For President.
Category: Wilson, Race
YELLOWSTONE
A good friend just told me about his Father buying two young cows–their first foray into bovines. His younger brother and his friend stayed in the field as the rest left. They had a plan.
Steer wresting on the WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS seemed to have new meaning. Actually the two were quite successful, one riding their horse dropped the virgin “bull dogger” spot on the “half-nelsoned” newcomer. The young calf panicked, bolted head first and wide open into a large oak tree. DOA (“DEAD ON ARRIVAL” ) !
Dinner table that evening was stone silent . Father, a mixture of mad and sad, said only: “Boys, in one day you wiped out half my herd!”
GRILL BOY
Author Soc Gliarmas gave me permission to post the link below. The family business, DICK’S HOT DOG STAND, has been the social hub of Wilson, NC for 100 years.
“WHERE TEARDROPS FALL “
******** Allow me one last personal experience. I was given an award at athletic banquet at Barton College. While I certainly appreciated this recognition, the moment that touched me was at the end. After the banquet several people came by our tablet to speak. I try to always be courteous to everyone. After a few minutes I noticed a Black woman waiting patiently to the side. I did not recognize her immediately. After the others went their way we addressed each other. I listened to her opening comment : “ Coach Parham , you probably don’t remember me.”
I quickly headed her off. “ I can’t call your name but I can tell you that you made an “A” in the tennis class you took from me.”
She looked puzzled—then spoke. “Well yes you did and I didn’t deserve it. But I am glad I can thank you and tell you about that time.” Other than athletes there were few “average” Black women attending the college. She was struggling with being in this strange environment, which became more difficult in a class of white kids, many of whom had some tennis background. “My feelings of isolation had increased and I truly had about decided to quit college. The same day you called me aside after class. You gave me some extra minutes of personal instruction on my tennis serve—about which I hadn’t a clue. You told me to practice some at the lesser used and more private courts near the gym. And you gave a bucket of tennis balls and a racket. You also seemed to sense my unhappiness and gave me some encouragement as well as some kind words. I came here tonite to tell you that I went back from that class and decided not to quit.”
She went on to tell me she had graduated and gone on to a full career and although tears were in our eyes , what was going through my head was how grateful I was that i’d had enough sense, early in my career to be kind to this young woman.
Momentarily I told her not to feel she didn’t deserve an “A”in this strange class. “Do you know why you deserved that grade?”
My syllabus stated the high priority I placed on attendance and effort I arrived at work at 8am each morning. After our conversation I watched you at the courts near the gym, early in the morning, practicing your serve .
Your serve got pretty good.”
TEAMS, COACHES, AND KIDS
(“…don’t you quit!”—–Jim Toney, Tennis Angel )
America loves teams. And teamwork. My Father played team tennis for Wake Forest college in 1928. I played on any team that would give me a uniform. Both sons played high school and college team tennis. My grandson played #1 for Boulder High School as a freshman.
I am passionate about teams, and North Carolina. Later I will examine where this comes from. And how organizations, and “worker bees” and “tennis angels” can make things better.
There are great organizations alrready functioning. The North Carolina High School Athletics Association (NCHSAA ) sponsors the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches (NCHSTCA). Later we will provide access to national groups.
A part of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), NCTA houses any number of tennis programs. From youngsters to seniors, to referees, to wheelchair competition. All worthy of support. One relatively new group has been the growth of league play. One could conclude the leagues growth was a savior, nationally and in our state as well. Coupled with Title IX and some altered attitudes , Women provided leadership , volunteering with impressive results.
While high scool tennis is only one of our causes, it is the one I feel most inclined to help. In 2015 we provided 700 boys and girls THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK OF TENNIS . Then we made it freely available to over 4,000 varsity boys and girls.
Due to turnover of all those players, plus more than half of the coaches, we offered the book again , with updated instruction in 2022. Here is your free link to edition three: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IstkubA3qBwoJITAtqa2j1l5TW8hc2Myx_6_ZIwGqOs/edit#heading=h.s32ld9zdi0v0
One way to help!
