My Coach - August 2010 issue

A SECTION DEDICATED TO TENNIS AUSTRALIA COACH MEMBERS Tennis Australia Coach Membership T: 03 9914 4191 F: 03 9650 1040 Email: coachmembership@tennis.com.au Website: www.tennis.com.au/membership

MyCoach

58 S teps to success: there are many

benchmarks to track player progress.

60 A handbook guide: comparing the

backhand of the one-handed Roger Federer and two-handed Andy Murray.

62 I an Barclay: This highly respected coach

has been passing on his knowledge for 50 years.

63 W hat do you see? Stroke analysis.

66 C oach corner

Australian Tennis Magazine | August 2010

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A SECTION DEDICATED TO TENNIS AUSTRALIA COACH MEMBERS Tennis Australia Coach Membership T: 03 9914 4191 F: 03 9650 1040 Email: coachmembership@tennis.com.au Website: www.tennis.com.au/membership

Steps to success While all coaches understand there’s no such thing as an overnight success story, there are many benchmarks that can mark player progress.

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win or a loss. With just two possible outcomes in any match, it can be easy for casual observers to jump to conclusions about the measures of a player’s progress.

For coaches it’s particularly important to recognise developmental milestones that exist beyond the actual score line – and to communicate an understanding of these measures of success to players and those associated with their development (in most cases, parents).

Peter Lumsden, a Tennis Australia High Performance coach, coach mentor and MLC Tennis Hot Shots Ambassador, has a long coaching career that includes a seven-year stint as coach to 2005 Wimbledon’s doubles champion Stephen Huss, the role of Peak Performance Manager of Tennis New Zealand’s women’s program and his current position of Director of Coaching at Personal Best Tennis.

Having worked with players of every level for more than 20 years, Lumsden has a finetuned understanding of benchmarking athletes’ progress and notes that it’s the process, not the early results, that provide players with the true foundation for success. “A player can win every

match they play if the road map to success begins with the process and every coach can know they have achieved their own success if this environment is created,” he explains.

Lumsden points out that understanding measures for success is a complex topic that can “take years and years of experiencing and training as a coach to even begin to understand”.

But whether you’re setting young MLC Tennis Hot Shots participants on their playing path or working with athletes on the cusp of their professional breakthrough, there are aspects of benchmarking to apply to all playing levels.

Lumsden took time to discuss some key points on measuring player success.

Understanding success can be measured as more than a win is vital for coaches, players and parents.

Any coach who values and has the knowledge to develop a LTAD (Long Term Athletic Development) program for their players will have little to no chance of success if “winning” is seen as the most important KPI (Key Performance Indicator).

The path of developing players who dream of becoming professionals is long and filled with emotional, physical and developmental hurdles – so a coach must implement objective benchmarks for success outside of winning matches.

Physical development, technical and tactical development, training habits and a world class athletic mindset take years to develop and in many cases, the biggest obstacle to overcome is the desire from players to win – which in many cases is driven by coaches and parents.

Success in professional tennis is not simply about who gets there first but rather what they get there with.

This philosophy should underpin all player development programs. Turning pro is the target but not the goal; the goal is to develop athletes who are world class as both competitors and as people.

Most coaches recognise the importance of placing benchmarks on players’ progress; creating a program or coaching environment

A Progressive Path Even Roger Federer shows that achieving your full potential in the game is a step by step process.

MyCoach

Winner of the 1998 Wimbledon boys’ singles event.

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An early ATP Tour outing at Toulouse in 1998.

Making progress at Marseille in 1999.

that clearly identify these benchmarks and how to effectively measure them is also crucial.

A positive win-loss ratio, for example, is an effective benchmark and for a player, coach or parent, this is one important key indicator of potential long term success.

To effectively achieve this positive win-loss ratio, however, a coach must have a sound knowledge of sports science specific training principles and create a development program with opportunities for not only players to develop, but also compete at the right events at the right stage of their development and for the right reasons.

Players, parents and coaches who simply play for ranking points are investing heavily in a false economy and continually fail to ever make it to the professional ranks of tennis.

There are a number of objective measures of success beyond winning and losing.

This may take the form of video analysis to build a road map for improvement. By filming strokes, movement patterns and matches played, key areas can be worked on over time.

Another measure of success may be match charting, which explores tennis score performance more deeply, looking into areas such as emotional control, patterns of play or stroke strengths and weaknesses.

After matches, players will often be desperate to seek out their coach and learn if they improved in key areas, regardless of the result of the final score. They understand that LTAD is about step by step improvement.

Players need to understand a coach’s philosophy for success from the outset.

