As Sloane Stephens said she had to run down a lot of balls "...left me completely exhausted/fatigued both physically and mentally." 

That's typical for two-hand players who rely only upon long rallies.

Many "unseasoned" players want time to savor their lastest win, it's understandable;  they don't know when the next win will be.

That's the disadvantage of two-hand strokes, you must run more, you have a shorter reach, and prefer defensive tennis as opposed to " shooting the rapids," agressive net play, daring, in-your-face Tennis.

Two hands is batting the ball, that's what baseball players do. Two handed play is like riding a bike, and not taking the training wheels off.

Daniel A. Young, Sr.

Nttcacemaker.com 

"Teaching Tennis the way it ought to be taught."

The Art of Persuasion in Tennis

“Persuasion:” “The art of getting others to see things as you see them.”

 Surely there is something more to persuasion than that.  If not, answer me this!
 

Say for example, you’re in a tennis match with players of reasonably equally skill level, and you would assume equal mental capacity.  Since Tennis is a competition between you and your opponents, if you’re playing doubles. “Getting you to see what needs to be done, if you’re losing shouldn’t be all that hard.

Maybe, we’re not as good as we think we are.  We hit the ball crisp, and hard in the warm-up, but the court appears to be too short for those shots during play. What do you do?

If you’re making a number of errors: say double faults, hitting balls into the net, when players are standing at the net, it’s time to assess what you can do to decrease the errors you’re making.” If we both have a goal of wanting to win, the solution to our errors shouldn’t be that hard to correct, right?  Maybe we should try a lob next time, maybe a soft angle?

Repetition they say is one of the ways to get a person’s attention.  Ok, so if you’re making the same error, shouldn’t that trigger something mentally that you need to become critical of your behavior, or action?

If you’re employed, and you are continually short when the receipts are tallied, you start looking for solutions.  When you’re constantly missing your plane, your bus, or subway, you might set your alarm earlier, get up earlier, leave the house earlier, so you are at the point of departure earlier.

Relating this to tennis is not that difficult. If your balls are going into the net, maybe should aim a
little higher, and when you aim higher, and they go long, maybe you should use more control, by slowing down.

More matches are lost on errors, than are won with winning shots, but how do you persuade your partner this is so?

I tried humor by asking: “Are you used to playing on longer courts? I tried reasoning: “Let them make the errors.  That’s Ok!  “You got that out of your system.” Sarcasm doesn’t work either “Maybe they will let us play without the net to make it even.”

Ok, Tennis Gurus let’s hear from you.  What's your solution?

 

 

 

Winning Doubles by Serving down the Middle

Tennis is an interesting sport.  No two players play or think  alike, but they all crave the same results: to win.

For that reason, it is a "puzzlement" (King and I) to me why a player of several years refuses to see the logic behind the strategy, I use in doubles which is, to serve everything down the middle on the deuce point, as well as the ad point.

Let me explain by examining how I would play the first point in doubles if I were serving.  If this were a new partner, male or female, I would tell them that I would be serving everything down the middle, and anything over their head is theirs.  If I were to change, for tactical reasons, I would inform them.

By serving down the middle, when the ball bounces in the deuce court, my partner can readily see that he/she don't have to worry too much about the backhand down the line, and they would likely just hold their position, as the ball is likely to come back through the middle, and towards their forehand.

However,if the ball comes back out of their reach, which could result if the receiver decides to run around the  serve down the middle; then, and if the receiver in the deuce court happens to be right-handed and who attempts to hit the return wide, the ball would be coming to the server--my forehand, which gives me a possible opening angle, since the player, who having ran around the forehand to take the serve, would be out of position by being away from their alley for having run around the serve.

Now, as I see it, if I were to serve the ball wide, using a spin serve which pulls my opposing receiver off the court, he has the option of hitting cross court, at the lowest part of the net, or through the middle, since my net man would have to protect the down-the-line shot, and I would have to cover the sharp angle, or a drop shot.  Remember, "one good angle deserves another."

But wait you might say: "When serving down the middle in the deuce court, you are serving to your opponent's forehand, if they are right handed.  That's true, but a well spun ball would take the service receiver into, and behind their partner, and likely to cause them to make an error--not wanting to hit their partner.

As the server, I must come up fast and wide to cover the sharp angle, or if I'm old, dig up a drop shot at my feet if towards my forehand, or backhand;  and if I'm old and slow, this becomes a real challenge if you hope to win.  But if it's served down the middle, it's likely to be towards my forehand therefore anything through the middle is likely to  be hit as a winner.

That's how  see it, what about you?

Winning, doing what it takes

 

Having attained a year-end USTA ranking in Dec/2015, of #1 in North Carolina Southern Division in the Men's 4.0, 70-74,  I was seeded #1 this year and got a bye in the first round.

 

In the past, I had preferred not knowing who I would be playing. I believed, I would be restless the night before the match, thinking about who this person might be; and thinking about game strategy to use against them, and how well they played, and therefore not be rested and sharp the next morning.