VISION, PLANNING,AND GOALS for growing NC high school tennis teams, coaches, and players.
- To put together a non-profit group of our talented tennis people who embrace high school tennis in our state. Perhaps, like the league play leaders, they will function in perpetituity any number of ways to help the cause. The game changes. There is rapid turnover. The league players and coaches have the experience now to help coach, assist, advise referee, etc.
- As mentioned , there are already organizations in place and eager to help. We can make all this aid more accessible. Video selection, books, clinics. Some of the coaches are simply appointed, with NO tennis background. My experience is many are good people who do care about the kids. They need help ( see earlier articles) :
WAYS TO HELP—
HOW?
Much is already being done. The NCTA , The USTA, The NCHSAA, The North Carolina High School’s Coaches Association are trying hard to help. Where help is needed comes from several sources:
**** Pay for these jobs is meager compared to what is asked and expected.
****The pay will not attract top notch tennis coaches in most instances. Most of the very good ones are volunteers, or close.
*** The typical “assigned” staffer is often a football coach, one who knows nothing about tennis. Or some similar scenario.
****More and more are “adjunct”, or part time coaches, who don’t have even the academic background that teacher/coaches have.
WHAT CAN HELP?
One way to start is a “THINK TANK” or committee to examine what is possible. We have a tremendous group of fine players throughout the state. We have in place an organization of teaching professionals in NC. Many times the best source is a “tennis angel” who silently plays with youngsters. No one gives more than parents. The club pro benefits from high school families.
There is another largely untapped source in our state. The NC TENNIS HALL OF FAME members. There seems to me to be a group of old pros and young turks in our select group who could also help the coaches in their area. Many of the hall of famers and pros are the same people. Many already give or have given to tennis in many ways. There are so many ways these people could enhance the knowledge, confidence, and performance of particularly the beginning coaches. I can’t list them all. Believe me, you can help.
I would also suggest to these coaches to look for the local angels. My experience is these are great people who only need to be asked. It may be one afternoon a week, It may be a helpful phone call. Showing a drill, filling in for an emergency, play an exhibition, take them to a college match, gift of equipment—old or new, simply attend matches, etc.
I think a good place to start “thinking” would be the coaches, the Pros, the angels ,and the organizations to brain storm the how. The why is obvious. And I think there is ample evidence that this help is available. And I am convinced the link between high school and juniors and parents and these volunteers can thrive.
The first place to start is knowledge plus need. Our hall of famers and our professional tennis teachers are where to start.
Some years back I watched a clinic foe NC high school coaches and concluded “…there is a lot more CARE in that group than knowledge. Granted several of the coaches demonstrated good skill on the court. I have said all along that a high school coach who cares and drives the van properly is all parents can hope for. Now I think it time to help them. They , by virtue of their attendance and willingness to coach our children, have earned our assistance.
COLLEGE, KIDS. QUESTIONS
Consider these:
1. Teaching Pros can be helpful to these high school coaches, players and teams. Very often the pros are much more knowledgeable and specialized in tennis.
High schoolers and younger are a great source for the pro’s business. A nurturing of this relationship is mutually beneficial.
2. High school sports are more and more selective. Basketball and football are sports not all are fitted for. Youngsters will look more and more for alternatives. More and more teams means more coaches are needed. In North Carolina more than half of the players are girls . Hasn’t the LEAGUE EXPERIENCE created a large group that now have the ability to help in any number of these programs?
Some stellar athletes might consider tennis because there is now a good coach.
3. Many won’t.
4. Why? Since the early 70’s more and more tennis scholarships have gone to internationals. We are in the third generation of this reality. The skyrocketing of college costs has paralleled the number of internationals. And the number of grants for Americans have declined in a similar staggering proportion. Families invest tremendous amounts of money into their children’s tennis. It can be rewarded only two ways: 1.The extremely rare route of becoming a professional player and 2. College scholarships. And the scholarships grow more and more important annually.
