ADDvantage magazine

Build a great 10-and-Under Tennis program with the right people and proper planning
by Craig S. Jones, USPTA

The 10 and Under Tennis initiative is gaining momentum every day. The USTA has invested millions of dollars into this program in an effort to grow the number of youth players, retain them, and develop the next generation of world-class players. The key to success with this program is people who make their living in our sport - USPTA Professionals.

It's all about the people Creating a comprehensive system is important for an outstanding 10s program. However, having the right people on board is the most important component. Let's explore the key players: more

USPTA retools testing process to maintain standard of service
by Bunny Bruning, USPTA

Testing and certification can be considered the most important component of USPTA membership, so we make any changes earnestly. We are currently updating and improving the process for our members, aided by the full involvement of our testers.

At the recent USPTA World Conference at Saddlebrook, the Testing Committee - led by co-chairs Tommy Wade and Dave Porter and including Gary Trost, myself, Feisal Hassan, and Glen Howe - met with the divisional head testers to review many new features of testing and certification. Since then, all testers have been provided with a new educational DVD, as well as the testing DVD. more

Broad ‘principles’ can help fine-tune technique
by Phil Trahan, USPTA

The conventional - and once well-deserved - perception of tennis as a difficult sport to learn is changing. In today's game of high-tech tools and a wealth of natural athletes, tennis coaches are able to consider new methods of instruction that aid beginners and advanced players alike in their quest to sharpen their skills.

One such paradigm that has proved successful for me over the last couple of years is best described as principles-based coaching. This approach is designed to release players and coaches from the shackles of the "mental checklist." Traditional instruction has been primarily ... more

Get your game on track with meditation and yoga
by Eric Hinchman, USPTA

The mind of a tennis player is the craziest thing. Consider the 1975 Wimbledon men's final when Arthur Ashe defeated Jimmy Connors 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. Ashe was a 10-to-one underdog playing the world's No. 1, who was nine years his junior. Ashe took with him a piece of paper with five or six key points to remember, which he focused upon during changeovers.

The game plan involved switching from his normal style of big-serving shot-maker to spin-serving soft-baller, and worked to perfection the first two sets. In the third set, Ashe began going for more on his serve and straying from his plan, playing right into Connors' strengths. more