0 yes

yes

0

no

Member number __________

0 no

Member number __~~~-

Please use additional sheets if necessary Send to: USPTA World Headquarters, One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042 ADDvantage March 1994

13

------. -----

~

Managing competitive anxiety and fear keeps athletes calm under pressure

by Jim Taylor, Ph.D.

A

certain amount of an xiety is essential for optimal performance. Moderate arousal increases heart rate, respiration and blood flow, releases adrenaline for greater strength and quickness, and enhances endurance. However, too much anxiety can be detrimental to performance. Moreover, as players move up the competitive ladder, the pressure to perform increases, thereby raising an xi ety levels.

Excessive an xiety typically is caused by several factors. First, athletes with low selfconfidence tend to be more an xious.

Secondly, fear of success or failure also can raise anxiety to detrimental levels. Thirdly, unfam iarity with situations often s associated with too much an xiety.

Anxiety manifests itself in a number of ways, including muscle tension¡, fatigue, 'choking, 'butterflies in the stomach loss of coordination and narrowing of concentration . Any or all of these factors will hurt performance, and it is important that coaches teach their players how to actively reduce an Xjety.

Six suggestions to reduce anxiety are controlled breathing , progressive relaxation, rational thinking , situation familiarity, precompetitive routines and smiling .

Breathing The most obvious, yet often neglected, way to reduce anxiety is simply to take some slow, deep breaths, which serves several purposes. First, deep breaths will reduce the heart rate and muscle tension . Secondly, muscles cannot function effectively without adequate oxygen , which causes loss of coordination.

his opponent. The boy was, in fact, much shorter than me. Invariably, he saw how irrational his th inking was and he relaxed and played well in his match It is important for coaches to be aware of their players' thought processes and actively counter any irrational thoughts that emerge.

This awareness is especially critical in highpressure situations such as major competi tions, and in difficult conditions such as wind or sun. Simply providing a rational perspective for distorted perceptions can reduce an xiety.

Increase familiarity

Practicing on the tournament court the day before can reduce anxiety during the match.

Smiling, one of the simplest techniques, also reduces stress.

even more than before, then relaxing them Why does this work? Muscles use what is called an opponent-process principle. n other words, if muscles are at a level seven of muscle tension (where 10 is very high tension) , but a player performs best at level five, then tighten muscles to level10 and relax them , which will drop tension levels to a level lower than seven .

Progressive relaxation can be used effectively in the changeovers and between points. A player might tighten her muscles for three seconds, then relax, repeating this several times.

Counter irrational thinking Progressive relaxation Often, coaches will see an anxious player and tell him to relax, which usually means the player begins to pace and tell himself to calm down. This approach may have the opposite effect. n fact, it is difficult for an athlete to reduce anxiety and muscle tension this way. When muscles are tense, players should engage in progressive relaxation. This technique involves tightening the muscles

II

14

ADDvantage March 1994

Another significant cause of anxiety is irrational thinking . Athletes, particularly young ones, develop bizarre thoughts which create unnecessary an xiety. For example, a young male, who was small for his age, told me at a tournament once that his next opponent had to be at least 10 feet tall. This thinking caused him to be very anxious. n order to counter this irrational thinking , I told him my height (5 feet 10 inches) and then stood near

Since unfamil iarity with a situation is a cause of an xiety, it follows that if the situation can be made more familiar, an xiety will diminish. This can be accomplished in several practical ways. Typically, players perform best on courts where they have competed before. As a result, it may help if players can practice on the court the previous day. If this is not possible, coaches can encourage their players to walk around the court and its surroundings to get a feel for the setting Also, they can use mental imagery to see themselves playing on the court, thereby increasing familiarity.

A significant source of unfamiliarity and , in turn, anxiety, is created when players move to a new competitive level (e.g their first nationals). Coaches can assist this transition by having roundtable sessions in which older competitors describe their experiences at that level what new things to expect, both positive and negative; and what practical strategies they use to prepare.

Regardless of the level of competition , a general rule to teach athletes is, 'expect the unexpected . Coaches are encouraged to discuss with their players what could go wrong and how to effectively deal with these problems. For example, coaches may ask their athletes what they would do if their racquets were stolen or they broke a string on their favorite frame. Planning for possible problems will make these events less unexpected and less an xiety-provoking.

