High school Tennis problems

[Wheelson]

My coach knows almost nothing about tennis. He basically refuses to put us freshman in starting positions. My friend and I were supposed to have the fourth doubles spot but at literally the last second he pulled us out and put in two sophomores with less skill level, worse communication, no net skills, and a very bad mentality i.e. throwing their rackets after every lost point etc.. He won't even give me an alternate match even though he's promised me a match for the past four. Today he realized that none of our doubles teams are winning so he is resorting to sandbagging by putting a usual first/ second doubles player in the fourth doubles spot along with my friend/ partner. What should I do to get him to let me play? What should I do about the cheating?

If you read the whole giant text block thank you and what should I do?

- Will:?

[azn_tomato]

Drop out of the dark hole of HS tennis and just practice on your own?
Seriously, if your coac is really as bad as you say, you should just quit the team and be done with it. It'd be better for you and say something to the coach as well.

[xnarek]

Say "forget this"
train train train!
keep training
...3 years later
he walks by and sees u playing."Hey ill make u number 1 singles wanna join the team?"
"no"

[obnoxious2]

Don't listen to the previous 2 repliers. The chances of you getting good competition other than from other HS teams is rare. Just try to suck it up the 1st year and ride the bench. You'll be playing next year if not by the end of this year.

BTW - I believe stacking is illegal and if you relaly hate your coach. Anonymously inform other high schools in your league and he'll be in deep ****.

[Wheelson]

I have too much pride to quit (its a problem). The captain of the team talked to me today before practice and he said that He knows I'm better than most of the other people going for my position. He says the coach is stacking for the next match because we have no shot because they're first in the state. Also that he's going to pull some strings and talk to the coach. The main problem is that we're in division one and all of the good players graduated last year.
Thanks for the input8-)

-Will

[Zhou]

Where do you play?

[vndesu]

challenge up and prove your coach wrong

[fastswingVD]

quit tennis
jk

[Wheelson]

challenge up and prove your coach wrong

He doesn't really let us he says once the spots are set (which they're not yet, he's really deciding whats going to happen) they're taken for the season, so no challenging its b.s. I know

[futuretoptenner]

Have you talked to him about this problem and honestly expressed yourself. Argue your point's across to him. You may get dropped for the team but then again he may change things around . Good luck.

[IanRichardson]

talk to your schools athletic director and tell about the no challenge thing, that is a rule in high school tennis

[ROFLingpanda]

Don't listen to the previous 2 repliers. The chances of you getting good competition other than from other HS teams is rare. Just try to suck it up the 1st year and ride the bench. You'll be playing next year if not by the end of this year.

BTW - I believe stacking is illegal and if you relaly hate your coach. Anonymously inform other high schools in your league and he'll be in deep ****.

has it. but usta is probably more challenging than high school tennis. high school tennis can be a real joke sometimes

[Babb]

^^^^^
Agreed.

[SteveI]

talk to your schools athletic director and tell about the no challenge thing, that is a rule in high school tennis

Hi,

Sorry man.. it is not a rule in HS tennis. When you coach you can do anything you want to determine the line up. You can visit the AD to voice your concern, but I would voice my concern to the coach 1st before going over the coaches head. BTW.. I am a HS coach for both Boys and Girls tennis. Have coached in both public and private schools and using a challenge system is part of what many coaches use. I use it when it makes sense and time permits, but there are other factors to be considered when setting your line up.

[thejackal]

the best way is just to work hard on your own and get better. the kind of "practices" we had when i played varsity, i could do for 10 years and not improve much. back then i'd be on the court 6 hours a week for HS and then train for 4-5 hours on my own.

[tsmcauliffe]

Yeah, train on your own. If there is a JC around go hit with them. That's what I do and I play #1 singles now and I'm like 3rd in my league because of it. It is a real challenge at first but it is worth it.

[racingdad23]

What irks me about high School Tennis is the fact that a player/student can live and train at a tennis academy out of state. Come in one week (or in mid-season) play one tournament then qualify for state kicking a player that has lived in the state, played for his team all season out of his position. It disrupts the entire team because all positions that they've played in for all year are the re-shuffled going into state finals. But a state championship means alot of a high school resume to both a student and a coach. Needs to be some kind of rule where if a player doesnt compete in 70% of school matches then they cant qualify for state. That would put a end to the hired guns comming in at the end of the season chasing state titles. Let the kids that play all season earn the right to compete for state.

