Addvantage 2013 December

contents the total professional – enhancing your career

7 2014 USPTA National Committee Chairpersons

9 Cardio Tennis “Branded” – Separate yourself from the competition by avoiding these 10 mistakes – by Michael Harper, Jr., USPTA

departments 3 CEO’s message 5 Vice president’s message 19 Staff spotlights 22 Career development 24 Industry Action

13 Two 100-point tests to measure depth and accuracy – Scoring skill tests for the serve and groundstrokes – by Dan O’Connell, USPTA

15 PRO focus zone – by Rob Arner, USPTA

ADDvantage magazine to merge with Tennis Industry magazine

USPTA and Tennis Industry magazine have made an agreement that will expand the reach of both publications and raise the profile with USPTA tennis-teaching Professionals. The USPTA ADDvantage section will appear in each issue of Tennis Industry magazine. The first combined issue will be the January issue. All U.S. subscribers as well as USPTA members in the U.S. will receive the printed edition. International USPTA members will receive the digital edition. The digital edition of ADDvantage will continue to be online at addvantageuspta.com.

On the cover – Megan Falcon of Baton Rouge, La., won the women’s open singles title after going undefeated in round robin play at the $13,000 USPTA Hard Court Championships at the Hollytree Country Club in Tyler, Texas.

volume 36 • issue 12

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 email – magazine@uspta.org www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Managing editor Circulation

Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan

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

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. 2013. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA. ADDvantage/December 2013

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CEO’s message

My, how time flies!

D

uring the Thanksgiving and Christmas holi- would remain committed to those practices that have days, I tend to use the occasion to take stock stood the test of time and continue to be vital to the in what has transpired in both my personal association. and professional life during that previous year. In the I am proud to recap the transformation of the case of 2013, it is almost inconceivable to contemplate USPTA below: what has occurred during my first year at the helm as CEO of the USPTA. 1. We renegotiated our energy contract With your indulgence, let me recap the at the World Headquarters that will stunning transformation that has taken save more than 39 percent in our energy place within your association. costs starting December 2013. That is One year ago, I had two major a savings of $41,000 per year. relocations: one from Newtown, Pa., to ­Chicago (in August) and then in 2. The unoccupied space in our buildDecember, from Chicago to Houston. ing has been reduced from 26 percent Talk about major upheaval in my family to less than 14 percent with the opporlife ... tunity to lower it even further with two One year ago, I assumed the awenew pending leases. And, by relocating John Embree some responsibility as your new CEO, the entire staff up to the second floor taking over from an industry icon. of our office, we hope to rent out the Getting up to speed on all of the intricacies of this downstairs space that the USPTA has occupied, association was no easy task, and I continue to generating significant income to the association. learn every day. The time that I took to assess the USPTA, both from an external perspective as well 3. We announced a series of new tangible membership as from the inside, proved to be incredibly valuable benefits that will excite even the most cynical among in charting the course that we have created in our us: Providing a source to secure health care for all Strategic Plan. certified members who may have previously been Early in January, there had to be a reorganization denied coverage for themselves and their families; of the staff in Houston in order to “right size” our the Retirement Gold+ program (which will be structure and get our financial house back in order. We supported by our vendor community) that will are operating with seven fewer people today than last give every certified member in good standing who year at this time with no immediate plans to increase wants a retirement savings vehicle customized for our payroll. I firmly believe that more of your memtheir particular needs; FREE access to Emirates bership dues should be dedicated to providing better Airline US OPEN Series events in the summer programming, enhanced education and improved on specific designated days; a USPTA trip to the benefits than toward a bloated staff.

2014 Australian Open, which could not have been Exactly 34 days after taking the reigns, we received offered at the price that it commands without the word of Tim Heckler’s untimely passing. It was shockstrong relationship that the USPTA has with Tennis ing to all of us and to the industry in general. The staff Australia; and “gap” insurance with Rezilientdirect. showed its strength in pulling together and pushing com to help insure our members in case of a calamiforward under stressful circumstances. tous event such as cancer, heart attack, strokes or Since that time, we have been on a mission to accidents. These are just a few of the new benefits evaluate everything that the association has done in now made available with more on the way. Now, the past to see if there is a better way to do things. no one should question the rationale from writing If so, we made a commitment to change. If not, we their dues check to the USPTA any longer.

It has been tough to quantify all of the wonderful initiatives that we are undertaking ... Yet, I hope it crystallizes in your own mind why you elected to make the USPTA your professional association. There is so much good to come that I hope you share my enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

continued next page www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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from previous page 4. A streamlining of our entire membership structure to make it more clearly defined for the tennis playing public and the owners/managers who hire us has taken shape. Along with it comes a revamped testing process that will teach our newest members how to be better teachers rather than just finding out what they know about their profession.

5. A commitment to continuing education that has been a long time coming. If we intend to follow our stated mission of “elevating the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches,” then to ask every member to take 12 hours or 6 credits of education over a three year time period is nothing. Name me another profession that doesn’t require more rigorous standards.

You would be hard-pressed to find any. And the fact that any new professional coming into our association has to take 7.5 hours of online and face-to-face education on 10 and Under Tennis prior to becoming certified can only help raise our standards.

6. Our alignment with the PTR on four core principals that include the pre- and post-certification (mentioned above), along with background checks in the future to protect our children and the opening up of our education platforms to members of each association is a solid first step to what I hope will be a long-term goal of bringing us together so that we have one strong and unified voice in the industry for all teaching professionals.

7. Having just recently concluded the most invigorating and energizing World Conference in Orlando in quite some time is an indication of better things to come at future World Conferences. Not only did we exceed our attendance goals (the highest paid attendance in five years), and our net revenue projections, Orlando proved to be a coming out party for the “new” USPTA. With the new education format and the overhaul of our entire agenda, you can expect a fabulous program at the next conference in NYC in August! Who doesn’t want to go to New York to experience the US Open?

USPTA President Tom McGraw, Director of USTA Tennis Coaching Education Paul Lubbers, and USPTA CEO John Embree.

