The Building of Character. Or...

[Jake Speed]

"To whom it may concern."

Interesting this Tennis Forum.

This is the first time I've actually been "on line" dealing with tennis enthusiasts. I'll get to "tennis enthusiasts" and my choice of words in a minute.

Certainly, I have a life long interest in the game of Tennis.

Been playing it for only 54 years, so that either makes me a lover of the game or nuts. Possibly a combination of both!

Actually, being a little nuts helps, in fact, probably the more nuts you are the better! At least you will be more interesting.

Anyway, we have this "thing" when you become a teaching professional. It's like a brotherhood code of ethics.

Top of the list is to "Never degrade another teaching professional."

So I guess, as a person "who just plays tennis," and I'll get to that choice of words also, it's fine if they display behavior that we would consider "unprofessional?" Surly they don't need a code because they aren't professionals. Gee?

There was never a lesson, which I gave, where somewhere along the given time line, did I fail to mention "ethics."

Children, Juniors, young adults and adults, all had to listen to important disciplines. Not just the disciplines used in physical tasks, but mental tasks also.

"The building of character." The greatest challenge a teaching professional has.

There aren't a bunch of different "classes" in Tennis, as some would like to believe. Money is a non issue.

In a nutshell, here's what I discovered at a very young age, and still holds true to today.

There are people who "Play Tennis," then there are "Tennis Players." Between that, there are a bunch of "enthusiasts."

Sure, these enthusiasts and those who just play tennis, would like to believe THEY are "Tennis Players," but it takes much more than "belief" to accomplish this.

You want a good tennis game? Practice. Nope, that's wrong. You must practice "correctly."

Well, the building of good character takes "correct practice" also.

My suggestion would be, and it's a suggestion only. Next time you practice your tennis game, give the building of character some thought. Possibly a bit of effort also.

JS #1

 

[GetBetterer]

Summarizing all of that with a quote from long ago:

"Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect."

aka Practice correctly or you're doing it wrong.

 

[Hewex]

Summarizing all of that with a quote from long ago:

"Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect."

aka Practice correctly or you're doing it wrong.

To add to that thought. When I was a kid there was an older guy who hit practice balls at the golf course I played at. He'd always tell us kids regarding the golf swing, that "If it felt right, it was wrong". We laughed at him then, but I can't help thinking now that he was onto something and not just in golf/tennis.

 

[Lex]

"Practice makes permanent"

 

[fuzz nation]

Have you met our pal, LeeD yet?

You two are going to have puh-lenty to talk about... I'll make popcorn!!!

 

[Jake Speed]

Have you met our pal, LeeD yet?

You two are going to have puh-lenty to talk about... I'll make popcorn!!!

OK, I see, and why is that?

I do see that Mr. LeeD has been involved with the group for three years and has 11,000 Posts.

I've been with the group 5 days now, with only 69 Posts, which I apologize for quickly padding, because I wanted the ability to edit.

5 days and I've already been dismissed as a 13 year old Troll, with absolutely nothing to offer.

Is Mr. LeeD, a teenager, say thirteen or fourteen years old?

With nothing to offer also?

JS #1

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

I think Dozu and I would define him as an "old dog."

 

[SweetH2O]

If you are here to help, then welcome.

If you are here to boost yourself up, talk down to people you don't know and call them "not real tennis players", then check the attitude at the door. We already have enough people here for that.

It's all in how you deliver the information.

 

[jdubbs]

I would give this piece of advice to the OP:

Be Humble.

Think: how can I come across as knowledgeable but also humble? Maybe you talk about a tough loss, or something you learned.

What we don't need is another haughty know it all. We certainly have plenty of those. And your semi-coherent post reeks of haughtiness.

Please do return but be humble. With you playing for 54 years, I'm sure you can appreciate that.

 

[Jake Speed]

Real "Tennis Players" know how to take advice. Even budding students.

You're reading much more into my context than is necessary and taking my comments personal. Gee?

Get off your high horse, and learn something. If you can't say anything positive, keep quiet.

You're ruining it for those few "Tennis Players," that want and possibly deserve help.

Is Tennis your "Hobby?"

