Methodology

FEARLESS TENNIS is my methodology of teaching. Fearless tennis is a way of approaching sporting competition which gives the emotional and mental aspect of the game priority over the physical. It was a sad and puzzling thing to see the poor performance of myself and many tennis friends in times past, as we became miserable replicas of the players we usually were, when placed under emotionally stressful conditions during big matches. A fearful player regresses to beginner technique, and also becomes physically weak. The resulting poor performance leads to frustration and many players giving up altogether in tennis or whatever sport they are involved in, even after many years training and reaching high technical and physical levels. Inconsistency is a constant companion, until competition becomes unbearable. This also happens to beginners in a different way. Those of us who are in this frustrating and confusing situation, and have no proper guidance, find it difficult to accept that the simple reason for our predicament lies in the fact that, WE ARE INDIFFERENT TO THE REAL REASON, which has been underestimated for so long that even proposing this point of view was once met with disbelief.

Fearless tennis is a very exciting way of approaching the game, whether you’re playing recreational or competitive tennis, at all levels. Most especially though, for beginners and those who are playing competitive tennis for the first time. This way of approaching the game is the foundation on which many successful and enduring champions have managed to stamp their success on tennis history. It is a state of mind in which a player consciously and assertively, encourages those atmospheres and objectives that will reduce excessive fear, nervousness, anxiety, embarrassment and fear of failure, before, during, and after play. Replacing these negative emotions with courage, calmness, clarity of thought, fast reactions, enjoyment, improvement and confidence. Though implementing this takes time, it can actually improve other areas of your life, where you lack confidence.

DOUBLE HANDED STROKES

Hitting the ball with two hands on both sides has been the greatest blessing for beginners in 20 years. Most beginners especially women and children, do not have strong enough wrists for swinging a racket with one hand. With two hands on the racquet this problem is solved. Because of two handed strokes, the difficult orthodox stance is no longer always necessary, so footwork has become easier than before. As a player improves, they can make the switch to one handed strokes if they want to. There are world class top players using Double handed shots on both sides. (Santoro, Seles,Gambil)

Digital multi-shot stroke analysis

Not enough BEGINNERS make use of this powerful tool. Available for a small extra fee, 16 photos are taken in one second, which shows proof of errors in a stroke that would normally be very difficult to see. The most import use of this tool, is the powerful proof it supplies for beginners to see, and so believe, that they are really making serious errors during play, that needs changing ASAP.

 

 

 

Fearless Tennis Basics for Beginners ad Restarters

I have found through years of teaching that the biggest obstacle in learning new things is fear. Fear is such a hidden part of our lives, that it can even mask itself as anger. Most times we cannot measure how much it keeps us back, and destroys enjoyment. Good players sense excessive fear in their opponents and know when to move in to finish them off. Although a small measure of fear is necessary for good performance, excessive fear can be destructive. Even recreational players encounter different types of fears. Too much fear destroys all fun, and stops a beginners progress altogether. It is necessary to decide for yourself if your fears are problematic, and be prepared to deal with them. The most common fears for beginners and restarts are: Fear of missing the ball This fear is the biggest and causes the most troublesome consequences. When BEGINNERS are afraid of missing the ball, they immediately get as close to the ball as possible. Being too close to the ball produces some of the most horrendous technical problems which are very difficult to erase. Do not be afraid of missing the ball, missing the ball is a normal when most BEGINNERS are really trying to acquire correct technical form, especially at ‘audition stage’. Fear of looking out of place This of course happens for many reasons. A lot of these uncomfortable feelings can be greatly reduced by discussing them with an understanding coach or friend. Even as a national representative, I have often felt the same way at practice, or in tournament atmosphere. Hitting the ball over the fence This must happen during the process of learning, and when are developing power. Even the best players sometimes hit balls over the fence. Use of two handed strokes, soft balls, and tight strings, greatly improves control, and as a result, few balls go over the fence. Fear of failure Fear of failure is one that follows us, if left unchecked, all through our tennis life to advance level. This fear usually has its roots in the overcrowded coaching sessions at schools and badly organized tennis camps. Tennis has never been given priority in most schools, and since tennis requires a high level of initial skill, overcrowding and poor coaching can be a recipe for disaster at beginner level. These sessions often become breeding grounds for fears of failure. I know this because many RESTARTERS have said this to me. Try tennis again with a competent coach, two lessons per week, and 7 learners or less on the court. You will find it easier, and far more enjoyable to learn, this time. Get my Book…FEARLESS TENNIS…for more info.

Nutrition

Tennis is a sport that requires maximum fitness. Top tennis players are counted among the fittest athletes in the world.Good nutrition is necessary for high levels of performance. There exist volumes of information readily available on good nutrition. I just have a few simple tips: Try to avoid bloody meats, overheated oils, excessive fat and sugar. Try to buy and consume foods that come in their own skins, and cook them in the skin whenever possible. Try to eat about two hours before playing. Eat smaller meals more frequently, rather than big ones less often. Drink water before coming to tennis, and approximately half a glass of cool water, for every 15 minutes of play, especially on hot days in tropical regions. Bring adequate amounts of water to the court.