(continued Of) page 21)

mr. pee Wee tennis introduces children to the big world of tennis Now, no child who wants to play tennis is too small or too young to learn the game.

Wilson Sporting Goods Co.'s mr. pee Wee tennis, a program designed to introduce children between the ages of 4 and 8 to the game, teaches all the basic strokes and strives to make learning and playing tennis fun .

'Wilson started to realize that there was a lack of focus on children ages 4 to 8, said Rey Corpuz, Wilson Racquet Sports promotions and USPTA staff coordinator. mr. pee Wee tennis is a grassroots program that is perfect for them .

Since its inception , the mr. pee Wee tennis program has introduced more than 50,000. children to tennis. mr. pee Wee tennis matches the game to children 's sizes and abilities. The reduced court si ze, which fills one-fourth of a regular tenni s court, provides children with a court that is more in proportion to their abilities th ey don't have to hit the ball as hard or run as far.

The Clet is only 28 inches high short

enough for children to see over it. The foam balls move slower than regular tennis balls, and the racquet is 21 inches long with a three and one-half inch grip. This specifically designed equipment gives chi ldren confidence by making the sport playable for them .

Several mr. pee Wee tennis packages are available, including a home kit and a twocourt kit, which is ideal for clubs and recreational areas. The kits are portable and can be quickly disassembled and moved to a different location.

'We would love to have mr. pee Wee tennis in everyone's driveway,' Corpuz said.

Anyone with a basic knowledge of tennis can teach mr. pee Wee tennis as long as they have an ability to relate to children. Technical perfection is not emphasized. Every child should learn the game while having a fun, positive experience.

Instructors should not limit the mr. pee Wee tennis program to their clubs. Elementary schools, day care centers, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and church and youth organizations offer a few of the many opportunities to bring (continued on page 21)

Since turning pro in 1989, MaliVai Washington has risen from 199th to 13th in the ATP world rankings.

.....

Fueled by

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•

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mr. pee Wee tennis can be played in a driveway and will provide fun for the entire family.

ADDvantage March 1994

15

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

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USPTA Gift Shoppe One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042 TEL (713) 97-USPT A â&#x20AC;¢ FAX (713) 978-7780

Super charge your teaching tactics

by Douglru A. Lewis

B y the nature of the business, tennis professionals put in a lot of hours on the court. Keeping busy is the key to success, but there comes a point when the hours can start affecting one's instructional style. This may lead to boredom, burnout and stagnated teaching.

Tennis-teaching skills may be kept fresh and sharp by continually reinventing' the way the game is taught. New perspectives and alternative thinking will help avoid burnout. The following are some tips to keep you inspired and in tur~e with your students' needs.

Get it in writing. Write down everything you possibly can think of about a stroke or strategy. Start with the most basic concept and work up. It is surprising how much there is to teach on just one stroke or strategy. This provides many lesson plan possibilities.

2. Talk the talk. Talk to students, members arid other tennis players off the court.

The locker room and the club lounge are great places to talk to them about their games what they are working

3.

4.

5.

6.

7

on, their strengths and weaknesses they love to hear the fundamentals. This will provide valuable lesson ideas, and a coach will earn respect by taking an interest in other players' games.

Watch this. Hang out' and watch members play. It does not take very long to see what the majority of club players need to work on.

Play it again, Sam. Get out and play some matches. When teaching a lot, this can be a hassle, but a coach can learn much from his own playing experiences.

Apply what is learned to day-to-day teaching.

Take a vacation. Take a vacation from your club and visit another one to watch its coaches' on-court instruction. This is a good way to gain new ideas.

Read and re-discover history. Read an instructional book or tennis magazines. Older issues of tennis magazines are especially good. Tennis instruction follows trends, and it is fun to go back and make old ideas current.

See tennis through other sports.

Read other sports magazines. nsight

USPTA seminars are a great way to meet other pros and get new ideas.

may be gained from reading instruction for other sports. Some good magazines to read include Handball, Golf Digest, Cycle and Sports Illustrated. Golf magazines are extremely helpful due to the biomechanic similarities between the two sports.

8. Be a couch potato. Sit back and watch tennis on television . Obviously a coach can get a lot of good ideas by watching the best players in the world .

9. The competitive edge. Go ar:-td watch a junior or adult tournament. It is helpful to view players who are under the stress of competition .

