Addvantage 2011 March

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ADDvantage/ September 2000

contents the total professional – enhancing your career

departments 3 President’s message

Ask the Professor 7 Big, hairy audacious goals start with one step –

by Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D., FACSM, USPTA Master Professional

5 CEO’s message 24 Classifieds 27 USPTA drills

15 Teaching clay court skills on hard courts – by Dave Hagler, USPTA Master Professional

28 Career development 30 Industry action

25 Dennis Ralston: Ready to start a whole new game –

by Jill Phipps, USPTA staff writer

news 4 Congratulations to dues drawing winners!

4 Proposed slate of 2011-2013 national Board of Directors 11 HEAD launches new YouTek™ Extreme Series 17 Accept the TAA call to action for 2011 – Step up to the One-Clinic Challenge 20 USPTA kicks off 2011 national tournament series 23 USPTA pros and facilities cited as industry pacesetters 24 USPTA members will coach U.S. teams at 2011 World University Games

insert

Promote your programs with Tennis Across America™ Free poster inside

volume 35 • issue 3

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 e-mail – magazine@uspta.org

Shawna Riley Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan John Dettor

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Editor Managing editor Circulation Advertising

On the cover – Get ready to spread some TAA smiles!

It’s time to plan your Tennis Across America events, like this 2009 Little Tennis clinic that included Hunter Masterson, then 4, of Houston.

ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA. ADDvantage/March 2011

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President’s message USPTA Professionals benefit from volunteering

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s a USPTA tennis professional, you un- 3. Your time commitment can be commensudoubtedly work more hours than you would rate with your time availability. Depending in most other professions. In addition to a on how much time you want to commit to busy workload, most USPTA professionals volunteer a volunteer cause or activity, one can clearly their time and expertise for other causes, sometimes set parameters to dictate how much time you because of the intrinsic value, and sometimes because wish to allocate! they have been asked to and it is difficult to say no!

Many tennis professionals already ask them- 4. You can increase your meaningful community selves, “I continue to give back to connections. Often, volunteering with the game so much, why should I give businesses outside your own tennis more?” The answer to that question business can create alliances with may be answered with another quescommunity business leaders that tion, “What is it worth to you?” may directly impact your immediate People generally volunteer for nureach within your local area. Imagine merous reasons, including: to make being involved with a local chamber new friends; to make a difference; to be of commerce or groups such as your more involved with their community local Rotary club. Tennis is a unique and surroundings; to contribute to a and interesting business to these other cause that is important to them; to be business leaders and can be very enticchallenged more; and even to build ing for crossover assistance!

Tom Daglis self-confidence and self-esteem.

However, I would add another take on volun- 5. It may help expand your professional horizons. teerism. It can benefit your business!

Volunteering can be good for the resume. One By volunteering in multiple capacities, tennis never really knows what lies ahead in life. Tryprofessionals can couple marketing and sales oping on new hats may lead to future career opportunities that may grow their own business and portunities where tennis becomes the stepping lead to new contacts. stone!

According to an article titled, “Seven Surprising Reasons to Volunteer” by Elyse Umlauf-Garneau, 6. You develop a greater appreciation for what volunteerism can be profitable and lead to a greater you already have. Other businesses have the bottom line! same problems and headaches you do and some In this article Ms. Umlauf-Garneau analyzes businesses have it worse. Experiencing other ensome productive byproducts of volunteerism: tities’ trials and tribulations can sometimes put things in perspective for you, and you come to 1. It can improve your market visibility without the realization that the tennis business is a pretty using marketing dollars. We all have our own good business! market niches that we are comfortable with, but moving outside that comfort zone and interact- 7. Volunteering can be a healthy choice. There are ing with a new market niche allows you the opstudies that show volunteering may release the portunity to tell more people what you do best! stress in both your life and existing job. Reducing the rate of heart disease and lowering depression 2. It can help improve your existing business skills. rates may also be an end result. Some say “hapVolunteering for fundraising and promotional pier people live longer!” events can teach you new methods and ideas for marketing and budgeting, as well as give you a So is volunteering always a chore? The answer is better understanding of working with financials that it just might be one of your most cherished and profit and loss statements! rewards in life!  www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President First Vice President

Tom Daglis Randy Mattingley

Vice Presidents

Bunny Bruning Mark Fairchilds Chuck Gill Jack Groppel Jim Loehr

Past President

Harry Gilbert

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO

Tim Heckler

Director of Operations

Rich Fanning

Administrative Director

Marty Bostrom

Director of Communications

Shawna Riley

Creative Services Director

Julie Myers

Publications Manager/ Managing Editor

Kim Forrester

Director of Public Relations

Poornima Rimm

Communications

Jill Phipps

Director of Marketing

John Dettor

Sports Marketing Coordinator

Rick Bostrom

Digital Asset Director

Timothy Heckler

Digital Asset Coordinator/ Ramona Husaru Tennis Multimedia Management Video Production Director

Joe Birkmire

Video Editor

Nick Warwick

Video Editor/ Flash Designer

Aisha Nelson

Video Editor/Videographer Chris Maale Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator Receptionist

Erin Ortbal

Director of Information Technology

Dan Wilson

Information Technology/ Multimedia

Scott Bucic

Director of Computer Service

Kathy Buchanan

Director of Membership and Certification

Vicky Tristan

Membership/ Certification Coordinator

Sylvia Ortiz

Membership/ Melony DeLoach Insurance Coordinator Director of Finance Payroll/Benefits Controller Merchandise/ Accounting Assistant

Kathy Ladner Renée Heckler Ellen Weatherford Shelina Harris

Legal Counsel Attorney-at-law

Paul Waldman

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

ADDvantage/March 2011

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Congratulations to dues drawing winners!

USPTA members who paid their dues by Dec. 31 were entered into a drawing for one of 17 DVD sets on “The Six General Performance Components of Tennis,” regularly priced at $119.99. Congratulations to George Asato, Richard Berton, Christopher Elwood, Joseph Furioso, Theodore Gordon, Mary Hagerty-Severns, Mary Johnsen, Donald Neuner, Leann Polen, David Rudrud, Hector Sarmiento, John Stanton, Chauncey Street, Marion Sykes, Chris Towell, E ­ mmanuel Vanderpol and Samuel Vickroy. 

Calling all writers …

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

Proposed slate of 2011-2013 national Board of Directors The national Nominating Committee has completed its task and proudly submits the following slate for the 2011-2013 USPTA national Board of Directors.

President First vice president Vice presidents

 Contributions will be edited for magazine format and focus, and a copy will be sent to the author to review.  Articles submitted to ADDvantage are forwarded, with the name of the author removed, to the USPTA Technical Review Committee for approval.  Send articles to the attention of the managing editor at the USPTA World Headquarters or via e-mail to magazine@uspta.org.

Mark Fairchilds Jim Loehr Bunny Bruning Bill Mountford

 Articles should cover some aspect of a teaching professional’s job. outline or written as notes.