 

Preparatory Tournaments

On your way to becoming a good competitive tennis player, it is necessary to take a look at the bigger picture if you want to progress. Almost all of our national junior and adult tournaments use the KNOCKOUT (single elimination) Tournament format. The first two times I played in the grass court tournament at the Garrison Savannah, I was knocked out by top seeded players in the 1st round. At that time there were only two open national tournaments per year. So apart from Inter-club or an infrequent club tournament you could quite possibly end up playing two sets of first to 6 games match play at a national level for an entire year. If for some reason (injury, etc.), you missed one national open in that year, you ended up playing even less. This happened to me two years in a row. Hopefully we will follow the example of our French and Spanish neighbors who use short multi-match, round robins and handicap systems

To improve as a competitive player you need at least 30 sets of high level competitive tennis per year.

Since 1990 I have organized many Round Robin Tournaments. Unlike Knockout Tournaments, in the Round Robin Tournament all players play a minimum of 3 nine game sets win or lose before exiting the tournament. These tournaments, and later, the Handicap Round Robin Tournaments were popular and helped many players to improve during the 90s, when there were hardly any national tournaments to play. To win the Player’s Tournament you had to play a minimum of 6, nine game matches in one weekend. You had to be fit and skillful.

In its 2000 ‘tournament format manual’ the International Tennis Federation, which plays the most important financial and advisory role of any international tennis body in Barbados, has basically condemned the use of knockout tournaments as a good means to develop tennis at the base(where we are). Needless to say I am in agreement with the I.T.F on these points. Further more the I.T.F has offered many formats on Round Robin and Handicap Tournaments, suggesting strongly that they be used. All my students and players supportive of these new systems, have had the opportunity for ten years, to play Round Robin ‘Players Tournaments’ and now I would strongly recommend that you also play Handicap (my handicaps are called ‘score bias’) and Round Robin Tournaments. These tournaments have an equalizing effect since the score you need to win, changes in relation to your opponents playing level. These matches are great for increasing mental toughness and physical stamina, and if you are trying to use the FEARLESS TENNIS approach, they are near perfect.

 

I.T.F Competition Format Manual. Page 7

The question facing many tennis federations, club coaches and tournament organizers is how can they create a healthy, competitive environment? Let us look at some of the problems with competitive systems currently being used. The tournament system that is favored and used the most in the world today is the single elimination tournament. Whilst this type of tournament has its place, it is not the best type of event for the vast majority of players, especially junior and recreational players looking for fun and activity in a competitive environment.

WHY? Some of the reasons include:

• The better players play more matches than the weaker players, which creates a spiral with better players getting even better because they play more matches.
• Only the winners and runners-up usually receive recognition and for younger people, this hinders the development of self confidence.
• It puts more pressure on players knowing that if they win, they will get to play again, while if they lose they will go home.
• This system limits the ability of coaches to effectively identify talent.
• It is not fair that when all of the players have paid the same entry fee, they play a different number of matches.
• The social aspect is limited by the fact that 50% of the players lose their interest in the event each day.

Research has shown that mental strength, condition (speed, strength, etc) and tactical qualities are factors which are most important in determining success in tennis after the age of 14. The conclusion is that if you want to nurture talent and ensure that the talented players have the same chances as less talented you should not use the single elimination system, but instead should use, for example, the Round Robin or Feed-in consolation system.

Why is the single elimination tournament so popular? Because it’s easier:

• for the club (less courts to give up),
• for the referee (he/she can work less and can leave earlier),
• less prizes needed,
• less balls (although used balls can be played with in the feed-in matches).

We should always try to remember for whom the tournaments are run-the players are the most important and we should do what is best for them, i.e. use formats which ensure sufficient play for all.

 

Round Robin And Handicap Tournaments Reduce Fear

.Promotes courageous play   .More tournament practice   .Better assessment of players   .Early losers get more tournament play   .Discourages cheating

I suggest strongly that intermediate players, play lots of Round Robin & Handicap Tournaments. This will produce a familiarity with match atmosphere. Knockout Tournaments are great as a final test of your mental and physical toughness. In 1993, I conceptualized a handicap tournament system which automatically ranks the players involved, this is called ‘The score bias tournament’. These small one or two day tournaments are excellent for introduction into tournament play. As the National Coordinator for the ‘Performance Tennis Initiative’, at the National Tennis Center in 2002, I had the pleasure of developing the talents of many of our 8-10 year old hopefuls for the planned future national tennis squad. One thing is obvious to me; FEARLESS TENNIS and Round Robin Handicap Tournaments are producing surprising and positive results.