 

Since my opponent was seeded # 2,  we were expected to meet in the Finals, which we did.

Having won this tournament--beating the same opponent-- last year in a tie-break, I felt my opponent Ron Keiger would remember I don't serve, or hit hard; but that I use a lot of psychology: laughing, using futility body language, muttering to myself at my errors, or applauding their good strokes.

 

Usually, my opponent don't suspect I'm trying to make them become over confident.

 

Drop-shooting on my return of serve to mix up my returns, as well as moving away from the center service mark to serve, which pulled him farther off court, making my angle volley easier, was some of the strategy I gleaned from two of my favorite tennis books now out if print. "How to beat better tennis players," and "Use your head in tennis;" but I'll admit it opened me up to some sharp down the line winners I could not prevent.

 

Having watched my opponent play the day before and having made notes, which I keep in a binder court side, I took the first ball of our warm up rally to go to the net to get focused, worked on my eye, hand coordination, timing and footwork.

 

This was intended to show my opponent that I volley consistently, and it would not be a good idea to bring me in to the net.

 

Thankfully, he didn't test my overhead which is suspect, and not totally reliable, because of my bad pain in my hip from prostate cancer, it's difficult to retreat from the net.

 

Many balls I would have retrieved in the past, I had to concede to my opponent, though they would have been reachable in the past.

 

I've not played or practiced since Saturday as my arm seems to be taking longer to recover since I may have unwittingly played harder, and with more intensity in the tie-break wanting, and desiring to win, but I should soon be back to exercising as instructed by my therapist.

 

P.S. Getting ready to do my annual reading of the Declaration of Independence at my teaching facility: Lake Park Swim, and Tennis. This year I'm trying to introduce Fencing.

 

Reminders can help on Changeovers in Tennis

June 4, 2016, as I sat about getting rid of some old press clippings, I found one on a 2014 French third round player Taylor Townsend, a top world junior ranked player in 2012.  What caught my attention in this story by USA Today sports columnist, Douglas Robson, @dougrobson, was that he mentioned that Townsend "referred to a small notebook of reminders on changeovers."  Something I've done for years.

This I  found interesting because today, I happened to be in a pick-up match on the Challenge Court #15 in Raleigh, N.C., and me and my Partner [who will remain anonymous] lost the first three games of the only set we were to play 0-3.  My partner appeared happy to be playing, but overly anxious, and made several errors, as he had just finished a Tie-Breaker League Match.

Ironically, I happened to have my own personal "Over the net" note cards that I had brought with me, so I slipped them in my pocket during the cross over, and thumbed through them before our opponents had taken their position on the court.  With their back towards us, they were giddy, playful and silly to be up 3 love and my partner serving again, whom they had previously broken.

They didn't see me show my partner one of my( 28) "Over the net Tennis Tip Cards," that read: "Doubles is won at the net."  He began to come in and they lobbed over him to his chagrin.

Me, unable to run like I used to at age 74, [Muhmamad Ali died today, he was 74] I took a moment to whisper in my partner's ear.

As I did  so, our opponents started to laugh again because they had heard me tell others about my warning card which read:  "Anything over your head is yours."

Well, we finally won that game after I presented my partner with card No 5: "Tennis is a thinking man's game."

However, we didn't get settled in the match until we were behind 2-4 and I pulled out card No. 9: "Get the first serve in and win," let them make the errors.

During the changeover at 3-4, my partner was late getting into position in the Deuce court--conversing with our opponents and I found time to show him card No. 17: "...Converse with your opponents after the match.  I then added: "Stay focused to win."

Miraculously, we get up 5-4 in games, and at 30-40 in the 10th game with me  receiving.  I coyly
caution my partner at the net to "Watch the net man, he may be poaching."

As the serve crossed the net, it handcuffed me, and I stepped back to get sideways in order to angle the ball cross court and farther away from the opposing net man.

Woops!  Out of the corner of my eye, and peripheral vision, I see the net man start his run.  Being sideways to the net, I was able to re-direct my return quickly enough  that although the net man came back, he was not quick enough to prevent the "Winner down the line."  Game! 6-4, Young-Eric over Phil and Bob.

Form in Tennis is Economy of Motion

Arthur Ashe wrote a tennis book called Poetry in Motion.  That is exactly what Tennis used to look like when Ashe, Newcomb, Laver, Gonzales roamed the courts with their agility, speed and reach.  Of course, these players had their quirks like incessant bouncing of the ball before the serve, but the majority of them used, displayed classical stroke production and equally classic footwork in their movement about the court.

To see the difference, you can look at any professional photographer’s photos of players today who use two hands and those who use one hand.  There is a stark difference in the balance of the subject in their photo, and in their activity. By this, I mean there is a pleasing esthetic well-balanced quality to subject matter in the  picture.

