Addvantage 2014 May

Inside this issue

Reaction Rules in Doubles

Growing the Game Growing your Business Departments: 55 USPTA News 57 Career Development 46 CEO’s Message 47 Vice President’s Message 59 Member News Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com On the cover: USPTA added a fourth tournament to its 2014 National Surface Championship Series schedule, which will now cover all four court surfaces. The 2014 USPTA Grass Court Championships will be held at the Desert Highlands Racquet Club, Sept. 11-14 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

CEO’s Message

The Impact You Make

by John Embree

S

ince the announcement of our new equipment endorsement with Prince Global Sports, we have received a ton of phone calls and emails in our office asking questions about the endorsement agreement, how it will work and what it means to our membership at large.

Without question, this relationship is far different than those that the USPTA has had in the past. For that reason, I wanted to take the time to explain (as best that I can) why this endorsement is structured as it is and the benefits for USPTA members.

When we knew that we were going to have a new racquet and ball sponsor starting this year, I personally canvassed and met with each manufacturer on multiple occasions to get their temperature on being our partner for the future. During those discussions, I learned that in order for these companies to serve as our partner, the equipment package that had been supplied to our professionals in the past would have to change. No longer were our professionals going to receive any free product just because they were a P1 (now Elite) or Professional 2.

Under the current market conditions, manufacturers are struggling to drive sales. Over the past 15 years, the pro/specialty market for performance tennis racquets has remained relatively flat. That means if a brand is going to build their sales, they have to take market share from a competitor. Thus, each manufacturer is looking for that relationship that is going to drive their business.

Of all of the brands who evaluated the opportunity to support the USPTA, Prince was by far the most interested and most aggressive. They recognized

46 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

making a living in our sport. Just playmore than any other brand what the USPTA could do to bring them back to ing with the frame is no longer good market leadership. However, there had enough. to be a paradigm shift in how our deal We owe it to our partners who are was structured, both nationally and loinvesting in us as an organization to treat them respectfully and support cally (with members themselves). their commitment to us.

For starters, our corporate fees are This is a new day for our association. no longer guaranteed but rather based In Prince, we have a willing and able on performance. It is incumbent on endorsee that will do everything that it us to convert pros over to Prince and can to reward our members who are reto increase sales at pro shops for us to receive any compensation whatsoever. ally in the position to move the needle.

For our members, product packages If we can do that, not only will you be are predicated on number of hours on rewarded, but the USPTA will also be court and which retailer each memcompensated to continue bringing our members the best available resources ber is driving his/her customers for in the tennis industry. But, it starts with product purchases. Whether an indeyour relationship with pendent pro who has an the local brand manager affiliation with a local We owe it to our partners brick and mortar store who are investing in us as an at Prince who is eager to meet you and learn or a pro shop that is lo- organization to treat them about the impact you cated on site at a facility, respectfully and support can make on his/her it is the pro’s obligation their commitment to us. business. If we can truly to make certain that they grow Prince’s sales, it will be positive are doing everything they can to enfor all of us long term. courage their customer base to support our endorsee and purchase their brand. The fact that Prince was also will I have had many interesting conver- ing to support the vendor contribution sations with members about this very part of our newly launched Retirement topic who have called to express their Gold+ program is a huge win for those who have influence over their pro concern about this new approach. “I used to get free product from this brand shops. I encourage you to consider carfor many years, how come I cannot get rying Prince in your shops and putting the same now?” My response is that you one of your staff members on the brand can actually get a richer package with if you personally are not comfortable more frames and string than you have making the switch yourself. ever had before as long as you can show It is time for our association to the value that you can bring to Prince show its value to the industry. It is time with sales and work on the court. If you to show our commitment to all of our happen to be in another industry or ­endorsees that we can make a differhave retired from teaching, it is tough ence in their sales. After all, we want to justify the return on the investment those companies who have put their (ROI) Prince or any brand would be name on the line with us to be happy able to show if you are not making a and willing to remain a part of our famdifference in pushing their products or ily for years to come. h

Vice President’s Message

USPTA Surface Championships and More Will You Play or Host?

by Dan Moster

A

s the weather improves in August just prior to the US Open, across the U.S., the time has the USPTA International Championcome for the 2014 USPTA ships will not be held this year. There Surface Championships to is not a viable facility in New York City begin. And by the time you read this to host it. However, there are the other article, the USPTA Indoor Champioptions. The tournament could be bid onships have come and gone and the out, as the USPTA Surface ChampionUSPTA Clay Court Championships ships are, and the tournament could are in its final preparations. The be held as a year-end event in early 2014 USPTA Surface December. Another Championships are well Hosting a USPTA tournament option is that the could bring some income to underway and USPTA USPTA would run you and your USPTA Division. the tournament as members should conIt would also be a great way sider playing in one or a year-end event in more of this year’s tour- to support many of our early December in USPTA endorsees. naments. To get more Houston. With eiinformation on this ther of these options, year’s USPTA Surface Championships, the tournament surface would be visit usptaplayer.com/club/usptadetermined by the tournament host. championships.

