Coaches For Life Newsletter Spring 2008

93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition
for 2008 Wilson’s Coaches
for Life Newsletter!!!
My name is Tracy
Almeda–Singian, the new
Grassroots Manager for
Wilson.
I’d like to take this
opportunity to thank Darian
Borowiak for all her efforts
at Wilson and wish her luck
in all her future endeavors.
I am excited to be part of
the Wilson Team and look
forward to a great 2008!
The profession of coaching
is an exciting and dynamic
one. As the game of tennis
continues to advance we
must evolve as coaches. In
order for us to get the best
out of our players we need
to continuously increase our
understanding of the great
game of tennis.
We hope that you find this
addition of Wilson’s
Coaches for Life Newsletter
helpful and insightful.
Sincerely,
Tracy Almeda–Singian
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 1
Creating a Coaching
Philosophy
By Frank Inn
All high school coaches should
develop a coaching philosophy. This
should be based on your overall
feelings about life and how you view
and experience it, as well as how
you relate to people. As a High
Performance coach, my philosophy
is based on helping young players
reach their maximum potential as
people through tennis, putting the
athletes first and winning second.
My philosophy is two part and
simple.
1. Be an athlete for life
•
•
•
•
Know who you are
Have a strong support team
Accept changes in life
Be passionate in what
you do
2. There are certain basic
fundamentals that never change
•
own philosophy will change as you
learn and develop as a coach.
The development of your
philosophy will be based on coming
to know yourself and thinking
through important issues. Then you
will begin to develop principles for
guiding your actions. Having the
athletes’ first, winning second
attitude should be an integral part
of your coaching style. Coaches are
forced to make tough decisions
between winning and the best
interest of the athletes in many
occasions. The direction of these
decisions reflects a coach’s true
philosophy rather than his or her
words.
Create and refine your coaching
philosophy…
Dedication and hard work.
This is key to establishing a
strong foundation.
I have this prominently displayed in
my office and at my club. My
philosophy is based on teaching
and performance, rather than
winning. It emphasizes character,
instead of outcome or things you
have no control over. I believe
success is a result of these factors.
But, I did not begin my coaching
career 30 years ago with this
philosophy; it is the result of
wisdom I have accumulated through
the years. So, don’t expect to have
all the answers right away. Your
Frank Inn, Jr. is the Director of Tennis at
Rogue Valley Swim & Tennis Club in
Medford, Oregon. With over 25 years of
teaching experience Frank is also a
USPTA Professional, USTA High
Performance Program Specialist, and
Wilson Premiere Advisory Staff
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 2
The No-Cut
Experience
By John MacDonald
I have the opportunity to write this article today
because of the influence that Coach Kenneth Lumpkin
of Virginia Beach, VA had on my life starting when I
was in the ninth grade. Having severely broken my
arm playing football, the only sport I was allowed to
try out for was tennis – and I had never played
before. Coach Lumpkin allowed me and a number of
other kids to be on the team that year.
Because of Coach Lumpkin’s unselfish decision, I
was on the all–state high school tennis team and
earned a tennis scholarship to college. I might not
have been able to go to college without that
scholarship. I met my wife in college because of
tennis, we eventually became teachers and I
became a high school tennis coach and principal.
I have worked in the tennis industry all of my adult
life including owning a tennis club where my two
daughters and thousands of other people were
introduced to the sport. I still amazes me how much
influence Coach Lumpkin’s dedication to helping
kids through coaching tennis had on my entire future
and, consequently, so many more people.
The USTA No–Cut Initiative revolves around the fact
that kids in the 11–17 age group are making
life–long decisions concerning sports.
Teachers and coaches help mold and shape lives.
As a coach, there is no better way for you to change
a life than to keep a kid on the team.
Every child should have the chance to engage in a
healthy, lifelong sport like tennis and the team is the
cement that glues the child to the sport for life.
The new USTA No–Cut Coaches Registry has just
been released in cooperation with the Tennis
Industry Association. It’s never too late to register.
Check out http:// www.usta.com/nocut
With your guidance as their No–Cut high school
tennis coach, there is an excellent chance that he or
she will continue to play tennis for a lifetime.