Jack Groppel

Chuck Gill

 Articles should be approximately 2,000 words long.  Articles must be typed in a narrative form. The article should not be an

Randy Mattingley

Past president

Tom Daglis

Additional nominations may be made by the general membership and submitted in writing to the CEO by 5 p.m., Central time, May 4. In order for a new candidate to be added to the ballot, he or she must be nominated by at least 120 members. See USPTA Bylaws, Article VII Section 3. Only one nominee per office will be added to the slate.

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ADDvantage/March 2011

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

CEO’s message Coaches Resource Center –

valuable highlights of invaluable member benefit

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here’s no doubt about it. USPTA has the ­tennis industry’s largest library of teaching and playing resources. And, even though we’ve been promoting these amazing benefits for years, it still surprises me that many members do not know that this valuable information exists or how to effectively use it in their professional lives.

While we have many websites that together provide thousands of different tools, tips, drills, articles and more, I want to focus on the Coaches Resource Center for this month’s message. I will cover other specific resource benefits in subsequent editorials over the next several months.

Practice planner One of the most useful tools is this site’s templatedriven practice – or lesson planner. If you want a season’s worth of lesson or practice plans at your fingertips, just use this resource to build effective lessons and practice sessions for any level of player or team, including high school, college, junior competition, camps, ladies leagues and more.

Create lessons or practices through an interactive Web application where you can choose to build individualized plans from scratch or use several predesigned templates. The planner features two user modes: Wizard and Expert. The Wizard mode includes a Coaches Resource Center step-by-step, one-question-per-page Tim Heckler We designed this website for you – the process in which you are asked to USPTA member, but it’s a great source answer questions and select drills to for players, parents or anyone who wants to learn build your plan. The Expert mode lets you build more about our great sport or teach it at any level. your practice plan quickly with a series of selection boxes for length of practice or lesson, type of If you’re a USPTA member, activity, drill category, drill type, length of time per this site is free; just log on with activity and more. your last name and member number. If you’re not a mem- Drills ber, the resources are available Members are constantly asking for more drills. for a low quarterly or yearly We’ve got hundreds on the Coaches Resource subscription rate.

Center, many with videos and others with diagrams The menu structure on the left side of the page directs you to whatever you may need. Because I have only so much space for this message, I’m going to highlight just a few areas of the Coaches Resource Center website. I urge you to explore the entire menu to appreciate the amount of material included in the site and within its various links to other great web pages hosted by USPTA and other organizations. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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from previous page and text. The drills are divided into various types to help you plan lessons and team practices, including warm-up, dead ball, live ball, conditioning and playing drills. In addition to the drills listed on this site, you can click the link to our Tennis Resource Center and see hundreds more with a quick search. And, this site also includes almost 20 video tips that can be expanded for drills or lesson topics. We add new drills and tips each week to various USPTA sites, so there’s no excuse for running out of drill ideas if you use just a fraction of these great member benefits.

College bound resources If you work with competitive juniors who want to snap up a coveted tennis scholarship, the Coaches Resource Center provides you with some unbelievable tools to help your students achieve their dreams. The College bound resources include links to several sites that will help players, parents and coaches determine if potential scholarships and schools are a good fit, read about NCAA eligibility requirements players must meet and see the latest junior rankings and other important recruiting information. There’s also information on professional tennis management programs for students who want to work in the tennis industry after earning a college degree and a USPTA certification.

As someone who has helped his own child apply for and obtain a tennis scholarship, I can tell you that the material on this site – and all in one place – is invaluable. It’s a maze of requirements, rankings

and decisions that requires lots of homework for everyone involved.

And, because this information is so valuable to many teachers who coach young players, I’m going to elaborate on this subject in a future message, so stay tuned.

We designed this website for you – the USPTA member, but it’s a great source for players, parents or anyone who wants to learn more about our great sport or teach it at any level.

There’s much more on the Coaches Resource Center. Don’t forget to explore all the other menu items, including What’s new, Player Development, Tools, Audio seminars, Coaching articles, Forum, Instructional DVDs, ADDvantage magazine, On Court with USPTA, Find-a-Pro, U.S. Pro Tennis Shop, Tennis Channel, Parent coach resources, and Important tennis links.

This is just one of the many sites and links USPTA provides as one of your 70 member benefits. The beauty of the Coaches Resource Center is that we supply all of this information to you in one location, and we’re constantly adding and updating the tools that make your job easier. Please look over this site and let me know what you think, and if you have any ideas to make it better. 

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ADDvantage/March 2011

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Big, hairy, audacious goals start with one step!

by Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D., FACSM, USPTA Master Professional

Q

Question: In my career, I have had players, both young and old, who struggle with goal setting. When they are stuck in their progress, I have found that it is virtually impossible to move them out of their situation. Eventually, they always work their way to freedom, and can get back on track. But, I was wondering: Do you have any thoughts about helping them through the difficult periods?

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Answer: Athletes in all sports struggle with forward progress at some point in their careers.

Whatever you want to call these tough times, let’s call them slumps for the purpose of speaking the same language.

While researchers have examined the phenomenon of slumps for decades, there is no magic solution. Some have dealt with technique, ranging from “going back to basics” all the way to trying something new and off the wall. Emotionally, coaches have tried to help athletes develop different feelings and attitudes when in a slump, trying to change the individual’s physiology in do-

ing so. Others have tried visualization, positive affirmations, and other worthwhile psychological methods. For the purposes of answering your question, let me offer two approaches; one is scientific and fairly well accepted, while the other is my own personal story. Hopefully, both of these will give you food for thought to help your students.

I believe, from a science perspective, that Dr. Jim Loehr, USPTA Master Professional, has developed a highly effective goal-setting method that involves storytelling. Although the concept of storytelling has been around for years, Jim applied it as a process for change that has yielded positive results for thousands of athletes and business professionals.

I don’t have the space to go into detail on Jim’s thesis, but I’ll give you a snapshot. The main premise is that once people identify a training mission, they will write a story about

Jack Groppel, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional, is ­co-founder of the Human Performance Institute. He is the author of The Corporate Athlete and co-author of World Class Tennis Technique. Information can be found at­ ­­energyforperformance.com. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

why they haven’t been able to reach that mission before now (an old story). Then, they can write a new story, and develop an action plan around that new story, to truly affect change in behavior. For example, many players would like to attain a ranking in their section, which becomes the big goal. The old story might say, “I want to develop the skills to attain a sectional ranking, but, my serve isn’t strong enough, and I struggle with the pressure when a match is close.” They need to

write a new story to discuss the training mission in an attainable manner, saying that they want to develop the skills to attain a sectional ranking, why it is important to them, what will happen if they don’t work hard enough to develop the new skill sets, and then leave themselves with an inspiring thought. Then comes an action plan to help the athletes develop the skills to attain that sectional ranking. If you want to learn more about the science of storytelling, I encourage you to read Jim’s book, “The Power of Story,” or you can contact Human Performance Institute’s director of tennis, USPTA Master Professional Lorenzo Beltrame, about the program.

