Daily Private & Group Lessons available, contact Coach Nate @ 214.435.1332
TOP 10 TOURNAMENT POINTERS
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
10 Talking Points on Tournaments
| for parents and players |
1) Tournaments' cost/benefit - each tournament costs money, time and thereby deserve full effort - every single match. The benefit is we learn to apply our knowledge and skill during competitive situations.
2) Competition isn't fair, balanced or easy - every player in a qualit
10 Talking Points on Tournaments
| for parents and players |
1) Tournaments' cost/benefit - each tournament costs money, time and thereby deserve full effort - every single match. The benefit is we learn to apply our knowledge and skill during competitive situations.
2) Competition isn't fair, balanced or easy - every player in a quality tournament should and most will know how to serve well, hit consistent groundstrokes, and understand different strategies of play (hitting away, moving their opponents up and back, side to side, attacking/defending). Getting a tough draw, or playing some older/younger/better/worse player is going to happen.
3) Match Pressure - Learning to play against others in a pressure situation requires our players AND parents to have a proper perspective on winning, losing and learning. Getting beat is ok, especially by a better player - it helps us understand what we need to work on and should be communicated back to me (and Parker). Going out and losing because we double-faulted 12 times usually, to me at least, means you weren't prepared to play match level tennis, yet. Emotional and mental aspects of playing tournament tennis don't come naturally to everyone - if your player experiences test anxiety in school, this may translate to match day at first. Help them through it with strategies...get with me for these on an individual basis.
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
4) Serving with a proper CONTINENTAL GRIP - will be required of all Adv 2 and 3 players by the end of the summer. They should be working on this every single day - and gripping your racquet and practicing your swing does not require a tennis court or ball contact. This alone can add to their self-confidence and effectiveness of servin
4) Serving with a proper CONTINENTAL GRIP - will be required of all Adv 2 and 3 players by the end of the summer. They should be working on this every single day - and gripping your racquet and practicing your swing does not require a tennis court or ball contact. This alone can add to their self-confidence and effectiveness of serving.
5) Texas Tournaments vs. normal environments - to play tournaments in Texas is tough - it is HOT, humid, windy and all in the same day. Hydration, staying out of the sun when not playing, and using sunscreen. Toweling off during the match, keeping cool, calm, collected are all important things. Energy management is of upmost importance as you strive to win match after match in the same day.
6) Diet (day before tournament vs. gameday vs. day after) and food are keys to success: a) No spicy food the day before or during tourney , b) No milk or dairy products the day of the tournament.
7) Tournament Bag Prep - Please please please help your kid the first few times pack their tennis bag: extra shirt or two, extra socks, extra shorts/skirt with POCKETS, towel, stretch band to help warm up arms/legs, HAT, sunglasses are ok but cannot have polarization - it distorts our eyesights ability to perceive depth of a tennis ball, maybe a cooler with a wet/cold towel, drinks for during/after the match.
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
TENNIS TOURNAMENT TALK
8) Coaching at tournaments - some allow it, most put up with it, some don't - know which one your kiddo is playing in beforehand. If you give your kid coaching during the match - well, I'd recommend doing so very sparingly: A) it can be as much of a distraction (or embarress them) as it can be a helping hand, B) they need to learn how t
8) Coaching at tournaments - some allow it, most put up with it, some don't - know which one your kiddo is playing in beforehand. If you give your kid coaching during the match - well, I'd recommend doing so very sparingly: A) it can be as much of a distraction (or embarress them) as it can be a helping hand, B) they need to learn how to play their game, or make adjustments - help them before or after, usually not during.
9) Cheating vs. Mistakes - most of our players that are ready for tournaments already know that line calls that are wrong happen - understanding as a bystander if it was just a mistake or on purpose may be difficult at first. Let your kiddo handle these situations at their comfort level - I have in many cases discussed different strategies, and I know a few of our players will use what I've taught them and some will not due to their social/emotional comfort levels. They have to stay calm no matter what and learn to handle them how it makes sense to them while on the court.
10) Tournament Conduct - parents, this is your child's time to learn and use all they have worked on in a competitive and calculated manner - please help them by being calm before, DURING, and after the match. Do not be the "softball parents" screaming their heads off and thinking that your player's abilities expand as your volume does - it does not. Tennis has etiquette, STA parents will show that we know etiquette, abide by it, demonstrate it and teach our players to be properly behaved tennis players at all times. Do not clap or cheer if the other player makes an unforced error, BUT if your child hits a winner or great shot - then yes, cheer. I have rarely seen someone that exihibits racquet smashing, negative talk or ugly behavior win that match doing those things.
Tournament locations - here is the best way to find tournaments:
https://playtennis.usta.com/tournaments
https://app.utrsports.net/search?sportTypes=tennis&type=events
Hope this answered everyone's questions and helps our players get the competition they need.