Determining the format and what di This year’s USPTA Surface Champi- visions of play would be offered during onships bring some changes that could the USPTA International Championbe only the beginning of many great ships are also up for discussion. things to come such as a few new ven The USPTA Tournament and ues, and the USPTA welcomes back the Rankings Committee is interested USPTA Grass Court Championships, in hearing from those USPTA memwhich should make a big splash to the bers who do play or would consider tournament schedule in September. playing in any of the USPTA Surface And once the Hard Court ChampiChampionships. The committee onships end in October, the Surface would like to know what would entice Championships for 2014 will come to a more members to participate now close and the USPTA rankings will be and in the future. Those interested in finalized for the 2014 season. Or will sharing their thoughts should contact they? the USPTA Tournament & Rankings Since the USPTA is joining forces Committee Chairman, Dan Moster, with the USTA to host the 2014 Tennis USPTA, danmoster@usptapro.com Teachers Conference in New York City or 260-249-9424. Do you have an

idea or two about this year’s or future USPTA International Championships? Please let me know your thoughts regarding the USPTA Surface Championships and/or International Championships. The USPTA tournaments are strong, but the committee is interested in making any improvements it can to increase USPTA member play.

Are you interested in hosting a USPTA Surface Championships tournament, the International Championships, or a future USPTA division or state tournament? Contact your USPTA division executive director and ask him/her for the 2015 USPTA Surface Championships sanction proposal form. The forms must be sent to the USPTA World Headquarters no later than June 30, 2014. Over the next few months, the USPTA tournament and Rankings Committee will be working on USPTA tournaments and ­ SPTA members can sanction a how U USPTA tournament in 2015 as either a USPTA division or USPTA state tournament. So if you are interested in hosting a future event, keep your eyes and ears open for more details coming from your USPTA division on the USPTA tournaments sanction process. Hosting a USPTA tournament could bring some income to you and your division. It would also be a great way to support many of our USPTA endorsees. h

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 47

Reaction Rules in Doubles W

by Michael Chamberlain, USPTA

hen it comes to tennis, expect the unexpected. So many factors about the game make it extremely unpredictable. Tennis players must adapt to external factors such as weather conditions and the court. More importantly, there are internal factors such as mental or physical fatigue, nervousness, pain, and confidence that affect every player differently. Tennis becomes even more unpredictable in doubles with a ­ npredictable, bigger court and an extra player on each side. When things are u

50 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

there is a lower probability of finding a rhythm or gaining some momentum. The goal is to find a way to control the match and make it predictable. This is done by abiding by Reaction Rules.

Reaction Rules are fundamental strategies that should be in every tennis player’s doubles game. There are a few reasons why these work so well

“Reaction Rules are fundamental strategies that should be in every tennis player’s doubles game.” when executed properly: (1) Even though the court is larger, there is less court per individual player than in singles. (2) Partner strategies and teamwork can dictate play and enhance court coverage. (3) There is less time to react and a harder window to pass because of the presence at the

net, especially when both teammates are at the net. This makes the opponents’ decision-making much more predictable. When you can predict what an opponent is going to do, being proactive pays off. Reaction Rules are a guide to how to react when you are not the person playing the ball. Here they are: l

l

l

l

Poach off the overhead. If your partner goes back to hit an overhead, then you move across the court and take the opponent’s reply. This ball will most likely be coming straight back to your partner. When balls are blocked or returned from overheads, they generally follow the same flight path from which they came. When players are reacting to an aggressive shot, this is the norm. Knowing this, you can take advantage of a predictable shot that should be an easy winner or forced error.

of surprise here can overwhelm the to have predictability to help one react opponents. Closing the net will put to certain shots. Great tennis players you and your partner in a strong not only have mastered these strateposition to close out the point. The gies, but they also know how to comonly option your opponent has for bine them in a single point when necesreturning a ball sary. They should “Great tennis players not they are chasbe automatic ing down is a only have mastered these and engrained defensive lob into the muscle strategies, but they also because they memory of tennis know how to combine won’t know players. The feet where you or and hands should them in a single point your partner move without when necessary.” are on the court thought to these by the time he or she has hit the spots on the court when these scenarishot. This lob should be an easy ball os arise in a doubles match. Executing to put away or cause an error. these plays comes easy with repetition,

and they eventually just become reac Taking all of the factors that affect a tions. That’s why they are the Reaction player into consideration, it is helpful Rules. h

Here is a quick 1-2 punch: If your partner’s return lands in the doubles alley, you must poach. A wide return is an easy ball to poach. When a player is stretched out wide, a player will most often pull the ball across their body using only their arms because they will not have time to set their feet and use their legs to hit the ball. This creates a very weak crosscourt shot that is ideal for poaching.

