Addvantage 1994 May

In this issue...

1994 USPTA National Convention information Chapter 7 of the USPTA Education Manual

MAY 1994 ne of Men and Women _ _ . . . . _ ing Professionalsâ„¢

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Use a Hammer, and players who once were your equal may begin to feel somehow f)_ inadequate. That's because there's no higher and larger*sweet spot on the market a-~GOI1.e today. The Hammer Benes from Wilson ~ Who would have thought that a tenms racquet could start a literary revolutiOn? M A 0 E T 0 WI N'" 'l 111 110 hu d aiu . Mtd~ to Wi n tad lltm mfr 1rt trademarks, 1nd Wtnd Wi15011 t re repstcrtd trt dea11rU of 1 1ilson Sporliq Goods Co. 0 1993 Wiltoa Spu rtin~;Cood1Co.

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The Trade Magazine of Men and Women Tennis-Teaching Professionalsn•

Volume 18- Issue 5 The Voice Of The Tennis Teaching Profession

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Gordon Collins First Vice President Dave Sivertson Vice Presidents Kathy Woods Will Hoag Joe Thompson Kurt Kamperman Secretaryffreasurer Jim Davis Past President Jack Justice WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO Tirn Heckler Director of Operations Rich Fanning 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 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© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1994. All rights reserved.

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

May 1994

On the cover Steffi Graf captures the women's singles title at the 1994 Lipton Championships in Key Biscayne, Fla. Pete Sampras was the men's singles winner. Photo by Russ Adams Productions.

SPECIAL SECTION The US PTA Education Manual: A Career Guide to Professionalism Books I and II is published as excerpts inADDvantage magazine. The pullout chapters bring more education information to members - free of charge. This issue continues with Book II -Tennis Business Operations & Management, which explores business plans, career development and many other subjects to help tennis professionals keep their edge in the business world.

In this edition . ..

Book II - Tennis Business Operations & Management Chapter 7 Marketing, public relations keep club in public eye

by Fernando Velasco

FEATURES 6 Update tennis-teaching and playing skills at USPTA Schools 12 Structured feedback helps coaches evaluate and improve programs

by Ken Davis 12 Coaching analysis provides methods to improve teaching skills

by Ken Davis 15 Tennis professionals plan summer, fall programs with USPTA Adult Tennis League 16 USPTA Little Tennis™ makes learning fun for children 20 Select the right people to build a winning team

by Will Cleveland 22 Across America Tennis Day takes tennis to the streets 22 Across America Tennis Day registration form

1994 USPTA National Convention 4 USPTA plans education, tennis and social activities for 1994 National Convention 4 1994 National Convention registration form 7 -1994 hotel room reservation form 9 1994 USPTA National Championships registration form

DEPARTMENTS 3 President's message: Make job security a reality

by Gordon Collins 5 CEO's message: Recruit players with grassroots programs New players mean success for tennis industry

by Tim Heckler 8 Off-court focus: Anna Hazlett USPTA women pros have responsibility to other women players, coaches 14 Ask the professor: Military technique helps develop tough tennis players

by Jack Groppel 24 Dates that rate 26 Industry action ADDvantage May 1994

.. presents

emorative Collection ots 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.,

Make job security a reality Gordon Collins, President

A s the tennis profession becomes more mature, a common question asked by USPTA professionals is, How secure is my job?' .

Afte ·years of employment at the same facility or club, professionals may become complacent in their actions and attitudes.

Even though there are very few guarantees for long-term job security, if one actively pursues the following goals, one certainly will have maximized one's potential.

• Understand the big picture Regardless of the type of club or facility, it is important to have a clear understanding of where you fit in and how you can help the business meet its goals. These goals may change on a regular basis, and it is crucial to be aware of modifications.

Communicate regularly with the management team or board of directors to determine how you can assist in achieving the facility's goals.

Owners, directors and managers need a great deal of support and assistance to make the club successful A professional's input, enthusiasm and insights are valuable in the decision-making process.

• Be a team player - The expression is

a cliche , but it is a very important part of our jobs. In most cases, it is not in writing , but it is a reflection of our attitudes.

For example, even though you may not benefit directly from supporting a club social function or event, it is crucial to the overall health of the club. As the club professional, you have a great deal of influence over your clientele, and a word of encouragement and recommendation from you can go a long way.

To be successful , we need to nurture and develop this teamwork, because one person can't do it all.

• Remember who your real bosses

are- Delivering customer satisfaction is the ultimate job security tool. If you provide the majority of your clients with the programs, services and lessons they want, you will be successful. Constant updating and renovation of your programs is mandatory, and creative, lively and entertaining activities will stimulate the customers as well as the professional .

• Knowledge is power - We are called professionals because we have a particular expertise that the average individual does not have. That expertise is formulated and devel-

oped from the use of knowledge. • The ability to be a top-ranked player will not carry you through today 's job market.

The successful professional of the future will continue to have the 'knowledge edge.

Reading the commercial tennis publications is not enough . Achieving USPTA's continuing education credits of nine points every three years should be viewed as an absolute minimum to stay competitive.

• Service, service, service- Our customers enlist our help for many purposes, but for their own reasons. Along with knowledge, providing outstandJng customer service is a requirement.

You need to determine the customers' needs and desires before you design the proper program for them . Even in a group lesson, the customers must walk away feeling they received personal value for their money.

As 'm sure you are aware, the tennis market in the United States dropped by approximately 15 percent in 1993. That figure is based on the decline in both hard and soft goods sales.

During these difficult times, the professional who blends these characteristics and information will be in demand, successful and secure. o ADDvantage May 1994

3

USPTA plans education, tennis and social activities for 1994 National Convention U

SPTA is planning many educational and entertaining activities for the 1994 USPTA National Convention .

Scheduled Sept. 17-25 at the La Quinta (Calif.) Hotel Golf and Tennis Resort, the convention will provide an opportunity for tennis professionals to enjoy educational activities, tennis competition and social functions with their peers.

USPTA members may register for the convention by completing the registration form on this page. The convention fee for USPTA members is $210, if the form is received at the World Headquarters before Aug . 16. Members who return the registration form after Aug . 16 will incur a $20 late fee.

The 45-acre resort offers 30 tennis courts (clay, grass and hard), three championship golf courses, 640 guest rooms and numerous other amenities and activities.

The La Quinta Hotel is handling all hptel reservations for USPTA members. Complete (continued on page 28)

,---

The second annual USPTA buying show will feature the newest styles and equipment in the tennis industry.

.....,.-------, This form must be completed for convention registration.

All registrations received after Aug. 16 will incur an additional $20 late fee.

Celebrate 67 years of USPTA DESERT DISCOVERY USPTA National Convention- Sept. 17-25, 1994 USPTA member# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Division _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ __ Phone (H) (_ _)

(W) (_ _) _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Spouse/spouse equivalent's name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Friend's name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

D

CHECK APPLICABLE FEES

D

Visa

D

MasterCard

Name printed on credit card _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

D

Member $21 0 Nonmember $225

0

Spouse/spouse equivalent $100

D D

Friend $21 0 Exp. date _ _ _ _ Signature _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Total fees enclosed $ - - - - - (Spouse/spouse equivalent must register to receive special package of parties and products.)

I I L 4

PAYMENT OPTIONS Make check or money order payable to USPTA, or charge my

Card No. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Return with payment to: USPTA World Headquarters One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042 ADDvantage May 1994

_j

Recruit players with grassroots programs Net.V players mean success for tennis industry Tim Heckler, CEO

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arrival of spring usually awakens the dormant athlete in most of us and spurs an increase in outdoor activities. As temper• atures rise, things begin to warm up at driving ranges, baseball diamonds and tennis courts.

Now's the time to recruit new tennis players, and we need to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for people to pick up tennis racquets and have fun playing our sport. Grassroots programs, like USPTA's Across America Tennis Day and USTA's Play Tennis ·America, are designed to deliver these benefits. Newer concepts, such as USPTA Little Tennis, may create a whole new generation of enthusiastic tennis consumers and competitors.

Remember, the keys to the tennis not just industry's success are new players existing or former ones.

On May 14, USPTA will celebrate its fifth annual Across America Tennis Day. What began in 1990 as a way to spotlight tennis and increase interest in the game has grown into a series of events that strives to maintain long-term interest in tennis.

Thousands of USPTA members and nonmembers have hosted Across America Tennis Day clinics. Along with the information we provide them for hosting one-day events, we offer suggestions for follow-up programs. The suggested series of lessons and league play can increase a teaching professional's lesson base and enhance the programming choices and pro shop sales at a tennis facility. , The multicultural clinics, which represent one part of the overall Across America Tennis

Day program, provide the equipment necessary for first-time players to continue with tennis after the initial introductory lesson.

USPTA leaves racquets and tennis balls at these sites, so interested people can continue to play the sport. Multicultural clinics will target inner-city youth, senior citizens, handicapped children, Native Americans, Special Olympic competitors and many other groups. USPTA hopes to set up 100 multicultural clinics in 1994, which may be scheduled anytime during the spring, summer or fall.

Although these programs represent an attempt by our Association to encourage tennis participation and increase equipment sales, they alone cannot accomplish these goals for our entire industry.

USTA's Play Tennis America program also may provide an answer. It offers a comprehensive introductory and retention curriculum, which I feel provides players and teachers alike with some of the best materials and activities for introducing tennis and recruiting long-term players.

The three levels of Play Tennis America include the following : • Instruction A three-week (nine-hour) instructional program for teaching players the basic skills nee9ed to play tennis.

• Supervised play A three-week (ninehour) play program that follows the instructional level. Participants play with different partners in round-robin doubles, and they receive reviews and ongoing instruction.

• League play A program for advanced beginners and graduates of the super-

vised play segment of Play Tennis America. This provides participants with low-key competition through team play, while emphasizing the fun , fitness and social aspects of tennis.

