Addvantage 1977 January/February

Q Volume 1-lssue 1

vantage the mogozine for U.S. PT. A. members

January/February 1977

Contents

2

A Look Ahead .. ..

President Sheldon Caldwell Examines the Future

4

What Is the USPTA? ... . . .. ... . .. . .. . . .

Executive Director William Tym Looks at Today

6

USPTA: 50 Years of Service .

A Fond Look Backward

. . .. . . . 14

Reminiscences of Half a Century .

Publisher U ni ted States Profess io nal Tenni s Assoc iat io n Sheldon CaiG;:Jwell President

George Basco

Les Jah n, a " Pro" ·si nee 1927

Plug Your Racket into the USPTA .. ....... . . . .... : . 16

First Vice President

Newton Cox Second Yice President

lan c rbokenden Third Vice President

Fernando Velasco Secretary

Tim Heckler

. . 18

"TA" for the Tennis Professional .

Transa ctional Analysis for the Tennis Pro Can Make You a Better Teacher ·

Treasurer

WilliamTym Executive Di rector

Order on the Court ..... . .... .. .. . .

Managing Director

Does Your Contract Lock You Into a Covenant Not to Compete? by Paul Waldm an

Bu rto n Ada m s

Editor

. .. ... .. . . 24

M arv in Gi sser

Art Director-Production Manager A ri js Brim ani s

Administration Be rni ce Ab ram s A d ve rti sin g-Ma rketin g In fo rm ati o n Ph o ne (216) 464-85 46 " ad d va ntage" is p u b li shed bimo nt hl y by t he U n ited States Profess io nal Tenni s Assoc iat io n.

Two Co m merce Park Sq uare, Sui te 100, 23200 Chag rin Blvd., Cleve land, O hi o 44122 Circ ul at io n t o all members of the US PTA, US Track & Court Build ers Assoc iat io n, Nati o nal Indoor I ennis Associat io n, and USTA c lu bs.

Bouncing Around the USPTA . . . .............. .... 26 Divisional News Across the Country

USPTA Calendar .

. . .......... .. . 28

About the cover W h at i s mo re approp ri ate than a bir th day c ake , spec i a ll y c rea t ed fo r t he USPTA' s Go lde n A nni ve rsa ry?

Pri nted in the U.S.A.

A look ahead

Looking back on our 50 years of achievements is a source of pride to the USPTA. But we are more concerned with the challenge of the future .

That is why 1977 is a kickoff year, as much as it is an anniversary year. Our first activity, perhaps the most exciting in our existence, is the publication of "addvantage" magazine, an in-house publication for the United States Professional Tennis Association .

The magazine is, and will be, dedicated to raising and maintaining the standards of professional teaching in tennis.

There are many tennis magazines presently being published , but we feel " addvantage" has ¡a unique role and a unique audience of 6,000 people directly involved with professional tennis. That is why our magazine is sent to all tennis professionals in the country, and members of the US Tra5=k and Court Builders Association and National Indoor Tennis Association. All USPTA members receive the magazine free; other professionals receive a complimentary one year subscription .

This audience has the power and drive to influence well beyond its circulation figures . Our initial advertisers know the importance of a selective audience such ,as we have . Our second issue wi II have even more advertisers who are committing themselves to a year's inclusion because they know we are offering them a highly influential audience . Of course, we have a commitment to " support these supporters;' just as they are supporting us.

We have a very simple goal for each issue. To help the professional tennis teacher become a more complete professional; a more complete person. " addvantage " will be a service magazine, an aid to the professional. If an article helps improve a USPTA member by making him or her a better teache.r, we have achieved our goal. Future issues wi II explore many areas that affect the teaching pro, on and¡ off the court.

2

This magazine is just the first step in an ongoing program. We are making greater strides today than ever before. Membership is increasing, as are our standards for membership . Our level of professionalism is continually being upgraded , our services to members improved , our community service expanded , and our recognition in, and out, of the tennis world increased. We have come a long way si nee 1927. But not far enough. Now we are embarking upon a systemized, organized effort to direct our energies and resources into making the United States Professiohal Tennis Ass.ociation stronger and more active than ever.

To those of you receiving this magazine who are not members of the USPTA, you might be interested in the form on page 17.

It is only a way for you to indicate your interest, for the USPTA does not take anybody without testing . If you feel as we do about the future of professional tennis , the USPTA may be the organization you need .

In a ¡port where competition has moved far from the court, our Association will not stand idly by. We will play a leadership role in bringing unity to tennis, without belittling any individuals or organizations .

As I look ahead, I must- in retrospect- compliment those leaders of 1927 for their foresight and understanding of the problems of tennis. It is my hope that the present, and future, leaders of the USPTA can use those same attributes for the positive development of professional tennis.

She ldon Ca ldwel l, President. US PTA

3

What is

the .USPTA ?•

by William Tym Executive Director USPTA

4

The recent tennis boom has hit every section of the country. In the densely populated cities and metropolitan areas the over-all effect has been devastating. More than ever before there is a strong need for qualified professionals who are ready, willing and able to cope with the situation.

As spectators and participants become more sophisticated, it will be necessary to have qualified professionals available to fulfill their needs. With the emergence of new clubs and tennis products, the need for quality control becomes greater.

The role of the US PTA is to fill this need for quality professionals.