The second perspective (which is still storytelling, but a little different tact) is my experience following pretty major surgery this past winter. In early November, I had bilateral knee replacements. Yes, I had both knees replaced at once. The arthritis had gotten so bad, from surgeries that I had in the early ’70s, that there was no other continued next page ADDvantage/March 2011

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from previous page option. Prior to the surgery, I had four big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs for those of you who follow the work of Collins and Porras in their book, “Built to Last”). One goal was to play tennis again; another was to be able to dance with my wife; another was to hike with my teenager, who is working hard toward his Eagle Scout award; and the other was to play with my young 6-year-old son. All four would require focus and perseverance toward my goals; never letting up. And, it worked for the first week! Then, I had some setbacks, and had to recalibrate my goals. Now, please don’t get me wrong. I still cared very much about my four BHAGs, but it was easy to see that they were way down the road, and I needed something to get me through the day-to-day grind. So, let’s examine what happened to throw me off, and yet, take a look at what did work for me.

About eight days following surgery on both knees, and residing in an orthopedic rehab facility, I developed a heat rash that surrounded the incision. Needless to say, this took me back, especially since I had had a staph infection on the same knee in 1996. I still held to my big goals, but suddenly physical therapy took a back seat to healing the rash, etc. After about three days, the rash had healed and we got back to the grind of three physical therapy sessions a day. Then, literally two weeks to the day following surgery, I was feeling my oats, and I did a set of stairs with the therapist tracking me. After one set, I felt great and wanted to do more. I actually did four sets of four steps, and it just felt great to contract my muscles and stretch them as I did each stair. My therapist kept asking me, “Are you OK, are you sure you want to do another set of stairs?” I was persistent and, in fact, too persistent. The next morning, I woke up, took two steps with my walker, and had to lie back down immediately from all the pain in my left knee.

After various examinations, it was marked up to overtraining, and I had another ‘blip’ in my rehab to get through. My big goals were becoming difficult to see, and you can use all sorts of analogies to tennis here if you want, but it was just tough in that moment in time to see myself doing any of the four BHAGs. I was definitely in a bit of a slump. So, now what?

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It might seem simple, but the next day, I realized before going to physical therapy that I needed to slow down and listen more carefully to my therapist. I had to change my focus from the big picture/long-term goals to some immediate, short-term goals that would serve as the stepping stones to achieving the four big goals. I said the simplest thing to myself, “Just do something today that you didn’t (or couldn’t) do yesterday, even if it’s a simple stretch, or a simple movement.” Again, as overly simplistic as that seems, it worked, and I began journaling all my “little” successes.

I would even begin the day with my therapist by saying, “Today, let’s try _______.”

My therapist would agree (or sometimes disagree), but we had a plan each day to do something that I didn’t (or couldn’t) do yesterday. To me, this was Utopia. I had a plan, and I felt all the little successes.

I have continued journaling, and each day I try to do a little more than I did yesterday, or I will do a new exercise in PT that I couldn’t do yesterday. I still have my BHAGs, and I am excited about the future

with my family and with my new knees. In fact, as this article went to press, my orthopedist told me that, although I couldn’t start actually running yet, that I could go out to the court and start hitting tennis balls.

I already feel closer to one of my BHAGs. So, what can you take away from this?

As your players dream and set realistic goals, help them realistically identify how they are going to get to those goals. Set up exercises or drills that will help them achieve some little step toward that goal. Again, it might not even be on the court; perhaps a weight lifted, a timed sprint run better, a mental breakthrough, etc. Remind them each day what they did today to improve! If they didn’t do anything, remind them that you want them to help design practices, to help them reach their BHAGs. For me, with my new knees, it’s one step at a time, and for a tennis player, it’s one stroke, one movement or one thought at a time.

I hope there is a nugget here that can help you. As for me, I look forward to seeing all of you on the court sometime in the near future. 

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HEAD launches new YouTek™ Extreme Series

H

EAD proudly presents a new weapon for ­u ltimate power and spin on the tennis court: the YouTek IG Extreme Series featuring HEAD’s new ­Innegra™ fiber technology.

Innegra™ combines the lowest density of any fiber with carbon fiber, for a racquet that is extremely tough and light. It offers a consistently high performance, greater stability and increased shock absorption. Racquet vibration from ball impact is reduced by up to 17 percent, yielding unmatched control and precision.

The new YouTek IG Extreme is specially designed for the needs of players like HEAD racquet rebel Ivan Ljubicic, of Croatia. It offers touch, power and spin for baseline hitters with a long, fast swing style.

“It is a very powerful racquet, if not the most powerful on the Tour,” Ljubicic says. “It helps me a lot with my serve, but also gives the ball rotation with topspin and slice.”

Innovative technology is built into the layup of all three models of the YouTek IG Extreme Line – the Pro, MP and OS. The racquet shaft is both solid and ergonomic and is a good fit for the two-handed backhand player. The distinctive black-and-yellow Extreme also sets trends with modern and aggressive design elements.

HEAD racquet rebel Ivan Ljubicic arms himself with the new YouTek IG Extreme Pro, made for an aggressive game.

The three different models in the YouTek Extreme IG series offer the right tools for every playing style: • YouTek™ IG Extreme Pro: All of the benefits of the Extreme in a heavier, stiffer version. This racquet provides all of the extra touch, power and spin you want for an aggressive game. The Extreme Pro is Ivan Ljubicic’s racquet of choice.

• YouTek™ IG Extreme MP: Designed for the modern tennis player with the perfect combination of weight and balance to be quick through the air. Now with ­Innegra™ for added stability and a solid feel.

• YouTek™ IG Extreme OS: Shares many of the characteristics of the Extreme MP, with a larger sweet spot and a slightly lighter weight for more forgiveness and added power.

Visit head.com to find out “What’s Your Game” and check out HEAD’s Facebook page to see this new application at facebook.com/headtennis. Also, see the new video with Ivan Ljubicic at http://www.youtube.com/headtennis#p/u/0/hoJscjaNfDY. 

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ADDvantage/March 2011

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Teaching clay court skills on hard courts

by Dave Hagler, USPTA Master Professional

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f you look at the top 100 men and women in the world rankings you will see that more than 80 percent of them grew up playing on clay. You could argue that this doesn’t mean much unless you determine that less than 80 percent of all tennis players learn on clay, but there are in fact many arguments for learning on that surface.

The push for more clay is strong, even in the United States, Great Britain and ­Australia – not exactly traditional clay court hotbeds. For example, Lleyton Hewitt has been a proponent for more clay in Australia because in his words, “We need clay courts; it’s a must to grow up on. You can learn a lot more and it’s a lot easier nowadays to switch from being a good clay court player to hard court and grass than it is vice versa.” The Lawn Tennis Association website cites several reasons for learning on clay, including the following.

Why is it beneficial for young players to train on clay?

Clay court tennis develops many vital qualities in young players:

• Consistency – The rallies are longer so the players hit more balls.

• Pace of shot – The courts have little pace so players have to develop the ability to generate all the pace themselves. It’s often the clay court players who have the biggest serves and groundstrokes.

• Coordination and balance – Players have to experiment with more angles, loops and drops, so their skill level increases. Also, balance is constantly challenged and developed in long rallies on the loose surface.

• Leg strength – With long rallies full of shots that need to start from the

Clay court tennis develops many vital qualities in young players including consistency, coordination and balance. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ground, clay develops great lower body strength.

• Stamina – Long rallies, long matches.