8. The positive working relationship that we have established with a host of allied organizations, such as the USTA and CMAA, will only help grow the sport and create better opportunities for our professionals to improve their livelihood. At the end of the day, that may just be the most important responsibility that we have as a non-profit trade association.

9. Despite the contested nature of the general election, the democratic process that was established by those leaders who came before us worked. It is time to move ahead to making this association relevant, vibrant and proactive. It is my firm belief that the majority of our membership wants to look to a more positive future. And I know the members of the board want to do so as well.

10. Finally, we have been negotiating with the entire tennis vendor community on new agreements with the USPTA that will be exciting to announce in just a few short weeks.

11. I will have traveled to eight of our division conventions during the year. I have so enjoyed the chance to meet personally with so many members and to share my vision for the USPTA. My goal is to make as many of the other division conventions as possible next year, schedules permitting. I am committed to make it to all of them by 2015!

USPTA CEO John Embree negotiates an agreement for USPTA’s Retirement Gold+ program. From left, front row: John Embree, John Terry and Steve Sandberg. Back row: Charles Wadlington and Tom McGraw.

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It has been tough to quantify all of the wonderful initiatives that we are undertaking in the space provided here in this article.

Yet, I hope it crystallizes in your own mind why you elected to make the USPTA your professional association. There is so much good to come that I hope you share my enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

May 2014 bring you lots of joy and professional satisfaction.

Take some time during this holiday season to reflect on all that you have and be thankful that we can make a living doing what we love to do: put smiles on people’s faces! Thanks for your support of the USPTA. It is my humble privilege to serve you.  www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Vice president’s message

New certification categories will benefit our association

National Board of Directors President

Tom McGraw

First Vice President

Chuck Gill

Vice Presidents

O

ur association will move forward on Jan. 1, with a re-organization of our membership categories. I believe that these new categories will make it clearer for our industry and easier for employers to understand, and will create a better progression toward achieving Master Professional status.

The categories will change from Professional 1, 2 and 3 to a more streamlined Professional (formerly P-2, P-3) and Elite Professional (formerly P-1). All new applicants will be tested and enter our association at the Professional level using the existing certification process Gary that has had minor modifications.

Future upgrading to the Elite status will require the highest standards in the private and group lessons, as well as continuing education and new written, stroke analysis and feeding exams.

Our partners in the tennis industry and the general public will have a better understanding of our certification levels, and the knowledge of the new process to achieve these levels will add to our stature. Other fitness and management associations can align their certification needs

Alan Cutler Jack Michalko

with a clear understanding of our certification process.

The employment opportunities in our industry are very diverse. Public centers, commercial clubs and private country clubs, to name a few, will now be able to advertise for positions with more precision. It will also be easier for managers to recognize employees who upgrade their certification or improve themselves through the association’s educational opportunities.

There always seemed to be a large gap between the Professional 1 and Master Professional categories.

Members always speculate that the Trost pathway to the Master Professional is almost futile, but after Jan. 1, the journey will seem a little shorter and within reach.

As I conclude, I must give recognition to the National Headquarters staff for all their hard work making these changes possible. Also, every tester is to be educated in the modification of the existing test and upgraded to administer the Elite Professional exam. All testers will have to pass a test created by the certification committee. Thank you to all the testers in our association. 

Dan Moster Diane Selke Gary Trost

Past President

Tom Daglis

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO

John Embree

Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development Director of Membership and Certification

Vicky Tristan

Membership/ Melony DeLoach Insurance Coordinator Membership/ Kimberlee Ablahat Certification Coordinator Director of Computer Services

Kathy Buchanan

Creative Services Director

Julie Myers

Publications Manager/ Managing Editor

Kim Forrester

Public Relations Coordinator

Christiana Johns

USPTAplayer.com Manager Randy Jenks Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator Director of Finance Controller

Kathy Ladner Ellen Weatherford

Human Resources Director Matt Stotts Director of Video Production Chris Maale Graphic Design Specialist Nick Warwick Digital Asset Coordinator/ Ramona Husaru Tennis Multimedia Management

The membership categories will change to the following:

Director of Information Technology

Dan Wilson

Recreational Coach (remains the same) Professional (formerly P-2 and P-3) Elite Professional (formerly P-1) Master Professional (remains the same)

Information Technology/ Multimedia

Scott Bucic

Legal Counsel

In 2014, in order to become a Professional, applicants will need to complete the following: • Written exam (online) • Feeding competency – existing exam • Private (one-on-one, 25 minutes) • Group (three or four students, 25 minutes) • Grip exam – existing online exam • Stroke production – existing exam • Youth Coaching Education Program In 2014, in order to become an Elite Professional, members will need to complete the following: • Elite level in private lesson, group lesson and stroke production • Continuing education – earn 16 specialty courses credits and 24 APC credits • Online written exam • Feeding competency • Stroke analysis (online)

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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/December 2013

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www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

2014 USPTA National Committee Chairpersons: Adaptive Tennis – Rich Walker Allied Associations: ATP – Raul Saad CMAA – Tom McGraw and Tom Daglis IHRSA – Chuck Gill TIA – Tom McGraw USTA – Tom McGraw WTA – Bunny Bruning Awards – Dan Moster Budget and Finance – Chuck Gill College Curriculum – Doug Eng Conventions – Diane Selke

CLASSIFIEDS Clay court maintenance The Smith 3C Clay Court Conditioners are the next generation of highly engineered/ powered equipment to keep your fast-dry courts in desirable likenew condition. Manufactured in the U.S. and available for immediate shipment starting under $3,000. You can scarify a light top-dressing, mill 5/8" back to like-new powder, loosen hard packed sub-surface watered courts, or remove algae. Rejuvenate and renew your fast-dry courts. Call M. Kohlman at 805-550-0149 or email mkohlman@tcsn.net.

For more information, visit ­www. claycourtconditioner.com.

