Addvantage 1995 January

lt/i/4...Wilson* is chosen as the "Officially and Exclusively Endorsed Racquets and Accessories of the USPTAV

..Wilson is chosen as the "Officially and Exclusively Endorsed Footwear and Apparel oftheUSPTAV Now, the largest organization of tennis-teaching professionals in the world endorses: The Most Technologically Advanced Racquets Strings & Grips The Most Durable Performance Tennis Shoes The Highest Quality Clothing A Wide Variety of Tennis Accessories Tennis Carnival™ Teaching Aides & mr. peeWee™ Tennis Equipment

Wilson. Undoubtedly the No. 1 Brand of Tennis-Teaching Professionals.

UJifcon © Copyright 1994, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Wilson Apparel is a licensed product of Athco, Inc.

the magazine for men and women tennis-teaching professionals

:

The Voice Of The Tennis Teaching Profession NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Kathy Woods

Volume 19 — Issue 1

January 1995

On the cover Children enjoy learning to play tennis with the USPTA Little Tennis™ program and Wilson's mr. peeWee tennis™ equipment.

First Vice President Kurt Kamperman Vice President Wilt Hoag Joseph Thompson Jim Davis Dave Porter Secretary/Treasurer Mark McMahon Past President Gordon Collins WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO Tim Heckler Director of Operations Rich Fanning Executive Assistant Marty Bostrom Director of ShawnaRiley Communications Marketing/Business John Tamborello Operations Magazine Coordinator Julie Myers Sports Marketing Karen Unger Coordinator Public Relations' DanSoine Coordinator Corporate Services Christl Call Manager Secretary Dale Henry Computer Services and Kathy Buchanan Club Relations Education Coordinator Susan A. Thompson Membership/Education Sharon Duste Assistant Membership/Education Karen Mahon Assistant Membership/Education Vicky Tristan Assistant Financial Manager Renee Heckler Controller Theresa Weatherford Insurance/Merchandise Ellen Schmidt Services Receptionist Cindy Sauer Director of Certification George Bacso and Academies Co-Director of Academies Bill Tym Advertising/Marketing Phone (713) 97-USFTA Information LEGALCOUNSEL Attorney-at-Law Paul Watdman ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

For information, write the World Headquarters USPTA One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, TX 77042 Phone (713) 97-USPTA or fax (713) 978-7780 Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time.

Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1995. All rights reserved.

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

FEATURES 4 USPTA gears up for Tennis Across America™ 4 Pros benefit from resort relationship 6 Cooperative round-robin tournaments An enjoyable way to teach tennis skills

by Barbara Maitland 7 USPTA/World TeamTennis Teaching Pro League continues the fun 8 USPTA's February Focus on Education highlights learning opportunities for tennis teachers 20 Ball-flight visualization one key to successful tennis strokes

by Jeffrey A. Cook 22 Public relations Good news re/eases grab spotlight for tennis, professionals 23 New agreement provides insurance packages for members 28 New book is'ultimate tool'for sport of wheelchair tennis -

DEPARTMENTS 3 President's message: Should we tinker with tennis?

by Kathy Woods 5 Vice President's message: USPTA professionals are doing their part, and more, to service tennis community

by Joseph Thompson 7 USPTA marketing tips: Market municipal tennis facility to encourage participation 12 Little Tennis Talk: Wilson Tennis Carnival equipment available 13 Little Tennis Tips: Use positive language when teaching children 14 Ask the professor: Tennis meets physical, psychological needs

by Jack Groppel, Ph.D. 15 USPTA drill: Doubles approach, lob and recovery drill

by Betsy Heidenberger 16 Off-court focus: Randy Snow Member sets standards for disabled players, challenges teaching pros 24 Dates that rate 25 Industry action ADDvantage January 1995

1

tennis

proudly presents

nemorative Collection of the game's greatest players irrl|pie sets of five postcards each.

All proceeds benefit The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS. Please make check for $16.95 payable to: The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, Inc., and mail to: TENNIS magazine Postcard Collection 100 Park Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

President's message

Kathy Woods, President

.s we enter 1995, all of us in the tennis industry are motivated to showcase what is right with tennis to highlight the wonders of this great sport. At the same time, we all are open to changing elements that could make tennis better and brighter, n addition to the suggestions for getting more people to play tennis, there are many discussions about the structure of the game itself that is, length of matches, court surfaces, ball speed and even scoring systems. As USPTA professionals, what are our thoughts related to 'tinkering with the game"? have come to reason that there is no perfect system for any of these changes.

Once you are forced to address potential changes, you see the benefits and problems with the way it is and with the way it would become. The answer lies in flexibility and creativity to match the best format with the group that is affected. For instance, the issue of scoring could be addressed.

One of our members, Leo Estopare, has a creative GAME Scoring method (Game and Match Excitement Scoring), which applies numerical value to every ad and deuce point played beyond the first deuce (e.g. 40-40). The score then becomes 50-40, 50 all, and 60-50, until as with traditional scoring, a player wins two consecutive points. The attraction for this is that the verbalization of the closeness and competitiveness in each game is conveyed 'out loud' for all to hear, n his experimentation, this has proven extremely successful with juniors and some adults.

Conversely, there are many proponents of no-ad scoring, which guarantees suddendeath excitement and added pressure to the

Should we tinker with tennis? point after deuce by eliminating comeback possibilities. In addition, no-ad scoring guarantees match length time and other programming saviors for tournament directors, team matches and indoor court users.

So, what should be done? Should we change the rules? Is one system better than another? Probably not. The solutions for the future lie in tailoring and refining the game to fit the event. But how? n time-limited events, all solutions that fit should be explored.

• Indoor-court time restrictions require time-measured scoring systems.

• Television broadcasters would benefit from three-set maximum matches for better planning and coverage.

• Any matches that must finish before daylight wanes must be restricted by scoring such as no-ad, or a tiebreaker for the third set.

When there are no time limits, the players' level and the event's purpose need to be considered. For high drama and fun, the GAME Scoring method might be instituted.

For added pressure and the excitement of sudden death, no-ad scoring might be most effective.

Look at World TeamTennis. This is a prime example of a creative format that adapts the traditional rules to challenge players and fans to loosen up and enjoy the event. This format plays with the variables of scoring, player substitutions and even fan etiquette. It is a prime example of change that creates a new, exciting slant on our sport.

We should experiment daily with changes in the game. In lessons, game variety also lends itself as a valuable teaching tool.

• Replaying points that don't last three shots.

• Giving more value to points won at the net.

• Allowing just one serve to reduce inconsistencies between first and second serves in the amateur ranks. (One serve also might make for more exciting tennis in the men's pro game as well.)

The truth is, tennis is what we make it. It can be packaged successfully and enjoyed in many different varieties, like potato chips.

Some people like sour cream and onion; others prefer salt and vinegar' and some the traditional plain chip. Regardless, there is still one heck of a good-tasting potato involved, and that never will disappear.

Other sports tinker constantly with formats to improve the game. Basketball has done it with the 30-second clock and the threepoint shot. Soccer has adjusted with smaller fields and fewer"players in youth leagues. The National Football League even changed the kick-off placement to ensure more runbacks and excitement for spectators. All of these sports and others have been willing to change and modify rules to improve the game for participants and spectators.

As tennis professionals and USPTA members, we touch the tennis consumer daily. And so, it is our responsibility to use our expertise and judgment to create the right format for the programs we run. It is up to us to promote successful and fun rules for our clients to enjoy, 'm confident that many of you do this every day. Have you found any variations on 'traditional play' that have worked for you? Let all of us know. Write to ADDvantage so we can share your success stories. Together we can 'grow the game!' © ADDvantage January 1995

USPT4 gears up for Tennis Across America

U,

SPTA is gearing up for another spring and summer filled with Tennis Across America (formerly Across America Tennis Day) activities. The three-phase program provides opportunities to grow the game of tennis through special multicultural clinics held in selected cities, nationwide free clinics hosted by volunteer professionals, and a follow-up program of lessons and league play designed to retain interest.

USPTA's

Player Detention Programs

1|

The name of the program was changed to Tennis Across America to better reflect all phases of the event. The free one-day clinics will be held May 13 this year. Thousands of new and former players were introduced to and reacquainted with the game in 1994.

The multicultural clinics are held in

At this multicultural clinic in Charlotte, N.C., more than 400 children were introduced to tennis in an all-day event that helped raise money for the Jeff Adams Youth Foundation.

conjunction with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and introduce tennis to groups that otherwise would not have the opportunity to play. Last year, USPTA professionals and volunteers hosted 80 multicultural clinics at select sites throughout the nation.

Other countries that were invited to join USPTA for Tennis Across the World include

Italy, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Thailand, Kuwait, Bolivia, Mexico and Australia.