10. The gift of gab. Talk to fellow pros.

Professional patronage is a great way to gain instructional ideas.

11 Get some class. Go to a convention or seminar. This is a good way t9 talk to fellow pros in a casual environment and see presentations by quality speakers.

Remember that creative inspiration is continually inside of you . Try using these suggestions the next time you feel stale and see which ones work. Awakening energized teaching talent can move you to new levels of instruction. You still may be tired after all those hours, but, with fresh new tactics, never bored. o Douglas A. Lewis is the head tennis professional at the Michigan Athletic Club in East Lansing , Mich ., in the winter; and the Quogue Field Club, on Long Island, NY, in the summer. He has been a member of USPTA since 1988.

Lewis is a member of the first Douglas A. Lewis graduating class of the USPTA-approved Professional Tennis Management Program at Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Mich.) in 1988. That program awards a bachelor of science with a major in marketing. He also writes a weekly tennis column for the Lansing State Journal.

ADDvantage March 1994

17

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BU I LDER S ASSO CI ATIO N

Exams., upgrades and Certification Training Courses Each date includes an exam, upgrade and otherwise noted.

March 5·6 March 5-6 March 6-7 March 19-20 March 26-27 March 26-27 March 27-28 April 1-2 April 6-7 April 10-11 April 11-12 April 14 April 15-16 April 16-17 April 16-17 April 17-18 April 23-24 April 23-24 April 24-25 April 24-25 April 25-26 May 12 May 12·13 May 13-14 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 19-20 May 21-22 May 21-22 May 25-26 June 34 June 3-4 June 3-4 June 3-4 June 4-5 June 4-5 June 5-6 June 5-6 June 5-6 June 9 June 11-12 June 12-13 June 12-13 June 12-13 June 18-19 June 18-19 June 23-24 June 23-25 June 26-27

ere unless

Malibu, Calif.

Clweland, Ohio Mclean, Va. Hershey, Pa. Boca Raton, Fla. Salem, Ore. Murrieta, Calif.

Bloomington, Minn.

Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Marietta, Ga. Santa Rosa, Calif.

Freeport, NY (no CTC) Gastonia, N.C. Chicago, Ill. Kauai, Hawaii Palm Springs, Calif.

Bakersfield, Calif.

Boca Raton, Fla. Murrieta, Calif Tyler, Texas Bronx, NY. Freeport, NY (no CTC) Stratton, Vt. Bradenton, Fla. Murrieta, Calif.

Richmond, Va. Tucson, Ariz.

Wilmington, Del. Fountain Valley, Calif.

West Orange, N.J. Wesley Chapel, Fla. Minneapolis, Minn.

Louisville, Ky. Hitton Head Island, S.C. Kailua Kana, Hawaii Kingsport, Tenn.

Parker, Colo.

La Jolla, Calif.

Houston, Texas Freeport, NY (no CTC) Hamden, Conn.

Carmel, Calif.

Baltimore, Md. Richmond, Va. Camarillo, Calif.

Oahu, Hawaii Mesa, Ariz.

Detroit, Mich.

Marietta, Ga.

Exam rese!Valions must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Pending members: late cancellation fee - $75; failure to cancel - application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee - $25; failure to cancel - $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited Regis· !ration for another exam will not be accepted until these cancellation fees are paid.

Specialty Courses Four-hour courses are denoted by an asterisk(*). All others are eight hours.

Brookfield , Wis. March 27 * Competitive Singles Patterns Competitive Doubles Patterns Brookfield, Wis. March 27* April 7 Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Mental Training April 8* Competitive Singles Patterns Santa Rosa, Calif April 8* Competitive Doubles Patterns Santa Rosa, Calif April 11 * Tennis Business Management Steamboat Springs, Colo.

April 11 * Tennis Business Management II Steamboat Springs, Colo.

April 23 * Stress Management Coral Gables, Fla. Time Management Coral Gables, Fla. April 23 * Competitive Doubles Patterns Cleveland, Ohio April 24 May 7 Strategy and Tactics Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. May 7 Competitive Doubles Patterns Detroit, Mich.

May 7 Creating a Total Service Organization Burnsville, Minn.

Team Coaching Stratton, Vt. May 13* Stratton , Vt. May 13* Pro Shop Operations Stratton, Vt. May 15* Motor Learning Stress Management Tucson , Ariz.

