Addvantage 2016 January

Inside this issue The Ins and Outs of the Commercial Facility – 66 Thoughts on the Kick Serve for Developing Juniors – 68 Departments: 66 Beyond the Court 54 CEO’s Message 68 Inside Coaching 56 President’s Message 69 Master Pro Corner 58 USPTA News Career Development 70 60 Endorsee News 72 Member News 62 Growing Your Business Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com On the cover: TGA & USPTA work together to provide professionals a unique opportunity to ensure their future. See Page 62.

CEO’s Message

Reflections on 2015

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s we prepare for an eventful 2016, it is always important to take stock in what transpired in 2015. Using our strategic plan as the barometer for everything that we do, let’s recall the five core pillars as the template for this evaluation: 1. Financial Stability: All indications are that we will finish the year with another surplus.

That will be three straight years of fiscal discipline with positive results after five consecutive years of losses previously.

We added two new endorsees to the mix during the year plus a new affiliation with Liberty Mutual Insurance for home and auto insurance.

We welcomed Plannit!, a new mobile business app to help manage your teaching and revenue electronically.

We also were delighted to add Jeunesse as our official nutrition company through Athletic Advantage to help pros increase their residual income off the court so that they do not have to rely solely on their time on court to make money. With health and wellness becoming more important to us personally as well as to your customer base, you owe it to yourself to investigate how Jeunesse can help grow your business.

2. Growing our membership: After a stellar year in 2014 where we posted a 10 percent gain in paid memberships, we are off slightly this year with a modest decline of less than 2 percent. In aggregate, we are still up 8 percent over the two years combined, which is just below our original target of net 5 percent each year. It is also worth noting that through October, the number of new applicants, the number of members reinstating and the number of people who have tested are all showing increases versus last year.

During the year, we announced

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by John Embree two new initiatives to help increase our membership: one is the creation of a School Coaches category that allows high school or middle school institutions (not the coach) to pay a one-time, $99 fee so that all tennis coaches can access tennisresources. com, our practice planner and hundreds of drills and videos. Coaches can also get Tennis Industry magazine, Tennis magazine and attend USPTA educational offerings as a part of this membership category.

In addition, we rolled out an incentive called AIM (Admire, Invite, Mentor) for existing members to recruit and encourage aspiring tennis professionals to join the USPTA and receive a $50 credit toward his/her annual dues. Existing members can really impact our association for years to come!

Finally, the USPTA absorbed the Professional Platform Tennis Association (PPTA) into its family. With so many USPTA Professionals also teaching platform tennis in the winter, we are pleased to be able to offer them platform tennis certification and all USPTA Professional-level benefits.

3. Elevating the standards of tennisteaching professionals and coaches: There is one year left on the three year timetable for professional level members (under the age of 65) to comply with the professional development requirement of 12 hours or 6 credits before December 2016. If you have not yet complied, thanks in advance for making the effort to do so within the next 12 months.

By now, you have heard that our World Conference in New Orleans was a huge success! I am proud to say that we had our highest registrations since 2008 and the most paid attendance since 2007.

4. Stronger alliances with allied ­organizations: This continues to be a top prior-

ity with two associations in particular, the USTA and CMAA. We should be tied to the hip with the USTA because of the impact that our professionals have in delivering USTA programs at their respective facilities. It is gratifying to see so many of our divisions working in concert with USTA sections.

As for the CMAA, club managers are the people who employ a large percentage of our membership.

Thus, building a bridge with this entity is vital so that they understand how important it is to hire USPTAcertified Professionals and to encourage their tennis staff at all levels to get the necessary education.

The USPTA should be a partner with those entities that are committed to growing our sport, such as IHRSA, TIA, ITA and anyone else who is a stakeholder in tennis.

5. Make diversity and inclusion a higher priority: While translating our website and testing materials into Spanish is a start, there is so much more that we will be doing in the future to make the USPTA more representative of our community at large. Toward that end, we will conduct five pilot programs in conjunction with five division conferences in early 2016 to help elevate the standards to Hispanic and Latino coaches in those respective regions. If successful, we will expand this outreach to other divisions in future years.

Under Tom McGraw’s leadership as President, we accomplished a great deal in 2015. I want to thank him and the board for their commitment to the association. It has been a pleasure to work with them.

