Addvantage 2001 February

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ADDvantage

contents

the total professional - enhancing your career 8 Ask the professor - Keep the tennis stroke simple to maximize your chance of success - by Jack Groppel, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional — Advice on keeping your racquet swing open or closed.

departments 2 Executive Committee 3 Vice president's message 20 USPTA mailbox 21 Teaching pro shares tennis tips 28 USPTA drill

features

29 Career development

10 Take advantage and capitalize on playing styles by Kaveh Nayeri, USPTA — Finding the tennis style that best suits your personality.

30 Industry action 31 Classifieds

14 Tennis - the itch that's fun to scratch - by Elaine Gallant, USPTA — Education is the key to getting and keeping the job you want.

16

Little Tennis® - Tokyo Style - by Shannon Kopp, USPTA staff writer - USPTA Pro Allen Krissman takes Little Tennis to the rooftops.

news 18 USPTA shoots for $100,000-goal

/L

24 www.LittleTennis.com 31 Wilson/USPTA equipment program

Little Tennis

On the cover ... Andre Agassi, last year's men's singles Austrailian Open winner.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com ADDvanfage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone-(71 3) 978-7782 (800) USPTA-4U Fax-(713) 978-7780 e-mail - magazine@uspta.org

Editor Shawna Riley Managing editor Julie Myers Kimberly Forrester Assistant managing editor Circulation Kathy Buchanan Advertising John Dettor Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvonfage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

volume 25 • issue 2 The opinions expressed in ADDvanfage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvanfage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2001. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA. ADDvantage/February 2001

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uspta

Executive Committee

National Board of Directors

Division presidents and regional vice presidents

Joseph Thompson President (303) 278-1130

California Division Pam Austin President (626) 854-2360 Nick Getz Regional vice president (310) 300-6135

Middle States Division Mark Townsend President (610) 647-9622 Tom Sweitzer Regional vice president (717) 533-5995

Pacific Northwest Division Shelly Stockman President (425) 313-0123 Barry Sterett Regional vice president (541) 342-4414

Eastern Division Daniel Burgess President (516) 623-2929 Steve Diamond Regional vice president (973) 822-1900

Midwest Division Mary Herrick President (440) 282-4416 Guy Parks Regional vice president (614) 457-5671

San Diego Division Melissa Porzak President (858) 487-6498 Kim Funk Regional vice president (760) 753-7266

Florida Division Kevin McCarthy President (954) 344-1840 Len Simard National delegate (561) 482-5000

Missouri Valley Division Jeff Hawes President (913) 345-1661 Kim Sunderland Regional vice president (913) 341-7771

Southern Division Tom McGraw President (502) 897-0673 Tommy Wade Regional vice president (205) 879-4611

Hawaii Division Bruce Nagel President (808) 262-2057 David Temple Regional vice president (808) 879-6060

New England Division Bob Greene President (207) 864-2540 Becky Wendler Regional vice president (508) 358-7355

Southwest Division Dick Johnson President (505) 821-4860 Ruth Ann Gardner Regional vice president (602) 589-2813

Intermountain Division Judy Courtney President (303) 670-3417 Alden Bock Regional vice president (303) 674-6884

Northern California Division Michael Friedman President (209) 836-2504 Ken DeHart Regional vice president (510) 656-2250

Texas Division Mike Doty President (713) 622-7729 Gerry Maingot Regional vice president (361) 643-6057

Mid-Atlantic Division Patrick Kearns President (804) 245-0670 Kate Mills Regional vice president (703) 524-3227

Northwest Division Chris Combs President (651) 426-1308 Michael Stenquist Regional vice president (612) 887-5001

Mark McMahon First vice president (770) 392-7788 David T. Porter, Ed.D. Vice president (808) 293-3755 Ron Woods Vice president (361) 991-7561 Harry Gilbert Vice president (904) 437-2427 Tom Daglis Vice president (770) 784-1699 Randy Mattingley Secretary-treasurer (806) 762-3430 Will Hoag Immediate past president (954) 564-7386

Past presidents Kurt Kamperman (1997) (843) 686-3036 Kathy Woods (1996) (203) 226-8259 Gordon Collins (1994) (408) 395-7111

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ADDvantage/February 2001

Vice president's message Use USPTA tools and programs to enhance your image in the tennis industry!

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President

Joseph Thompson

First Vice President

T

Make sure your affiliation with the USPTA is menwo of the most valuable assets a tennis-teachtioned in any article, advertisement, brochure ing professional can have are his or her certior other promotional material in which your fication and a membership in the USPTA. name may appear.

Certification usually means that a person has Display your USPTA affiliation on banners, achieved a level of competency in the field he has nameplates, plaques and other logo merchanchosen to pursue. USPTA certification also serves as dise that can be purchased through USPTA. a vehicle for employers searching for professionals to It's also a good idea to place your USPTA fill job openings in the tennis industry. However, cermembership certificate in plain view so that club tification alone does not necessarily mean that a great members and the public can see job is automatic or that a professional it. Because our logo is a registerwill continue to educate himself. ed trademark owned by USPTA, Membership in' a trade or profesthe Association must manage its sional association is equally important use. If you have questions about to gaining and keeping a good posimerchandise or the logo, please tion and keeping up with the latest contact USPTA. technology in a specific profession.

• Write tennis articles or columns USPTA membership provides educafor the local newspaper and voltional opportunities and many servicunteer your expertise to the loes that can help members more effeccal TV affiliates. You can protively compete in the job market. Our mote your credentials as a certiorganization also promotes the benefied teaching professional to fits of hiring USPTA pros to the pubRon Woods your community and potential lic, the tennis industry and employstudents and employers. ers. This exposure not only comes from national Implement and promote the sports marketing advertisements in tennis periodicals and some teleprograms developed by USPTA professionals vision coverage in certain areas, but also comes from for USPTA professionals. These not only prothe membership itself. mote our image, but also encourage increased For example, USPTA develops its programs speparticipation in the game. Some of these cifically to benefit individual tennis teachers and the include: USPTA as a whole, so your participation promotes your value to your clients, the tennis community and • USPTA's Tennis Across America™ — This proyour trade association. The stronger the Association gram will celebrate its 12th year in 2001 and is in the eyes of the industry, the stronger our unified is the longest-running free lesson promotion voice is when we face issues in the tennis world that in the industry. By tying in to the national affect our livelihoods and the future of tennis. publicity and promotion during May, a USPTA member can gain great local expoThere are several ways you — as a USPTA pro — can use your membership to promote yourself: sure in his or her community for promoting the growth of the game. Tennis Across Amer• One simple way is to use USPTA letterhead and ica demonstrates the true volunteer spirit of make sure you place the USPTA initials behind USPTA teaching professionals. your name each time you include your name on a letter, news release or any other type of com• USPTA's Little Tennis® — This program has munication. been accepted as a bonafide lesson and pathcontinued Page 5

Mark McMahon

Vice Presidents David T. Porter, Ed.D. Ron Woods Harry Gilbert Tom Daglis Secretary-treasurer Randy Mattingley Past President

Will Hoag

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO

Tim Heckler

Director of Operations Executive Assistant

Rich Fanning

Marty Bostrom

Director of Communications

Shawna Riley

Creative Services Director

Julie Myers

Director of Public Relations

Diane Richbourg John Dettor

Director of Sports Marketing Publications Coordinator

Kimberly Forrester

Communications/ Divisional Liaison Communications

Jill Kite Shannon Kopp

Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development Educational Administrator

Lynn Lazarz

Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator Receptionist

Norma Martin

Computer Services/ Kathy Buchanan Club Relations Computer Services/ Data Entry

Sylvia Ortiz

Computer Systems Administrator

Quincy Kwok

Divisional Executive Administrator

Yvonne Hung

Vicky Tristan Membership and Certification Coordinator Membership Assistant Danielle Mead Payroll/Benefits

Renee Heckler

Insurance/ Ellen Weatherford Merchandise Services Insurance Services

Charlene Davis

LEGAL COUNSEL Attorney-at-law

Paul Waldman

For information, write the USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone (713) 97-USPTA (800) USPTA-4U Fax (713) 978-7780 e-mail - uspta@uspta.org Internet - www.uspta.com Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Central time

ADDvantage/February 2001

3

IT'C iviciAfi Professional Web sites. No assembly required. Really, Why have your own Web site? a whole new way 1 toIt'sreach students and potential

Don't take our word for it here's what your fellow pros have to say:

employers who want to know more about you.