Be a hero in your own right and register today as a
USTA High School No–Cut Coach.
John MacDonald is USTA
Florida’s School Tennis
Coordinator, USPTA Professional,
PTR certified, & Wilson Advisory
Staff Member
Page 2
USTA High School
No–Cut Coaches
Recognition
Program
No–cut coaches play a critical role in our
sport by allowing young players the
opportunity to experience the lifetime sport
of tennis as a member of a team
representing their school.
To celebrate and recognize your efforts, head
coaches can expect to receive the following
in behalf of their school tennis program:
•
Recognition letter to your principal and
athletic director
•
Customized press release announcing
the school’s involvement in the No–Cut
Coach Initiative
•
USTA No–Cut Coach recognition
certificate
•
One–year subscription to Racquet Sports
Industry
•
No–Cut Tennis Team banner for your
school
•
USTA No–Cut Coach cap for you
•
USTA Tennis on College Campus Guide
•
Top Ten Games and Drills CD
•
Access to No–Cut Coach jackets, polo
shirts, bags, and more from NetKnacks,
Inc.
Assistant coaches are also critical to our
program and will receive:
•
USTA No–Cut Coach recognition
certificate
•
USTA No–Cut Coach cap
•
Access to No–Cut Coach jackets,
polo shirts, bags, and more from
NetKnacks, Inc. Go to
http://Growing Tennis.com/Nocut_Entry/index.cfm
Coaches for Life
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 3
Coaching Resources & Education
USTA Coaching Education
Over the past several years the USTA Coaching
Education and Sport Science Department has
assembled a number of resources that coaches
can use to help in the effort to help their players
become the best they can be. Each of these
resources profiled below can be obtained by
logging on to the USTA Player Development
website, www.playerdevelopment.usta.com,
and selecting the indicated link from the options
on the left hand side of the page.
The USTA Player Development Video
Library
The Player Development Digital Video Library
features 200 video clips from 40 of today’s top
players. Best of all, it is free and easy to use. There
is no software to purchase, nothing to download.
Everything you need to view these clips launches
right from the USTA website.
players with their strength training and conditioning.
This on–line manual presents over 60 Dynamic Warmup, Strengthening, Stretching and Movement Training
exercises designed specifically to be done on the
road or when there is little or no equipment available.
Resources on the Developing Player
To help players, parents and coaches better
understand this developmental process, and their
roles along the way, the USTA has produced two
products:
• A series of resources, including presentations
and exercises outlining the role of the parent in
the development of a tennis player. Link:
Coaching Education – Information for Parents
•
The USTA High Performance Profile
To ensure that elite level tennis players perform at
their best requires extensive practice, training and
competition. However, the demands of training can
ultimately lead to injury. The USTA High Performance
Profile is a series of musculoskeletal tests used to
screen players and identify potential injuries before
they occur. Any strength and/or flexibility deficits
can then be addressed through physical training.
The USTA Emergency Care Guidelines
Coaches, Tournament directors and tennis facility
operators should be prepared for the event of a
medical emergency. To assist with this preparation,
the USTA Sport Science Committee has put
together the Emergency Care Guidelines. These
guidelines overview such things as the supplies you
should have on hand and the policies that should be
in place to handle an emergency ranging from a
medical emergency to dealing with lightning. The
Emergency Care Guidelines are available to
download in English and Spanish.
Articles/ Newsletters/ Resources
Within each Sport Science discipline we have
published articles and resources on hot topics in
tennis. Several examples include:
• White paper on Technique, Technology and
Injuries and another on Growth Hormone. Link –
Sport Science – Knowledge Areas
•
The USTA Coaching Education & Sport Science
e–Newsletter. A monthly newsletter to share the
latest sport science and coaching information.
Link – Sport Science – e–Newsletter or
subscribe by e–mailing sportscience@usta.com.
•
Ask the Expert Column Archives– Most weeks of
the year the Sport Science Committee members
and staff answer your questions related to sport
science and medicine. Link: Sport Science – Ask
the Expert
•
High Performance Coaching Newsletter – Get
access and download pdf files of all past
newsletters. Link: Coaching Education – High
Performance Coaching Newsletter.