In January, we welcome a new board under the guidance of new President Chuck Gill. I look forward to an exciting two years to come. h

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President’s Message

2016 to Bring Opportunities for Professional Growth

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irst a happy, healthy and prosperous 2016 to each of you in the USPTA family. By being a member of USPTA, you have shown your commitment to tennis and the mission of “elevating the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches.” While our association is diverse geographically as well as in job scope, we all share the goal of being able to deliver tennis programs to the tennis community in the best possible way. As the incoming president, I am committed to furthering that mission, making sure that we grow tennis and our careers, and providing pathways for tennis coaches and professionals to stay relevant in the industry. 2016 promises to be an exciting year for tennis, especially USPTA Professionals.

Here are just a few things that you will be hearing about in the coming year:

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Professional Development 2016 will be the final year of the first three-year professional development requirement period. While many of our pros regularly obtain 6 credits each year, we have the minimum requirement that professionals earn in 6 CE credits over the threeyear cycle that began January 2014.

While this has been the norm for other trade associations, it is a “culture shift” for us. Golf professionals, licensed massage therapists and personal trainers all have some form of continuing education and professional development requirements.

For us to “elevate the standards” of our profession, we should as well!

Being a certified tennis professional should have some form of post-certification development, as well as simply passing an exam. While we realize that everyone will not have the

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time or the means to attend a World Conference or division convention, we are working hard to provide local and online education (at little or NO cost) that our members will find useful. Please stay tuned to your local USPTA publications as well as our e-blasts to see how easy “getting your 6” can be.

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by Chuck Gill

Allied Associations The past few years we have made great strides in working on alignment and shared goals with both the USTA and TIA. As the governing body of tennis in the United States, the USTA is an invaluable ally to teaching professionals and coaches. Simply put, more play-

By being a member of USPTA you have shown your commitment to tennis and the mission of “elevating the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches.” As the incoming president, I am committed to furthering that mission, making sure that we grow tennis and our careers, and providing pathways for tennis coaches and professionals to stay relevant in the industry. l

Division Conventions and Regional Workshops The schedule of division conventions for 2016 has been completed and each of our 17 division leaders has been tasked with providing the best, most accessible educational events possible. We want the seminars to be sessions that you will WANT to attend, not feel you NEED or are FORCED to attend! Each one will feature education obviously, but also opportunities to socialize, network with fellow professionals, and meet with your division leaders.

Please feel free to seek out the national board representative and inquire about any issue you may have.

While some divisions will have one main convention, many are offering additional workshops in different areas to accommodate those who are unable to travel. Even if there is not an event near you, we will have plenty of online offerings to enable you to easily fulfill your professional development requirements in 2016.

ers mean more lessons, clinics and programs. Players who have a great first experience on the tennis court via a USPTA lesson will stay in the game longer, take lessons, enter leagues and tournaments, buy products, attend professional events, etc. As the delivery force and almost universally the “first tennis experience” for a new player, it is in everyone’s best interest to support raising the standards for tennis teaching. While all of our members are not impacted by CMAA, pros growing the game in the private club industry rely heavily on general managers to support education and keep their tennis directors and professional on the cutting edge of programming and lesson plans. We will continue to work hard at nurturing these relationships, as well as being tennis advocates with anyone else who can mutually grow tennis.

In closing, thanks for being a part of USPTA! I look forward to serving you in 2016. h

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USPTA News

Individual/Family Health Insurance Options

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s an individual trying to independently purchase health insurance for yourself – and perhaps for your family – you probably feel overwhelmed.

High prices and few affordable choices are one part of the challenge; understanding complex policies plus the consequences of health care reform is another. We have partnered with Digital Insurance to offer a selection of individual/family health insurance options to meet your needs – and your budget.

Since March 1, 2014, there has been an individual mandate to have health insurance coverage. People who do not secure health insurance are subject to penalties levied by the IRS. The fee for not having health insurance in 2016 is calculated two different ways – as a percentage of your household income, and per person. You’ll pay whichever is higher.

1. Percentage of income: • 2.5% of household income • Maximum: Total yearly premium for the national average price of a Bronze plan sold through the Marketplace

2.

Per person: • $695 per adult • $347.50 per child under 18 • Maximum: $2,085

Open enrollment for 2016 runs through January 31. Outside of open enrollment, an individual must experience a qualifying event and enroll within a 60-day window from the event.

An individual can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. A short-term policy is available if you need immediate coverage.

Digital Insurance offers individual major medical insurance (comprehensive fully-insured plans). We work with

“A” rated insurance carriers, which is the highest rating possible. Your policy will be customized based upon your needs, situation and type of insurance you want to carry.

