Rally practice. You will often arrive early and simply hit some ground
strokes. We encourage this “batting practice.” All good players hit ground
strokes. Hit the ball on the first bounce, even if it’s an awkward ball or one
you have to run hard to. The second bounce doesn’t count. “Learn the
court.” Don’t hit out-of-bounds balls, knock it down and start a new rally.
Cross-court backhands. The cross-court backhand is the fundamental
ground stroke in tennis. Spend a lot of time on this stroke. Work your legs
back to the middle after each shot. Don’t linger on the backhand side
because you know it’s coming back there. See the “Andy Moll” variation on
this drill (running around your backhand drills).
Volley to ground stroke. I volley, you ground stroke. Then change. Do this
drill at 60 percent pace (both people). Develop a sure volley for when your
opponent is out of position. Jim Verdieck: “Volley away from the source.”
Add: Backhand lob to overheads. Perfect the “hit-turn” overhead technique.
“1-2-3” (or serve and volley). 3-4 players in line. Returner takes X number
of returns on one side then switches to the serving line. This is a service
return drill. Be aggressive with your return. You don’t have to come in on
your serve, but this is a good drill to practice your “1-2-3-check” footwork
and volley technique (especially for doubles).
“On the rise.” Like “21” (start a point with a bounce hit and alternate every
5 points) except you can’t go behind or outside the singles boundaries.
Learn to “take court away from your opponent.” This puts the pressure on
them, tires them, and makes them hit from uncomfortable hit spots.
Volley Drills. Verdieck drill (player on “T.” Coach or “feeder” tosses to “4
volleys” (high, low, on either side). Coach should “float” some balls, players
should close fast, so they can hit down. Your knees are your elevators on
low volleys. Right-handers: On your low forehand your right knee almost
touches the court. Backhands, left knee.
1-2-3 off a tossed short ball. To perfect your approach shot (half court,
half shot, or a “compact” shot). Jim Leighton (“almost all backhand
approach shots should be with underspin”). Parham: “Not if you can blister
that two-hander.”
*Most college players start their careers without a very good backhand
approach shot. When you are bored, take a rack of balls and simply
“bounce-hit” some approaches from mid-court.
Morris drill. Coach feeds ball from mid-court, backhand side. Volleyer
volleys a variety of feeds—“away from the source” (the coach or “feeder”).
Service returns. Coach at half court. Emphasize backhand return.
Z-shaped return. Use body weight rather than big swings. Parham:
Racquet technology is encouraging shorter back swing.

Certainly the matches are too long and will be forced to change
somehow, someday. So much has been suggested and we are nowhere.
Two common sense, brief observations:
First, play a super tiebreaker for third sets. Period. Second, count a
win in singles two points and a win in doubles one point. You have the
same system but not the “throwaway” or “stack” or uncounted doubles
match. This system (two points, one point) isn’t foolproof or “stack proof”
but it stops a 9–8 match of beauty that ends in a 13–11 tiebreaker and
counts for absolutely nothing. Believe me, two points; one point will
drastically seal this stacking loophole.

1. Check the college’s websites for rosters and nationality of players.
2. There is an “elephant in the room” of college tennis: They don’t want
   your kid. Why? An 18-year-old can’t beat a 23-year-old international
   (other factors being equal).
3. Don’t give money to institutions that don’t support our kids. Tell your
   alumni and giving buddies the same.
4. Don’t go for the “walk-on” speech. If a coach wants your kid, he will
   find a scholarship. Otherwise, he has nothing to lose and probably
   doesn’t think your kid will play. Believe me.
5. “Enron” University is out there. You have to protect your kid.
6. Let the press know your feelings.
7. Check out the “Florida Story” about internationals.
8. Let the coaches know how you feel.
   James Michener, in Sports in America: “and we do it in the name of
   education.” What hypocrisy.