It's free.

Your boss will be impressed.

"When I hand out (business cards) to new clients and they see the Web site address, they are always impressed ... The juniors always enjoy reading the tips offered on the Web site every month, and when they come to lessons, they like to try them out." ~ Christopher Colesanti

It's free.

You take the credit - we do all the work.

"The USPTA has streamlined this process at no cost to the individual members. It is a great tool for marketing yourself and your facility and adds professional credibility to those that are utilizing this free service." ~ R. J. Tessier

It's free.

Your club gets great promotion with colored photos and description.

8 It's free.

Q Your most important job selling yourself to students and employers - gets easier.

10 Did we mention it's free?

"As a resort pro ... I have gotten guest business due to the fact that I had a Web site ... and in some cases other pros didn't." ~ Jerry Winder "The updated Web page looks terrific. Thank you for letting your members be a part of it."

-Ann Bartek When sending out event promotions for upcoming tennis events via e-mail, I always place a link for quick access to my personal Web site ...In our monthly newsletter, I place a notice about getting a monthly tennis tip via my USPTA site." ~ Mike Doty

One of the reasons I got my last job was because I had the 'edge' in having a USPTA Web site ... I use my site as a teaching tool regularly. ~ Mark Pachtner

from Page 3 way activity in the USA Tennis 1 -2-3 program. This is the only program (other than USTA's own) to date that USTA has publicly recognized as a component of the industrywide Plan for Growth effort. Through this program, USPTA members can grow the game and offer a viable junior activity at their facility.

• USPTA Adult Tennis League™ - League play is without a doubt the most popular competition in American tennis.

The format of the USPTA Adult Tennis League provides a fun atmosphere in which to mingle various levels of play within your club or community. The league can strengthen your tennis program and build camaraderie among club members, which is very vital to the success of a tennis professional. Several USPTA divisions use this format and compete in statewide playoff tournaments. This league program also is another tool through which pros can enhance their revenue base.

• USPTA Member-Guest Tournament — This tournament format is a great way for your members to show off their facility and entertain friends. It's also an excellent way to promote memberships at your facility. The tournament format was designed by USPTA members and provides you with step-by-step directions for running a successful event. What better way to enhance your image in the eyes of your members and employers than to run a fun, effective and efficient event.

• Lessons for Life - This project has become one of the most effective and worthwhile charitable programs of the Association and it is a highly visible and valuable marketing tool for the image of the USPTA member. It is run in conjunction with the American Cancer Society and is a win-win situation for both groups. Lessons for Life can be run at any time, but is targeted for the month of October. USPTA professionals around the nation have rallied around this cause and earned more than $55,000 during its first year and more than $82,000 during its second year. This project is yet another way in which your USPTA membership enhances your image as a supporter of community programs like this and many other charitable causes.

The above USPTA programs are but a few of the tools you can access to promote yourself, your profession and tennis. They help you achieve better programming, job security, image in the community, and increase your value in the job market. These programs represent some of the many reasons that make USPTA membership so valuable. There is no other tennis-teaching organization that devotes the time, energy, resources and expertise to the tennis industry than does the United States Professional Tennis Association. And this is why our members are viewed as the most knowledgeable, prestigious and generous in tennis.

Call the World Headquarters today and ask for information on any of the programs listed in this article. Take advantage of your USPTA membership to enhance your image and value in the job market by using these tried and true sports marketing programs and the many other benefits offered by your Association.^*

Sport/Waster

PRESENTS

SPORT SURFACES

intErnEttEr

[where tn surf & valley] www.teiiBiisweek.com Court Surface www. sportmaster. net Sources of Daily Tennis News on the Worldwide Web CNN/SI Tennis: www.cnnsi.com/tennis ESPN Sportszone Tennis News: ESPN.SportsZone.com/ten FOX Sports Net: www.foxsports.com/tennis Nando's SportServer: www.sportserver.com Reuters Tennis News: www.sportsweb.com/Tennis/index.shtml Sportsline USA: www.sportsline.com/u/tennis/index.html Tennis Week: www.tennisweek.com Professional Tour News ATP: www.atptour.com Success Magazine Tour: www.championstour.com World TeamTennis: www.worldteamtennis.com WTA Tour: www.wtatour.com Tennis Organizations ITA: www.itatennis.com ITF: www.itftennis.com International Tennis Hall of Fame: www.tennisfame.org Tennis Industry Association: www.tennisindustry.org USPTA: www.uspta.com PTR: www.usptr.org USTA: www.usta.com USTA/Eastern-Metro (NYC): www.metrotennis.com Van der Meer: www.vandermeertennis.com Tennis Product Manufacturers Gamma: www.gammasports.com/index.html Head USA: www.headusa.com Nike: www.nike.com Penn: www.pennracquet.com Scor-Post: www.hierathproducts.com Wilson: www.wilsonsports.com/wUson/Tenms/tenmsmam.html Tennis Tour Grand Slam Tennis Tours: www.tennistrips.com Tennis School Ferris State University: www.hello.to/FSUPTM Tyler Junior College: www.tjctennistech.com Tennis Shopping Holabird Sports: www.holabirdsports.com Tennis Direct: www.tennisdirect.com Awards NetKnacks Tennis Awards: www.tennisawards.com Hotel The Roger Smith Hotel: www.rogersmith.com Tournament Sites Australian Open: www.ausopen.org French Open: www.frenchopen.org U.S.Open: www.usopen.org Wimbledon: www.wimbledon.org USA Network: www.usanetwork.com (French & U.S. Opens) ADDvantage/February 2001

5

Out wear your opponent.

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1-800-990-0000.

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Keep the tennis strobe simple to maximize your chance of success uestion: I play with a forehand grip that is in between Eastern and Semi-WesternTTnave been in the process of changing my Continental grip for about the past two years now. Just recently, my swing is feeling much more natural. My coach has been telling me that when I bring my racquet back I should keep

it closed and then open it a little bit right when I hit the ball.

(I guess I would always have the face open when the racquet swings through the air.) On my two-handed backhand, I try and emulate Magnus Norman and just bring the racquet straight back in a very open fashion. However, to me, it makes sense to keep it closed,

Jack Groppel, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional, is the executive vice president ofLGE Performance Systems. He is an instruction editor for Tennis magazine, and is the author o/^'High-Tech Tennis" and the newly released 'The Corporate Athlete. " Information can be found at www.mentallytough.com.

8

ADDvantage/February 2001

since it probably is more aero- they are cycling on and off but dynamic - just like the way a the eye is not sensitive enough frisbee flies. I, unfortunately, to detect the oscillation. find myself framing the ball, For that reason, I would sugprobably since I'm used to hit- gest you review Magnus Norting a much more clean ball, man's stroke production with as opposed to brushing up the the assistance of slow-motion back of the ball. Do you feel video playback and study what there are any advantages/disad- he really does. For example, vantages to keeping a swing does he take the racquet back more closed than open? with arm motion or with trunk motion, and specifically how JHk nswer: Your situation does he accomplish this? Does raises several issues that I will he initiate forward movement with the legs, the hips, the trunk attempt to answer.

