Are our kids fit enough?

fitmom · 01-27-2012, 07:14 AM

http://parentingaces.com/2012/01/27/...er-of-fitness/

your thoughts on whether our kids are being short-changed in terms of the way tournaments are structured here???

tennis5 · 01-27-2012, 07:45 AM

Great article, very informative!

I pulled this from it:

Why is this important to note? Because our junior players are no longer being pushed to their physical limits in tournament play. Many tournaments, even those at the highest national level, have gone to playing a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a 3rd set and to playing short sets in the case of weather delays. When our American kids are across the net from their European or South American or Asian counterparts, are they going to be able to withstand the physical – and mental – pressure of playing for three full sets?

My son played at a national tournament this weekend, and the USTA had made a change to the 12's.

There was no third set...........

Let me repeat that, there was no third set.

Just a ten point tie breaker in a national main draw.

Why are they shortchanging the kids?

Did the parents fly their kids in for this?

I think they flew or drove them in to play.

I know there’s been a lot of talk on the part of USTA about having the junior players train and compete more on clay, taking a page out of the Spanish book. But, I’ve also heard that our American green clay is very different from the red dirt and that it doesn’t provide for the same type of movement and long points as the red stuff. If that’s the case, are we wasting our time? What can we do better?

Another great point. I am still baffled why the USTA moved the Orange Bowl to red clay for the 16's.
Who in this country gets to practice on red clay?
Most juniors play on hard courts, except Florida.
I have never seen red clay, except for tv.

fitmom · 01-27-2012, 08:07 AM

the 16s had no 3rd set either. and, once the rain started, the matches were changed to start at 2-2. of course, the rain ended up canceling the entire event in atlanta, so too bad for those point-chasing or new-opponent-chasing folks who traveled from across the country to play. a lose-lose across the board. sad.

tennis5 · 01-27-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitmom

the 16s had no 3rd set either. and, once the rain started, the matches were changed to start at 2-2. of course, the rain ended up canceling the entire event in atlanta, so too bad for those point-chasing or new-opponent-chasing folks who traveled from across the country to play. a lose-lose across the board. sad.

My son played up in the 16's, and there was a 3rd set.

Maybe, that was a weather issue?

BTW, I really like your site.
I learned a lot.

fitmom · 01-27-2012, 11:51 AM

thank you! feel free to share with other tennis parents.

NLBwell · 01-28-2012, 09:04 AM

How do you fight against the video games?
Kids used to run, ride bikes, play basketball, football, etc. No one I knew would get tired from 3 sets of tennis, even on clay. Now you have to send them to the gym to get them to do what kids who were interested in sports used to do as part of normal life. It is harder for parents now.

As for big shots, the last 18-under tournament I saw, there was only 1 boy with a big serve. Lots of big groundstrokes, lots of grinding out points. The big serve seems to be lost these days in the US juniors.

sureshs · 01-28-2012, 09:38 AM

PE standards are much stricter these days.

dennis10is · 01-28-2012, 10:19 AM

As Americans,

Our kids are great! They are all far above average in everything they do! We are blessed to have children who are all so talented.

I feel sorry for the two or three children who do not receive a trophy every weekend.

Milan · 01-29-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLBwell

How do you fight against the video games?

You pull the plug out of the damn wall... American parents are soft.. and therefore their kids are soft. No need to analyze this any more.

NLBwell · 01-29-2012, 12:01 PM

None of my kids ever had video games. They still spent a lot of time playing them at friends houses instead of playing ball, riding bikes, etc.

tennis5 · 01-29-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milan

You pull the plug out of the damn wall... American parents are soft.. and therefore their kids are soft. No need to analyze this any more.

Oh no!
Is this racism again Americans?

tennis5 · 01-29-2012, 01:20 PM

Sorry.... I couldn't help myself ....

All these posts are becoming so ridiculous.

01-27-2012, 07:14 AM	#1
fitmom New User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 38	Are our kids fit enough? http://parentingaces.com/2012/01/27/...er-of-fitness/ your thoughts on whether our kids are being short-changed in terms of the way tournaments are structured here??? __________________ fitmom@bellsouth.net http://parentingaces.com

01-27-2012, 07:45 AM	#2
tennis5 Professional Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,261	Great article, very informative! I pulled this from it: Why is this important to note? Because our junior players are no longer being pushed to their physical limits in tournament play. Many tournaments, even those at the highest national level, have gone to playing a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a 3rd set and to playing short sets in the case of weather delays. When our American kids are across the net from their European or South American or Asian counterparts, are they going to be able to withstand the physical – and mental – pressure of playing for three full sets? My son played at a national tournament this weekend, and the USTA had made a change to the 12's. There was no third set........... Let me repeat that, there was no third set. Just a ten point tie breaker in a national main draw. Why are they shortchanging the kids? Did the parents fly their kids in for this? I think they flew or drove them in to play. I know there’s been a lot of talk on the part of USTA about having the junior players train and compete more on clay, taking a page out of the Spanish book. But, I’ve also heard that our American green clay is very different from the red dirt and that it doesn’t provide for the same type of movement and long points as the red stuff. If that’s the case, are we wasting our time? What can we do better? Another great point. I am still baffled why the USTA moved the Orange Bowl to red clay for the 16's. Who in this country gets to practice on red clay? Most juniors play on hard courts, except Florida. I have never seen red clay, except for tv. Last edited by tennis5 : 01-27-2012 at 08:01 AM.

01-27-2012, 08:07 AM	#3
fitmom New User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 38	the 16s had no 3rd set either. and, once the rain started, the matches were changed to start at 2-2. of course, the rain ended up canceling the entire event in atlanta, so too bad for those point-chasing or new-opponent-chasing folks who traveled from across the country to play. a lose-lose across the board. sad. __________________ fitmom@bellsouth.net http://parentingaces.com

01-27-2012, 11:51 AM	#5
fitmom New User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 38	thank you! feel free to share with other tennis parents. __________________ fitmom@bellsouth.net http://parentingaces.com

01-28-2012, 10:19 AM	#8
dennis10is Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,977	As Americans, Our kids are great! They are all far above average in everything they do! We are blessed to have children who are all so talented. I feel sorry for the two or three children who do not receive a trophy every weekend. __________________ TW NTRP MAC region: Oh that's Old. We all want freedom. The freedom to impose our views on others.