Some states will not work directly with brokers (i.e., Digital Insurance).

These include Vermont, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts and Hawaii. For individuals in those states, Digital Insurance will provide contact information and an email link for next steps.

Now that some of the confusion has subsided about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is time to sign up for a program that suits your family. h

Ready to get started?

CONTACT: Digital Insurance Sales Desk (888) 470-2121 licensing@digitalinsurance.com

Open enrollment for 2016 runs through January 31.

Or go to www.digitalinsurance.com/ri/USPTA for an online contact request.

Within 48 hours of receipt of your questionnaire, Digital Insurance will provide up to four plans/quotes for your review (changes can be made if necessary).

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USPTA News

Q&A with USPTA’s National Tester – Sid Newcomb

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n October, USPTA announced the hiring of Sid Newcomb as the ­Association’s National Tester. Get to know Sid and what he plans to bring to the certification process.

8. Your family is also involved with tennis. What activities do you enjoy together? We have a large family: five children with a big age spread; the oldest is 22 and the youngest is 7. We are very close as a family and now with some kids away at university, we cherish even more every moment when we are all together.

1. Explain what your new role as ­USPTA’s National Tester entails.

The role of the national tester is to work closely with the head testers from each division and the national testing committee to provide a certification training and testing process that is consistent and uniform across the entire country and all countries that are working with the USPTA.

9. If your career wasn’t in tennis, what would you be doing? Never thought much about it. Definitely would want to be outside and not behind a desk.

2. What made you decide to apply for the position? I applied for this position because I felt like at this time in my career, I would like to invest my energy in having a positive influence on our great sport on a scale that is bigger than the role I have had at one club as the tennis director.

3. What goals do you have for testing and certification? My goal is to participate with our testers and head testers to provide the best certification process in the world for our organization’s applicants.

4. What are you most looking forward to in your new position?

I am looking forward to the many challenges that lie in front of me and the organization as we are heading to some real changes both in processes and in moving the World Headquarters to Lake Nona, Fla. It is a challenging time but also a great time.

5. How long have you been involved with USPTA and how has being a member helped you in your ­career? Twenty years ago, I joined the ­USPTA as the club that had

as a player to make a living at it but coaching it, teaching it, and playing it bring me the greatest fulfillment and joy!

hired me required certification. It has been the best organization that I have been a part of. The energy and positive influence at national and regional conventions encourage me to keep working and never stop learning, growing, and trying to improve as a tennis professional.

6. How did you first become involved in tennis? My father was a fighter pilot for the U.S. Air Force. We moved around quite a bit. When I was 10 years old, we moved to Chile in South America. There were no “American” sports in Chile like baseball, basketball, and football so I began playing tennis with my parents at the local club.

7. Why did you decide to make teaching tennis your career? I love tennis. I wasn’t good enough

10. Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

My faith has definitely been the most influential aspect in my life.

It is the rock in tough times and brings the truest most meaningful joy in the “good” stuff in life.

11. What activities and hobbies do you enjoy when you’re not teaching or playing tennis? Our family loves music. We all play instruments and like to sing and dance. My wife is a marathon runner, and I join in with her on races on occasion. Our children have various hobbies, talents, and sports that keep us very busy as coaches and spectators outside of tennis.

12. What is your favorite vacation spot and what do you like most about it? My favorite vacation spot is when all seven Newcombs are together without a real agenda other than to spend the days together sharing life, laughing and making memories. h

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Endorsee News

Prince TeXtreme Promises a Racquet for Every Player Type Prince unveils three new racquets in January 2016: the TeXtreme Warrior 100, TeXtreme Warrior 100L and the TeXtreme Warrior 100T. The new

“Prince is excited with the development of our TeXtreme collection.

We’re confident this collection of racquets will help us to continue to not only meet the needs of every player at every level, but more importantly, help every one of those players play better tennis.”

“Prince is excited with the development of our TeXtreme collection. We’re confident this collection of racquets will help us to continue to not only meet the needs of every player at every level, but more importantly, help every one of those players play better tennis,” said Tyler Herring, VP Product Design and Development of Prince Global Sports.

“For over 40 years Prince has been a company built on pushing the boundaries of innovation, enhancing the performance of players of all ages and abilities with technical advancement.”

TeXtreme Premier 120

TeXtreme Warrior 100t

TeXtreme Warrior 100L

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formance ­racquet collection down to 12 TeXtreme racquets, delivering a game-changing racquet for every type of player.