The USPTA is dedicated to upgrading the standards of the teaching profession and creating a greater awareness of the sport itself. In order to accomplish this, the US PTA conducts a rigid and comprehensive testing and certification program. Each applicant must take a nationally standardized exam which tests one's proficiency on the court as a player, one's knowledge and capabilities in the area of instructing students in group and private situations and a written exam which allows one to demonstrate his or her understanding of merchandising and club organization.

Each member is classified as an " Apprentice," " Instructor," or "Professional " depending on experience in the teaching field and test results. Any member classified as

Instructor or Apprentice is encouraged to upgrade his or her status by fulfilling the necessary requirements within a specified amount of time.

Once teaching professionals have passed the USPT A test, they are certified and qualified. They are prepared to serve schools, clubs or communities in a truly professional manner. However, the role of the USPTA does not end in certification.

The USPTA professional continues to pursue higher levels of education and training within his or her profession by attending seminars, workshops and conventions, which offer an opportunity for a healthy exchange of ideas.

Today's teaching professional must be a-psychologist, doctor, merchandiser, management expert, public relations man and administrator as well as an excellent instructor. He is the tennis industry's answer to the Six Million Dollar Man .

Why is the E & J G~llo Winery sponsoring the event~u.

While many tennis t '' '11aments have been provided for top ranke teurs · and profe~­ sim1als, up until now, little ev .. :-~een done for the grass roots amateur whQ mak~~ . tennis the great sport 1t is. TheE & JGallo Winery is proud to be the first to sponsor exciting atid rewarding events that will actively involve thousands of tennis amateurs. c·

e tourname At your tennis club.

What are the prizes and who pays for them?

A perpetual club trophy, inscribed with the How does a club participate? winners' names and individual trophies for Ask your club professiqpal or manager the winners and runners-up are provided by the Gallo Premiurp Cup rr:~pni~ the United States Professional Tennis Asso<,::ia- call the U.S.P.T.A. at 209~52~L30SSfor held . at tion and the E & J <;;allo Winery. y ~·

Gallo Vineyards, Modesto, California

It has been called the Golden Age of Sport. It was the 1920's and it gave the country many heroes. Babe Ruth in baseball, Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney in boxing, Bobby Jones in golf, Red Grange in football, to name only a few.

In tennis it was the era of Bill Tilden and Helen Wills. But there was a difference between tennis stars and stars of the other sports which had nothing to do with the differences in the games they played.

It was the difference between ¡ amateur and professional. A tennis player was not supposed to accept money for any activity remotely connected with tennis. Tilden, who wrote newspaper articles about tennis -and the theater-found this was held against him during the 1928 Davis Cup when he was suspended for six months because of the articles he had written from Wimbledon . As late as 1930 Ellsworth Vines commented, "I can't even write for newspapers, or work in a sporting goods store, without losing my amateur status."

But what of the teaching pro?

How did he feel? What was his status in the hierarchy of tennis? In 1914, throughout the entire United States, there were only two teaching professionals. If a tennis player was said to be self-taught it was the truth , for there was no one to teach him .

Although the numbers increased, it is doubtful there were 25 professional tennis players and instructors in the country by 1921.

Many new tennis clubs were formed, and many country clubs, which had centered their activities around golf, began to install tennis facilities. With this growing participation came a corresponding demand for instruction.

Qualified instruction.

By 1927 the number of tennis coaches had increased dramatically.

Some of these men felt formation of a national , organized body would be highly desirable, and would work in the best interests of both tennis and its instructors.

On September 23, 1927, in an upstairs room of Spalding's New York building, a group met to form what eventually has become the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Vinnie Richards, the " Boy Wonder" who received $35,000 for his participation in th e first profess ional tennis tour in 1926 .

A USPT A founder.

Among those in attendance were H . Le Van Richards, Spalding's New York representative and a well-known tennis official ; George Agutter, the first head professional (1913) atthe West Side Tennis Club ; James Burns Sr. ; William J. Croker, professional at Longwood in Boston; Ed Faulkner; Henry A. Geidel; Paul Heston ; Walter Kinsella; Frank Lafforgue ; Harry A. McNeal ; James Reid ; Harvey Snodgrass and Charles M . Wood.

Also attending, and taking a very active role, were Vincent Richards and Howard A. Kinsey. Richards, the originai " Boy Wonder" of tennis, teamed with Bill Tilden to win the national doubles championship when he was only 15. An outstanding doubles player, as was Kinsey, the two received short shrift from the tennis establishment, for both turned professional in 1926 and went on tour, underwritten by C. C. (Cash and Carry) Pyle. Richards received $35,000 for his participation ; Kinsey, $20,000. Harvey Snodgrass also participated in Pyle's program.

The direct result of the meeting (and ensuing m eetings) was a formal notice, sent to all recognized tennis instructors, which read : "For some time past there has been a very strong feeling among lawn tennis professionals that there is a need for some organization to protect and promote their interests, and to assist them in obtaining a proper and recognized status in the tennis world.

A meeting was accordingly held September 23, and it was decided to form an Association. This meeting was followed by others, at which the following regulations were agreed upon: An initiation fee of $10 will be charged all new members. Dues are to be $5 annually.

"An executive committee has been elected and a constitution adopted. It is the desire of this executive committee to have all tennis professionals of accepted standards become members of the Association.

As one of these, you are cordially invited to fill out the enclosed application blank for membership."

The letter was signed by Agutter as chairman and McNeal as secretary-treasurer.

At its annual meeting in Chicago on February 11 , 1928, the United States Lawn Tennis Association recognized the new group, and passed a resolution stating its membership should foster and encourage the ¡ 7

continuance and growth of the Professional Lawn Tennis Association of the United States, along sound and conservative lines.