For more information on Tennis Across America, contact the Sports Marketing Department at USPTA's World Headquarters at (713) 97-USPTA (978-7782). Registration forms and a Tennis Across America program guide will be featured in upcoming issues of ADDvantage. O

Pros benefit from resort relationship JLt pays to be a member of USPTA. At least it does when certified members recommend the Boca Raton Resort & Club, the official USPTA resort headquarters.

Certified members who have met their dues and educational requirements will receive a 10 percent commission if family, friends or club members book rooms based on their referrals. Members also may take advantage of a 25 percent discount on published room rates for themselves.

To make a reservation, eligible members should follow the guidelines below • Call the resort's reservations department at (800) 327-0101 and ask that a USPTA reservation form be faxed or mailed.

Current room rates may be obtained

ADDvantage January 1995

reservation forms for those whom they refer in order to take advantage of the 10 percent commission.

BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUK at that time, and additional promotional material about the resort may be requested.

• Reservations must be made at least 14 days in advance for visits from June through September, and 30 days in advance for visits from October through May. • All reservations must be accompanied by a photocopy of a valid USPTA membership card. Requests without a valid USPTA membership card will not be accepted. Members must request

Accommodations range from suites in The Cloister, the 27-story Tower, the Boca Beach Club and the golf villas. The 365-acre resort features 34 tennis courts, which are staffed by USPTA professionals, and two 18-hole championship golf courses. Guests also may enjoy a private beach that stretches for one-half mile, or one of three complete fitness centers.

For more information about the resort reservation procedure and accommodations, call the reservations department at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, or write to P.O. Box 5025, Boca Raton Fla. 33431-0825. O

Vice President's message

USPTA professionals are doing their part, and more, to service tennis community Joseph Thompson, Vice President like it or not, teaching professionals seem to get a bad rap' in the tennis media.

In the December issue of Tennis magazine, the article 'How Professional is Your Teaching Pro?" by Cliff Drysdale, offers a "Bill of Rights' for the consumer to use in evaluating their teaching professional The article mentioned that the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) certifies professionals in this country and that 'unfortunately, certification doesn't always certify capability.' He gives the impression that it is the teaching professional who is responsible for the decreased popularity of tennis today. He states that the tennis professional 'is the one directly responsible for the health of the game in the community,' which implies that we aren't doing our job.

Teaching professionals have worked hard to improve the tennis industry through continuing education, program development, volunteerism and a commitment to improving grassroots participation. Apart from the above point, the article states that "the primary obligation of any good pro is to be a master game arranger.' A USPTA professional is much more than that.

Merchandising, budgeting, programming, teaching, training professionals and high school coaching are all aspects in which USPTA pros are involved. There is more to our profession than just 'arranging games.

To say our primary obligation is to arrange games is like telling a medical doctor that his or her primary obligation is only to operate.

The article also implies that if I do not care about Johnny's backhand m not

genuinely interested in the health of the game at large.

It is the teaching professional who has responded enthusiastically to programs such as USTA leagues, the USTA Schools Program, USPTA's Tennis Across America™ and many more national programs in which they participate, n fact, the list of demands at least 28 different ones annually by other commercial entities on the voluntary time of pros is so extensive that it has become a major source of confusion, can understand the need for all associations to pull together for the common cause to increase participation at the grassroots level, regardless of the program. The initiative to promote Play Tennis America' (a project of the Tennis ndustry Association, USTA and teaching professionals) is an important program for teaching pros to support, since it is the only one which pulls together the fragmented tennis entities to 'grow the game.

The truth is, USPTA teaching professionals are doing an incredible amount to 'grow the game' and service existing tennis players, while often being overlooked for their efforts.

It seems to me that the commercial entities in the industry are so busy trying to do their own projects to jockey' into the best position that they are fragmenting the pros' efforts. USPTA has decided that in 1995 it will make a serious effort to consolidate the high number of demands being made on teaching professionals into a few projects.

Only by doing this can a project receive the support of thousands vs. the support of just a few pros. Concentrating on a few projects,

projects, including the TIA initiative, is the only way that the programs can be done with maximum effectiveness. Other programs include USPTA's Tennis Across America, USTA recreational programs, and USPTA Little Tennis™ feel the article "How Professional is Your Teaching Pro?" is limiting and demeaning to USPTA teaching professionals, many of whom work 60 to 80 hours per week, and who do more work at a higher quality than in previous years all for less money. These pros not only work to earn a living (as those in other professions), but strive to achieve the respect of their owners, managers and memberships. This article's attitude destroys the morale of these professionals by subjecting their methods of operation to the wishes of idealists with a lesser working knowledge of teaching professionals, their current contributions, or what might realistically be the problem or solution. If anything, the article does more to demoralize teaching professionals by giving the consumer a narrow view of what it takes to become a true 'professional' in the industry.

As for the article's segment on how to 'Put Your Pro to the Test, I think it also would be fair to propose 12 questions to each element of the tennis industry evaluating their efforts to service existing and new players. Are tennis publications, manufacturers, pro players, USTA leaders, retailers, agents, tennis writers and even television announcers doing their fair share to promote the game?

After all USPTA professionals are.

As the article points out, consumers 'deserve more, and so does the game, o ADDvantage January 1995

Cooperative round-robin tournaments An enjoyable way to teach tennis skills

by Barbara Maitland

c

looperative round-robin tournaments (CRRTs) are a popular vehicle for athletic skill development for adults and children of all ability levels.

'CRRTs reduce the focus on competition and winning, and highlight cooperation, sportsmanship, fun and the social aspects of games, said Marvin Johnson of Eastern Michigan University.

Depending upon the skill emphasized, students can get into groups of two or three.

Two students will perform the given task while the other student counts the number of hits that count for the focused skill For example, one student must volley'all balls and the other student must hit all balls on the bounce, even though the ball can be kept in play by using a volley instead of a groundstroke. With three students, the scoring is more accurate and the timer can count out loud so that there is no discrepancy. Another way to keep the game fair is to use a count-down timer found on most triathlon watches and some stop watches. Because an alarm goes off after the specified time, the score keeper can pay attention to the skill being performed.

Each group is given a small card to record its score, and players rotate positions and tasks until everyone in the group has had a turn (see Figure 1).

Name

Score

Name

Tom

24

Mark

Mark

20

Holly

Holly

22

Tom

Figure 1 Student score card Once each group of three has completed its tasks, the scores can be placed on the main round-robin sheet (see Figure 2).

Arrange the groups again so that roundrobin principles are used. Sometimes the score keeper either will repeat the task with someone or sit out during a rotation. This depends upon how much time is allotted for the tournament. In most cases, skill improve6

ADDvantege January 1995

Tom Tom

Sue

Mark

Holly

24

X X

Sue

Mark

24

X

Holly

22

20

Brett

Heather

Total

Place

22

46

1

20

44

2

X

42

3

Brett

X X

Heather Figure 2. Round robin

Name

Purpose

How to play

Practice finding the ball.

Over a line, string or net

Practice volleys and groundstrokes.

One minute of all volleys' while partner hits groundstrokes

Practice breathing out on impact.

Players say 'yes' when they hit

Topspin game

Practice mechanics of spin

Stroke must go low to high and a specific form can be required according to teaching preference, .e. catch with nondominate hand

Sequence games

Practice shot-making skills.

Count completed sequences in a given time period, i.e. approach/volley, serve/return/groundstroke, serve/return/volley/lob/overhead

Bump' games, Bump' backhands Air and bounce game 'Yes' game

Figure 3. Skill games

ment has its most visible impact when students become motivated to try a second time.

Repeating the activity more than once becomes a tremendous learning tool because it helps the students improve their skills. In order to provide each student an

equal opportunity to improve, have them repeat the activity an equal number of times.

Also, better players enjoy helping other students perform, so that their cooperative scores improve, and weaker players stay focused on the skill because they know someone is helping them.

Figure 3 lists some ideas for skill games played while using the CRRT concept for all levels.

There are other suggestions for increasing social interaction when using the CRRTs. • Use name tags with first and last names.

Beyond this, use other information to allow students to learn more about each other, such as birthdays, maiden names, nicknames, hometowns, middle names and favorite meals.

• Complete the tournament in a short time span. Timed rotations may be shorter, or students may be grouped in pairs with self-scoring and only one timer.

• Stress the improvement they will see while using CRRTs.

In most cases, skill improvement has its most visible impact when students become motivated to try a second time.

Once everyone has had a turn with each student in the class, the scores can be totaled across or down (CRRTs give the same score to each partner) to determine a numerical winner (see Figure 2). However, the best part about CRRTs is that everyone wins, because they have improved their skills and participated in a social activity through cooperative competition. <o>

Barbara Maitland has been teaching tennis and has owned and operated Maitland Tennis for more than 20 years. She runs camps, summer USTA/ NJTL and Play Tennis America programs, and fall and spring leagues and clinics. In the winter, she runs TeamTennis1" and Busy Bee leagues, round Barbara Maitland robins, aerobic tennis and cooperative tournaments indoors for players of all ages and skill levels. She has spoken for the USTA, Eastern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), and the USPTA New England Division on "Empower Your Groups to Coach and Learn Together" and other group techniques.