TeXtreme Premier 105

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SPTA official racquet partner, Prince® Global Sports, set the tennis world on fire when it unveiled the world’s first oversize racquet, the Prince Classic, 40-years ago. Ever since then, the company has continued to revolutionize the game of tennis through a relentless pursuit to innovate and develop racquets with game-changing technologies that set the standard.

Now they’re raising the bar once again as they round out their TeXtreme® line in 2016.

As more and more competitors’ racquets are modernized with stiffer frames and more open string patterns, Prince’s TeXtreme collection marks another game changing move

by Prince. TeXtreme, a light and ultrastrong material that increases racquet stability by up to 25 percent, provides tennis players for the first time ever both enhanced power and improved control, all with an incredible soft hitting feel. Prince will trim its per-

TeXtreme Warrior 100 Series is perfect for all-court players who want a maneuverable racquet that gives them an unmatched combination of power, control and feel from both the baseline and net.

In the spring, Prince’s Premier family will get a new look with the introduction of the TeXtreme Premier 105 and TeXtreme Premier 120.

These frames offer a unique combination of both O3 port technology ­ eXtreme, delivering the largest and T sweetspot in tennis – up to 77 percent larger than standard frames of the same headsize.

“By streamlining the performance racquet offering to 12 TeXtreme models we are focusing our marketing efforts behind one common technology story – TeXtreme. In doing so, we are simplifying the racquet selection process for all consumers. At Prince, we innovate technology that is real and that delivers the benefits tennis consumers need to play better tennis,” said Mike Ballardie, Prince Global Sports CEO. Used in other categories like golf and NASCAR, TeXtreme is undoubtedly a game changer for tennis and for Prince. With these newest additions to the TeXtreme collection, Prince is challenging players to experience the fun and power of a TeXtreme racquet and play better tennis! For more information, contact your local Prince Brand Manager or visit teamprince.com. h

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Growing Your Business TGA and USPTA Work Together to Provide Professionals a Unique Opportunity to Ensure Their Future

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he USPTA, diligently on the lookout for ways to impact its membership and ensure the future for tennis professionals nationwide, has discovered a landscape-changing endeavor that is bringing youth and families into tennis.

TGA Premier Youth Tennis, an educational, motivational and innovative youth sports business model, creates a blueprint for USPTA Professionals to impact thousands of students and families in their community. The blueprint empowers USPTA Professionals to use their skills and TGA’s business model to build a tennis ecosystem throughout their community.

The unique model makes tennis available through a structured program in schools and community centers before transitioning new players to facilities and youth programs, thus creating new clients and future business for USPTA members.

Tom McGraw, USPTA’s Immediate Past President, calls partnering with TGA a game-changer, “Our vision as an association is to find ways to enhance the livelihood of our membership and create career opportunities in the industry to promote the sport of tennis,” he said. “TGA, with its youth sports franchise model, does exactly that for our members and we could not be more excited.”

TGA, which stands for Teach Grow Achieve, pioneered its youth sports franchise model in partnership with the USTA. The program has already activated more than 37,000 youth tennis players while making the sport available to over 250,000 families.

“Our model is beginning to have long-term sustainability within the tennis industry and is also attracting a younger generation who want to be their own boss, control their career path and build a successful business,”

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“Our vision as an association is to find ways to enhance the livelihood of our membership and create career opportunities in the industry to promote the sport of tennis.” ~ Tom McGraw, USPTA Immediate Past President

Photo by Brian Walters Photography

­ acobs TGA founder and CEO Joshua J said. “We are putting USPTA Professionals in a great position to significantly grow and activate new players over the next 10 to 15 years by controlling the delivery system.”

With a youth movement and increased participation, the demand for USPTA Professionals to become coaches and provide proper instruction for

young people is increasing. Tennis professional Rodolfo Cordova, who ran a non-profit junior tennis program in San Fernando Valley, Calif., recently earned his USPTA status and started coaching for TGA through its Los Angeles tennis programs. He was attracted to the TGA model because of its focus on youth and getting tennis in schools. He is now a frontline witness to TGA’s success.

“Having just started as a USPTA Professional and TGA instructor not too long ago, I can already see the impact TGA tennis is having on our community, my book of business and my personal brand as a USPTA Professional,” Cordova said. “It’s becoming infectious from school to school and parent to parent. Parents are now taking the initiative and requesting that TGA Tennis be offered at their schools.”