Agutter was elected first president, and he served through 1935.

J.P. Allen was the first executive secretary of the USPLT A. Succeeding Agutter were Ed Faulkner, 1936 and 1937; Henry A. Geidel, 1938 and 1939; James G. Pressley, 1940 and 1941 (the first president not to attend that original meeting); and Charles M. Wood, who took office in 1941 and steered the Association through the war years, voluntarily stepping down in 1946.

Ph ot os Courtesy: Intern ati o nal Tennis Hall of Fa me and Tennis M use um . In c. Newpo rt.

Rh od e Island.

8

Although detractors have belittled the accomplishments of the Association during its first 20 years, it is a fact the Association held together as a formal, structured organization during a Depression and World War. Annual meetings were held regularly, and a national professional tennis tournament was held each year from 1927 through 1943. Vinnie Richards won the first championship, and other winners included Bill Tilden, Don Budge, Jack Kramer, Ellsworth Vines, Pancho Segura, Bobby Riggs and Fred Perry. There was, however, one charge that was valid during those early years.

The Association was.almost exclusively an Eastern organization.

This changed shortly after Frank J. Rericha became president in 1946, and Roy Miller was appointed executive secretary. At the 1946 meeting the Association voted to incorporate; a decision was made that American Lawn Tennis magazine. be the official voice of the Association; and it was decided to hold two meetings each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, each in conjunction with a tournament.

Rericha's goals for the year were to establish sectional organizations throughout the country; to provide insurance and protection for members in their jobs; to make available, only to members, a professional tennis ball; and to organize a system of centralized, collective buying through the PLTA. In 1947, 20 years after the first organizational meeting, the Association was incorporated in the State of New York.

Rericha was succeeded by George Seewagen, who cited as his goals for 1948, expansion of the placement service and the scope of Association activity and influence, and retirement of all outstanding bonds. This is the only mention of the bonds found, and very little is known about them . They were issued in multiples of $500 to members and non-members, but the date of issue, total amount and purpose are unknown. The last Paulin e Betz Addie (above left) , who served as USPTA secretary in 1964 and 1965, also won the Association's first sanctioned women 's tournament in 1956, defeating Doris Hart, 6-4, 6-4. Brothers Robert (1) and Howard Kinsey w ere considered among the nation 's top doubles teams , refining the lob into a science.

Howard was active in the formation of the USPTA.

outstanding bond was redeemed on October 1, 1956.

At the time Seewagen assumed office, Executive Director Roy Miller resigned. When he had assumed his position at the October, 1946 meeting, the Association's membership consisted of only a handful of the country's tennis and squash professionals. Miller was instrumental in raising the membership to more than 200 of the nation's top professionals, including Pauline Betz, Salrah Palfrey Cooke, Jack Kramer and Bobby Riggs.

During Seewagen's term of office, a model professional contract was drawn up for use by members and their clubs. The Association acquired an official song, "I'm in the PLTA Now!" composed by Harold "Dune" Duncan, tennis professional at the Harbor Club, Seal Harbor, Maine. (No copies seem to be in existence now.)

In that same period, three movies were made, apparently under the PLTA aegis : "Topflite Tennis, Great Moments of Great Matches with the World 's Greate~t Pros ;" "Tennis by Contrast, Comparative Games of · Riggs, Budge, Perry, Stoefen and Tilden ;" and "Mixed Troubles," a tennis comedy with Mickey Rooney, Walter Pidgeon, Pauline Betz and Sarah Cooke. The Association's yearbook indicates the National Novelty Company was buying used tennis balls for 60¢ a dozen. (In 1977, 28 years later, the price is the same.)

In 1952 the yearbook listed a cure for tennis elbow, a problem even a quarter of a century ago . At the 1952 mee tin g, Dunlop presented plaques with the Creed of the Tennis Professional , to all members. It was similar to the present Code of Ethics.

Divi sions, as envisioned by President Rericha a decade earlier, came and went. There were six in 1954, but only three by 1959. In 1960 the number was back up to six.

Perhaps it is not too surprising that there was such fluctuation, for it wasn ' t until1954 that requirements for membership were actually stated. "To become a PLTA member, necessary requirements for teaching and playing must be passed and personal character and financial stability cleared. "

Although the Association had never been accused of prejudice, it originally was created as a totally Caucasian organization . This requirement was dropped in 1945, long before it became " fashionable" to do so, but it took another 10 years, until1955, for the first black-Sydney Llewellynto join. · In the 30th year of its existence, the association officially changed its name to the United States Professional Tennis Association , and honored its first president, George Agutter, with the first award for distinguished service. At the ti .m e, Agutter was 71 and still associated with the West Side Tennis Club, a relationship that lasted until he retired at the age of 73. That 30th anniversary meeting also saw ratification by Association members, of a resolution•requesting open tournaments be held. A joint committee of the USLTA and the PLTA had passed the resolution, but the USLTA rejected the proposal.

Women were playing an integral part in the Association, and several served in various official capacities during the late 40's, 50's and 60's. The first womens' professional tennis tournament sanctioned by the .

Association was held in May, 1956 at the River Tennis Club in Milwaukee.

Pauline Betz defeated Doris Hart in the finals, 6-4, 6-4.

The early 60's, under the direction of Association President William C. Lufler, saw amazing growth.