Look at the photo above and see if you can discern what I’m talking about.  There is, in my opinion, a certain amount of harmony in the photo.  There is a sense of balance, stability and grace.  For example, the feet are well apart. This player could remain in this position as long as necessary. This player appears to be stroking the ball down the line with his foot placement.

Here are some finer points to compare with your game: racquet parallel to the ground. Feet are well spread.  The forward foot is flat and stable. The player's body gives a sense of moving into the ball. The left arms counter-balances the racquet arm, as the fingers can barely bee seen behind the player. The player is down on the end of the racquet with the fingers slightly spread, and the arm is straight.

 

Tennis Competition and what it means to compete

Tennis is a competitive sport, and for most of us, the goal of playing is to win.  To do that, one must prepare, mentally, physically, and Psychologically.  There are home teams and there are opposing team, or visiting teams.

Quoting, the English poet and writer, Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1861: "Though shall not covet; but tradition approves all forms of competition."  And isn't competition all about winning, if not to win why compete?

Whether you're one of the William Sisters, or one of the Bryan Brothers, it's important that when competing, for that minute period in time, your opponent, he or she, is not your friend, and they should be treated as such within the boundary of the rules of the sport in which you are engaged.

There is seldom, if any friendly bantering between two Prize Fighters in the Boxing Ring or on the National Football League Field among the coaches of the Harbaugh Brothers, or the UFC Cages, or Mixed Martial Arts fights.

Many tennis players think the way to make the game more competitive, is to continue to trade partners, until you find a winning combination during a match.  This is silly, if not stupid if you're trying to improve your game.

If a team gets beat, they should take the beating, thank their opponents and mentally think about what must be done to be more competitive the next time.  That might consist of more practice before the match, maybe a new strategy, or a new stroke in your arsenal.  Maybe an evaluation of your stroke production by a knowledgeable instructor.  You never can tell.

According to one of my many instructional books on Tennis the writer suggests: "...Your own game would be sounder if you knew how the game should be played, and why."  And he continues, "You never improve your aim if you don't have a target to shot at."

Players should not compete if they are not up to the competition physically.  They are doing themselves, their opponents, and their partner a disservice, in addition to prolonging their condition.

In a Tennis match, it has been determined that the serving team has a distinct advantage to winning.  Therefore, when starting your match, make sure your decision not to serve first is not one of pure superstition, or because you are not physically warmed up, and prepared to play.  This puts your team at a disadvantage as well.

For example, if one of you were left handed, it would give your team the advantage of neither player having to serve facing into the Sun.  Of course, if you are not warmed up enough to serve, even because of a prior injury, it's possible to loosen up even more during the warm-up.  First, by using your service motion to put the ball into play rather than dropping it and hitting a courtesy stroke.  Secondly, you might even report 5-10 minutes earlier before you match just to stretch, and to get in some serving practice on your own.

There are players who are just superstitious about being the first server; they are not player, they are player "wannabes," because in Boxing, when the bell rings, you come out fighting to win.

The Real "I" Formation

Doubles, the NTTC Acemaker.com Way

When you serve down the center in doubles, the return [tends] to come back down the center.  The importance of this is that when it comes back down the center, your partner in doubles might have a chance to intercept and put the ball away.

Remember, few weekend players will attempt to poach going to their backhand to volley, more often than not, they will usually poach, depending on the receiver, on their forehand side.

When serving down the middle, trying standing at the center service mark to serve, but be sure to come up wide. Not many players can angle the ball well enough to your forehand to hurt you with their backhand, unless they attempt a drop shot, which your partner should be on the alert for.  In that case, he takes the shallow ball, and you come up and take his position at the net.

Women should hit down the line, and aim it low at the net on their first return of serve, but always alert your partner of your intentions.

Need a surprise when you’re behind? Try using the “I” Formation.  Use the real “I” Formation, invented by the National Tennis Teachers College in 1976.  The net man, or woman, must straddle the Center Service Line, and the serve must serve from the Center Service Line mark, and down the “T.,” but over their partner's head.

The net person gives the direction in which he will be going, and the server goes in the opposite direction.  By serving down the “T,” the server prevents any really wide angle shots which would defeat the Formation.

Cheating to one side changes the dynamics, and gives away the surprise, and makes it harder for the net man to poach.

Another way of defeating the formation is to lob down the middle, since both players would be moving away from the middle.

c Daniel young, 2016

Are you a "Tennis Player" or just someone who "Plays Tennis?"

That is the question: "Are you a Tennis Player, or just someone who happens to play tennis?"

 Oh yes!  There is a difference. A person who “plays tennis,” plays to keep from losing.  A “tennis player” plays to win, and knows how to win.

A “Tennis Player” plans their match.  They have a goal and purpose in mind when they accompany their opponent onto the tennis courts.