•
Nutrition guidelines for before, during and after
play – Read articles from top nutritionists on how
to prepare your body from a nutrition standpoint.
Link: Sport Science – Knowledge Areas – Nutrition.
•
Health Benefits of Tennis – Access articles,
publication and resources on the health benefits
of tennis. Link: Sport Science – Knowledge
Areas – Health Benefits of Tennis.
Hydration Poster
Fluid replacement is extremely important to prevent
dehydration and cramping on court. The USTA Sport
Science Committee has developed a Hydration
Poster that overviews what you should drink before,
during and after play to reduce the risk of heat
illness and dehydration while enhancing performance.
On the Road Training Manual
The USTA Strength and Conditioning staff has
developed an On the Road Training Manual to assist
Coaches for Life
The Progressive Development of a High
Performance Player poster, which outlines the
phases of development and what players should
be emphasizing in each phase. Link: Coaching
Education – Resources
Page 3
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 4
USPTA High
School Coaches
Resource
Center
The USPTA High School Coaches Resource Center
Web site, at www.highschoolcoaches.uspta.com,
was designed with high school coaches in mind.
USPTA recognizes that for busy coaches, it can
sometimes be difficult to plan the daily practice for
your team, especially when it comes to organizing
teenagers and getting the most out of each student
in one and one–half to two hours of practice.
The Web site was designed around a team practice
template that enables a coach to copy and paste
drills from USPTA’s vast online drill directory into
each of the available time slots. The drills can be
varied from day to day, based on the coach’s
choice. The real benefit to coaches is the ability to
plan ahead and be a more effective and efficient
coach on the court.
Some drills in the resource center are accompanied
by video of the drill in action. Additional resources
on this site include links to USPTA video tips, audio
seminars, additional links to helpful Web sites and
various USPTA programs.
This is a registration–based site that offers two
subscription options: Quarterly ($35) and Annual
($95). Annual subscribers receive an education
certificate and 2 continuing education units (CEUs)
that can be applied to annual requirements. If you
are not completely satisfied with your subscription
within the first five days, you will receive a full
refund.
First–time visitors who are not USPTA members will
need to subscribe before entering the site and can
obtain a one day free pass.
USPTA members do not need to subscribe. USPTA
members enter the site by clicking the “Enter”
button under “USPTA login.”
Page 4
Professional
Tennis Registry
– PTR
PTR was founded in 1976 by Dennis Van der Meer.
Since then, PTR provides members with numerous
benefits to assist them in their career as a tennis
teaching professional. With members in 126
countries, PTR’s mission is to educate, certify and
service tennis teachers and coaches around the
world in order to grow the game.
PTR offers Team Coaching Workshops for High
School and Middle School Coaches throughout the
US. Team Coaching is an interactive on–court
workshop concentrating on the skills needed for
high school coaches to be successful. The
curriculum is complied from today’s leading
industry resources. Details include player training,
stroke production, practice organization, singles
and doubles, and match evaluation methods. This
is an approved course for state and local districts
for continuing education credits.
For more information on Team
Workshop go to:
http://www.ptrtennis.org/workshop/
descriptions.html
PTR is proud to introduce its new Scholastic Coach
Membership as the next step to further your tennis
coaching education. This membership is for those
currently working or volunteering with a scholastic
tennis team at the college, junior college, high
school, middle school or elementary school level.
A tremendous educational value – only $85 a year –
the PTR Scholastic Coach Membership offers many
benefits to enhance your teaching skills.
For more information on Scholastic
Coach Membership:
http://www.ptrtennis.org/apps/scm1.html –
Scholastic Coach Membership
Coaches for Life
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 5
On Court
Quick Start Tennis
By Craig Jones
Quick Start Tennis is all the
rage these days. What is all
the buzz about?
The USTA has taken 6
elements of competitive
tennis and adjusted them to
fit the needs of 10 and under
players.
These elements are age,
court size, the ball, rackets,
nets and scoring. 8 and
under players will compete
on a 36x18’ court with foam
balls and 23” or less rackets.
10 and under will compete
on a 60x21’ court with low
compression balls and 25”
or less rackets.