This program can be supplemented with more competitive league activities and an advanced lesson series. I would recommend this program to any teaching professional who wants to introduce new players to the sport and keep them interested in various tennis programs.

USPTA Little Tennis, explained in more detail beginning on page 16, may be the answer to creating millions of new players in the coming years. It also is a natural feeder program for the many other projects initiated

by USPTA, USTA and other groups and individuals.

As part of its endorsement of Wilson Racquet Sports, USPTA agreed to create and participate in a junior grassroots program , which uses mr. pee Wee tennis equipment.

Little Tennis gives us the ideal opportunity to develop a synergistic program that might cause the rebirth of our sport. The USPTA Executive Committee is reviewing the program and will reccmmend final modifications before it is introduced officially at this year's National Convention in September.

There are a lot of exciting and beneficial programs out there. We must promote them and make them accessible to as many people as possible. It's up to tennis-teaching professionals to use these programs to improve their businesses and the tennis activity in their respective areas. 4) ADDvantage May 1994

5

Update tennis-teaching and playing skiUs at USPD\ Schools T.nnis professionals will have an opportunity to update teaching and playing skills during two popular USPTA Schools of Teach ing this summer.

The USPTA Playing School, scheduled July 22-24, and the USPTA School of Tennis Teaching, scheduled August 13-14, will be held at the Maywood Tennis Club n Maywood N .J Members who atHolmberg to lead playing school tend either school will earn eight credits in the Continuing Education Program .

Player and coach Ron Holmberg will lead the playing school. He will discuss strategies, techniques, tactics and strokes, provide demonstrations, supervise on-court competition , and offer stylistic critiques using videotape of the school participants.

The cost for the playing school is $225 for members and $300 for nonmembers, and the deadline to register is July 1

Bacso demonstrates teaching follow-through on the backhand.

Key topics will include tips for the over. head , lob, drop shot, passing and approach shots, and techniques of serves, volleys and ground strokes.

The School of Tennis Teaching , headed by George Bacso, USPTA director of certification and academies, will introduce and evaluate different teaching philosophies and styles. The deadline to register is July 25, and the cost is $150 for members and $225

for nonmembers.

Bacso will diagnose various problems tennis students encounter and the methods teachers might use to correct those problems. Class will be held on court and in the classroom , and will include using match videotape to teach .

'This was a very interPlaying School agenda Day 1 Warm up with drill on court Basic demonstrations by instructors Videotape players' groundstrokes Review of videotape in "skull session" Day 2 Return of serve Overheads Approach shots Dropshots Passing shots Doubles play L>bs Free play Day 3 Use the covered points in singles strategy Play pressur e points Course overview 9-point, tiebreaker tournament

6

ADDvantage May 1994

School of Tennis Teaching agenda Day 1 Introduction Early years of tennis and progressions of playing Playing styles Lab on court: grips Various styles of teaching the forehand, backhand, two-handed backhand and serve Day 2 Various styles of teaching the volley, return ofserv~ overhead, lob, approach shots, passing shots, serve and volley, chip and charge, and drop shots

esting course. It's amazing to see where tennis has come from.'

-Ali Kelly, Houston

Ali Keily of Houston , who attended the February teaching school in Houston, said she used the information she learned in the course to help her students with their different styles of play.

'This was a very interesting course, she said. It's amazing to see where tennis has come from .

For more information, or to register for either school, contact the USPTA Membership Department at the World Headquarters, {713) 97-USPTA. The office is open weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Central time. o

HOTEL ROOM

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11\T Please complete this form and return it to La Quinta Hotel no later than August 17, 1994: SEND TO:

CONFERENCE:

La Quinta Hotel P.O. Box 69, La Quinta, CA 92253 (619) 564-4111 • (800) 854-1271

USPTA National Convention Sept. 1 7-25 1994

You arrd your ~enp.ilplayers are invited to erfjof the cool mountains of western North Carolina. Bringi'ight (S~ tennis camp participants t~· our place ' . for · s~~-- flay long tennis c~p' and we will provide, tile tennis professional freer !lleals and l0dging. · ~ >-·""

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Departure date: ________________

Arrival date:

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PRo 'PRoVIDEs:

Last name (print legibly)

First name

Middle initial

Street

State

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Zip

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Please indicate choice of.accommodations. All rates are European plan (no meals included).

RATEs:

0

$85

Single hotel room

D

$85

Double hotel room

The above room rates do not include an 11 percent tax. Third party in any room is $1 5 per day Rollaway beds are available upon request. Number of rollaways _ _ _ __ DEPOSIT'

D Check

D Credit card:

DAm Ex

D MC

D VISA

Card N~~.

D DC/CB

Exp. date

Name printed on card

Authorization signature

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

•

ALL RESERVATION REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST

17, 1994.

Requests received after this date, or for dates other than the main conference period, wi I be accepted on a space-available basis only •

Please include one night's room revenue as a deposit (in the form of credit card number or check), which will hold your room until midnight of the day following your scheduled arrival date. Upon arrival, the deposit will be applied to the last confirmed night of the reservation. In the event of your early departure, the deposit is nonrefundable, unless the hotel is notified prior to, or at, the time of check-in.

CHECK ·IN TIME IS AFTER

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• Health and Fitness Center for . ~ we.i~ht training andlor /~sh:uctioli ' iniase of inclement weather • 'FreJ accommodations a~""'"").._.....­ ~, we~ls for Tennis Pro • Accommodations and meals for . '-''"1-.~~-·., pal ants ···,.,._

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Clubhouse d QI:uingRoom, I§,,h.gl Championship Mountain Go!.f!Cours~' Nature Trail, Playground { P'aviliori·, ; a~~~~ eel and. Pond, A~p_ala;.hian ~ • raii,ffiea1th and Fitness Center'&>411ore. :.~ \ ""~-·-'""

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Cancellation notice of seven days is required for a refund. Early departure will result in forfeiture of deposit. When canceling or changing your reservation by telephone, be sure to obtain a cancellation or confirmation number

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The hotel will make every effort to honor requests for specific types and locations of rooms. However, on occasions ~hen such requests cannot be met, the hotel reserves the right to provide alternate accommodations.

ADDvantage May 1994

7

US PTA women pros have responsibility to other women players~ coaches Women entering the tennis industry, either as players or coaches, face many difficult decisions, and USPTA member Anna Hazlett believes female USPTA members have a responsibility to those women .

My main concern, having gone through all the phases of being single, getting married, having children and trying to stay within the tennis industry, is the need to educate and prepare women entering the industry a little more realistically, so they know what they are getting into as they go through the different phases of their lives, Hazlett said .

Hazlett has beeA in the tennis industry for more than 20 years, and has spent much of that time working behind the scenes making a dent for women in the industry. A former vice president and secretary of the ndiana district of the USPTA Midwest Division, Hazlett has been a USPTA member for almost 12 years.

Hazlett's two goals for the tennis industry and USPTA are to increase the number of women in USPTA, and to encourage women to>'stay involved by informing them of the challenges they will face upon entering the field.

Hazlett suggested that a step toward accomplishing these goals is to create an additional women's forum that could be offered at USPTA divisional and national conventions. The forum would feature women professionals from different areas of the tennis industry speaking about their jobs and how they got there.

Anna Hazlett

The tennis industry is a male-dominated field , Hazlett said, and when women enter it, they must make the same decisions as their male counterparts about their careers and the time spent away from their families.

Women often leave the industry after having children when faced with additional time constraints. They must learn to create a balance, Hazlett said .

'Women need to know it can be a wonderful job, but the hours are long, she said. 'They must develop a balance between home and work to stay happy. It won't be easy, but it can work.

Hazlett is working with the USPTA Midwest Division to create a mentor program for young Mhletic Club. f · h. h Job ·anal Tri-State '"'u • women pro ess1ona s 1n w 1c • Teaching protessl ' . veteran members regularly will central 1nd1ana check on them to see how they Activities d ot directors. USIA are handling the time coner boar • Memb · . tion. ed'i children. straints and pressures of their Tennis ;~~~~~mas tund-raisern~r~~s Clubs. jobs.

• Annuuaa\ Tennithon tor Bo'}~sacompetition.

Hazlett believes women • Ann hter's tennl professionals also have a Manages daug responsibility to young • nd awards li ·-State AthierIC c~~ players who need role Honors a ot the Year, n 1

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sionals need to beprofesbetter models.

USPTA prepared to handle junior players, she said,

ADDvantage May 1994

and the children and their parents need to be prepared for the long haul.

Hazlett is actively involved in USPTA. She has spoken at her division's convention , and she served as the women's liaison for southern Indiana in 1989. She is on the board of directors for Central ndiana Tennis Association , a USTA tennis district. n January, Hazlett spoke on women in sports for a University of Evansville program , explaining the difficult transition years in women's sports.

Hazlett is a teaching professional at the TriState Athletic Club in Evansville, Ind. a Tennis Corporation of America Club. She teaches 30 hours per week on the courts, and assists the director of racquet sports in budgeting , programming , supervising , and adminstrating.

She received the club's 1993 Employee of the Year award.

Hazlett teaches all player levels, but mostly children and juniors, and she is extremely involved in junior competition .

Hazlett supervises the club's junior academy, which includes billing, budgeting and programming. She has developed and coached many district, sectional and national level juniors.

She thinks the most important thing she can teach her students is that tennis is fun and something they can do for the rest of their lives. As they continue to grow, they can use it as entertainment, exercise, and as a competitive and social tool. really do enjoy the teaching part, especially seeing the kids grow with the game, she said. "It's fun to see how tennis becomes part of their lives as adults."

'The main thing love is being on the court, and 've been on the court a lot of years, she said. I've remained a 'trench pro, which is what call teaching pros who are on the court a lot.

Hazlett works with several tennis fundraising activities, including Tennithon for the Boys and Girls Club, and the Christmas Winter Festival tennis fund-raiser for needy children in the community.