Strict standards of admission for all prospective members were established, and membership increased to more than 550 professionals in eight divisions. Lufler, concerned with communication among the professionals, toured the country urging tennis pros to organize -whether or not they joined the US PTA-so there would be some method of communication. Lufler, working with the USL TA, set up the United States Professional Tennis Registry, and organized the Professional Tennis Council of the United States to administer it. It was a registry for all organized professional tennis groups, with the USPTA as a nucleus. Professionals who met the strict standards established by the Council were listed in the Registry which was published in the USLT A's 7935 Wimbledon champions- Sarah Palfrey Cooke (foreground) , an active Association m ember, and Helen jacobs .

10

1965 yearbook. Alf new professionals were required to undergo testing, and a new era in tennis teaching had begun.

Mickey Phillips replaced Lufler and served two terms, 1967-68, as president. Lufler was executive director in 1968, again touring the country promoting the theme of professionalism, and its values. Jack Barnaby followed Phillips, and his prime concern was to make the Association a truly national organization. At his invitation, Jack Campbell-representing the San Diego Tennis Professional Association, an independent group-attended the 1969 annual meeting at Miami Beach and agreed to have the San Diego organization join the USPT A. San Diego was quickly followed by California, Texas, Inter-Mountain, Missouri Valley and South West. By 1972 the Association had 14 divisions.

Additional achievements and goals were reached. In 1972, a 1947 goal became reality. The Pro Penn ball became available exclusively from tennis professiona'!s. Converse provided funds to promote joint USPTA/Converse tournaments.

By the end of Ted Withall's 1973 presidency, membership had grown

to more than 1000 members. Les Longshore succeeded Withal!, and Tex Schwab succeeded Longshore.

At this 1974 meeting, at Lakeway, Texas, Ray Bovettwas hired as a full-time executive director and charged with setting up a national office. Bovett, a man of ability and imagination, brought an innovative approach to his task. A national office was set up in Houston. Tragically, Bovett suffered a massive coronary, and died in April, 1975.

During his brief tenure, Bovett did achieve two major accomplishments. The Association and its members participated in a National Play Tennis Week, sponsored by "Tennis" magazine, and actively supported by the USPT A. In addition, the Pilot Life Insurance program was eventually adopted by the USPT A. Such a program had first been proposed in 1947.

The first USPT A Academy was established in 1974 at the Coto de Caza, with Vic Braden as director.

After one course, the Association and Braden mutually agreed to separate.

1975 was a year of positive gains.

A larger, better National Play Tennis Week was held; the liability insurance program was increased to $1,000,000; tax-exempt status was achieved; and

other innovative programs were being explored.

Alex Gordon, the first president from the western states, became the new head of the Association in 1975 and immediately emphasized his major goal would be to unify the Association. He was, to a great degree, successful. The first Academy run exclusively by USPTA members was successful, and another goal of the Association was achieved.

At the San Diego meeting Bill Tym was named executive director of the US PTA, and the national office was moved to Chattanooga. Under his leadership, membership has grown to more than 2500.

At the 1976 annual meeting in Sonesta Beach, Shelly Caldwell became the 21st president of the United States Professional Tennis Association and gave indication of new ideas, new goals and new directions for the future.

That's the story of the first half century of the USPT A. But as someone once wrote, "What's Past is Prologue."

That has never been more true than in the case of the USPT A. As important as the past 50 years have been, and as important as the next 50 will be, 1977 may well be the year that successfully unites yesterday with tomorrow.

Bill Tilden and Vinnie Richards (foreground) in the 1918 National Doubles finals at Longwood against Fred Alexander and Beals Wright.

Three year5 earlier, Richards- at age 15- teamed with Tilden to win their first championship.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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Ne'w York Los Angeles Chicago San Francisco Philadelphia Detroit Boston Washington D . C. Long Island Pittsburgh Houston Buffalo St . Louis Baltimore Minn . - St . Paul

Cleveland Seattle Atlanta San Diego Miami Tampa - St. Pete Denver - Boulder Milwaukee Cincinnati New Orleans Providence Louisville Ft . Lauderdale Hartford Albany - Troy

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Birmingham Oklahoma City Nashville Salt Lake City Honolulu Akron Northeast Pa. Syracuse Youngstown Flint Tuscan Lansing Bridgeport New Haven Albuquerque

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Ft . Wayne McAllen Peoria Madison Lexington South Bend Roanoke Waterbury Anchorage Lacross Ottawa Las Vega s Pontia c Toronto Trenton

Anaheim Ann Arbor Aspen Bronx Burlingt o n Cambridge Cape Ma y Gu elph Jersey Cit y Wilmingt o n No . Calif.

Sara so ta White Plain s Lo ndon , Ont. W est Palm

Some of the cities where you can play with lots more on the way

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Re~iniscences

by Les Jahn

of Half a Century Fifty years ago, when the USPTA was beginning, tennis instruction was quite often a hit-or-miss matter. A young man, Les Jahn, began his tennis career that year, 1927, quite by accident. Les is still teaching, and getting paid for it, at The Delray Beach Club. Here are some of his reminiscences of how he got involved in teaching.

I began my tennis teach ing career accidentally in 1927, when I was 19.

I had a summer job delivering clothes for a tailor in Spring Lake, New jersey.

While delivering clothes to a Mr. Woodcock at his home in Sea Girt, I looked over a tennis court adjoining the home. Mr. Woodcock, who was the owner of the court, asked if I was a tennis player. I told him I had been on my school's championship team in California's Bay League.

14

He explained he had been looking for someone like me to teach his children. That afternoon I taught them from 2 until 5. Mr. Woodcock thanked me, and asked what he owed.