JS #1

 

[jdubbs]

It feels like you're really trying hard to make your mark here, to so badly impart your wisdom.

Well, some people gained experience, and others just got old.

So far, i'm not impressed. Come back when you find your inner modesty, impart wisdom if you must, but come seeking knowledge, seek first to understand, and then be understood.

Otherwise, go back from whence you came.

 

[Andres]

OK, I see, and why is that?

I do see that Mr. LeeD has been involved with the group for three years and has 11,000 Posts.

I've been with the group 5 days now, with only 69 Posts, which I apologize for quickly padding, because I wanted the ability to edit.

5 days and I've already been dismissed as a 13 year old Troll, with absolutely nothing to offer.

Is Mr. LeeD, a teenager, say thirteen or fourteen years old?

With nothing to offer also?

JS #1

No, he's a 62 years old tennis enthusiast. There are players we youngsters haven't seen live or ever heard of. He may be your match, knowledge and experience-wise

I'll pretend the rest of your message doesn't exist.

 

[Jake Speed]

So far, i'm not impressed. Come back when you find your inner modesty, impart wisdom if you must, but come seeking knowledge, seek first to understand, and then be understood.

Otherwise, go back from whence you came.

Mr. Jdubbs,

I already said in an early Post, there would be those that will not be friendly.

Thank you for making my statement correct.

JS #1

 

[Ash_Smith]

Jake

I've read your opening post a fair few times now...and it still makes very little sense to me!

Could you perhaps try to explain your point in a less flambouyant way - perhaps saying what you actually mean intead of putting quotation marks everywhere and making implications?

Cheers, i'm sure theres meant to be a message in there somewhere, it's just struggling to get out!

Cheers

Ash

 

[Jake Speed]

Jake

I've read your opening post a fair few times now...and it still makes very little sense to me!

Could you perhaps try to explain your point in a less flambouyant way - perhaps saying what you actually mean intead of putting quotation marks everywhere and making implications?

Cheers, i'm sure theres meant to be a message in there somewhere, it's just struggling to get out!

Cheers

Ash

I've made my point quite well, in laymen's terms actually. Like the movie "National Treasure," the secret lies in the last two sentences.

JS #1

 

[Ash_Smith]

Okaaay, trust me (and quite a few others here) you really didn't!

If the last two sentences was what it's all about, what was all the other waffle for?!

How do "you" define good character in respect to tennis?

Cheers

Ash

 

[GuyClinch]

Yeah the OP's post doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me either. Ash is right you didn't make your point well. You can't defend this - it's the readers that get to decide that.

 

[Jake Speed]

Mr. Ash,

I've been on this Forum less than a week.

I came in here on the advice of a friend.

I've tried to offer help.

I've been called names and reduced to being a 13 year old troll.

And your asking me for an explanation?

Have you read my Posts?

How do "you" define good character in respect to tennis?

I'm not defining it, I'd like to see some of it. :shock:

JS #1

 

[Ash_Smith]

Yes, I am asking for an explanation, as I don't quite follow what you are getting at? Perhaps your being compared to a 13 year old troll has to do with the slightly obtuse nature of your posts?

As somebody else said, I'm sure you mean well and may have some useful advice to share, but at the moment we can't quite see it!

In terms of wanting to see some character - what exactly does that look like? (This is a genuine question)

Cheers

Ash

 

[sureshs]

Okaaay, trust me (and quite a few others here) you really didn't!

If the last two sentences was what it's all about, what was all the other waffle for?!

How do "you" define good character in respect to tennis?

Cheers

Ash

I was wondering that too. What was all the lecturing for?

Tennis had great people as well as cheats and bullies like J Mac.

 

[Jake Speed]

I know what you are trying to do, and you will eventually succeed without my responding further.

None of this is conversation about Tennis.

we can't quite see it!

"We." We can't quite see it!

You're speaking for everyone! And you don't even realize it.

Interesting.

JS #1

 

[Ash_Smith]

Yes, I was using the Royal "we"

I'll give it one more go...When you say you want to see people building "character" when they practice their tennis - what exactly do you want to see?

Cheers

Ash

 

[ProgressoR]

i think it reveals character more than building it