(1) Congratulations on and the arm? How is the racchanging from a Continental quet arm positioned during the grip. Although it has taken two swing? What is the linear moyears to change, I am sure the tion of the racquet? Does he rerewards are great since the East- ally take the racquet straight ern/Semi-Western grip gives back or does he actually use a you more control and power. small loop backswing? The an(2) On your backswing, I swers to these questions will go would recommend you keep a long way toward helping you the palm down as your coach model this great player. suggests. This places the upper (4) Finally, be very careful arm and shoulder in an anatom- trying to consciously "close" or ically efficient position while "open" the racquet face during enabling you to naturally take the forward acceleration phase the racquet back with simple of the stroke. We are talking a body rotation. few degrees of rotation and the (3) It's wonderful to emu- human mind simply cannot detect a degree or two while aglate the great players. However, make sure you are imitating and gressively swinging the racquet. modeling exactly what happens. That's why people who attempt Often our naked eye plays tricks this feat have serious control on us because the eye cannot problems. Note the position of possibly pick up the extremely the palm of your hand when the fast movements of tennis with- racquet face is in a vertical poout visual aids. As testimony to sition at impact. Then duplicate this, the table lamps in your that position as you accelerate home look as though they emit toward impact. That way, you a single, constant beam of light keep it simple and you maxito the naked eye. In actuality, mize your chances of success.^"

Take the next step in your career.. become a USPTA specialist USPTA's Career Development Program offers tennis teachers the educational opportunities to excel in their field and strive for personal excellence both on and off the court. The program provides education and certification opportunities to those who work or aspire to work within the profession.

The Association has taken education one step further with the introduction of specialist degrees. This training will allow members to specialize in one or more specific areas of the tennis-teaching profession.

The Specialist degrees will: • Create a market demand for certified members who become specialists.

•' Promote and recognize USPTA professionals as the most elite in the profession.

• Create an ongoing career track for USPTA members.

• Offer advanced education to improve more specific competencies.

Specialist degrees offered are Specialist in Little Tennis, Specialist in Competitive Player Development and Specialist in Computer Technology. Future areas are being developed.

For an application or more information on the specialist degrees call (800) USPTA-4U.

Specialist training dates Specialist in Competitive Player Development and Little Tennis training weeks Date/location

Deadline

Degree

June 22-24/Houston August 16-22/Southern California November 12-18/New York

March 20 May 15 Aug. 15

LT CPD CPD

Applications are available by contacting the USPTA Education Department.

ADDvantage/February 2001

9

AND CAPITALIZE ON PLAYIN6 STYLES

By Kaveh Nayeri, USPTA

T

here are many different ways to play tennis. One key to successful tennis is for each student to learn to play a style that uniquely fits his personality and skills. The advantage of doing this is that the student will get the most enjoyment out of the sport while maximizing his results.

TO WIN POINTS OFTEN, EACH STODENT CAN BE TAUGHT TO IDENTIFY AND PRACTICE THE SHOT COMBINATIONS THAT ABE BEST SUITED FOB HIS STYLE OF PLAY. ONCE THE STUDENT CAN DELIVEB THESE SHOT

Tennis points are made up of a combination of shots. To win points often, each student can be taught to identify and practice the shot combinations that are best suited for his style of play. Once the student can deliver these shot combinations with consistency, he can rely on them to win points, games and matches.

In general, tennis playing styles may be developed around one of the following competitive traits: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Patience Aggressiveness Creativity Capitalizing on opportunity Have your students rank themselves in

each of the above traits on a scale from 0 to 10 (10 being the highest level for each trait and 0 the lowest). For example, a score of 9 in aggressiveness means highly aggressive, while a score of 1 in the same trait means not aggressive. Each trait is ranked separately. There is no right or wrong answer, just individual differences.

The trait the student ranks highest should be the one around which he develops his tennis game. Using the highest-ranked trait is probably the best way to maximize his tennis results. The other traits will also be utilized by a student when playing or practicing tennis, but the dominant trait is the one that should define his style of play.

COMBINATIONS WITH CONSISTENCY, HE CAN BELY ON THEM TO WIN POINTS, GAMES AND MATCHES.

An opportunistic player may study and take advantage of various factors that could help him maximize his performance.

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ADDvantage/February 2001

The following are individual traits, along with the philosophy and typical shot combinations for each:

PATIENCE

AGGRESSIVENESS

CREATIVITY

A student who is patient should develop a game that wins points primarily through consistent shot making.

To play this style, a student should learn to hit solid, safe shots consistently. The student needs to minimize unforced errors and be able to get to difficult balls and put them back in play regularly.

Patience, consistency and a good ability to concentrate definitely have a place in winning matches. This has been clearly demonstrated by Chris Evert and Bjorn Borg whose tennis achievements are among the highest in tennis history. They both won through patience, concentration, consistency and common sense. The overall philosophy of this style is, "If I put the ball in play often, I will win often."

To play this style, a tennis player needs to develop a consistent serve, return of serve, groundstrokes, passing shots and lobs. This player also needs to develop an ability to move side-to-side, forward and backward to cover the court and hit the ball well on the run.

If a student ranks highest in aggressiveness, an attacking style of tennis would best serve him. This is a style in which the student develops the shots needed to constantly put pressure on opponents by hitting balls that are difficult to handle.

The aggressive player will use pace, depth, angles, spins and aggressive court positioning regularly to draw errors and weak replies from opponents and will hit winners as soon as possible during a point.

This style of play involves dictating play throughout a match. It can certainly be a winning style for people who have the inclination and intensity to be on the offensive time and again without retreating.

The successes of tennis greats Stephan Edberg and Martina Navratilova are examples of winning through attacking tennis.

The philosophy for this style of play is: "By hitting aggressive shots, I can weaken my opponent's replies and improve my court positioning (by going to the net) and win points by forcing errors or putting the ball away."

To perform this style of play, a student needs to develop a penetrating serve, quickness in dashing forward to the net and back to retrieve lobs, an ability to jump reasonably high, good approach shots, service returns, volleys and overheads.

If a student ranks herself high in creativity, she should work to become a "shot maker." This is the style of play that relies on exotic, creative shot making and the element of surprise to win points.

The creative tennis player uses her imagination and feel to develop shots that are unpredictable and innovative. This player uses her above average talent and intuition to win. Her style of play is experimental and unique.

Examples of this style of play are evident in the games of John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Monica Seles and Conchita Martinez. The philosophy for this style is: "I will create my own shots and style, and play tennis as if I am creating art. This will bring out my best tennis, causing me to win often."

The tennis coach should support the unique talents of the creative player and help develop them. The creative player may need assistance to recognize and develop her talent. Recognition and encouragement of this student's talents can have a very positive effect, but there are other decisions to be made as well.

For example, this student must decide which new shots to use in matches and which ones to leave out. This student can be taught to utilize in match play only those shots that she can execute consistently (at 75 percent rate) in practice.

This student can continue to develop other unique shots during practice until they are ready for use in a match. This is one way to help a student use her creativity in an effective way.

A teacher may also need to help this student learn how to combine her various creative shots in order to win points and matches. A few examples of creative shot combinations are listed at the end of this section.

With this style, a student may develop various spin serves and groundstrokes, drop shots, angle shots or whatever other shot the student's imagination can picture and her body can execute.

Shot combinations for players with patience • Student hits a medium pace serve and hits several safe groundstrokes. With the opponent at the net, the student hits a passing shot. The student runs laterally to get to the next ball and stretches and hits a passing shot on the run to win the point.

• Student returns a fast serve that lands just past the opponent's service box.

The student runs fast laterally to get the next ball and hits a passing shot down the line. The student sprints forward to get to a drop volley and lobs the ball past the opponent who runs back to get to it. The student hits an overhead to put the ball away and win the point.

• The student hits a crosscourt return of serve. The student hits several crosscourt forehands and backhands as he moves side to side. The student wins the point when the opponent hits a backhand into the net.