A person who just “plays tennis,” in doubles, looks to team with a person with whom they are likely to win; but, even if they lose, those who “just play tennis” to have fun, and get some exercise, never experience the “agony of defeat.”  Everybody wins in their match ups, they just switch partners.

Whether playing singles or doubles, a “Tennis Player” is constantly looking to raise their skill level, never satisfied with a loss.  A “Tennis Player” wants a rematch.  And, they want it as soon as possible.  After a loss, the “Tennis Player” is back to the backboard to work on their strokes, and to think about what went wrong.

The “Tennis Player” who loses asks themselves after the match: “What did they miss in evaluating their opponent in the warm-up?” 

A “Tennis Player’s” match starts long before they take the court.  They check their appearance,  their equipment, their grip wrappings, water supply, headwear, sun glasses and their cheat sheet—just a written reminder [kept in their racquet cover] to look over during the cross over, just in case things are not going their way.

When warming up a “Tennis Player” is scouting.  They are checking the wind conditions, the position of the sun, and whether their opponents are right handed or left handed, and who is the better player?

By noticing where their opponents stands, relative to the court’s center, they can often surmise whether their opponents prefer to hit one shot or another, and whether their opponent has more confidence in their forehand or backhand.

Now, you be the judge!  “Are you a “Tennis Player,” or do you just “Play Tennis.”

 

 

 

C Daniel A. Young, Sr. 2016

 

Tennis Partner Etiquette

Tennis is a great sport. A student told me he thought tennis was a lot more fun than running. "Of course," I said, "You never see a runner with a smile on their face."

But you know, tennis is not always fun, especially if you are having a bad day. Your returns are not working. Your serve "sucks." And you miss an easy shot that would have won your team the game.

What do you do?  Well, some players will invite others to take their place, and just sit out.  If you are over the age of 50, and you are playing at capacity, there's nothing  wrong with sitting out.  In fact I encourage it.  It's better to take a break. Sit out and play another day.

There's an acceptable way of stepping off the court when you're having a bad day, or heaven forbid, your not feeling well.

While others might disagree, I would first: "communicate with my partner," and maybe say something along the lines of : " I'm not feeling well," Partner, would you mind if I ask (Joe Blow) to fill in.  I'm not myself it seems?" 

I think asking someone to fill in for you without discussing with your partner the circumstances of your desiring to stop play, or "quit," or whether your partner has an objection, is unfair to your opponents who have put together a team, and trying to win the match, and disrespectful to anyone who agree to accept, or play with you as a partner (Maybe your partner and Joe Blow don't get along); this is especially true if you implied the day before: "Whether the player would be available for the weekly match, and they told you yes."

Finally, and after the match, whether you, as the new partner, was on the winning team or not, common courtesy, in my opinion, would suggest that after the last point of the match, regardless of how badly you played, you would seek out and thank your partner, whether selected, or chosen for playing with you rather, rather than rushing to the net to  "fist bump" your opponents, and have to have your partner seek you out to  "Thank you!" before he shakes hands, or "fist bump" with your opponent.  But hey, that's just me.  Like most winners know: "It's lonely at the top."

Tennis as you can see is not all fun and games, but it can be with the right attitude among players.

Tennis News to Note

News, Notes and Comments.

Daniel A. Young, Sr. now the Tennis Coach at Northern Vance High School, member in the Big 8 Conference, now with a 4 wins and 3 loss record this September 13, 2015

Earlier this Summer, Young was featured on Tar Heel Traveler with Host Scott Mason on WRAL-TV-5., and featured in a story by Marty Simpkins of the Wake Weekly, and got featured on the cover of Boomnc.com

Follow him on Twitter @nttctennis.

Young unseeded, lost in the Quarter Finals this year to Washington,  D.C.'s  Phil Lucas in Minnesota, but was a Finalist, though not seeded lost to Douglas Dancer in 2013.

Young continues to teach at Lake Park Swim Club at 6333 Lakeland Dr. in Raleigh.

Young has just received Copyright Notice for his 100+ Tennis Tips from the Tennis Doctor, order your  copy by sending $7.00 plus Tax to Nttc Acemaker, PO Box 3262, Henderson, N.C. 27536.

Having trouble  with your service toss?  Do you repeatedly have to toss and re-toss, then you need the Ace-Maker.  The Ace-Maker controls the height and direction of the service toss.  Get yours today by sending $15.00 plus tax to NTTC, PO Box 3262, Henderson, N.C. 27536.

See the ACE-Maker in action on U-Tube at nttcacemaker.com

Order the Tennis Excuse CD.  Now set to guitar music played by the Tennis Doctor.

Tennis, the importance of proper footwork

 The topic of footwork often comes up in the sport of Boxing, because proper footwork in Boxing—and like Fencing—can help the athlete defeat an opponent, or avoid being defeated by an opponent.

In Boxing footwork is important to help the Boxer maintain his balance and stance, while slipping a punch, i.e. making an opponent miss his target—or by helping a Boxer deliver a punch by springing off the rear foot, which generates the movement forward towards the target.