I was getting $19 a week for delivering clothes, six days a week. Figuring a dollar an hour would be fine for a young yellow, I asked, " Would three dollars be too much?" "Three dollars an hour? No, that's fine," Mr. Woodcock said.

Nine bucks! What was I missing.

The next day, a Sunday, I worked nine hours and made $27. With that kind of money it didn 't take me very long to decide that was what I really liked and enjoyed. I must honestly say, though , it wasn ' t only the money.

Once I made my decision, I began full-time teaching at the Sea Girt Municipal Courts. Then I moved to the Ocean Grove Tennis Club in Ocean Grove, New jersey, and spent several years atthe Stockton Hotel in Sea Girt.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, and I've been fortunate enough to hold some of the top tennis jobs in the country. In the first 30 years of my professional career, it was a distinction to hold two top jobs-in the north and in the south. It has become very difficult to do that now, but I have made an effort for the last 16 years to spend the summer teaching at the Lake George Sagamore Hotel in the Adirondacks.

This may sound like an ultraglamorous job, and appear to be an enjoyable life, but there is a much more serious side than just being where the sun shines. I am particularly pleased when I think of the thousands of students who are healthier because of their int roduction to tennis. Many of my students have achieved college scholarships, and state and national honors in various classifications. Many of my pupils have turned out to be excellent teaching professionals, and hold outstanding positions throughout the country.

Any teacher has influence on his pupils. I feel, though, the teacher is paid and repaid, as much through his knowledge of the positive influence on the pupil as he is paid in money.

I have been fortunate to have been part of the tremendous development in tennis during the last 50 years. Now, at the age of 69, I am teaching at the Delray Beach Club, 100 yards away from the Atlantic Ocean.

So an old guy can 't really complain.

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We can he Ip each other.

The United States Professional Tennis Association is concerned with only one thing ... service to the profession .

•

16

••

Our charge is to get you involved; to get you plugged in to the USPTA. For further information about how you can become part of this growing organization, send in the attached card.

Kee p in mind , th o ugh, w e d o n't acce pt eve rybod y.

Yo u' ll have to be t est ed and ce rtified .

W e pl an on bein g th e number on e o utl et fo r th e nati o n's t enni s pro f ess io nals.

17

"Tennis instructors are not, by definition, humanists. They're engineers, dealing with motor responses, physical improbalities, and time-motion studies."

At least that's the feeling of Jack Roberts, author of "So You're Going to Take Tennis Seriously." (Workman Publishing Co., N.Y.) Unfortunately, you the tennis professional may feel the same way, ---------------------------------- andignoreyourhumanresponsesand the human responses of students. The tennis professional is a teacher, salesperson, businessperson, public relations practitioner and promoter.

These are human-not engineering -skills.

It follows, that without skill in communicating and relating, your effectiveness in any of your roles will be seriously impaired. On the other hand , you can measure your degree of for the tennis professional success with people according to your ability to communicate, be

By Tom Kuby understood and get the desired action .

Tom Kuby studied TA under psychiatrist One of the newer, easy-toDr. Thomas A. Harris, author of " I'm OK, You ' re understand tools to help the tennis OK, " among others. He has completed pro become more effective in dealing advanced TA training and has taught cour5es with students on the court; to help for more than 2,500 participants. He is president make more sales in the pro shop of Tom Kuby & Associates, an educational consulting firm in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. (where applicable); and to help you communicate more effectively and understand your own behavior, as well as the behavior of others, is Transactional Analysis (TA) .

Originated in 1953 by psychiatrist Dr. Eric Berne, TA originally was used as a psychotherapeutic technique. Today; it is broadly used as an effective tool to understand why people act the way they do, and serves as a framework for learning how to improve communications and interpersonal relations. Obviously, it has definite application for the tennis pro.

Our words, gestures, postures, actions and tone of voice vary with our "state of mind." According to TA theory, these states of mind-or "ego states"-are distinguished as Parent, Adult and Child. Each has a unique way of dealing with others. Since we, ourselves, can decide which ego to use, we also can make a conscious decision to change, at any time, the results we are getting with students. ¡

1~

The tennis pro can use TA to look at the actual messages he conveys, as well as the responses he receives.

Generally speaking, Parent messages are likely to get Child responses; Adult messages-rational, objective Adult responses ; and Child messages, Parent or Child responses .

The Parent ego state contains taught and told messages, from parents and other authority figures.

When tennis professionals and students feel and act as their parent figures once did , they are in their Parent ego state. Because each individual has learned unique attitudes, opinions and prejudices from his or her parents and others in authority, each person will be different from others when acting from the Parent ego state. Generally, they are characterized by such words as should, must and always. Attitudes are judgemental, moralistic and authoritarian.

When your students feel and act as they did in childhood, they are in their Child ego state, with early experiences coloring their attitudes.

When they think and act rationally, gathering facts, estimating probabilities and evaluating results of their efforts or your teaching, they are in their Adult ego state.

The Adult state may seem to be the ideal, but it is not always best to relate solely from it. As a teacher, it is your concern to give directions: "Shift your weight" . . . "Racket back."

These are positive, firm, informed Parent to Child communications ; a necessity. Compliments: "Great smash" ... "Nice job," are Child to Child . They give the student a sense of reward ; a feeling of accomplishment.

Unfortunately, the lines of transacting between people are not always parallel. As a result, communication stops. When the lines of communication cross, people feel misunderstood, surprised or confused.

The situation is not conducive to effective instruction.