Point scenarios for players with aggressiveness • The student hits a deep and angled serve. The student rushes the net. The student hits a volley to the open area of the court for a winner.

• The student hits a fast serve to the body. The student rushes the net. The student hits a volley, an overhead, another volley and wins the point when the opponent misses a passing shot into the net.

• The student hits a deep return of serve. The student hits an approach shot and follows it to the net, hits a lunging low volley, and then hits a high volley to put the ball away and win the point.

continued next page ADDvantage/February 2001

11

from previous page Point scenarios for players with creativity • The student hits a slice spin serve and rushes the net. The student hits a drop volley to win the point outright.

• The student hits a topspin serve. The student hits an inside out backhand approach shot that bounces deep in the court and away from the opponent, then hits a sharp angle volley to the opposite corner for a winner.

• The student hits a drop shot return of serve. Next the student hits a lob and then hits a delicate drop shot that the opponent barely gets to and hits into the net.

CAPITALIZING ON OPPORTUNITY If a student ranks highest on this characteristic, an all-court game may best suit her. This student will learn to take advantage of opponents' weaknesses and other opportunities that exist in matches.

An opportunistic player may study and take advantage of various factors that could help her maximize her performance. This player may study an opponent's weak points and devise a game plan to benefit from them.

The student should be trained to be well prepared going into a match as well as adaptable to the situation and match as it unfolds. This player may take advantage of an opponent's weak backhand, weak second serve or lack of mobility, etc.

Brad Gilbert and Martina Hingis play this style of game and often win at it. The philosophy for this style of play is: "I will analyze and prepare for each opponent and each match and put my plan into action to win. I will figure out my opponent's weaknesses and capitalize on them to win."

The right opportunities for a given student are the ones that she can take advantage of consistently. For example, short balls from an opponent do not constitute an opportunity for a student who misses most balls from midcourt. On the other hand, if a student possesses effective approach shots, volleys and overheads, short balls do become real opportunities.

You can help your student decide which opportunities to capitalize on. One way 12

ADDvantage/February 2001

you can achieve this is to ask her to list all potential opportunities prior to a match.

Next, the student will pick from this list only the types of opportunities that she has the ability to take advantage of consistently. Finally, based on this information, you can help your student prepare an appropriate game plan and practice the required shot combinations for the upcoming match.

You may also train your student to capitalize on opportunities other than the opponent's weaknesses. These include court surface, tennis racquet, string tension and thickness, tennis shoes, balls, altitude, wind direction, lighting, spectator involvement and diet. A student can be taught to identify the opportunities presented by each of these factors and to capitalize on them to maximize results.

To play this style, a student needs to develop a variety of strokes to allow herself to capitalize on various opportunities.

For example, this student may be taught to hit effective approach shots and volleys to take advantage of an opponent's short shots. The same student may be taught to use drop shots and angle shots to move an unfit opponent around the court.

The student needs to develop a good serve to the backhand on both sides, good approach shots, volleys and overheads to take advantage of short balls and easy second serves. She needs to be able to move an opponent around the court with crosscourt groundstrokes that are combined with down-the-line drives and drop shots.

If a student gives himself the same rating on two traits, then he may wish to develop a style that uses a combination of those two traits.

Also, when the top two traits have ratings that are very close to each other, the second trait should be considered to a limited degree in developing a student's style of play.

Learning the styles that best fit a student's personality and skills will help to maximize that student's results. Once a student learns to identify and practice the shots that are best suited for his style of play, he will be able to deliver more consistent shots allowing him to win more points, games and matches.^

How to capitalize on tennis match opportunities • Many opponents have a weaker backhand as compared to their forehand (or vice versa). Students can be trained to identify this and hit most serves, groundstrokes and volleys to an opponent's weaker side.

• Some players regularly run around their weaker side to hit their stronger stroke. By doing this, they often leave a large area of the court open for the student to hit into on the next shot.

• Many opponents cannot easily get to or return balls that are hit away from them. Students may be taught to recognize this and move such opponents side-to-side and forward and backward on the court.

• Many players have a shaky second serve.

This provides the opportunistic student with the opening to stand close to the service box on the second serve to put more pressure on the already shaky shot and to come into the net behind short second serves or drive the ball aggressively on the return.

Point scenarios for players who capitalize on opportunity • The student hits a serve to the backhand (this opponent's weaker side).

The student hits an approach shot to the backhand and follows it to the net.

The student volleys the next ball into the open court for a winner.

The student hits a crosscourt return of serve. The student hits a number of crosscourt shots to make her opponent, who does not move well hit the balls on the run. The opponent misses the last shot into the net.

The student hits a deep return of serve (to an opponent who gets nervous when hitting passing shots). The student rushes the net, and wins the point when her opponent over hits the passing shot long.

Kaveh Nayeri, USPTA, is a tennis-teaching professional at Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. He has 21 years of tennis experience and holds a master's degree in educational psychology.

Calling all vyrSfcrs ÂŤ., Writing for ADDvantage magazine offers USPTA members numerous benefits. They can share knowledge from their field of expertise, such as coaching, pro shop management, sport science and club management. Having an article published can enhance a pro's career or add to a resume. Also, being published in ADDvantage is worth 25 points toward USPTA Master Professional certification (a maximum of 50 is allowed).

affordable tennis training tool

0 Articles should be approximately 2,000 words long.

that provides

0 Article should cover some aspect of a teaching professional's job.

realistic repetitive practice against

0 Articles must be typed in a narrative form. The article should not be an outline or written as notes.

any serve or shot in the game.

0 Contributions will be edited for magazine format and focus, and a copy will be sent to the author to review.

Ball release point can be instantly elevated from

0 Please send good quality, in focus photos related to the topic, if available.

ground strokes to realistic serving heights delivering

0 Articles submitted to ADDvantage are forwarded with the name of the author removed to the USPTA Technical Review Committee for approval.

left or right handed serves and second serves with authentic high kicks.

0 Authors must sign a release form for any work submitted to us. This form assures us that the article is your original work, that you have not released the article previously to any other publication and prevents you from releasing it for further publication for a period of six months from the date of the agreement.

Ball release point can be instantly lowered from serving heights for all ground strokes including volleys, forehands, backhands and lobs.

0 Please include a brief biography and a black and white photo (bust shot).

0 Send articles to the attention of the Publications Coordinator at the USPTA World Headquarters or via e-mail to magazine@uspta.org.

Call for more information and a FREE video or cd.

1-800-717-4251

0 ADDvantage magazine does not pay authors for their articles.

Patent Pending

Visit our web site at www.sportsattack.com ADDvantage/February 2001

13

Like the USPTA, Gaussiran wants to produce a quality product with new candidates ... "We build people so that the first lesson taught to anybody is taught by a professional -

F

or some of us, the tennis bug bites late in life. But, just like the youth who fiercely attacks the competitive side of tennis through junior tournaments and the satellite and pro tours, the smitten adult can be equally feverish in pursuit of gratifying their tennis itch.

Such is the case of Charlie Gaussiran, USPTA Florida Division tester, who discovered mid-career as a naval pilot stationed in the Antarctic that even the ice couldn't diminish his desire to play the game.

"I'm one of only two people in the world who has played tennis in the Antarctic," Gaussiran said. "We had an empty (helicopter) hangar, so I marked off a court with masking tape and used a volleyball net. I had brought two wooden racquets

and a can of balls. The executive officer and I went in and hit the ball back and forth. But the floor of the hangar, which is called 'non-skid,' is like sandpaper; every time the ball hit the floor, chunks of ball were left behind."

Following two seasons in the Antarctic and other locales, Gaussiran retired from the military in 1989. His 20-year career — one that included a tour of duty in Vietnam - had come to an end, but all was not over. He had prepared for this

then they'll come back. People want the best quality possible.

It's about making first impressions."

Charlie Gaussiran (left) and Marcelo Gouts at Fort Gatlin Recreation Complex.