1. Keep it spotless! Develop a sense of pride in the care of this
   great facility.
2. Open at 9:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM daily, every day the school
   is officially open. When school is officially closed (between
   semesters, winter break, spring break, etc.) lock south, west, and
   north gates. Keep north gate locked except for special events.
   Leave “closed” signs on fence. This sign directs players to east
   entrance, which is open and closed daily by security. Cut lights off
   during this time (last switch on right on light panel is turned down).
   We do not turn lights on for neighborhood players during
   the break.
3. Lock and unlock bathrooms daily.
4. Pick up trash daily. This includes ball can lids, chewing gum,
   cigarette butts, leaves, and any other mess. Use the blower to blow
   off the courts as needed. Leaves are a special problem. I have
   requisitioned a leaf vacuum Keep oil and gas in the blower. If you
   have to pay for gas, I will reimburse you.
5. If a worker is to be absent, get a substitute. Teach them the job
   (how to lock the gates properly, etc.).
6. Time sheets are due on the last day of the month. If they are not
   signed on time, then no pay on time.
7. Periodically sweep the balcony, steps, and bottom of the gazebo.
   This area picks up a lot of trash. Periodically wipe off the table and
   chairs upstairs.
8. Occasionally monitor night play. Try to prevent unnecessary
   burning of lights. Educate our students. Learn to work with
   appropriate personnel on time changes for lighting, plus watch the
   lighting problems (faculty computer timings, etc.).
9. Learn to care for the fences and gates, and windscreen (plastic
   stays, metal stays, rope work, net work, net measuring, numbers on
   court, etc.).
10. Get mowing schedules to landscapers each semester (varsity
    schedules, P.E. classes, etc.).
11. Keep benches clean and in good repair. Keep trash cans empty and
    in good repair.
12. We fight birds for ownership in the spring and summer. The
    mechanics center has a water spray machine we use to clean the
    stairwell and balcony. Learn to use it. We have a pest control
    employee for wasps, etc.  Report to the tennis director if lights aren’t changed at daylighttime changes.We need to keep several new nets and small green trash cans onhand. Tell tennis director of need to order.

12. We have a handheld blower and extension cords that allow you
    to clean out the stands (leaves, bush sheddings, etc.). Do this
    periodically as needed.
13. We host several tournaments, the secretary has the schedule.
    Many are high school playoffs, so we need to be especially clean.
    Make sure bathrooms are cleaned the evening after a tournament
    day. Trash pickup will be heavy and important on those days.
14. Report all damages to appropriate personnel. Report painting
    repair needs that need special attention.
15. Correct vandalism acts. Report significant incidents to security.
    Pick up broken glass. Clean up aftereffects of the weather. Take
    trash to appropriate pick up location.
16. No skateboards, bicycles, skates, etc., on court surface. No bikes
    inside the courts ever. Keep skateboarders off East Gym patio
    (noise). Call Security if anyone is unruly.

Harvey Penick’s “Little Red Book of Golf” is one of the best recent examples of coaching a sport. I have patterned my new book on tennis instruction using methods similar to Coach Penick. Drawing from fifty years of teaching and coaching, I share insights from my mentors who helped me craft repeatable techniques for winning. I also share our personal experiences and observations that have proven to be solid advice. Hopefully, you’ll find this book to be succinct and filled with gems for all levels of players and coaches.

“Play is Where Life Is” collects the memories of a North Carolina native over the past 67 years – stories range from the shenanigans of a preacher’s child, to the adventures of a freewheeling 1950s teenager; from a small college athlete to a National Hall of Fame tennis coach. Topics include crossroads, inventions called the automobile and television, tragedies, accidents, and plenty of drama from a cadre of small town characters.

The author covers topics from his 40 year career in college athletics including integration, Title IX, television’s impact, and internationalization. He also gives his thoughts on children and parenting in sports and, for high school athletes, he covers how to select and get in the right college athletic program. Other chapters include : how to successfully coach team tennis, highly skilled athletes, girls and women; levels of play; giving advice to players, parents, coaches, and organizations that govern tennis; and the behavior of players.

A special chapter investigates music’s affect during a personal crisis that included two failed back surgeries, a hip replacement, quintuple bypass surgery, and a “respectable” addiction to alcohol. All of these ups and downs in a career of coaching that matured into an appreciation for “play” and those willing to join the arena at any level.

If you are interested in purchasing a book (soft cover, 400 pages, 3rd edition), please send a check for $27.95 with your return address to :

Play is Where Life Is
c/o Tom Parham
202 Blue Crab Court
Emerald Isle, NC 28594

or email the author at : ethomasparham@gmail.com