May 20* May 20 * Tucson, Ariz.

Time Management June 2* Tennis Business Management Wesley Chapel Fla. Tennis Business Management Wesley Chapel Fla. June 2* Stress Management Wesley Chapel , Fla. June 5* Time Management Wesley Chapel , Fla. June 5* -·--------------------------------------~·

Conventions April 8-10 April 8-11 May 12-15 May 13-15 May 20-22 May 31 -June 5

Northern California Division Intermountain Division New England Division Eastern Division Southwest Division Florida Division

Santa Rosa, Calif.

Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Stratton, Vt. Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Tucson, Ariz.

Wesley Chapel, Fla ~

-----------------------

Division meetings/activities March 14 March 20 March 21 March 26 April 1 April 18 April 23 April 24 April 30-May 1 May 1 May 26 June 3 June 11

Midwest Division Midwest Division Mid-Atlantic Division Midwest Division Northwest Division Mid-Atlantic Division New England Division Midwest Division San Diego Division Missouri Valley Division Texas Division Northwest Division Hawaii Division

Cleveland, Ohio Homewood , Ill Virginia Beach Va. Waukesha, Wis. Richfield , Minn.

Virginia Beach Va. Rocky Hill Conn.

Schaumburg , Ill. San Diego, Calif.

Kansas City, Mo. Austin , Texas Richfield , Minn .

Honolulu Hawaii

Coaches Workshops March 25 March 29 April 2 April 24 April 24 May 22

Midwest Division San Diego Division Northwest Division Eastern Division Midwest Division Southern Division

Waukesha, Wis. San Diego, Calif.

Eagan, Minn.

Bronx, N.Y. Schaumburg, Ill. Louisville, Ky.

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

Tennis Teachers., Courses March 3-5 May 18-20 June 2-4

Boca Ratoli, Fla. Fountain Valley, Calif Nashville, Tenn .

This schedule is subject to change. For more information, call the USPTA Membership Department at (713) 97-USPTA. ADDvantage March 1994

19

Jack L.

Ph.D.

Good balance essential for serving effectively QUESTION: I seldom hear people talk about balance when serving. From a biomechanical perspective, can you explain the actual .role of balance in the serve?

ANSWER: Balance is an essential component of all tennis strokes. Without great balance, a player can be in real trouble trying to control a shot. To begin, let's examine what balance is.

From an anatomical viewpoint, we need to understand the center of gravity (COG) and its location. The COG is that very small point at the center of the body's mass. When one stands in an erect posture with arms at one's side, this point is usually located in the central area of the body near the lower abdomen . nterestingly enough , and specifically to tennis, the location of the COG changes with movements of the arms and legs. If we raise our arms above our head, the COG raises several inches.

If we drop a direct vertical line from the COG to the court (called the line of gravity), balance will depend on where the line falls relative to our base of support.

The base of support is the area on the court that supports the body. If you stand on one foot , the base of support is only that very small area under the foot. If you are standing on both feet and the feet are positioned shoulder-width apart, the base of support includes the area under both feet and the area between them .

You will be balanced if the line of gravity (LOG) falls anywhere within the base of support, and out of balance if it falls outside. This is the premise for all movement, going from balance to imbalance and back to balance.

20

ADDvantage March 1994

When serving , body control through good balance is essential to hitting the ball effectively. Without balance, the serve owes its success to luck if it goes in with power and control.

To achieve balance on the serve, you must be careful with the movement of the feet prior to hitting the ball.

In studies conducted several years ago, found that players who did not move the back foot forward (i.e. a platform stance) had great balance. That is, their LOG did not move outside the base of support until the very end of the motion.

Tennis is a control game.

moving the back foot forward , and even then they must do so in a very controlled manner.

Remember, the serve is the only motion in tennis that is self-paced . Pitching in baseball and free-throw shooting in basketball are similar self-paced activities. Those athletes use very controlled movements to avoid losing control of their bodies. Tennis players must view the serve the same way.

Videotape a player and watch it to see what happens to the LOG if she lifts her back foot off the ground when serving . Likely, it will not fall over the front foot which means her body is out of balance.

Feel free to say to your students what say to mine 'Tennis is a control game. It doesn't matter how hard you hit the ball if it doesn't land in the court. And we have to start with body control. 6

It doesn"t matter how hard you hit the ball if it doesn"t land in the court.