Diversity and Inclusion – Club for sale Diane Selke and Bill Leong

Charlotte Racquet Club North has a 4,400-square-foot clubhouse Education – on 10.7 acres with a 4,000-square Alan Cutler and Feisal Hassan foot covered deck and patio. The Endorsements – Chuck Gill clubhouse includes a fitness center, pro shop, restrooms, kitchen, Ethics Screening – Tom Daglis offices, storage, and large club room. The clubhouse overlooks Hall of Fame – Bill Tym 12 lighted underground watered Information Technology – Alan Cutler clay courts, and two lighted hard courts. The club also has a Junior Job Market – Tom Sweitzer Olympic pool with large slide and connected kiddie pool with water Strategic Planning – National Board function machines. The club Membership – Jack Michalko received national recognition as new club of the year in 2003 from

(Jason Gilbert, Dave Porter) the USTA and the club currently Nominating – hosts five USTA sanctioned tournaments including the

Molly Card-Beckmann NC State Closed Clay Court Public Relations – Championships (8 yrs). Sale price 2.5M, loan assumption available.

Jeff Hawes and Joe Roediger Email: crcnrs@bellsouth.net.

Sports Science and Sports Medicine – Drills Lane Evans

10 and Under Tennis – NEED TENNIS DRILLS? USPTA Master Professional Jorge

Bill Phillips Capestany’s new website has

Testing and Certification – more than 1,000 videos of tennis drills and tips. Log on to www.

Gary Trost tennisdrills.tv to see (and print)

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

Subscriptions FREE SAMPLE Bob Larson’s Tennis Jobs newsletter. Daily newsletter lists new tennis jobs in USA. For sample, email jobs@tennisnews.com.

Tennis products Playmate Genie with 2 programmers. Remote, plus a Playmate ball sweeper. Pristine condition (in Ohio) $3,900. Pictures and more info: ghdredge@ctcn.net.

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.

GRIP COACH is a practical product that has simple and easyto-follow guidelines, making it ideal for adults and kids to learn tennis grips. Players and coaches love the Grip Coach because it maximizes coaching time for everyone. Visit: www.gripcoach. com.au.

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.

Tournament and Rankings – more than 25 free samples.

Dan Moster (Chuck Gill)

USPTA Foundation – Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter.

Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone

Nancy Cox and Warren Lem number, credit card number and expiration date. Email magazine@uspta.org or fax to 713-358-7794, 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

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www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Tips from the pros

Cardio Tennis “Branded”

Separate yourself from the competition by avoiding these 10 mistakes

by Michael Harper Jr., USPTA

P

icture this: you’ve just gone through your official Cardio Tennis training course and are now a licensed Cardio Tennis Professional. You come back to your club, start your classes and they are going great! Shortly thereafter you see that the club down the street is advertising “Cardio Tennis.”

You know the instructors and that they haven’t gone through any training, so what do you do? What will make people come to you for cardio instead of “the other guys?” Apparently there are a lot of “Cardio Tennis” classes out there. But if “Cardio Tennis” is a brand and not everyone is licensed, how do consumers know when they are in an official Cardio Tennis class vs. just another “high intensity” tennis class? How do they know when their instructor or club is an Authorized Provider and why should they care?

Following is a list of 10 things not to do when running your Cardio Tennis classes.

Paying attention to these types of details can go a long way when it comes to separating you from some of the other non-authorized cardio providers out there!

1. Assume all players are at the same level or “should be able to do this” – You’re a professional, and as such you are able to identify tennis playing and fitness levels and adjust your games, drills and Cardio Blasts accordingly. Ask questions at the beginning of the class:

• Does anyone have any injuries?

• Tell me about your fitness level?

(High, medium, low) • Tell me about your tennis ability?

(High, medium, low) A good Cardio Tennis coach has the ability to seamlessly blend these levels to ensure a quality experience for all participants. Here are a few tips on blending levels: • Use the “Cardio Ball” – Because it moves a little slower and stays in play a lot longer, the softer, orange transition ball simultaneously provides a better workout for all players while increasing the success of your beginner players and creating a safer environment for your participants.

• When appropriate try pairing your stronger players with the weaker ones – In games when this is necessary remind your strong players that this is about the workout. Give them tougher feeds and try having them run down balls the weaker tennis players might miss.

• Vary your feeds to create the most appropriate challenge – Topspin lobs, low bouncing dropshots, and stinger volleys are just a few examples of ways to increase the difficultly level for more advanced players. Conversely, if you have a weaker player in front of you,

Monitoring your student’s heartrates gives you valuable information about the condition of the people in the class. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

continued next page ADDvantage/December 2013

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from previous page

you might want to give them a slower/ higher feed. For your low tennis but high fitness players, take that same slow, high feed but maybe increase the distance they have to run to get it.

• Choose Cardio Blasts that can be scaled up or down – T hough your players shouldn’t be out of the action for more than 30 seconds at a time, assign Cardio Blasts to keep players in their zones.

Most of your Cardio Blasts should have two levels or gears (i.e., moderate and intense). The agility ladder is a great tool because it allows players multiple options and requires various levels of coordination and athletic ability.

2. Do laps, run or sprint from sideline to sideline and call that a warm-up – We’ve all done it, especially if you coach juniors. You know, the one where you line the players up along your white line of choice (doubles sideline, baseline, etc.) and have them do a random routine of exercises, thinking this is preparing them for the session at hand.

The warm-up is the most important part of the session and prepares the athlete both mentally and physically and helps prevent injury. From the moment your players step on the court

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they should be engaged in a social, fun and energetic atmosphere including partner activities and lots of high fives.

A proper warm-up should challenge the athlete’s coordination and neuromuscular system. Heart rates can and should be at the high end or above the zones to open up the lungs and increase blood flow. The CT warm up should include (in sequence) the following three types of activities:

• Active dynamic movement • Tossing and catching • Light hitting

Using these activities along with the Signature CT court setup (six to eight players partnered up in four red court format on the traditional court/no nets) will ensure that your classes get off to a great start!

