The Mission Is to Grow the Game

By Steven Kaplan
While I admire and agree in many ways with Ricky Becker's idealistic viewpoint that the integrity of the tournament ranking system is the priority, in his blog, " Some Major Junior Tournament Rule Changes in 2011 for National Tournament ," I ultimately disagree with his conclusions. Ricky believes...Read more

Some Major Junior Tournament Rule Changes in 2011 For National Tournament

By Ricky Becker
Happy New Year! As 2011 rings in, be aware of some new junior tournament rule changes effecative 1/1/11. Rule 1: National Open Qualifiers : The number of players qualifying for a USTA National Championship from the immediately preceding USTA National Opens will decrease from the top three finishers...Read more

Are You Soft or Tough?

By Ricky Becker
Things that show me a soft player.... 1. Losing matches 7-5, 6-0. 2. Somebody who would rather get angry than figure out what is going wrong. 3. A pre-teen who just wants to hit rather than actually work on technique. 4. Somebody who hates playing pushers. 5. Somebody who talks a serious practice...Read more

First, Do No Harm

By Steven Kaplan
If someone asks you to play tennis wearing ankle weights, run away as fast as you can while you are still able. Remarkably, some tennis coaches have their young students use external weights, such as ankle weights, weighted vests and weighted rackets. This dangerous practice will undermine...Read more

Getting Your Priorities Straight

By Steven Kaplan
I think it's important to disclaim here that as always, this blog is my singular candid viewpoint and I am neither encouraged nor censored by the editors. The Mission of the USTA is to "Promote and Develop the Game of Tennis." The first Strategic Priority they list to achieve this goal is "...Read more

My Opinion: What’s the Story With How to Beat Nadal?

By Eric Meditz
Let me start off by saying that I’m a huge Rafael Nadal fan. I respect his talent. I respect his drive to be the very best. I respect the way he competes and handles himself during his matches. I even respect his entourage of family members he always has in his box supporting him during his matches...Read more

Match Play

By Ricky Becker
One day at a slow group lesson/drill group I said to Nikki, "Nikki, I want you to go to court four and play a set against Julia." Nikki rolled her eyes and said something to the effect of she didn't want to play a match. she just wants to groove her strokes and play baseline games. Nikki (not her...Read more

Extra Credit

By Steven Kaplan
The term "coach" refers to "the direction, instruction and training of an athlete." Most tennis players have many coaches who have participated in various capacities throughout their career, but all coaches are not equal. A coach may provide lessons and advice many hours a week, for many years, to...Read more

The Draw

By Steven Kaplan
I am told that some Eastern Tournament hosts have a reputation for "fixing" their draws. Players who regularly participate at these host clubs seem to have favorable draws more often than simple luck and chance would dictate. If these suspicions are true, then this is regrettably dishonest behavior...Read more

Once-A-Week Tennis

By Ricky Becker
A Private Lesson: Pros: You have the option of tailoring the lesson to what you want. You can get the best technical instruction with a private lesson. You can also get exercise or learn strategy or even just hit if you want. If you want to reach your best long-term potential, you need good...Read more

Copper Bowl ... R.I.P.

By Steven Kaplan
There are going to be drastic cutbacks in the size and scope of the national junior tournament schedule in 2011, and while the details are nebulous, one casualty will be The Copper Bowl as we know it. The Copper Bowl used to immediately follow the Super Nationals and start on Jan. 1; however,...Read more

Post U.S. Open Random Thoughts

By Ricky Becker
Firstly, I want to give myself two shout outs. One, I have been promoted to a "featured" blogger. Not sure what this means but I'll take it. So for those of you who have been reading my blogs. Thank you!!! Secondly, for those of you who don't know, there is a big fantasy baseball league consisting...Read more
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