This includes an understanding of your priorities, the program and environment that you create as their coach to build a pathway to future success, and how this overall path will be taken and be measured.

Players and parents must be confident that a coach’s philosophy and plan is based on sports science facts and that you have a successful history of adapting your program and gaining improvement in players.

Players and coaches may measure their success informally one moment to the next – each ball that arrives is another challenge and another opportunity to improve.

I’ve found that the best of the best regularly look to be the best they can be each and every time they walk onto the court, into the gym or on to the training track. They demand more of themselves than we as coaches would demand of them.

For most of us, however, analysis of strokes and testing of physical improvements, occur as often as the needs of the player dictate.

Measuring success too often can cause stress as the player may not have enough time to understand or work on a particular skill area.

At the other end of the scale, insufficient measures of success can lead to a lack of focus and lack of targeted intention to training and competition.

So, again, a coach must be highly experienced, highly trained and always clear on his or her philosophy of how to inspire and achieve success for the athlete.

Success clearly takes different forms for players of different levels; however some benchmarks are common to players of all levels.

This can include win-loss ratios, perceived measures of enjoyment, regular energy level rating, confidence in themselves and faith in the process. Most players don’t run out of time, they run out of confidence. The greatest skill of a coach at any level is not motivation or drills but the ability to create and nurture confidence and belief.

The measurements of success change surprisingly little as a player progresses.

I spent 12 years working with Stephen Huss and our conversations and processes remained very similar during all the time together – from the time Stephen was a 16 year old junior in Melbourne until winning the Wimbledon doubles in 2005 and finding ourselves at the Shanghai Masters Cup that same year.

Venues change and events carried more and more points, as we worked through

money tournaments, to Futures, Challenger level, then the ATP Tour and ultimately Grand Slam success – however the theme and the environment created remained very much the same.

Only a process driven philosophy can ride the waves of winning and losing across the decade or more it takes to become a world class performer in any field.

Perceived level of effort, self discipline, the ability to follow or learn a game plan, stroke development, strength and conditioning benchmarks, communication, positive body language, adaptation to training and competition can all be measured – and they all underpin world class performances.

Signs of success

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t’s a myth to see losses as a failure; even in a loss, progress can occur. As Lumsden notes, the following skills can all be measured – and they all underpin world class performances: n Self discipline n Perceived level of effort n Ability to follow/learn a game plan n Stroke development n Strength and conditioning benchmarks n Communication n Adaption to training n Adaption to competition

On the rise in 2000, with a season-ending ranking of No. 29.

MyCoach

Finally the first major at Wimbledon 2003.

Top 10 bound at the 2002 US Open.

Australian Tennis Magazine | August 2010

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From the Handbook

MyCoach

Preparation Phase One-handed backhand: The shoulders are aligned to the path of the oncoming ball, hitting arm is slightly flexed, the beginning of a circular motion and the non-dominant arm provides racquet head support with the hands positioned between the shoulders and the hips.

Two-handed backhand: Flexion of the knees gives a sound base of support. Shoulders are aligned to the path of the oncoming ball and racquet in a neutral position, with the elbows away from the body.

Swing Phase – Backswing

Swing Phase – Backswing (cont.)

Swing Phase – Forwardswing

The players have commenced the backswing with a circular swing, which is larger for Federer, the one-handed player. This larger backswing from Federer increases the distance for the generation of racquet head speed.

Federer has rotated his shoulders, hips and therefore the racquet a greater distance than Murray. The separation angle, the difference between the alignment of the shoulders and hips is about 30˚ for the one-handed backhand and 20˚ for the two-handed backhand.

Murray has his weight on the back leg in preparation for foward body weight transference. Federer has commenced his transfer from the back leg to the front leg.

Note the key differences between the one-handed and two-handed backhands at the end of the backswing. n Great rotation of hips and shoulders (trunk) in onehanded backhand creates a greater separation angle. n The larger rotation of racquet in the one-handed backhand allows a greater distance for the racquet to generate racquet head speed.

Rotation values at the end of the backswing Alignment OH TH Shoulder ~ 120˚ ~ 80˚ Hip ~ 90˚ ~ 60˚ Separation ~ 30˚ ~ 20˚ Racquet ~ 250˚ ~ 200˚

The racquet and hands are below the level of the ball as part of a lowto-high racquet trajectory. Note that from the opponent’s end, the hands may not be visible on the hitting side of the body of one-handed players.

The hitting hands are more likely to be visible on the hitting side of the body with two-handed players.

Federer, the one handed player, has increased shoulder rotation compared to Murray.