Maitland is a member of USPTA and AAHPERD.

USPTA marketing tips

Market municipal tennis facility to encourage participation G

enerating participation is the key to success for municipal tennis facilities. But it sometimes is difficult to encourage the general public to play, take lessons and acquire membership in a sport that hasn't always been considered a game for the masses.

The USPTA Guide to Municipal Tennis Operations offers several tips to market activities at a municipal facility.

• Introduce yourself to everyone who arrives to play and learn their names as fast as you can.

• Promote group lesson schedules and rates by sending press releases to local newspapers and civic clubs; mailing fliers to former students; and posting signs near heavily traveled streets and the facility entrance that announce when new tennis classes begin.

• Be on time when teaching lessons or

opening the pro shop. Customers want reliability and consistency.

• Offer many levels of junior and adult classes for positive and easy advancement. Before class, insert new drills into your lesson plans to keep everything fresh and exciting.

• Run tournaments often. They raise money for the facility and gain exposure in your community.

• Get involved in the community. Submit tennis tips to the local newspapers and get acquainted with the sports editors.

Get involved with local schools' physical education programs by volunteering to help teach tennis.

Send your successful marketing tips to USPTA, ADDvantage magazine, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042, or fax tips to (713) 978-7780. <0>

USPTA/World TeamTennis Teaching Pro League continues the fun .he World TeamTennis exhibition match at the USPTA National Convention introduced many USPTA professionals to the unique World TeamTennis format. USPTA pros can continue the excitement in their own divisions with the USPTA/World TeamTennis Teaching Pro League, which is scheduled to begin in 1995.

USPTA divisions are encouraged to run an annual USPTA/World TeamTennis Teaching Pro League tournament between teams of USPTA teaching professionals from various cities. Divisions that participate will need to appoint a USPTA divisional coordinator, and then work with World TeamTennis to determine the tournament schedule. Divisions may run the tournament as a weekend event, with several cities being represented, or as a weekly league where one city's team travels to another city. Divisions may elect to host playoffs to determine the divisional teaching pro league champs.

The WTT format consists of one set of men's and women's singles, one set of men's and women's doubles, and one or two sets

of mixed doubles. Total cumulative games from all sets determine the match winner, n the future, USPTA plans to host a national tournament for winning divisional teams. The city team that wins the divisional playoff will travel to the USPTA National Convention for a tournament to determine the national championship city and division.

In cities with World TeamTennis Professional Leagues, USPTA metro coordinators have been appointed to help promote the events to club members in exchange for USPTA publicity at Professional League matches.

The USPTA/World TeamTennis Teaching Pro League is a fun, competitive coed program for teaching professionals which will increase exposure for both USPTA and WTT It also will enhance league play in WTT and USPTA leagues.

A list of divisional coordinators will appear in the next issue of ADDvantage. For more information about USPTA/World TeamTennis Teaching Pro Leagues in your area, call (800) TEAMTEN. © ADDvantage January 1995

USPT4's February Focus on Education highlights learning opportunities for tennis teachers

E

ebruary will be a special month for continuing education as USPTA focuses its energies on promoting participation in all educational activities.

USPTA's February Focus on Education highlights educational events throughout the month with numerous Specialty Courses31" workshops and seminars being offered. The Texas, Middle States, ntermountain and Midwest divisions will hold their conventions in February, and a joint convention is planned for members of the California and San Diego divisions.

'A USPTA educational event is scheduled nearly every day in February,' said Tim Heckler, USPTA's CEO. 'No other organization in the tennis industry offers as many educational events as USPTA, and we feel we need to let the entire industry know the commitment that USRTA professionals have to continuing education.

Specialty Course topics offered n February range from "Junior Development" to "Team Coaching" to "Fitness Training and Periodization."

USPTA urges tennis-teaching professionals to get involved in the numerous educational opportunities offered in February. Educational events start with the USPTA School of Pro Shop Management, slated Feb. 1-2 in Atlanta, in conjunction with The Super Show/95, and also include a USPTA Tennis Teachers' Course scheduled Feb. 22-24 in Murrieta, Calif

Thirteen Specialty Courses are scheduled around the country during February.

'Continuing education is a key to becoming a top tennis-teaching professional, said Will Hoag, chairman of USPTA's national Education Committee and vice president on USPTA's national board of directors.

USPTA professionals have demonstrated their support of education through participa-

Specialty Courses for February Date Feb. 4* Feb. 5* Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 10* Feb. 10* Feb. 12 Feb. 18* Feb. 20* Feb. 20* Feb. 23 Feb. 23* Feb. 26

Course Group Lessons I Group Lessons II Junior Development Effective Communication Skills Competitive Doubles Patterns USPTA Little Tennisâ&#x201E;˘ Fitness Training & Periodization Stroke Analysis I Strategy & Tactics I Team Coaching Club Activity Programming USPTA Little Tennis Stringing, Gripping & Equipment Consulting

City Mesa, Ariz.

Mesa, Ariz.

Indianapolis, Ind. Grapevine, Texas Lancaster, Pa. Lancaster, Pa. Lancaster, Pa. Glassboro, N.J. Colorado Springs, Colo.

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Troy, Mich.

Troy, Mich.

Troy, Mich.

The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event.

Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. This schedule is subject to change. Call the USPTA Membership Department at (713) 97-USPTA. Four-hour courses are denoted by an asterisk (*). All others are eight hours.

8

ADDvantage January 1995

tion in our Continuing Education Program.

We look for their continued support in February, and throughout the year,' added Hoag, who also serves as director of tennis at the Coral Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

USPTA's February Focus on Education The February Focus on Education is part of the Association's increasing public relations efforts to promote USPTA and its programs to the tennis and club industries.

With the February Focus on Education, USPTA will promote the education program through articles in USPTA divisional newsletters and ADDvantage. Additional publicity will be sought through various tennis and club management publications. Also, elected leaders in each of USPTA's 17 U.S. divisions, and USPTA's national board of directors will discuss the importance of continuing education with members during activities throughout the month For a complete listing of educational activities offered in February, see Dates that Rate, page 24. O

USPTA's World Headquarters Professional Tennis Instruction Facility The USPTA selected from the best in tennis court design and construction when they built their new instruction facility in Houston, Texas.

These brands and services are "Officially Approved" by the USPTA. GLOBAL CONSUL 908-528-

Surface LEE HYOI

•••••• • • • mfm

ting LSI COURTS1DER SPORTS LIGHTING 513-793-3200 Fax 513-793-0147

Nets, Posts and Windscreens DOUGLAS INDUSTRIES, Inc. 800-553-8907 Fax 319-285-4163 Contractors MALOTT PETERSON RENNER, Inc. 303-744-3631 Fax 303-777-0706 AUSTRALIAN COURTWORKS, Inc. 800-537-2613 Fax 601 - 825 - 6509

Project Coordinator XSPORTS, Inc. 516-767-9114 Fax 516-767-7548

"We're very pleased with USPTA's new Tennis Centre. The design of the facility met all of our expectations. The courts and surrounding area offer low maintenance and excellent quality of play. And, the court system is valuable in that it allows us to change the payability of the surface."

GEORGE BACSO, USPTA Director of Certification and Academies

Some hammers still ensure total control over the opposition.

Our revolutionary design gives you head-heavy balance for power and control in the lightest performance racquet ever. Sledge Hammerâ&#x201E;˘ 3.8si. Things will never be the same again For more information call 1 800-WIN 6060 Made to Win and Sledge Hammer are trademarks, and W and Wilson are registered trademarks of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Š 1993 Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

MADE TO WIN

Wilson revolutionary Sweet Spot string makes every racquet play better.

(YouVe welcome, Dunlop% HeacT, Prince®, Pro-Kennex®...)

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

Which is surprising when you consider just what our innovative thick/thin Taper Technology shown above can do for their racquets. By varying the gauge of the string, Wilson8 Sweet Spot" equalizes the responsiveness over the entire string bed effectively enhancing the sweet spot of every frame.

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

Officially and exclusively endorsed by the United States Professional Tennis Association

UJi&on MADE

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

USPTA

Wilson Tennis Carnival equipment available

PONSORED

USPTA seeks information

.he Wilson Tennis Carnival equipment, introduced at the U.S. Open and the USPTA National Convention, will be available Jan. 1 The teaching aids are designed to lessen the age and ability levels needed to participate in tennis-related striking skill games and activities.