While footwork in Tennis is necessary for balance and control of the body movement as well, the real need for footwork helps determine the reach and the speed adjustment of the player’s movement, along with their being able to escape the danger of balls hit directly at them.

Without proper footwork at the net, balls which are not reached with the short side step with the wrong foot, could well be an easy point, when angled into the “Diagonal Gap,” when the players steps across one foot to volley balls on the forehand or backhand.

Not only does the cross-over step give the players backhand or forehand greater reach and extension, the player appears to be quicker in recovering for any return volley.

Further, proper footwork permits better handling of low balls, when the feet are well spread apart, and balls are played below the waist, especially for tall players.

The Axiom is this.  “The taller the player the further apart the feet must be when volleying low balls.”

Finally, the most important footwork maneuver is the “Ball-Change” or “Shuffle-Stopping Step.”  This movement is used to slow the players’ body momentum when running wide for a ball almost out of reach, and which permits the player to adjust the speed, and to change direction of the centrifugal force of his body to permit the racquet swing towards the net, and in direction of the balls intended flight.

Concluding, not only does proper footwork prove essential for safety, speed and agility, it is proven to be responsible for helping the player to avoid injuries to knees, back, feet, hips and shoulders.

 

Local Tennis Instructor attains Celebrity status

Well, All most.  Daniel A. Young, Sr. is featured in the March 2015 Issue of "Boom" Magazine.

The Tennis Doctor Dan Young in Boom

"Any Tennis stroke taught in less than an hour."  That's what he says.

Dan Young is an amazing, diligent Tennis Instructor, using such quotes from 

Issac Newton as "An object at rest tends to stay at rest, an object in motion tends to stay in motion
or his police venacular: "Hold it right there, Buddy."
or just: "Stop Ball," all which he uses to teach the
serve, forehand, backhand and volley, even the over-
head and lob, and gives a free lesson if he's late for a
lesson, you hit the target balls, or refer, or bring a friend to take a lesson.

Young is known as the Dr. of Tennis Psychology, Geometry, and Angles on win-
ning and teaches the classical, more elegant and picturesque one hand backhand
only.  Not because it's easier but because, but because says Young, "It gives better performance by requiring less running, permits a greater variety of shots, but most importantly the one hand backhand or forehand causes fewer injuries
to the elbow, the wrist or to the knees.

After March Madness, Young says a Tennis Challenge will be just what Tennis players, team Tennis Players, and club players will be looking for as the summer season approaches.

Young, a former high school Tennis Coach, winner of "9" Senior Games Tennis Tournaments, winner of 4.0 Men's closed Singles Tennis Tournament at the Raleigh Racquet Club, 2016, and did I mention, he's an inventor, ranked #1 by USTA NC South in his age Division.

Tennis Excuses by Daniel A. Young, Sr.

Poem of Tennis Excuses

by 

Daniel A. Young, Sr.,

Dr. of Tennis Psychology, Geometry, and Angles on Winning

My opponent too lucky, too young, too quick; my racquet too heavy, too small, too new;

the courts too dirty, too cracked, to play; and I'm too old, too cold, too slow, too hot, too tired to

win.

My opponent to lucky, too young to quit, my racquet too heavy, too small, too new;

the courts, too dirty, too cracked to play; and I'm trying hard to win.

OH!!! Repeat top stanza.

 

c dyoung 

Second Serve 

Get it in Please!!

Proposed merging of the NTTC with ATA

Thursday, June 15, 2012

Dr. Franklyn Scott

9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 301

Largo, MD 20774

Subject: Proposal to revive and restore prominence of ATA

Dear Dr. Scott:

Forgive me for being so presumptuous that I might have anything to contribute to the 95^th Anniversary of the ATA, whose history consists of such former players as the late Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson, who come to mind for me at age 70.  Of course, there are others!

In 1976 I observed USPTA Professional instructors, play and give instructions, and realized that more needed to be done to train World Class players. 

I still believe that.   Given all the well-named, well-identified  tennis facilities, and availability of what passes as instructions on our public courts and developmental programs, America’s Tennis is lacking, thus we don’t need the USTA pouring more money into renovation of “more than adequate facilities” but, developmental programs instead, and something more than 10 and under and league play.

I believe as even Vic Braden has conceded,  [Black Tennis Magazine 2007, BTMag.com] We need more [knowledgeable ] black coaches.”

As I had observed years earlier, there was the need to adjust tennis to those players young, and smaller of stature.  I believe we have gone too far the other way.  Hence our younger players are burning out, before they acquire the knowledge, and understanding of the sport of tennis.

In early 1963 my wife bought me a tennis racquet and ball with wrist band at a Rexall Drug Store in Washington, D.C.  My first tennis challenge, I got beat at 6-0; 6-0; but requested a rematch in a month, which I won 6-0; 6-0 and have been playing ever since: D.C., Md. Va.  W.VA.  Pa.  Cal.  GA.