Murray has now transferred his weight to the front leg.

OH: One-handed TH: Two-handed 60

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This month’s feature analysis compares the backhands of a one-handed player, Roger Federer with the two-handed Andy Murray. The net post view allows us to highlight and comment on the differences and similarities in technique.

Increased trunk rotation is a critical factor in racquet head speed and Murray has demonstrated the following: n Increased forward rotation toward impact. n Increased rotation of the shoulders compared to the hips. n Increased speed of rotation.

Impact Phase

Follow-through Phase

Contact is made the same lateral distance from the body in the one-handed and two-handed backhand.

One-handed backhand: contact is further in front of the body.

Hips and shoulders have rotated further during the forwardswing in the two-handed backhand. values at impact Variable OH TH Shoulder alignment ~ 70˚ ~ 20˚ Hip alignment ~ 60˚ ~ 30˚ Contact point (forward) 65cm 45cm Contact point (lateral) 70cm 70cm

Federer and Murray have kept a stable head position with their eyes fixed on the impact position, even after the ball has left the racquet.

Note the extension through impact. Federer has remained side-on to the net. Murray has rotated more so that his shoulders are nearly facing the net.

Federer has extended his legs through impact more than Murray, who has stayed low through the stroke.

OH: One-handed TH: Two-handed

Follow-through Phase (cont.)

One-handed backhand: The dominant arm continues to lift through the impact zone.

The non-dominant arm straightens and hand-to-hand forms a line.

The hitting shoulder finishes high and the hips open slightly to begin recovery.

Two-handed backhand: Murray has finished front on to the net.

The follow-through also allows the racquet time and distance to decelerate without the braking forces of an abrupt finish, which could have potential for injury over time.

Geoff Quinlan Tennis Australia – National Academy Manager Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) Human Movement Tennis Australia High Performance coach Australian Tennis Magazine | August 2010

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MyCoach

Swing Phase – Forwardswing (cont.)

Passing on the knowledge and then 1978, 79, 80 we toured Italy and we’re very successful.”

The most notable athlete from , h that group, who was coached by y c a a co rcl n Ba Level 3 e, a Barclay since the age of 11, was I : : e t s Nam fication certifica n elite Pat Cash. o i i g l Qua coachin Associat on “That was when I realised … ti USTA h Tennis ualifica alent q T he was going to do something s i : g t e i n l i r B ro ch ntor alia l coa extra special.” leve is Austr oach Me y l C e n t t Almost 10 years later n a en iv Te lopm aches pr alent e v that ‘extra special’ event e D o s ith T cros ks: C was Wimbledon in 1987 Wor volved w oaches a C in and opment when Cash claimed the l Deve alia title and jumped in the r Aust stands to celebrate with his entourage.

“He’d known since he was a little boy, he’d asked that question virtually every week.

He’d ask me ‘One day do you think I can win Wimbledon?’

Veteran coach Ian Barclay “Well you can imagine how I felt. I mean I may have been coaching for found it very hard to keep the tears back as a matter of fact and seeing a camera staring 50 years but he continues to into your face you’ve got to be very careful. I love every minute of it and must admit I did get a bit that way because it has gained enormous respect was a dream come true for both of us.”

Barclay also had a stint at the Lawn Tennis over the years.

Association passing on his knowledge to British tennis athletes.

“I was there for 11 years. I started off with an Barclay first had a taste of coaching on the British Davis Cup squad and then I took over Bisham Abbey [National Sports Centre] a part-time basis with the travel aspect which was their national school of tennis, the appealing to his senses. same as we have the AIS.” “I was an art director at the time being a After coming back to Australia, he commercial artist and I decided that I wanted to do something more exciting and to travel,” continued to coach privately and the end of last year saw him appointed as a Tennis he says.

Australia Talent Development Coach Mentor.

He started off at Heatherdale Tennis Club, “I thought it was a fantastic idea and with a Victorian club in the eastern suburbs, and the other guys, we have four of us now (Gary the success of his athletes began to make an Stickler, Bill Bowrey and Rob Kilderry), and we impact. all get on very well together and I think we all “I was lucky enough to have half a have so much experience between the lot of dozen kids there who all won a national us that when we do get together … we like to championship,” he says. think we can help shape the (young juniors’) One thing lead to another and Barclay says future and help the coaches as much as we that with not many people having money in possibly can.” those days a group was formed for talented Barclay enjoys the success of his athletes of juniors. course but, in his opinion, it doesn’t matter at “It was called MATCH – Make a Tennis what age this is achieved.