So what does a 10 and
under competitive play
format have to do with High
School coaches?
Well, obviously, high school students can not play in
these official competitions, but coaches can still
apply the same developmental concepts to their
varsity and JV players. If you have inexperienced
players just trying to make your team, foam and low
compression balls are great to use to develop
confidence in rallying the ball. If you have advanced
players, you can make incredible progress with
volleys and transitioning to net using these balls.
The balls slow down the game, giving the players
more time, so you can really focus on control and
developing sound technique.
Here is a quick sample of what you can do with
modified equipment with your players:
1. Use the Wilson throw down lines, move the
baseline in 9’ on each side to create a 60’ court.
Don’t worry about the sideline, since we are
going to put two courts on one.
2. Split the regular court into two by using the
center service line as a sideline and the doubles
lines will be the other sidelines.
3. For 8 players, have two kids as “kings of the
court” on one side. On the other side will be two
lines of three “challengers.” Everyone starts on
Coaches for Life
the 60’ baseline. Have
low compression balls
(Wilson EZ Pace) on the
challenger side.
4. Have two points going
on simultaneously. The
challenger underhand
serves or drop hits an
“approach” and comes
to net. The king stays on
the baseline. After the
approach, the challenger
has to hit everything in
the air; the king has to let
everything bounce.
5. After you play a point, go
behind the opposite
challenger line. As soon
as a challenger wins two
points (could be off of
either king), they become
king and everyone goes
back to zero.
6. For larger groups, you can make up to two more
60’ courts on a regular court. Take caution tape
or rope and run it from the net post to the side
fence. If there is not fence, connect the caution
tape or rope to a teaching basket, hopper, chair
or any object close to 3’ high.
7. Now you can have a court from center line to
singles line, another one from singles line to side
fence. This gives you four courts playing at the
same time!
The great thing about using the foam or low
compression balls is that the kids can actually play
on their own and you do not have to feed out of a
basket. Now you can walk around and coach, and
handle multiple courts with high numbers of players.
Craig S. Jones is a USPTA
Professional, PTR certified,
USTA National High
Performance Quick Start
Trainer, Wilson Premier
Advisory Staff and presenter
for Wilson Speaker’s Bureau
Page 5
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 6
Patterns of Play
Forehand Return of Serve Pattern
By Paul Lubbers, Ph.D.
When working with players it is essential to spend
time working with them on understanding patterns
of play. Most patterns of play should be based on
high percentage principles like keeping the ball in
play, keeping it cross court and trying not to change
the direction of the incoming shot when in a
defensive or off balance situation. The proper use of
return of serve patterns allows the receiver to at
weak backhand that lands near the center of the
court. Player A then can take control of the point
and hit the ball to the open court.
Pattern #2 Add Court: Deep Down
the Middle
Player B hits an aggressive serve to the forehand of
Player A, who responds with a powerful return that
is hit deep down the
middle of the court. This
return takes response
time and angle away
from the server. It often
results in a weak shot
that allows Player A to
execute an offensive
shot to either corner of
the court.
Pattern #3 Inside
Out Forehand
least neutralize his or her opponent’s serve – and,
sometimes, to turn the defensive nature of the return
into an offensive opportunity. In addition, an
effective use of return of serve patterns gives the
receiver a clear idea of the type of return to hit next
and leads to proper shot selection. Indeed, a good
understanding of return of serve patterns will help
any developmental player turn his or her forehand
return into a weapon.
Following are a few basic patterns of play for the
forehand. In today’s game the forehand is a weapon
and should be developed both from a technical and
tactical point of view. Make sure your players
practice theses basic patterns and they will be
breaking there opponents serve in no time!
Pattern #1 Deuce Court: Down the Line
Return
Player B hits a serve to the forehand of Player A,
who drives the ball aggressively down the line. This
return, if executed properly, forces the server to hit a
Page 6
Player B hits a serve to
the middle of the
service box. Player A
steps around the serve
and hits the return
inside out to the open
court. The server is
forced to hit the ball on the run and often attempts a
crosscourt shot, with the ball landing toward the
center of the court. Player A then can respond with
either an inside out or an inside in shot. Note: This
return of serve pattern can result in an opportunity
for the receiver to approach the net and look for a
volley winner.