It is important for the poacher to note that the middle will be open and the put-away volley should go up the middle. This ball is ideal for poaching and putting at your opponents’ feet or to the open court Poach off a low volley. If your partner’s groundstroke lands at your opponent’s feet, you should go across the court to cover that ball and put it away. Shots hit at the feet usually have a very defensive response. This response or “stab” usually goes back from where it came. This sets up an easy poach off the volley.

Both players come to the net when you lob over an opponent’s head. Rush the net when you or your partner hits over your opponent’s head. There should be plenty of time to do this with the amount of time the opponent is focused on tracking down the lob. The element

Michael Chamberlain is director of tennis at The Racquet Club of Memphis. He played Division I collegiate tennis at University of Memphis. He is the tournament director of USTA Girl’s 18s ­National Clay Courts and several other Southern sectional tournaments. He is a committee member for Southern USTA Junior Competition, Southern Coaches Commission, Tennessee Junior Competition, Tennessee Sanctioning and Schedule, USPTA TN Board member – Treasurer, 2012 USTA Tennessee Pro of the Year and 2013 USPTA Tennessee Pro of the Year.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 51

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USPTA News

Call for Nominations for the USPTA National Board of Directors

M

embers of the USPTA Nominating Committee are searching for candidates who are interested in serving on the USPTA national Board of Directors for the term beginning at the 2016 World Conference through the 2018 World Conference. To serve on the national board, you must be a member in good standing with a minimum certification of Elite Professional.

Anyone who fits these qualifications is eligible and encouraged to apply. Those interested should contact Nominating Committee Chairwoman Molly Card Beckmann at mollyc317@aol.com or

317-441-5427 to receive additional information and an application. This will also be available soon on the USPTA website. The deadline for submitting is July 1 at 5 p.m. EST. Background: The USPTA is run by a national Executive Committee. This committee consists of two elected officers from each of the 17 U.S. divisions, the last three immediate past national presidents, and an eight-member national Board of Directors. The Executive Committee legislates all policy matters and meets twice a year. The Board of Directors handles the

affairs of the Association between meetings of the Executive Committee. It is composed of the national president, the first vice president, five vice presidents, and the immediate past president. Also on the board as nonvoting members are the CEO and general counsel. h

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 55

Career Development Exams, Upgrades & PTCA I

Conventions (Division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference 8 credits; dates subject to change) May 15-17 May 27-June 1 June 6-7

Southern Division Florida Division Pacific Northwest Division

Johns Creek, Ga. Port St. Lucie, Fla. Kirkland, Wash.

(4 credits for PTCA I segment) May 3 Conway, Ark. May 3 Nashville Huntington Beach, Calif.

May 3-4 Huntington Beach, Calif.

May 10-11 Mt. Kisco, N.Y. May 16 St. Louis, Mo. May 17 Des Moines, Iowa May 17 May 17-18 Atlanta Branford, Conn.

May 17-18 Ocala, Fla. May 18 Richmond, Va. June 1 Carlsbad, Calif.

June 2 San Francisco June 2-3 Kirkland, Wash.

June 5-6 Aurora, Ill. June 7-8 Hilton Head Island, S.C. June 8 Binghamton, N.Y. June 11 Chatham, N.J. June 12-13 June 14-15 Boston June 15 Austin, Texas Quogue, N.Y. June 20 Wintersprings, Fla. June 22

* 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 May 16

May 29

The building of the serve and return of serve Johns Creek, Ga.; F, Hassan From tennis professional to business manager Port St. Lucie, Fla.; T. Daglis

Cardio Tennis May 5 May 16 May 17 May 17 May 18 May 18 June 14 Oct. 9 Nov. 8 Nov. 9

CT CT TRX CT CT TRX CT TRX CT CT CT CT TRX CT

Philadelphia Denver Denver Austin, Texas Austin, Texas Cleveland New York Fayetteville, N.C. New York New York

Please visit www.cardiotennis.com to register online.