Champion Here – because I knew that all of “I still enjoy it when I have a little nine year these kids didn’t have a chance unless they old winning their first tournament. I know it were able to get overseas,” he says. doesn’t compare with a Wimbledon winner “So a lot of good friends of mine and Melbourne businessmen put in a lot of money but it’s a start,” he says.

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“You know you’ve got another little boy or girl who’ll make tennis their career and it brings a big smile to my face. It makes me happy when I see the kids being very successful.”

And this success can continue with him sharing his knowledge and expertise with the coaches who will guide the future generation of tennis players.

“I’m a proud Australian and I’d like things to be done in a more professional manner and where we older experienced guys can help the younger coaches, that’s what I want to do, that’s where I want to put all my efforts and a lot more effort in trying to attract some women coaches to Tennis Australia,” he says.

This is because Barclay believes a woman’s touch can add volumes to a coaching session.

“My wife [used to] worked with the kids when I was having problems, when the children were having problems and how she solved those problems for me.”

“To have an understanding mother around, even a young girl could help with the little ones … we desperately need it.”

But Barclay admits that it may take time for this perspective to be formed by the younger male coaches.

“It takes we very much older guys to appreciate what women can do with children.

The feminine touch you can’t buy.”

Barclay has been involved in mentoring the Talent Development Coaches at 12’s Winter Nationals held in Brisbane recently and will continue to work with this network with the next Nationals set for Melbourne in December.

Pat Cash claimed the Wimbledon title in 1987 .

What do you see?

By the Stroke Master

It all starts here! South Australian, Jordan Kerr, shows the most important stance in tennis. Outside of the serve, all strokes begin from the ready position. This stance enables a player to be in position to complete the initial shoulder turn, before beginning a backswing.

Head is balanced and eyes are focused on the opponent.

Hands are relaxed and out in front of the body. Elbows are away from the trunk to allow a simplified turn (forehand or backhand volley).

Knee flexion to enable a quick first movement forward.

MyCoach

Feet are slightly wider than shoulder width apart to allow for greater balance and a lower centre of gravity.

Body weight is slightly forwards in preparation for the first movement.

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Where Science Meets Art ON COURT TRAINING – IS IT ENOUGH TO IMPROVE YOUR FITNESS?

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s tennis is a skill based sport, many hours of on-court training are required to develop the technical and tactical skills required for success. With time being a precious commodity, many coaches believe that on-court training alone will be sufficient to improve their players’ fitness, freeing up more time for skill development – but is that the case?

There are many factors that could influence the ‘amount of work’ done in a training session. These include court surface, climate, level of opposition, the type and duration of drills selected – to name just a few. At the top level of competition, there is now technology that can help us determine how the player’s body responds to training and matches, eliminating the assumptions that are so often incorrect.

Let’s look at a real life example using the latest in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) monitoring, via a chest strap and Firstbeat software.

An analysis was done on a 15 year old female player with a WTA ranking of 600. The session consisted of a 30 minute warm-up, followed by a competitive set and cool down. She was playing against a similar ranked opponent on an indoor hard court. The session lasted for just under two hours.

On this particular occasion, the player in question had a maximum heart rate of 179 bpm, and an average heart rate of 132 bpm for the session (diagram 1). Her EPOC (Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption) reached a maximum of 41 ml/kg, which suggests that her cardio-respiratory system did not have to work too hard to complete the session.

MyCoach

The level of exercise intensity is also moderate, as indicated by the mid blue colours on diagram 2. At no stage in this two hour training session did the player work within the VO2max zone, which would be required if improvements in cardiovascular fitness were sought.

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The software used to generate this report suggests that a training session such as this would maintain current training status, not improve it. If this was a typical training session for this player, then she would definitely require additional conditioning training to improve her fitness.

The take home message – it is wrong to assume that tennis training alone will be sufficient stimulus to improve “fitness”. The manipulation of training drills could improve the training effect if the coach wants to improve fitness during on-court sessions, but it is much more difficult to control or manipulate opponent’s matchups and environmental conditions.

Narelle Sibte is the National Strength and Conditioning Manager for Tennis Australia.

from the stands …

Where Did Skipping Go?

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f you wandered around the practice courts in the early ‘80s you were likely to see Dunlop volleys and skipping ropes courtside. The likes of Pat Cash and Stefan Edberg favored skipping as a warm up activity, partly due to its simplicity but also because it “activated” the feet.

Over the last 20 years, the tennis elite, equipped with more regular and professional strength and conditioning instruction, have been exposed to a variety of novel training modalities yet we are seeing a renaissance in skipping – not only as a warm-up exercise but a conditioning tool.