For more information about the teaching aids, see Little Tennis Talk in the September issue of ADDvantage, or call Wilson at (800) WIN-6060. To order equipment, contact your local Wilson sales representative.

The following questionnaire is part of USPTA's efforts to grow the game by learning about members' junior programming.

Please photocopy the questionnaire, fill it out and return it to the Sports Marketing Department at the USPTA World Headquarters, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042. Additional pages may be added if you need more room. If you do not run a junior program, but know someone who does, please give them a copy of the questionnaire, e>

Little Tennis questionnaire Name Address

Home phone

Facility

Work phone

Address Is the facility

indoor

outdoor

Is there a pro shop at the facility?

combination?

Are junior racquets sold in the pro shop at your facility?

Yes

Do you plan to run USPTA Little Tennis?

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

For what ages will you host Little Tennis?

How many times per year do you plan to run a Little Tennis program?

How many times per week?

For how many weeks will the program(s) run?

What age level will your program(s) target?

How many children are expected to participate in your program(s)?

Do you run or plan to run a junior program other than Little Tennis?

Yes

No

Please provide a brief descriptions) of your junior program(s):

What do you think is the most important thing for teaching professionals to know when working with young children?

Do you plan to use the Little Tennis program guide for planning?

Yes

No

What other resources do you plan to use for Little Tennis?

Do you plan to use Wilson's mr. peeWee tennisÂŽ?

Yes

No

Do you plan to use Wilson Tennis Carnival equipment?

Yes

What other manufacturers' equipment, if any, do you plan to use?

How do you plan to promote Little Tennis or other junior programs?

What type of information can USPTA include in ADDvantage that would help in running Little Tennis programs?

Comments:

Send your Little Tennis teaching information, tips and photos to USPTA, ADDvantage magazine, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042.

No

Use positive language when teaching children

USPTA

tennis SPONSORED BY UJl£&Otl

A n order to be encouraging at all times, instructors should focus on using positive language rather than negative terms.

George Fink of the Forest Grove Athletic Club in Palatine, III. suggests that saying, Hit the ball lightly, please, is more encouraging to young children than, 'Don't hit the ball so hard."

Fink, along with Laurie Peters of Henderson, Ky. developed the Small Fry Tennis Program for 4- and 5-year-olds.

They offer several other tips for teaching tennis to young children.

• Polite, friendly requests encourage the children to cooperate.

• Keep the routine simple and consistent from class to class.

• Avoid lengthy explanations and lectures by using only constructive suggestions.

• Offer students a choice only when there is a choice, and when you are ready to accept their decision. For example, 'Would you like to hit forehands?' rather than Time to hit forehands, lets a child know there is a choice.

• When addressing a child, always use his name and try to maintain eye contact.

• Never make comparisons between children.

• Don't promote individual competition.

Parents teach tennis basics Parents can practice with their children by adhering to certain fundamentals of tennis. The following is a list of activities that teach the basic skills needed.

Parents can help their children learn tennis by being supportive and encouraging during practice.

A tennis pro guides a young student by offering simple, constructive suggestions.

• Tossing and catching a ball with a child is one of the best and easiest exercises to complete. When tossing involves a bounce, it is best to match the word with the action. This exercise could involve the vocalization of three words toss, bounce, catch.

• Helping a child balance a ball on the strings of the racquet is another good exercise because it demands body coordination and balance. A variation on this exercise would be to have the child take a number of steps while balancing the ball.

• Shuffling with or without a ball teaches basic footwork and body control. A shuffle is accomplished by sliding feet sideways, left or right, so that the insides of the shoes touch each other.

• Dps and downs are excellent for eye-hand coordination.

Dps' consist of bouncing the ball in the air with the racquet.

Downs' involve consecutive bounces and hits off the court.

• A self-drop hit calls for the ball to be dropped close enough to the child's body to be hit after one bounce. © Send your tips for teaching tennis to children to ADDvantage magazine, USPTA, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042.

Ask the professor

by Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D.

Tennis meets physical, psychological needs QUESTION: At the USPTA National Convention, you spoke about how tennis players can learn to meet their physical and psychological needs through tennis.

I enjoyed the lecture. Please explain the model on which you based your lecture.

ANSWER: Books have been written attempting to answer a question like this, but I will try to provide a brief explanation of how the concept works.

All of us have needs, both physiological and psychological. The physiological needs include sleep, nutrition, water and rest. The psychological needs include safety, shelter, belonging, love, recognition, self-esteem and self-actualization.

Anyone who took Psych. 101 in college learned Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Jim Loehr, Pat Etcheberry and I have expanded that model slightly and we use it in our Mentally Tough Corporate Training Program (of which tennis plays a significant role).

The most basic human need is to expend and recover energy. That is the need of any member of the animal kingdom. Because of our lifestyles, we recover energy when we have time. The realm of sport can help any

Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D., is the executive vice president of LGE/Saddlebrook Sport Science Inc. He is an instruction editor for Tennis magazine, and is the author of High-Tech Tennis and co-author of The Science of Coaching Tennis. Groppet is a certified USPTA Master Professional and was named Groppel 1987 USPTA Professional of the Year.

Groppel is an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Florida. He is chairman of the USPTA National Committee on Fitness and Health, and a member of the National Youth Tennis Development Steering Committee. He also is a member of the Prince and Penn advisory staffs.

14

ADD vantage January 1995

person learn to recover energy more effectively. Tennis is no exception. In fact, because tennis is an interval sport of constant stress and recovery, it may be the best example in all of sport.

. . .tennis can serve as a great example of how psychological needs can be met.

All of us are aware that performance goals, such as effort, risk, attitude and percentage of first serves, are much more effective than outcome goals like winning and ranking.

However, tennis can serve as a great example of how psychological needs can be met.

How many times has a young player left the game too early? How many juniors want to play up' for the wrong reasons, but cite improved competition as the reason? Selfesteem is a need that often is overlooked in all sports by parents and coaches. When a child is troubled or overly concerned with winning or rankings, a common phrase is 'tough it out!' However, we always must try to observe how the player is looking at the sport. If the player has a low self-esteem relative to tennis, she will be in a prematch state of feeling inadequate (or at least questioning herself). That affects her perception of everything around her, which in turn affects (usually in a negative way) how well she can access the Ideal Performance State. From here, the ability to compete in a match often is poor.

However, if players can learn to get their psychological needs met through tennis (not in spite of tennis), the results for our sport could be tremendous. For example, if players truly believe that playing the game hard and

well is paramount, and that winning (or losing) takes care of itself, a loss will have little effect on self-esteem. If a player's self-esteem is high, there is a feeling of adequacy before the match. All perceptions are improved and the athlete has a great chance to achieve the Ideal Performance State. Then the athlete will win more often because she is not afraid of taking risks or of putting herself on the line.

. . . if players can learn to get their psychological needs met through tennis (not in spite of tennis), the results for our sport could be tremendous.

Any sport could claim to do what have just explained why shouldn't tennis be the leader? We have the capabilities to do this.

Our problem is that we are a win/lose society and public opinion is that our sport puts too much pressure on young athletes, do not feel it is the sport. The leaders in the sport, including all of us in the USPTA, need to change the public's perception about the health benefits of tennis. Each of us must play a major role in accomplishing this task. <0>

Questions for the professor Please address any questions or comments for the Ask the Professor column to Jack Groppel, LGE/Saddlebrook Sport Science, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel, Fla. 33543. The column appears every two months.

USPTA DRILLS

Doubles approach, lob and recovery drill Objective: to take advantage of short balls in doubles play. In the event that one player is drawn back to the baseline, the team attempts to return to the offensive position as soon as possible.

The drill can be played with two to five players of low-intermediate to advanced levels. Player A is at the baseline and Player B is at the net (Figure 1). The instructor is situated at the opposite baseline across from the net person.

The instructor feeds a short ball to Player A, who hits an approach shot back to the instructor, advances to the net, and split-steps to get positioned with Player B. The instructor returns the ball over B's head, and the ball is recovered by Player A after the bounce.

Player A returns the shot from the baseline with a lob back to the instructor At the same time, Player B moves to the other half of the court, remaining inside the service line. The lob return of Player A should be high and deep enough to give him or her time to return, to the net to accompany Player B inside the service line (Figure 2). The instructor returns the lob with a 'floater' down the middle which Player B cuts off with an aggressive putaway volley.

The next series begins immediately when Player B moves to the baseline. n order to keep players moving and recovering, the instructor should have three balls in hand in the event a shot is missed in sequence. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Betsy Heidenberger Washington, D.C.

Figure 1

ooaaoDaaaaaaooooaoaoooooooaoooooaoo

Figure 2.

ADDvantage January 1995

15

Off-court focus

Member sets standards for disabled

U

'SPTA member Randy Snow of Heath, Texas, has made a name for himself as the world's former No. 1 wheelchair tennis player.