5. One significant reason people are opting for sports other than tennis is that this third generation of parents and players have seen the scholarships shipped overseas.
6. This also manifests itself in the dearth of top pro players in America today. The obvious graph-like decline in quality of players in America coupled with the elimination of Americans selected for college scholarships should be grounds for new ideas.
7. Here is one. Is it not time to seriously study how to restore these opportunities and scholarships to our own?
8. Wouldn’t this benefit the hopeful high school or junior player in terms of motivation.
9. Much has been written about internationals in American college.
10. One last suggestion to high school coaches and tennis pros: Coach–talented players are protective of their games and practices. Work with the players and pros to allow meaningful practices, and still maintain team sacrifices. Meet and set up a plan; the kid misses high school practice for pro lessons or a match with a high level opponent and yet gives back to the team by helping less talented teammates. Both interact in the long run. PROS- encourage why team play may teach more than individual success. I wondered if a “prima donna “wouldn’t play for his/her high school , would they sacrifice as needed to be a good college teammate?
From Elie Wiesel:
“First I am a teacher.”
“If I am a witness (and your teacher ), you are a witness too.”
“Memory is the one thing that can save humanity.”
Student’s question : How do I help? Dr. Wiesel–“Start now! What do you see? What do you know?”
FINAL EDITION
The link at the bottom is to third edition of THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS. It is available to all, freely.
Several have asked why?
Upon retirement I asked my wife what’ s next ? ” I want to move to the beach!” Emerald Isle, NC for 17 years so far.
DIE BROKE by Stephen Pollan has four recommendations for retirees. Number 2 says DON’T RETIRE!: Meaning you should
have other meaningful plans.
In the off season at the beach you need that plan. Over time my plan evolved into “hobby writing”.
Motivation for this tennis book came several sources:
(Son, Dan Parham ) ” Dad–you know a lot about coaching tennis. You can put that stuff in the cloud, for everybody.
(Dr. Mildred Hartsock, late English Department Chair at alma mata , Atlantic Christian College .) ” You have some writing ability. You should major in English.”
( Jim Verdieck, late, great Redlands Tennis Coach). On my asking what happens to his tremendous knowledge? “When I die, it dies”. I told him I would try to prevent that.
(Jim Leighton, late, great Wake Forest Univesity Tennis Coach. ). Coach Leighton was the source of most of my knowledge of tennis. I took notes after our many sessions. He read a first draft of those attempts. “Tom, you have captured much of what we have covered. You can make a good book out of this, and if you do it will do more for tennis than all those National Championsships you have won.”
(Harvey Penick—THE LITTLE RED BOOK of GOLF author). “If you read this book you are my pupil. If you play golf you are my friend. “
( Jim Toney, late Economics Professor at Elon University and tennis angel )… A fine player and promoter of tennis, Mr. Toney and I zeroed in on High School tennis court construction. Later in his life he developed Parkinson’s. During our last conversation I told how much I appreciated the work he had done for tennis. He leaned forward, peering at me with those steely eyes, and said ” Don’t you quit.”)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IstkubA3qBwoJITAtqa2j1l5TW8hc2Myx_6_ZIwGqOs/edit?usp=sharing
(click link for the book )
Thinking ablout the last blog (FINAL EDITION ).
“FINAL EDITION ” REFLECTIONS
A Carolina (UNC CHAPEL HILL) football coach, commenting on my book THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS, suggested “…this is not just a tennis coaching aid, but for all coaches. ” High praise. I then realized I had mostly taken the methods of others, and the praise was theirs. What I also feel is these people showed us something even bigger than specialized coaching ; the whole process of teaching anything.
My Son, Dan, introduced the CLOUD’S possibilites.
Technology made my efforts possible. I hadn’t typed in fifty plus years. Never had cut a computer on. Wasn’t aware of self-publishing.
Looking back I am grateful there were so many good people and places to learn from. Looking forward I see many who could do similar sharing. So many have unique talent, backgrounds, and experience that could help others.