As a new USPTA Professional, working with TGA allows Cordova to be fully vested in tennis as a career. “I see the TGA model grow and expand every day in my area. This allows me to generate more income, as well as have increased coaching opportunities through my adult programs with all the new clientele. My goal is to someday sustain myself solely through a tennis career and I can envision that with TGA.” Cordova has also developed increased exposure as a tennis coach, creating opportunities for early-developed relationships between coach and student that can impact future business.

“TGA opens the door for me to coach both youth and parents while creating a long-term coaching relationship with the student. This can help to identify and develop future elite players by guiding them down the proper pathway of coaching.”

“I see the TGA model grow and expand every day in my area.

This allows me to generate more income, as well as have increased coaching opportunities through my adult programs with all the new clientele. My goal is to someday sustain myself solely through a tennis career and I can envision that with TGA.” ~ Rodolfo Cordova Today, TGA is up and running in 30 franchised markets with much of the U.S. markets still available for USPTA members looking to expand their career. With buy-in fees ranging from $6,000 to $35,000 depending on the market, TGA’s affordable start-up costs were recognized by Entrepreneur mag-

azine as a “Top 10 Franchise Value” in 2011.

“TGA has developed a new generation model that changes the way we grow the sport of tennis,” USPTA CEO John Embree said. “To be able to provide a proven business model and increase the offering of full- and parttime job opportunities to our members is critical for the future of our association and for our sport.”

With TGA, USPTA members like Cordova garner a competitive advantage in their markets by providing introductory and recreational programs at every school and community center within their communities. As those youngsters age and become vested in the sport along with their parents, a future pipeline of business is being created and overall tennis participation is increased. USPTA members can also build a team to grow the business or even look at partnering with their local tennis club that might be looking to develop future business.

For more information, visit www. franchisetga.com. h

Photo by Brian Walters Photography

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 63

Beyond the Court

The Ins and Outs of the Commercial Facility

By Paul Marcum, USPTA

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commercial facility is a very popular place for USPTA professionals to work, especially in the Midwest, North, Northeast and Northwest. A lot of the time the weather dictates this and one must have a commercial facility in order to have a tennis business in these locations. But there are many factors to take into account regarding the potential success or demise of the commercial facility.

The top priority must be guaranteed money for the facility. This would include various types of memberships, club programming, permanent court times, private lessons, private group clinics, and open court time or walk-on time. Based on the facility and/or loca-

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tion, there will be stronger areas here than others. One facility may specialize in private lessons and groups while another focuses on general club programming. Hiring USPTA Professionals to administer these lessons and programs should certainly relieve some pressure from the owner. Whatever the situation, there has to be guaranteed money coming in because of the main concern: overhead.

Overhead closes the doors of too many facilities out there. Just think of the heating and electricity of an indoor four-court facility. It’s off the charts these days. And add a good amount more to the larger facilities. Budgeting for this on the higher end would be preferential. There’s also budgeting

for general maintenance like winterizing the facility and getting it ready for spring, along with any court work that may have to be done. And don’t forget the equipment needs: balls, carts, hoppers, etc. This area really has to be budgeted wisely as court equipment breaks, or sadly, walks out of the club. It happens.

Some of this can be assisted by having relationships or partnerships to build on. One can provide local hospitals with discounted memberships or programs in return for first aid and CPR training, free cholesterol checks, etc. A day care center could provide discounted rates for employees’ children and they in return would receive discounted programs and/or lessons.

Parks and recreation departments can bring people over at a discount and the facility can provide free marketing for the parks and recreation departments.

These are only a few of the ways to utilize partnerships.

A facility should also offer some growth opportunities. This could include specialized social events like holiday mixers, lesson leagues, play with the pro, round robins, etc. Cardio or Rock-n-Roll tennis is still very popular and brings people in the doors.

Let’s not leave out ROGY as we can get more students on the 36-foot courts.

More students equal more money for the facility.

The owner will often deal with a good amount of the above, along with insurance, zoning issues, building on to the club, permits, and so on. But as a USPTA Professional, one must answer a question: is the commercial facility a valid choice? There are many advantages to working at a commercial facility. Rain or shine the tennis courts are there and ready to use. A lot of commercial facilities are multipurpose and the potential of drawing members in from other areas is there. There is often flexibility with programs based on time and court availability. Some clubs offer house hours that guarantee some money starting off – usually junior class hours or house clinics. Lastly, and most importantly as the pro ages and/ or has a family, there are some types of benefits. This would include 401K, health insurance, discounted or free programs for the spouse and/or kids, free court time, partial or full USPTA dues covered, and possibly more.