Currently ranked No. 3, he has set a standard for other players, both wheelchair and able-bodied. became the best player could and set a standard for people to shoot for,' Snow said. If become the No. 1 player in the world and other people want to beat me, them m forcing them to become better.'

Now he shares his experience as a player and his knowledge as a teacher with players around the world.

'When you have a disability, it's very difficult to get beyond the negative part of it, he said. 'But if you can just climb over that wall, there is a great life on the other side. You've got to get through that barrier. Tennis helps you climb that wall Tennis challenges you, but it's also fun, so it's tricking you to get into a fun life.

16

ADDvantage January 1995

That's what use tennis for. Certainly I can make players better, but in a bigger picture, want them to know that there is life after injury.'

Snow learned that by experience. He began playing tennis as an able-bodied player in 1970, and played locally in Dallas and attended tennis camps at the University of Texas at Tyler. In 1975, he received a spinal cord injury in an accident. At that time, there was no wheelchair tennis, but he played wheelchair basketball and other sports. By 1980, he was playing tennis again.

Snow said it was not difficult to learn to play tennis in a wheelchair.

'I knew how to play tennis. What was hard was figuring out how to move the wheelchair on the court, Snow said.

'Special chairs were being made for basketball, and we had the chairs adapted for the specific needs of wheelchair tennis, he said. Tennis wheelchairs are very specific to playing tennis.

As an educational representative for Quickie Designs nc. a manufacturer for lightweight wheelchairs, Snow travels around the world presenting sports products and programs, twohour to three-day camps, and motivational talks to companies, rehabilitation centers and communities. He also competes globally as a sponsored athlete.

As a player, Snow has an impressive record. He won the U.S. Open wheelchair singles championships 10 times and the doubles championships five times. In the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, Spain, he earned two gold medals in wheelchair tennis; one in singles and one in doubles. He won the 1994 top 8 ITF Masters Championship, which was played in Holland.

Snow became a USPTA member in 1985, and began teaching wheelchair tennis in 1987 after

Randy Snow

he started working with his coach USPTA member Bal Moore, Ph D. 've always wanted to be a teacher, but was so involved in learning my sport that I didn't emphasize the teaching part, he said. 'Coach Moore taught me a lot about teaching wheelchair and able-bodied tennis.

Snow participates in USPTA's Continuing Education Program and constantly strives to learn more about teaching. He has led seminars for three USPTA National Conventions and for many divisional conventions. He also has led Tennis Across Americaâ&#x201E;˘ clinics for able-bodied players.

I love to watch other teaching pros teach and read articles and tips they've written, he said. It also tells you that you are in the (continued on page 28)

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Ball-flight visualization one key

by Jeffrey

A. Cook

D

oes an artist visualize clearly what she is going to paint before the first brush stroke hits the canvas? Does a master saxophonist think of the sound he is trying to create before playing the notes, or does he think of how each finger hits each key?

What should, and what do the players you teach think of in those critical seconds before they attempt their shots?

Before continuing on with this article, take a few moments to complete the following test.

You are the player in the lower right-hand corner of the court. The imaginary opponent (not seen) suddenly rushes the net against you You decide to try a severely angled, cross-court passing shot. Before reading on, draw the ball flight.

This test was given to 50 3.0- to 4.0-level players. Of those tested, 45 drew straight lines. Because this response was incomplete, the same test was given to 21 players at the 5.5 level and above. Nineteen of the 21 advanced players drew curved lines.

Ninety percent of the intermediates drew straight lines and 90 percent of the advanced players drew lines with obvious curves. It is evident that there are very different thought patterns between ntermediates and advanced players when they perceive a certain shot's description. This is why visualization is a necessary prerequisite for a top player.

Influences on the ball's flight There are five factors that have an effect on the ball's flight.

1 Height or altitude f The two major fac2. Speed ^ tors in the determination of distance 3. Timing allows for directing how far right or left.

20

ADDvantage January 1995

4. Spin alters the ball's flight according to both the direction of the spin and the number of rotations per minute (RPM) on the spin.

5. Environment wind, humidity, surface, pace of opponent's shot.

Since the height, speed and timing of any given ball flight are individually infinite in their possibilities, the different possible combinations of these factors also are infinite. For example, the number of different ways that a ball may travel from one's right court to the other player's right court is limited only by one's imagination and skill.

Which one did your student mean to hit?

Think of how many times you have asked a student who just missed a shot (especially under duress), 'What were you trying to do with that shot?' and the answer was, was just trying to get it back!'

Each time the ball is struck, before it bounces, it will travel in some direction, at some speed and height, with or without rotation, and be affected or unaffected by external factors. The factors left to chance, and the number of attempts to control them seem to change dramatically from the intermediate to the advanced levels.

Mapping the ball's flight Just as one never would go on a trip without a map, one never should attempt any shot without visualizing a 'picture' of the ball's flight. Even if the result wasn't exactly like the picture, it will be close. A map gives many alternate routes when driving from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. There also are many ways that a ball may fly from point A to point B. The 'visualization' that so often is discussed in articles, clinics, seminars, talks and demonstrations usually is on the player's body or racquet movements, not on what those movements should create.

In the late 1960s, Billie Jean King was asked why she never double-faulted on the big points. don't think about the double fault, King said. 'I only visualize the ball flight, arcing off my racquet, over the net and its bounce.

Application to teachers and coaches Determining the intent of a stroke is a necessary first step in the teacher's and

student's abilities to critique an error. For example, a crosscourt forehand lands long and wide. If the intent was to hit it flat, the ball's net clearance probably was too high or it was hit too hard. If topspin was intended, then its height may have been fine but the number of RPMs may need to be increased.

Without knowing the intent, how is this error remedied?

This could be a negative result of lessons.

Since the form that one uses to strike the ball will result in a specific ball flight of some kind (accidental or on purpose), it is imperative that the student understands why certain motions create specific results. Knowing the results of each action upon the ball will act as a great motivation for why students must do all the things the coach tells them to do.

Think of how many times in our own playing careers we have experienced poor performance while thinking of a shot's technique (' paralysis by analysis").

The coach should explain to the student exactly what shot or shots he needs to practice. Students must be as good at formulating their own pictures as they are at executing them, nstead of teaching students how much the teaching professional knows about tennis, the pro should help the students become good at formu ating and implementing their own plans when they are out there alone on the battlefield.

Once players are able to visually conceive and then create various ball flights, they also will be better at 'reading' the qualities of the ball flights coming at them. Early and complete recognition of what one is about to deal with is another defining skill separating beginners, intermediates and advanced players. While tangible ideas such as grips, stances and other techniques are taught and learned more easily, formulating and reading ball flight arcs are more a function of cognition and exist in the player's mind.

Tactics, then, are varieties of ball flights that help the player achieve strategic results. The decision-making process that every player should go through before each shot takes place in seconds or fractions of seconds.

Visualizing three shots that are to be executed in some order certainly is more efficient during a competitive situation than thinking of three paragraphs describing the actions. If the player actually is thinking of

to successful tennis strokes The skill of visualizing ball flight will come in stages, just as the ski of earn ng stroke mechanics develops progressively.

The skill of creating the map is as important as the skill of executing the swing mechanics. Visualizing a clear map of the desired ball flight prior to the hit will dictate to the player how they must swing in order to achieve it.

A common problem, even in advanced and intermediate players, is that they think of where they want the ball to bounce and do a good job of determining how hard they want to strike it. However, they usually do not think of how high the ball needs to be to cross the net in order to match A successful player visualizes the intended path of the ball the speed and the bounce before she hits it. point. When encouraged to include this very important words, technique or even more extraneous idea, players often say, That's too many things to think about! ' This probably is the factors (like winning and losing), very little of response of someone who still is thinking in how the ball flies over the net will be premeditated. words or too much about technique. If the One can picture these arcs in advance arc of the ball flight was perceived, the height would be included in the picture and without any thought of whether they are forewouldn't have to be a separate thought. hands or backhands (since that can't be Even when the ability to visualize the shot known ahead of time). A player who is returning a serve, for example, may picture is developed, many players who are not at a low and somewhat straight arc that slides the advanced level will not maintain it under duress. Because they are being pressed into the server's deep left corner if a heavily severely by something their opponent is sliced return to the backhand was the intent. doing to them, they will revert back to their beginner's attitude of just returning the ball Visualization skills will improve It is specifically this concept of shot-picturing that a player can use to maintain his concenThere is no question that a beginner could tration level and his composure under presnot and would not be able to perceive intrisure. To do it is specific, constructive, simple cate differentiations in ball flight qualities. and without emotion. The player will not be Making contact and having the ball land as susceptible to internal or external distracsomewhere on the other side of the net tions when fully concentrating on this type usually is a beginner's ultimate goal. of visualization.