Information shared, data, truth.
PARTING SHOTS—1-2-3. Or North Carolina High School Tennis——The International “Issue”—-Pickleball.
NO BRAINERS 0N 1. INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE TENNIS PLAYERS. 2. HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS. 3. PICKLEBALL
ON INTERNATIONALS . https://littlegreenbookoftennis.com/category/d-internationals/page/4/
ON HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ON PICKLEBALL https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
ON PICKLEBALL https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
https://littlegreenbookoftennis.com/category/d-internationals/
https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
****PWLI–COMMENT ON DROPPING TENNIS SECTION
- Our State, Our Team, Our Kids (link ?)
- The International Issue. *** (link—“writings “)
- Pickleball (link–https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive EM OLE COACHES
*** This is a collection of 100 articles on the growth of international athletes in American College and University athletic programs. Emphasis on college tennis.
BELOW COME FROM “google drive”
https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive back cover – other books
!!!!!Original I’M FREE FALLING LINKS —
TECHNOLOGY
The obvious possibilities that technology provides applies to these efforts . One initial idea was an effort we called SHOT DOCTORS. ??????? glitch to simple good thing. ***High school volunteers to be ambassdors or liasons –aiding communication between shot-doctors and nc high school coaches and their support systems. Perhaps a gift to these volunteers ( $, gift, Stipend for their team or choice to help worthy. needy team.
THE USTA OR UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION (TONS OF INFO–ONE ON TIPS FOR PLAYERS, ONE ON GUIDELINES FOR COACHES )
UNITED STATES TENNIS PROFESIONALS ASSOCIATION (USPTA) ?????
ALSO –THE PTR OR PROFESSIONAL TENNIS REGISTRY
, PAY/GIFT HIGH SCHOOL “AMBASSADORS. SMARR/ TP ADOPT A TEAM, “FACILLATATORS”
***USPTA TIPS (EXAMPLES) REMEMBER USPTA “COACHING RESOURCES! YOU TUBE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, KEITH RICHARDSON AND HIGH SCHOOL COACH
https://www.uspta.com/USPTA/USPTA-U/Coaching_Quick_Tips/USPTA_Quick_Tips_Coaching_Resources.aspx
NO BRAINERS 0N 1. INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE TENNIS PLAYERS. 2. HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS. 3. PICKLEBALL
ON INTERNATIONALS . https://littlegreenbookoftennis.com/category/d-internationals/page/4/
ON HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ON PICKLEBALL https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
ON PICKLEBALL https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
https://littlegreenbookoftennis.com/category/d-internationals/
https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/5134
****PWLI–COMMENT ON DROPPING TENNIS SECTION
***www.tomparham.wordpress. com.
This “final wrap – up ” article.
New order 1. LGBT 2. LGBT (3RD EDITION )
3. ” EM OLE COACHES “- X-RATED ? E. T. ?
4. ALOT (A Level of Learning )
5. HELPING —*****FAULTY ON FREE FALLING ORIGINAL can find on FINDER. PLUS HELPING BOOK 2 on internationals here (KM_554e-20161021154500 )
6. THANKSGIVING (TOUGH LOVE AND BEACH LIFE)
7. NEARLY FIFTY (DUCK HUNTING AND PUSSYCAT POKER )
******PICTURE OF BOOKS on back of em ole coaches
ROAD MAPS TO GPS (Cy King –another email from tom parham 3 examples – internationals, using picklebal, high school tennis. either/or print or internet–
“I asked for religion and they gave me an overdose.” Bob Dylan
VISION–SUGESSTIONS–ASSIGNMENTS
KEITH –YOU TUBES, RON—TIP OF WEEK–, JW–BACKBOARDS,—LANE , HELP/ ORGANIZE SPECIFIC AID POSSIBILITIES FROM USPTA, USTA, PTR, NCHSTCA, , TP–DIRECTIONS TO SOLUTIONS IN LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS, NC HALLOF FAMERS ?