Players have to work hard and attack yet develop a looseness and relaxed style that allows them to sustain a high level over three and five sets. My experience at European events is that British juniors often win the first set but then lose in three.

• Tactical awareness – Players have to find solutions to a whole range of situations in nearly every point. There are fewer points decided by a straightforward winner or error.

One challenge for me and other coaches who have little or no access to clay courts is to look at the list above and decide which of these components we can apply to training on hard courts, and how, in fact, to do so. I believe that it is quite feasible to work on tactical awareness, and to a lesser degree consistency, on a hard court utilizing special-rules games. (There are ways to work on the other components, and it is important to do so, but this may be limited within the context of point play on hard courts.)

Elliot Teltscher talks a lot about shot tolerance. One way of looking at shot tolerance is the number of shots a player is willing to hit before he overplays or overhits. Someone who grew up playing on fast courts at high altitude (as I did) would not have to develop much shot tolerance because under these conditions, points tend to resemble those in an Ivanisevic/Sampras grass court match. To help players increase their shot tolerance I have students play a game called “Nadal.” To play this game, start with a drop feed or continued next page ADDvantage/March 2011

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from previous page

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ADDvantage/March 2011

almost entirely on hard courts when he won the French Open. He believes that Chang had the right mentality for clay and Juan Martin Del Potro has the right mentality to play hard courts. Chang was willing to hit as many balls as necessary to win a point. He moved exceptionally well (especially laterally), used topspin to make his opponent defend a wider court and neutralized effectively. Del Potro plays first strike – he hits an aggressive shot at the first opportunity and tries to finish or at least control the point as early as possible.

This does not mean that Chang couldn’t attack and that Del Potro won’t defend or neutralize, it simply means that each is more comfortable and successful playing his own style.

One of the many challenges for our players is learning to develop a mindset that is flexible enough to adjust to different conditions (like court surfaces), which will allow them to adjust tactically in such a way as to maximize their chance for success in a given situation. Players who are successful on a variety of surfaces tend to play a bit differently because the risk/reward balance for certain shots and strategies changes. Before a player can make these changes, he has to modify his approach and commit to adjusting with his entire competitive being.

There is a lot of evidence that Lleyton Hewitt is correct in his assertion that it is easier for clay court players to become fast court players than the other way around. It is my hope that even without clay courts, my players can learn skills and a mindset that will allow them to compete more effectively on all surfaces.  Dave Hagler, USPTA Master Professional, has developed numerous sectionally and nationally ranked junior players, coached (adult) NTRP national championship teams, and traveled with (and coached) a player on the ITF Circuit. He is a 2001 graduate of the USTA High Performance Coaching Program.

He has been a head college coach and coached USTA Competition Training Center and zonals teams. He has received service awards from the Southern California and Intercollegiate Tennis associations and was 2007 California Division Pro of the Year.

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serve. Every time it is a player’s turn to hit the ball, the point value of the rally increases by one. For example, if player A misses the third ball in a rally, player B gets 3 points. If player B misses the 10th ball in the next rally, then player A gets 10 points. You should decide how many points it takes to win the game; typically somewhere between 100 and 300 points is appropriate for most skill levels.

You can also help your players with movement, tactics, use of spin and the court by placing some plastic throwdown lines halfway between the service line and the baseline. This becomes the “new” baseline. The court is proportionally wider and shorter, so you will need to make a rule prohibiting hard downthe-line winners and/or restricting the velocity of shots. The object of the game is to use spin and angle – open up the court and hit around or behind your opponent. You can also make a rule that the ball has to go crosscourt for a given number of balls, or you can modify the game further to better suit the needs of your players. Keep score by ones and play to 11, 15 or 21. When my students play this game we have a rule that any winner that crosses the sideline before it passes the (new) baseline is worth 3 points, and we play to 15. Volleys and overheads are allowed, and you may or may not want to have bonus points awarded for these shots as well. If you tell each player the objective is to “run your opponent like a dog,” you will see points that resemble clay court points and players develop a better understanding that there are ways to be aggressive besides pounding the ball.

Another way to build the shot tolerance of your players is to increase the penalty for missed shots early in the rally (a given number of shots) and/or on unforced errors. All of these games work very well as bumper games in junior clinics.

I would be remiss if I did not include a warning – use these games judiciously, as the last thing you want to do is to discourage a player who wants to attack and win points. On other days create games where aggressive play is rewarded.

Robert Lansdorp points out that Michael Chang was 17 years old and had played

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Accept the TAA call to action for 2011 Step up to the One-Clinic Challenge

I

t’s time to start planning your 2011 Tennis Across America events and join the One-Clinic Challenge to help fight one of society’s biggest problems today: unhealthy weight, and specifically childhood obesity.

We’re encouraging every USPTA member to run at least one Tennis Across America event with the theme of Tennis – for the health of it! SM to help spread the word that obesity is now an epidemic, especially with today’s youth devoting more time to computers and other technology than to exercise. In addition, it gives us the opportunity to focus on the long-range health benefits of developing a habit of being active through tennis from early childhood.

We hope members will see just how little effort it takes to run one event and also understand the potential financial benefits they could receive for themselves and their facilities. However, to make our new campaign successful, we need your support. That means you need to get started now and start planning and promoting your May events. Here are a few event ideas you may want to consider:

• • • • • •

Adult clinic Cardio Tennis event Junior clinic Little Tennis event Member/guest event 10-and-under tennis featuring QuickStart Tennis Play Format

In the Tennis Across America section of our website, www.uspta. com, we have provided you with the resources and ideas for your TAA events, tips on building local partnerships, sample materials to help with promoting the events, and much more.

There is also a great deal of added value to hosting TAA events with a focus on Tennis – for the health of it! in May. Since it is also National Physical Fitness Month and Mental Health Month, May is truly a national platform for health and fitness.

Most importantly, the companies in the health and fitness arena that are leading the charge in shaping a healthy America and battling the national obesity epidemic support USPTA’s efforts.

• The American College of Sports Medicine – Exercise is Medicine Initiative • International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association – ­Campaign for a Healthier America • The National Physical Activity Plan • Mental Health America – Live Your Life Well Initiative • Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation

Pairing Tennis Across America with Tennis – for the health of it! can help reverse the child-obesity health crisis. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

They clearly see the potential impact that pairing Tennis Across America with Tennis – for the health of it! can have on helping to turn this health crisis around.

With this highly influential platform and key partnerships at your disposal, can you really afford not to get involved? If we miss this opportunity to use tennis as a vehicle to improve the state of American health, then it’s on us. Let’s get out there and really show them that 15,000 USPTA professionals can make a difference! The USPTA is issuing the One-Clinic Challenge for 2011.

All it takes is one TAA clinic for one hour by each USPTA member to make a difference through tennis!

Will you step up to the challenge?

To register your Tennis Across America event, please visit www.uspta.com and click on the Tennis Across America logo on our home page. For questions or more information, contact Rick Bostrom at 800-877-8248 or sports@uspta.org.  ADDvantage/March 2011

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USPTA kicks off 2011 national tournament series

I

n 2011 the United States Professional Tennis Association will continue to offer its members five national tournaments on several court surfaces as part of the USPTA National Surface Championship Series. USPTA members will have the opportunity to test their playing skills in competition and earn prize money at each event.