Formulating the mechanics of the various Anyone who has experienced meditation strokes, motions and footwork must be knows that the thing upon which you concenemphasized early in the player's formative trate must be both simple and specific (a one years. However, at some point in the intersyllable word, a flower, a star, a hole with mediate level, there must be some emphasis nothing in it). When one continues to concenput on the cause and effect relationships that trate on this focal point, everything else connect specific types of swings with very disappears and a state of relaxation is specific and predictable results in ball flights.

created. How specific, yet simple is a line or an arc, followed by another line or arc, followed by another and another? Perhaps this could be one of the keys to tennis players entering that all-too-elusive state we call the 'zone. We know this phenomenon exists in all sports. We all have been there, but not nearly as often as we would like.

There are times when the ball flight may not be the primary focus. The first is during a practice session that is emphasizing a particular shot and its mechanics. During this type of activity, we break down the stroke, analyze it and 'drill it to death. When that shot has become a habit and is being used in a match situation, the resultant ball flight again becomes the primary focus.

The second situation in which the mechanics take a priority is during a match when a shot that is critical to the outcome falls apart. At this point, the player must take as much time as is necessary to fix it as he did during practice. As soon as the feel of the swing returns, the player must then 'trust' it and return to concentrating on the next shot or shots created by the repaired motion.

The majority of club players and USTA league players have NTRP ratings between 3.0 and 4.0. When working with players in these levels, it is very important for professionals to understand all the areas in which students must improve in order to fully develop them as players. Š Jeffrey A. Cook is the head tennis professional at the Germantown Cricket Club in Philadelphia. A USPTA member since 1969, Cook oversees the tennisteaching program, teaches group and private lessons, owns and operates the pro shop, and supervises four fult-time assistant tennis professionals and the pro Jeffrey A. Cook shop manager.

Cook has a master's degree in physical education from the University of Illinois in Champaign, and was the head tennis coach at the University of Arkansas in 1972-75.

He is a member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association, U.S. Racquet Stringers Association and the USTA. Cook is on the promotional advisory staffs for Wilson, Fila, Reebok and Boast. He also has a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is a member of the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Union.

ADDvantage January 1995

21

Public Relations

Good news releases grab spotlight for tennis, professionals E

I nticing local media to cover a tennis release a human touch. Make sure to attribute and the day that the information can be used event sometimes is easier said than done. quotes to a person, using his or her correct (for most topics, type For Immediate However, a well-written news release (also title. If a quote is altered for any reason, make Release"). known as a media or press release) can sure to obtain the speaker's permission.

A short headline should be centered at the generate valuable publicity about a club, Quotes from participants, event staff offitop, conveying the most important point of company or individual This publicity helps cials and others all may have a place in a the release. At the end of the release, type 'spread the good news' about a club news release. However, don't use too the standard journalism endings of -30activity, tennis program or anything else a many quotes from one or two people or ###' to signify the end of the release. teaching pro wants to promote. usually are enough for each release.

Remember to signify the USPTA certificaSome teaching professionals miss tion of pros mentioned in a release out on valuable publicity opportuby writing USPTA after their names. nities by not promoting their 6. Photo finish. Action photos are a great way to showcase your programs to local media. Given event to a publication's editor and tennis' recent image troubles, the readers. Black-and-white prints are game needs the positive local publicity that USPTA pros can preferred by most newspapers, provide. while color prints are useful to color One does not need to have a publications. Calling a publication journalism degree to write effective is worthwhile if one has questions about photo requ rements. news releases that create media Depending on the event, a newsinterest. Common sense, mixed paper or television station may with brevity and knowledge of the even send their own photographer. event, will help anyone write a When mailing, be sure to protect release that will catch the eye of the photos with cardboard, and innews editors and directors. clude the names of those pictured Follow these tips to increase the Ty Fuller, left, a USPTA Certified Master Professional and owner of when possible. Don't send a whole chance of the media using your the Dunwoody Tennis School, instructs student Edith Carter Fuller roll of photos along with the release news release: has formed a program called "Tennis for Seniors." It is an instructional program geared to persons 60 years or age and older 1 First things first. Begin a make reprints of the best one or Classes are geared for the entry-level student. For information call two good shots. Also, don't send release with the most important 394-0387 (Special photo) the only copy of a photo, chances information, followed by less imporare it won't be returned. tant facts. Busy editors and news A well-written news release and an action photo can help "spread the Timeliness is critical when directors don't have time to search good news" about a tennis program. submitting releases, especially for a nugget of information buried 4. To make a long story short. Many when working with daily newspapers. Send in the news release. The first few sentences editors do not have time to read every word post-event news releases as soon as possible and paragraphs should summarize the five after the event takes place. Send other W's and H (who, what, when, where, why of each release they receive. Therefore, it is releases four to eight weeks in advance of crucial to write your news briefly. Have and how). End the release with the least an event, and even earlier when submitting important information. someone familiar with the event read the to monthly publications.

2. "Just the facts, Jack." Stay away release to double-check spelling, facts and In addition to club newsletters, program from flowery, opinionated or exaggerated brevity. fliers, posters and other promotional literaPublications rarely print an entire news words in news releases. Present the facts of ture, news releases are a crucial part of a release, so don't be offended if the news your event, results or award (your news, in tennis professional's public relations efforts. editor cuts a two-page release down to two other words) in a straightforward manner. paragraphs be thankful that it was printed!

Newspapers and other publications rely on Loretta hammered Doris in the women's 5. Formatting hints. Few enjoy reading releases to keep them in touch with local final, played on the lovely courts of the Cresta page-long paragraph so use plenty of activities use them to promote you and wood club' would be better phrased as short paragraphs in your release. Make sure your tennis events.

Loretta Jones defeated Doris Brown, 6-2, For more information on news release the release is typed, double-spaced, and 6-1 in the women's open singles final played writing, contact USPTA's Public Relations preferably on official letterhead of a club or at the Crestwood Tennis and Swim Club.

Department at the World Headquarters, (713) 3. Quote 'em. Quotes add to the effecbusiness. At the top of the first page, type 97-USPTA (978-7782). o tiveness of a release, and can give a bland a contact name and phone number, the date

Tennis for seniors

22

ADDvantage January 1995

SPTA members may choose a specialized medical nsurance benefit package through the new exclusive agreement with Willis Corroon Corporation of Georgia, an insurance broker/administrator.

'We are offering cost-effective benefits to USPTA members, said Mike Meredith, vice president of employee benefits for Willis Corroon.

Willis Corroon is USPTA's exclusive broker of insurance coverage for medical, dental, vision, prescription drug and supplemental medical coverage (i.e. cancer coverage, hospital and surgical benefits). The company also may provide members with additional types of insurance, such as life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, on a nonexclusive basis.

The new agreement provides members'

with the opportunity to access a variety of insurance products from several financially strong and superior quality companies.

"We have been looking for ways to provide quality insurance to our members, and Willis Corroon can provide that service, said Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO. By offering a choice of insurance benefit packages, we feel we will be able to meet the needs of all our members.

'We plan to offer a full cafeteria of benefits to the USPTA members, said Jon Johnson, senior vice president of Willis Corroon.

A survey was mailed in January to all USPTA members to help Willis Corroon better identify the members' needs.

Members are encouraged to complete and return the survey to provide Willis Corroon with as much information as possible.

Willis Corroon plans to provide a custom

approach for USPTA professionals by designing packages that meet the specific needs of individual members.

The company will offer a basic program that is appropriate in most states, and will offer alternative programs to members in states which have unique circumstances or laws regarding insurance. These services will be available beginning in January.

'We need a high percentage of participation in the program to keep costs low for members, Johnson said.

More information will appear in future issues of ADDvantage and in mailings from Willis Corroon.

Members may call Johnson, Meredith, Joanna Fine or Rita Hirshberg at Willis Corroon after Jan. 10, at (800) 933-1837 for more information. Š

Willis Gorroon Corporation of Georgia, in conjunction with USPTA, is proud to present a variety of benefits including: Medical Dental Disability Life

Vision Prescription drugs Supplemental medical

More details to follow in the coming months!

For further information, please call Rita Hirshberg or Joanna Fine at (800) 933-1837 ADDvantage January 1995

23

Dates that rate upgrades and Certification Training Courses Each date includes an exam, upgrade and CJC unless otherwise noted.

Jan. 7-8 Los Angeles, Calif.

Jan. 7-8 Tarpon Springs, Fla. Jan. 7-8 Richmond, Va. Jan. 12 Freeport, NY. (no CTC) Jan. 13-15 Wayland, Mass.

Jan. 14-15 Murrieta, Calif.

Jan. 14-15 Boca Raton, Fla. Jan. 15-16 Modesto, Calif.

Jan. 20-22 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Jan. 21-22 Detroit, Mich.