RIP TIDES ( 86 )
SIMULATION
Sim·u·la·tion | ˌsimyəˈlāSH(ə)n
noun
imitation of a situation or process
• the action of pretending; deception: clever simulation that’s good enough to trick you.
- the production of a computer model of something, especially for the purpose of study: the method was tested by computer simulation | [count noun] : a visual simulation of a collision | [as modifier] : simulation models will allow researchers to test different strategies.
Think virtual reality, or batting practice, driving range, CPR.
Living on the Atlantic Coast is great … save hurricanes, drunks, and rip tides. Climate warming causes changes that are more volatile here. Recently the numbers of drownings has caused alarm. Particularly rip tides.
At 80 years my surfing days are gone. Offspring and grandchildren are a different story.
We have done a great job locally. More awareness, warning, general education, as to how to avoid this lethal reality.
The old coach/granddaddy syndrome caused me to think about a way to practice how to deal with the strong currents. And while I watched tapes and read and listened, I wondered. Could you not create a situation that trained people in the water. Every one down here knows the fear, even panic reaction, that too often takes over.
Knowing I didn’t have all the facts I went to the ‘net. And found this:
https://www.endlesspools.com/blog/post/endless-pools-rip-current-water-safety
“SIDE GAMES” ( 205 )
Veterans of the World Series of Poker will tell you that more big money games, or “side games”, are off camera.
Side games show up in various arenas. Several years ago we attended a recreation basketball game my oldest grandson was playing in. First time to see a game for me. However as my son opened the door to the gym we were met by Spider Man. Lingering a moment he, at 5 years old DEMANDED of my son and grandson. “Where’s Lennox?” Lennox was Spider Man’s right hand bower, Son Tee explained. Just watch him. Spider Man was our coaches son. The coach said he wore his Spider Man suit everyday. “Sleeps in it.”
At the next game we took #2 grandson, Lennox ( at 3 and 1/2) along. Watch these guys Son Tee advised. They ranged from 5 to 7 years old and no holds were barred. Whatever their self designed contest required Lennox and Spider Man hung tough. Time out for crying, peeing, and first aid. I couldn’t have been prouder.
Every high school football game has a side game for younger brothers and stout hearted . While all towns differed in 1946 the side games were very similar. Called “tackle the man with the ball” or the unquestioned “smear the queer.” No ball no rules. Maybe a wadded up paper cup and whoever had it was fair game.
As a second grader, I suffered my first permanent injury in Madison, N.C. The Wildcats, on a dirt field, with about ten sixty watt light bulbs, Foot Feynolds (quarerback) led Coach Raymond Cure’s team —featuring Leon Tucker and Lee Anglin. Our game with about twenty kids was on the west end, parallel to the goal post.
Ball ( cup) in my possession, goal not to be felled as long as possible, an unknown lowered his forehead and found my newly minted right front tooth. It almost fell out so I pushed up it with my thumb. Now on the disabled list, I sat in the stands hand to mouth thumb pushing upwards. It stayed in! Might have ushered in the new popular color, charcoal grey, as time went by. As an adult with a little money, I had Dr. Billy Boles cap it and close the natural gap to where it looked pretty good. And served me well for a long time.
As the tooth darkened I told my parents reluctantly what happened. But I begged out of the dental exam. There was hardly any one my Dad’s age that didn’t “come up poor”. His lack of upper teeth age 45 confirmed his back ground. That upper plate in a glass of water scared hell out of me but not as much as our dentist, Dr. McAnnally of nearby Walnut Cove. Nothing has ever generated a fear or pain next that Ballpean hammer of a drill. Nothing. Those who ducked this with the advent of flouride should genuflect daily for that discovery.
Alas the crowned and altered tooth fell to a crust of pizza. Looking like the “what me worry kid a.k.a Alfred E. Neuman, my local Swansboro dentist . Cratg Brown, skillfully drilled and posted me to a new front bumper. The nurse warned me not to bite apples and hard food choices. “This is not a biting tooth. It is a smiling tooth!”