The first tournament in the series, the USPTA Indoor Championships, will take place at Lifetime Fitness Fridley Club in Fridley, Minn., from April 15-17. The total prize money for the tournament is $5,000 and will feature events in the following categories: men’s and women’s open singles and doubles competition, men’s and women’s 45 singles and doubles competition, men’s 35 singles, men’s 55 singles and doubles, and mixed open and 45 doubles categories.

“The tournament series has proven to be very popular among our members. Not only do the players get to enjoy the networking and camaraderie with their peers, it gives them the opportunity to compete at a high level on various surfaces at some of the best club venues in the country,” said Chuck Gill, USPTA national vice president and chairman of the Tournament Committee. “The use

of CourtsideUSA will give us the opportunity to bring our events to the next level, with updated photos, rankings, and player results being easily accessed and actually linked to the websites of clubs and facilities everywhere!”

CourtsideUSA is the second largest tennis league management software in the United States. with more than 300,000 users annually.

It not only provides tennis teachers and clubs with access to a free website to build their business and connect with their members/players from one central location, but it also gives teaching professionals the technology they need to run leagues, ladders, tournaments, flex leagues and round robins. In addition, they can also manage lesson bookings, court bookings and events.

The national tournaments are open to Professional-level members in good standing. They are eligible to compete in any of the competitions and the International Championships.

For additional information, please contact the USPTA at 800-USPTA-4U. USPTA Professionals may log in to the “members only” section of the USPTA website at www.uspta.com for more information. 

2011 USPTA National Surface Championship Series schedule: Indoor Championships – April 15-17 Lifetime Fitness Fridley Club, Fridley, Minn.

Clay Court Championships – May 19-22 Ibis Golf and Country Club, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Grass Court Championships – TBA Philadelphia Cricket Club, Philadelphia

International Championships – Sept. 19-22 Wesley Chapel, Fla. (Clay Courts)

Hard Court Championships – Oct. 21-23

Hollytree Country Club and Tyler Tennis & Swim Club, Tyler, Texas

All USPTA Professional members in good standing are eligible to compete in any of the surface championships .

Visit uspta.com for more information.

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ADDvantage/March 2011

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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Dartfish ad

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ADDvantage/March 2011

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

USPTA pros and facilities cited as industry pacesetters

S

everal USPTA Professionals and member-directed tennis “Using modified courts and equipment has increased signifiprograms are among RSI magazine’s 2010 Champions of cantly the number of young children playing tennis at our club,” Tennis.

Staples said. “Watching kids being successful and enjoying their The January 2011 issue of Racquet Sports Industry magazine pays experience is our greatest thrill and also the biggest reason for tribute to some notable people, businesses our high retention. Now that the rules for and organizations that have had a positive 10-and-under tennis have changed to support impact on the sport. the QuickStart format, we are well positioned Ron Woods of Corpus Christi, Texas, was to (further) increase our youth participation.” selected as RSI’s USPTA Member of the Year.

Rene Vidal is the director of tennis at Woods, who is a USPTA Master Professional the Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis, and was recently named USPTA Pro of the which was named the RSI Public Park of the Year, has been an active member for 44 years Year. DDTC is one of the largest municipal and has also been involved in the USTA. He parks in the country. The center, with 19 served as the director of tennis at the Corpus courts and a 1,700-seat stadium, is home to Christi Country Club from 1970 to 2001. the World TeamTennis Pro League’s St. Louis Woods makes a habit of giving back through Aces and hosts many USTA, college and high tennis. He has helped raise money for the school events. It also is involved with “Just nonprofit Tennis Success Program and has Us,” a program that gives inner-city youth hosted a Tennis Across America event for the the chance to learn tennis. “We’re grateful last 20 years. to be recognized by Racquet Sports Industry “It is a great honor to be chosen by RSI magazine,” Vidal said. “This honor motivates for USPTA Member of the Year,” Woods said. us to continue to serve the St. Louis region “The work I have done for many associations through talent development, personal service, locally, divisionally, sectionally and nationally Ron Woods – RSI’s USPTA Member of the Year and creative programming.” is the same type of work and effort that many USPTA professionals Scott Novak is the director of tennis at the Copeland-Cox are doing for our great game and profession on a daily basis. This Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala., which was named the RSI Muaward should go to many others as well in the industry.” nicipal Facility of the Year. The center is the world’s largest public Butch Staples was chosen as one of two Junior Tennis Cham- tennis facility with 60 lighted courts, a pro shop, clubhouse and pions of the Year. Staples is director of tennis at Midtown Tennis many more amenities. Novak has been a USPTA-certified memClub in Chicago and Leah Friedman, his co-honoree, is junior ber for 19 years. The facility is scheduled to host 30 tournaments development director. Midtown starts teaching children tennis, in 2011. using the QuickStart format, at age 3. The club’s junior program For a complete list of 2010 RSI Champions of Tennis categories has 500 players at various levels. and recipients, visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com. 

Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis, the RSI Public Park of the Year. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Butch Staples, center, and Bo McWhorter share the excitement of the game with young players. Staples is a co-honoree for promoting junior tennis.

ADDvantage/March 2011

23

USPTA members will coach U.S. teams at 2011 World University Games

U

SPTA Member Ryan Freeman, a seasoned tennis player and coach from Denver, is preparing the American tennis squad to compete in the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China this August. Assisting Freeman on the coaching staff is Bryon Gill, USPTA, director of the famed Rick Macci Tennis Academy, and Lauren Jones Spencer, head coach for the BYU women’s team.

The U.S. tennis team includes nine players representing seven different universities from around the country. The World University Games are played every two years and attract more than 9,000 players and coaches representing universities from around the globe.

A strong mix of men and women, the team met and practiced at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy this past summer. Busy college schedules mean the players and coaches will not practice together again until this August. Working in partnership with their university coaches, Freeman and his staff are dedicating the coming months to preparing the team for the 2011 games despite their geographic distance. Coaches and players will reunite in San Francisco before heading to China together for the competition.

Players not only must prepare for competition, but also work at fundraising. Since the NCAA doesn’t pay for the team’s participation in the games, Coach Freeman and staff have reached out to the tennis community for financial support. Thanks to a sponsorship from Tennis Superstore, a donation center has been set up through its site at tennisgrants.com where people can show their support for the players. Other sponsors include; Solfire, official clothing sponsor, Solar Bat Leverage, official sunglasses, Power Balance Bands, and Whole Brain Empowerment. 

Classifieds BOOKS AND VIDEOS www.netprofittennis.com

Log on and see why NETPROFIT: The Business Program for Club ­Tennis ­P rofessionals by Dave ­Sivertson is a must for the career development of all tennis professionals or call 805-222-5397.

Tennis Intelligence Applied. www.Tennissmith.com, 365-plus videos, fact-based system for players, parents and coaches. Proven results in progressive player development

by Steve Smith.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Tennis club for sale in Pinehurst, N.C. Owner financing available. Seven lighted clay courts, pool and pro shop.

Call 910-783-8382.

