Food for thought: More Practice matches.

[Ash_Smith]

^^^ga - answered your wheelie question in the other thread

[ga tennis]

Originally Posted by Ash_Smith

^^^ga - answered your wheelie question in the other thread

Thanks Ash your Awesome! I wonder if their is a way for him to be able to get a chair for low cost he has no money.It is a sad story his 16 year old brother was in a car wreck 6 weeks before he was and lost the use of his legs.Whenever I'm having a bad day I just think about how petty my problems are compared to his mother who had both of her sons put in wheel chairs within 6 weeks.He is in good spirits and quick to remind people I can anything you can do I'm just sitting.He is a great kid tennis will be great for him and possibly his brother.

[ga tennis]

Ash have you ever thought about creating a web site for players in chairs? Im sure it will help lots of players as well as coaches like myself.

[Ash_Smith]

^^^Sorry to hijack the thread!

Over here there are several charities which help massively with the cost of sports chairs (or even provide them foc). You may find something similar where you are?

As for putting a website or something together, I currently work for the governing body of wheelchair tennis here as a national coach, so I couldn't put something up for myself. As an organisation we are looking to update our website with more information about how to get started and develop some more resources. USTA might have some stuff too, if you contact Dan James (he's your national coach) he might have some useful info or contacts for you? Like I said though, feel free to drop me an email...

cheers

[MarTennis]

Originally Posted by ga tennis

Please keep posting on this board.I really enjoy reading your post. You obviously know a lot about tennis.I agree with you on a lot of your points.

Basically, we do nothing different and the results show it. We don't test assumptions; we don't question the past; and we (in the US) just keep doing it the same way and expecting different results. We are not striving for excellence. The player development system is broken but we'll keep doing the same thing I'm sure . . .

[hhollines]

"...if we don't get the ladies and even some the American men serving like Serena, let alone practicing the serve in a way to raise their game, stick a fork in the whole thing. World class ladies serves suck, mostly. If we as Americans can't see that opportunity on our own hard courts to shore up our serves, then might as well just pack it in."

At the 10,000 ft. level, I agree. We absolutely need to focus more on the serve, especially for the ladies. However, there are natural limits to ones serving capabilities. For example, Errani could practice her serve 24x7 but sheer physical constraints will prohibit her from serving like Serena so should she pack it in? Heck no. Instead she learned how to grind, maximize the use of spin and defense and construct points and, most importantly, she maximizes her physical and mental gifts. She is barely 5 ft. 2 in. and made it to the French Open finals and U.S. Open semi finals . . . which by the way is hard court for anyone who thought she could only on the red clay

This is where we fall short. We do not customize and individualize the juniors game taking into consideration the natural and individual makeup of the player. We try to rubber stamp everyone and produce players like some type of manufacturing line . . . it doesn't work.

I would argue that it's not about just owning the hard courts . . . it's about an all-court game that can be successful on all surfaces.

[hhollines]

"Grinders can pound the ball or push in my book. It is their unwillingness to move forward and attempt to pressure opponent that defines the style for me."

Thanks for the insight. This is why I asked for the definition of "grinder" because what you describe is not how I define a successful grinder. It's that consistent, mentally strong player with great defensive skills who may be a counter puncher "but" punishes you for making mistakes (Nadal, for example, will put away the soft mid court shot he may get in response to a heavy cross court forehand) but he may take 5-10+ shots as he "constructs" the point.

Tennis is very similar to chess. Some very physically gifted players can play "quick strike tennis" like Isner or Sernea but most can't and shouldn't try. Instead, they should construct points then end it with the dagger but you don't throw out the dagger until you setup your opponent which takes consistency, patience and mental strength.

