Do You "Practice" Tennis Or "Play" Tennis?

Each time I travel to different countries to perform tennis workshops for coaches, teachers, and parents or to give lectures at conferences, there is a wealth of information that always enlightens me and gives me new perspectives. I learn so much about the game, about people, their cultures and so much more! In this month's article, I hope to share an insight that you may not have yet incorporated into your player's development...yet!

With so much emphasis on sport science these days, in many instances coaches and parents are helping to turn athletes into biomechanically sound tennis players who when analyzed are simply "world class caliber" in stroke production. They look great, in video, in photographs, and in news clippings. Take a picture and they L-O-O-K M-A-R-V-E-L-O-U-S! There's a problem though, it's like a teacher in a school -- a teacher may have gone through college, earned so many degrees, apprenticed so and so, but when they enter a classroom they simply cannot teach. They have all the tools but are missing something; maybe it's passion like my sister has, lecturing at her university in Washington, or like my cousin Laura in Los Angeles teaching her classes with such love and enthusiasm. A player with great strokes may have no idea how to play the game! I think Paul Annacone said it best when I sat down with him last year to talk about coaching Pete Sampras. "Pete has all the tools, so many weapons, it's just a matter of knowing when to use them." Paul went on to tell me that he keeps a log book of other players strengths and weaknesses and that it helps Pete and him find strategies and tactics (to suit his gamestyle) against opponents.

Do you continually lose matches to lesser "ugly stroke looking players?" Does your child have beautiful strokes but continually lose? What does this mean and what can you do to help remedy the situation? Well, if your coach spends more time feeding you balls from a basket making you look like a "pro" you may need to make a suggestion to him or her about altering your lesson content from biomechanics to play situations. Don't get me wrong coaches, I believe that biomechanics are a necessity in maximizing a players potential. The problem lies in the fact that many players are spending so much time in this area that they end up learning how to play the game when they are in the later stages of development. Golfers play the game, soccer players play the game, baseball players play in their leagues. Tennis players, however, sometimes are allowed to "play" only when their coaches or parents believe that they have somewhat mastered strokes. This is simply crazy thinking. How can a junior learn the game if all they do is spend time in lessons only learning how to hit tennis balls trying to achieve biomechanical nirvana and harmony? Players need to be able to be put into "play situations" in practice, league, ladder, or tournaments.

For 12 straight years, I have traveled with my academy students to Florida to help develop their games and to gain some valuable playing experience. Each December, there is no doubt in my mind that Miami is the place to be if you're a junior with aspirations of world class junior tennis. All ages from 7 to 18 years assemble for several months to train and play tournaments against the best in the world. There are so many junior players there -- tall, short, wide, thin, all shapes and sizes with as many a variety of strokes and gamestyles to match. All these players have one thing on their mind, and that is to win!

A minor problem exists for some players; in order to win a player must be put into competitive situations and this often does not happen. Unfortunately, there are many parents and coaches who do not allow their players to simply play. In competing, a player can develop so many intricate crucial lessons ranging from problem solving to mental toughness to building a desire to compete. After all, a person needs to actually "experience" something and not just hear or read about it in books! Did you know that one tennis country has even incorporated the game of chess with tennis so that the children may start to associate strategic thinking into their tennis play and vice-versa? Chess tournaments are linked with tennis tournaments -- what a great idea!

Here are 20 tips that I hope that you will take to heart and possibly into practice and player development:

1. Incorporate match play into practice planning.
2. Use lessons not only to learn proper biomechanics but strategy and tactics.
3. Drill idea - give each player a gamestyle to play for a set and then ask them to figure out how to play that style of player.
4. Use the Davis Cup or Fed Cup or Olympic formats for a practice session with team captains.
5. Use practice to play lots of sets.
6. Sit and watch before your speak your mind! Look at how your player wins and loses points and then ask them if they were able to use their strengths against their opponent.
7. Set up a point system to keep track of all competitive situations so that an atmosphere of loving competition exists.
8. Coaches and parents who sometimes play in practice can really inspire players to love competing.
9. Buy a few trophies for the best competitor during practice.
10. Allow players during practice to choose whom they would like to play a set against.
11. Ask players what they would like to do for a practice session.
12. Add chess or checkers games at your club for players to learn strategy.
13. Stress that players need to enjoy the journey rather than simply the final product end.
14. Emphasize that it's ok to lose as long as 100% effort is given!
15. When giving court positions, have older players play matches beside younger players.
16. Contact other pros to set up practice matches against their players.
17. Take a trip out of state to play a tournament for the experience of new players.
18. Take your players to see a college tennis match.
19. Take your players to a professional tennis tournament.
20. Remember to smile during practice!

Now, with all things in life, we need to be able to have a good sense of moderation. Regarding biomechanics, if you are an avid reader of mine then you know that I truly believe in teaching proper biomechanics for safety and for maximum potential development. In this line of thought, if a player has many strokes that are biomechanically sound then that player may also have the ability to implement many strategies and tactics. For example, a player without an aggressive serve cannot serve and volley successfully without a little bluffing and lots of luck. The road to development is long and winding, with lots of bumps and obstacles along the way. But with a "little play" added in for good measure, the journey is sure to be enjoyable!

Thank you readers for your kind emails last month. As always, they continue to inspire me to do my best and to continue to develop myself professionally. A big hello and thanks to all those coaches, tennis players and enthusiasts who took the time to support my presentation! It was great to see many of my long time tennis friends; hello to Wayne (smiley) thanks for eating all those marshmallows! Thanks to Ari, Louis, Alan, Hatem, Billy, Debbie, Alain, Sally, Bertrand, Simon, John and all those who came on court with me as volunteers. A special thanks to the female coach who I hugged in front of the entire audience, what a great sport! A special hello to Beatrice, my new tennis friend, and her friend Ed. Till next month friends!

With hopes of seeing good friends soon, safe travels.

My best,

Reggie

This column is copyright 2000 by Reggie Vasquez Jr., all rights reserved.

Reggie Vasquez Jr. is one of Canada's leading tennis coaches for juniors. He is actively involved with Tennis Canada's grassroots player development. A frequent and enthusiastic speaker at tennis conferences, he is certified by the U.S.P.T.A., Tennis Canada and the U.S.P.T.R.. For almost 7 years he was a head coach for the Canadian Davis cup Captain's Academy at the Canada's National Tennis Center. He has been a Tennis Canada - National Youth Tennis Center Leader for over 8 years and is presently a head coach of an Elite Tennis Academy. He has experience working with juniors from the absolute beginner to the international caliber tennis player. Reggie is also a published author on junior tennis. His personal web site has additional information on his book, the Tennis for Kids. The Tennis for Kids can be ordered directly at a discount using this link to the Amazon.com online bookstore.

Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Reggie by electronic mail at reggie@tennisserver.com.