She spends a great deal of time traveling with and supervising her daughter, (continued on page 28)

1994 USPTA National Championships What: Singles and doubles competition, open and age categories When: Sept. 17-21. Starting times for first-round singles matches will be mailed Sept. 1 Where: La Quinta Hotel. La Quinta, Calif Surface: Hard court Prize money: $30,000, number of entries affect distribution Individual entry fees: $50/singles, $20/doubles. Tournament players also must register for National Convention; tournament and convention fees must be paid separately (see convention registration form, elsewhere in magazine).

Singles entry and fees deadline, Aug. 16. Doubles may register at tour· nament site, preregistration encouraged.

Match scoring: Regular match scoring, two of three tiebreaker sets.

Rules: USTA. 15-minute default rule in effect. Players allowed minimum hour rest between singles matches, 30 minutes between singles and doubles matches or two doubles matches.

Dress code: Proper tennis attire. No T·shirts, tank tops or Capri tights.

Player eligibility: Current USPT A members in good standing who preregister for National Convention. All membership requirements must be com· pleted by June 16 to allow for grading exam and processing application. USPTA will not b~ held responsible by any individual or division if entry is not accepted due to not fulfilling requirement~ before the 60-day deadline.

~

Player/event regulations: Each eligible player is limited to one singles and one doubles event. An event is two players or teams competing. Men's open lim· ited to a 128-draw. Events may use block seeding, depending on size and strength of draw.

Mixed doubles rule: Players eliminated from, or not entered in, regular doubles play may enter mixed doubles. While limiting each player to two events, this enables play.ers to avoid choosing between two events.

Tentative starting schedule: Sept. 17 time TBA

Sept. 19 9 a.m. - Start remainder men's singles and and women's singles.

Noon- Sign-up ends, remainder men's doubles, women's doubles and MXD. 3 p.m. - Start remainder men's doubles and women's doubles.

5 p.m.

Start MXD. This schedule may change as a draw increases. Players are advised to arrive one day before first scheduled match.

Tournament staff: Frank Kelly, tournament director; Kathy O'Neal and Gary Scanlon, Tournament Committee.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Rankin

Name ------------------------------------------------Street - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - - -- - City----"------------ - - State_ Zip _ _ _ __ Phone · (_____________ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __

0

ATP/WTA

0

US PTA

Birthdate _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SS No. _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _

0

USTA sectional

USPTA No.

0

USTA national

Doubles partner _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

0

State

Birthdate _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SS No. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

D W/L record

Mixed doubles partner _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _

Attach past and present ranking information if needed.

USTA No. _ _ _ _ _ _ ____

Birthdate _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SS No. _ _ _ _ __ _ ____ Note: Each player is limited to one singles and one doubles or mixed doubles event.

I, , hereby re· lease the United States Professional Tennis Association, its officers, directors and employees, including those of the USPTA divisions and tournament sponsors, 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.

Date:

start MOS. M35S.

Sept. 18 9 a.m. -Start WOS, M40S, M45S. Noon - Sign up ends MOD, M35D, M40D, M45D, WOD. 3 p.m.

Start MOD, M35D, M40D, M45D, WOD.

S1gned:

Fees Singles $50

$ _____

Doubles $20 /person $ _____ _

Total enclosed $_ _ __ Entry deadline Aug. 16, 1994

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MOS M35S M40S M45S M50S M55S M60S M65S M?OS M75S M80S M85S

Men's 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MOD M35D M40D M45D M50D M55D M60D M65D M?OD M75D M80D M85D

Women's was 0 woo W35S 0 W35D W40S 0 W40D W45S 0 W45D W50S 0 W50D W55S 0 W55D W60S 0 W60D W65S 0 W65D W?OS 0 W?OD W75S 0 W75D 0 MIXED DOUBLES Wheelchair

0 0

MOS

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0 0

MOD

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Mail this entry, along with your payment, to: USPTA National Championships One USPTA Centre • 3535 Briarpark Drive • Houston, TX 77042 ADDvantage May 1994

9

Wilson®revolutionary Sweet Spot string mal{es every racquet play better.

(You're welcome, Dunlop®,Head® , Prince® , Pro-l(ennex®... ) •

15 GAUGE

15 GAUGE

We've been checking the mail every day for a thank you note from our competitors. So far, nothing.

Which is surprising when you consider just what our innovative thick/thin Taper Technology shown above can do for their racquets . By varying the gauge of the string, Wilson®Sweet Spota equalizes the responsiveness over the entire string bed effectively enhancing the sweet spot of every frame.

Of course, we don't really expect the competition to go to all the trouble of writing to thank us a simple phone call will do just fine!

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©1993 Wilson Sporting Goods Co., Made To Win and the Sweet Spot name and color scheme are trademarks, Wand Wilson are registered trademarks of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. USPTA is a trademark of the United States Professional Tennis Association. Head is a trademark of Head Sportgerate Gesellschatt MBH and Co. Dunlop is a registered trademark of DNA Housemarks. Prince is a trademark of Prince Manufactur!ng, Inc. Pro-Kennex is a trademark of Kunnan Enterprise Ud.

Structured feedback helps

coache~

by Ken Davis

F.edback is important in acquiring skills for both coaches and players, and coaches should be aware of the value of organizing detailed evaluations of their programs.

Tennis coaches traditionally do not receive much specific feedback about their coaching performance. To an extent, the number of people who return for more lessons indicates the coach's level of competency, but aside from occasional comments from interested clients, there is very little specific, reasonable and competent feedback.

In order to improve specific approaches, a coach needs to be assessed occasionally.

A series of steps designed to study and help improve coaching techniques follows.

SteP 1

Appoint an independent person to watch coaching performance and record relevant teaching/coaching behaviors. The person picked to assess another's coaching skills should be more than just a good player.

Ideally, this person should be qualified in tennis coaching , and most importantly, should have a sound understanding of sport science.

Step 2

The observer should interview the coach to determine the objectives of the coach ng programs. This nformation

provides a basis for the evaluation and allows the observer to record whether desired objectives are being satisfied. In addition, the objectives themselves may be examined with reference to sound scientific principles.

Step ,

The coach and observer should prepare charts to record this information in a concise and meaningful way.

~

Step 4

The observer should attend a number of coaching sessions, both group and individual and record whatever is relevant.

A study conducted by the author revealed possible coaching techniques which may be used, such as recording the amount and type of activity involved in a lesson , determining the accuracy of practice shots, and categorizing the amount, type and timing of feedback to students (see sidebar, Coaching Analysis Provides Methods to Improve Teaching Skills) .

Step 5

The "coach needs to evaluate the program and his coaching techniques. Focus should be on organizing drills and establishing goals to modify teaching style. Such a process should attempt to develop a program that achieves the stated objectives.

Coaching analysl

by Ken Davis Good coaches constantly strive to improve their coaching skills and techniques, and one way to do this is by observing other coaches at work.

A 1989 coaching analysis conducted by the author at the Forestmeadows Racquet Club (Tallahassee, Fla.), revealed several coaching techniques that may be used to improve one's coaching skills.

In this study, two coaches were observed over six practice sessions with a squad of elite and intermediate level juniors, ages 11 to 17. A different focus was identified for each session and charts were developed for the ¡ efficient recording of information.

The competitive experience was observed at a tournament. Aspects observed included the response of a player to mistakes; interaction of player and coach ; signs of enjoyment or anger; the .interaction of player and parent; player support for each other; and the amount of physical activity involved in a match .

Work intensity

<{p

A stopwatch may be used to record the amount and type of activity involved in a session . In group sessions, it is better to watch one player for the whole session, and then calculate the work-to-rest ratios for that session . This is done by dividing the total time for a drill into the time one player actually was involved. Drill ratios then should be compared to ratios computed under match conditions.

Example: The work-to-rest ratio for 12 drills (see Table I) was 1-to-8, yet during a match by the same players, a work-to-rest ratio of 1-to-4 was observed . That is, practice was half as intense as the game. Since practice should simulate match conditions, it is apparent that drills need to become more intense. To resolve this problem, the coach should reduce the group size, provide more tennis balls, create activity in waiting lines, and implement more efficient ball retrieval.

Stroke effectiveness The coach should determine a target area Coaches should establish targets for their students and record their shot accuracy.

12

ADDvantage May 1994

evaluate and improve programs provides methods for each drill that is appropriate for students, should record the accuracy achieved for each player, and should calculate the percentage effectiveness. This information tells the coach whether the players are concerned sufficiently about the outcome of the shot. Often, coaches do not look at the result of the shot because it invariably lands behind them. This lack of accountability can breed careless shotmaking during practice.

Recording is best done regularly during the season without the players' knowledge.

Example: The study observed whether or not a ball landed in the court. The following results for advanced juniors (see Table II) indicate that the least successful stroke was the forehand volley (63 percent success rate). â&#x20AC;˘ Scores of about 80 percent were achieved for the backhand and forehand ground-

to

improve teaching skills

strokes, backhand volley and half-volley.

These results provide interesting material for comparison between strokes, and suggest that the forehand volley needs more attention at practice.

Essentially, this analysis attempts to make players more concerned about the outcome of a shot, just as they are in a game. The coach needs to develop a system of checking on the outcome of each shot, and relating the outcome to the technique displayed. To avoid constant head turning , it 'may be necessary for the players to call the results (e.g., long, wide, way long).

Stroke usage Coaches should check on the balance of strokes practiced over a period of time. Table II also could be used to determine the

I. Advanced players' physical effort in match play, practice Match play Activity

Avg. length per point

Total length

Work:rest ratio

16 games

9.37 sec.

58 min. 15 sec.

1:4 (games only) 1:4.9 (games and rests)

Feedback The amount, type and .timing of feedback is critical in the learning process, so coaches' comments to players should be categorized on charts and monitored. Feedback can be positive or negative; immediate or delayed; and can provide corrective information.