3. Too many line drills – One of the easiest ways to feel like you are giving your players a good workout is to put them through an endless array of line drills where they hit a series of balls and run back into line seemingly eager to do it all over again. You feed a lot of balls so they must be hitting a lot of them, right? While there is certainly a place

for drills in CT, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of not overdoing it with the drills. One of the major things that differentiates Cardio Tennis from other random cardio workouts is that your players are getting to burn calories while playing tennis! Great Cardio Tennis classes maintain a maximum ratio of 30 percent drill/70 percent game during their cardio segment. The segments are designed to be progressive and though you are not actively instructing, your players do most of their learning during the games. Drills may be a good way to get a guaranteed sweat but they don’t do much to keep players coming back or encourage them to invite their workout buddies to your class. Look, games are just simply more fun, and because they are more fun they can often be more effective. Some of the highest calorie burns I have seen were in classes that didn’t have any line drills at all.

4. Make players run during the ball pick up – So, your class is moving along nicely. You have just emptied out another full cart of balls, people are sweating, high-fiving, and anxious for the next activity. In typical tennis coach fashion, you yell out, “Alright, www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

balls up! 60 seconds!” and you watch with pride as your players hustle for each and every ball. Here’s the issue: if you are running your Cardio class properly your players will need that time to manage and regulate their heart rates. Take a moment after the basket is empty to ask them where their heart rate is. (Having a heart rate monitor is the easiest way to do this but you can also have them perform a self-check).

Then give your players the following options. If they are: • High – Have them walk during the ball pick up to bring them back down into the zone • In the zone – Have them pick up balls with a light jog to keep them in their zone • Low – These players can definitely run during the ball pickup. In fact you can try having them pick up one ball at a time and run it back to the basket.

Ultimately the goal is to have as many of your players as possible start the next activity in their heart rate zone.

Ball pick-up is not a punishment but a recovery period.

5. Suicides, situps and pushups and other “not so fun” activities – Come on, who really “wants” to do this stuff?

Not that situps or pushups aren’t beneficial but there are other things one can do to get a similar effect and this is one of the many reasons TRX Cardio Tennis was developed.

6. Take too much time to explain the activity – People will mess up the game the first time they play it and no matter how hard you try, you can’t “talk” them out of it. Here are a few tips on getting your players into the game: • Keep instructions to 30 seconds or less.

(No, they didn’t get it all but that’s OK.) • Keep everyone’s feet buzzing while you talk (including yours!). It’s a great way to keep heart rates up and remind you of how long you’ve been talking. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

• Use teaching aids (spots, donuts, lines) to mark where you want the players positioned.

• Once you have players in position, demonstrate without the ball first. Run through the game to get players used to the rotations and the scoring.

• Don’t start keeping score until you are sure that your players “get” the game.

• If they are still having trouble, bring everyone to the net and give a little further explanation. At this point you should be able to pinpoint the areas they are struggling with. Now your instructional clock is 15 seconds – feet buzzing!

7. Break the rhythm of the class – I know all of you learned in your training course (the one you’ve completed within the past three years) that CT has three segments: warm up, cardio and cool down. These segments each have specifically designed activities and work together to create a safe and healthy workout that will bring players into their desired heart rate zone, keep them there, and then cool them down.

For optimal results, keep the activities in their proper segments. For example, starting a class with games then inserting dynamic movement activities can throw off the flow of your class and ultimately affect your participants’ overall calorie burn.

8. Separate the workout from the tennis – It’s tempting. We all know so many drills and even if we don’t there are numerous resources out there to help.

It would be easy to take an hour and do some “high intensity” singles and doubles drills for 20 minutes, spend 20 minutes “working out” on court, and another 20 minutes “playing it out.”

The players get some cardio on a tennis court but this is not Cardio Tennis.

CT does not separate the workout from the tennis. In CT, the workout is the tennis. Be sure to consult your drill and game diagrams and learn how to utilize various rotations and Cardio Blasts in order to create the best Cardio Tennis class for your participants.

9. Ignore the heart rate – Cardio Tennis is first and foremost a safe and healthy workout. One of the ways we ensure this is by paying attention to our participants’ heart rates. Heart rates give us valuable information about the condition of the people in our class. If it is too high we know that they may need to slow down and if it’s too low, we know that they may be able to push a little bit more. Keeping your participants safe and ensuring a quality workout is key to a successful CT class. We recommend that each of your players utilize a heart rate monitor (HRM) to monitor themselves. If HRMs are not available, you will need to have players perform a self-check every 10 minutes.

10. Skip the cool down – Congratulations, you’ve done it all right! Your players are engaged and they are having so much fun playing the games that it is clear they do not want to stop.

But they have to. Most CT games are designed for the cardio portion, the points are long, but the rotations are quick and can cover large distances.

There are ladders and Cardio Blasts activities, adrenaline and music playing at a minimum of 128 bpm! Remember, the cardio portion is designed to keep players in their calorie burning zone.

That could mean that their heart is beating as fast as the music is playing!

As responsible professionals, we cannot let them walk off the court with their heart beating that fast. We have to gradually bring their heart rates back down, closer to resting so that they don’t crash. The cool down portion of your activity diagram lists several games with rotations, scoring methods and concepts that serve the dual purpose of keeping players engaged in friendly competition while gradually reducing their heart rates.

I hope you can use some of the information listed here to help set yourself apart from your competition and create a great experience for your participants. For more information on training courses or to register as an Authorized Provider visit www.cardiotennis.com.  ADDvantage/December 2013

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Two 100-point tests to measure depth and accuracy Scoring skill tests for the serve and groundstrokes

by Dan O’Connell, USPTA

W

ould you like to incorporate scoring tests in your one-hour group lesson and provide players with objective feedback needed to measure ability? Then try these tests. Record the results and give a copy of the scoring sheets to your players.

There are two 100-point scoring tests to measure the depth and accuracy of the serve and groundstrokes. These tests do not take much time as each player hits only 40 balls. They offer players a fun challenge and provide a built-in scoring system to measure skill level. By providing objective feedback that is often missing, these scoring tests help players to become aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

The depth test: To measure depth of serves and groundstrokes. Twenty balls are served, alternating deuce, ad, deuce, ad. Two points are earned for serves landing in the back 6-foot section of the service box and one point for short landing serves. Twenty groundstroke balls are fed to the player (alternating forehands and backhands). Three points are earned for balls landing in the deepest 12 feet of the court, two points for the mid-12 feet area of the court, and one point for balls landing in the shallow area 6 feet short of the service line.