Sometimes communication can go awry for no apparent reason. For example, let's say you make a statement of fact, Adult to Adult, to your student. "A high backhand volley requires agility, skill and timing." The student responds, "What do you want from a beginner? I'm just starting."

The student is feeling inner stress, responding from his unreasonable Child to your Parent with crossed

COMPLIMENTARY,

"1. How's your backhan d".

88 88

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"2. Very goo d".

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~ta communication. Thinking in TA terms helps to recognize frustration behavior. It is a sign to stay in our Adult, and not respond from our Child or Parent.

There is one further kind of transaction you as a teaching pro have undoubtedly come across fairly often.

It is "ulterior," and involves more than two ego states. A student angrily pounds on the counter in your pro shop; a student winks seductively.

Ulterior messages usually are not stated. They are given non-verbally by body language, facial expression or tone of voice. But they are the messages that are understood and responded to.

An ulterior message is just what it implies. Saying one thing, but meaning another. The words are not the important aspect. You might tell a person looking for a new racket, "We only have two of these special rackets left at this price." The message is seemingly straightforward, but your tone of voice, gesture or posture is intended to hook the customer with the hidden, ulterior message-"You'll be sorry if you don't buy this new racket now."

The tennis professional has certain rules to follow in the game of tennis. But there are psychological games you and your students also play. When you play psychological games you start out in one of three manipulative roles: Persecutor, Rescuer or Victim, and then switch to another of the three. Unfortunately, people are seldom aware they are playing a psychological game until it is over.

If then.

As a teacher, you have probably played the "I'm Only Trying to Help You" game. Here, you are acting as Rescuer, giving advice to someone not receptive or appreciative. When your advice is unheeded or refused, you might switch to the role of Persecutor and complain, aloud, "Pay attention , if you want to learn." On the other hand, you could assume the role of Victim, inwardly moaning, "Poor me.

I just can't get through to that student." Or, "Why does it always happen to me."

Victims seek others who will act as Persecutors to give them a psychological kick, or they may look for Rescuers to assist them . If you serve as Rescuer a number of times on the court, you may begin to feel like a Victim .

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Manipulative roles are formed early in childhood, and are continually reinforced throughout one's lifetime.

Before the age of five, a child develops a concept of worth for himself and others. They are days of decision and lead the child to take one of four basic psychological positions: I'm OK, You're OK; I'm OK, You're Not OK; I'm Not OK, You're OK; and I'm Not OK, You're Not OK. The student with the I'm OK, You're OK position can solve problems constructively and accept the significance of people. If you've had students who felt victimized or persecuted, they are in the I'm OK, You're Not OK position, blaming their problems, and lack of skill, on others.

Your students who "lose faith" when they compare themselves to others are in the I'm Not OK, You're OK position. They feel inadequate, comparing themselves to others, or listening to their inner Parent messages about how they should perform, how they should act, how they should be, rather than being themselves, accepting themselves, and "flowing" with the game. They have a tendency to withdraw and experience depression. Carried to its extreme is the futility position, I'm Not OK, ¡ You're Not OK, characterized by those who quickly lose interest, dropping out, giving up. It shows itself on the tennis court when they give up very easily without trying, or demonstrate extreme exasperation.

Interestingly enough, a basic tennis word-stroke-is an important part of theTA vocabulary. In TA a stimulus is a stroke; a response, a stroke. These can be positive or negative. Positive strokes make a person feel good, alert, alive. Negative

CROSSED, "1. There are many ways to angle a shot:'

8 8 "2. Don't tell me how to hit it:'

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Ooooo 0 0

21

~ta

ULTERIOR: YOU MISS OUT IF YOU DON'T BUY NOW.

"1. There are only two left:'

8 8 "2. I'll buy one:' 0

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strokes make someone feel humiliated, degraded, demeaned, put down or insignificant.

Just as everyone plays psychological games, e.ach of us li~es out a psychological scnpt. We are rna script when we feel compelled to act out our failure feelings without realizing what we're doing. Generally when under stress.

The tennis pro can recognize scripts in action through dialogue, which includes verbal and nonverbal actions. Non-verbal behavior is shown on the court when a person tries to be perfect or tries h~ud to please you, yet never quite succeeding and feeling like a loser when criticized. You can recognize a script in action by the strokes-TA strokes, not tennis strokes -that students give. They would be negative, or no strokes at all. You can see students in script behavior when they play psychological games.

They will assume a dramatic role of Persecutor, Rescuer or Victim.

KnowingTA, and recognizing nonproductive or destructive behavior, is only half of the situation.

In addition to your many other roles as a tennis pro, there are things you can do (the other half) to help your . students change their behavior patterns for their benefit and yours.

3. Avoid transacting with students and members from Critical Parent and not-OK Child ego states.

4. Recognize potentially destructive psychological games.

Avoid participating in them even if you're encouraged to do so by your student. Remember you get into games whenever you say one thing and mean another. Like tennis, it take at least two to play psychological games.

5. Apply the concept of positive stroking to accepted standards of courtesy. Avoid negative stroking. BE specific when complimenting (stroking) a student. What you strokE for is what you get; a fundamental concept of behavior modification.

6. Be aware of your own ego states and personality (ego portrait).

Be aware of your own internal messages-your Parent to Child communication, in particular. Use your own Adult to update archaic messages in your Parent. Be in tune with reality rather than what you hear internally about what you should do.

TA like tennis on a head level, is of little ~alue. Learning takes place by doing; by experiencing on a gut level.