After playing for several years, I was asked, if I could teach someone to play.   I said,” I don’t know if I can teach you; but I can show you how I do it,” and the National Tennis Teacher’s College was born.

When Bolleteri was just a name at Haines Point in D.C., before beginning his Tennis Academy-- now in Florida; and Dennis Van Der Meer had just a desk in a hallway in a Washington, D.C. office building--before introducing the Professional Tennis Registry;  and the United States Professional Tennis Association required a $50.00 membership fee to join-- though I observed some members attempting to teach, could not play, nor teach, I developed (1976) my Instant Use Tennis Technique, and the Abbreviated Racquet Method for teaching the strokes of Tennis.

To that end, I would like to see the ATA, adopt the tenet of the National Tennis Teacher’s College: “Teaching Tennis the way it ought’a  be Taught,”  using the National Tennis Teacher’s College Manual, and identified with our exclusive Logo Patch for those who make the grade, and become certified.

Just as there is an American Baseball League, and a National Baseball league, and an All-star game, I believe there is enough money in the Elite Black Community to develop, and promote their  own integrated Tennis training facility, with what I  believe could promise guaranteed results.

For many black youth, Tennis, unlike the sport of Baseball, Football, Basketball isn’t recruited like other professional sports and doesn’t require the spending necessarily in Golf, just the willingness to have self-discipline, and to work hard.

I look forward to meeting you during the tournament.  I hope to play in the 65 mens’ Singles and Doubles with my brother, Calvin.

Thank you for your time, and any comments you might have.

Yours truly,

Daniel A. Young, Sr.

221 West Belle Street

Henderson, NC 27536

919 610-5255

We got Challenge or We got next!

Ignoring challenger, or failure to relinquish the courts.

Concern by users of the Challenge Court at Millbrook Exchange Park Tennis has been raised by those who are waiting in turn for the opportunity to "(Challenge).

Players should have the opportunity to play in the order of their arrival, and be ready to play. A sign up board might be needed, if the challenge court continues to expand its active use.

No players, or player team member, who loses on the Challenge Court should be permitted
to return to the court,  unless no one else is waiting to play.  Both losers must exit the court, and wait another turn.

Neither rewrapping of racquets, putting on any protective device [Shoes, knee braces, Sun
Screen, etc.], or warming-up should be permitted prior to entry on the Challenge Court when others are waiting.  Players should be ready to play.

Players should come and be ready to play upon accepting the Challenge. This requirement is intended to expedite play. Access to the challenge court should not be restricted because of tournaments scheduled to be played; or utilized for ladder matches, lessons, or teacher training.

To assist in enforcing this requirement, I believe that rather than a chalk board, which can
be erased, that a paper pad, protected from the elements, and utilized throughout the
day as necessary to insure fair access.

The numbered, signed list name, or player roster would show who is due up to play next.

Management personnel could use the Challenge Court record for challenges for fiscal purposes, and would demonstrate court use, or provide necessary information for the allotment of courts 13, 14, and 15 at the 23 Court, Millbrook facility.

Finally, If necessary, court use can be monitored from the Millbrook Exchange Park Tennis Office, by office personnel assigning available courts, by having the player write their name down on the counter sign-up board in the Tennis Office, then the employee gives the player,  or players a ticket with their name, and court assignment.

Court use slips could be issued from the office, and be placed on Binder Clips attached to the gate of each tennis courts, which would show the time the court in use would be free.  The next players would exchange with the courts users at the appropriate time their "court use slip."

When those players time is up: 1 hour for Singles, and 1 112 Hours for Doubles, they
would simply replace the ticket, giving the old one to one of the players leaving, whose
court they would be taking. This would not apply to the Challenge Court.

Comments are welcomed@
@nttctennis, or Daniel.young42@gmail.com
nttcacemaker.com

Playing the Net or Shooting the Rapids both are dangerous to your health!!

Tennis, dangerous to your health? Well, not really.  Only shooting the rapids is dangerous to your health--though I'm sure it's good exercise, and probably exciting, so I've heard.

The danger in tennis is what a tennis player is likely to do to themselves: pull a muscle, twist an ankle, hurt their Achilles tendon, injure their rotator cuff or twist a knee.

Per se, Tennis is really an easy game to play.  The difficult part in learning the game of tennis is learning to run to within a certain distance of a moving ball, that is spinning with a sometimes unpredictable bounce, and swinging your racquet at the proper time to make contact. 

In learning to quickly build your confidence in playing Tennis, I have found that it's much easier to start at the net.  Though many players, women in particular, I must add, do fear playing the net for fear of getting hit or hurt.  It's true, you might get hit at the net, but seldom will you get hurt.

Think about it!  From about the waist down you are protected by the net itself. And, from your waist to your neck, there is little chance of being injured for life.  From the head up, that's a different story, but easier to prevent. Keep your arms slightly bent,  holding the racquet  high and away from the body, as you look through the strings of your racquet, like a Fencer's Mask.
Use your arms to help establish the distance of the approaching ball.