DRILLS NEED TENNIS DRILLS? USPTA Master Professional Jorge Capestany’s new website has more than 700 videos of tennis drills and tips. Log on to www. tennisdrills.tv to see (and print) more than 18 free samples.

EMPLOYMENT USPTA’s Find-a-Pro. The best job-posting service so you can find the best jobs, free. For more information, visit uspta.com.

TennisJobs.com – The tennis industry’s ONLY international tennis professional employment service. Subscribe today!

TENNIS PRODUCTS PRO/COACH PRICING on racquets, apparel, shoes, bags, balls, strings and accessories. Get baskets, carts, training equipment, books, videos and more. www.TennisExpress.com/800833-6615.

QM-1 Portable Camera Support.

Extendable pole, precalibrated system places on fence, from either side, quick and easy. MyTennisTools.com.

VACATION OPPORTUNITIES Five-Star Caribbean Resorts are Waiting for You! Working ­vacations available for certified tennis professionals. Family and couple resorts available. ­Contact: www.fitbodiesinc.com or call ­Denise Cox, 678-778-4673.

Tell us what’s on your mind or what works for you!

Ever wanted to publish an article? This is your chance!

Send us your tips or articles on coaching children, high school players, recreational adults – any level – or other subjects such as economic challenges, popular programming, player development, ethics, job security – any tennis-related topic you want to address.

Remember, having an article published in ADDvantage can enhance your career or add to your resume.

(Plus you may get some interesting feedback.)

Also, being published in ADDvantage is worth 25 points toward USPTA Master Professional certification (a maximum of 50 is allowed).

Please no editorial or opinion pieces.

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

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ADDvantage/March 2011

Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.) Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to 713978-7780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone.

No exceptions are made. USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. The USPTA is committed to the policy that all people have equal access to its programs, facilities, employment and membership without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status. USPTA is an equal opportunity employer. USPTA reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion, or to edit the advertisement to be certain that any employment requirements set forth in it conform with the law.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Dennis Ralston: Ready to start a whole new game

by Jill Phipps, USPTA staff writer

D

ennis Ralston faced a tough decision at the age of 17. He could join his friends at his high school graduation or travel to England and compete in doubles at the Wimbledon Championships.

With the heart of a champion, Dennis Ralston is turning adversity into opportunity. Getting back on court to coach, he hopes to reach others, like himself, who use prosthetics or wheelchairs.

While the boy from Bakersfield, Calif., was an indomitable junior player, he was not so sure he was ready to step onto the “hallowed grounds” of the All-England Club – alongside his first-time partner.

But with encouragement from his parents and realizing how valuable an experience it would be, Ralston took the challenge. And he’s glad he did. Although he missed walking across the stage at his high school graduation, he and his partner, Raphael Osuna of Mexico, stepped up into the Royal Box at Wimbledon to receive their trophies from the Duchess of Kent.

That dream-come-true – and the first of five Grand Slam doubles titles – was only the beginning of a celebrated career.

Ralston went on to play NCAA championship tennis at the University of Southern California; lead U.S. Davis Cup teams to victory as both a player and captain; tour with his hero, Pancho Gonzales, and become one of the top players in the world; coach Southern Methodist University teams, as well as players such as Chris Evert, Yannick Noah and Gabriela Sabatini; and earn induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In stark contrast to those glory days, continued next page

Spoken like a true champion …

(A few words from Dennis Ralston) “My mom always told me, “Don’t get a big head just because you can play tennis better than somebody else. I always remembered that. …

Everybody went out of their way to help me when I was coming up. I always felt that was what you do – help the younger players coming up. It’s paying back.”

“When I was growing up, anybody could teach; there were no standards, really. I think it’s very important that tennis professionals are together, that they have goals to grow the game and help promote it. That’s what the USPTA has done, and I’m proud to be a member.”

“I am proud of my individual accomplishments, coaching and being with Chrissie (Chris Evert) and things like that. I don’t have any regrets really, but I would have liked to win a Grand Slam singles event; it’s sort of like a missing mark in my career. I know now what I should have done when I played in the finals of Wimbledon (against Manuel Santana in 1966). But it’s a little late now (he laughs).”

“The two biggest things for me were winning the Davis Cup in 1963 as a player and winning in 1972 as the captain. You’re representing the United States and that’s the highest honor that you could ever have. When they play the Star Spangled Banner in a foreign country it’s amazing how you feel.”

Dennis Ralston, left, shares a bond with 14-year-old wheelchair tennis player, Dustin Strelsky. Strelsky’s coach, Fernando Velasco, right, says Ralston has been “a wonderful inspiration” to the promising junior.

Photo by Circle C Tennis Club. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

“I’ve been in the game six decades – that’s a long time. I’ve seen the game change and I’ve seen the game stay the same. There were no tiebreakers and you didn’t sit down for three minutes; you didn’t sit down at all, just changed sides. You didn’t have someone to rub your body if you were injured. If anybody touched you, you were done. …Today’s players hit the ball harder and don’t go to the net very much, but it’s still one against one. It revolves around the mental toughness, the quickness and the choice of shots. It’s still about the battle, the same as when I played in the ’50s and ’60s. My gosh, (Pancho) Gonzales hit a serve 125 miles an hour with a wooden racquet; just image what he would do with one of today’s racquets ….”

ADDvantage/March 2011

25

from previous page 2010 was a rough year for this Life Member of USPTA. He developed a bad staph infection after surgery for an old foot injury, and later a bacterial infection that threatened to infiltrate his artificial knee (his playing days left him with bilateral knee implants).

In June he had his left leg amputated below the knee. Yet that wasn’t the end of his ordeal. In addition to a couple more surgeries and temporarily using a wheelchair, Ralston, along with family and friends, decided it was time to get off the pain pills he had been taking. So he attended the Betty Ford Center last December.

Ralston came out of rehab both drugfree and “on a mission.” He’s prepared to talk about the dangers of prescription-drug addiction. He’s also ready to help other amputees find inspiration through tennis.

He said he never had any doubt he would return to tennis. In fact, he was recently fitted with a “really cool” prosthetic leg designed especially for tennis and golf

by Orthotics and Prosthetic Technologies of Austin, Texas. He’s still struggling to regain his own mobility, but feels fortunate to be able to walk.

The former champ said he might eventually try to play some doubles, but right now he is concentrating on learning to get around again – and getting ready to resume teaching.

Ralston and his wife, Linda, who are currently living with their daughter in Houston, will be moving to Austin as soon as they can find housing so Dennis can start working with Fernando Velasco, his longtime friend and a USPTA Master Professional.

Ralston will serve as a “pro emeritus” at Velasco’s Circle C Tennis Club in Austin, Texas, conducting private lessons and special events, such as clinics and camps for juniors and adults.

He already has a jump on his new role. Last October, he accepted Velasco’s invitation to conduct several clinics at Circle C, including a “First Volley Clinic” for players who have prosthetics or use wheelchairs.

He has also started helping Velasco coach a promising 14-year-old wheelchair player named Dustin Strelsky, who has been named the Children’s Miracle Net-

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ADDvantage/March 2011

– Profile of Dennis Ralston – from the International Tennis Hall of Fame website (tennisfame.com): Born: July 27, 1942 Place of Birth: Bakersfield, Calif.