I’m running out of teeth. My left “backuns” are only singular now. And it’s a little shaky.
And on the right my heavy duty, root canal gold cap gave up after thirty years. Dr. Dickie Hogan did the deed for $900. $3 a year i figure. All in all I guess I’m lucky with dentists. Br. Bill Crouch in Elon was good. He didn’t like me calling him Dr. “Ouch” Crouch. Wilson’s Dr.Dwight Johnson caused the least pain, but that was because assistant, Nancy Tyson, was so rough cleaning them you were glad to see Dr. Johnson.
Eating is tricky now. With only a sore side, a gold capped one too far gone to save, and smiley, I have to think hard to locate food with a chewable remainder. Quite a contest. A side game.
“…a man should shed his (‘testicles’) and keep his teeth. hell, he NEEDS his teeth!” (Country’s uncle, Roma Boykin)
GROUND HOG’S DAY
The days sure have become very similar. There is a moment that is apparent , quite easy to recognize. Actually it’s symptoms are pre-virus. My wife starts throwing things at me.
That is the day we ride. Now. No restaurants, movies, friends over, flights, shopping. But you can drive. Where matters not.
Yesterday was it. Early rise and off to anywhere. Then “..,let’s go ride the ferry to Oriental.” (NC). Agreement is non-negotiable.
Ordinarily we read gas prices aloud. Political signs were the big item this time. Most of these are about the same size and red, white and blue. Imagine.
Oriental had a large number with both parties represented. Next one to be counted looked similarly flag like. As it became readable we both laughed out loud:
EVERYBODY SUCKS.\
WE’RE SCREWED.
TEN GROUND STROKE FUNDAMENTALS ( 2.3 )
Page 1 –THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS
The most significant lesson a tennis teacher can impart is to have his
pupils “watch the ball” properly. Reams have been written on how to
do this and what benefits will accrue. What then, are the other most
important fundamental ideas in tennis ground stroke instruction and
when do these ideas incorporate themselves?Tennis teachers adopt “nutshell” approaches to express their major
concerns and ideas. Some ideas suit some teachers and pupils more
effectively than others. Gallway’s Inner Tennis is essentially a method book
on “watching the ball” and watching yourself. Welby Van Horn’s major ideas
for beginners are balance, grips, strokes, and strategy. Dennis Van Der
Meer has used understanding the bounce of the ball as a core thought. Jim
Leighton, author of Inside Tennis, emphasized the “gun barrel approach”
and understanding the hitting zone as central ideas. All are bona fide
timesavers in tennis instruction, as are many other valid thoughts.
The following is a brief list, with comments, on the major ideas a tennis
instructor should convey to pupils. Certainly there are other important
ideas, and the level of the player must be considered, but let’s focus on
these major objectives.
• Watch the ball. Many great players have developed themselves with
little or no instruction simply by following this suggestion. Trust your
own mechanism.
• Establish a target. Someone defined tennis as the ability to “hit a
moving target while under stress.” You must “watch the ball” but you
must also have a mental target of where your shot is to go. This is
concentration in tennis. “Look at the ball; where does it go” is an
appropriate oversimplification for advising players. Also, which of
these ideas (ball or target) comes first is a chicken or the egg
argument of some relevance.
• Tracking the ball to the “hit spot.” This is basically movement in
the game. Proper strokes are dictated by proper position. Once the
ball is out of the hit zone even great players have trouble. (Lousy
hit spots dictate lousy strokes!) Once the player establishes where his
shot will be (forehand or backhand) his task becomes tracking that
ball to the appropriate “hit spot.” The human mechanisms: use your
eyes to track the ball and your brain to relay the message to your feet
and legs. This makes movement, i.e., speed, quickness,
and conditioning, essential.