But for Serena's dominance, a few female grinders (under my definition) would have already won majors. That's not a stab at grinders but more about the dominance of Serena who is, in my opinion, the best of All-Time so it's not fair to say grinders can win majors, that is, grinders as to how I'm defining it which is very different than a classic "pusher." However, by the way, I have massive respect for pushers. Instead of complaining about pushers, learn how to beat them. There's a reason they are successful in the juniors and recreational level . . . at the pro level, again, someone like Errani doesn't hit a slew of winners and came within 1 match of a major . . . but she is crafty as hell and incredibly strong mentally.

It's just like fast food in this country (U.S.) . . . we want instant satisfaction but we don't want to work and earn it . . . it takes work to properly construct a point . . .

the real problem/issue is 99% of the coaches don't know how to do it either . . . it's only that 1% of the coaching ranks that are truly special and understand how to develop a player and more importantly how to teach . . . this is the real issue underneath everything . . . do the private coaches/club coaches/usta coaches truly know how to develop players?

here's a poll question . . . ask the local pro or club pro how many juniors did they coach from the formative years through their teens and then went on to the pro ranks? It's a pretty short list at least from my experience. I know I want a coach for my daughter that has been in the trenches at a high pro level who understands tennis at a global level and has played against all styles and types of players and truly understands what it takes to be successful at the pro level (not just what it takes to play Div. I at a mid major; nothing wrong with that but if we are talking about majors at the professional level, then everyone gets called out . . .).

I've learned pretty quickly that many parents spend a slew of $ with coaches that are average themselves (at best).

Harry

[MarTennis]

Originally Posted by hhollines

"Grinders can pound the ball or push in my book. It is their unwillingness to move forward and attempt to pressure opponent that defines the style for me."

Thanks for the insight. This is why I asked for the definition of "grinder" because what you describe is not how I define a successful grinder. It's that consistent, mentally strong player with great defensive skills who may be a counter puncher "but" punishes you for making mistakes (Nadal, for example, will put away the soft mid court shot he may get in response to a heavy cross court forehand) but he may take 5-10+ shots as he "constructs" the point.

Tennis is very similar to chess. Some very physically gifted players can play "quick strike tennis" like Isner or Sernea but most can't and shouldn't try. Instead, they should construct points then end it with the dagger but you don't throw out the dagger until you setup your opponent which takes consistency, patience and mental strength.

But for Serena's dominance, a few female grinders (under my definition) would have already won majors. That's not a stab at grinders but more about the dominance of Serena who is, in my opinion, the best of All-Time so it's not fair to say grinders can win majors, that is, grinders as to how I'm defining it which is very different than a classic "pusher." However, by the way, I have massive respect for pushers. Instead of complaining about pushers, learn how to beat them. There's a reason they are successful in the juniors and recreational level . . . at the pro level, again, someone like Errani doesn't hit a slew of winners and came within 1 match of a major . . . but she is crafty as hell and incredibly strong mentally.

It's just like fast food in this country (U.S.) . . . we want instant satisfaction but we don't want to work and earn it . . . it takes work to properly construct a point . . .

the real problem/issue is 99% of the coaches don't know how to do it either . . . it's only that 1% of the coaching ranks that are truly special and understand how to develop a player and more importantly how to teach . . . this is the real issue underneath everything . . . do the private coaches/club coaches/usta coaches truly know how to develop players?

here's a poll question . . . ask the local pro or club pro how many juniors did they coach from the formative years through their teens and then went on to the pro ranks? It's a pretty short list at least from my experience. I know I want a coach for my daughter that has been in the trenches at a high pro level who understands tennis at a global level and has played against all styles and types of players and truly understands what it takes to be successful at the pro level (not just what it takes to play Div. I at a mid major; nothing wrong with that but if we are talking about majors at the professional level, then everyone gets called out . . .).

I've learned pretty quickly that many parents spend a slew of $ with coaches that are average themselves (at best).

Harry

...I'm a community tennis guy, who coached my 10 year old with the help of the community until we could not help him as much anymore, then USTA helped him find Rosie Baries and Wayne Ferriera who are teaching more things than I could ever do on my own. Point being each parent needs to recognize that moment when help or change is needed to help a child take development to the next level. Not an easy task. Thank you for your view and insight.

