EPISODE 99 (Podcast): Plan your work, but don't be afraid to adjust

You've no doubt heard the expression "plan your work and work your plan". While it may be important to begin each match with a plan, one must have the courage to make adjustments in order to maximize their potential.

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FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Tuesday, April 2, 2013
The Masters of Miami 2013: Andy Murray & Serena Williams

Key Biscayne, FL - Andy Murray (No. 3, Britain) prevailed over David Ferrer (No. 5, Spain) in a grueling, see-saw 3 set battle this past weekend to take the Men's Singles Championship at the Sony Open in Crandon Park Tennis Center, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1).
read more...

REFLECTIONS: How to make the MOST of your Youth Sports time and dollars

It's no secret that most parents must pay attention to how they spend their hard-earned dollars for their children's extra-curricular activities. Youth sports are a great pathway for kids to explore how their bodies move, how their minds can adapt to quick decision-making, and how it’s possible to push themselves beyond what they may have individually ever expected. There is even the component of how their efforts can add value to group camaraderie and team spirit. But all this brain and brawn training, combined with the ever-present necessity for both more and higher-tech equipment and accessories, comes at a cost. The parental money tree may not always be full of ripened fruit.

In his book entitled The Most Expensive Game in Town: The Rising Cost of Youth Sports and the Toll on Today's Families, Mark Hyman (author, journalist, Professor of Sports Management at George Washington University) takes a behind-the-scenes look at the business of youth sports—mainly how the marketplace capitalizes on the nearly 50 million kids in organized sports each year. He considers monies for equipment and apparel, league fees, travel expenses, and other intangibles that are forcing money out of the wallets of parents at an alarming rate even at a time when budgets are tight.

This book is just one example that sheds a light on the amount of monetary transaction taking place in most of today's organized youth sports. Visit any league website and you will be directed to registration fees, late fees, mandatory fundraising, travel expenses and sometimes even, my favorite, concession-stand forced labor. And these are only the visible dollars as things such as banquet fees, snacks, and sometimes even hotel accommodations come with the package. Once you begin to add in the other requisite expenses of pads and protectors, specialized footwear, socks, cups, gloves, bats, balls, mouthguards, sticks and more, the cost continues to mount. Some sports are more costly than others. But if you have aspirations to be on a travel team of any sort, everything escalates to yet another level. Am I saying this type of recreation, and its associated costs, shouldn't be made available to kids? Certainly not as thousands of kids and their parents each year enjoy their time together in sport. Yet one does need to take pause from time to time and reflect on just how much is necessary. In an anecdote from a book by former NBA player Bob Bigelow-—Just Let the Kids's Play: How to Stop Other Adults from Ruining Your Child's Fun and Success in Youth Sports-—he cites a Texas baseball team campaigning for fifteen hundred dollars in order to take its 5 and 6 year old All-star T-ball players to a state championship. We're talking T-ball here folks where kindergarteners compete against other kindergarteners for spots on elite T-ball teams. This is a sport, Bob Bigelow goes on to explain, where typically only one in fifteen kids is active at a time since one player is at bat while the others either sit the bench or dance around aimlessly in the outfield waiting for a ball that rarely comes.

As you can see, the cost of youth sports goes well beyond dollars and cents. Sports can sometimes give the illusion of being a great “activity” for children whose level of obesity as a group has tripled in the last 30 years. But activity does not always mean “active.” Many players spend weekends, during what are called “seasons”, idle on benches during a “game”, and many of the players get little of the activity they signed up for. When one looks at both the time and money invested, and how much playing time their kids actually benefit from, it is critical for parents to make the best decisions. Think back to your own childhood and imagine how much fun you had playing any game that did not keep you engaged throughout. You probably stopped that game and tried something else.