There are also some issues that may keep one from considering a commercial facility. It can seem as if commercial facilities are open ­24 hours a day, seven days a week. So a newer professional may feel like he or she is “on call.” Whatever comes up, the new professional covers it. Income will be affected as a percentage of lessons go toward court usage. And some will only be paid for the on-court teaching and not receive a base salary. The demographics, although not usually as demanding as country clubs, can be a factor. The location and clientele could affect situations negatively.

The larger the facility, the more tennis professionals there are jockeying for lessons and court time. This could

A facility should offer some growth opportunities. This could include ­specialized social events like holiday mixers, lesson leagues, play with the pro, round robins, etc. Cardio or Rock-n-Roll tennis is still very popular and brings people in the doors.

become very uncomfortable. Lastly, various commercial facilities won’t offer all of the benefits a USPTA Professional may be looking for.

The USPTA Professional would benefit by not just looking at the oncourt teaching aspect and how much he/she can make, but the entire outlook of the commercial facility that is being considered. Is there room for advancement? How long has the facil-

ity been open? Has it been the same owner or owners? What’s the competition like around the area? Is tennis the major sport there? How many courts?

Is there a lot of turnover with the tennis professionals? In short, completely research the commercial facility or facilities that are of interest. It just could be the best decision one ever makes as a USPTA professional.

Enjoy the process! h

Paul Marcum is in his 14th year at The Sports Club of West Bloomfield in West Bloomfield, Mich. He also owns and operates Paul Marcum’s Tennis Services, LLC, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., during the summer months. Marcum is the USPTA Midwest Division Immediate Past President and current USPTA Midwest Testing and Certification Chair. He resides in Bloomfield Hills with his wife Lori and their children, Kaitlyn and Courtney.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 67

Inside Coaching

Thoughts on the Kick Serve for Developing Juniors

By Jim McLennan, USPTA

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layers spin the serve for the downward curve created by either slice or topspin. At a higher level of play, these spins are used to open the court or create difficulty for the receiver. But in the main, spin creates margin both above the net and inside the service line – so that the ball safely clears the net and lands inside the service line. Think of that as “A foot and a foot” – meaning a foot above the net and a foot inside the service line.

Coaches are not in agreement about which serve to teach, or in fact whether slice should be taught first and the kick later, or vice versa.

However, compelling research evidence from Stanford University on the mechanics and execution of the WTA serve casts doubt, if not serious questions, on the injurious effect of the kick serve. (See graphs at right.)

Compare the points of contact for Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova (see photo at right). Both shots were taken at the 2013 WTA tournament at Stanford. Perhaps this is a coincidence, but Maria has had multiple shoulder problems and even surgery, while ­Serena’s service delivery is known as the best all-time stroke in the history of the women’s game. Serena places contact in an “up-sidespin position” and Maria obviously takes it much further to an exaggerated “kick” contact position.

I firmly believe that to develop a fluid and effortless serve (think Sampras or Federer), a developing junior must first master a consistent sidespin serve, where both first and second serves are similar, and where the first serve has some sidespin and the second serve merely has more sidespin.

Consider developing the kick serve only when you are much older. Shoulder injuries have sidelined many a promising junior. h

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The following diagrams show force and torque generated by slice, flat and kick serves.

Graphs from filming and analysis of the Stanford men’s team by Marc Safran and Geoff Abrams

For more material on the serve, visit www.essentialtennisinstruction.com. “Building the Serve from the Ground Up” is now certified for 1.5 continuing education credits and is available at USProTennisShop.com.

Jim McLennan is the Tennis Director at the Fremont Hills Country Club in Los Altos Hills, Calif., past president of the USPTA Northern California Division and publishes online instruction, podcasts and commentary at www.essentialtennisinstruction.com. He holds a master’s degree in Sport Psychology from the University of West Florida and has co-authored footwork research with the Stanford University Biomechanical Engineering department.

Master Pro Corner

Alternative Concepts to Teaching Under 10s

By Ty Fuller, USPTA Master Professional

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ver the last 10 years of running my tennis school in a suburb of Atlanta, kids were arriving at the courts with very little skill development. Because of the lack of physical education in a lot of the local schools and the parents not working on basic hand-eye coordination training at home, kids were underprepared for the class. Many kids didn’t know the difference between underhand and overhand when throwing a ball, and in many cases, didn’t know whether they were left- or right-handed.