Those players who gradually slid the foot forward (like Pete Sampras does), more in a fashion of following the forward motion of the serve, also controlled their LOG over the base of support quite well. However, when a player picked up the back foot to intentionally place it adjacent to the front foot , the LOG fell outside of the base of support and body control was difficult to achieve.

For that reason alone, I recommend that most players not slide or pick up the back foot. Only skilled athletes can benefit from

Jack Groppel , Ph.D., is the execu¡ live vice president of LG E/Saddlebrook Sport Science, Inc. He is an instruction editor for Tennis magazine, and is the author of HighTech Tennis and co-author of The Science of Coaching Tennis. Groppel is a certified Master Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D. Professional of the USPTA and was named 1987 Professional of the Year by the USPfA, Groppel is an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Florida. He is chairman of the USPTA National Committee on Fitness and Health, and serves on the National Steering Committee of the USTA Player Development Program. He also is a member of the Prince and Penn advisory staffs.

Across America Tennis Day

USPrA pros pass USTA exrun The following professionals passed the USTA Level Sport Science Competency Test between Sept. 16 and Dec. 17 Deborah Ballowe Saskia Bartlett Richard Beck Byron Boyd Jim Brown Joseph Canada Corwin Carr Holly Chomyn Doneta Chorney Arvin Cohen Jose Collazo Clark Corey Craig Cronrath Glenn Crouch John Curliano Robert Delgado Kirsten Elim Hassan Feisal Andrew Finn James Fisher Barry Friedman

Kathleen Gibson Michael Graff Joseph Ross Graham Jason Hallquest Colin Hill John Hill David Jenkins Matt Jones Richard Kagawa Debbie Ladig Pat Lanni David Marra Bill Maxwell Maria McDonald Victor Mills Mary Mottola Luan Nguyen William H Nichols Todd Norton David Nost ~ant Winston Owen

Managing anxiety and fear (continued from page 14)

.

Pre-co~petitive

routines

Pre-competitive routines can minimize an xiety in pressure situations. The routines teach players to condition their minds and bodies to believe that whenever they are using the routines, it is just another match not something to get nervous about.

Coaches may ask their players to write and rehearse a routine with which they feel comfortable. These pre-competitive routines can begin the night before a match and continue when the players describe their routines to younger players. It is important to emphasize that there is no single correct pre-competitive routine. Rather, athletes need to design a routine that fulfills their particular needs.

Smiling It may be hard to believe, but smiling one of the simplest techniques can reduce anxiety effectively. A player doesn't have to find something funny to laugh about, he simply needs to raise the sides of his mouth and smile.

Smiling influences our feelings in two ways.

Markos Papas Gordon Quinton Robert Reed Roberta Risdon John Risner John Robinson Marcia Rodriguez Santiago Rodriguez Warren Rohmfeld Susan Saunders-Causey Dean Shaw Roman Shklyar Arthur Smith Stan Tamura Fabio Vasconcellos David Walsh Mitch Weissbein John Williams Eldon Wilson Ron Woods Timothy Wynne

First, we are brought up believing that when we smile, we must be happy and relaxed.

Secondly, research has shown that when we smile, biochemical changes occur that result in a relaxing effect. Forcing a player to smile can markedly reduce her anxiety, thereby allowing her to perform better. 13

Jim Taylor. Ph.D.. is an associate professor and sport psychologist in the School of Psychology at Nova University in Fort Lauderdale.

Fla. He currently is on a leave of absence. living in Aspen, Colo.

Taylor is a member of the Head Professional Staff. a Jim Taylor, Ph.D. USPTA -c;:ertified teaching professional. a regular speaker for the USTA and USPTA, a consultant with the USTA Player Development Center, and has worked with many recreational, junior, collegiate and professional players. He also is a former nationally ranked ski racer and holds a second-degree black belt in karate.

Taylor has published more than 135 articles in professional and popular magazines, including Tennis and Sun Tennis, is a regular contributor to Inside Women 's Tennis (WTA Tour magazine) and ADD'Vantage, and has given more than 140 workshops throughout North America and in Europe.