Just pointing out the challenges however is only part of the solution. Could there be an alternative where no one sits on the bench, every person is active at all times, skills are taught and learned, fun is a by-product each and every time kids participate, and friendly competition becomes an enjoyable activity instead of gut wrenching anxiety? And is it possible that this could also have a low barrier to entry with family-friendly fees and virtually no equipment to purchase? There is an alternative, it is called tennis, and it’s available right here in Gloucester Twp. through the Recreation Center. For the price of a modest meal for a family of 4, kids ages 5-10 can participate in the beginnings of the lifetime sport cited in a 2010 article from the Washington Post touting a 43 percent increase in player participation since the year 2000.

Parents today are burdened with making many decisions about how to spend time with their kids as well as where best to allocate funds for their future development. When a mom or dad can share a common athletic interest with their children of any age, and then participate with their kids on their own schedule and at little to no cost in a public park setting, everybody is a winner. Thanks to public courts, low-cost racquets, and new, more user-friendly tennis balls that helps make everyone successful, more people than ever are hitting the courts as a family. League practices, the time spent when kids usually prepare for game time, can be replaced with family events on the court. Spring and summer sessions, not seasons, can provide the team environment that many kids crave with competitive games that are skill-based. Remember, even though most think of tennis as an individual sport, mostly every high school and college have male and female tennis teams that are successful on the individual efforts of each team member. A team is simply a group of like-minded individuals.

Michele Obama, as a part of her Let’s Move! campaign to promote a healthier generation of kids, aligned herself with the United States Tennis Association in 2011 and said, “ "Thanks to programs like the USTA’s 10 and Under Tennis initiative, it’s easier than ever for kids to get active and have fun.” Perhaps there is something to this sport, this activity, this low-cost form of family entertainment. This may be one solution that helps maximize both time and money in youth sports.

NEWS (local): Gloucester Twp. Spring Tennis info

Spring 2013 QuickStart Tennis

— Program Dates —

APRIL 20 - May 25

Rain Dates: June 8 and 15
(No class on June 1)

AGES: 5-7 program

Time: 9:00 - 10:10AM

AGES: 8-10 program

Time: 10:15 - 11:25AM

LOCATION: Gloucester Twp. Community Park

What is QuickStart Tennis? (a.k.a. 10 and Under Tennis)
A tennis system designed to encourage the love of TENNIS - and help develop skills
in young children — by bringing the sport down to their size.

All equipment provided • 7 hours of fun and learning • 2nd student discount available

Spring 2013 Tennis for Teens

— Program Dates —

Monday thru Thursday

APRIL 22 - April 25

Rain Date: April 26

AGES: 11-14 program

Time: 5:45 - 7:15PM

Monday thru Thursday

MAY 20 - MAY 23

Rain Date: MAY 24

AGES: 11-14 program

Time: 6:00- 7:30PM

LOCATION: Gloucester Twp. Community Park

Call (856) 435-5734
Gloucester Twp. Dept. of Recreation

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Nadal drops to his knees in victory

Posted: Sunday, March 17, 2013
Nadal is back! BNP Paribas Open 2013

Indian Wells, CA -- BNP Paribas Open

Rafael Nadal (No. 5, Spain) defeated Juan Martin Del Potro (No. 7, Argentina) in a see-saw 3 set thriller…read more

NEWS: Tennis Night in America 2013

The world has once again become a smaller place as we celebrate tennis in both New York and Hong Kong on March 4, 2013. As a way to promote the lifetime sport that already has global appeal, StarGames, producers of the BNP Paribas Showdowns, in partnership with the International Tennis Federation, have designated this date as World Tennis Day all over the globe. As a jump start to the United States Tennis Association's effort to encourage increased participation in the game of tennis, Tennis Night in America will feature, at NYC's Madison Square Garden, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, Serena Williams, and Victoria Azarenka—four of the high-level professional players on the ATP and WTA tours. The BNP Paribas Showdown sister matches in Hong Kong will feature greats Ivan Lendl, winner of eight Grand Slam titles and current coach of No. 3 Andy Murray against none other than John McEnroe, winner of seven slams and a popular tennis analyst. In addition, Asia's first Grand Slam champion, Li Na will take on former number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

"Tennis Night in America is the perfect venue to kick off our latest youth registration efforts," says Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. "The night is sure to generate momentum for youth tennis and create excitement for spring and summer programs at facilities nationwide." Both the ITF and USTA support efforts to bring more kids into the game with the use of more appropriately sized equipment for youth such as smaller racquets, lighter balls and lower nets. Court sizes are also reduced since a six year old shouldn't really need to cover the same amount of court real estate as an adult or even teen player. Picture, for example, a tennis court turned sideways where the width of 36 feet becomes the length, and the length of a standard court from baseline to net accommodates two 18 foot wide courts. This means that eight children could comfortably play this challenging and fun sport on one full-sized court.