Because of these issues I felt the need to change the format and structure of the class. I gradually introduced basketball and soccer training into the program. Having played both sports myself, I found this transition quite easy and very enjoyable. Because of the introduction of these two sports, the hand-eye coordination and footwork

required for tennis became easier.

In addition, I reduced the size of the class. Over the years I went from six to four and finally to only two kids for a 45-minute session. I, of course, raised my fee and the parents didn’t object because they saw the dramatic improvement in their child’s tennis skills. We

Introducing basketball and soccer into tennis training improves the hand-eye coordination and footwork required for tennis.

all know how frustrating and tedious learning tennis can be at times, particularly for the under 10s. By adding soccer and basketball, it made all the difference. I had read earlier on that many of the European and Asian countries were already experimenting with the same concept. Try this at your club or facility and you should see the same fabulous results. The children have a lot more fun and there is less stress on the instructor.

Another addition I made to my kids’ program was a ball machine. I had been using a ball machine as part of my lessons off and on for many years. However, the impact of the Tennis Twist (or “Freddy” as we call him) has been very dramatic. It’s a very kid-friendly machine with a soft easy toss every few seconds. Most importantly, the low compression balls work great with it. I agree wholeheartedly with Elite Pro Stan Oley (reference his article in Tennis Industry magazine, July 2014 ) that the ball machine has been underutilized as a teaching aid for too long. That simply needs to change. Most learning tennis players don’t practice properly or often enough.

That could change if more tennis pros bring the ball machine out on the court.

Let’s get away from always “feeding from the net.” If more pros discover the benefits of the ball machine and really start using and promoting those benefits to their students, major change will occur in the development of the American tennis player. h Ty Fuller taught tennis throughout the New England area from 1963-1972.

After moving to Atlanta in 1973, he formed his own school specializing in tennis instruction for kids under age 10. Over the years he has conducted programs in West Africa and Japan. In 2016 he will be celebrating his 50th year as a USPTA member. He can be reached at tyfuller@realcooltennis.com.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 69

Career Development Exams, Upgrades Workshops & Courses & PTCA I

Division Activities

(4 credits for PTCA I segment)

(6 credits)

(10 credits per level)

Jan. 15-16 Houston* Jan. 16-17

Boca Raton, Fla.

Jan. 24-25

San Diego

Jan. 20

Palo Alto, Calif.

Aurora, Ill.

Feb. 7-8 Feb. 13-14 Feb. 20

Orlando, Fla. Eau Claire, Wis.

Feb. 20-21

Huntington Beach, Calif.

Feb. 20-21

Horseshoe Bay, Texas

Feb. 25

Prairie Village, Kan.

Feb. 25-26 Houston* March 7-8 March 12-13

La Jolla, Calif.

Boca Raton, Fla.

Jan. 23

Wheelchair Tennis Clinic Oshkosh, Wis.

Jan. 28-29 Jan. 29-31

Webinars

Jan. 30-31

(.5 credits)

Feb. 18-21

Jan. 20

Feb. 10

Opening the doors to competition Bob Love Present challenges in running a tennis complex Fernando Velasco

For more information visit uspta.com/Education> Education Calendar.

Feb. 19-21 Feb. 19-21 Feb. 25-27

USPTA Midwest Convention Aurora, Ill. USPTA Northern Convention Fridley, Minn.

USPTA NorCal Convention Palo Alto, Calif.

USPTA Texas Convention Horseshoe Bay, Texas USPTA Southwest Convention Phoenix USPTA California Convention TBD USPTA Missouri Valley Convention Kansas City

* 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.

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.

70 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Education requirements All USPTA-certified Professionals must earn 6 education credits in a three-year period to remain current. Go to USPTA.com/Education for a partial list of eligible activities. Please send verification (email, letter, certificate, receipt, etc.) that shows you attended the event/activity and submit it along with the date and agenda to education@uspta.org to receive your credit. (International members, Recreational Coaches and those over the age of 65 are exempt.) ­Questions? Write to education@uspta.org or call 800-877-8248, ext. 147.