The accuracy test: To record the accuracy of serves hit to either the forehand or backhand side, and to measure the accuracy of groundstroke passing shots. Twenty balls are served. The service box width is split into two 81-inch areas. Five serves are hit into each scoring area (five deuce wide, five deuce middle, five middle ad and five wide ad). Three points are earned for balls landing into the correct target area and two points provided when landing into the correct service court. Using the same court measurement, 20 groundstrokes are hit (alternating forehand and backhand). The first 10 alternating groundstrokes are hit down the line and the second 10 are hit crosscourt. Two points are earned for each ball landing in the correct target area and one point for balls landing into the court. 

Point ranking categories for each test:

Champion: Tournament player: Advanced player: Average player: Beginner:

80 points or more 70-79 points 60-69 points 50-59 points under 50

Feeding: the teacher feeds 20 balls from the service line, so that they land

behind the opposite service line. Balls are fed in an easy-to-hit alternating forehand, backhand pattern.

For more meaningful feedback, take these tests five times and find the average score. To gain consistent scoring results, it is important the scoring areas are measured to exact length. The permanent court setup system is found to the right. Follow the instructions to measure exact scoring areas. Download the depth test scoring sheet and the accuracy test scoring sheet here.

Dan O’Connell joined the Peace Corps as a tennis coach and taught tennis throughout Africa from 1976 to 1991. Dan was appointed the first International Tennis Federation Pacific Oceania ­Development Officer, a position he held from 1991 to 2011. After 35 years based overseas as a tennis coach/administrator, Dan returned to the United States as the ladies tennis coach at New Mexico Military Institute, the same junior college where over the years, he had placed 40 African/ Pacific tennis players on scholarships. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Court set-up One-time court measurement A measuring tape is required along with a permanent marker. Four key rings need to be permanently placed. Ropes of 48 feet are required (3mm or 4mm). The ropes are attached to the key rings with a hook (or tie the rope into the key ring).

Accuracy test – court measurement Attach two key rings into the net 81 inches or 2.05 m from the singles sidelines. The 81inch measurement is also permanently marked with a small “dot” on the baseline with a marking pen (1/8 the size of the chalk mark).

When the ropes are hooked into the net key rings and lined up over the top of the baseline dot marks, the court will look as pictured.

The court is now set up to conduct the Groundstroke Accuracy Test and the Serve Accuracy Test.

Depth test – court measurement Pre-marked measurements are made for the depth tests. The key ring for the serve depth test will be attached to the side fence, 6 feet in front of the service line, with the corresponding “dot” also marked 6 feet in front of the service line, on the far singles sideline.

The groundstroke depth test key ring will be attached to the side fence, 6 feet behind the service line, with the corresponding “dot” marked 6 feet behind the service line, on the far singles sideline. The ropes are hooked into the side fence key rings and lined up over the “dots” on the far singles sidelines. These ropes divide the court into a 12-foot deep section, a 12-foot middle section and a shallow section from 6 feet in front of the service line to the net. The court is now setup to conduct the Groundstroke Depth Test and the Serve Depth Test.

The four key rings remain permanently attached to the side fence/net and the four permanent dots remain marked on the court as measuring guidelines. After the initial court setup has been completed, no future measurement is needed. Perfectly measured lines – when the ropes are attached to the key rings and lined up over the measured “dots” marked on the court.

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www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

PRO focus zone

by Rob Arner, USPTA

F

our-plus decades of teaching tennis has been a form of meditation for me I call “PROfocus zone.” There is emerging medical evidence documenting how mindfulness improves stress management and other facets of well-being.

Teaching “PRO focus zone” is the practice of imparting grace to the entire body/mind experience of learning this game.

Teaching tennis has allowed me to reach greater “presence.” The acronym PRO – Pause, Relax and Open – can help expand the student’s focus zone, arriving fully in the present.

Getting my students to “pause” between points and slow down – becoming more responsive and less reactive – increases their concentration during play. Next, getting my students to “relax” and focus on mentally showing up can both lessen errors and increase my students’ accuracy. Finally, I coach my pupils to “open” themselves to play to their full potential.

Teaching “PRO focus zone” is the practice of imparting grace to the entire body/ mind experience of learning this game. The www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

mind becomes quiet and the body listens, observes and responds to how a student can have fun as a better tennis player. Both meditation and tennis share what is most critical: fine tuning when you make exact contact with the ball. Focusing on this specific contact point of racquet on the ball is a lesson in meditation.

I teach my novices how to catch the ball on the strings with a simplified overhead stroke. I point out the vibrant popping sound when the ball precisely hits the middle of their racquet strings. It is fundamental for my students to diminish their errors and improve consistency. Exaggerating my students’ errors creates fun learning.

I get them to hit two to 10 balls in a row.

I urge them to place their shots away from me. I run them and make them realize how better it is to move instead of being moved.

I do many drills around these two lessons of consistency and placement.

I start off each morning by sitting in a tranquil, still way with relaxed attention.

When I become more gentle and friendly, I can then observe more clearly the nature of my mental, emotional and physical activities. The “PRO focus zone” certainly applies to teaching tennis and dealing with my clients in similar fashion.

Clarity comes when I observe more and foster observance of the nature of “being.”

The key in both teaching and meditation is to observe rather than judge, otherwise we become hindered by such identification.

As a PRO, I “pause” calming my mind and body. Pausing lessens my stress in whatever tennis instructional activity. Relaxing allows me to arrive in the present instead of wandering off in the past or future. This also lessens my student’s tension. The more I “relax,” the more my student “opens” to whatever I may suggest. When I become more “open” I discover what is most important for my student’s learning. Instructing tennis reveals various points of concentration that enable one to expand moment-to-moment attention and improves play.

As I instruct from a response mode, I model “mindfulness.” When I pause, relax and open to the “PRO focus zone” both my student and I arrive at a common contact point. We celebrate pausing, relaxing and opening. Teaching the volley is an excellent example of learning responsive grace.