One chart might focus on all effective shots

(continued on page 25)

Practice Activity

Work:rest ratio

12 drills

1:8

II.

emphasis on particular strokes during a week of practice.

Example: In one training session , the following percentages were calculated for each stroke (see Table II). The forehand composed 38 percent of strokes attempted ; the backhand, 30 percent; forehand volley, 9 percent; smash, 9 percent; backhand volley, 6 percent; half-volley, 5 percent; serve, 3 percent; while the lob was not practiced at all.

It would appear that the drills used in this session emphasized groundstrokes, with minimal work on the serve and volleys.

Regular assessment of stroke usage would enable a coach to determine if practices are meeting the needs of players.

Stroke usage and success rate (avg. of 2 advanced players) Stroke

Total shots hit

Percentage this stroke used

Success rate using stro~e

Forehand Backhand Forehand volley Backhand volley Smash Half-volley Serve Lob

118 92 27 18 27 16 9 0

380Jo 30% 9% 6% 9% 5% 3% 0

73% 79% 63% 78% 70% 81% 67% 0

Ken Davis is a lecturer in sport psychology at Deakin University (Geelong, Victoria, Australia), and coaches an elite group of juniors part time. Davis has been. a USPTA member since 1990.

While earning his doctorate degree at Florida State University (Tallahassee), he Ken Davis coached at Forestmeadows Racquet Club (Tallahassee, Fla.) and at a local high school. Davis competed in many tournaments when he lived in the United States, and was rated No. 3 in Florida by the USTA for 35 men's doubles and open mixed doubles in 1989.

He has conducted several research studies on tennis, including " The Development of a Modified Game of Tennis for Beginners," "An Investigation of Postperformance Stress in Junior Tennis Players," and , "The Female Youth Tennis Dropout."

ADDvantage May 1994

13

Ph.D.

Military technique helps

develop tough tennis players QUESTION: I recently attended the Southern California USPTA Workshop. In one of your programs, you mentioned the military model of performing. Since I am a former milita{Y person, will you expand on that concept in your column and explain how it relates to tennis and life?

ANSWER: After studying performance models for more than 20 years at LGE Sport Science, we have observed an intensity phenomenon about the military model. After several millennia of developing soldiers for defense, those responsible for training truly have Jearned how to accelerate the toughening process.

Before go on , I should say that whatever your thoughts on the military model, they probably are wrong . Most people envision only the obnoxious drill instructor and assume he or she instills toughness in the soldiers by using abuse. This is not true even though the drill instructor does play a role.

Why are new recruits at boot camp taught (and sometimes forced) to stand at attention when they have barely hit the pavement?

Why do soldiers march so much? Will they march in the heat of battle? No, they will run .

But standing at attention and marching teach two concepts in addition to discipline: to look the look, and walk the walk.

Basically, this training helps a person get in control of one's body chemistry, because the body's stature can have an incredible effect on the mind (this is the reverse of the well-known, mind-to-body connection). For example, if a soldier is separateq from his platoon in the heat of battle with the enemy only 30 yards away, he cannot panic. He must stay in control.

14

ADDvantage May 1994

Military personnel are not allowed to show weakness. Cockiness and nsecurity, expressed in body language, are signs of weakness. Soldiers are taught to project confidence, positive energy and high intensity signs of strengths.

In the military, soldiers exercise a tremendous amount. This is a form of 'outside-in' training , whereby the process of developing muscles affects brain chemistry. Again, the goal is to strengthen one physically, mentally and emotionally.

Everything mentioned so far refers to stress or stimulus. You do not develop or get tougher during this stress. The key is that you are forced into recovery.

The soldiers are told when to sleep, when to awaken and when to eat all mechanisms of recovery. This is the time when the body gets stronger· physically, mentally and emotionally.

Although this is a quick treatise of the military model the basics are there. Stress is necessary to grow and develop as a competitor in tennis or business, but the key to getting tougher is recovery. You have to recharge the battery constantly so you can keep pulling energy from it.

Here is a sample of how LGE advises tennis players and corporate executives to apply toughening principles.

• Use the 25-second period between points (or the break at the office) as a time for recovery. No negative thoughts are allowed to interfere with the recovery process.

• When between points or in the middle of a business meeting, always project confidence and high, positive energy, never showing weakness.

• Use the four stages, developed by Jim

Loehr, Ed.D. between points and business meetings: 1 2.

3.

4.

Positive physical response Relax Prepare Rituals

Now, please understand that LGE does not adhere to some eler:nents of the military model , such as the stripping of personal identity. The important point to remember is that properly administered doses of stress, followed by equivalent doses of recovery, can enhance the toughening process.

After all consider boot camp. In eight weeks, the military takes fearful adolescents and converts them into soldiers who can overcome the greatest emotion known to humans the fear of death The model is there let us learn from it. o Jack Groppel, Ph.D. , is the executive vice president of LGE/Saddlebrook Sport Science Inc. He is an instruction editor for Tennis magazine, and is the author of HighTech Tennis and co-author of Th e 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 USPTA. 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 ~taffs.

Chapter 7

Marketing, public relations keep club in public eye

by Fernando M Velasco

A tennis professional's job responsibilities often extend beyond tennis teaching and club management. Maintaining and improving a club 's image w ith public relations, and promoting its programs through marketing, are an important part of any professional's career

Internal public relations The su ccess of a club will depend greatly on the relationship created between its members and the tennis professional. The tennis professional is the person w ho plants the seed of this important relationship, and it must be cultivated on a daily basis. This may be done both on and off the court.

On-court Tennis professionals may create great relationships on the court by giving complimentary tennis lessons to all new members of a club, by scheduling at least one match per week to play with members of different rankings, and by walking around the courts during regular play and giving "free" advice to the players after their 1 matches.

Off-court Tennis professionals may be of great value off the court by talking with members and players on the phone or by writing notes and letters. If a member has a complaint or compliment, the professional should follow up all positive and negative comments with a phone call or letter Another good way to create good will is by sending thank-you notes to members who participate in an event or buy an item from the pro shop.

Members also like to receive get-well, birthday and anniversary cards.

External public relations Members of a club are interested in being recognized, not only within the club through newsletters, pictures and special announcements, but also outside the club environment.

< 1

J

It's good to create a complete list of local, city, regional and national newspapers and magazines before club events, because it will help when sending press releases. The use of facsimile machines has simplifiep communication between tennis professionals and sport~ editors. News-

CopyrightŠ United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1994.

All rights reserved . Reproduction of any portion of this manual is not permitted

61

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A professional may create a positive image far herse!f and her chlh by playing tennis with club members. papers are more likely to run information if they believe it will be of interest to their readers .

•

High school clinics - High school tennis coaches seek new ways to motivate and coach their players, such as a clinic or workout at the school, or on the club courts.

•

Park district clinics -These clinics may be hosted on a public court and be attended by both adults and juniors. The club and tennis manufacturers may donate door prizes and tennis lessons.

•

Radio and television -The expansion of cable TV and the enthusiasm of local cable companies for local events has provided an opportunity for tennis professionals to publicize their clubs. A radio talk show providing tennis tips, and televised clinics and tournaments may be of great value to the professional and the club.

•

Tennis tips and arlicles - Local, regional and national tennis magazines always look for articles, tips, pictures, announcements and tournament results.

Local and city publications After each social and competitive event, the names of the participants and the results should be sent to local publications. Also, if a player obtained a city, state or national ranking, an "action" picture should be sent with a brief article.

State and national publications If a club member wins a state or national tournament, a press release should be sent to various state and national publications.

Public events Events offered to the community by the ciub provide other ways to create good will, both inside and outside the club •

62

School clinics - Tennis clinics may be conducted at public or private schools in small gyms with foam balls and "mini courts."

Related organizations Another method of creating positive relationships with community members is to join local and state organizations and attend their weekly, monthly or annual meetings. Groups such as Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary clubs, and chambers of commerce will introduce professionals to club members, and prospective members and players.

Finally, relationships are created and fostered each time a tennis professional reports to work.

Whether on the court, off the court, in a restaurant, or in a theater, tennis professionals must remember that they are in the recreation and entertainment business. Each time they talk, smile and walk, professionals create either a positive or negative public image.

Tennis professionals always will be successful in creating good public relations if they remember the saying, "Keep the words out of your mouth nice and sweet; you never know which ones you will have to eat."

Marketing tennis programs The success of a tennis operation will depend on how well a facility and its programs are marketed to club members, guests and prospective members. A successful business will invest from 15 percent to 20 percent of its gross income into programs to keep or attract customers. Since · tennis clubs normally have built-in markets, a recommended amount for marketing is between 5 percent and 10 percent.

About the author ...

Fernando Velasco, a USPTA Master Professional since 1984, is the director of tennis at The Landings Club on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga. He has been a USPTA member for 24 years.

Velasco has written several articles on the management of tennis and athletic facilities for several national

Fernando Velasco

publications. He regularly speaks at USPTA, USTA and

IRSA,The Association of Quality Clubs conventions. He taught a Spanish language Specialty Course for USPTA's 1993 USPTA National Convention . This was the first time courses were offered in a language other than English at a USPTA convention.

Velasco was selected the national USPTA Professional of the Year in 1976, and served on the USPTA Board of Directors for seven years. He is a member of the Prince Advisory Team.

~; •

Information about the rules and regulations of the club should be available.

•

Fliers for special programs, tournaments, and social and competitive events shou~d be posted where they will be seen easily

•

Staff members should be aware of deadlines and fees, and should be able to answer questions regarding the club and its programs.

0

Whether on the court, off the court, in a restaurant, or in a theater, tennis professionals

Marketing the club When members and prospective members walk through the club, they need to be reminded of the available programs and functions. Prospective members look at the club as a place in which they would like to participate. There are several methods which may be used to promote the club to them.

