March 2010 -- Ernie Blando may be a dedicated parent-coach, but you wouldn't call him single-minded.
While he works with a purpose in coaching his two sons, this San Diego teaching pro keeps his focus on raising healthy, balanced kids.
Blando has instructed his 8-year-old fraternal twins, Michael and Jayson, on and off the tennis court since they were in diapers. When they were 18 months old he began teaching them how to hold racquetball paddles and let them swat at balloons and soap bubbles.
Mike and Jay, born four minutes apart, have been competing since the age of 5 and won their first tournament at 7.
They played against each other in USTA 8-and-under singles two years ago and Jay beat Mike in three sets. But the brothers, who already have their sights set on Grand Slam victories, almost always play doubles together instead.
"Their goals are to achieve a high ranking in the 10-and-under doubles, play in high school, get a college tennis scholarship . and reach for the stars," Blando said.
As preschoolers, the boys trained by playing running and hitting games during half-hour sessions on court. As they got older and started learning how to serve and volley, their practice time and skills development increased.
The twins now train for two-and-a-half hours every day. This includes a half hour of warm-ups and fitness drills; one-and-a-half hours of tennis drills, stroke production techniques and match strategy; and a half-hour fun match in singles or doubles.
The coach tries to vary practices every day to make it enjoyable. "One thing they love to do is practice to music because it gives them rhythm and they really get into it," he said. "I let them create their own fun workouts and drills. They see me do this with other kids and get creative. They're home-schooled so I'm always with them."
Blando said he doesn't mind if the boys want to skip a tennis practice. "In fact, it's healthy for them and me to hear them say, 'Dad, can we take a break today?'
"I believe the cause of tennis burnout is when tennis parents push their kids at a young age, dropping them off to an instructor, not being there and pushing them to play too many tournaments too soon, traveling to various places.
"Fortunately, I have avoided that trend," he said. "At first, I only entered them in novice tournaments once every two months so they could meet and compete with other kids (ages 4-5). They now just play local tournaments in both singles and doubles once a month. They would love to compete in more tournaments because of the motivation of winning trophies.
"To prevent burnouts there are always other constructive and fun activities already scheduled, and not just tennis training every day," Blando continued. "I created a daily schedule for the boys that includes their tennis workouts and is worth its weight in gold. A lot of their daily schedule becomes automatic, which makes it better for all of us."
Mike and Jay's routine includes keyboard practice and homework time (after tennis). Also, they have joined little league baseball, love swimming and are currently in a basketball league, he said.
Blando himself has wide-ranging life experiences as a computer specialist, nurse, medical technologist and U.S. Army veteran. He earned a Master of Arts in Health Services Management and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences.
Although he is their primary coach, Blando contracted with fellow USPTA Professional Matt Copland to train Mike and Jay for about six months. He did this to allow the boys to "hear a different voice and gain new and other fun techniques to improve their game."
Blando said he chose Copland "because of his genuine ability to connect with kids in teaching the game, and they also had great fun with him. It's important that any coach you hire have that genuine 'fun factor' and enthusiasm."
In addition to their daily training, the 8-year-olds participate in a tennis clinic with players their age. They also help their Dad with his Saturday sessions, teaching other kids.
Blando is an independent contractor, teaching primarily at local high schools and on weekends. He also is a member of a San Diego club, Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Center, where he has served as a board member and has done volunteer work by way of providing drills and lessons for kids.
He and the twins are regular participants in the annual San Diego Tennis Fest. The spring event, organized by USPTA Professional Geoff Griffin, offers tennis instruction and play for beginner through advanced levels. More than 60 USPTA Professionals volunteer their time at the Balboa Tennis Club.
Wayne Bryan, USPTA Professional, was the special guest at the 2009 Tennis Fest. Mike and Jay participated in a kids' clinic with Bryan at both that event and at the Los Angeles Tennis Open.
The twins also have met their heroes, the Bryan brothers, at several charity exhibitions in Southern California. "They're the perfect role models," Blando said. His sons even adopted the champs' celebratory chest bump after seeing them do it on the Tennis Channel and in person.
It all started when Blando became fascinated with the Bryan brothers after Mike and Jay were born. He decided he wanted to groom his own sons in the same fashion as Wayne Bryan, and his wife, Kathy.
Blando said he wrote to Kathy Bryan and asked her if she could share advice on how to help his children achieve their full potential. She responded by sending him a personal note and the book, "The Formula: Raising Your Child to be a Champion in Athletics, Arts and Academics," by Wayne Bryan with Woody Woodburn.
"It's really a wholesome way of raising kids, basically - not just in tennis but academics, arts and athletics," Blando said. He is interested in teaching his sons about fair play and good sportsmanship, both on and off the court.
And, like the Bryans, Blando believes in sharing what he has learned with other tennis families.
"For kids, the key ingredient to learning tennis is that they remember that being on the tennis court is fun!" he said, describing the "fun years" as ages 2 to 6. It's also important to keep the kids moving and toss balls that they can hit.
"Parents are who their kids trust and love the most; so parents need to be involved with the kids, whether it's picking up balls, tossing balls, or just being there, even though a child may be reluctant to participate," Blando said. Children who do take part usually end up having fun, he added.
"Once you as a parent, coach or instructor observe the 'fun' factor in kids, you will have an idea whether the child would like to pursue the game as a competitive sport or as a recreational, after-school activity.
"I believe the right time to introduce them to a USPTA Professional is when you see a focus in their eyes, they are able to listen and do simple tasks, and they display enthusiasm for the game," he said.
Blando taught a course through a local school district's adult education program for parents who want their children to learn tennis, whether for competition or recreation.
He also created a Web site (tennisthefirstyears.com) for enthusiastic parents who want to get their children started early in the game. Mike and Jay starred in a series of instructional videos on the site, targeting kids ages 2 to 7.
As a USPTA Professional, Blando draws on member benefits to keep him updated on the latest teaching techniques. "I'm glad I have those resources, such as tennisplayer.net and tips of the day," he said.
Ernie Blando may be contacted by e-mail at tennisthefirstyears@san.rr.com or evlando@san.rr.com. 