Paul Lubbers is the Director of USTA
Coaching Education. He earned his
Master of Science degree from
Indiana University and his Ph.D. in
Exercise and Sport Science at UNC
Greensboro. He is also a USPTA
Professional and PTR certified.
Coaches for Life
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 7
Drills
Jack Waite is the
Director of
Development for
PTR and a
former Top 50
ATP Tour
Professional
Player. He has
doubles wins
over Roger
Federer and the
Bryan Brothers.
Rush and Crush (doubles)
Brett Hobden is a
USPTA Professional
and an internationally
recognized expert on
modern tennis. Brett
has co–authored
several books on
modern teaching,
and consulted to
coaching
associations in
several countries.
www.modern
tennis.com
Coaches for Life
Page 7
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 8
Technique
Doubles
Get To The Net!!!!
Doubles Rules of
Thumb
By Tracy Almeda–Singian
Here are a few ways to improve your players’ volleys.
Following these simple tips will help boost their
overall net game:
• Keep the same grip.
By Angel Lopez
The game of doubles is tactical 1st and technical
2nd.
For both the forehand and backhand volley, your
grip should stay the same.
For a solid grip, use an Eastern or Continental grip.
To find the correct grip, pretend that you are shaking
hands with the racket.
The philosophy of percentage doubles is to have 2
players working together in order to control the net.
The points at the net zone are normally won with
volleys and overheads. Taking the ball in the air as a
volley or overhead helps exploit all opportunities to
win the point.
• Split step.
Always remember in doubles, the team at the net
has the advantage.
A slight hop between shots will help you stay on
your toes and be ready for the next ball.
• Turn.
For the volley, make sure you are always turned sideways.
• Punch.
There should be minimal motion with your racket
and hands.
• Keep your hands in front.
When volleying you must always be able to see your
racket in front of your body.
The racket face should be at least equal with your
front shoulder.
• Move to the ball.
Thinking about keeping your elbows in will force you
to move your feet towards the ball and in the
process gives you more power.
• Always recover to a ready position.
Make sure your hands and racket are up after hitting
each ball.
A quick recovery leads to better preparation for the
next shot.
Improving your net play will bring more variety to
your game and keep your opponent guessing, so
get to the net!!!
Tracy Almeda–Singian is Grassroots
Manager for Wilson Racquet Sports,
a USPTA Professional, and former
WTA Tour player. She also is a
contributing writer for the Florida
Today and serves as president of the
Tennis Professionals Charities
Foundation, a 501 c 3 organization.
Page 8
Here are a few doubles rules of thumb:
Good positioning: When you are at the net it’s a
good idea to position yourself halfway between the
net, the service line and sideline. This will give you
the best opportunity to cover the volley and lob.
Close to Close: For any ball above the level of the
net, it is important to aim your finishing shots at the
player closest to the net.
Deep to Deep: To set yourself up to get to the net,
hit towards the person furthest from the net.
Two Back, Angle: If both opponents stay on the
baseline, try to angle your shots off the court.
Four Up, Low and Soft: When all four players are at
the net, make sure you to try to keep the ball low.
One way to keep the ball low is to hit the ball soft
and will force your opponents hit back up to you.
Remember that doubles is a team game and the
team needs to stay together to be successful. So
communicate with your partner between points and
remind each other to finish the point at the net.
Angel Lopez is a USPTA Master
Professional, USA High Performance
Coach, PTR Certified and Director of
Tennis at San Diego Tennis and
Racquet Club
Coaches for Life
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 9
Break Point
Music and Tennis are a perfect match
By Doug Browne
Have you ever noticed how many current and former
tennis stars play an instrument, and many of whom
play in a band? To name a few: John McEnroe, Jim
Courier, Pat Cash, Yannick Noah and the Bryan
twins.
Let’s face it. Tennis players want to be musicians
and musicians want to be tennis players. Since
tennis is a game of rhythm, it is only fitting that
athletes are drawn to music.