•

•

Pictures and biographies of the teaching staff should be posted in a prominent area of the club. Accomplishments in both the playing and the teaching fields should be highlighted.

Bulletin boards should be attractive, and should include calendars, fliers promoting I special events, pictures of past events, and schedules of future events.

must remember that they are in the recreation and entertainment business.

Written marketing Members should consistently be recognized for past events and reminded of new ones. Written marketing may be increased through newsletters, fliers, posters and mailers.

Club newsletters Newsletters usually include activities of all club departments. An article written by the professional, pictures with .names and results of past events, and promotion of upcoming events with proper deadlines and fees should be included

63

~ _,

"''-' ~ ~

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in each issue. It also is a good way to promote new merchandise and special sales in the pro shop.

Posters

~

Professionally prepared posters placed on bulletin boards in areas of constant traffic are steady reminders of events and deadlines. These should be used as "teasers" to encourage members to pick up the flier with all the detailed information.

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In order to better serve members, an effective proflle and roster should be created. Information that normally is very helpful includes:

Fliers usually are available to the members and prospective members at the registration desk and bulletin boards. They may be printed on a computer or a typewriter, and inexpensive copies run internally Complete information, descriptions, fees and deadlines should be included for club championships, social and competitive events, and private and group lessons.

~

~

Membership profile

Special fliers

Mailers A good database of the membership will enable the club staff to mail fliers to the members that might. participate in the events. For example, if a father/son mixer is scheauled, a flier with detailed information could be mailed to those members with sons who play tennis.

Verbal marketing Even though written marketing is effective, the best way to promote all events is to use the staff to spread the word. The staff may inform members of club events during scheduled activities, at

•

Name, address and home and office phone numbers.

•

Names, birthdays and anniversary dates offamily members.

•

Events in which members participated, such as social mixers, competitive events, team tennis, club championships, and parent/child mixers.

•

Styles and sizes of equipment used by each member.

•

Other information that could be useful in the future.

the registration desk, on the phone and by telemarketing.

•

During scheduled activities - Either before or after tennis lessons, mixers, clinics and team practices.

• At the registration desk -As members and guests register or buy tennis equipment.

•'1

•

On the phone -

''" "

•

Telemarketing- Making phone calls during slow times of the day, or during the evening and weekends, to remind members of upcoming events, and encourage them to register

.,. _, _,

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One ofthe best ways to promote events is through verbal communication.

64

As employees answer the phone or place a member on hold .

Marketing is a process that never stops. A successful marketing program will make a club successful, which in tum, will encourage the retention of members and the admission of new ones.

Tennis professionals plan summer., fall programs with USPTA Adult Tennis League w h the spring playing season at its peak, tennis professionals are planning for summer and fall programs. One program to consider is the USPTA Adult Tennis League, a doubles-only league for tennis enthusiasts 19 years or older.

The league, which begins its third national season in July, provides players with fun , competitive playing opportunities, and encourages team spirit with its unique format. It also offers teaching professionals an opportunity to enhance their facilities' tennis programming, as well as the chance to improve revenues for both their facilities and themselves.

All professionals are encouraged to get involved and register their leagues and squads with the national.office by completing the registration form on this page. A league program guide containing all necessary materials for organizing and promoting leagues will appear in the June issue of ADOvantage.

The basic structure of the league can be adapted to local needs based on player population, the number of available facilities, and the demands for tennis programming.

Area Director responsibilities • Recruit Site Directors to establish squads to play in leagues • Establish league dates, select NTRP levels and determine doubles format • Determine compensation to Site Directors (shirt, plaque, rebate) • Collect rosters and fees from Site Directors • Send copies of rosters and league information (dates, sites, Site Directors, format) to National League Office • Make draws and schedules • Communicate draws and schedules effectively to Site Directors • Receive/solicit weekly results from Site Directors • Create weekly results for area and send to Site Directors • Provide awards and/or prizes for league players

The unique, multilevel format allows beginners and advanced players to earn points for the same squad at their own skill levels.

Be a part of the fun by registering for the USPTA Adult Tennis League today.

0

One or more leagues may be offered in a specific geographical area, which generally is a city, suburb or an entire county in rural locations.

Each area has an Area Director a USPTA professional who selects the sevenweek period of play between July 1 and Dec. 31 determines the squad and doubles format; and recruits Site Directors to coordinate squads at local facilities. Responsibilities for both Area and Site Directors are listed on this page.

There may be up to eight squads in a league, with each squad representing a local facility or club. Within each squad, two doubles teams play at each of four NTRP levels. Area Directors determine the four NTRP levels to include, and may reduce or increase the number of players required for each level.

Site Director responsibilities • Post league notice with registration blanks • Establish NTRP level for squad • Solicit all levels of players for squads • Communicate rules and regulations to players • Complete rosters and send to Area Director • Establish level captains (each in charge of teams at skill level) • Collect fees and send to Area Director • Communicate results and other pertinent information to level captains • Reserve courts and have tennis balls ready for league matches

US PTA Aduh

TENNis LEAGUE

Name __________________________________________________________ Street address ____________________________________________..::.....______

ZIP ___________

City ______________________________________State

Business phone (,_ _ _ _ ------------------------------------------Home phone(,_____ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

USPTA MEMbER?

Dyes

D no

USPTA member No. ________

Do you live or work in or near a city or metropolitan area?

Division _ _ _ __

D yes

D no

City's name _____________________________________________________ 1 would likE To pARTicipATE by bEiNG AN:

D Area Director

D Site Director

Return to USPTA World Headquarters One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042 • (713) 97-USPTA (978-7782)

ADDvantage May 1994

15

USI!fA Little Tennis™ Editor's note: USPTA developed Little TenniS" to increase activity and the tennis base among children. It will be introduced formally at the 1994 USPTA National Convention in La Quinta, Calif. The following represents just some of the questions we have answered for interested members and industry representatives.

Q

What is USPTA Little Tennis?

A.

USPTA Little Tennis is a comprehensive program that combines lessons, activities, equipment, professionals and parents in progressions geared to the athletic development of children, ages 4 to 10. Created

by USPTA, and sponsored by Wilson Racquet Sports, USPTA Little Tennis is a fun way for children to leq.rn tennis and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Q

How do you answer a critic who

says that children should not be exposed to competition at too early an age?

A•

We realize teaching pros and other experts have different philosophies about the age and ability level at which to teach children various techniques (i .e. motor, racquet or playing skills) . These experts also h·ave differing opinions on the teaching mechanics needed to accomplish each skill level. Little Tennis offers resources to the professional and the parent, and allows them to decide what is best for a certain child.

Our main objective is to provide children with a group atmosphere that focuses on tennis, so they can become acclimated to the sport through exercise, fun and camaraderie related to the game. We wish to emphasize relaxation and enjoyment in competition , not a 'go-for-the-throat' rivalry that could harm a child by producing anxiety and frustration .

Q

Does. USPTA Little Tennis conflict with existing programs?

A.

n designing the Little Tenn is program , USPTA made every effort to avoid conflicts with other industry activities. This is

mr. pee Wee tennis provides small racquets, nets and courts to help children learn tennis.

16

ADDvantage May 1994

JDake~

the only comprehensive program to incorporate nationwide lesson guidelines, activities, equipment and family participation. And , since it addresses the needs of a different age group, it is the perfect feeder program for some of the other excellent programs, such as USTA's Junior Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) , Recreational TeamTennis junior leagues and other local and club-related projects. USPTA also has incorporated a list of many other grassroots resources so that professionals can choose from many program methods and tools.

Q

A.

Why do we need this program?

n a time when drugs and violence dominate our communities, we shou ld develop the physical and mental health of our children through activities that encourage teamwork, concentration and discipline. As active tennis-teaching professionals and players, we should offer a tennis program that can teach these values.

USPTA promotes new programs that

learning fun for children increase tennis activity, which expands the player base and the income of its member professionals, manufacturers, clubs and other industry businesses. The versatility of our sport and the need for children's activities make it a natural vehicle through which certified teachers can increase their incomes.

More than 30 million players created a tennis boom in the 1970s. These people participated in many programs which enhanced the businesses. and lifestyles of those working in tennis. While our industry retains the remnants of its former player base, this foundation is not strong enough to adequately support those people working in today's tennis industry. To strengthen this foundation, industry leaders have done their best to increase activity among existing players and entice new ones. Yet, very few programs can be credited with introducing new players to the sport and maintaining their long-term interest.

Little Tennis will increase junior participation, and also will draw parents and other family members into the sport, creating spinoff markets for all segments of the industry.

Q Aâ&#x20AC;˘

n.

What are the seasons of play for

~Tennis?

Aâ&#x20AC;˘

USPTA Little Tennis is designed to run on a quarterly system of four, 13-week seasons. Each season consists of 12 weekly lessons, which coincide with activities, such as practice sessions, play days and leagues.

Special activities (league play or other games appropriate to age and ability) are scheduled from the sixth through the 12th week. The 13th week is dedicated to holding a Little League Olympics and regrouping for the next season. The system will allow students to play in one or more 'quarters' or rotate tennis with other seasonal sports. This also provides flexibility for the tennis professional, who must coordinate the four seasons into his or her yearly schedule.

Q

What equipment is needed to run this program and how does the pro offset this cost?

Who runs Little Tennis?

Teaching professionals are in control of their respective programs in USPTA Little Tennis. It is essential that professionals assume this responsibility since the program addresses the highly sensitive issue of when and how to introduce young children to various levels of play and activities. The certified teacher is able to deal with the complexities created by various age and skill levels, and should serve as the final authority on all program issues.

Wi.Lon.

Aâ&#x20AC;˘

The program uses equipment that meets the physical requirements of youngsters as they grow and develop specific skills.

New players are encouraged to use Wilson's mr. pee Wee tennis package, which includes correctly proportioned racquets, foam balls, plastic net posts, nets and instruction manuals. mr. pee Wee tennis products are designed for short courts, and divide a regular tennis court into four smaller ones.