[andfor]

Ditto^^^There is no system to the pros and no recognized coach of the pros. If there was we'd all know it.

[coaching32yrs]

I have not seen the data, but have a strong feeling TCF is spot on. Most coaches of pro players are one and done. They developed one player. The one on one relationship is critical and it is difficult to get that from any program or academy.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by hhollines

"Grinders can pound the ball or push in my book. It is their unwillingness to move forward and attempt to pressure opponent that defines the style for me."

Thanks for the insight. This is why I asked for the definition of "grinder" because what you describe is not how I define a successful grinder. It's that consistent, mentally strong player with great defensive skills who may be a counter puncher "but" punishes you for making mistakes (Nadal, for example, will put away the soft mid court shot he may get in response to a heavy cross court forehand) but he may take 5-10+ shots as he "constructs" the point.

Tennis is very similar to chess. Some very physically gifted players can play "quick strike tennis" like Isner or Sernea but most can't and shouldn't try. Instead, they should construct points then end it with the dagger but you don't throw out the dagger until you setup your opponent which takes consistency, patience and mental strength.

But for Serena's dominance, a few female grinders (under my definition) would have already won majors. That's not a stab at grinders but more about the dominance of Serena who is, in my opinion, the best of All-Time so it's not fair to say grinders can win majors, that is, grinders as to how I'm defining it which is very different than a classic "pusher." However, by the way, I have massive respect for pushers. Instead of complaining about pushers, learn how to beat them. There's a reason they are successful in the juniors and recreational level . . . at the pro level, again, someone like Errani doesn't hit a slew of winners and came within 1 match of a major . . . but she is crafty as hell and incredibly strong mentally.

It's just like fast food in this country (U.S.) . . . we want instant satisfaction but we don't want to work and earn it . . . it takes work to properly construct a point . . .

Harry

Excellent take.

I see SO many instructors working with smallish (for their age), quick kids & teaching them ONLY the power game......along with their bigger/stronger buddies. It's like they believe there is only one way to play.

[ga tennis]

.,............

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by ga tennis

Wrong!! Hands down best coach on the planet Heath Waters. He has developed numerous pros and he will have a few more in a few years.The guy knows how to do it.Spend an hour with him and you will be blown away!!!!!!

Carpet bombing this forum with stuff like this begins to feel like spam at some point. I really like the videos on his website and am sure he is a fine coach but don't you think you might be going a little heavy on the prosthelytizing?

[BSPE84]

Originally Posted by ga tennis

Wrong!! Hands down best coach on the planet Heath Waters. He has developed numerous pros and he will have a few more in a few years.The guy knows how to do it.Spend an hour with him and you will be blown away!!!!!!

Please stop...

[hhollines]

"Wow....you type long posts with a few decent points. But as John Wooden says, do not mistake activity for achievement. This post of yours is silly and a total over simplification."

A very typical response that I would expect (and thanks for one of John Wooden's classic lines as I know it well but you may want to also apply it to yourself . . .). I suspect you are part of the system for which my statement applied so obviously you will try to defend it . . . your response is over simplified and this is precisely why nothing will change with respect to our player development program.

I'm not going to take the time to respond to each of your inadequate responses except to say I never said a pro had to be Top 75 (I know the break even for men and women pros) . . . and, just we are clear, to define pro as top 75 is stupid in this context. If the discussion was pros that make a living at it for a period time, which is not the context of this discussion, then you would make a fair point.

Looking from the outside as a former collegiate player (dad played in the NBA), it's a shame how we defend a tennis development system that is clearly broken and flawed.

As for my ability to type long posts, that's the result of taking collegiate athletics, using it to obtain a college degree, then a master's, then a law degree . . . . . . so instead of reading between the lines, I'll take that statement as a compliment but, for the record, I'll make more than just a "few decent" points

I'll sign off with respect to this topic . . .