14

ADDvantage/February 2001

By Elaine Gallant, USPTA

along the way had managed to gain numerous credentials in the tennis industry.

At first, Gaussiran taught tennis to other service personnel and their families.

Then he obtained his professional teaching certification by the USPTA in 1991.

He participated in USPTA tournaments, became a NTPvP (National Tennis Rating Program) verifier, and a USTA referee and linesman.

Also in 1991, Gaussiran began work as an adjunct physical education instructor for Valencia Community College teaching levels I and II tennis. Since 1993, he's been a USPTA-certified tester and earned the USPTA Florida Division Tester of the Year award in 1997 and 1998. Today, he continues to test, verify and officiate while also teaching at VCC and other locations within the central Florida area.

R.J. Tessier, Midwest Division tester and director of the Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., believes Gaussiran displays the professional image that younger candidates need to see when they are first exposed to the USPTA. "Charlie is a detail person and a guy I can always count on to get the test done smoothly," Tessier said. "When I was the director of testing for the Florida Division, I began using Charlie at various test sites in Orlando, Boca Raton, Daytona and Jacksonville. He related extremely well to the new candidates and always put them at ease while taking the test ... that is so important."

Realizing how nervous some new candidates become when taking the exam, Gaussiran makes it his first priority to relax them so they can do the best job possible.

"I can always tell when they're starting to choke," Gaussiran said. "I'll say something or do something that makes them relax. I think people perform better when they don't feel the pressure."

Paula Scheb, USPTA Master Professional and Florida Division head tester, agrees with Gaussiran and said, "Charlie has a sincere interest to help and work with each person, he really cares. Taking the USPTA, or any exam for that matter, is just plain stressful! When we're looking for testers, we look for people with those qualities. This test is about certifying, not intimidating, people and Charlie understands this very well."

Like the USPTA, Gaussiran wants to produce a quality product with new candidates and said, "We build people so that the first lesson taught to anybody is taught by a professional — then they'll come back.

People want the best quality possible. It's about making first impressions."

So now that Gaussiran has made his own impression as a tester for the USPTA, how else will he scratch his tennis itch?

"Well, I'd like to publish an article and finish out the rest of the requirements for Master Professional," he said. "There's a whole list of things you have to do before being nominated for Master Pro and it takes time to get those requirements together."

For Gaussiran, that means he'll be scratching for at least another two or three years. ^"

... Gaussiran displays the professional image that younger candidates need to see when they are first exposed to the USPTA.

Elaine Gallant, USPTA, has a bachelor's degree in journalism and is a freelance tennis and golf writer. Her articles have appeared in numerous magazines and newsletters.

ADDvantage/February 2001

15

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USPTA Pro Allen Krissrnan takes Little Tennis to the looftops

by Shannon Kopp, USPTA staff writer

T "Other USPTA pros should get involved with this program, not just because it can increase their revenue, but because they can expand their student base,"

okyo, one of Japan's largest cities, overflows with culture, rich traditions and one of the most difficult tennis markets in the world especially when it comes to junior tennis.

So where does junior tennis fit in? Why, on the rooftops, of course.

Allen Krissrnan, USPTA member and president of Krissrnan International Tennis (KITS), took on the challenging task of introducing junior tennis to a wary and unconvinced community of Japanese club members and recreational players.

Krissrnan has 27 years of teaching experience in the United States and Mexico and has developed nine nationallyranked juniors.

With a soaring population — over 12 million to be exact - and due to a lack of housing space, Tokyo's government has placed high tax levies on non-residential

open land, such as the kind of space needed for tennis courts. In the heart of the city on the weekend, a normal court hour can go for $70 per hour and, rates for indoor courts can reach $140 per hour. With such high prices, junior tennis is not a priority where the available court space must be shared. "Juniors get the last choice — if any," says Krissman.

Krissrnan has had success with junior tennis in Japan since 1982, when he first introduced a program called "future stars."

The program developed as an answer to all the critics who told Krissman that Japanese children were too small and too weak to learn the game under the age of 8.

"I knew that most of the other programs were starting too late," says Krissman. He also believes that late-starting tennis programs are one of the main rea-

says Krissrnan.

Krissman (front left) has taken advantage ofUSPTA's Pros-Find-Jobs Web site and found some qualified teaching professionals to help teach Little Tennis in Tokyo.

16

ADDvantage/February 2001

By introducing Little Tennis to the Tokyo community, children are receiving a first-rate introduction to the game.

sons Japan has trouble developing major players.

USPTA Little Tennis® made its debut in Krissman's programs after he attended the 1998 USPTA World Conference on Tennis in La Quinta, Calif. "I was impressed by the Little Tennis program and so inspired by the presentation of Townsend Gilbert," he says. "Here was the organized program I was looking for, created by the best teachers in the world and sponsored by one of the top sports companies in Japan - Wilson."

Born on the rooftops of the British School in downtown Tokyo, Krissman's first Little Tennis endeavor resulted in a sell-out of the six-class offering. Encouraged by the success of the first program, he saw an opportunity to "kick it up a notch" and explore the growing possibilities of the program.

Krissman propositioned the Tokyo American Club, a 7,000-member club in downtown Tokyo, to hold a tennis carnival on its three paddle tennis courts on the roof of the club. "I have been trying to work with this club for 12 years," says Krissman. With the help of Matt Gold, president of Wilson Japan, Krissman and Little Tennis were given the thumbs-up.

To ensure the program's success, Kriss-

man recruited his wife, who runs Krissman International Dance School (KIDS), to train his staff to work with 2-and 3year-olds.

The first tennis carnival drew 60 2 !/2and 3-year-olds and 45 5-and 6-year-olds.

The first 10-week session drew an average of 137 students per session. "All on a rooftop!" says Krissman.

Krissman International Tennis is now teaching over 400 children per week and is looking to expand this year to two new schools in the expatriate community. "By 2002, we will be ready to bring our version of the Little Tennis program in English with all our English-speaking staff to the national market," says Krissman.

With all its success, the program finds difficulty locating staff to manage the program. "All our lessons are taught in English, so we can't look to local pros who usually don't have the expertise anyway," says Krissman. "The biggest problem is getting qualified pros that have expertise in Little Tennis. Our reputation and future growth depends on our having the best staff for this job."

To combat the problem, Krissman has taken advantage of USPTA's Pros-FindJobs Web site and found some qualified teaching professionals. "We hired a USPTA pro out of Arizona last year and are look-

ing for two more for this year."

KITS has signed up many parents whose children are involved with Little Tennis. "These Little Tennis families will be the future and foundation of the tennis world," adds Krissman.

By introducing Little Tennis to the Tokyo community, children are receiving a first-rate introduction to the game.

"Other USPTA pros should get involved with this program, not just because it can increase their revenue, but because they can expand their student base," says Krissman.

With such remarkable success, KITS and Little Tennis will only grow in popularity for the Japanese community. "If we can make tennis interesting, fun, educational and compelling," says Krissman, "we may create a spark that will last a lifetime. "*£•

Little Tennis®

ADDvantage/February 2001

17

USPTA shoots for $1 J

Lessons for Life 2000 USPTA fund-raiser for American Cancer Society Official day: Oct. 21, 10 a.m.

Goal: For every domestic member to give one lesson for ACS Monetary goal: $100,000 Raised: $82,786 and counting1 1999: Raised $55,625 *At the time of press, not all reports were in

Gerry Maingot (back left) got all ages of Portland, Texas, residents involved in Lessons for Life with an adult tournament and lessons open to children or adults.

18

ADDvantage/February 2001

ust looking at those six figures behind the dollar sign can be daunting. So how do you chip away at a number so big?

One tennis professional at a time adding his or her efforts to those of professionals in the same community, then in neighboring areas, spreading across states, enveloping USPTA divisions and finally including about 10,000 USPTA professionals in the United States.