Since the purchase of the equipment creates certain start-up costs, USPTA. Little Tennis was designed to return a// program fees to participating professionals. Tennis teachers should be able to recover the cost of all equipment by charging an appropriate entry fee for students. The program lends itself to local sponsorship by prominent club members or local merchants. This can offset program costs, including lesson fees, equipment and other expenses.

Q

How important are parents to the program and why?

A.

Q

Does the Little Tennis program require one method of teaching?

A.

USPTA has made a point of never forcing its professionals into standardized teaching methodologies. Its practice has been to simply recommend ideas and tools through a comprehensive tennis-teacher education program , and allow professionals to decide the specific applications for their programs. We are not changing that philosophy with Little Tennis, but intend to offer our members the tools with which to make their decisions and create their application styles.

SPONSORED BY

USPTA Little Tennis will allow children to practice motor skills or learn basic tennis-specific skills, which lead to playing tennis on short courts.

Parents should be encouraged to participate in the instruction phase of Little Tennis. Depending on the number of children in the program, parents may be needed to help organize the group and assist with teaching basic skills, such as throwing and hitting.

Parental involvement is essential to the program's success and should be encouraged to ensure the public support given other youth sports. Parents should fill the role of Assistant Coaches, and will partic'ipate actively in practice sessions (at home or during lessons), parent-child play days and league activities. o ADDvantage May 1994

17

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Select the right people to build a · · g team

by Will Cleveland

A

staff that functions as a team is vital to the success of a business, and an important part of building a winning team is selecting the right members. n the pursuit of developing a cohesive, effective team, many managers and teaching professionals fall into traps that may present a hindrance to effective team-building.

It can be a difficult and taxing experience to locate the people needed to help run an organization smoothly. One must determine how to locate team members, what areas and potential pitfalls one should be aware of when building the winning team, or if one should recruit outside the company or develop from within.

It usually is best to recruit from within one's own organization. n addition to finding someone familiar with the corporate ·culture and vision for the future, it dramatically improves employee morale. Hiring from within gives hope to the staff that they are noticed and respected, and that their opinions matter to the professional and the club.

A recruiter must remember that a prospective employee should have the potential to improve the organization, which is the basic

need for a new team member. Organizations have different needs, and many employers feel comfortable finding team members, particularly for leadership positions, outside the company.

The following are a few guidelines and potential pitfalls of team-building.

• It is very difficult to teach people who do not embrace new ideas to accept the dynamics of change. Unfortunately, there frequently are staff members who are unwi I ng to participate n a team environment.

If a teaching professional will not or cannot fit into the team , then the employer must ask two important questions: Who hired him?

Why is he still in the organization?

If the professional is not the decision-maker in the organization, then it becomes very important to develop a relationship with the decision-maker in order to achieve objectives and maximize the team's productivity.

• Identify what is most needed. Many managers and head professionals make the mistake of hiring an employee based on what

During an interview, an employer should determine if the potential employee is a team player.

The interview is only one part of the hiring process, however, and it is important to research each candidate thoroughly by calling references.

<.O

ADDvantage May 1994

An employer will study a resume to determine if the job applicant is the type of person needed for the position.

they want, rather than what they need, which may be determined by considering the staff and what particular strengths are ·missing.

The best and most well-rounded staffs are those with common goals, diversity and creativity.

For example, a man might go to a clothing store to buy a blue suit and notice a gray suit, which he ends up buying. Upon returning home and hanging the suit in the closet, he realizes he has three other gray suits just like it, and he still needs a blue suit.

• Many club managers make the mistake of not recognizing when a solid prospect comes through the door. Ultimately they get caught in a panic when one of their professionals leaves for another position, and they scramble to hire someone quickly. These companies run the risk of having to accept a less desirable candidate for the open position.

• Managers should hire based on substance rather than 'flash. The best predictor of the future is the past. When conducting a job search for a team member, it is important to look for one word 'we. If that person fails to use the word 'we, her ability or potential to be a team player becomes suspect. The success in one's life, personally and professionally, comes from the ability to (continued on page 28)

It's time to show off our figure. e

TENNIS WEEK is read first; before TENNIS magazine and TENNIS USTA.

e

TENNIS WEEK comes out first before TENNIS magazine and TENNIS USTA. (no need to wait two months after Wimbledon to read about it).

e

TENNIS WEEK is relied on first for the sport's behind the scenes political and business news.

Maintaining our figure is no sweat.

$40 per year ·• 20 issues Canada & Mexico • $50 Foreign • $125 124 East 40th Street, Suite 1'101, New York, NY 10016 (212) 808-4750, ToO Free 1-800-800-TENN

Across America Tennis Day takes tennis to the streets T.nnis is a sport anyone program . can enjoy, but it needs a This follow-up program racquet some balls and strives to keep the players interested in tennis with a series of someone to teach it. That is why USPTA designed the multiculclinics and group lessons. tural clinic phase of USPTA's Follow-up programs may start Across America Tennis Day as early as one week after the one-day event and often are (AATD).

Multicultural clinics, a scheduled during the summer. segment of AATD held n Professionals should publiconjunction with the President's cize all clinics by sending press releases to local media, division Council on Physical Fitness and newsletters, regional tennis Sports, provide tennis lessons to publications and the USPTA people who normally would not World Headquarters (see April have the opportunity to learn.

ADDvantage for tips on pubThe clinics, which began as licizing AATD) . early as March , will be highUSPTA professionals who lighted May 14 by a multicultural host or assist in clinics this clinic in Washington , D.C. month are encouraged to US PTA hopes to reach a goal Pam Shriver conducted a multicultural clinic at the White House last year, register with the World Headof 100 multicultural clinics this at which she taught children basic playing strategies. quarters so their divisions may year, thanks to the efforts of volreceive credit for their participaunteer teaching professionals.

Tennis Hall of Fame, are honorary co-chairs tion . Divisions with the greatest number and On May 14, more than 2,300 professionals of AATD. Both are USPTA members and percentage of members participating in and volunteers will introduce tennis to new have supported AATD in the past.

AATD will be recognized during the Awards players, or encourage increased participaBreakfast at the National Convention.

With national celebrity attention, hundreds tion among existing players, through free of thousands of players develop an enthuProfessionals are asked to send informaclinics and social round robins. siasm for the sport on a single day. To maintion about the clinics and follow-up programs Cliff Drysdale, sports commentator for tain that enthusiasm and interest, USPTA to the USPTA Sports Marketing Department ESPN :and ABC Sports, and Pam Shriver, professionals are encouraged to offer an for an Across America Tennis Day presi dent of the WTA Tour Players AssociaAcross America Tennis Day player retention scrapbook. o tion and vice president of the International

~------------------------------------------------------------------------, Register for Across America Tennis Day!

Please register your event for division points by mailing this form to the address below Use additional sheets if needed.

Yes, I will participate in USPTA's Across America Tennis Day as

D host professional

D assistant

Name ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Member number - - - - - - - - - - - - -Division USPT A member D yes D no Club/facility _____________________________ Street address ------------------------------------------City State ______ Zip _ _ _ _ _ Phone ____________ (daytime) My clinic/social will be open to:

D public

D members only

Call USPTA with questions: (713) 97-USPTA Location of event---------------------------------------------Club/facility ------------------------------------- Street address City __________________________________ State _ _ _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ _ _ Phone ---------------------T~fullowingp~pkwillau~~~~em: ______________________________________________________________ -------------------------------------------- USPTA member

D yes

D no

Member number ______

---------------------------------------------USPTAmember

Dyes

D no

Membernumber ________

USPTA World Headquarters, One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042

22

ADDvantage May 1994

************ April 25, 1994

Dear USPTA Professionals: USPTA's fifth annual Across America Tennis Day is scheduled for May 14, and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is proud to be a part of the celebration once again. With the emphasis on health and fitness these days, tennis truly can become a sport for life for many people.

In addition to exercise, the game offers a fun, recreational outlet and the opportunity to develop friendships with other players.

No one brings tennis to the grassroots of America like USPTA. Tennis-teaching professionals have been responsible for introducing hundreds of thousands of people to the game through Across America Tennis Day and its special multicultural clinics. The President's Council is fortunate to have USPTA as a partner to help observe National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May each year.

.:

We also are proud to announce the formation of a new alliance of health and fitness organizations called Presidential Fitness Partners in May. USPTA is a charter member of this new cooperative, aimed at spreading the message of physical fitness as an integral part of life. The commitment of tennis professionals to educate the public on this issue is an important part of USPTA's involvement in this new program.

The success of Across America Tennis Day is one reason why it serves as a model program for other organizations.

Once again, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports thanks you for your participation in USPTA's Across America Tennis Day. Each of you who hosts a social or multicultural clinic, or assists with a clinic, makes a difference in the health and well-being of our nation. What better way to do that than through teaching the game you love so much!

Sincerely,

Onnen ctor of Program Development

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

May 12 Freeport, NY. {no CTC) May 12·13 Stratton, Vt. May 13-14 Bradenton, Fla. May 15·16 Murrieta, Calif.

May 15·16 Richmond, Va. May 15·16 St. Louis, Mo. {no CTC) May 19·20 Tucson, Ariz.

May 21-22 Key West, Fla. May 21-22 Wilmington, Del. May 21-22 Fountain Valley, Calif.

May 20 & 22 ·Albany, NY. May 25·26 West Orange, N.J. June 3-4 Minneapolis, Minn.

June 3-4 Louisville, Ky. June 3-4 Hilton Head Island, S.C. June 4 Wesley Chapel, Fla. {upgrade only) June 4·5 Kailua Kana, Hawaii June 4·5 Kingsport, Term.

June 5·6 Parker, Colo.

June 5·6 La Jolla, Calif.

June 5·6 Houston, Texas June 5·6 Detroit, Mich.

June 9 Freeport, NY. {no CTC).