And, if it’s good enough for Rafa, then ...

From the playground to performance enhancement, skipping can assist in the development of basic coordination, cardiovascular endurance, lower body power and reactive ability as well as general athleticism. It’s inexpensive, portable and can be performed by tennis players of all ages, as long as any pre-existing injuries and previous exercise history are taken into account.

As athletes improve their basic coordination, elements of the skip can be modified such as jump height, direction, tempo, or technique to highlight different fundamental movements. A low level plyometric exercise, skipping can improve local muscular endurance of the calf, thereby decreasing the likelihood of some common lower limb overuse injuries.

All in all, while skipping may look like child’s play, it can also be used to train today’s youth athletes into tomorrow’s professionals.

Andrea Tyndall is a Tennis Australia/Australian Institute of Sport Strength and Conditioning Coach.

RESEARCH CORNER Unsupervised Fitness Training

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study has found that speed, power, and aerobic capacity decreased significantly in competitive collegiate tennis players following a five week break in training, despite the provision of a structured training program. This reduction in capacities is likely owing to poor compliance, as the training was unsupervised.

The evidence A Division I NCAA male tennis team (eight players) performed a test battery in December and again in January, following a five week period of recommended, yet unsupervised training. The tests performed included five, 10 and 20 metre sprints, spider agility test, medicine ball power throws, standing long jump, the Wingate cycle anaerobic power test, VO2 max, push ups, sit ups, grip strength and a range of motion assessments for shoulder, hip, hamstrings and quadriceps using a

goniometer. Following the five week break, significant decreases in anaerobic power and VO2 max were recorded. Significant increases were also observed in the athletes’ fatigue index and 5–20m sprint times.

Layman Lowdown These results suggest that a five week interruption to “normal training” can result in significant reductions in speed, power and aerobic capacity in competitive tennis players. These changes are likely due to poor exercise compliance in the absence of direct supervision. Therefore, the use of fitness testing before and after trips can help to educate athletes about the value of adhering to their fitness training programs while on the road. Secondly, it is important for tennis coaches to be aware that even when a training plan has been devised, poor application to the plan will undermine the athlete’s physical development and result in detraining. In other words, without the necessary attention to detail, an unsupervised training program is worth little more than the paper it is written on.

ATM says Whether you play competitively at club level or belong to one of Tennis Australia’s National Academy Programs, there are certain times in the year when it will become difficult to stick to a routine of regular training. This may be because of school term breaks, family holidays or a block of tournaments interstate or overseas. Even though it may be difficult at the time, it is imperative that you stick to a regular exercise regime if you want to maintain or improve your physical fitness.

This article also highlights the importance that your physical trainer can play in helping you to improve. So when you’re next away, if you find yourself wondering whether or not to train; think of your trainer, think of wanting to improve (and not regress) and then get stuck in.

References: Kovacs, M. Pritchett, R. Wickwire, J. Green, M. Bishop, P. (2007) “Physical performance changes after unsupervised training during the autumn/spring semester break in competitive tennis players.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, p705–710.

Simon Kearney is a Tennis Australia National Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach.

No Gym? No Problem!

Tug-o-War Good for: Developing leg (quadriceps, gluteals and hamstrings), grip and rotational (obliques) strength. Also very good for improving ankle proprioception.

Approximate cost: Free (it’s amazing what you can find when you look!) to $20/m.

DIY: Cut the rope into approximately 1.5m segments. Tie each end into a knot and singe it to prevent fraying.

Exercises: Tug-o-war! Grab a partner that is of similar strength to you and start tugging. You can hold the rope with your hitting hand and try to pull your opponent over a line (i.e. for distance) or for time. Start off with 3 sets with 1–2 minutes separating each set. Work up from there.

Variations: 1) Grip with opposite hands. 2) Grip with mirrored hands. 3) Face away from your opponent.

Blast strap/Swing gym push ups There are a variety of products on the market that are available to use for this purpose.

Alternatively you can make your own by sourcing equipment from your local hardware store.

Good for: Chest (pectoral), shoulder (deltoid) and

arm (triceps) strength and improving shoulder (rotator cuff) stability.

Approximate cost: $50.00 DIY: Find a sturdy beam or tree branch where you can suspend the straps. The beam will need to support at least 100kg body weight.

Exercises: Push ups. Try one set of maximum push ups followed by 2 sets of half your maximum, for a minimum total of 30 push ups.

Variations: Increase the relative height of your feet to make the push ups harder; decrease the relative height of your feet to make them easier. This can be done by either adjusting the length of the chain or by placing the feet on a raised surface (like a park bench).