Instructing tennis is a form of meditation since my focus allows me to teach awareness in the here and now. Just as a camera lens clicks, I develop a shot-by-shot process to be with and listen to my tennis sense or a clearer focus and understanding of my student’s shot possibilities. Countless hours of exploring how my students can tap into their bodies’ sensations can best direct their attention to sharpening their game

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from previous page and expanding their technique. When I get my students to find greater alertness and relaxed play, I guide them to their “PRO focus zone.”

The more I can facilitate my students to find their “PRO focus zone,” the more they can direct the destination of their shots. I prompt my lesson to “arrive,” with placing the ball in a high percentage area (e.g. the service line T) that troubles future opponents. As I plant seeds of specific intentions, I also alert my students’ attention to find their own “PRO focus zone.” By simply directing my pupil to hit the ball at the bull’s eye instead of just the larger target, they increase their chance for the ball to arrive there.

Many of my students hold their breath when following through on their shot. Reminding them to inhale on back swing and exhale on follow-through has assisted many of my students to improve performance.

Getting my students to exhale with a calming “aaaaahhhhhh” sound or saying yes is another skillful tip.

Mindful tennis is how I get my students to pay greater attention to their “PRO focus zone.” I like the metaphor of rock climbing to understand this mindset of moment-to-moment awareness. It is a process of being alert and awake to how each moment unfolds. Greater attention comes to my teaching tennis when I constantly center my students’ numerous mind/body awareness skills. Visual cues are critical for me in skillful instruction since improved hand/eye coordination requires specific reference points in space to increase tennis shot execution, thus enhancing “PRO focus zone.”

When teaching large clinics or camps, I become the eye of the hurricane where there is calm consciousness surrounded by the flurry of tennis activity. If I have to teach the entire day, then I focus on effortlessness, and when I remember to lessen my resistance I benefit more.

My “PRO focus zone” is about enjoying teaching and the fun exercise that results.

I challenge you to find any great superstar that does not have some sort of “PRO focus zone.” I illustrate shots with a sense of effortlessness. I guide my student to enter the “PRO contact zone:” a flow state to improve their tempo of effortless effort (knees, hips and shoulders working in unity). Work is transformed into a ballet of play.

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I extend the “PRO focus zone” into positive stroke visualizations of how to gracefully hit the shot. Using exact mental images of championship form is how Olympians prepare for their gold medals.

Imitating the pros creates a positive visual.

This lessens distractions, doubt and other counter-productive thoughts.

“PRO focus zone” cultivates skillful mental exercising. Pausing, relaxing and opening my students with this alertness creates a heightened state of play, and a focus on awareness. In turn, concentration can resolve aspects of your game that feel stuck, creating new flow. Increased awakening from moment-to-moment tennis play allows me to excel.

I joke with my students by asking if they are “Re-Creation” or “Wreck-Creation.”

Relaxing in the now with a sense of alertness is what I define as grace in the “PRO focus zone.” Tennis is your object of meditation.

Arriving in the “PRO focus zone” happens when you teach and learn to pause, relax and open. (For further information please refer to www.awakenedwithexercise.com and www.eztennistips.com).

A few helpful on court tips: • Develop the routine between practice sessions where you Pause, Relax and Open (PRO) to provide greater renewal, concentration and continuity in teaching.

• Create the space – I establish a special space to remember to be a mindful instructor.

• Visualize what to concentrate on – Relax and see yourself hit an ace. Focus on being fully empty and graceful, and visualize how you will go forth with your students.

• Establish a comfortable posture of being a grounded teacher – As you instruct, stand upright, poised and balanced. Combine alertness and openness, allowing your hands to firmly yet comfortably grip your racquet. Use visual cues to be receptive contacts points such as where the exact point in space you will toss your serve.

• Visualize relaxing yourself – Before key points take a quick relaxing body scan: start at your scalp and move this mental massage gently downward, letting go

and relaxing and softening each part of your body. Visualize yourself as a bowl of pure, clear, still water.

• Instruct with a loving kind mind set – Empty and clear yourself with a loving, kind presence in each moment stimulating fresh possibilities.

• Just be as you teach – Effortless effort is go with the flow. Less identification more unification. Transform the “I” with the “eye contact.” Nothing to resist, just be in the moment.

• Awakening to teach mind/body sensations – Use this time out to explore listening to and feeling the entire moment–tomoment experience with your senses totally open. Explore any senses.

• Focus on a specific teaching contact point – Select various contact points expanding your student’s “focus zone.” Just as in tennis when you make exact contact with the ball, it is the most critical element of play. Focusing on this instructing contact point deepens their mindful presence. Such contact points are: 1) Physical sensations – contact of the ball 2) Breathing – exhale on follow-through 3) Sounds of hitting the ball in middle of the strings.

Off the court helpful hints: • Sit every day, even if it’s for a short period or several long pauses visualizing mindful tennis play. Remember your ZEN – play is work, and work is play!

• Reflect regularly on your aspiration for improving tennis instruction.

• Use inspiring resources to cultivate further mindfulness and awakened tennis skills.

• Remember off the court you can observe and lessen the judgement; accept what unfolds so as to awaken how you can further teach tennis.

• Meditate with a teaching intention and instruct greater attention – awaken with exercise.  Rob Arner has taught tennis all over the U.S. for more than 35 years. Most of his coaching has been in the Washington D.C. area. Since 1983, he has been a member of the USPTA, instructing at area clubs, schools, resorts and indoor courts. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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• What is your role here at USPTA and how long have you held that position? At USPTA, I fill the role of the Director of Information Technology, responsible for all IT systems, including desktops and laptops, servers, network, routers, firewall and security, and all major software applications such as database, email, customer management, and accounting. I was hired for this position at USPTA in early 2002 and shifted to a contracted position in early 2012, so I’ve been working with USPTA’s IT systems for going on 12 years.