That's what Lessons for Life comes down to: USPTA professionals who you never heard of adding their effort to yours to raise money to help fund the search for a cancer cure. Linking them is a dedication to the profession and a desire to improve our communities.

"I don't think anyone hasn't been touched by cancer. My family hasn't been irr**!*!****!** hit, but I've been touched a lot by friends whose children have died and by friends who have died," said Milly Kostiuk, a teaching professional at Glastonbury Tennis Club in Glastonbury, Conn.

Kostiuk, with Kim Murphy-Frances, USPTA, and head pro Keith Perron, raised $375 for Lessons for Life at an October event. With additional donations from pros such as Gerry Maingot and Dennis Reed in Portland, Texas; Wayne Street Jr., Ruben Meza, Richard Cardiff and Chris Oakes in northern California; and Dino and Donnia Bondallian in Kailua Kona, Hawaii; USPTA's contribution to the American Cancer Society in 2000 stood at more than $82,000 in mid-December, with more reports expected.

Donations come from pros who make a personal donation, donate a single lesson's fee, challenge their facilities to match

money raised and create exciting new fundraising formats.

The father-son tandem of Stan and Craig Willeford taught side by side during a 12hour teaching marathon at Four Seasons Tennis Club in Sherman, Texas. Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., the pair gave lessons to more than 50 players, raising $1,115 — much more than their original goal.

"Before the event started, we set a goal of raising $700," Craig Willeford said. "But about 12 hours before the lesson marathon, the phone just kept ringing and ringing.

We were extremely excited to know that so many people wanted to contribute to the cause."

The Willefords, already thinking about the future, plan to add a children's tournament to 2001's activities.

While indoor courts kept the Willefords dry during the rainy weekend, Wayne Street and fellow professionals around Petaluma, Calif, were enjoying perfect weather during their "Tennis Against Cancer: Y2K and Beyond" event.

"It was a wonderful day," Street wrote in a letter to Lessons for Life Committee Chairman Russell Warner. "The weather was perfect and the people all came together for the day."

To raise $12,000 for ACS, Street and fellow pros contributed lessons to a silent auction and organized a half-day round robin for 56 people on seven courts. Following that were a barbecue lunch, fashion show and raffle that included a mountain bike, bottle of wine and a 1978 BMW. Among the items raffled off at the River Oaks Racquet Club Lessons for Life event in Rocky River, Ohio, were a Cleveland Cavaliers autographed basketball, tickets to Cleveland Indians games and four new tennis racquets. Local businesses also came through with much more, said club manager Michelle DuPerow.

DuPerow's tennis staff — Todd Ashdown, head professional, Jack Engelke, Mike Hobbs, Aziz Hoosenally and Jon

00,000 goal Barker, all USPTA, as well as Teresa BoyIan — all helped with the event. Participants were treated to four hours of tennis, food and drink, a radar gun contest and prizes.

"Overall the members had a great time while raising money for a good cause. River Oaks donated a check for close to $2,200 to the American Cancer Society," DuPerow wrote in a letter to USPTA. "We hope to make this an annual event."

Gerry Maingot, director of tennis at NorthShore Country Club in Portland, Texas, put a new spin on a fund-raiser that the club had long hosted by taking a twopronged approach with tournament and lesson segments. NorthShore Tennis Association members were sent an appeal letter to tell them about the Lessons for Life Tennis Tournament benefiting ACS. Anyone making a contribution to the tournament in honor of a loved one would receive a free lesson from the club staff a month following the Labor Day tournament.

"We ordered about 400 Lessons for Life T-shirts," Maingot said, "and gave one to everyone in the tournament and who took the lessons." Although it was an adult tournament, children could be involved if their parents or grandparents sent them to take the lessons. In the end, NorthShore Tennis Association raised $5,122 for ACS. "Can't wait till next year," wrote Dino Bondallian (and almost everyone else who wrote USPTA). At a Nov. 18 fund-raiser at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel Tennis Garden in Hawaii, Bondallian and his wife Donnia raised more than $1,300 by offering private lessons, TennisCize, round robins and chances to hit for prizes.

Bondallian already has a plan for this year (also like many others who wrote). His goal is to raise $5,000, and the event already is slated for Nov. 17 at the same site.

You can probably go ahead and reduce next year's overall goal by Bondallian's $5,000. Already that number is a little less daunting.'i?0

Selling guesses on how many tennis balls filled this car was just one of thefund-raising activities employed by the Courtside Tennis Club in Naples, Fla., which raised$12,000 with the help of 17pros.

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ADDvantage/February 2001

19

USPTA mailbox Dear USPTA, This is the best dang day of my life! I just received my notice of certification for Pro 2. I am so proud and humble to be considered a certified member of the USPTA. What an honor, what a thrill!

I want to let you know how much I appreciate the assistance, mentoring and encouragement of Dick Johnson in Albuquerque (N.M) in getting me involved and through this testing. He is a tribute to the USPTA program.

I also want to add a kudo for Mike Van Zutphen, who helped all of us testing to relax, learn, absorb and enjoy the testing experience. He is a great player, a knowledgeable teacher, and he has an aura of excitement and enthusiasm for the game.

Can you get any better than that as a pro?

(I think not.)

I am hyped! I am excited! I am ready!

I am prepared and confident that with the help and guidance of the USPTA, I will be able to teach and share the fun and enjoyment of this great game with others. Thank you for entrusting me with this privilege.

Sincerely, Robert Bellmaine, USPTA Albuquerque, N.M. Dear USPTA, I want to say thanks to the USPTA for the help it has given me in every way I have requested it. Last year through the "Pros find Jobs," I applied for and obtained offers for three tennis director positions. I chose Camp Towanda, a 450-participant co-ed camp.

Next year I will carry on in the job with all the increased responsibilities I have ac-

TENNIS TUTOR

cepted, such as program design, instructors teaching, staff recruitment, clinic program preparation and implementation. I only wish to stress again the help the USPTA has given me and now to put into practice the education I have received.

Thank you, Robert Edwards, USPTA Madrid, Spain Send your letters to the editor, along with a daytime phone number or e-mail address to, ADDvantage, USPTA, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, Houston, TX 77042; fax to (713) 978-7780; or via e-mail to magazine@uspta.org.

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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ADDvantage/February 2001

Teaching pro shares tennis tips

by Mark Savage, USPTA

>eing successful at tennis can be very much like trying to bake a great cake. Use the wrong ingredients, use too much sugar, bake too long, don't mix enough and what do you get? You get a crummy cake. In tennis, over training, under training, improper technique, poor shot selection and lack of concentration are the ingredients for the perfect foss.

Here are the proper ingredients for your successful tennis game.

STEP1 • • • • • • • • • • • •

6 cups of the proper fundamentals (forehand, backhand, serve, volley, return and approach) Smattering of desire Splash of will and all heart 2/3 cup of shot selection and strategy Minimum 4 cups of practice a week 3%v^<s/for one to two years Increase effort in practice 3/4 cup of mental toughness Off-court training and footwork a must Learn to play against different styles Tournament play at least once a month Mix all the above ingredients to ensure the right consistency for two to three years at intense heat

STEP 2 • Icing for the cake - When you are in trouble, hit higher 90 percent of the time; go for a winner 10 percent of the time.

- Hit deep and into the larger part of the court.

- Hit low and hit hard.

- Without it you can't win.

- Without them you can't get to the ball.

\, patience, plenty of love and repetition will add up to the perfect match.

ADDvantage/February 2001

21

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Microfiber windshirt Features 100 percent polyester brushed microfiber, water and stain repellent, set-in sleeves, forward rolled shoulders, crossover collar, striped rib knit collar and cuffs, matching rib knit waistband.