Ironically, I have been playing music for my students
for well over 25 years and have seen so much joy on
the court during our sessions. In particular, when we
set up tunes next to the court during junior practice,
kids are completely unaware how much they are
moving during their clinics.
In the meantime, the kids have hit hundreds of balls,
moving constantly to their favorite hip–hop sounds
and never even consider complaining.
Conversely, I have witnessed several old–style
coaches yelling at their students to run a particular
line drill or run numerous laps around the kid and no
one has a smile on their face.
One simple way to turn kids off of this great game is
to not incorporate fun. However, the easiest and
most pleasurable way to get kids hooked on fun
during tennis is to have them bring their own favorite
music CDs so they can hit tons of balls and also
listen to their top tunes. And, if you are really
“current,” you can have your tennis kids bring their
iPods (MP3 players) and have it hooked up to your
sound system. No matter what musical taste one
has, there is a special beat and it’s fun to stroke
tennis balls as one listens to their personal favorite
songs.
players move to a beat, they begin to flow and really
stroke the ball.
On the other side of the coin, a tennis player who
resists movement often looks robotic. If a tennis
player moves poorly, it appears that the strokes lack
the fundamentals to win matches. But it is seldom
when the strokes are the problem.
As a rule, the feet rule the game of tennis and our
ability to be in position to hit the ball well. There is a
good reason why Billie Jean King, Martina
Navratilova, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Rod
Laver and others dominated the game of tennis.
Every single player had special footwork which
allowed them to move to the ball at the appropriate
time and make great decisions under pressure.
Clearly stated, if a tennis player cannot make it to
the ball on time, he was struggling to hit an
adequate shot. The real key to playing music as our
students hit balls is to motivate our players to move
like great dancers. If our pupils “want” to move and
better yet, take pleasure in sliding around the court,
they will improve.
Go out, set up a great music system and observe
your students having the times of their lives on the
tennis court.
Doug Browne is the Hideaway Beach Director of Tennis and
the Community Tennis Association President. Doug and his
wife Leslie have enjoyed teaching players of all abilities at
Hideaway Beach for over a decade. He can be reached by
e–mail at DBrowne912@aol.com.
Do you remember when the fitness industry
introduced “Jazzercise?” Thousands of women from
all over the country were flocking to the gym,
rocking out to music as they lost pound after pound.
Not only were people excited about the new
Jazzercise program but they loved their instant
results.
If a young tennis player really wants to make a
quantum leap, he must improve his footwork. Music
inspires people to want to move. When tennis
Coaches for Life
Page 9
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 10
Fitness and Conditioning
Tennis With a Medicine Ball Drill
By Pat Etcheberry
Medicine ball tennis is a favorite exercise of players
of all ages and abilities because they have fun. Fun
and diversity in a training regimen are very important
to keeping their workout regimen from becoming
boring and predictable. Medicine ball tennis is my
favorite exercise because the players are doing
strength training with the medicine ball, they’re
learning patience, and they’re learning strategy. At
its heart, medicine ball is a mimicking drill – because
a player executes shots with more than the usual
weight in his hands.
You play mini tennis in the service box area – either
singles or doubles. The service line becomes the
baseline, and play takes place inside the service box
area. When playing singles, both players play one side
of their court only, deuce or add. When playing doubles
the players play the full court. You play your ‘match’
with a medicine ball, instead of a racquet and ball.
The ball also must bounce before a player can catch
it. I call this the “Sampras Rule” because when I first
introduced this exercise into my training program we
would throw the medicine ball directly to the opponent.
Well, Pete’s throw was so hard that one time he
knocked the opposing player backwards onto the
court, where he hit his head and was knocked out.
Hence I instituted the “Sampras Rule” to protect all
of the players.
The tour players love the game. Sometimes we play
tournaments. And I can tell you, just as Sampras
was number one in the world for a long time in
tennis, he was most definitely number one in
medicine ball because no one ever beat him in all
the time he played. Being strong obviously helps.
Plus you need a good sense of how you’re going to
play the point. The drop shot works here, too. One
tie break may last as long as thirty minutes!
The weight of the medicine ball I use depends upon
the age and strength of the players. A medium ball
is 6.6 pounds or 3 kilos. I have used 10–12 pound
balls with some of the pro players on the men’s tour.