[bcast66]

My coach knows almost nothing about tennis. He basically refuses to put us freshman in starting positions. My friend and I were supposed to have the fourth doubles spot but at literally the last second he pulled us out and put in two sophomores with less skill level, worse communication, no net skills, and a very bad mentality i.e. throwing their rackets after every lost point etc.. He won't even give me an alternate match even though he's promised me a match for the past four. Today he realized that none of our doubles teams are winning so he is resorting to sandbagging by putting a usual first/ second doubles player in the fourth doubles spot along with my friend/ partner. What should I do to get him to let me play? What should I do about the cheating?

If you read the whole giant text block thank you and what should I do?

- Will:?

don't worry about it. high school tennis sucks if the coach doesent like you, you don't play plain and simple. sometimes others are far worse than you yet they play ahead of you that is high school for you.

[SteveI]

What irks me about high School Tennis is the fact that a player/student can live and train at a tennis academy out of state. Come in one week (or in mid-season) play one tournament then qualify for state kicking a player that has lived in the state, played for his team all season out of his position. It disrupts the entire team because all positions that they've played in for all year are the re-shuffled going into state finals. But a state championship means alot of a high school resume to both a student and a coach. Needs to be some kind of rule where if a player doesnt compete in 70% of school matches then they cant qualify for state. That would put a end to the hired guns comming in at the end of the season chasing state titles. Let the kids that play all season earn the right to compete for state.

Stan,

In our section (section VI) NY State. The player does have to play 70 % of HS matches to play in the sectionals, states etc..

Have a good one Man!
Steve

[bsandy]

Maybe he's trying to teach you humility . . . I don't thinkl it's working, yet.

. . . Bud

[Wheelson]

Maybe he's trying to teach you humility . . . I don't thinkl it's working, yet.

. . . Bud

Definitely not, well heres an update and more background info I don't think I mentioned before the friend and partner I mentioned above played with me in the tryouts for elimination I shellacked him 8-1 and he's playing 3rd doubles I'm still a lonely alternate :( (good for him though)
Well today our 3rd singles got into a fight with the coach and quit the team. Keep in mind that our doubles teams are now all mixed up and they weren't all that good to begin with. Today in our match only our 1st singles player won but he's ranked #3 in the state. The crappy fourth doubles team is 0 for 4 and playing they're fifth match tomorrow. I only have 'till next week to prove myself because he's making a set in stone line-up that means if I don't I'm benched for the year ( I would kill myself I've already wasted a good 6-7 hours sitting and watching my team lose) If I don't get a match by Friday I decided to confront the coach b/c I'm the only one on the team who hasn't gotten a match yet

[racingdad23]

has it. but usta is probably more challenging than high school tennis. high school tennis can be a real joke sometimes

In our state High School Tennis is taken very seriously (I think most states see the same). Just about all of our junior and seniors #1 (and some #2s) singles players are already signed to D1 schools. Its very competitive especially for a freshman matching up against top ranked USTA B18s. Its rare to see a non-USTA player in High School singles (some in doubles) they just cant compete.

Stan,

In our section (section VI) NY State. The player does have to play 70 % of HS matches to play in the sectionals, states etc..

Ahhh now thats the way to do it! I like that rule and it would solve the "hired gun" problem. Too bad the OSSAA doesnt see it that way. I think I'll write a letter....:)

[baseline08thrasher]

be really *****y to the coach. And do whatever it takes to annoy him.
Ask him why there are players with lower skill level infront of me?
if he says because there in blah blah blah grade, then you tell him that the team would be better if you were put in front.
Also, make sure you prove you can be in front. Try playing those guys in front of your coach, and then beat them 6-0 6-0 or something if they are that bad.
Once your coach sees this just ask them what more you need to do to play some opponents at your skill level.

[SteveI]

be really *****y to the coach. And do whatever it takes to annoy him.
Ask him why there are players with lower skill level infront of me?
if he says because there in blah blah blah grade, then you tell him that the team would be better if you were put in front.
Also, make sure you prove you can be in front. Try playing those guys in front of your coach, and then beat them 6-0 6-0 or something if they are that bad.
Once your coach sees this just ask them what more you need to do to play some opponents at your skill level.

Hi,

Great advice... ??? How about a nice sit down with your coach, parents and AD to address your concerns. Act like an adult and be professional. It is great training for real life. If after that meeting you still do not get the answers you are looking for, then decide to either stay with the team or move on. If your game is strong, there many more outlets for your tennis.
Good luck. BTW... I do understand your problem as many of the tennis coaches in my area are very skilled and know and play the game, while others take coaching jobs for the money. Most of the schools in my area have to hire coaches from within the school system before they can go outside to look for a qualified coach. That can work really well if you happen to have someone on staff that is a qualified tennis coach. Otherwise you will still get someone with NY State Coaching Certification but it does not have to be in tennis.


Steve