TAUT Workshops May 3 May 3 May 10 May 12 May 17 May 18 May 20 May 28 May 31 May 31 June 1 June 1 June 1 June 1 June 7 June 7 June 14 June 14

Charlottesville, Va. New Port Richey, Fla. Cayce, S.C. West Orange, N.J. Fort Collins, Colo.

St. Paul, Minn.

Sioux Falls, S.D. Port St. Lucie, Fla. Sussex, Wis. Fremont, Calif.

Antelope, Calif.

Holland, Mich.

Albuquerque, N.M. Mill Valley, Calif.

San Andreas, Calif.

Amesbury, N.J. Trenton, N.J. Middleton, Wis.

Go to www.coachyouthtennis.com for more workshops or to register.

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.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 57

TM

Member News • “The Art of Coaching High School Tennis: Planning for Success, Drills and Tips for a Season to Treasure” by Bill Patton, USPTA, is an intimate look at the techniques and relationships of high school coaches with their school, players and parents. Along with very practical advice, there are anecdotes to inform great decision-making for you and your high school team. Coaches, athletic directors, parents and even players will want to read this to navigate high school tennis and to share with others. Learn drills and tips to become a great tennis coach or player.

The book is available at Amazon.com.

• The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Division honored one of the stars of their division at the spring convention in Fredericksburg, Va. The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Hall of Fame award was presented to Mike Eikenberry. As a player, Eikenberry was undefeated in singles and doubles in high school. He has been inducted in the Peru, Ind., Athletic Hall of Fame and became the first player inducted into the Indiana High School Tennis Hall of Fame. He attended the University of Virginia where he lettered in both basketball and tennis. During his college tennis career he played the No. 1 singles position on the team for three years and was named all-ACC his senior year. Eikenberry has dedicated 44 years of service to the USPTA. He served on the USPTA national board, was a past national president, and was recognized for the George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

Vegosen of Chicago, a Past Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA, received the prestigious Samuel Hardy Award. He has been a lifelong volunteer and leader in tennis. The Tennis Educational Merit Award was presented to Anne Davis, USPTA, of Tallahassee, Fla., who has been active in community tennis and currently serves as USTA Manager of Play Days.

• Top-seeded Sophie Woorons-Johnston, USPTA, of Anderson, S.C., played in the USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships for the first time, defeating fourth-seeded Ros Nideffer of San Diego, 6-3, 6-1, to capture the women’s singles title at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in December. Woorons-Johnston was a former All-­American at Clemson University.

• USPTA professional Tina Buschi, regional director of adult tennis at Sportime Lynbrook and Kings Park in Lynbrook, N.Y., will be traveling to Surprise, Ariz., as coach of the Caldwell 55+ USTA Team to compete in the National Championships. This will be the third trip for Buschi and the team to Nationals, and last year they won the National Championship.

• USPTA Professional Dan Beedle was recently named 2013 USTA Pro of the Year for Louisiana as well as 2013 USTA Pro of the Year for the Southern section. He graduated from the Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State University in May 2012 and is head pro at Querbes Tennis Center in Shreveport, La.

• The International Tennis Hall of Fame presented the 2013 Samuel Hardy and Tennis Educational Merit Awards on March 15 during the Annual Awards Luncheon. Hall of Fame President Stan Smith presented the awards, which are given annually to recognize great volunteers and leaders in the sport of tennis. USPTA Elite Professional Jon

• “MACCI MAGIC: Extracting Greatness From Yourself and Others,” the new inspirational book by USPTA Master Professional Rick Macci, is now available for sale where books are sold, plus Florida Tennis (www. floridatennismagazine.com) and Amazon. com. “MACCI MAGIC” is an entertaining and inspirational manual and memoir that

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

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.

helps pave the way to great achievement not only in tennis, but in business and in life.

Macci shares his secrets to success both on and off the tennis court through anecdotes and more than 100 of his famous “Macci-ism” sayings that exemplify his teaching philosophy and illustrate the core role and power of positive thinking in the molding of a champion.

• USPTA Professional Scott Mitchell has been invited to join the faculty of the brand new Coach Youth Tennis program. The faculty consists of a select group of coaches who will run the on-court workshop for tennis professionals around the country. Coach Youth Tennis is a collaborative effort between USPTA, PTR, the U.S. Olympic Committee and USTA, and includes six Web courses and one face-to-face 10 and Under workshop. These seven courses will be a prerequisite to anyone pursuing certification with either the USPTA or PTR. Along with this great honor, Mitchell was also awarded the USTA Georgia Tennis Director of the Year for 2013 and accepted his award in Atlanta in February.