Justine Henin loves the game. She plays with her
coach, Carlos and she sure never wants to lose to
anyone. Especially me!
Pat Etcheberry serves as Director
of the Etcheberry Sports
Performance Division at the
Saddlebrook Resort. A former
Olympian, Pat has trained some of
the top players in tennis past and
present: Pete Sampras, Andre
Agassi, Justine Henin, Jim Courier
and Mardy Fish.
ETCHEBERRY CERTIFICATION
For the first time Pat Etcheberry is offering a certification program to pass along his fitness,
strength and conditioning philosophy and techniques to a new generation of coaches and trainers
so that they can one day know the pride of teaching gifted athletes how to become Champions in
their own rite.
Pat’s program focuses on improving overall physical prowess using unique training techniques he
has designed specifically to increase stamina and performance.
To become Etcheberry Certified, candidates will become proficient in understanding, evaluating,
and execution of the best footwork drills, techniques, and practices.
For more information please contact:
John E. Marshall, Managing Partner, The Etcheberry Group, LLC,
john.marshall@etcheberrygroup.com
(610) 775–4608
http://www.etcheberryexperience.com
Page 10
Coaches for Life
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 11
Pro Tour Notes
Upcoming US
Professional
Events:
•
Wilson [K] Factor racquets continue their strong
momentum to start off 2008 with Novak Djokovic
making the switch to his new [K] Blade Tour
model and winning his first major title at the
Australian Open.
•
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France used his new
Wilson [K] Blade 98 to catapult him into the Top
20 on the ATP Tour. With his unbelievable
showing at the Australian Open beating several
top seeded players, including Rafael Nadal on
route to the finals, Jo–Wilfried has become a
major ATP Tour contender.
March 26 Miami, FL – Sony Ericsson Open
•
Wilson players dominated the Australian Open
Men’s Singles with 3 of the 4 men’s
semi–finalists playing [K] Factor
April 14 Houston, TX – US Men’s Clay Court
Championships
•
Wilson players Jonathan Erlich & Andy Ram
went on to take the Australian Open Men’s
Doubles Title
•
Bondarenko sisters, Alona & Katheryne, won the
Australian Open Ladies Doubles Title with their
new [K]Blade and [K]Tour racquets.
•
18 year old Kei Nishikori of Japan qualified and
won his first career ATP Tour event taking home
the International Tennis Championships (ITC) in
Delray Beach singles crown. Using his [K] Tour,
Kei became the first Japanese man to reach a
tour final since Shuzo Matsuoka lost to Wayne
Ferreira at Queens Club in June 1992. He beat
Sam Querrey and James Blake on route to the
championship.
•
Justine Henin won her 10th Sony Ericsson WTA
Tour final in a row, defeating Karin Knapp in
straight sets for the Proximus Diamond Games
title in front of her Belgian home supporters
•
Using her (K)Blade 98, Flavia Pennetta won her
fifth career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title
at the inaugural Cachantun Cup in Vina del Mar.
It is her fourth career title on clay and third in
Latin America.
March 10 Indian Wells, CA –Pacific Life Open
April 7 Amelia Island, FL – Bausch and Lomb
Championships
April 11–13 Winston-Salem, NC – Davis Cup
April 14 Charleston, SC – Family Circle Cup
April 21 Fed Cup
In the next addition. . .
Ask the experts:
Do you have questions regarding coaching, drills, fitness, or
nutrition?
If you have a tennis question, please submit to:
Tracy.Almeda–Singian@Wilson.com
Questions will be answered by Wilson Premier and Advisory
Staff.
Questions chosen will be published in the next issue of
Wilson’s Coaches for Life.
Coaches for Life
Please include your full name, address, email and daytime
phone number
Articles from:
Luke Jensen, Page Love, Pat Etcheberry
Feedback:
We love feedback! Please submit comments, news, event
photos or feedback to:
Tracy.Almeda–Singian@Wilson.com
Page 11
93773 DPG Wilson Newsletter 22208
Page 12
3/7/08
1:28 PM
Page 12
Coaches for Life