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August 1998 Article Latest Leading Edge Tennis Article
The Tennis Server
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Lessons in Perspective: Turning a Loss into a Learning Opportunity
Technological advances such as the CD, DVD systems and Internet have allowed people the ability to access information on almost anything from "how to speak Japanese" to "cooking a puffed seafood pastry." Whatever you may desire to find, in today's "information age" it is probaby locatable and accessible. What does this mean to coaches, tennis parents, and players? Well for one, because of this technology, you have the ability to read my column and, secondly, you can communicate with me via e-mail or fax! If we have the desire to improve ourselves as people, coaches, etc., we need to be able to comprehend all that wonderful information. One of the keys to using this information lies in being able to observe and translate what is most applicable to our students and kids. For example, in one of my past articles I discussed what we as tennis enthusiasts can learn from watching the professionals play. Indeed, there are many pieces of information that we can immediately use such as: tactical shot selection, professional oncourt image, fighting spirit, etc. The problem lies in using information that is detrimental to our childrens' and students' development. For example, I have known people who have watched a professional play and then totally alter their own biomechanical linkages to mimic that favorite player's stroke. It is unrealistic to expect to watch a player and then transform your tennis game immediately. Eventually new strokes can be learned, but there needs to be supervised instruction from a certified teaching professional.
Different types of informationEach day of our lives, we are exposed to a multitude of information sources, many of which we are not even consciously aware of. Information from sources such as CD's, video tapes, books, audio cassettes, DVD systems, Internet, etc., can often easily be taken in, absorbed, and translated for immediate use. Other types of information are more difficult to observe and translate. This would include the many silent expressions and signals tennis players provide for their coach when training. People can express themselves without speaking a word. Coaches and tennis parents need to be able to listen using all of their senses and absorb all the information provided to them. Much of the information may be inadvertently ignored because of personal biases, so one must try to keep an open mind when dealing with others. Listen to the words of our students, watch their expressions, and ask their opinions.Last year, I brought a few of my high performance students to Florida to compete in various tournaments, including the world famous Orange Bowl. A "perspective lesson" was learned by one of my students following a 6-4, 6-4 loss. While the student played and competed well, there was one obvious bit of information that he missed. His opponent seemed to be solid off both the forehand and backhand when in the rally phase but reacted differently when attacked. My student won 100% of all points when he attacked with decent pace to the forehand side of his opponent. The problem was that my student hit most of his attacking shots to the opponent's backhand. I spoke with my student and explained to him that, if he had tried to "listen" to his opponent, he would have "heard" what shots he disliked and what emotional state he was in. For example, the opponent, after missing the forehand passing shot, would yell out loud, "I can't hit a forehand to save my life!" I asked my student if he heard him and my student smiled and said yes... he heard but he really didn't listen. The bottom line is to listen to your opponents because they often tell you what they like and dislike.
PerspectivesAs adults we often find difficulty comprehending how children think. To help explain how they think, we need the ability to use different perspectives to be successful. Just last month, a very dear friend of mine (whom I teach tennis to) was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. It shook me up and made me think of the many trivial activities we do each day of our lives. It brought, once again, into sharper focus the many reasons why I teach tennis and why people play tennis. I took that situation and converted it into a positive lesson. I used the experience to better appreciate life and to make sure that all people around me are given the chance to enjoy and feel good about themselves.As coaches we need to find out how to convert negative situations and use them for our advantage. A loss is a learning opportunity. A student who seems out of control is a chance for a coach to use rationale and patience. Taking a situation and seeing it through different perspectives allows us to grow and understand people. So take the time to first think about the reasons why a student is reacting a certain way before you raise your voice in anger. Give them a chance to provide information to you if they seem out of the ordinary. Try not to assume that you know what they are thinking. It is one of the most common mistakes we as communicators perform when dealing with students. The solution is to ask questions if they are not performing up to standards that they have established in the past. Some questions could be: Did you eat enough at lunch today? Did you get enough sleep? You seem angry. Did I say something wrong? How do you like this drill? Is there a drill that you would like to do today?
Electronic NightmaresUnfortunately, because of advances in electronics, many products such as "video game systems" dominate the free time of our children. Using target-specific marketing strategies, psychological evaluations, and complex demographics, big game companies have preyed on our children's time successfully. The solution: try to regulate the use of the television and game systems. Monitor what is being watched and what games are being played. Too often, we are guilty of using the different mediums to "baby-sit for us." The two keys are regulation and empowerment! Educate your children to take the responsibility to watch positive programming and to play games that are more positive than destructive.
ConclusionNext time you are on the court with a student, child, or opponent, try to be aware of all the information that is available to you. Keep an open mind and use the "what, why and how's" to help you better decipher, understand, and react to the situation.
Urgent OpportunityIf you had the chance to talk to a top playing professional what would you ask? Send me your best questions at reggie@tennisserver.com, along with your name, age (if under 20) and what country and city you live in. Check in next month and you may see your question answered by a whole multitude of tennis professionals!Take care, Reggie P.S. Hello to James down under! Keep those e-mails and faxes coming! Hope to see you at the U.S.P.T.A. World Coaches Conference in La Quinta California this coming September.
This column is copyright 1998 by Reggie Vasquez Jr., all rights reserved.
Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Reggie by electronic mail at reggie@tennisserver.com. |
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Blindfolded -- or with eyes and ears wide open -- how do you perceive all the
information around you? Coaches and tennis parents, do you have the
ability to see different "perspectives?"
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