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FL (except panhandle to Tallahassee) MIGUEL ROSA mrosa@princeglobalsports.com 941-447-5928 Texas and New Mexico JOHN SEVERANCE jseverance@princeglobalsports.com 832-443-5217 CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT JOHN WEBER jweber@princeglobalsports.com 617-821-3951 DC, DE, IN (southern), KY, MD, OH (southern), PA, Northern Virginia JOHN WEIL JWeil@PrinceGlobalSports.com 513-582-3801

*Exclusive Club Program offer depends on qualifying status of Pro Shop.

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Member News Former River Oaks Country Club Pro Passes Away

by Jack Michalko, USPTA vice president The tennis world lost one of the most innovative teaching professionals in the country with the passing of Harry Parten from Tyler, Texas, in June 2015. Parten was a USPTA Professional for more than 50 years. He spoke frequently at USPTA Texas conventions as well as at USPTA World Conferences. Parten was also a former USPTA Texas Pro of the Year in 1974.

Parten spent his entire career at River Oaks Country Club in Houston. He was selftaught and his hard work earned him a tennis scholarship to the University of Houston.

While a student at U of H he started helping out at the River Oaks Country Club on the weekends teaching tennis and helping to organize the annual River Oaks Invitational Tennis Tournament. Upon graduation with a degree in civil engineering in 1960, he took a job with Farnsworth-Chambers Engineering but never lost his love for the game of tennis and continued to help out at River Oaks until the head pro, Andrew Jitkoff, retired and recommended Parten to replace him.

The club was all ready to abandon the tennis program at that time and tear out the courts to build additional parking but decided to give Parten an interview. He presented them with the following mission statement at his interview: “It is my intention to produce for

River Oaks Country Club a tennis operation tailored to the needs of the membership that is, in every respect, second to none.” The club decided to give him a chance and the rest is history! River Oaks Tennis went from a very lackluster program with little or no activity to one of the finest tennis programs in the country in no time. During the next 31 years the club added eight additional hard courts to their original 10 clay courts and a tennis building that included a fully stocked tennis shop, staff offices, and a conference and film room. He employed a staff of anywhere from three to eight pros at all times and created tournaments, formal parties and pari-mutual betting events that were always a sell-out. He offered themed tournaments with social events, inter-club competitions, and established a four-tier junior program for up to 250 juniors a week!

Parten retired in 1993 and the club honored him with an ROCC membership.

In an article about Houston in Town & Country magazine under the listing “Things You Must Do While in Houston” was “take a tennis lesson from Head Professional Harry Parten at River Oaks Country Club.” Parten gave lessons to such notables as Vice President Spiro Agnew, Wall Street’s Ivan Boesky, and Senator Lloyd Bentsen to name a few.

• Longtime Kingsborough Community College Tennis Coach Barry Goldsmith was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame in May, 2015, in Plano, Texas. Goldsmith, who has served as coach of the Kingsborough Men’s Tennis team for 33 years and its women’s team for 10, led the men’s and women’s tennis teams to national championships in 1998 and 2009. Under his leadership both teams together have produced more than 55 All-Americans and 17 individual singles and doubles national champions.

In addition to coaching at Kingsborough, Goldsmith, a USPTA Master Professional for the last 13 years and a USTA high performance coach and supervisor, also serves as an usher and security staffer at the Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open.

Recently Kingsborough Community College honored Goldsmith by naming the college’s new outdoor tennis facility for both Coach Goldsmith and Rachelle, his wife, who is the Director of Kingsborough’s Honors Program.

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Two-time world tennis champion Mark Vines, USPTA, has been appointed director of tennis, fitness and recreation for Naples Bay Resort in Naples, Fla. In his new position, Vines will manage a recreational and fitness program that is an essential part of the Naples Bay Resort experience. Vines comes to Naples Bay Resort from Oakwood Country Club in Lynchburg, Va., where he was director of tennis and athletics for 10 years, managing tennis, aquatics, fitness programs, event management, and retail merchandising.

Vines’ club experience also includes a position as director of tennis and aquatics at Columbine Country Club in Littleton, Colo., where he developed fitness and athletic programs for members and guests. Vines is a former ATP touring pro who achieved high rankings in the tennis world, including a career high of 105 in singles.

ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite 202 Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 / 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 email – magazine@uspta.org

72 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.

President First Vice President

Chuck Gill Gary Trost

Vice Presidents

Past President CEO Legal Counsel

Alan Cutler Feisal Hassan Ken McAllister Jack Michalko Diane Selke

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Tom McGraw John Embree George Parnell

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. 2015. All rights reserved.

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