Citizenship: United States Induction Category: Recent Player Year of Induction: 1987 Highest World Singles Ranking: 5 Highest U.S. Singles Ranking: 1

Ralston gets back on court for a clinic at Circle C Tennis Club in Austin, Texas, last October.

Photo by Aaron Foreman, Orthotic and Prosthetic Technologies.

work Champion Child for Texas. Ralston is looking forward to getting back on court with Dustin to help offer tips and encouragement. He said the teen “is really improving and his smile says everything.”

Ralston, who was unable to work for two years, says his own saving grace has been his wife, three children and grandchildren, as well as some good friends, including Velasco, Charlie Pasarell and Tommy Tucker, who have initiated fund-raising on his behalf through the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

“The people in tennis are special; it’s a family kind of thing, really,” Ralston said. “That’s the amazing thing about the game.”

In that family frame of mind, he speaks of his current progress as a team effort: “I’m thankful that we’re where we are and I look to forward to what the next chapter has.”  Tax-deductible contributions to the Dennis Ralston fund may be made payable to the International Tennis Hall of Fame – Dennis Ralston Trust Fund., c/o Nancy Cardoza 194 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840. An account also has been opened in Austin. Anyone interested in contributing should e-mail Fernando Velasco at fernando_velasco@circlectennis.com or call him at 512-301-8685.

No one in his time played the game of tennis with more polish, precision or fluidity than Dennis Ralston. When he was at the height of his powers in the 1960s – finishing three consecutive years as the No. 1-ranked man in the United States – he made the game look as if it was invented for him, developing a masterful forehand volley that was his signature shot. Ralston later established himself as an estimable American Davis Cup captain and as the esteemed coach of Chris Evert.

Grand Slam Record • French Open – Doubles champion 1966 • Wimbledon – Doubles champion 1960 • U.S. National Championship – Doubles champion 1961, 1963-64 Career Achievements • Davis Cup Team Member 1960-66 • Davis Cup Team Captain 1972-75

Photo courtesy of International Tennis Hall of Fame.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

USPTA drills Offense/defense doubles pattern

Type: Doubles Category: Doubles/strategy and tactics Levels: Intermediate/adv.

Time/players: 15 minutes/1-8

prepared by Umang Chadda, USPTA

Description and goals: Drill designed for communication, positioning, shot selection and offense/defense point pattern.

Organization: Players A and B start on the service line with Players C and D on the opposite baseline. Pro feeds first ball high in the middle of the court so Player B can poach and hit offensive volley. Player A moves to cover the other side of the court. Point is played out.

When the point is over, pro feeds second ball low to Player A, who is forced to hit a defensive volley. Point is played out. When that point ends, all players rotate out and new teams rotate in.

Keep score as teams and play to 11.

Serve progression

Key points: Net players should focus on hitting aggressive poach and hitting defensive low volley deep. Baseline players should focus on defending against the poach and taking advantage of the defensive volley.

Type: Singles/doubles Levels: Beginner/int./adv.

prepared by USPTA

Description and goals: This drill will develop consistency and placement of serves.

Organization: Player A starts at station one (S1) and Player B starts at station 4 (S4). Each player hits a first and second serve to each zone representing the Alley (A), Body (B) and Center (C). After players serve to all zones, they move back to stations S2 and S5 and hit two serves to each zone. Then they move back to stations S3 and S6 and again hit two serves to each zone. After players complete all stations, they rotate out and switch sides, and Players C and D rotate in. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Variations: Start poach from other side. Let a team that wins both points stay in and play another team. Let teams rotate to net positions. Do it as a singles drill.

Category: Serve Time/players: 15 minutes/1-4

Variations: Players progress to next station only if both serves hit the correct zone. If players miss a zone, they must return to the starting station and start over.

Key points: Players should focus on getting the serves over the net and placing them in the correct zones.

Generated by iTennisSystem – www.InterTennis.com

ADDvantage/March 2011

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Career Development conventions

(division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference, 8 credits)

March 4-6

Mid-Atlantic Division Charlottesville, Va.

May 12-14

Southern Division Baton Rouge, La.

May 15-16

Eastern Division Mount Kisco, N.Y.

May 20-22

New England Division Newport, R.I.

May 31- June 5

Florida Division Port St. Lucie, Fla.

June 2-5

Pacific Northwest Division Portland, Ore.

exams, upgrades & certification review courses (4 credits for PTCA I segment) March 4 Minneapolis March 4 Charlottesville, Va. March 6 Hilton Head Island, S.C. March 6 Bonita Springs, Fla. March 11 Rochester, N.Y. March 13 Jackson, Miss.

March 18 Oklahoma City, Okla.

March 19-20 Boca Raton, Fla. March 20 Columbus, Ohio March 20 Birmingham, Ala. March 21 Valencia, Calif.

March 21-22 Houston* March 27 Rome, Ga. March 28 Greenwood, Colo.

April 3 Lexington, Ky. April 5-6 San Francisco April 9-10 Atlanta April 10-11 Los Angeles April 11 Richmond, Va. April 14-15 Port Washington, N.Y.

April 16-17 April 16-17 April 17 April 18 April 20-21 April 23-24 April 23-24 April 24 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 2 May 8 May 14 May 14-15 May 14-15 May 16 May 22

Aurora, Ill. Rockville, Md. New Orleans Indian Wells, Calif.

Tyler, Texas Big Rapids, Mich.

Fayetteville, N.C. Des Moines, Iowa Hilton Head Island, S.C. Ocala, Fla. Nashville, Tenn.

Conway, Ark. Long Beach, Calif.

San Diego St. Louis Boca Raton, Fla. Baton Rouge, La. Frederick, Md. Columbia, S.C.

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.

specialist degrees Little Tennis® Facility Management

 

Computer Technology  Sport Science 

Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.

specialty courses Doubles connection, March 4, Charlottesville, Va., M. Fairchilds

Competitive Player Development Pro Shop Operations

 



Wheelchair Tennis

CPD (Competitive Player Development) – Gained through the USA ­Tennis High Performance Coaching Program a ­ dministered by the USA Tennis Coaching E ­ ducation Department.

For more information about USPTA’s specialist degrees, including applications, please visit our Web site at www.uspta.com or contact the USPTA Education Department at 800-USPTA-4U or education@uspta.org.

cardio tennis April 16

Houston

(Seminar DVDs, ½ credit/specialty course DVDs, 2 credits)

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. Schedule is subject to change.

Call the USPTA Education Department for more information or e-mail education@uspta.org.

Earn education credits from World Conference DVDs Receive your education credit report card via e-mail by visiting the members-only section of uspta.com.

Please visit www.growingtennis.com (workshops) to register online.

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ADDvantage/March 2011

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

USPTA ad

Industry action Members – The USPTA Southwest Division honored Mark Pachtner, director of tennis at Troon Country Club, with the 2010 Stars Award at its annual conference at Carefree Resort & Conference Center in Arizona.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the community, either through tennis or other endeavors. Pachtner directed the Special Olympics Tennis Fun Day at Troon this past December, with more than 90 athletes and volunteers participating.