Jerry Solomon, executive producer and President of StarGames, Inc., said “Last year more than 2,000 clubs participated in Tennis Night in America activities around the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden. Youth participation in tennis is something we strongly believe in, so it seemed natural to try to build upon the success we’ve had in the U.S. by partnering with the ITF in a global effort with World Tennis Day.”

EPISODE 98 (Podcast): The Grand Slams—What's in it for me?

Choosing to watch a tennis match is a commitment to both time and brain power. Nowhere is this more true than at the Grand Slams which can absorb hours from the clock. So why is it we so look forward to these matches all year? What can we gain from the experience both as spectators and players?

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FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Friday, February 8, 2013
Tennis and Aging

"One of the great benefits of tennis relative to other sports is that you can play it for a lifetime. But playing tennis matches…read more

EPISODE 97 (Podcast): The Team vs. Individual Sport Dilemma

In order to grow the game of tennis, we need to plant new seeds, water and fertilize them, and nurture their development. But one plant can grow very well even if rooted well away from the rest of the flower patch. Children can flourish just as well in sport regardless of being surrounded by a multitude of teammates. And perhaps, they might even stand taller and fresher from the experience.

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REFLECTIONS: A Swiss Miss, but not by much

Djokovic interviewed after win

"Here we've only got one rule. Never, ever let it cool." These are familiar lyrics from the song Hot Chocolate sung by Tom Hanks in the classic holiday film The Polar Express. And since it's the middle of the summer in Australia, "hot, hot, hot" is definitely the watchword. Temperatures have hit well over 100 degrees Farenheit during some days on the court.

But the weather is not the only thing that is hot down under. In the fourth round of the Australian Open, a masterpiece of will and determination played out–between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 15 Stan Wawrinka–that was worthy of a Grand Slam final. The final score of 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 12-10 displays most of the story as Wawrinka, holding a 2-13 win/loss record coming in to this match, played at a much higher level than his ranking indicates. Djokovic was hit with all he could handle, in the over 5 hour long match, from the man whose career as a Swiss player has always been overshadowed by the great one, Roger Federer. This was the classic clash of one-handed backhand Wawrinka vs. the two handed weapon of Djokovic. If Novak is the poster child for flexibility and defense on a court, then Stan is the textbook entry for the one-handed topspin backhand. In my opinion, it ranks as one of the best shots on the tour and generates real indecision for an opponent when choosing which side to attack. 

The 2012 Australian Open final, a nail-biting battle between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, went almost six hours to the delight of the capacity crowd and people like myself watching on a screen from afar. But that was a FINAL. This is only the fourth round, and Novak will supposedly be facing even tougher opponents. All I can say is that he may face higher-ranking challengers in the coming rounds,  but I doubt he will be facing any bigger test than he experienced in this cracker-jack of a fourth round match. Many congratulations to Stan Wawrinka for showing us not only his talent but the kind of stuff he is made of. As for Djokovic, when asked by Jim Courier how he was feeling at the end of the match, he said, "my body feels great, it's only five hours." 

This may have been the match of the tournament, but we shall see what else can bubble to the surface as we approach the quarterfinal rounds. "Keep it cookin in the pot, Soon, ya got hot choc-o-lat!"

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Monday, January 14, 2013
Video: What is the Beauty of Tennis? Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi explains the beauty of tennis - and it's lesson for life: To strive, To adjust, To overcome…see more.