June 11-12 Hamden, Conn.

June 12·13 Sacramento, Calif.

June 12·13 Baltimore, Md. June 18·19 Camarillo, Calif.

June 18·19 Oahu, Hawaii June 23-24 Mesa, Ariz.

June 26·27 Marietta, Ga. July 16·17 Dixville Notch, N.H. July 16·17 Flushing, N.Y. July 16·17 Orlando, Fla. July 23-24 Greensburgh, Pa. July 23-24 Redlands, Calif.

July 24·25 Mclean, Va. July 28·29 Albuquerque, N.M. July 30·31 Aiken, S.C. Aug. 7·8 Parker, Colo.

Aug. 7·8 Richmond, Va. Aug. 11-12 Banksville, NY. Aug. 13-14 Costa Mesa, Calif.

Aug. 13·14 Cherry Hill, N.J. Aug. 14·15 San Diego, Calif.

Aug. 14·15 San Antonio, Texas Aug. 19·20 Nashville, Tenn.

Aug. 20·21 Salem, Ore. Aug. 21·22 Dayton, Ohio Aug. 27-28 Jenks, Okla.

Exam reservations 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 acancellation 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. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until these cancellation fees are paid.

24

ADDvantage May 1994

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

June 2* Motor Learning/Sport Psychology Wesley Chapel , Fla. June 2* Tennis Business Management I Wesley Chapel , Fla. June 5* Stress Management Wesley Chapel , Fla. June 12* Sport Psychology Carmel Valley, Calif.

July 10 Junior Development Torrance, Calif.

Stringing, Gripping & Equipment Consulting Stratton, Vt. July 25 First Aid. & CPR Aug. 6 Hershey, Pa. Aug . 7 How to Hire & Supervise Employees San Fernando Valley, Calif.

Aug. 13-14 Sports Medicine/Biomechanics Conroe, Texas Marketing, Promotion and Sales Aug. 15 New Haven, Conn.

Aug. 19-20* Creative Programming Chattanooga, Tenn.

New Orleans, La. Marketing for Success Aug . 21 Tulsa, Okla.

Competitive Singles Patterns Aug. 27 Competitive Doubles Patterns Tulsa, Okla.

Aug . 28 Sept. 9* From Tennis Professional to Business Manager Narragansett, R.I. Narragansett, R.I. Sept. 11* Effective Communication Skills

US PTA Schools of Teaching July 22-24 Aug . 13-14

USPTA Playing School USPTA School of Tennis Teaching

Maywood, N.J. Maywood, N.J.

Conventions May 12-15 May 20-22 May 20-22 May 31-June 5 Aug . 26-28

New England Division Eastern Division Southwest Division Florida Division Northwest Division

Stratton, Vt. Albany, N.Y. Tucson, Ariz.

Wesley Chapel, Fla. Brainerd, Minn.

Division meetings/activities May 1 May 26 June 3 June 11 July 1 July 8-17 July 10 July 20 Aug . 5 Aug. 7 Aug . 15-16 Aug. 19-21

Missouri Valley Division Texas Division Northwest Division Hawaii Division Northwest Division Midwest Division Midwest Division Midwest Division Northwest Division Missouri Valley Division Midwest Division Texas Division

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

Honolulu, Hawaii Richfield , Minn.

Homewood, Ill. Glenbrook, Ill. Oakbrook, Ill Richfield , Minn.

Topeka, Kan. Indianapolis, Ind .

Conroe, Texas

Coaches Workshops May 22 Aug. 5 Aug. 6 Aug. 13-14 Aug. 15-16

Southern Division Intermountain Division Northwest Division Southern Division Midwest Division

Tennis Teachers' Courses May 18-20 June 2-4 July 21-23

Fountain Valley, Calif Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn.

Louisville, Ky. Denver, Colo.

Minneapolis, Minn.

New Orleans, La. Indianapolis, Ind.

- - --

-

The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event. Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. This schedule is subject to change.

Call the USPTA Membership Department at (713) 97-USPTA.

Analyzing coaching III.

(continued from page 13) strokes against a wall ; or use a ball machine.

The group should not Number be too spread out, as of players supervision of work would be difficult.

5 By referring to the 7 stroke usage charts 7 for each player and the total time for each drill , a record of participation may be attained.

Participation of players at practice Hits per minute

Advanced group 1 Advanced group 2 Intermediate

3.0 1.9

1 18

and categorize positive comments as praise or technique reinforcement (e.g. 'Great shot," or "I like the way you brushed the back of the ball '). Another chart may center on errors and analyze all of the coach's responses. How many invoked criticism ("That's not good enough") or corrective comments (" Try to keep your wrist firm" )?

Example: The evaluation determined that of 311 shots observed in a training session , the coach interacted with the players 13 percent of the time, and provided positive reinforcement for good shots 17 percent of the time.

For the errors, 14 percent invoked criticism and 44 percent produc~d a corrective technique suggestion. Once again, it is difficul~ to make conclusions without considering the context, but overall in this area, the coach seemed to have a good balance of praise and constructive technique advice.

Advice, when given, certainly did not overload the players in fact, in some cases it might have been too brief As alluded to previously, the nature of the practice, with the coach feeding all the balls, made it difficult to give .detailed, individual technique correction. Perhaps there is a need to have a third coach wandering between the two courts to provide a more personalized approach . A person, possibly an advanced player, could be trained to feed the balls, thereby releasing the coach from the task and allowing time for closer analysis of each player.

Participation rates Example: Participation rates varied from the advanced group of players (three hits per minute) to the intermediate group (one or two hits per minute), as shown in Table Ill While the need is supported to push the advanced group harder, an involvement rate of little more than one hit per minute would seem to represent minimal participation. The format should be reorganized to create more practice time for individual skills.

This could be achieved either by reducing the number of students on one court, or by providing additional activities to complete.

Players may be asked to hit controlled~ volleys while waiting in line; complete a number of serves on an adjoining court; hit ground-

Other observations Additional points may be observed during the practice sessions that may benefit the coach who is watching .

Example: In the study, the following points were made during the six practice sessions:

Australian Open Quarter Finalist MaliVai Washington uses PowerBars before tennis or anytime as a low-fat, healthy snack.

Photo: Michael Baz

• The coach watched intermediates serve, and gave each player one point on which to work. Then he watched them exclusively, thus demonstrating sound teaching techniques.

• Motivation was enhanced by use of targets and the promise of a can of soda for those successful. This provoked incentive, but not too much pressure.

• Intermediates needed more repetitions to get groundstrokes 'grooved . They seemed to make many mistakes when given only one approach shot. It would seem preferable to give them four hits, then ask them to play an approach shot.

• Two balls were permitted in the server's hand in the intermediate group. The toss ball is difficult to handle, and players should hold one ball at a time.

• A considerable variety of drills were in evidence during the sessions.

• The 'around the world' drill always was performed in the same direction. Coaches should try both directions to facilitate balanced stroke development.

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• A thorough warm-up was conducted , which was good.

nutritious and extremely easy

• A greater range of technique correction could have been offered .

to digest, even right before a

• Practice ended abruptly a short review with some goals set for the week is recommended .

The examples presented have been discussed in a critical manner to illustrate the approach . It should be re-emphasized that these comments did not consider the context of the observed lessons, so the conclusions are, at best, an approximation of reality.

Hopefully, coaches will be challenged to become more reflective and to seek feedback from others. o

match or between sets.

For a free, 12 page Guide to Nutrition and Energy, call 800-444-5154.

C 1994Powerfoodlnc.

ADDvantage May 1994

25

US PTA • John Salvador, USPTA member and tennis director for the Resort at Squaw Creek, Olympic Valley, Calif was named the 1993 Peter Burwash International Professional of the Year for initiating new programs and ideas which contributed to the growth of the company. More than 80 PBI professionals from 23 countries met in Houston for conferences and training sessions as part of the 19th annual PBI meeting .

Peter Burwash (left), congratulates PBI Professional of the Year John Salvador.

CLASS/f~IEIJ

AIJS

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His TENNIS JOBS newsletter lists jobs across the country ranging from entry level through Director of Tennis. For current issue, send $10.00 to Bob Larson Tennis Jobs, Box 24379-H, Edina MN 55424 HITTING PARTNER/PERSONAL COACH Tour players and academies are looking for hitting partners and personal coaches.

For information on how to get these exciting assignments, write Bob Larson, HP /PC, Box 24379-H, Edina, MN 55424.

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Call Leslie Kauffmann 605-532-5470.

26

ADDvantage May 1994

• Nineteen people received awards for 1993 at the USPTA Midwest Division convention in February· Tom Martin of Toledo, Ohio, Midwest Division Professional of the Year· Armand Molino of Novi, Mich ndividual Coach of the Year· Ryan Shaffer of Canton , Ohio, Team Coach of the Year· Ed Nagel of Franklin , Mich Male Tom Martin Playing Professional of the Year· Bud Schroeder of Englewood, Ohio, 35 and Over Playing Professional of the Year· Yvonne Vermaak of Chicago, Female Playing Professional of the Year· Mike Graff of West Bloomfield, Mich ., Rookie of the Year· Joe Lyden of Lake Forest, Ill Fay Tooley Award ; and Dan Hopkins of Terre Haute, nd . Dean Snyder of Farmington Hills, Mich and Craig Tiley of Champaign , Ill. Sponsors of the Year: State professionals of the year awards went to Greg Aten, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Jorge Capestany, Wyoming , Mich. Jay Massart, Milwaukee, Wis. and Mike Lange, Geneva, Ill. and Jim Burda, Evanston , Ill Lee Ann Reed of Fort Wayne, Ind. won the Nancy Mickler Award and the Indiana Professional of the Year award .

David Muir David Muir of Blue Island, Ill was inducted into the Midwest Division Hall of Fame.