He also partnered with USTA Southwest (Central Arizona) in promoting grassroots play through QuickStart Tennis clinics

and he offered free beginner classes at Troon Country Club and Scottsdale elementary schools.

Manufacturers Dunlop announces a first-ever Facebook application that allows fans to design their own biomimetic tennis racquet. The application gives all Dunlop Facebook friends the ability to color, place logos, and add text to the frame. Once their design is completed, all racquets will be saved and judged by Dunlop.

The winning designer will have a racquet made to his or her biomimetic racquet specifications.

Dates and rules for the competition will be posted

The Rush-Copley Healthplex Fitness Center in Aurora, Ill., kicked off the new year with the first USTA QuickStart Workshop/Training Center Camp for the USTA Midwest Section. The day-long symposium on Jan. 8 was headed up by USPTA Professional Butch Staples and his assistant, Leah Friedman.

Thirteen coaches and 33 kids attended. Topics included QuickStart Tennis format, with age-appropriate play situations and games for 5-6 year olds, 7-8 year-olds and 9-10 year-olds, recreational QuickStart Tennis practice plans, and competitive games. Pictured is USPTA Professional Butch Staples, back row and center. Also pictured are USPTA Professionals Betsy Bowker, Bret Schrama and Mike Lange, along with Mike Haber, Leah Friedman, Rich Fiocchi and Matt Smucker.

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ADDvantage/March 2011

San Diego City College has been introducing tennis to hundreds of students every semester with quality instruction at just over $50 for 18 weeks of instruction. SDCC has been contributing to the tennis community for more than 30 years. Angel Lopez, USPTA, donated Wilson tennis balls and racquets to the men’s and women’s tennis teams. From left to right: Coach Gretchen Magers, Angel Lopez, tennis director at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club, Kathy McGinnis, Melissa Chaysouk, sophomore varsity tennis player, and Coach Brandon Lupian. on Facebook. The Dunlop page is listed on Facebook as Dunlop Sport and is located at www.facebook. com/dunlopsport.

Hundreds of fans have already designed racquets with this app. It was built with Adobe Flex and Flash utilizing a Papervision3D engine.

The PowerBase Tennis Trainer is a unique tennis skills device that allows players to hit the ball and have it return at game speed. This means no more chasing balls, hitting off a wall or using a ball machine. It’s great for working on all types of strokes, quickness, hand/ eye coordination and stamina. The PowerBase debuted in retail stores

and online in January and retails for $39.95. For more information, visit www.sklz.com.

Converse has launched the Jack Purcell Evo tennis shoe. It combines the classic look Jack Purcell is known for with state-of-the art Nike technologies, making it one of the lightest and most comfortable tennis shoes ever built. The upper sports a stylish glen plaid mono-mesh woven with Nike Flywire technology for the perfect blend of breathable performance and style. Nike Lunarlon Foam gives the shoe a light and bouncy feel. The trademark rubber toe sports the Jack Purcell smile just as it did more than 75 years ago. The Jack Purcell Evo will be available in crimson and white with the Jack Purcell logo in limited release at independent tennis www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Industry action

retailers nationwide and www.converse.com for MSRP $110.

Miscellany Famed tennis player and renowned international tennis coach, Roger Rasheed, is helping children enhance their lives through the benefits of sports; and Maui Jim, Inc., will support the new endeavor as one of its

first corporate sponsors.

Rasheed is the youngest player to have qualified for the Australian Open, former coach of Lleyton Hewitt, current coach of Gaël Monfils, and a noted sports commentator.

The new Roger Rasheed Sporting Fund will operate under the auspices of the Little Heroes Foundation in Provo, Utah. The fund provides financial support to organizations that give sporting opportunities and products to children who would not otherwise have access to them. The goal is to help children

The sixth-grade Girl Scout Lego Robotics Team, “Merrick Masters,” visited Hempstead Lake Indoor Tennis, in West Hempstead, N.Y., with its robot, Tobor, to experience wheelchair tennis with USPTA Professional Daniel Burgess, director of tennis, in preparation for the First Lego League challenge.

The girls are part of a Lego robotics project sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. The theme for the competition is the world of biomedical engineering. The team is working on a concept design for adaptive tennis equipment for those who have limited use of their hands. Burgess provided the girls with an introduction to wheelchair tennis and a look at how to help people improve their quality of life through recreational tennis. As part of the research, the team also video chatted through Skype with Marie Vanasse, a biomedical engineer graduate, prosthetic engineer, and tennis pro who works with First Volley. This organization assists amputees and orthosis wearers who wish to enjoy the game of tennis, but choose not to sit in a wheelchair to do so. First Volley organizes tennis clinics through the Orthodic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund organization to provide a sense of accomplishment, pride and enjoyment for participants. The team hopes to use its research to develop a tennis racquet for someone who uses a prosthetic device or has limited or no grip strength. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

develop healthier, more active lives, enriched by teamwork, discipline, respect and camaraderie.

VIP Sporting Teams of celebrities, business and community leaders will mentor and engage with children and their families. Applications may be submitted to: Little Heroes Foundation, 3585 N. University Ave., Suite 325, Provo, Utah 84604.

For more information, call 801-377-1423 or visit littleheroesfoundation.org.

The Vanderbilt Tennis Club is currently accepting deposits to play at its new indoor courts and practice facility, nearing final phases of construction inside Grand Central Terminal in New York City and expected to open in September 2011. The courts, located on the fourth floor and a newly-constructed fifth floor overlooking Vanderbilt Hall, will be operated under a leasing arrangement with the Manhattan Tennis Association. Facilities will include one full-size court and several practice alleys. Lounge and locker facilities will also be constructed in a space totaling approximately 8,800 square feet. The main court boasts an amazing view of Central Park South. To inquire about reserving court time, contact Vanderbilt Tennis at 614-775-9269 or vanderbilttcgct@aol.com.

3M Gripping Material can mean performance advantage for athletes, workers and do-ityourselfers. The thin

material consists of thousands of gripping fingers on one side, and 3M high-performance adhesive on the other.

It sticks on contact to handles, shafts, new gloves and other products and equipment, and stays put to increase friction and decrease slippage, even in wet or oily conditions. For more information about 3M Gripping Material and the new trial bags, please visit Shop 3M at http://tinyurl. com/6876j8z or call 800362-3550.

Corral your teammates! T Bar M Resort in New Braunfels, Texas, is sponsoring a Texas Tennis Cowgirl Challenge on May 6-8. The tournament, a weekend of fun and tennis in the Texas Hill Country, will begin at 1 p.m. that Friday and end at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Teams of six to eight women will be placed in pools for roundrobin competition, playing three lines of doubles in each round. The entry period closes March 1, or when the draw is full.

The entry fee is $310 per player for condominium stay (minimum occupancy of six), or $260 per player for hotel stay (minimum occupancy of three). Condos have limited availability. Fees include: three guaranteed matches, on-site housing, Friday night player party, breakfast, Saturday lunch, tournament gift, winners’ trophies, and complimentary “adult” beverages. For more information, visit www. jktennis.com.

ADDvantage/March 2011

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