With intellectual commitment to change behavior, you need specific behavioral actions. You need to 1. Operate in your Adult and do something differently. When OK Child ego states most of the time. applied, TA can help t~e TP ~void .

You might wish to consider less communication backfrres by allowrng verbal instruction (Parent to Child you to analyze and understand communication) and offer more transactions as they occur. It can help Adult example. That is, be the change you recognize psychological games you want to see happen. and show how to avoid getting 2. Recognize ego state hooked into this time/energy wasting communication in your students method. It can help you solve and members, especially counterproblem~ and make decisions by .. productive crossed transactions getting your Adult in control, avordrng from the Parent and Child ego states. the inflexibility of the Parent and compliance or rebelliousness of the Child. It can help you give perform.ance feedback constructively (positive strokes) and it can help yo~ create and maintain a student/teachrn climate characterized by feelings of mutual respect.

And more than anything else, it can help you become a better tennis professional ... a real person.

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Order on the court

by Paul Waldman

A covenant not to compete

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At each of the last two US PTA National Conventions, pros have asked me questions about clauses in their club contracts which would forbid them from accepting employment at a different club, within a certain distance from the first club, once their present term of employment was over.

Is this kind of "covenant not to compete" legal, I was asked. My reply was-and-is__:_a firm , definite maybe.

It is all contingent upon the wording of the contract, the location of the second club, other factual circumstances and the particular local law.

Generally, in order to be legal and enforceable, a covenant must, at the very least, be reasonably limited in time and space. This protects both employer and employee. The key word is " reasonable," and this is a matter for the cour-t to decide.

For example, if the contract says at the end of your employment you ag.ree not to obtain employment with another club within 100 miles of the present club for the next two years, this clause is predictably

"unreasonable." On the other hand, a clause which limits the distance to a radius of three miles, and the time to two months, might be reasonable and therefore enforceable. One factor the court might consider in its determinations is the number of clubs, and their location outside the required geographic limit, at which the pro could obtain other employment.

The point is both parties must be reasonably protected.lhe pro must be allowed to earn a living without necessarily having to move his home to another locality. And in fairness, the club owner must be protected from having his membership siphoned off to a competing club, without being given some period of time to try and hold on to them.

A leading New York case, Purchasing Associates, Inc. v. Weitz , 13 N.Y. 2d 267, sets forth additional requirements : "Thus, a covenant by which an employee simply agrees, as a condition of his employment, not to compete with his employer after they have severed relations is not only subject to the overriding limitation of ' reasonableness' but is enforced only to the extent of his former employer's trade secrets, processes or formulae [citing cases] or his solicitation of, or disclosure of any information concerning, the other's customers. [citing cases] If, however, the employee's services are deemed 'special, unique or extraordinary', then, the covenant may be enforced by injunctive relief, if 'reasonable,' even though the employment did not involve the possession of trade secrets or confidential customer lists."

This case holds that in New York if you can convince a court there is no way you can effectively solicit your former pupils or disclose secrets of your former employer, you might succeed in knocking the covenant out.

This would be true even if it is otherwise reasonable as far as time and space are concerned. There is, however, an exception to this indicated in the decision above.

If the first employer can prove your services were " special, unique or extraordinary," the covenant may still be enforced. One example where this may have relevance to the USPTA member is in the case of a very prominent pro, whose name serves as a.n inducement for drawing members.

Somewhat analogous is the situation which arises when a salesman leaves his job for another job.

Generally, confidential customer lists of the first employer, built up over th e years, are considered the employer's property and are protected by the courts. Other customer lists, available to anyone through a public source (telephone book, industry directory, etc.) are not protected.

Some states have passed statutes restricting covenants not to compete much more severely than I have indicated, particularly when they are not coupled with the sale of a business. In addition, the courts of some states are stricter than others in interpreting these clauses. If you have a specific pmblem with this kind of clause, you might be well advised to consu It with your own attorney.

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Bouncing around the

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Division news contains activities, events, and personnel changes throughout the country. Please submit your information for the next issue by February 28, 1977.

EASTERN is planning a Golden Jubilee Journal in recognition of the USPTA's 50th anniversary. In conjunction with the anniversary, the Division anticipates holding a major celebration dinner at Forest Hills in September, during the Nationals.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC will hold a Coaches' Mini Acade111y at Linden Hill Hotel and Racket Club in Bethesda, Md., March 16-18. Panelists include Mike Eikenberry, Four Star Tennis Academy Director; Bob Bayliss, head coach atthe U.S. Naval Academy; Lois Blackburn, head coach at Mary Baldwin College ; and Bob Heald, head professional at the Raleigh Racket Club. All are MAPTA members. The division also is working on establishing a MAPTA tournament circuit, and making its annual meeting a combination buying show, seminar program and tournament.

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MIDWEST's Women's

SOUTHERN's annual corwention

Committee will conduct a clinic on February 12 at one of the Virginia Slims semifinal matches, the third year MPTA pros have held such a program.

On February 25 the Division will hold another clinic, this one in conjunction with the United Airlines-sponsored Travel Agent Tennis Doubles Tournament. Illinois and Wisconsin PTA members will have an opportunity to compete for $1000 in prize money.

The Division has set a membership goal of 500 by fall, in time for the USPTA Las Vegas Convention .