• Honorary USPTA members Billie Jean King and Mary Carillo, and the late Arthur Ashe, USPTA Hall of Fame member, were three of 10 award recipients chosen

by Tennis Buyer's Guide as the people, companies, events and organizations that have had the most posi· tive impact on the sport of tennis during the last decade.

Arthur Ashe • USPTA members Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver are

Mary Carillo

Billie Jean King

honorary co-chairs of Across America Tennis Day, scheduled May 14.

Drysdale served on the USPTA national board of directors from 1990 to 1993 and is a sports commentator for ESPN and ABC Sports.

Shriver is president of the WTA Tour Players Association and a vice president of the nternational Tennis Hall of Fame.

• USPTA member Kathy O'Neal is the new director of sports marketing for Benchwarmers of America, the nation's largest sports fan fraternity.

O'Neal also is president of Aces Unlimited. Members of Benchwarmers of America receive a quarterly newsletter, discounts on icensed sports apparel and fan trips, and input on the issues that Kathy O'Neal affect sports fans.

O'Neal also helped direct the ATP Tour "FanFest" during The Lipton Championships. FanFest, held throughout the tournament, is a miniature 'tennis theme park' which has been proposed for 10 sites around the country.

• Chip King represented USPTA in Washington, D.C. March 15 at a meeting of The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The Council formed Presidential Fitness Partners in May, a new alliance of health- and fitness-related organizations, to generate greater awareness by uniting the many worthwhile causes. Many of these groups hold special observances during National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May. King, Middle Atlantic Division regional vice president and head tennis professional at The Country Club of Fairfax (Va.) , told representatives from more than 30 national groups about USPTA's Across America Tennis Day, which occurs May 14.

• Dale Steiss, USPTA Midwest Division certified head tester, handed the testing reins to Mike Lange on April 1 Steiss has been the division's head tester since 1989 and has done a tremendous job, said George Bacso, USPTA Director of Certification and Academies. Steiss has helped to bring new members into USPTA. and his efforts have been appreciated by the Association .

• K-Sport International Ltd. has hired USPTA professional David Crouch to design and market the Kaelin tennis clothing line. Crouch is also developing the Kaelin Professional program , designed to support all tennis professionals ·by providing them with a special price on Kaelin tennis clothing .

Crouch was formerly the Naples Bath and Tennis Club kademy director in Naples, Fla.

Me1t1ber product showcase • The Five Star Tennis Leadership Handbook, by Sheryl Behne, USPTA Master Professional, is a survival kit for tennis leaders which includes forms for league, mixer, round robin , and elimi.nation and nonelimination tournaments for sanctioned and club tournaments. It includes information on how to start a business, tips for locker room walls, and policy ideas. For more information or to order, call (512) 442-1466.

• Ca..rlos Goffi, USPTA member, is directing this year's Tournament Tough Training program . The program has joined with Nike Tennis Camps to provide exciting advantages to participants, including the opportunity to train at some of the country's finest colleg iate and precollegiate facilities.

USTA • The USTA and the ATP Tour have joined to foster the growth of grassroots tennis by promoting the sport to fans and players at major tour events, and by supporting the USTA NJTL program .

Manufacturers • Universal Fabric Structures Inc. has designed the Sporthall, a maintenance-free, self-supporting, clear-span building using a heavy-duty PVC cover. The roof allows natural light through and protects players from ultraviolet rays. For more information, call Tom

Garrity, (800) 634-8368.

• League2, new software developed by Win Sports, makes random league schedules, records game results, and determines league standings. The program runs on IBM-compatible computers, and is menudriven. For more information , call (714) 894-8161 • Gurkee's Coolers, a product of Roll-It International Corp. will keep tennis players cool The new product may be worn as a neckerchief or headband, and if soaked in cold fresh water for five to 10 minutes, the polymer material absorbs the cold water and keeps the wearer Gurkee's Coolers cool for days. For more information call Don B. Nelson, (918) 488-8600.

• Ah-bon Athletics Inc., a new company founded by Lee Lemon, Robert Miller and Derick Jones, formerly of roche Sportswear Inc. will manufacture and market athletic apparel for distribution throughout the continental United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean . Initially, the company will concentrate on apparel for tennis, volleyball , skiing and cycling, and it will offer customdesigned apparel for special events.

For more information, call Lemon at (714) 525-7311

Pro tours • Seventeen-year-old Lindsay Davenport ranks 12th on the WTA Tour. She is the third ranked U.S. woman player, behind Martina Navratilova and Gigi Fernandez. Since the start of the 1993 season , Davenport is 52-19 (.732) .

• No. 1 player Pete Sampras and top 10 player Stefan Edberg will play in the RCA Championsh ps , Aug . 13-21 Sampras is the U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Edberg holds two Australian Open titles, two Wimbledon titles and two U.S. Open titles.

For ticket informaStefan Edberg tion cal (800) 622-LOVE .

Associations • Gordon Pierce is the newly elected chairman of the United States Tennis Court and Track Builders Association, the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for tennis courts and running tracks. Pierce is the president of Cape and Island Tennis in Pocasset. Mass.

Officers elected to serve with Pierce are associate-affiliate division President Ron Lewis; tennis division President Carl Peterson; track division President Donald K. L. Smith; professional division President Roger Pocta; and Secretary-Treasurer Richard N. Funkhouser.

New members of USTC&TBA's board of directors are Lex Kessler of Katonah , NY Jim Petrucelli of ndianola, Pa. and Richard Zaino of Orange, Calif They join current directors Margaret Beard of St. Petersburg Fla . Arthur Tucker of Cambridge, Mass. and Martin Wylde of Brewster, NY Ted Rauch of Wi xom , Mich moves into the board position of past president.

Headquarters For Your Teaching & Training Supplies

• ~ourt Targets • Medicine Balls • Doubles Tether • Raquet String • •

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27

1994 National Convention (continued from page 4) the registration form on page 7 and return it to the hotel no later than Aug. 17 Rates are $85 for a single or double room per night.

For information on sharing a room, call the World Headquarters for a list of members who also are looking to share rooms. All convention attendees are responsible for making their own room reservations.

Discounts on airfare and car rentals are available through USPTA's travel agency, Atlas Travel. Contact Atlas for more information on airfare and rental cars at (800) 338-6996. Be sure to state you are a USPTA member to receive discounts.

USPTA members who attend the convention and the sem inars will receive nine continuing education credits. A Certification Training Course (two credits) is also available, as well as more than 20 Specialty Courses worth two credits each .

For tennis action , attendees may participate in the National Championships, the National TeamTennis Championships and the Senior TeamTennis Championships. The National Championships registration form is on page 9.

The annual Awards Breakfast, Sept. 21 will recognize outstanding USPTA members for 1994. Awards to be presented include Player

of the Year, Coach of the Year, High School Coach of the Year, Touring Coach of the Year, Professional of the Year, Division of the Year, and Division Newsletter of the Year. Other categories include USTA/USPTA Public Service Award , Years of Service and the 1994 Master Professionals.

This year 's convention also will host the second annual USPTA National Tennis Buying Show, which will feature the latest merchandise from tennis manufacturers and retailers.

For more information about the 1994 USPTA National Convention , contact the World Headquarters at .(713) 97-USPTA. <t:P

Off-court focus (continued from page 8) Stephanie, who is ranked nationally No. 16 in singles and No. 3 in doubles for the girls 14 division.

Before Hazlett began playing tennis, she played golf as a junior and at Florida State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing. The head tennis coach saw her playing tennis with friends and offered to teach her to play. was just down there with a little old 'cheapo' racquet , and didn't know anything , she said. 'I really jumped on it really loved it.

SPORTS TUTOR The Choice in Ball Machines

When she played competitively, Hazlett's best ranking was No. 7 in singles in the Florida women's division. At that time, Chris Evert was 12 years old and ranked No. 1 Hazlett also competed in the Virginia Slims tournaments during the early stages of their development. o

Select the right people (continued from page 20) be interdependent, not independent or dependent. Team members recognize the interdependent nature of organizational success. â&#x20AC;˘ Laziness is often the culprit in poor hiring decisions. Managers sometimes fail to do the simple, but necessary, steps in examining the background of the prospect. The difficult job is not the interview, necessarily, but the preparation and work leading to the interview. One must identify a profile of what is needed, must be familiar with the resume, and must check every reference. It is human nature to list the most favorable references, thus it is important to get a clear perspective on the person about to be interviewed. â&#x20AC;˘ Finally, it is important to expose the candidate to every member of the team , and involve as many people as possible in the interview and selection process.

At one club, the prospect is interviewed by no less than seven people from all areas and departments in the organization For example, a professional will conduct free clinics for club members, who then are interviewed by the management staff Additionally, the prospective team member is placed in an informal social setting so that the staff can observe interaction with both other team members and club members.

The ultimate test is the question one must ask oneself "How would I feel if this person worked for my competition?' o

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ADDvantage May 1994

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Burbank, California 9 1505

Will Cleveland, a USPTA member since 1985, is a USPTA tester and a former Midwest Division board member.

He is the past president of the USPTA Indiana district in his division.

Cleveland is the general manager of ..____ _ ___..___ _____, the Wildwood Racquet Club in Fort Will Cleveland Wayne, Ind. , and a member of the Dunlop National Advisory Staff and the K-Swiss Technical Advisory Staff.

Cleveland was named 1992 Indiana Professional of the Year by the USPTA Midwest Division, and received the 1991 Western Tennis Association Cap Leighton Award for tennis professionals.

(Just don't let it past you.)

You know how to w1n. So of course, you know Pro Penn. Wanna know more? The USPTAendorses 1t. Now go h1t a few.

For more information call -800-BUY-PENN.

USJ>TA's ACROSS A~ERICA TE~~IS UAysM

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Saturday, May 14, 1994 The grassroots tennis event of the year..

BULK RATE U.S. POST AGE

Tennis Professionols

UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC. World Headquarters One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston , TX 77042-5235

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