By holding your arms away from the body, you are given a means of measuring how close the ball is to you, and that distance permits you time to get out of the way of the projectile--or
ball, for those in Rio Linda--coming towards you, as Rush might say.

By simply stepping out of the way of the ball, but leaving your racquet forward you are able to avoid any bodily harm.  Try it sometimes.  Balls off to your right or left, just go after them, but lead with your racquet.

Balls coming directly at you, which you wish to take on your forehand, simply step back with the right foot if you are right handed, putting yourself sideways to the net, but leaving the Tennis racquet in the path of the ball and squeeze.

For balls coming directly at you while you are at the net, which you wish to take on your backhand, are easily accomplished by stepping back with the left foot and leaving your racquet in the path of the ball.  The one key that must be emphasized is to squeeze the racquet just before contact.  Otherwise the racquet will spin in your hand and your volley will not be crisp, and easily directed.

This tips can all be found in the soon to be released National Tennis Teacher's College Teacher's Manual.

So you see playing the net is not as dangerous as you once thought, just remember: "Familiarity breeds contempt," even at the net.

Regaining Number 1 Tennis Ranking in America

 Regaining Number 1 Tennis in America

TEN THINGS THAT’S WRONG WITH AMERICA’S TEACHING OF TENNIS TODAY: Old School taboo; Starting too young; Bigger; Better Program Myth; Playing and Practicing; Purposeful effort; Student Immaturity; Inattention to detail; Lacking Sound techniques; Role of better equipment.

1         Old School is considered taboo: Many of todays' players don't come from private clubs, and many have taught themselves, and watched players on T.V., and are not familiar with Old School, that taught basic footwork and ball control.

2         Myth: Starting sooner will get you there faster: Many of today's parents, who themselves have not played tennis, heard that the father of Venus and Serena taught them to play, and believe that starting their youngsters at a very young age 10u might  make the difference.

3         Bigger program the better: Local tennis facilities with numerous courts are filled with instructors that have played, or are playing tennis, and looking for part-time jobs and have taken up teaching Tennis.  These players, often with no tournament, or teaching experience and limited background in sports, see teaching  tennis at the recreational level as an easy way to make money.

4         The difference between playing and practicing: Playing is putting into use what you have practiced. Many tennis players think that simply by playing they will improve.  Unfortunately, this is never the case.  One must practice so that their strokes are performed as they are needed, and done so subconsciously .  This can only occur when you are able to slow down your movement so that you can prepare by getting your racquet back, getting into position, planting you feet, for a good hitting foundation and following through.

5         Purpose of effort: Practice must be done with real results in mind.  One good example is a player who fails to follow through on the serve because of fear it will go too long.  The follow through must be done so that the serve will have control, and direction.  A player must remember that every stroke has three elements: The strokes early preparation, the contact point, and the follow through. 

6         Immaturity of student: Many of todays' youngsters are not mentally, emotionally, and physically mature for the rigors of the discipline of tennis.  For example, some learn to play with two hands because their fingers are to short to control the change in grip necessary for the one hand backhand, though two hands shortens their reach and requires them to run more.  Many don't understand the need for proper footwork that assures proper balance. And finally, losing is a part of the game that players must understand. There has never been a tennis players that doesn't make errors.  Youngsters must be taught that the only time you start at the top is when you're learning to Ski, or learning to swim.

7         Instructional inattention to detail in teaching:  Many teachers, I have observed, fail to correct footwork demands, or the need to explain why certain style, or playing technique is ineffective for that individual player, and often fail to show the cause of certain errors in stroke making because of their limited knowledge, or understanding.

8         Lack of sound approach to teaching: Anyone teaching tennis, must not only have a love of the game, but must have an understanding of the mechanics of constructing the stroke. Simply being able to demonstrate the stroke is not enough.  The instructor must be able and willing to  dissect the stroke so that the problem is evident to the student.

9         Players’ reliance upon equipment: Players must understand that, if they put in the time to practice, to learn the mechanics of producing each and every stroke in tennis, there is no reason to give credit to your equipment bag, your newest racquet, or your colorful shoes.

10     Playing –not practicing to  improve: Being unwilling to play a weaker player for fear it will damage your game, is a foolish idea that can be observed on numerous courts throughout the United States.  Playing against a weaker player is your opportunity to work on shots that a better player doesn't give you time to attempt.

Tennis Anyone

 Tennis Professional Demonstrates hard to teach concepts in tennis

by: Daniel A. Young, Sr. nttcacemaker.com, @nttctennis 919 6510-5255

Understanding, and applying suggestions, and tips provided by well-meaning tennis coaches, and instructors often lack the necessary hook to make the message stick.