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TX

(800) USPTA-4U • (713) 97-USPTA • fax (713)) 978-5096 978-5096

77042

^'^' orc^ers: Add $7.95 shipping and handling fee (Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories and Canada - additional fee required to cover air freight)

1js com e-mail: proshop@uspta.org • www.LittleTennis.com

International orders: via express mail only (contact USPTA) TOTAL

PAYMENT METHOD:

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MasterCard

check (payable to USPTA)

SHIPPING ADDRESS (No. P.O. boxes, please):

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Name

Credit card No.

Street

Exp. date

City

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State

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Daytime phone No.

Member No.

USPTA seat cover Multipurpose protection for your car, boat, RV or any other seat you want to protect from dirt, food, pets, spills, perspiration, and much more.

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Houston (MTA) residents add 8.25% tax Other Texas residents add 7.25% tax

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U.S. orders: Add $7.95 shipping and handling fee

Signature

International orders: via express mail only (contact our office for amount)

SHIPPING ADDRESS (No RO. boxes, please):

TOTAL

Name Street

Endorsed

City ZIP

State

by Tallulah &\d Call.

(Pels not included J

Daytime phone No. Member No. USPTA Gift Shoppe, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, Houston, TX 77042 tel (713) 97-USPTA • fax (713) 978-5096 • e-mail proshop@uspta.org www.uspta.com ADDvantage/February 2001

23

com

*

P

aint splotches and peppy music welcome you into www.LittleTennis.com. If you were to judge e Web site strictly by its look, you might not see it as the serious educational and teaching tool that it is.

Certainly, LittleTennis.com is designed to be a friendly site for the children who visit. Part of what makes it valuable is that it's a perfect place for tennis professionals to send young players to find tennis-related fun and games, as well as links to other great children's sites. It's enough to keep children excited about tennis without being one dimensional.

But there also is plenty of material for teaching profes-

sionals who run or would like to develop a children's tennis program. If you haven't browsed through each of its sections, you could be missing information or a marketing avenue that would make a difference in your program.

The Web site also has information that parents should see when they enroll their children in a program or are thinking about doing so.

Following is a look at only some of the pages included in LittleTennis.com, plus ideas for using them in your program. Check it out, and should you have any questions about the Web site or Little Tennis in general, please feel free to call us at (800) 877-8248.

Teacher's toolbox The Teacher's Toolbox is the primary information source for professionals on LittleTennis.com. It includes illustrated drills and games to add variety to lesson plans, and even a set of 40 complete lesson plans for different age groups. Use these lesson plans as they are or plug different games and drills into the basjc template. Also here are ideas and tips for running special events that can be part of an overall program, be used to pique interest in a new program or simply stand on their own. â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘a* ; -It^

Join the team Those professionals who have dedicated a lot of time and effort to develop a topflight children's program should be recognized for it. USPTA's specialist program allows pros to earn a credential that may reinforce to parents their commitment to running a superior program and enhance their positions in the eyes of management. Find out how to become a Specialist in Little TennisÂŽ in the Join the Team section of the Web site.

nspta S^pecialist

Just 4 kids The kids in your program will love to visit LittleTennis.com to find trivia questions, games and contests to keep them busy and having fun. They'll also love that we've included links to their other favorite Web sites and to some they might not have discovered yet. These sections are good options for assigning as homework between lessons or having children pick out their favorite drills to practice at home or suggest for use during the lesson.

Pete Sampras says...

Our supporters Parents will be impressed with what such well-known figures as Chris Evert, Pete Sampras and Steffi Graf have had to say about Little Tennis. These quotes, plus the articles and photos throughout the site, are a helpful marketing tool for any good program. And, we know that when non-playing parents bring their children to Little Tennis clinics, they become more inclined to take up the games themselves, increasing the player base at your facility.

24

ADDvantage/February 2001

"We need to make tennis easy, fun and exciting for children and that's just what USPTA Little Tennis does. It's getting more children and parents into the sport, and that's good for the game. Wilson's pee Wee and Carnival equipment gives kids the opportunity to learn basic tennis skills at a young age. Who knows how many future champions we'll have thanks to this program."

USPTA promotes Little Tennis® in magazines, newspapers and other media year-round and receives phone calls from people across the country looking for a program in their area. If you have not registered your program with USPTA, please complete the information below and fax it to us at (713) 978-7780. We would love to refer people to your program whenever possible.

Little Tennis sign-up form Name Member number e-mail address Facility name, address and phone number

Ages taught (optional) United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, Houston, TX 77042 phone: (713) 978-7782, (800) USPTA-4U, fax: (713) 978-7780, e-mail: marketing@uspta.org

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USPTA drill

Advanced

Overhead conditioning Purpose: To hit successive overheads to different areas of the court.

Description: 1. Players are positioned as illustrated.

2. Instructor feeds a lob to student "A," who moves back and hits an overhead to target 1.

3. After hitting the overhead, the student moves up and touches the net.

4. The instructor then feeds another lob which is smashed to target 2, then student moves up and touches net.

5. Students rotate in after a predetermined number of lobs.

OOOOOOQQOOaoc30C3aC3C=ll=10C]C3l=lC3<'-.;-.

28

ADDvantage/February 2001

. : , - ; : > . . . . ' - . . . i :.:_>'. . i : ' \ : ~ . •'•

00

ago,

:-"jjaDoaoc(::r'p-.."..••.•.::..-.••;;...•.•.••••.•: • : . ; : , i-,. :

Options: 1. Can be done with two players at a time, one in each service box.

2. Incorporate a volley instead of touching the net.

3. Instructor yells out target to be hit while lob is in the air.

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Career Development Conventions (5 credits) Feb. 9-10

Midwest Division

Troy, Mich.

Feb. 16-18

Northern California Divisio Santa Rosa, Calif.

Feb. 21-25

Intel-mountain Division Boulder, Colo.

March 2-4

Middle States Division Hershey, Pa.

March 2-4

Mid-Atlantic Division Williamsburg, Va.

March 2-4

California Division City of Industry, Calif.

Activities/meetings 0/2 credit and up) Feb. 7

Inter-mountain Division Denver

Feb. 9-11

Midwest Division

Aurora, III. Feb. 17

San Diego Division Del Mar, Calif.

exams, upgrades & certification training courses (4 credits for CTC segment) Feb. 8-9 Feb. 9 Feb. 10-11 Feb. 16-17 Feb. 16^17 Feb. 17-18 Feb. 19-20 Feb. 22-23 Feb. 23-24 Feb. 23-24 Feb. 24-25 Feb. 24-25 Feb. 24-25 March 2-3 March 3-4

Mesa, Ariz.

Troy, Mich. (upgrades only) Burbank, Calif.

Santa Rosa, Calif.

Rochester, N.Y. Seattle Houston* Boulder, Colo.

Gastonia, N.C. Leawood, Kan. Dallas Hilton Head Island, S.C. Coral Springs, Fla. Industry Hills, Calif.

Bonita Springs, Fla.

March March March March March March March March March March March March March March March

4-5 7-8 9-10 9-10 10-11 10-11 16-18 17-18 17-18 18-19 19-20 22-23 24-25 24-25 25-26

Williamsburg, Va. Flushing, N.Y. Las Cruces, N.M. Minneapolis Lexington, Ky. Los Gatos, Calif.

Des Moines, Iowa Providence, R.I. Chagrin Falls, Ohio Atlanta Houston* Hempfield, Pa. Charleston, S.C. Orlando, Fla. Augusta, Ga.

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.

Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and CTC unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly.

Affiliate 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 cancellation fees are paid.

ialtv courses

March 10-12 Midwest Division Aurora, III.

(2 credits per four-hour course; 4 credits per eight-hour course)

March 23-25 Midwest Division Aurora, III.

Taking sports psychology to the courts, Feb. 10, Troy, Mich.