Blast strap/Swing gym supine row Good for: Back (rhomboids, middle and lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi), shoulders (deltoids, particularly the posterior portion of the muscle) and arms (biceps).

Approximate cost: $50.00 DIY: Suspend the straps from the same beam or branch. Raise the handles so that when you pull yourself up, your body is 45 degrees from the horizontal, in a straight line.

Exercises: Maintaining a straight line from your shoulder, hips, knees and ankles pull yourself up towards the handles. Squeeze your shoulder blades at the top of the exercise. Try one set of maximum rows followed by 2 sets of half your maximum, for a minimum of 35 repetitions. Always make sure you do more ‘pulling’ exercises than ‘pushing’ exercises.

Variations: 1) By adjusting the position of

your feet, you can change the difficulty of the exercise. 2) A neutral grip is good for the upper back, while a pronated grip is better for the posterior shoulder cuff.

By routinely performing the above exercises (at home or) on the road, you’ll be able to challenge your lower body muscles, your upper body pushing and pulling muscles as well as your trunk, representing some pretty good overall strength development. Have fun and get strong!

Grant Jenkins is a Tennis Australia National Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach.

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o, you are a coach who travels with your players; or a player who has recognised the benefits of additional strength work, but cannot access a gym because of time or money.

If either of the above scenarios describes your situation, then do not despair. Below are some exercises involving low cost equipment that you can use to improve or maintain your physical condition while on the road.

Coaches’ corner

MLC Tennis Hot Shots (Saturday morning)

When: Saturday mornings 8:15–10:30 am Cost: $21 casual or discounted term rate LC Tennis Hot Shots is part of the nationally recognised tennis grassroots participation program targeting children aged 5–12 years old. It is revolutionising tennis by using modified equipment. The modified balls and courts offer a unique stepping stone into tennis, and a skill development pathway allowing every player to obtain maximum enjoyment.

On graduation from the MLC Tennis Hot Shots program, players advance to the next level incorporating coaching and fixtures for players up to and including 18 years of age.

The unique aspects of the program include: nh aving the use of 16 courts dedicated to the program so all juniors can train at the same time with an obvious line of advancement.

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n the engagement of parents into the program. An adult coaching group runs parallel to the juniors, allowing parents to learn skills to enable them to enjoy the game with their children.

Parents are encouraged to participate with their childre

n.

How the program is promoted The program is promoted as a junior development and parent participation program.

We encourage a family learning environment which sets us apart from other centres.

Promotion is done through: n newsletters in schools n radio commercials n flyers n posters n direct mail n local publicity

Positive outcomes n The program is very family friendly with all

age groups and abilities participating at the same time and with a family fee structure that assists larger families. n The children can visually see the development pathways. n We have access to use the whole centre.

Wayne Hannah Tennis Australia Talent Development coach Tennis Townsville, Qld

The Coaching Chain: A Grassroots Perspective

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ortunity to All coaches have the opp e players learn from coaches of elit like Sam Stosur.

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fter reading and enjoying the MyCoach feature on the Coaching Chain (July), I would like to offer another perspective, particularly from the grassroots level.

I’m a Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach and coach in a regional city, but over the years I’ve also prioritised a link to two academies – Kane Dewhurst at the Vida Tennis Academy in Melbourne and Chris Steel at the Pat Cash International Tennis Academy on the Gold Coast – to expose the players that I coach to other coaches who deal with players at an elite level.

This is, I feel, an unusual approach, as many coaches like to have the sole right in the development of their player(s).

However this approach has several benefits: (1) It has been nothing short of brilliant in developing the way I coach. In what’s often referred to as stealing from the best, my coaching eye has been enhanced and it updates me with all the current trends in relation to technique and tactics (mind you, Tennis Australia also offer many lectures and seminars that also assist my development).

(2) Children that follow me to these academies thoroughly enjoy working

with new coaches. They enjoy the different drills and experience the expectations elite coaches demand from their players firsthand.

When we return to our home venue it goes hand in hand that my expectations are the same as the elite coaches from these academies, which certainly lifts the playing level of our players.

The spin off There is a path-way for regional players to feed into the elite coaching programs, yet these players still continue to be involved in my regional squad and private coaching.

That is most likely the aspect that concerns some coaches to go down this path, the worry of losing your player to a higher more qualified coach. On approaching these coaches this is not on their agenda at all.

We communicate and work together for the benefit of the player.

Developing these links has developed my business and has improved the level of the players I coach. I am so appreciative of the elite coaches I deal with – they are so obliging and willing to share their coaching philosophies.