Jan. 21-22 Boone, N.C. Jan. 28-29 Miami, Fla. Feb. 1-2 Atlanta, Ga. Feb. 1-2 Memphis, Tenn.

Feb. 2-3 Mesa, Ariz.

Feb. 4-5 Northridge, Calif.

Feb. 4-5 Indianapolis, Ind. Feb. 9 Freeport, NY. (no CTC) Feb. 10-12 Kansas City, Kan. Feb. 10 Lancaster, Pa. (upgrade only) Feb. 11-12 Mobile, Ala. Feb. 11-12 Vancouver, Wash.

Feb. 12-13 Pleasanton, Calif.

Feb. 12-13 Grapevine, Texas Feb. 15-16 Colorado Springs, Colo.

Feb. 18-19 Fountain Valley, Calif.

Feb. 18-19 Boca Raton, Fla. Feb. 22-23 Rochester, NY. Feb. 25-26 Murrieta, Calif.

Feb. 25-26 Palm Beach, Fla. March 1-2 Flushing, NY. March 1-2 Gastonia, N.C. March 1-2 New Orleans, La. March 4-5 Streetsboro, Ohio March 4-5 Malibu, Calif.

March 5 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (no CTC) March 10-12 Lincoln, Neb. March 11-12 Manchester, N.H. March 12-13 McLean, Va. March 18-19 Hershey, Pa. March 18-19 Hot Springs, Ark. (no CTC) March 25-26 Murrieta, Calif.

March 26-27 Boca Raton, Fla. March 29-30 Mount Freedom, NY. Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Affiliate members: late cancellation fee - $75; failure to cancel - application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee - $25; failure to cancel - $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until these cancellation fees are paid.

24

ADDvantage January 1995

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

Feb. 4* Group Lessons Mesa, Ariz.

Feb. 5* Group Lessons Mesa, Ariz.

Feb. 5 Junior Development Indianapolis, Ind. Feb. 9 Effective Communication Skills Grapevine, Texas Feb. 10* Competitive Doubles Patterns Lancaster, Pa, Feb. 10* USPTA Little Tennisâ&#x201E;˘ Lancaster, Pa, Feb. 12 Fitness Training & Periodization Lancaster, Pa. Feb. 18* Stroke Analysis I Glassboro, N.J. Feb. 20* Strategy & Tactics I Colorado Springs, Colo.

Feb. 20* Team Coaching I Colorado Springs, Colo.

Feb. 23 Club Activity Programming Troy, Mich.

Feb. 23* USPTA Little Tennis Troy, Mich.

Stringing, Gripping & Equipment Consulting Feb. 26 Troy, Mich.

March 3 Competitive Singles Patterns Washington, D.C. March 3* Competitive Doubles Patterns Kansas City, Kan. March 5* How to be a Better Head Professional or Tennis Director Kansas City, Kan. Washington, D.C. March 5 The ABCs of Stroke Production

lonventions Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

9-12 10-12 16-19 17-20 24-26

Texas Division Middle States Division ntermountain Division California/San Diego Divisions Midwest Division

Grapevine, Texas Lancaster, Pa. Colorado Springs, Colo.

Orange County, Calif Troy, Mich.

JLlrvision meetings/activities Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

14 15 22 28 2 10 11-19 18 22

New England Division Midwest Division Midwest Division Eastern Division Southern Division Midwest Division Northern California Division Southern Division Eastern Division

Wayland, Mass.

Lake Bluff, III. Schaumberg, III." Thornwood, NY. Atlanta, Ga. Decatur, III. Various sites Louisville, Ky. Rochester, NY.

f^oaches Workshops Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb.

12 16 26-28 2-3 11 24-25

Southwest Division Southwest Division Midwest Division Midwest Division Pacific Northwest Division Midwest Division

Sedona, Ariz.

Tucson, Ariz.

Lincolnshire, III. Indianapolis, Ind. Vancouver, Wash Detroit, Mich.

lennis Teachers' Courses Feb. 22-24 March 2-4

Murrieta, Calif.

Boca Raton, Fla.

Schools of Teaching Feb. 1-2

School of Pro Shop Management

Atlanta, Ga.

The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event.

Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. This schedule is subject to change. Call the USPTA Membership Department at (713) 97-USPTA.

Industry action

Board nominations The National Nominating Committee is accepting applications from members who are interested and available to serve on the national USPTA Board of Directors for 1995-96. Applicants must submit a resume and a 250- to 500-word essay outlining their opinions on the goals and directions of USPTA. These materials should be postmarked no later than Feb. 15, and sent to: Tom Gray 40308 Alexandria Sterling Heights, Mich. 48313-5300

USPTA • USPTA member Phyllis Blackwell, of Reno, Nev. is the new women's head tennis professional for the Lakeridge Tennis Club in Reno. She teaches private lessons, runs

clinics and camps, and organizes and runs other events at Lakeridge. Blackwell played tennis at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she was all-American for three years before turning pro. Her highest world ranking was No. 125.

In 1992, she became one of the first women inducted into the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame for her contribution to three Division I national titles.

• Gary Bourgeois, USPTA, is the new director of tennis for the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy's new satellite project at the Thermal & Golf Resort Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria. plan to bring exhibition matches between top ATP and WTA players, ATP tournaments, traveling instructional and promotional clinics, and coaches symposiums to the program, as well as offer resort activities such as tournaments and junior and adult camps and clinics, Bourgeois said.

• The Tallahassee (Fla.) Parks and Recre-

ation Department has named USPTA member Jay Hurst as its new superintendent of tennis operations. Hurst previously was a tennis consultant in Harvey, La. and tennis director and head professional at English Turn Golf and Hurst Country Club in New Orleans.

• USPTA members Mary Jo Kittok, Nancy Olson and Patty Rollison represented the United States in World Team Cup competition in Nottingham, England. As part of the NEC International Wheelchair Tennis Tour, the women's team, coached by Marcha Moore (USPTA), defeated Austria's team, 3-0 in the final.

• Jim Giachino, a USPTA professional and women's head tennis coach at Fairfield University in Connecticut, led his team to its (continued on page 26)

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ADDvantage January 1995

25

Industry action (continued from page 25)

third consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship, n his third year as the head coach Giachino's teams never have been defeated in the conference tournament, have set a university record for season wins, and have defeated their conference rivals in dual matches by an average score of 8-1 • The new men's tennis coach at lona College in New Rochelle, NY is USPTA professional Eric Woodlin. Woodlin runs Woodlin Tennis Inc. a tennis management company which provides services in instruction, tournament promotion and marketing, merchandising, and fund raising.

He is a member of the Woodlin USTA Player Development Program and Local Excellence Training Program.

Member product showcase • Cid Carvalho, USPTA, has been granted a U.S. patent for an instructional exercise device he designed. The device is a casing which holds instructional image cards and is attached to the strings on a tennis racquet. The cards provide a visual demonstration of the proper stroke. For more information, contact Carvalho at (803) 328-0358.

• Nick Bollettieri, USPTA, has published a new book, The Mental Efficiency Program, which he wrote with Charles Maher, Ph.D. professor of psychology at Rutgers University. The book is a practical guide to helping one improve the mental part of the tennis game or other sports, and it focuses on selfmotivation, self-confidence, self-discipline, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem and continuous improvement.

14 members. The new first vice president is Harry A. Marmion, Southampton, NY and vice presidents are Richard D. Ferman Jr., Okemos, Mich and Jack M Mills, Columbia, S.C. Dwight A. Mosley, Washington, DC. was nominated to the newlycombined position of secretary-treasurer.

Directors at large will be Yvonne K. Garton, Midland, Texas; Joy D. Rodenberg, Lincoln, Neb. Michael E. Kohlhoff, Wilsonville, Ore. Julia A. Levering, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Stephen D. Potts, Bethesda, Md. Leo F. Power Jr., Framingham, Mass. Eugene L. Scott, New York; and Alan G. Schwartz, Chicago.

President J. Howard "Bumpy" Frazer of Cincinnati will serve as immediate past president.

Manufacturers • AirWorx™ has developed a new product which provides relief from back pain and helps prevent lower-back problems, a press release stated. The Astro-Back® lower back support belt has an air bladder which contours, cushions and supports the back.

It comes with a fanny pack and in a variety of different colors. For more information, call (800) 899-5553.

• Har-Tru Corp. will hold its seventh annual Clay Court Maintenance Training School

Pro tours

USTA • Lester M. Snyder of Tempe, Ariz., USTA first vice president, was nominated as the incoming president of USTA. He will begin his term Jan. 1 The USTA board of directors also increased its size from 10 members to 26

ADDvantage January 1995

and Conference, Jan. 30-Feb. 2, at Port Royal Racquet Club on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The program will cover all phases of reconditioning and the latest procedures in court maintenance. For more information or to receive an application, call Har-Tru at (800) 842-7878.

