[tennisbiz] Re: Dealing with bad attitudes

   

There is no reason to give up on one group of players in order to
help others.

Every person needs a different approach to develop to their
potential.

Without knowing a lot of specifics it is hard to say what the players
you are referring to need, sort of like a doctor trying to prescribe a
drug based on an email complaint from an unknown patient.

Some possibilities:

1. Too much emphasis is placed on winning because the only thing
they do is play "serious" tennis.

2. Not enough wins to develop their self esteem because they are
always playing players that are better than they are.

3. They need more match play experience in order to desensitize
themselves from the fear of losing.

4. Insufficient technique in order to feel confident in their strokes.

Too many kids (and their parents) focus on drills, drills, drills, and
finding the "magic pro".

The fact is that 90% of what players learn is what they teach
themselves.

They learn from playing a lot of tennis and from their mistakes.
They are more receptive to learning when they are having fun, and
less likely to learn under stress.

I run a lot of different programs, all designed to help develop both
skills and attitudes. That starts with fundamentals, drills, game
play within groups, round robins (and even better - compass
draws), team tennis, lower level tournaments (sanctioned to
establish rankings) and higher level tournaments for sectional and
national ranking.

We encourage player parties so kids can have simple fun playing
tennis - so they understand that the MOST important component in
tennis is the fun they can have playing it.

bob rosenblum
director of tennis
Schenectady Racquet & Fitness


 
Received on Thu Apr 19 2001 - 10:55:11 CDT