Stephen Storer Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach Director of Coaching Bendigo Tennis Academy

Coach Talk Tennis branding opportunity for Tennis Australia coach members

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pgrade your Tennis Australia Coach Membership for only AUD$99 (incl.

GST) (licence fee) per annum for your business logo to be displayed with the tennis brand as part of a locked logo.

Tennis Australia would like to support your coaching business by extending the use of the Tennis brand identity to show a real partnership between us and you and your business.

To that end, we will develop a locked logo with the Tennis logo and your coaching business logo, like the one shown at right.

Andrijano Jareb 0412 922 212 Club Professional Coach Break Point Tennis andrijano@breakpoint.net.au breakpoint.net.au

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E

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Terms and conditions To be part of this locked logo upgrade, you must meet the following criteria: • Be a financial Tennis Australia qualified coach member.

• Upgrade your Tennis Australia coach membership to the locked-up logo upgrade for a licence fee of AUD$99 (incl. GST) per annum.

• Sign the applicable Tennis Australia locked logo registration form and licence agreement (go to tennis.com.au/exclusivedownloads to download an electronic copy or call (03) 9914 4191).

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n updated document outlining recommended coaching rates, covering lesson fees and minimum award payment rates is now on tennis.com.au/ your-coach. Coaches are reminded that the rates stated are guidelines only.

Tennis Australia acknowledges that there are many variables that influence lessons fees and minimum award payments.

Local Advisory Group forum feedback

here have been five Local Advisory groups conducted in NSW, ACT, Victoria, WA and Queensland so far in 2010.

Feedback and comments from the LAG attendees include:

I learned … n that there is helpful information in the Your tennis toolkit n communication and information re: clubs and coaches working together n Tennis Australia and Member Association direction – they are being pro-active and changing the attitudes of the past n future marketing by Tennis Australia for clubs and coaches n Tennis Australia are listening and trying to get it right n about the Tennis Australia club and coach contract on the tennis.com.au/your-coach website n there has been some progress since the last LAG forum

I liked … n the Your tennis toolkit USB n the interaction with club representatives with the coaches (the open and frank discussion) n the openness of presenters was encouraging

Joi n by or re 30 ne an June w on d s 20 lin av 10 e e!

and created discussion n it was positive and worthwhile n that brandstation (local area marketing) software will be available for coaches and clubs n the structure and preparation that was put into the forum n the pro-active attitude of Tennis Australia to provide resources and make available to clubs and coaches

I felt … n great discussion, especially on marketing n enthused and stimulated n part of a pro-active team n positive and confident about future changes n Tennis Australia is slowly starting to present a more cohesive approach to development n Refreshed and enthusiastic that we may be able to make a difference n that change is coming n it was a worthwhile experience – invaluable n comfortable working in a group situation n Tennis Australia is on the right track with where they are heading and trying to help the club and coach n more comfortable with how to approach my club and coach relationship n there needs to be more emphasis and

education of the club’s role in dealing with coach relationship

I thought … n i t was positive and worthwhile n c lubs and coaches need to embrace what is offered n t hat a club and coach should always think a win/win solution nT ennis Australia is finally talking about grassroots and clubs

I wonder … nh ow on earth you put all this together nw hen and where it goes from here n i f the recommendations discussed in the forum will be implemented na nd hope we get clubs and coaches to unite with common goals n i f we can have more localised workshops re: Your tennis toolkit, marketing nw hen the next LAG will be n i f the LAG representatives can give a short presentation or special guests to present on a specific topic at each forum n i f we could do this more often Go to tennis.com.au/voiceofthecoach to access the outcomes from the LAG forum in your state or territory.

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• Provide your business logo in eps format to Tennis Australia Coach Membership for approval in accordance with the signed agreement (an additional cost may apply if you do not have an eps version) and by email to kclydesdale@tennis.com.au.

• Alternatively, if you do not have a business logo and would like a logo to be developed, we do offer this service at an additional cost.

Recommended coaching rates

More services and more options for you with Tennis Australia Coach Membership For more information go to tennis.com.au/membership or call the Coach Membership team on (03) 9914 4191

Australian Tennis Magazine | August 2010

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Drop shot scramble

By Luke Cullen, Tennis Australia Club Professional coach Focus: build player confidence in moving to the net, develop slice and drop shot skills, decision making when alone under pressure Stage: encourage (10–12 years), enhance (12–15 years) Equipment: flat markers, modified balls Time: 15 mins

Objective Allow players to discover different ways to get to the net. Encourage players to move forward to finish points. Develop players’ decision making skills when alone under pressure.