REFLECTIONS: The Team Sports Dilemma

2012 Summer Camp I / Glou. Twp.

Team sports provide a wonderful education for kids in school and in life. Ask any Health and Physical Education teacher in an elementary school setting and they will probably mention the importance of cooperation, strategy, social skills and responsibility. Ask any coach of an organized youth recreational sport and they will recite the concepts of team spirit, unity, pride, skill development and commitment. There is certainly a positive place in our world for youth team sports with their matching jerseys, catchy names, and extensive parent following. This is regardless of the size and shape of ball they use or the dimensions and lines on a field or court.

As usual, however, what we see in front of the curtain is very different than what lurks behind. In a 2009 article by Tim Heckler, CEO of the USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association), what starts out as a model for very positive social interaction between both kids and parents sometimes turns ugly. His first-hand experience spans over 15 years of coaching kids soccer teams and involvement with both basketball and softball thanks to the participation of his three kids. Although citing the wonderful learning opportunity provided for many parents and volunteers through participation and social interaction, he also saw the underbelly of interfering and controlling parents, individual power trips, player disappointment resulting from unfair selection practices, and an environment where a select few have control of a child’s destiny in their sport. 
Mr. Heckler mentions how he had seen, after the age of about 11, soccer teams lose the  “fun and games” aspect and refocus on building a team of strong-willed competitors who inevitably include the child or children of those in charge regardless of their talent. When other parents see the favoritism and both unfair and untrained decision-making, the best of team sports gets lost in a negative atmosphere of dissatisfaction. Mr. Heckler himself found many kids losing interest around 11-12 years old.

If this were only the opinion of one man, albeit an industry CEO, then it would be interesting but not precedent setting. But the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) made statistics available (from the aforementioned article) that compared tennis, an individual sport, to other team-oriented sports. Part of what the numbers showed was not a surprise. Soccer, baseball and basketball for example, popular team sports for youth, attract significant numbers of kids. Basketball came in third with 1 million kids, baseball took about 1.2 million, and soccer wins the prize with 1.7 million. Tennis by comparison captured about 200,000 in the same time period. I personally see kids flock in droves to team activities, and to be perfectly honest, I think all kids need to experience a variety of sports to see what really appeals to them. So then you might be inclined to wonder why I believe there is a dilemma.

Kids are not the ones who ultimately make the decisions about what they get to participate in at a young age. Parents do. And there is always a tendency to either go with what you know or go with what most appeals to the masses. Since many parents are not tennis players, don't follow it, didn’t play it in high school, and don't understand it, their kids are never even given the chance to either accept it or reject it on its own merit. Choices always need to made by parents since time and funds are not infinite, and more often than not, the choice goes the way of the biggest group or the so-called popular sport. 

Getting back to the statistics by the SGMA, they also showed that by age 10, many kids start moving to more individualized sports until by the age of 16 the participation numbers in soccer, baseball and tennis even-out at about 500,000 active youth. So do kids grow out of team sports? No, not really. Between the ages of about 14 and 18, teenagers are in high school and may join the tennis team. Every player has an individual role in the overall score of that team, and no one player can make a team win or lose. That is not to say that some players are not stronger and more valuable to the wins/losses column than others. But individuals get to show their ability, shot after shot, in an environment that allows them more control over their own destiny in a game or match. Even in doubles, they only have one partner and not the support of a half-dozen or more players. And by the very nature of tennis, there is little time to stand around and stare into space as most parents have seen from kids on a soccer field or baseball outfield. 
One of the biggest advantages associated with tennis is its longevity. I have seen kids programs that start at the age of 3 and adult programs that can carry one through their entire life. I personally begin kids at 5 years old and continue with them in group programs until about the age of 12. This seems to be when more individual attention to stroke production, strategy, tactics and fitness training become advantageous as specific methods can be used to fit the specific needs of the player.

