Tips for Tennis Parents

I have been coaching tennis for over 25 years. I have seen so many talented kids quit the game.
A few years ago the USTA published a very frightening statistic. 65% of all junior tournament players quit playing before they are 16 years old. Why? The answer is “Burn Out”.
“Burn Out” is not always from playing too much. The source can be the parents.
My definition of “Burn Out” is, the game is not fun and can’t handle the pressure any more.

Here a few tips to relieve the pressure and keep it fun for your kids.
1. Leave them wanting more. Most kids have a short attention span, especially under the age of 10. If they are just beginning to learn the game I recommend that you play with them no more than 20 minutes. Let them be the one to say, “One more, Pleeease?” When you hit with your kids, at any level, keep an eye on their body language. If they are walking around with their racquet head by their feet and their shoulders slumped, STOP! Pick up the balls. Hopefully you can stop before they get bad body language.
2. Avoid teaching them. We all want to help our kids, but taking a lesson from your parent is not much fun. I use what I learned from Wayne Bryan (father of the world #1 Bryan Brothers). Wait for them to ask for help before you try to teach them. If they never ask, then never teach them. If your kids are in a group or private lesson, then that’s the place for them to learn. When we teach our own kids, the information gets scrambled somehow.
I send my daughter to other pros. The information seems to get translated better from someone else.
3. Avoid post match criticism. Critiquing your child after a match is one of the leading causes of stress. Every time they play, they will know that you are watching every move they make. There is nothing, that you can say or do, that will change the results. They will not retain any criticism until they are in a calm environment. When they come off the court, you must make every effort to let them know that they are your child first and athlete second.
Charting a match helps. You can put it on their desk for them to look at later.
4. Keep your distance. The USTA recommends that you stay a minimum of two courts away. Some kids can handle their parent breathing through the fence, but most kids can’t and won’t say anything until it is too late.
Wear sunglasses so they can’t see you roll your eyes. If your child is looking at you after every point, you are too close.
5. Get along with the other Parents. Parents are always complaining that there is no one for their child to practice with. Every opponent of your child is a potential practice partner. Introduce yourself to the other parents, exchange phone numbers. If your child sees you getting along, they will feel more comfortable going to clinics, tournaments or other tennis events. They will have a better attitude on the court. My philosophy, “Whoever has the most friends, Wins!”
6. Avoid talking about money. Another ingredient for pressure is, “We are spending hundreds of dollars on your tennis and you ……..” Talking about money doesn’t work, never has and never will.

“Burn Out” happens over time. Just be aware of some of the things you say and do on or near the tennis court.
Don’t let your child be a statistic.
Follow these tips and give your child a better chance for staying in the game and success.


By Barry Boren
Tennis Professional
Laguna Niguel Racquet Club

Cum sa fii un Partener Bun

Articol scris de:
Barry Boren
Tennis Professional
Laguna Niguel Racquet Club


I remember when I first started playing doubles, I hated it. I was a singles player and didn’t know much about doubles.
As I played more doubles and began to understand the tactics and strategy of the game, I began to enjoy it more and more.
The one thing that took me a long time to learn was that I can get my partner to play their best by being a good partner.

How can you be a good partner? Practice the following:
1. Warm up with your partner:
The five minute warm-up that you get with your opponents is just part of the introduction. Do not use these 5 minutes to warm up for your match. Before you arrive at your match warm up with your partner, alone, (cross court) for at least 30. Warming up with your partner, alone, allows you to bond as a team.
2. Communicate:
Talk to each other before, during and after a point. Signals are a form of communication. Let your partner know what you are going to do when they are serving, when you are serving and when you are returning serve. Call it! (High balls), “Mine”, “Yours”, “Bounce it”, “Switch”, even if the situation is obvious. I have found that many players hold their breath during a point. Talking starts the breathing process. When you hold your breath, your muscles tighten and you get out of breath.
3. No Coaching:
Coaching your partner is one of the leading causes of teams falling apart in a match, especially in Mixed. Everyone seems to play their best when they are not thinking. The things you should say after a point are: Nice shot! Or, its ok lets get this next point.
4. High Five and Low Five for Energy:
If you watch the top teams, they respond to every point with high energy. They either High Five when they win the point or they Low Five when they lose the point. Why? When you High Five after a good shot, your team gets energized and your brain takes a picture of the good shot which increases your chances of repeating it. When you Low Five after an error, it lets your partner know that it is ok, that you are not upset with them and keeps the team’s energy up.
5. Stay Together on the Change Over:
When you change sides, walk together, sit down together and get up together.
6. Play at Your Level:
There are going to be times when your partner will not be playing as well as you would like. Do not wait for them to come up to your level. By the time they do, the match is over. If you are the stronger player that day, take over the court and pull your partner up to your level. Take more overheads and poach more.
7. Firm Hand Shake:
When the match has ended, win or lose, walk over to your partner first and give them a firm handshake or if you are the hugging type, give them a firm hug. Especially after a loss, your partners will remember the last thing you say or do when the match is over.

Be sure to leave the court on a positive note. Practice the above and you will be able to play with any partner and everyone will want to play with you.