• Can you tell us about your service in the U.S. Navy and if you still draw on the skills you acquired there? I was an Electrician’s Mate in the U.S. Navy from 1990-1996, and served on the USS Newport News, SSN-750, a Los Angelesclass fast attack submarine. My primary training was to operate and maintain the electrical systems and watch stations associated with the nuclear reactor and propulsion systems. USS Newport News participated in Operation Desert Storm during its Mediterranean cruise in 1994.

I still use many of the skills I learned in the U.S. Navy, including the concrete skills of electrical power systems and electronics, as well as the mental disciplines and organizational skills. The U.S. Navy was a life-changing experience for me, and really opened up a new productivity path.

• Other educational and work experience? After my naval experience, I returned to Houston and finished my degree at the University of Houston, obtaining a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. During this time I worked for Union Carbide corporation (now Dow Chemical), as well as Hypercon, a local Internet Service Provider.

• When you have a business partner, as you do, how does that relationship impact your company’s success? My business partnership with Scott Bucic is huge, as we complement each other’s skill set very well. Having a business partner improves the decisionmaking process by providing more perspectives and increases motivation. Running your own business is generally very time-consuming, and having a business partner to share the load with is critical to our success.

• How do you keep a positive attitude about your job? Aren’t you the ones people call when there’s a problem? Sometimes on days when it’s very busy you can get overwhelmed. But that’s when you work together, work the problems one at a time, and solve them with a robust solution that prevents recurrence. That’s the part that gives me the biggest sense of accomplishment – coming up with an innovative solution that fixes the problem for the last time.

Sometimes, IT as a department can get a bad name. We’ve all seen the caricatures and stereotypes of the “IT guy” in TV shows and movies who has an arrogant, patronizing attitude. Scott and I have always tried to be the complete opposite of that by listening to our customers, understanding the big picture of what they’re trying to accomplish, and taking the time to do it right. When customers see that kind of service, their frustration disappears.

• Is the World Conference one of the biggest challenges for the IT department? The USPTA World Conference has always been a huge challenge – it requires nearly the full capabilities of USPTA’s IT systems to be up and running at the conference

The IT department plays a key role in the annual awards presentation.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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from previous page location. We need to be able to securely access the customer management system, the accounting package, education and certification records, and many other items. And it all has to be done with a minimum of manpower, and in the unknown and limited environment of the hotel’s network. A huge number of technologies are used to make that happen, including VPN, VOIP, remote access, wireless, and several others.

Each year at the World Conference, we have made incremental improvements to the methods we use and have refined the system to work nearly flawlessly.

• Do you have to make a conscious effort to read and stay abreast of updates in the technology world, or does that come with being on the job every day? Absolutely. Probably more than in any other industry, the IT landscape changes very fast. New technologies, new methods, and new standard practices arrive every day, and keeping abreast of those things is paramount.

We see new software, new hardware, and cost-saving measures that our customers want, and we need to be able to implement them to remain competitive.

• Is there anything besides an IT career that you could see yourself pursuing, or have considered doing at some point? When I was much younger, before computers had become commonplace, I wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor. Interestingly, a doctor and an IT director have a common operational

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The USPTA World Conference has always been a huge challenge – it requires nearly the full capabilities of USPTA’s IT systems to be up and running at the conference location. method – both are diagnosing a problem and then implementing a solution.

I have also thought about teaching. I feel that young people in high school or the first years of college do not get taught certain practical life subjects, such as finance. I would love to teach personal finance, taxes, insurance, loans, investing, and retirement topics to those students.

• Would you like to add any other insights into you – outside interests (such as travel), family, etc.? I have developed a fondness for cooking, I’m on a big homemade kick right now. Last weekend I made a completely homemade Reuben sandwich, including pressure-cooking the corned beef, baking my own rye bread and creating my own Russian dressing. The one thing I didn’t make myself was the sauerkraut, but I need to save a challenge for next time.

The pressure cooker is my newest kitchen gadget, so I intend to put it to good use. I’m going to try a pressure-cooked chili recipe next weekend. 

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

• How long have you worked at USPTA and what do you do here? I started at USPTA in February as the communications coordinator and recently was promoted to public relations coordinator. I handle the day-to-day communications and public relations responsibilities for the national headquarters, coordinate and manage the social media strategy and serve as the executive administrator for the Hawaii and Missouri Valley divisions.

• What’s your education background? I received my B.A. in mass communication from LSU in 2006 and my M.A. in journalism from DePaul in 2010.

• What do you like best about your job? I like the challenge of finding new and interesting ways to promote the association and its members along with working with a lot of important people in the tennis industry that I learn from every day.

• Do you have a specific work ethic or personal philosophy that you live by? Work hard at the things that matter and stop worrying about the things that don’t.

At a LSU football game in Baton Rouge with a friend.

• Where have you lived besides Houston? I’m originally from New Orleans, went to school in Baton Rouge and Chicago, moved back to New Orleans and now live in Houston.

• What would people be surprised to know about you? After six years and two degrees, I still have a desire to go back to school.

I’d like to earn my Ph.D. and teach college students.

• If you could go anywhere in the world or do anything, where/ what would it be? Live out of a suitcase for a year travelling the world and documenting my experience. Or working with the U.S. Olympic Committee during the Olympics again.

• What are your hobbies? What do you like to do outside of work?

I’m a big college football fan and love the excitement and chaos of the season. I’m also very involved with the LSU Alumni Association Houston chapter, connecting with fellow LSU alumni and recruiting high school students to consider attending LSU. I also love to travel, play volleyball and of course, spend time with family and friends.

Working at a hockey game in the press box at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

• What event in your life would you like to live over and why? My study abroad trip I took in college. I went to England, Scotland and France and took media courses and traveled around. It was my first experience out of the States and such a great opportunity to be immersed in different cultures, especially in countries where my ancestors came from. But my biggest takeaway was the lifelong friendships I forged with the people who were part of the program with me.  ADDvantage/December 2013

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Career Development

conventions ( Division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference 8 credits; dates subject to change) Jan. 17-18 Northern Division

Fridley, Minn.

Jan. 18-20 Northern California Division

Stanford, Calif.