• USPTA Master Professional Joe Dinoffer announced the release of a new soundproducing foam ball for tennis called “Jingles Bell Balls.” Jingles Bell Balls are softball-sized 100 percent density foam balls that have three distinctive benefits. First, for the sight-impaired player, the noise when the ball bounces or strikes the racquet allows for auditory recognition. Second, due to the sound, beginning players will develop their rhythm skills subconsciously. Since tennis is a rhythm-based sport, this feature can have powerful learning benefits.

And, third, playing with Jingles is just plain fun! Visit OncourtOffcourt.com or contact the company for a free catalog. Call 888-366-4711.

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. 2014. All rights reserved.

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

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 59

Your Serve Can We Create Another ‘Boom’—for the Next Generation?

I

am lucky! I began teaching tennis in the 1970s, when there was a “perfect storm” for our sport. Women were starting to become more involved in sports, Title IX was taking hold, and the most watched sporting event was about to take place: Billie Jean King vs.

Bobby Riggs. Millions of people flocked to the tennis courts. If you could play a bit, and had some good people skills, you could land a position as a tennis instructor. Certifications were becoming more relevant.

Fast-forward to 2014: While the US Open remains incredibly popular, actual participation is somewhat flat.

Many players from the tennis boom are now over age 60, so while they remain an active base, they are (sadly for the teaching pro) “aging” out of the game.

At a recent USTA meeting, many of us were hit with some sobering stats: • T he average age of a USTA league player in the over-55 divisions: 62 • T he average age of a USTA league player in the over-18 divisions: 46 • A verage age of a USPTA member: 48 • T otal number of under-18 kids in the U.S. who play a tournament per year: 99,000 • T otal number of under-18 kids in the U.S. who play six or more tournaments per year: 23,000 • T otal number of adult players who play age-group tournaments: 13,075 • T here are 250% more tournamentplaying adults in the over-60 divisions than in the under-40 divisions.

Our sport has done an adequate job of providing recreational play opportunities for adult players and we have also done a reasonably good job of providing a competitive pathway for junior players. But we fail miserably in providing enough recreational play opportunities

60 TennisIndustry

May 2014

for young people. This is not a USTA problem, or a manufacturers problem, or a TIA problem, or a teaching pro problem. It is our problem. It impacts everyone.

There is some good news. The industry has never been more aligned to work together and come up with solutions.

We need to get more people, especially young people, playing tennis, and focus on providing a viable pathway for them to get in the game and stay in the game.

Here are a few ways to attract, grow and maintain participation:

10 and Under

Children like to be with friends, and while the higher levels may embrace competition, the vast majority like to play and value activity and action. Organize a Play Day, where the emphasis is on playing, not winning. Keep it simple with a timed format. Many pros are running Play Days to supplement existing lesson programs. Another benefit is that it makes the transition to tournament play smoother for both kids and their parents. As kids become more competitive, their first tournament formats should be non-elimination and shorter.

De-emphasizing results and focusing on developing skills and learning tactics will keep more of them in the game.

Ages 11 to 17

At this point there is a disconnect between beginning players and developing quality players. For years our pathway has been geared to get kids into the competitive pipeline as early as possible and gain rankings. We need to have a pathway for kids to learn, compete and develop into champions, but we should not forget the kids that may simply aspire to play middle or high school ten-

By Chuck Gill

nis. There should be formats for these kids to decide if tennis is their “sport of a lifetime.” Play/tournament formats should be shorter until the kids and parents develop the commitment to do more. This is a perfect time for JTT or a format that will encourage fun competition.

Ages 18 to 30

This generation has high social values, greatly enjoy free time, and are tech savvy, but many have shorter attention spans. They connect though social media. Make play opportunities convenient and engaging, and promote them on the mediums they are used to. Kudos to “Tennis on Campus” connecting the dots between high school players and those who would not make college varsity teams. Again, formats need to fit the needs of busy young people. Entry-level events should focus on social aspects. Offer flex leagues. Promote on Facebook and offer online signups.

Increasing the number of active players will increase the pool of talent in the U.S. Most importantly, having a larger base of young players will help assure jobs and careers for the next generation of teaching professionals.• Chuck Gill has been in the tennis industry for 35 years. Currently, he is the director of sports at the Ibis Golf and Country Club and is the first vice president of the USPTA. He also serves on the USTA Florida Section board and the USTA National 10 and Under Tennis Committee, as well as the Professional Advisory Staff of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to TI@racquetTECH.com.

www.tennisindustrymag.com