USTA GEORGIA-GPTA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT: CARMEN GARCIA-JERSILD
SERVING WITH A PURPOSE
Hometown (City/ State): I grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, but I have lived in Alpharetta for almost 20 years now. How did you get involved in teaching tennis? After September 11, I was working in NYC and the company I was working for couldn’t renew my work permit. I happened to come across Heather Killinsworth through a friend and that started my coaching career in Atlanta about 20 years ago. Best part of your game? Backhand and return of serve Dream doubles match would be me and… Steffi Graf When I’m not teaching tennis, I’m… Spending time with my family My favorite tennis memory is: The best memories I have are of playing on the tennis team at Jacksonville State University and being part of this mix of kids all coming from different tennis experiences and cultural backgrounds. #1 reason why I enjoy teaching & coaching tennis: I love seeing people develop a passion for the game. To walk along the way with students in this path is amazing What important tennis message do you want to promote? Like many sports, tennis helps adults and kids to stay healthy. I think that’s an amazing message to promote. The other message tennis promotes is directed to coaches; our job as coaches goes beyond the tennis court, especially when teaching the next generation. We are not only responsible for their tennis skills, but also for their lifetime skills. We can have a huge impact on how kids view adversity, how resilient they are, and how they view the importance of hard work. We can also instill these traits in our adult tennis players.
Practice serving drills with a defined purpose for better performance in matches BY STEWART RUSSELL, PARTNER, UNIVERSAL TENNIS MANAGEMENT
O
nce players are proficient in their service game, “purposeful serving” becomes an integral part in setting the tone for a positive outcome for both singles and doubles players. For example, so-called “target serving” has long been a staple instructional method for most tennis coaches. The following is a drill that might help clarify a server’s intended purpose in more detail: I like to use four targets (wide, body right, body left, and “T”) instead of the traditional three (wide, body, T). You also can stagger the targets with depth into the service box to work on spin. For instance: short/wide, adding a spin component for slicing and kick serves. Singles players — The desired outcome should be to get a somewhat predictable return/response that affords the player/student the ability to shade to their strength as the all-important plus-one stroke. Doubles players — The desired outcome should be to get a somewhat predictable return/response that affords the player/student net partner the opportunity to poach. Speed is important, but location is paramount! Key points of emphasis Hybrid serve — This can be a first or second serve. The in-between speed that limits the ability of the returner to attack the net person. The ¾ speed serve should be practiced just as much as traditional first and second serves. Four zones instead of three cones — Students feel the ability to still swing to a zone as opposed to aiming at a cone and understand margins better. The speed of the serve is an important variable when discussing limiting returners options, but location is vital. The average length of an ATP/WTA point is approximately four to six shots. Please practice making stroke one more purposeful to make shot three easier!
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 NETNEWS
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