A

D

Description 1 C

B

B

B

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Key

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• Players play mini tennis inside the service boxes.

• Players must only use a slice forehand or backhand.

• First to five points then rotate.

• Coaching: vertical strings (slice), soft hands, stay low.

Description 2

D

2

1

4

• Two players move to flat markers placed at mid court (wherever is suitable) other two players on the service line.

• Player A underarm feeds the ball into service box and must wait until player B contacts the ball before moving.

• Player A hits a drop shot and must move forward to cover the net looking for a volley. Play first to five then rotate.

• Coaching: centre of possible return, split steps, racquet head control.

D

3

C

Coach

Coach feed

Ball direction

Player

Thrower/Catcher

Player movement

Australian Tennis Magazine | August 2010

Spot markers Drop down lines

Buckets Hoops

A Powerful Start With a focus on the game’s youngest participants, the mpower minis™ program in Canberra allows little athletes to experience some big benefits.

minis program includes background and instructional information supported by a well sequenced series of session plans that, when delivered as designed, will enhance the opportunity for pre-school aged children to learn fundamental movement skills, particularly those related to striking skills,” Professor Walkley said.

“It was clearly apparent during my observation that the fundamental movement skill development of children participating in the minis program was significantly higher than that commonly displayed by similar aged children.”

It’s a glowing endorsement but the biggest wrap for the program possibly comes from the children themselves. Over the past four years of trial in the ACT, numbers have increased annually with 607 children participating just in minis. Many other children have participated in the Minis Come N Try Days conducted during the school holidays, while others are hoping to move on to mpower minis Gold and Diamond, a program for children aged between five and seven and MLC Tennis Hot Shots.

As Robyn, a mother from Wanniassa commented of her son’s experience. “Matt loves coming to his tennis lesson. It has greatly improved his co-ordination and ability.

We are looking forward to more fun and skills as he progresses through this outstanding program.”

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make up equipment that consists of a 20 inch rom Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf to quality racquet, starter ball and net system Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, Grand to facilitate striking skills,” she says. “The Slam honour rolls are peppered with the pre-schoolers and their parents want them to names of champions whose history-making play tennis and they can through the way the path in the game started virtually as soon as program content is designed and they could keep their eyes on a ball. delivered.”

But the benefits of starting out young The benefits extend beyond can begin well before those achievements the young players themselves, propel such champions to the top of with Aiken seeing the potential their field – and the short-term gains for for a range of coaches children are equally important to any longto target the early term professional ambitions. enthusiasts. “Coaches With childhood obesity on the have an opportunity to rise and other sports and leisure expand their business activities competing for future potential by delivering to athletes’ attention, engaging this age group,” she points players at the youngest out. possible age is clearly Grandparents advantageous, and recognising are another those facts has led to the demographic development of the innovative whom Aiken mpower minis program at the The use of recognises mpowerdome in Canberra. modified equipment as a potential Targeted specifically to children helps keep partner of the aged three-four years old, mpower children program.

“Have minis utilises special equipment to engaged. you noticed how introduce a range of skills, including many grandparents hopping, skipping, throwing, are the primary catching, kicking and striking, through carers of their a variety of fun activities and games.

“Parents and their pre-schoolers are our breeding ground,” explains mpowerdome CEO Gail Aiken.

“Parents are telling us that they grandchildren?” have not experienced or seen a she notes. “Clubs program like mpower minis that have an opportunity actually enables a pre-schooler to to consider trained move into sport. This is a market facilitators (grandparents) delivering such a begging for quality program program as mpower minis to create a fun and content and delivery – mpower minis has been discovery environment that will facilitate the created for such a time.” acquisition of fundamental movement and As a Tennis Australia Junior Development perceptual skills.”

Coach with more than 18 years experience While parents are impressed with the teaching the game, Aiken and her team skills their children are developing, other of physical educators, biomechanists and interested parties are also taking note. university graduates researched carefully Professor Jeff Walkley, an Associate Professor before officially implementing the program in in the Discipline of Exercise Technology at 2009. Recognising the opportunity to influence RMIT University, noted many positives after a generation toward health and wellbeing, studying the content of the program.

Aiken believes it’s important to contribute to “The mpower minis program is a a child’s athletic potential by providing them developmentally valid fundamental with the right start. movement skills program for pre-school “In our endeavours to encourage loyalty aged children. These skills form the basis toward tennis mpowerdome chose to of many sport specific skills. The mpower facilitate striking skills by designing special

Pre-schoolers enjoy a range of activities.

Australian Tennis Magazine | August 2010

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