(continued from page 12) A logo to make your own AATD T-shirts can be purchased through the Sports Marketing Department at USPTA's World Headquarters, (713) 97-USPTA. (Before receiving the logo, you first must sign a logo-use agreement form .) The cost for the logo is $4.81 (includes postage).

As USPTA strives to improve and strengthen its image with tennis and nontennis groups, it relies on the help of its members. Every year, AATD clinics receive a generous this year will be no amount of publicity exception. Previous years have seen AATD and USPTA mentioned in all major tennis publications, as well as in hundreds of newspapers around the country, including The Wall Street Journal and USA Today With the help of its members throughout the country, USPTA is looking to increase AATD publicity. More publicity about AATD and USPTA will help increase the financial stability, self-esteem, and quality of life for USPTA teaching professionals.

For more information and ideas about promoting your AATD event, consult the promotional checklist in the AATD pullout, or contact the Sports Marketing Department at USPTA's World Headquarters.

For more information on AATD divisional activities, contact the appropriate divisional coordinator listed on page 12. 13

mr. pee Wee tennis (continued from page 15) mr. pee Wee tennis to children who might otherwise never experience the game.

The mr. pee Wee tennis program consists of two six-week sessions. A manual designed to help coaches and parents plan the sessions is included or may be purchased separately. Instructors are advised to give away a free mr. pee Wee tennis racquet, cap and T-shirt to each child during the first sixweek session sign-up. This, as well as inviting parents to the graduation ceremony at the end of the first six weeks, and to the Junior Olympics during week 12, encourages parental involvement.

Once a child has mastered mr. pee Wee tennis, he or she can move to covered tennis balls and low-pressure felt balls, which gradually introduce children to faster and higher bouncing balls. mr. pee Wee tennis does not limit the fun to children. Older junior players can benefit from using mr. pee Wee tennis by learning topspin or slice techniques quickly. It also can improve a player's footwork. Adults and senior citizens with no experience can also learn the game easily with mr. pee Wee tennis. o ADDvantage March 1994

21

US PTA • USPTA professionals from Peter Burwash International conducted a tennis tournament for the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AI OS at the Doral Resort & Country Club in Miami. All proceeds went to the foundation .

If anyone is interested in helping with the 'Ace AIDS for Arthur ' fund-raiser scheduled for March 10 in Key Biscayne, Fla. contact Jacquene Joseph at (212) 922-0096.

• Bob Litwin, USPTA Eastern Division vice president, presented his 'Focused Game' concept at Ivan Lendl 's Weston Racquet Club in Connecticut in December, and at the USPTA New England Divisional Convention, hosted by USPTA member Rick Sharton.n February, Litwin attended coaches conferences in Maywood, N.J. with Master Pro Marvin Benzing, and at Armonk Tennis Club, in Armonk, NY with Peter Fiore.

• Mark McMahon, USPTA Master Professional has accepted the position of director of tennis at Dunwoody Country Club n Atlanta.

McMahon is a three-term past president of the USPTA Florida Mark McMahon Division. He also has held national USPTA rankings in singles and doubles.

• USPTA Middle States Division professionals gave free tennis lessons as prizes at the Concast U.S. Indoor Championships, held Feb. 14-20 in Philadelphia. The tournament featured 32 of the world 's best male touring professionals. USPTA volunteers assisted with tournament operations and transportation, and coordinated special activities which involved tournament spectators and players. The pros also participated in the tournament's USPTA Day on Feb. 17 which was coordinated by Larry Hampton, division president, and Mark Townsend of

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West Chester, Pa. • Vishnu Maharaj, USPTA member and director of tennis at Sea Palms Racquet Club on St. Simon's Island , Ga. helped organize the second annual Mental Health Association's Karl Klein Tennis Benefit in January.

Proceeds from the round-robin tournament helped fund mental health education and advocacy programs of the local MHA chapter.

Member product showcase • Pierce Kelley, USPTA member, has written a book called A Parent's Guide to Coaching Tennis. The book emphasizes how parents may develop children's skills and confidence. n the book, he gives credit to the How to Prepare for USPTA Certification manual as a reference source for historical information .

• USPTA member James E Loehr, Ed D., recently completed Toughness Training For Life, a book about getting n shape physi cally and mentally through confidence and determination. L..---..:~..___......, His previous book James E. Loehr is Mental Toughness Training for Sports.