That problem has been solved in the instant use tennis techniques used by NTTC Instructors.  For example, “Get your racquet back," intones the coach, who demonstrates by holding a tennis ball head high, and tells the student to watch the ball.   When they see the ball leave the instructor's hand, they are required to throw their racquet back with the other hand, point the butt of the racquet at the ball, while the non-racquet hand points to the oncoming ball.

“Wayward ball toss.” 

You know by now that the Serve is 50% of the game of tennis, and the Toss is 50% of the Serve.

When you can’t control your ball toss: “Start with both your hands together:  As you cradle the ball, in the “Praying Mantis Position.”  Then drop both hands.  Let the back of the ball tossing hand hit the players’ inner thigh on ball tossing side.

This stops the ball's downward movement and permits the ball tossing hand to change direction.  Now, both the Racquet hand, and the ball tossing hand are raised simultaneously to shoulder height in opposite directions.  This is repeated until it becomes fluid, and natural.  It should look natural as well.

As the last set of arm movements are stopped shoulder height, Stop!  Now, brush the back of your head with what would be your racquet hand—think in terms of making a muscle--with the racquet-hand, while looking up towards the upward facing palm of the ball tossing hand.

When this can be done in a smooth, rhythmic motion, let the ball tossing hand continue upward and extend as high up as you can reach.  The palm of the ball tossing hand should be facing towards you.  This may feel awkward for a while.

Now unwind.  Doing the same movements, just doing them in reverse very slowly.

Professionalism and Fairness in today's Tennis

Better Tennis Bureau 919-610-5255

For the most part, Tennis is considered a fair sport.  Supposedly, players, according to Nick Powell, who wrote the Code of Tennis Etiquette, were required to settle any question of doubt of a ball being considered “In” or “Out” [no pun intended] was always to be decided, awarded, given, unquestionably, in favor of your opponent.  That’s fairness, Right?

Playing two on one, or what’s called Australian Tennis, is not considered fair, right; but, good practice for singles and doubles!  But usually, when a qualified fourth comes along, they might be invited to play, Right?  What if the fourth is not as talented, or is just learning to play; that competition would not be considered fair either.

Competition is pitting your ability, talents, skills, agility and mental prowess, against an opponent of equal stature; if not, what’s the purpose?  If the players are not equal, the “game” or “pursuit” is not competition at all, it’s bullying. No one likes, or wants to be bullied.

Many will tell you that tennis is the fairest sport of all. They will argue that there are linesman, or lines-women lines persons [Let’s be fair] in the Umpire’s Chair, calling the many lines, keeping the score, deciding who is to serve first, all in the exercising of fairness.

Ball persons at the ready with towels, new balls, giving equal time and attention to the professional player.

In all competitive sports, the element of fairness is taken into consideration to make the competition equal; or to “level” the playing field, to be politically correct, as real journalist like to say.

Depending upon the sport, most team chose players, depending upon their ability, skill, speed, agility, height, weight. Take the sport of Baseball.  Nine players, of different, but known abilities and talents assembled as a unit to play a game.  The same requirements are to be found in most team sports like Football, Basketball, Hockey and La Crosse.

Tennis, the sport of a life time, [and there is a reason it’s called the Sport of a Lifetime time], does not chose its players in this fashion.  As anyone knows, in an individual sport, i.e., Skiing, Ice Skating, Boxing, Wrestling; you can be as good as you want to be, without exception. Practice, Practice determination, and hard work are all that is required and, perhaps an entry fee.

Think about the team sports per se, these players are physically trying to hinder the opposing player.  Catchers, Pitchers, other opposing team members, are trying to spoil the batters attempt to get a hit or get on base, through movement, different fielding positions and signaling. 

In Football, the coaches might call the plays, or the Quarterback might stutters is signal calling to get a penalty advantage of being off sides, etc.

Tennis given all of its effort to be fair, and claiming to a professional sport, has missed one opportunity to be fair.  While you might not make the team because of your height in Basketball, because of your weight in Football or Boxing.  Tall or taller Tennis players do gain a distinct advantage in height because of the serve elevation. 

Thus, pitchers have decided advantage over hitters because of the raised pitching mound.

For this reason the Better Tennis Bureau, a creation of the National Tennis Teacher’s College, believes and advocates, that all tennis players should be given just one serve per point. 

Think of it.  One serve per point would shorten matches, would eliminate double faults, and the wait, while another ball is retrieved. One serve would save wear and tear on the arm, back, shoulders and knees. Players would have more stamina, for the third, or fifth set, if they serve and volley, by not having to go back to serve the second ball.

One serve would take away the server’s advantage, we’ve all heard about, and receivers would be mentally set to receive serve, and the rally would be immediate.

Finally, if these are truly, professional players and capable of doing what you and I aren’t capable of doing, they should be able to be just as effective with one serve; however, in the interest of drama, the Better Tennis Bureau would suggest awarding two points for a one serve “Ace.”

That's my perspective.  What's yours?