• Adjusting to the descending ball. Certainly the ability to hit in the
rise is important, as is learning to handle shoulder-high balls, but
fundamental hit spots for beginners should be thigh-to-waist high,
and the ball should be descending. Not only is this area the power
zone, but also it encourages low-to-high strokes. The player must
use movement to place himself so the opponent’s shot descends
into his appropriate “hit spot.” Keeping the descending ball in the
perfect “hit spot” makes his strokes much more simple and is underestimated in its ability to eliminate frustration from the
beginner’s game.
• Utilize proper grips. Proper grip is essential from the outset. There
are a variety of proper grips but certainly traditional information
(eastern forehand, proper backhand, etc.) should be part of the
teacher’s basic craft.
• Get your racquet back properly. This must be one of the tennis
teacher’s most often repeated phrases. Early preparation of the
racquet is one of the real clues in tennis. Jack Barnaby in Racquet
Work said these “nutshells”: prepare your racquet, prepare yourself,
and watch the ball. Certainly there is an interrelationship between
early racquet preparation and the speed and effectiveness of
the player.
• Firm wrists in the hit zones. The ability to keep the wrists firm
through the ground stroke hit zones can be likened to the need for a
golfer keeping his lead arm straight. Without firm wrists all kinds of
wrinkles can mess up fundamental shots. Often, poor position on the
ball is the reason for faulty wrist movements. Perhaps Mr. Leighton’s
Inside Tennis has the best statement on “pressed wrists” and the “gun
barrel approach” to the hitting zone.
• Proper finish, or follow through. After the wrists have gone
through the hit zone, the hips and shoulders should turn farther, and
the racquet should be lifted to a firm, high ending. The teacher can
emphasize this fundamental by requiring pupils to “freeze” at the end
of their shots to self-diagnose their shots.
• Return to ready. Beginning players should understand that every
ground stroke varies and to cope with the upcoming variation they
must finish the current shot and regroup their concentration and
head for the best defensive position they can ascertain, generally
near the middle of the baseline. Here again, the player is dependent
on his legs for movement, and he must understand that this is the
point at which he must work hardest in tennis.
• Recycle the process. The player now must be ready to repeat the
above outlined fundamental on either side, for as many times as
needed to win the point. Each shot is similar to, but independent of,
the other. The player must be aware that consistency in shot
production is the major strategy in tennis. The player must also be
committed to repeating the process without error for as many times
as necessary to win the point.
CHECK YOUR GRIPS IN THE “HIT SPOT” (2)
The most irrefutable physical law in tennis is that “the ball will be
directed where you point the racquet at the moment the strings meet the
ball.” This sounds simple enough, but it is a fundamental that is often
overlooked by a beginner who is trying to think of ten things at once.
As a tennis instructor, one can heighten the class’s attention with the
mere suggestion of the proper backhand grip discussion. Almost
immediately, pupils will pick up their racquets and search for this mystic
grip that will cure their frustrating backhand problem. While no grip will
atone for poor position or improper hit spot, an understanding that grip
change reinforces wrist strength is essential.
No matter how one explains this necessity, students have a period in
when the decisions concerning which way and how much the hands turn
are confusing. The same is true of all grips when one progresses to the
point that all strokes have been explained. To cope with this indecision, a
teacher can facilitate grip change understanding by having students check
their grips in the various hit spots.
Thus constant concentration. It is like a golfer putting; he must watch the
ball but intensely concentrate on the cup. Only tennis players move too!
While this seems obvious to parents, juniors may neither understand it,
nor understand how it breaks down under pressure or adversity. Perhaps
beginners would do well to concentrate on only one target. If nine of ten
players are right-handers and the majority of these are weaker on the
backhand side, then concentrating on this target alone makes a junior
strategically sound up to a surprisingly high level.
If tennis is the “ability to hit a changing target while moving and under
stress,” then moving and concentrating are the core of the game.
Parents—you are right, but you need to explain yourselves!Most beginners tend to check their grips in the ready, or waiting, position. By checking grips in the hit spot a beginner can immediately relate grips and their relationship to “the most irrefutable physical law in tennis.” One also can more easily ascertain the value of proper grip to
wrist reinforcement.
The Little Green Book of Tennis 