Tag Archives: coaching elite tennis

Physical Skills Versus Life Skills- Part 2

Posted on July 26, 2021 by in The Soft Science of Tennis

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.

Click Here to Order through Amazon

soft science

I work primarily with nationally, and ITF-ranked juniors, college athletes, and young touring professionals. Athletes at this level are successful due to their skills management. In my world of high-performance athletes, stats are important because they help customize the athlete’s training regimen.

In regards to stats, the following are the typical percentages ratios of physical skills to life skills that I have witnessed throughout the three primary stages of junior tennis. I’m convinced that positive character traits and customized life skills development hold the secret key to maximizing athletic potential.

At Ages: 7-11, junior athletes I work with possess:

  • 10%: Medium physical talent, medium desire, medium commitment.
  • 40%: Medium physical talent, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
  • 10%: Gifted physically, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
  • 40%: Gifted physically, no desire, no commitment.

In this introductory stage, there is nothing more heartbreaking than the estimated 40% of gifted athletes I see with zero desire or work ethic (AKA life skills.)

 

At Ages: 12-15, junior athletes I work with possess:

  • 25%: Medium physical talent, medium desire, medium commitment.
  • 45%: Medium physical talent, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
  • 5%: Gifted physically, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
  • 25%: Gifted physically, no desire, no commitment.

In this developmental stage, the medium talented athletes with customized developmental plans and well-nurtured life skills begin to shine. Simultaneously the gifted athletes with poor nurturing, and life skills development are dropping out.

 

At Ages: 16-18, junior athletes I work with possess:

  • 10%: Medium physical talent, medium desire, medium commitment.
  • 70%: Medium talent, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
  • 20%: Gifted physically, maximum desire, maximum commitment.
  • 0%: Gifted physically, no desire, no commitment.

At the top of the junior tennis food chain, life skills trump physical talent.

The outcomes (wins and rankings) are contingent on how well the parents and coaches deliver the four skill sets and how adept the athlete is at assimilating this information.

 

As youth sports researchers often say, “Life skills are purposely taught, not hopefully caught.”

 

The following chapters will identify the hidden benefits of life skills and character building. Life skills and positive character traits are essential elements found in The Soft Science of Tennis.

 

Eliminating Internal Judgment- Part 4

Posted on November 5, 2020 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis. Click Here to Order through Amazon

 

Eliminating Internal Judgmentsoft science

 

How to Strengthen Self Coaching Solution #4:
Identifying Internal Obstacles

Looking deeper into competitive success brings us to a fourth method, which is assisting athletes by identifying their internal obstacles. Although losing to a more experienced player stings a bit, losing to a toad because you have self-destructed is much more harrowing. The secret to conquering one’s inner demons stems from understanding the importance of self-coaching. It is essential to master self-coaching with positive inner dialog by exchanging judgmental tirades with calming routines and rituals.

 

“Overcoming internal obstacles is more satisfying at a deeper level than beating a top seed.”

 

Athletes perform best when they are not excessively judged or overly concerned about the outcome ramifications. Having outcome goals is fine, as long as their focus is on the process. To continually stay process-minded is the backbone of successful inner dialog. What influences athletes most in their toughest moments is their mental commentary. A healthy mindset orchestrates a positive attitude, belief, and effort. So, what is competitive success? Competitive success is performing at one’s peak performance level set after set; the optimum victory for any athlete.

 

Finding the Right Teaching Professional

Posted on December 21, 2019 by in Maximizing Tennis Potential, The Second Edition of The Tennis Parent's Bible

The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers!  Click Here to Order

 

FINDING THE RIGHT TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

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“When selecting a pro, you’re not just paying for the hour on court…but hopefully, you’re paying for the thousands of hours of experience the coach has acquired solving similar issues.”

 

Initial instructors are usually chosen by proximity, cost, and availability. Once your youngster moves into the competitive stage, it’s time to identify the styles and personalities of coaches that fit your child’s needs. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to have more than one coach. In this day and age, top players have an entourage of technical teachers, hitters, mental and emotional experts, off-court athleticism experts and physical therapists.  The key to success is unity among the entourage.

 

A great example is ATP star Sam Querrey. When I worked with Sam in his early teens we focused on the mental/emotional side of his development. His parents Chris and Mike always employed a terrific team of hitters, coaches, and clinics to provide world-class instruction for their son.

 

Profiling a coach before a relationship begins is recommended. Most confident coaches will welcome you to simply sit and observe their lessons before committing to lessons. There are many factors to consider when seeking a new coach. The first is what personality and style best suites your athlete?  Listed below are eight types of coaches that you may be employing along your journey.

Coaching Styles:

The Detailed, Analyzer

The Off Court Fitness Expert

The Kind and Fun Loving Coach

The Hitter

The Emotional, Psychological Coach

The Strategizer

The Academy Recruiter

The Drill Sergeant

“How do I spot when I’m losing focus?”

Posted on November 17, 2019 by in Preparing for Pressure

The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s NEW Amazon #1 New Tennis Book Release, Preparing for Pressure.
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Preparing final cover 3D

“How do I spot when I’m losing focus?”

 

“Be on high alert for signs of mental detachment.”

In matches, it’s not uncommon for athletic individuals to realize that the opponent isn’t the only cause of their losses. It’s their roller coaster performance. Their detachment fuels bouts of sloppy play which complicates even the most routine matches. So, how can a player spot when their performance level is about to take a dive?

The following are 10 common signs of an athlete detaching from their script.

  1. Unfocused Eyes: “Are my eyes starting to wander outside my court?”
  2. Reckless Shot Selection: “Am I now attempting shots the moment doesn’t really demand?”
  3. A Drop in Intensity: “Has my energy level or focus intensity dropped?”
  4. Frustration-Body Language: “Am I calm or agitated?”
  5. Rushed /Panicking Play: “Is my breathing shallow and is my heart racing too fast?”
  6. Choking/Pushing: “Am I worried about the outcome?”
  7. Lack of Rituals: “Am I skipping my between point rituals?”
  8. Hesitating: “I know how to play my game, but am I chickening out?”
  9. Attempting to Play above Your Level: ‘Do I really need to hit this big?”
  10. Wandering Mind: “Am I thinking about irrelevant, contaminating thoughts?

 

If detachment is spotted, disconnect and reboot before returning to play. Verbal and physical triggers pull the athlete back on script. Verbal triggers include “Get back on script.” “One point at a time.” Physical triggers involve moving your feet and doing some loose shadow swings.

 

Reconnecting to the correct headspace starts with picking up these available clues.