My perspective as a PTR Junior Development Certified instructor is as follows: tennis may be an individual sport, but I believe that due to the availability of high school tennis teams, club leagues, and USTA Junior Team Tennis, this sport blends the best of both worlds. My insight as a certified school teacher tells me that students in any classroom do not get report cards that reflect the class grade. Each student may participate as part of the group, but their report card carries their name and indicates their individual effort. Does their involvement with the other children collectively add to the overall classroom environment? Absolutely. And the participation and social skills involved in collaborative learning are not only positive but essential. But when all is said and done, a students' graduation certificate-whether from middle school, high school, or college-bears their name only. We live in a world where the skills we learn should last us a lifetime, and also where individual effort is not only recognized but necessary for success. Tennis provides this type of experience, and I can only keep working to spread the word that this activity is a "must-try" for every kid, everywhere.

EPISODE 96 (Podcast): One's in, the other's out-Happy 2013

20122013

To start off the new year right, I get together with Gary Bala, blogger and creator of Timelesstennis.net, to reflect on 2012 results and how they may impact the upcoming 2013 season.


Note: referenced in this podcast was a German player whom I could not recall at the time of recording. That player's name was Tommy Haas.

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Happy New Year!

May the new year bring you winning forehands, surprising backhands, solid volleys and consistent serves.

Oh...and enjoy all the other things that 2013 may bring! 

REFLECTIONS: Another Christmas tennis surprise

Beginning page personalized

As originally appeared in NYTimes

Last year during this festive holiday season, I shared my thoughts about a wonderful gift received under the tree. This happened to be an authentic Wimbledon towel from none other than Christy in the U.K. Well, santa must have been doing some serious research this year to find a tennis gift to match, or even top, something as meaningful as that simple piece of cloth with green and purple. And he was successful. Just wait until you hear about this new level of tennis infatuation.

The box was rather heavy, very flat, and about the size of a frying skillet. What emerged amidst the the paper, tape and cardboard wrappings was definitely not for the kitchen however. I carefully slid out what appeared to be an atlas-sized hard back book. The burgany leatherette cover, emblazoned with the words "The New York Times: A History of the Men's US Open Tennis Championships", was exciting and intriguing. Upon closer inspection, as I turned the first few pages, I found a customized sticker that stated, "Presented to Ronald Miller, Christmas 2012." I gulped and moved on. The first three pages that followed listed the men's final combatants from 1925 to present beginning with a win by William T. Tilden and ending with Andy Murray taking his first Grand Slam title. This was history unfolding before my eyes as I viewed names such as Hewitt, Roddick, Stich, Rafter, Connors, Borg, Lendl and Gerulaitis. But in addition, I glanced at Ashe, Rosewall, Edberg, Roche, Kramer, and even Laver. I once again moved on.

Handsome hard-bound cover

What was in front of me was an authentic replication of primary source content from the New York Times. In essence, this beautifully bound book held the actual printed copies (not newsprint) of every U.S. Open Men's final since 1925. I was captivated. While I certainly have not lived long enough to have experienced all of these dates, with over 40 years on a court, I have seen many. The photos are as telling as the writing, and the ads that appear on pages as a part of this time capsule are precious. Who knew for example that in the same year that Fred Perry beat Don Budge for the trophy, one could get their spark plugs cleaned-while you wait-for 5 cents each at a registered AC Cleaning Station. The year was 1936.

US Open Champions at a glance

I have only begun to uncover the gems yet to be found in this compendium of tennis history, and in particular, US Open lore. But I certainly look forward to sitting with a hot cup of coffee, held far away from the book of course, and taking a time-machine trip that will no doubt inspire me for the coming tennis year. Earlier this holiday season, I blogged holiday gift ideas for the tennis player on your list. Guess what I will be including as a part of next years' recommendations.

NEWS: More Americans (and kids) than ever before are playing tennis

The sport of TENNIS is growing at a rate that would surprise most people and perhaps even enthusiasts of the game. According to an annual participation survey conducted for the USTA and the Tennis Industry Association byTaylor Research and Consulting, tennis participation overall grew 4 percent this year of 2012. For the first time since 2009, there are over 28 million players in the U.S. I'm one of them, and in addition, I can claim my fair share of the increase in youngsters age 6-11 resulting from my very own group tennis programs held in Gloucester Twp, NJ throughout the year. Perhaps most impressive from the study is the 13 percent increase in participation in this age group from just one year ago. The data also showed African Americans and Hispanics have sharply increased in the tennis ranks with the former reflecting a 10 year high and the latter showing its third-highest level in the past decade. A

The data was gathered in a phone-conducted survey which included over 7,500 U.S. residents and claims the top spot for largest group ever surveyed in sport. "We are very gratified that our efforts geared to young players are paying off," said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President.  "We want to grow the game and make it look like America, and therefore we find it very encouraging that we are seeing growth among young players and in diverse communities."

