Archive | Parent Player Communication RSS feed for this section

Positive Athletic Parenting

Posted on April 6, 2015 by in Parent Player Communication, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thanks for visiting, Frank GiampaoloMaximizing Tennis Potential with Frank Giampaolo

QUESTION:My son says I’m negative. How do I push him nicely?

Frequently, parents get fixated on what our junior “world beater” is doing wrong, what they need to change, need to learn or need to improve! Because we are so focused on our child’s success, we often become preoccupied with only seeing their faults.Focus on putting a positive spin in your approach as you gently guide your child through the “wars” of junior tennis.

Here are three ways you can apply your positive influence:

  1. Say 5 Positive Comments for Every Negative Comment

The fact is many youngsters only hear their parent’s negative comments and ignore positive comments. It is important to acknowledge your child’s efforts to improve.

SPECIAL NOTE: Here’s an eye opening or I should say “ear” opening trick. Place a recorder in your pocket.

Record a few training sessions and self-chart your positive to negative remarks!

  1. Celebrate the Positive: Reinforce what you want to see more!

The following is an example of this rule. Your son’s ball toss is still too high on his serve. Instead of saying “Come on Mike…You are still tossing too high…How many stinking times do I have to tell you!” say “Hey, this is great, your toss is a lot lower. I knew you could make this easy change! Keep working and you will see your consistency really grow!” The positive approach actually gets results as you keep your relationship from getting negative and jaded.

  1. Teach Gratitude: A more positive attitude will lead to more positive behavior.

Assist your child in focusing on the good things about their life. Problems and difficulties will always be present. It is very important for your child to feel grateful about their life opportunities.

FUN FACT: There is a world of difference between “I have to play tennis today” and “I get to play tennis today.” By showing gratitude, both of you will be calmer, happier and more appreciative of each other and others will want to be around you because of your positive attitudes.

To summarize, replace criticisms with a more positive approach. Hard work doesn’t have to be a painful, drudgery. Yes, tennis is hard. Yes, it is a “dog-eat-dog world”, but it doesn’t have to be negative.

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate 

 

Athletic Personality Profiling

Posted on April 2, 2015 by in Parent Player Communication, Personality Profile/Learning Preference, Raising Athletic Royalty

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

 

Athletic Personality profiling

Terrific children, wonderful adults and tennis champions aren’t born, they are developed. It’s not simply heredity. It is an organized plan. No one becomes extraordinary on their own. The Williams sisters are an actual example of a parent with a plan!  The stories goes: Richard Williams planned to have more children for the sole purpose of developing them into professional tennis players. Wayne Bryan also had a plan with his twin boys, the Bryan brothers.  Without an actual plan, you’ll never know your child’s true capability.

Preparing an organizational blue print will save you thousands of dollars annually. It will also save your child thousands of wasted, unproductive hours, sweat and tears.  Applying the International Player’s Evaluation comprehensive guide will assist you, the tennis parent, in having a world class plan!

Your child is born with a unique genetic predisposition and pre-wired with a specific brain and body type. Consider it carefully as you and your coaches (your team) nurture your child’s talent. This is an important consideration at all levels of the game.

So, what’s the key to maximizing success in the shortest period of time? Is it purchase the latest equipment? Maybe it’s hiring a great local pro?  What if I said neither? The first and most important tool you will ever apply is discovering your child’s personality and brain design.

Old school tennis teaching looks a lot like this. The local pro Jose Gonzales came to the United States from Chile. He was a terrific collegiate player earning a full scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth. Jose even played a few ATP pro challenger events. He found success by being extremely patient. He had a natural gift with his quick feet and he enjoyed running. He took delight in being a steady counter puncher. Jose’s shot tolerance was a 20-ball rally!  As a teaching professional, he demands that each of his students abide by his playing style, disciplines and logic.

Your thinking, boy that guy sounds pretty experienced, let’s hire him as our child’s coach! So, is this the right mentor for your child?

The answer is, not likely.  Why? Because Jose demands that each student plays his style. The style of tennis that your child needs in order to thrive is based on his or hers own unique design. AKA: brain and body type.

Asking your child to play tennis in a style that opposes their skill sets, beliefs and temperament is a recipe for disaster. This is especially true at the beginning levels of player development. One of the quickest ways to ensure that your child will quit the sport is to demand that they play a style that opposes their brain and body type.

Understanding brain and body types is one of the first steps to becoming a world class parent.

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate 

 

Parental Post Match Role

Posted on March 24, 2015 by in Parent Player Communication, Raising Athletic Royalty

Athletic informed parents are an essential component to developing athletic royalty. Win or lose, children need their parent’s to reinforce a healthy, loving and supportive relationship.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

The Tennis Parent's Bible by Frank Giampaolo

  • Assist your child in their static stretching, nutrition and hydration requirements.
  • Wait an appropriate amount of time before discussing the match.
  • Begin match analysis with an over-view of their positive performance goals with an optimistic tone of voice.
  • If not present- replace “Did You Win?” with “Did you hit your performance goals. Did you execute the correct shots at the right times?”
  • Remind your child to complete their match logs.