USTA • The USTA will host the USTA National Senior Women's Clay Court Championships in Houston, April11-17 Winners of the singles and doubles competitions will be awarded $20,000. Send entries by March 25 to Judy Job, 10222 Chevy Chase, Houston , Texas 77042.

• The USTA National Junior Tennis League joined with the National Collegiate Athletic Association National Youth Sports Program to provide NYSP coordinators with the necessary resources and materials to implement effective youth tennis programs. For more information about the NJTL, contact USPTA pro Dave Abrams, (914) 696-7000. For more information about the NYSP call Christine Pohl, (913) 339-1906.

Manufacturers • Courtsider Sports Lighting has released the new Courtsider XL tennis lighting system, which provides glare-free illumination and minimum light spillage. The Courtsider XL incorporates an improved reflector system to produce 40 percent higher output over the previous model • Gerald Greenblatt, president of Asahi Inc. Atlanta, is leaving his position to assume a role with parent company Asah Corporation Japan .

Grand Prix Hassan II, March 14, the Davis Cup, March 21 the Estoril Open, Salem Open, and South African Outdoor Open, March 28 ; and the Japan Open '94 and Trofeo Conde de Godo-Renault Open, April 4.

•

Tennis magazine's international ranking panel named Steffi Graf as the most versatile player of 1993 because she won top honors on all four surfaces. Pete Sampras is the Tennis magazine Player of the Year, chosen because he achieved goals beyond expectation .

• The National Club Association released a publication for club officials,

Search, Selection and Termination: The Decision-Maker's Guide to Employment Issues, which provides advice on preemployment testing, interviewing techniques, checking references, employment contracts, employment at wi and discipl nary procedures.

Miscellany • Molly Mcintosh, 12, of Mercer Island, Wash . and Josh Vinck, 15, of Bonita, Calif. won Tennis magazine's 1993 Junior Sportsmanship Award. They were recognized for exhibiting outstanding sportsmanship and fair play on the tennis court.

Hank Watanabe, ~xecutive

vice president of Asahi nc.

Gerald Greenblatt Atlanta , will assume the president's duties.

• The Wilson Sledge Hammer 3.8si, the lightest performance racquet available on the market, recently was chosen as one of "The Best New Products of 1993" by Business Week magazine (January 10, 1994).

Associations

Steffi Graf

Pete Sampras

- ·

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

TENNIS PRO SERVICES AT CORAL PINE, CORAL REEF, HAULOVER AND TROPICAL TENNIS CENTERS

Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the Board of County Commissioners of Dade County, Florida, will accept sealed proposals to enter into a three (3) year license agreement with a County option to renew for two one (1 year periods, with a qualified individual(s), group(s), or company(s) to provide for TENNIS LESSONS AND RELATED SERVICES

Wilson Sledge Hammer 3.8si

• Head Sports Inc. and Head Sportswear Inc. announced a strategic reorganization that realigned Head 's hard goods and soft goods businesses, resulting in a major unification of the Head brand in tennis, ski golf scuba, footwear and apparel

Pro tours • The 1994 IBMIATP Tour has announced the following championship games: the Tomeo Ciudad de Zaragoza, March 7· The Lipton Championships, March 11-20; the

2. Sealed proposals for Tennis Pro Services will be received by the Board of County Commissioners of Dade County, Florida, at the Office of the Clerk of the Board, 111 N.W 1st Street, 2nd Floor Miami, FL 33128, until1 p.m.

Wednesday March 30, 1994.

3. Contract documents may be obtained upon the payment of $10 in U.S. funds (nonrefundable), by contacting the Contract Management Office, Park and Recreation Department, 50 S. W 32 Road, Building 6, Miami, FL 33129.

4. A pre-proposal conference will be held on Friday, March 11 1994, at 10:30 a.m. at 50 S.W 32 Road, Building 3, Conference Room. While the conference is not mandatory it is strongly recommended that you attend this conference.

5. All proposals shall be submitted as set forth in the instructions to Proposer(s).

6. The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive informalities, technicalities and irregularities and to readvertise.

7 Sign language interpreters are available upon request. Please call (305) 857-6685 at least four days in advance.

Metro-Dade County provides equal access and equal opportunity in employment and services and does not discriminate on the basis of handicap.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 111 N W 1ST STREET MIAMI, FLORIDA

ADDvantage March 1994

23

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