USPTA President Shelly Caldwell will direct a Coaches Clinic at Cincinnati 's Marriott Inn and Queen Racquet Club on March 12-13. Other USPTA participants include Steve Contardi, Dick Lefevre and Dave Power. Congratulations to Lee Adams who has left the Chagrin Valley Racquet to assume new duties as head pro at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Washington. USPTA pros John Adams (Lee's brother) and Joan Beatty have moved with Lee, to assist him in Washington.

and awards banquet will be held in Destin, Florida, beginning February 10. Seminars will cover a variety of topics, including Stroke Production, Merchandising, Prevention and Cure of Tennis Injuries, Stringing and Gripping. A drawing for 500 silver dollars w ill highlight the program. A skill test championship, a "fun" tournament and a tournament for wives-after a clinic designed for them-will be featured.

SOUTHWEST held its annual convention and dinner meeting in mid-January at the Randolph Tennis Center in Tucson. A Pro of the Year was selected, and special awards were presented. The Division has donated a perpetual US PTA Trophy for Sportsmanship to the Phoenix Tennis District and Tucson Tennis District of the USTA. Awards will be presented annually to a boy and girl, in any one of the junior categories, who exhibits exemplary conduct during tournament play. A three-person committee, including one US PTA member, will make the determination.

4 f}UALIFYIN6 STEPS PRECEDE A USPTA PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION

WITH USPTA

CUSTOMERS COME LAST The path to becoming a USPTA Professional begins with an application for membership that shows the applicant's sponsor, name and addresses of former and present employers, and a performance history. The application goes to a National Testing and Classification Committee for review to assure the rigid requirements of the USPTA are met.

Next references and sponsorship are carefully checked out at the USPTA's national headquarters.

An application may require involvement of the USPTA's Executive Director Bill Tym, and one or more secretaries or clerks.

After verifications, the applicant must pass an on-court standard c~rtification test administered

by USPTA's Classification and Testing Committee. Prior to taking this test, an applicant may elect to enroll in various USPTA improvement clinics including the organization's Tennis Academy.

Screening, checking, testing and classifying precede a USPTA "Professional" designation. With USPTA, the customers come last because it is felt a pupil should benefit from the experience of his or her tennis teacher, not just contribute to it.

A USPTA Professional gets the Association's complete and unqualified endorsement as a competent, experienced and thoroughly tested teacher of tennis. This designation also assures owners, club managers and members they are dealing with the very best in the tennis teaching field.

USPTA members also share in many association benefits including legal and public relations counsel, a money saving insurance program, reduced rates on workshop clinics, subscription to an informative monthly newsletter and job placement assistance.

For additional info:mation on USPTA and membership, write or phone Bill Tym, USPTA Executive Director.

The fmal step is a written test. The "USPTA coveted designation Professional" awaits those who score high on this test and meet the challenging performance and experience requirements.

With these qualifying steps behind him and a USPTA endorsement, the member can now anticipate the respect and confidence of his customers . . . Which Is Why The Customers C'ome Last In the First Place.

The United States Professional Tennis Association 6701 Highway 58- Harrison, Tenn. 37341 Phone: (615) 344-8397

27

NEXT IN "addvantage" US PTA Calendar Playing the Game with Uncle Sam Taxi ng Yo ur Cred ib ili ty, Too.

Plus, the Annual USPTA Membership Directory.

Sp readin g Its Win gs

Feb. 9-13 Southern Division Annual Meeting, Sand Dest i n Resort ; Destin , Florida .

Feb. 12 MPTA Clinic at semi-final match of Virginia Slims Tournament, Chi cago Amp hi t heatre.

March 11-13 Mid Atlantic Division Coaches Mini Academies, Lin den Hi ll Hote l & Racket Clu b ; Bethesda, Maryland.

March 31-April3 USPTA National Indoor Championships, Oakwoo r Racquet Cl ub ; Wa ukega n, irli nois.

May 2 Southwest Division Testing, Rando lph Ten ni s Clu b; Tucso n, A rizo na.

Sept. 18-23 USPTA Annual Convention, Las Vegas, Nevad a.

USPTA Mini-Coaches Academies March 4-6 Westchester, Pennsylvania Direct o r : Ro n Woods Jim Sh akes pea re, A ll en Koth .

March 11-13 Bethesda, Maryland Direct o r : Mike Eikenbe rry Lois Blac kburn , Ro bert Hea ld , Robe rt Bay li ss.

March 11-16 Queen City Racquet Club- Cincinnati, Ohio Di rec t o r : Sh e ldo n Ca ldwell Steve Co ntardi , Di ck Lefevre, Dave Powe r.

March 18-20 Sudbury, Massachusetts Directo r : Jac k Ba rn aby, Dave Fi sh, Ed Seru es.

March 18-20 Secaucus, New Jersey

In Future Issues: The Eyes Have It A n Op ht halm o log ist Keeps Hi s Eye on th e Ba ll.

As Great as all Indoors W hat's It Like U nder t he Li ghts.

The Courting Game L ~ o ki ng fo r a Job?

Teaching the Teacher New Meth od s of In stru ct io n .

The Club Over Your Head W hat Does a Clu b Owner Wa nt f ro m Hi s Pro?

Net Profits Eco no mi cs fo r th e Pro.

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Direct o r : Bob Perkin s, Paul Ly nn er, Jeff Dum ansky.

March 18-20 Greensboro, North Carolina Direct o r : Jim Has lim M ike Corthum , Jeff Frank.

April 8-10 Costa Mesa, California Di rec t o r : Chet Mu rph y Paul Xa nth os, Jim Ve rdi ec k .

Fo r App li ca ti o ns To Th ese Acade mi es W rite or Ca ll : Bob Perkins 201-386-0930

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