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate

 

Parental Role on Match Day

Posted on March 23, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Parent Player Communication

Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

An athletes parents play a very important and supportive role on match day.  The following  Parental Role on Match Day:

  • Equipment preparation & nutrition/hydration requirements
  • Warm up routines (Primary/Secondary Strokes) and imagery
  • Keeping the player away from other players and parents
  • Discuss styles of play, strengths and weaknesses instead of the opponents past successes or failures
  • Emphasize the importance of executing the correct shot the moment demand
  • Charting/video recording the match
  • Loving and supporting their child!

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate

 

Parent Player Communication

Posted on March 18, 2015 by in Parent Player Communication

Thank you for visiting, Frank Gimapaolo

Raising Athletic Royalty

Why do junior athletes discredit & fight with their parents so often?

A teens actions and thoughts are a direct result of their validation. Teens have a deep desire to fit in. In their eyes, once they are discredited, they slip into their defensive state- in this competitive, stubborn head space, athlete shut down. They are then unable to process a helpful, harmless opinion.

Solution: I recommend reverse psychology. Empower positive validation to help maximize performance.

For example: If your young athlete is still not bending their knees, replace the typical, “Sarah, your still not bending your knees! How many times do I have to tell you !” with “Wow, I’m impressed Sarah! You’re really starting to bend your knees get lower on your shots! Can you feel it?”

With parent’s positive validation, subconsciously, the player is able to listen because their defensive wall isn’t up.  If they can’t feel it…they may just try a little harder without being told they are still wrong. Bingo!!! They have lowered their knee bend without the typical ego beat-down.

Parents and coaches who choose to list, expose and magnify every problem they see are in for daily battles,not to mention damaged relationships. Most teens don’t thrive under those conditions. How would you feel if someone listed, expose and magnified everything they perceived you did wrong every single day ?

Positive actions are a result of positive validations. Apply reverse psychology and maximize their potential without the battles.

Contact: Frank Gimapaolo

FGSA@earthlink.net
Maximizingtennispotential.com
Raisingathleticroyalty.com
Affiliate 

 

Parental Sabotage

Posted on March 7, 2015 by in Emotional Tennis, New Zealand Summit YouTubes, Parent Player Communication

 

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate

Chances of Going Pro?

Posted on March 5, 2015 by in Parent Player Communication, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

 

 

What are my child’s chances of going Pro?

 

What are my child’s chances of going pro? is a question I am asked over and over again by parents. To answer this question, I have designed another fun “Pop Quiz” as a guide. Take the quiz and you will formulate your own opinion as to what your child’s chances are of becoming a Professional.

Let’s assume that your child wants to play at a top Division 1 University or on the Professional Tour. They already possess keen strokes and a solid physical foundation. The real issue is: Do their words match their actions? Simply answer each question Yes or No. Then check your child’s score at the end.

Attitude

  1. Does your child posses a genuine love for the game of tennis? Yes/No
  2. Is your child being trained to be self-reliant? Yes/No

Commitment

  1. Does your child work on-court training an average of 20 hours a week? Yes/No
  2. Does your child accept that they cannot be a Champion and be a normal teenager? (They have to pick one.)Yes/No

Fitness

  1. Does your child work off -court an average of 6 hours per week on their speed, strength, flexibly, and core stability? Yes/No
  2. Does your child do exercises designed to prevent common injuries? Yes/No

Competitiveness

  1. Does your child work on how to handle frustration? Yes/No
  2. Does your child LOVE the pressure of competitive tennis? Yes/No

Confidence

  1. Is your child comfortable in stressful situations? Yes/No
  2. Does your child spend time after tournaments discovering and overcoming re-occurring nightmares? Yes/No

Problem Solving

  1. Is your child willing to overcome hardships and adversity? Yes/No
  2. Is your child able to handle the many unfair barriers of our sport? Yes/No

Focus

  1. Does your child use proper pre-match, between points, and changeover rituals? Yes/No
  2. Does your child control nervousness and distractions? Yes/No

Tactical Knowledge

  1. Does your child have well-rehearsed plans to beat the different styles of opponents? Yes/No
  2. Has your child developed two meaningful weapons? Yes/No

A Full Time Tennis Parent

  1. Is there a primary tennis parent willing to accept the responsibility, time commitment, and finances of managing a junior tennis champion’s career? Yes/No
  2. Do you chart and/or video tape matches then review them with your child? Yes/No

Mental and Emotional Skills

  1. Have you begun to focus on building your child’s “Tool Belt” with hundreds of mental and emotional tools that they will need to compete at the highest level? Yes/No
  2. Do you have a detailed long and short term goal list and the time management skills required to meet those goals? Yes/No

Scoring the Test

0-2 Yes Answers – Relax and enjoy your normal kid
3-5 Yes Answers – You will need a Miracle
6-10 Yes Answers – Major changes have to be made
11-14 Yes Answers – Your child has a serious shot at Greatness!
15-20 Yes Answers – Pack your bags for Wimbledon!

