A few years ago when I was at a high-performance coaching seminar in Cincinnati, I heard a great expression, "Hit-and-Giggle Tennis." I loved the expression because it accurately portrayed recreational tennis distinctly in four words. Not that there is anything wrong with Hit-and-Giggle Tennis, but when I hear someone say that they play tennis seriously, and…
I am not anti-USTA. Well, I should correct that. I don’t want to be anti-USTA. Yeah, they stiffed me 20 years ago from the National Team, but after all, they are the national governing body of our great country. Whether they want to be or not, they are bullies. I can’t get around it. …
About 10 years ago, I had a lifelong memory when I was asked to practice with Pete Sampras for a day when he was in New York City while his wife was filming for a movie. Except for the fact that he stuck me for the court and ball fee even though he made about 600 times…
Boys’18’s: 2011 January regionals had 5 easier cutoffs; 2012 had 3 that were easier Boys’ 16’s: 2011 3 easier; 2012 5 easier Boys’ 14’s: 2011 4 easier; 2012 4 easier Boys’ 12’s: 2011 5 easier; 2012 3 easier Girls 18’s: 2011 4 easier; 2012 4 easier Girls’ 16’s: 2011 5 easier; 2012 3 easier Girls…
From my experience of working with two of the stronger junior programs around and now going out on my own, I have seen two different styles in terms of coach quantity for junior players. I have seen situations where some juniors want one coach and view any time/money spent with a different coach a waste…
I started coaching when I was 15-years old at a country club. If I remember correctly, I was paid $20 an hour at the cluband I was more than thrilled. IAt the club, I taught adults and kids (many of whom went to my high school.) I went on the next couple of years to…
If you plan on aging up in 2012 naionally, all I could say is "good luck." Points have been drastically reduced for all national level tournaments except for the quarterfinals on in SuperNationals.This includes national points distributed at USTA/Eastern Sectional Tournaments. Last year if you win, lose and lose at a Level 4 sectional, you got…
Although I appreciate (and disagree with) the counterpoint to my last article about limiting junior tournaments to younger kids, I will respond to it in the future. When I heard that for the second time, there was going to be an attempt to blatently stack a lineup to gain a competitive advantage, I was shocked. Not shocked…
Different coaches teach different things and have different theories. The problem is, I’m the only one who is right. Just kidding of course (at least the obnoxious attitude.) One of the items I have debated with some other coaches over the last few years is the amount of tournaments kids younger than 11-years old should…
Things Coaches Say… "The kids in this area are soft" "The kids in this area have no talent" "The parents are the reason this child is not doing well." "My students need to play more." "Other programs in the area are horrible." "Rankings aren’t important at this age." Things Kids Say… "I get bad…