Jan. 24-26 Eastern Division

White Plains, N.Y. Jan. 25-26 California Division

Los Angeles Feb. 13-16 Texas Division

Horseshoe Bay, Texas Feb. 21-22

Missouri Valley Division Mission Hills, Kan.

Feb. 28- March 1

Mid-Atlantic Division Fredericksburg, Va.

taut workshops March 1

Midwest Division Columbus, Ohio

exams, upgrades & certification review courses (4 credits for PTCA I segment) Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 5-6 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 7-8 Dec. 7-8 Dec. 7-8 Dec. 7-8 Dec. 8 Dec. 9 Dec. 10

Midlothian, Va. Hilton Head Island, S.C. San Diego Port Washington, N.Y. Gastonia, N.C. Nashville, Tenn.

Brunswick, Maine Atlanta Boca Raton, Fla. Huntington Beach, Calif.

New Braunfels, Texas Redwood City, Calif.

Minneapolis

Dec. 13-14 Jan. 12 Jan. 17 Jan. 17-18 Jan. 18-19 Jan. 18-19 Feb. 2 Feb. 7-8 Feb. 13-14 Feb. 15-16 Feb. 15-16 Feb. 20 Feb. 21-22

Houston* Clive, Iowa Palo Alto, Calif, Houston* Boca Raton, Fla. Aurora, Ill. Hilton Head Island, S.C. Atlanta Port Washington, N.Y. Orlando Horseshoe Bay, Texas Kansas City, Kan. Houston*

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.

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 Management: a learned skill, March 1, Columbus, Ohio, A. Pant

cardio tennis Jan. 11 Jan. 12 Feb. 9 Feb. 20 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 27 March 2 Match 3

CT – Marina Del Ray, Calif.

TRC CT – Marina Del Ray, Calif.

CT – Honolulu CT – Kansas City, Mo. CT – Hilton Head Island, S.C. TRX CT – Hilton Head Island, S.C. CT – Columbus, Ohio CT – San Francisco TRX CT – San Francisco

accredited professional coach Register your Accredited Professional Coach (APC) and specialty course credits earned with the USPTA SmartCode Education System. This uses your smartphone to instantly register your attendance to all seminars and specialty courses earning APC. To use the system at a seminar, general session or specialty course, you must scan two QR codes. One QR code is on your conference badge. The second QR code will be in your conference notebook and cannot be scanned until the end of the session or the beginning of the next session.

If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone else’s. Forms are available upon request.

Please visit www.cardiotennis.com to register online.

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www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/December 2013

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Industry action Manufacturers

Miscellany The Tennis Industry Association will hold two industry meetings in early 2014 – the “TIA Future of Tennis Summit” March 11-12 in California, and the “TIA Facility Owners and Managers Conference,” April 3-4 in South Carolina. The Future of Tennis Summit will take place in Indian Wells, Calif., during the BNP Paribas Open men’s and women’s pro tournament. The summit will include discussions and speakers that will take a top-level view of the industry, define goals and benchmarks, and help to chart a path that will ensure a profitable tennis marketplace and an image of tennis attractive to both recreational tennis players and tennis fans. The meeting will bring together leaders and executives both inside and outside of the tennis industry to help define pathways and strategic efforts to reaching long-term goals, which include impacting significant growth at both the trade and consumer levels. One of the industry’s main objectives is to increase the number of frequent players in the U.S. from its current 5.4 million to 10 million by the year 2020, which the TIA estimates will add nearly $4 billion to the “tennis economy.”

Delight the tennis players in your life with the gift of a Hop-a-Razzi, the only ball basket with built-in wheels, adjustable-height handles and 12 vibrant colors. The patented design makes ball retrieval fast, easy and fun for everyone so there’s more active play time. Visit their Amazon shop to check out all three models, zoom in to view product features and see how colorful Hop-a-Razzi is: http://bit.ly/ HopAmazon. Get $5 off each order with coupon code 5AMZNHOP through Dec. 20.

There are three principle forms of fatigue that the human body fights to perform at an optimal performance level. Those three forms of fatigue are mental, muscular and cardiovascular.

It is with this in mind that Movit Energy Gummies were formulated. The result is a new standard for supplementation allowing you to perform at your personal best in all the ways that you move. Gummies quickly climbed to the top of the list for a delivery system as they are easily chewable but not sticky, durable and do not require water in order to be consumed. These scientifically engineered gummies made to minimize fatigue and improve physical and mental athletic performance are available in two great tasting flavors – Berry and Citrus. They are only 60 calories per bag, gluten free, small, compact, take-anywhere nutrition. This makes Movit easy to take anywhere for active lifestyle adults and sports enthusiasts. Sold individually or in 12-count, 24-count or 90-count boxes. For more information, visit www.JustMovit.com.

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Tennis players and those looking to get into the game who register on the all-new PlayTennis.com website – a central hub of tennis information connecting players to all things tennis – have an opportunity to win one of hundreds of monthly prizes, including tickets to the 2014 US Open, autographed tennis racquets and merchandise from the game’s biggest stars, and tennis equipment packages. PlayTennis.com is a collaborative effort from tennis industry companies and organizations to help bring attention to tennis and get more people involved with the sport. The consumer sign-up promotion and prize drawings, which starts now and runs to April 2014, is free to enter. No purchase is necessary. To learn more about PlayTennis.com, official rules of the promotion, and how the site is being used to grow the game, visit the site today or contact the TIA at 843-686-3036 or info@playtennis.com.

Zume Games is a leader in outdoor, family-friendly games. Their game, TENNIZ™, is fun for adults, but is also a great way to get younger players acclimated with the sport and is a great holiday gift.

TENNIZ is the instant tennis match you can play almost anywhere.

TENNIZ is great for those looking to build fundamental tennis skills – or for players of all levels just looking to have a little extra fun.

Perfect for kids and beginners or family recreational play, TENNIZ is lightweight, portable and features an ultra-quick setup. TENNIZ comes complete with two 21-inch racquets, two TENNIZ balls, one 12-foot net and convenient carrying case. Suitable for ages 8+, TENNIZ is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and ZumeGames.com for a suggested price of $79.99.

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