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate 

Post Match Parental Job Description

Posted on March 3, 2015 by in New Zealand Summit YouTubes, Parent Player Communication, Tennis Parent Education, The Tennis Parent's Bible

 

The following post is an excerpt from my New Zealand Player, Parent and Coach Summit.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate 

Acknowledge your Child’s Efforts

Posted on February 10, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Parent Player Communication, Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible

Thank you for your continued support. I truly appreciate the endless kind words about my blog postings and especially my books The Tennis Parent’s Bible, Raising Athletic Royalty and Championship Tennis. Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

 

 

Acknowledging Your Child’s Efforts

Here is a very positive action that brings about happiness:

Once a month, throughout the course of your youngsters tennis career plan on sitting down and writing a letter stating how proud you are of them. Place it on their bed at night.

Parents, do you realize that most full grown adults don’t focus on their job 100 percent of the time! They may be at work, but what are they actually doing? It’s my bet that most adults could not handle the pressure a serious junior competitor endures day in and day out. Take a few moments to acknowledge how proud you are of their efforts. Thank them for the courage they show as they lay it on the line week after week.

The Tennis Parent’s Bible Testimonials:

The below testimonials are just a sample of the many satisfied customers.  As a parent and/or a coach, you are faced with difficult and sometimes challenging situations as the director of your child’s tennis career. The Tennis Parent’s Bible provides solutions and directions.  It is a one of a kind tennis tool!

Tennis Industry Professional Testimonial:

“Frank Giampaolo just published a great new article in the December issue of Tennisplayer, adapted from his new book the Tennis Parent’s Bible. Subscriber response was very positive! But even if you didn’t read the article, you might want to check out the book, because it’s tremendous.

The Bible is an eBook that is over 230 pages of fascinating, valuable information. And if you order it now there are two free bonus booklets. How to Attract a Tennis Scholarship AND The Tennis Parent’s Bible Match Chart Collection. It’s $39.95 for the whole deal.

Frank has had the opportunity to work with over 60 players (and their families) who went on to win national junior titles. He’s seen it all–the beautiful and the ugly–and talks about what players, coaches, and parents need to know and need to do to help kids have a fabulous, positive life experience and become the best players they can. And he does it with honesty and humor.

I enjoyed and learned from the book myself and that’s why I am recommending it. As I worked through it I saw that the principles and situations Frank describes are really about tennis in general. It’s great to see it applied to high level juniors but it’s relevant to club players and competitive players at all levels. In fact, it’s relevant to life.

So do yourself a favor and order this one. And write in with your own review or leave us a comment in the Forum!”

Tennis Parent Testimonial:

“Dear Frank, Thank you so much for writing The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  My family is finally at peace.  We have been at “war” over how to best pursue my son’s tennis goals. Now we have a direction and plan of action.  My son’s coach, my son and my wife are all on the same page. There is so much to know about developing a tennis player. You have opened my eyes and brought so much clarity for us.  I feel my son really has a chance to be the best he can be…Thank you from the bottom of my heart! “

Tennis Coach Testimonial:

“Thank you Frank!  I could of not said it better myself!  If only every teaching professional would read this manual!  It is such a helpful source of information.  It takes the blame off all parties and makes the game of tennis much more enjoyable. I am asking all of my tennis instructors read it and I am suggesting that all the tennis families at the club read it! I cannot thank you enough! “

 

 

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate

Enjoying the Athletic Journey

Posted on January 16, 2015 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, Parent Player Communication, The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks, Frank Giampaolo

0623P_5063

Postponing Happiness

Good memories are your most valuable possessions. Impatience ruins the moment. Arriving at the top of the junior tennis world is a slow walk up a million steps, not a quick elevator ride to the top!

Some parents spend their child’s whole junior career frustrated, anxious and depressed. You will too, if you dwell only on failures, problems and future concerns.

Some parents postpone their happiness, gratitude and love.  I beg you to enjoy the journey. It is a wonderful game full of life lessons!

I am often told by parents, “I’ll smile when she finally wins one!”

Enjoy the journey. Your child will be off to college sooner than you think.

FUN FACT: Half the things you worry about don’t happen anyway!

Here are just a few of the addition benefits of sports affords:

  1. Time management
  2. Adaptability and flexibility skills
  3. Ability to handle adversity
  4. Ability to handle stress
  5. Courage
  6. A positive work ethic
  7. Perseverance
  8. Setting priorities
  9. Goal setting
  10. Sticking to commitments
  11. Determination
  12. Problem solving skills
  13. Spotting patterns and tendencies
  14. Discipline
  15. The understanding of fair play and sportsmanship
  16. The development of focus
  17. Persistence
  18. The importance of preparation
  19. Dedication and self-control
  20. Positive self-image

Thank you visiting, Frank Giampaolo

Contact Information:

FGSA@earthlink.net
www.maximizingtennispotential.com
www.RaisingAthleticRoyalty.com