We just recently talked (or, more honestly, I talked) about
goals, and equilibrium, and our New Year’s resolution. Like I mentioned,
talking to your coach is always a good starting point, and getting lessons in
is another good starting point, but there shouldn’t be an ending point to these
practices—just like I will continue to challenge myself in learning about new
things once I am done with my PhD, I expect all our players at SHP to continue
to grow in their tennis by continuing to pursue their goals.
Now, everyone has different goals, and that’s perfectly
alright. Some of us have dreams of becoming professional tennis players. Others
dream of competing on college team. Still others want to learn the game and
have a sport that they can play throughout their lives. Picking and choosing
your goals is important, and making sure you are doing what you need to do in
order to achieve those goals is important too.
Now a lot of parents ask me when their kids should begin
tennis. Should they play only tennis? Should they play once a week? Twice a
week? Take lessons? This really depends on their goals. It’s not enough to take
a few privates before the high school season starts to develop a player’s game
to the point where they are making a huge leap of achievement, but will it be
enough to get some more tennis in and get a bit of a rhythm? Sure! It’s
probably not enough to play once a week as a seven or eight year old if you and
your kid have dreams of being a competitive athlete, but if they want to get
out there and exercise some? No problem! Like I’ve mentioned in some previous
blogs, typically a younger player needs more individual time with a coach at
SHP. This is to make sure technique doesn’t slip and the correct technique is
in place. The older a kid gets, the less “brush up” they need, but that doesn’t
mean they shouldn’t be a.) playing more and b.) taking lessons at all.
It’s easy to think that a coach has the “magic pill,” the
answer to everything. At the end of the day, just like in life, if YOU want to accomplish
something, YOU will be the one going out there and doing it, not anybody else.
Will a SHP coach guide you to that goal? Sure! I’ve given fitness plans to
plenty of kids throughout my time as a coach, and I can see even without asking
which kids have been following it on the court, because it makes them stronger,
faster, and more confident. So motivation is important for practice, and no
matter how seldom or how often you do it, make sure you come in with the right
mindset and expect of yourself what you would expect from someone who wants to
accomplish your goals.
As a side-note: SHP had an outstanding showing at the State Closed this past weekend! A total of 20 matches won all together, including one tournament trophy back! There is no doubt that we have brought home the best results in town! :)