Har-Tru Corp. has opened two new manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and New England for the production and distribution of genuine green fast-drying Har-Tru tennis court material. For more information, call Har-Tru at (800) 842-7878.

• Babolat and Ashaway Racket Strings have entered into a joint venture agreement to produce and market a new hybrid tennis string. Babolat will provide the natural gut cross strings and Ashaway will supply the Kevlar™-based main strings. Each company will package and sell the strings under their own brand names. Babolat will use the name Gut Plus; Ashaway will use the name Gutfire.

• Kevin Gilbert is the new president of the Racquet Sports Division of ProKennex, U.S. a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Kunnan Enterprises. Gilbert has been with the company since 1981 became the national sales manager for tennis in 1985, and served as vice president of sales and marketing for the Racquet Sports Division, a position he has held for the past five years.

Astro-Back support belt

• The WTA Tour has adopted several 'fan friendly' and "broadcast friendly' rules for the 1995 season.

Spectators seated above the lowest tier of seats that surround the court will be able to move freely during play.

Spontaneous crowd expression during play will not be discouraged unless it is determined the intent of the expression is to distract the players.

During a televised match the chair umpire will have the authority to delay the start of play until the end of the 90-second change-over period, so television viewers will not miss any points.

TV microphones will be permitted on court, allowing conversations between the player and chair umpire to be heard on the air, although the chair umpire still will be permitted to turn his or her microphone off when appropriate.

Penn Racquet Sports has found a way to recycle dead tennis balls. Teaching professionals can donate dead balls to schools to be put on the bottom of chair legs, which will lower noise levels.

Associations • The International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association (IHRSA) has scheduled three popular speakers to address the attendees of the annual IHRSA Convention and Trade Show, March 1518.

The speakers are Harvey Mackay, chairman and CEO of Mackay Envelope and author of Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive, Charles Garfield, associate clinical professor at the University of California Medical School president of the Charles Garfield Group, and author of Peak Performance. Mental Training Techniques of the World's Greatest Athletes; and Les Brown, president and CEO of Les Brown Unlimited Inc. author of the book, Live Your Dreams, and former nationally syndicated talk show host.

For more information, call (800) 228-4772.

• IHRSA recently published a new booklet, "Smarter, Healthier, Happier- The Benefits of Exercise for Children," which states that children engaged in daily physical education show superior academic performance and have a more positive attitude toward school.

The booklet provides the latest and most authoritative research on the relationship between exercise and health for children. To receive a free copy of the brochure, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Children & Exercise, HRSA, 263 Summer St. Boston, Mass. 02210.

• The Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) will hold its 68th Annual Conference and 18th Annual Exposition at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside, Jan. 30-Feb. 3 in New Orleans. There will be more

Attendees at CMAA's 18th Annual Exposition will visit the Association's largest trade show ever, with nearly 460 vendors exhibiting.

than 80 seminars, workshops, clinics, panels and roundtables during the conference.

Topics that will be covered include hospitality, facilities design and management, food and beverage operations and leadership in crisis situations. The exposition will feature more than 400 exhibitors. For more information, call CMAA at (703) 739-9500.

Miscellany • Tennis magazine named the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. as the country's top tennis resort. USPTA's first vice president, Kurt Kamperman, is the director of tennis for the resort. All of the resorts listed in the top 10 are staffed by USPTA professionals. The other top resorts are the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, Longboat Key, Fla., Kiawah Island Resort, Kiawah Island, S.C., Topnotch at Stowe Resort & Spa, Stowe, Vt. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra, Fla. Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, S.C. Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Fla. Snowmass Lodge & Club, Snowmass Village, Colo. La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta, Calif and Rancho Valencia Resort, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif • Pat Summerall, the well-known football play-by-play announcer, will be the featured guest speaker at the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) Annual Industry Breakfast, during The Super Show/95, Feb. 3-6, in Atlanta. The breakfast will be Feb. 4, 8-10 a.m. and will cost $15. Seating is limited. For more information and to reserve tables, contact The Super Show, 1450 N E. 123 St. N Miami, Fla. 33161 or call (800) 327-3736.

• Meilen Tu, 16, of Northridge, Calif and Scott Humphries, 18, of Alamo, Calif were named as Tennis magazine's 1994 Junior Players of the Year. Tu won the U.S. Open girls juniors and the Surbiton Junior Championships in England. Humphries reached the semifinals of the Australian and Italian Open juniors, and is the first American to win the Wimbledon junior boys' title since 1981

Submissions for Industry Action are due the first Tuesday of the month, two months prior to the issue date. Please include the name of a contact person and a daytime phone number. Members are encouraged to send quality photos.

ADDvantage January 1995

27

Off-COlirt focus (continued from page 16) right place. If you know what they are doing, you get some reassurance that you are doing the right thing.

Snow says he loves the precision and mental aspects of tennis.

There is no other sport that challenges you mentally as much as tennis does, he said.

Other activities Snow enjoys include fishing, scuba diving, listening to music, working at his computer and reading. His basketball team, which is based out of Fresno, Calif, is ranked No. 2 in the country. n 1983 and 1986, he won two Gold Cups for playing basketball while representing the United States in Canada, Japan, Holland, Austria and Australia. Snow won a silver medal in the 1984 Summer Games of the XXI I Olympiad in Los Angeles in the men's 1,500-meter exhibition wheelchair race.

Snow thinks all USPTA pros should consider teaching wheelchair tennis.

I challenge all USPTA pros to expand

'I've always wanted to be a teacher, but I was so involved in learning my sport that I didn't emphasize the teaching part. . .' their student base by starting a tennis program for players in wheelchairs or with other disabilities, Snow said. It really will expand their feelings and insight for the people they are working with and it will improve their teaching abilities.

The disabled population really needs the pros. The teaching pros have great skills, and

the disabled population needs to learn those skills.

Snow's book, Wheelchair Tennis, Myth to Reality, which he wrote with Moore, covers every aspect of wheelchair tennis, including the type of equipment needed, on-court techniques, and strategies for winning at singles and doubles. n 1989, Snow received the Alabama Sington Trophy for his contribution and dedication to athletics and the disabled community, and the Jack Gerhardt (Heisman equivalent) Athlete of the Year award for his athletic accomplishments and contributions to wheelchair tennis.

Snow is a member of the Wheelchair Tennis Players Association, the National Wheelchair Athletic Association, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association and the USTA. He is affiliated professionally with Penn Racquet Sports, Prince Sports Group, ROHO nc. Sports Cushions and Versatrainer Pro-Max, o

New book is ^ultimate tooF for sport of wheelchair tennis T

JLhe .he world's first complete book on wheelchair tennis has been published by USPTA professionals Bal Moore, Ph.D. and Randy Snow. Wheelchair Tennis, Myth to Reality provides teaching professionals with the ultimate tool to teach and develop wheelchair tenn s players and programs.

The publication presents teaching methoMoore dologies of wheelchair tennis in an interesting and easy-to-follow format. The book begins with a brief history of the sport, and tells its readers why and how the authors got involved in it. Other chapters in the book cover equipment, mobility, stroke production, serve and return, volley and overhead, singles strategy and doubles strategy, quadriplegic tennis and mental efficiency. The last chapter includes more than 65 drills that focus on various strokes and mobility.

The book also includes a glossary of terms 28

ADDvantage January 1995

and the rules of wheelchair tennis. Its 180 pages are illustrated with 74 black-and-white photos and 107 diagrams.

Wheelchair tennis has exploded worldwide through the efforts of Brad Parks, president of the National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis, and others who have pushed for advances in this game over the last 20 years.

From a nonexistent sport in the 1970s, to one with more than 55 sanctioned tournaments and 2,000 players in 1986, wheelchair tennis has taken its rightful place among all other competitive tennis divisions. The game continues to grow and gain recognition.

Wheelchair players were awarded prize money for the first time in 1991 for their participation in the U.S. Open. In 1992, the sport was established as a full medal sport at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

Moore and Snow's book highlights some of the most important milestones in the sport's brief history.

Snow is a 10-time U.S. Open wheelchair singles champion. Moore, who coaches Snow, is a USPTA Master Professional and coach of the U.S. men's wheelchair tennis

team, n their book, these two USPTA professionals bring together years of experience and knowledge to create a valuable teaching and learning tool for wheelchair tennis.

Wheelchair Tennis, Myth to Reality is available from Kendall Hunt Publishing Co. For more information on the book, or to order, call 800-228-0810. O

Report cards The education "report card" will not be printed and distributed annually, but rather at the end of each grading term.

The second grading period is from January 1,1994 through December 31, 1996. Early in 1997, a credit certificate or "report card" will be sent to every member who acquired educational credits during the second term. If you have any questions regarding your current credit status, please contact the Education Coordinator at the World Headquarters.

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