On a personal note, I have seen some of this growth reflected in the numbers of students attending my group lesson programs. But I believe now more than ever that a much greater number of kids would benefit from participation in this sport of a lifetime if more parents would give it a try. Perhaps it’s time to rethink the concept that, since tennis is not the same kind of team sport that kids have come to experience in the past, it cannot be as much fun. I can tell you from decades of personal interaction with kids on a court that enjoyment is one of our primary goals. My three rules of the court are: Be SAFE, because without safety, nothing else matters; Have FUN, because without fun, there will always be better things to do; Learn a NEW SKILL, because the better you get at something, the more you enjoy it.

As we move into 2013, and begin the year of the ATP TOUR (Association of Tennis Professionals) tennis calendar with the Australian Open-a tournament that in 2012 witnessed an almost 6-hour battle between the world number 1 and 2 players-may we provide our children the chance to participate in and enjoy an alternate and low-barrier-to-entry sport in which the whole family can enjoy together!

Statistical information and quotations were taken from an article written by E.J. Crawford, USTA.com. 

REFLECTIONS: The last hit of the season

There is a song entitled "The Last Game of the Season" from the 1970s, and the lyrics speak of a boy on the local high school football team whose father diligently listens each week for his son to play. He listens because he is blind, and he will never be able to see his own boy give his all for the team. But not being a star player, the boys options were limited–until the last game of the season. The home town was all but down and out at half-time, and unknown to anyone else, the boy receives the phone call that his father passed away that very evening. In an effort to show his father what he is truly capable of, the son plays his heart out and helps the team come back and win. The boy becomes the star player his father always knew he could be, and the son believes his father saw him on the field for the first time that night. 

Tonight I thought about this story. You see, this was probably my last hitting chance for 2012, and I wanted to do well. The wind swirled at 12-14 miles per hour, the temperature was about 45 degrees, and only half the lights were switched on at the local public courts. No worries I thought, because I was determined to be at my best. Each and every year at this time, I always wonder if I will be able to once again hit at this level the following year, continue to cover the court like a blanket, and make the quick and correct decisions tennis required from shot to shot while maintaining healthy joints, cartilage and muscle.

After about 1 hour and 15, my partner and I were in another heated and toughly contested rally. The groundstrokes lashed out like a snakes tongue, and the court coverage was nothing short of spilled water. Finally, Freddie hit a drop shot drawing me to the net. Using smart tactics, he followed in behind the shot looking for a weak replay from an expected overly-extended stab at the ball. He of course anticipated an easy volley put-away. But you see, it was the last hit of the season and my father was also watching. Twenty-two years ago, he died early Christmas morning. And even though he never got to see me on the court while alive, now he got to see me dive for the ball, tuck and roll, and hit a chip lob over the head of the net-rusher for a clean winner. 

I will never be the star of any team, and I certainly had nothing on the line tonight. But like any son, I wanted my dad to see my very best. It was the last hit of the season, and think I may have made my dad proud.

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Friday, December 7, 2012
Tennis & The Laws of Nature: Prof. Stephen Hawking Explains

Professor Stephen Hawking, one of the world's greatest scientists, explains how tennis…read more

EPISODE 95 (Podcast): O Tennis Court-the holiday podcast

The Gotta Play Tennis Annual Holiday Podcast.

* LISTEN to podcast * 

Subscribe in iTunes:

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FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Saturday, December 1, 2012
Body Language vs. Facial Expression: What Gives Away Your True Colors?
  
In a study published in the journal Science (Nov. 29, 2012), researchers found that body language, more than facial expression, is far more revealing of person's true feelings and emotions...read more