(4 hours), B. Young Teaching large groups of adults and children, Feb. 18, Santa ROSE Calif. (4 hours), T. Gilbert I bought a ball machine, now what do I do?, Feb. 18, Santa Rosa, Calif, (4 hours), S. O/ey Doubles 1s Phases and situations, Feb. 20, Dallas (4 hours), F. Hassan Point construction for singles play, Feb. 22, Boulder, Colo. (4 hours), G. Patton Team coaching, Feb. 23, Boulder, Colo. (4 hours), D. Porter Doubles 1s Phases and situations, Feb. 23, Boulder, Colo. (4 hours), F. Hassan How to manage a tennis complex, Feb. 24, Boulder, Colo. (4 hours) F. Velasco

March 25

San Diego Division San Diego

Certification testing

00

00

(3 credits) Feb. 17

Palm Coast, Fla,

Feb. 18

Orlando, Fla.

Feb. 20

Clearwater, Fla.

Feb. 24

Chicago

March 10

Toronto

March 11

Victoria, Australia

March 12

Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

March 25

Boulder, Colo.

For more information, call the USRSA at (858) 481-3545.

(2 credits) Feb. 25-26

Midwest Division

Columbus, Ohio

Team coaching, Feb. 3-4, Dallas (4 hours: 2 hours per day), D. Porter

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 for additional information or write via e-mail to membership@uspta.org.

specialist program Date/location

Deadline

June 22-24/Houston August 16-22/Southern California

March 20 May 15

November 12-18/New York

Aug. 15

Applications are available by contacting the USPTA Education Department or education@uspta.org.

CPD - Gained through the USA Tennis High Performance Coaching Program administered by USA Tennis Coaching Education Department.

ADDvantage/February 2001

29

Members Westchase Tennis Ranch in west Houston has hired Tennis Express to run and manage its tennis facility and pro shop. Brad Blume, USPTA, will serve as tennis director and oversee the pro shop and membership operations.

David Bone, USPTA, is the new executive director of the USRSA. Bone has been a USPTA-certified Pro 1 teaching pro for eight years and a USRSA master racquet technician for seven years.

USPTA member and former promotions vice president for Wilson Racquet Sports Gene Buwick has been inducted into the Wilson Hall of Fame.

USPTA members elected as officers of the Georgia Professional Tennis Asso-

ciation for 2001 include: Jim Carella, president; Bill Ozaki, vice president; Robert King, treasurer; Paul Bartholomai, secretary; and Mark Pachtner and Beth Savidge, directors at large.

USPTA member Paul L. Cranis of Gaithersburg, Md., has been inducted into the Eastern Tennis Association Hall of Fame.

Robert E. Davis, USPTA Master Professional and former secretary of the USPTA Mid-Atlantic Division, was presented an award recognizing his outstanding contributions to the development of community tennis in Prince George's County. The award was presented last November by the Maryland District of USTA.

The Georgia Professional Tennis Association presented awards for 2000 at the Dunwoody Country Club in Dunwoody, Ga., last November. USPTA members who were recognized included: Dave Dvorak, Volunteer of the Year; Jim Carella, Tennis Director of the Year; Beth Clay and Matt Grayson, Head Pros of the Year; and Hugh Thomson, Senior Player of the Year.

USPTA member Ian Griffin has been appointed to the winter staff at Sportsplex in North Tonawanda, N.Y. Arthur W. Johnson, USPTA, is the tennis manager at Sportsplex.

Raymond Major, USPTA, has accepted the position of director of tennis at Fretz Tennis Center in Dallas. He was previously director of junior tennis at the Knollwood Country Club in Granger, Ind., and a tennis professional at the South Bend Racquet Club in South Bend, Ind. Ken McAllister, USPTA, was inducted into the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame at the 2000 TTCA Annual ConMcAllister ven tion.

Seventeen teaching professionals joined efforts to raise $12,091 for the American Cancer Society. They were: Brenda Mertz, Greg High, Chandra Rajakar, Paul Lederman, Bruce Charity, Winston Owen, Don Caprio, Jim Mertz, Dave Kozlowski, Bob Zipay, Willie Cakans, Craig McSmythe and Adam Zastempowski, all USPTA members. Non-member pros were Susan High, Mike Parsons, John Woods and Wes Dubois.

30

ADDvantage/February 2001

McAllister has served as the executive director of the USTA Texas Section for the past 10 years.

Member product showcase USPTA member Charlie Lundgren has introduced Flipper, a newly patented tennis ball flipping device designed to bring more people into the game of tennis. The Flipper is an easy way to learn and perfect tennis strokes. The unit is small and lightweight and can be taken anywhere. The Flipper can be purchased for $69.95 by check or money order from Pro Charlie Lundgren, 4539 Winners Circle, No. 1611, Sarasota, Fla. 34238 or visit http://asterix.specs.com/ w2mnd for more information.

USTA Patrick McEnroe was named captain of the 2001 United States David Cup team making him the 38th captain since the competition began in 1900.

Miscellany The USRSA announces its certification testing schedule for 2001. The five-part test examines proficiency in all areas of racquet service and product knowledge. The fee is $95 for USRSA members and $190 for nonmembers.

USPTA members receive 4 continuing education credits for successful completion of testing. For more information, contact the USRSA at P.O. Box 40, Del Mar, Calif. 92014 or (858) 481 -3545.

Wilson/USPTA equipment program 2001 Wilson equipment contracts were mailed to USPTA-certified members in late December and are due back to your local Wilson territory manager by Feb. 28, 2001. Any member who does not receive a contract by Jan. 15 should fax his or her name, address, phone number and USPTA member number to Tim Beyer, Wilson's liaison to USPTA, at (773) 7144581. information may also be e-mailed to Beyer at tcbeyer@racquet.wilsonsports.com or to Matt Butlett at mbutlett@racquet.wilsonsports.com.

Junior tennis players from Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson, Texas, participated in the "Texas-Southern California Shootout" in San Diego this past fall. USPTA member and director of junior tennis Sally Schwartz organized and directed the trip.

ADD,

mpta

BOOKS AND VIDEOS www.TennisExpress.com: biomechanics, mental tennis, movement/ footwork videos. Drill books, training products, ball machines, coaching manuals. FREE catalog. (800) 833-6615.

FREE Lesson Flier and Drills. Make your job easier with this new program.

E-mail lkarageane@aol.com for sample.

NorthShore Country Club Director of Tennis Gerry Maingot, left, and Dennis Reed, right, of Portland, Texas, helped raise $5,122 for the American Cancer Society.

EMPLOYMENT TENNIS EMPLOYMENT and tennis news is now available from Bob Larson. For FREE one-month trial, send your name and "Free USPTA trial" to tennisnews@aol.com.

WTS International requires qualified professionals for "seasoned" positions from May â&#x20AC;&#x201D; September 2001. Please mail or fax resume to (301) 622-3373, and visit our Web site at www.wtsintl.com.

www.tennisjobs.com

In November, 1,500 school children took part in the Tennis Australia/Tennis to the Max "Sun Smart" clinic to raise awareness about the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun. Morgan Young, USPTA, directed the clinics.

The Tennis Job Line is a tennis professional's employment service.

It advertises tennis openings at country clubs, tennis clubs, resorts, public facilities, colleges and summer camps.

CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE Southwest Florida. Six lighted clay courts, clubhouse and cabana on 3+ acres. Excellent opportunity, established club. $375,000. Terms negotiable. Serious inquiries only.

All responses confidential. (941) 458-5537.

TRAINING PRODUCTS The Pre-Stroke Trainer is a 7 oz. performance enhancing training aid that attaches to your racquet face and is molded to look like a tennis ball. It is used to stretch, strengthen and train your tennis specific muscles before play and for off-court workouts. The PreStroke Trainer retails for $17.50 and is available to pro shops and specialty stores as well as to individuals. Call (561) 563-2200 or fax (561) 388-0193.

Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.)

Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to (713) 978-7780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone. No exceptions are made.

USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. It reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion.

ADDvantage/February 2001

31

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