Partner Practice at Encanto

The Science Behind Practice

I have often heard people say they just need to practice more, but the the key is to focus your practice sessions. In the latest edition from Tennis Pro teaching journal from the Professional Tennis Registry I ran across a very interesting article. The title of the article was about perfect practice makes perfect. This motto is something I have made a part of me and teach my students in school and tennis. It only makes sense that what we practice we master.  Practice good habits, master good habits or the converse is true, practice bad habits, master bad habits. Practice is about training your muscles to acquire new skills to the point those skills become automatic. 

There is no real duration of time that is suggested to be the best time for practice. Typically we judge it based on age, readiness, and commitment to the task. There is research that states to improve fine motor skills such as typing that focused practice for no more that an hour per day will improve the skills. It has often been said that in order for a person to become a master they need to apply 10,000 hours. There are two keys that will make you improve better, what you are practicing, and your focus and 'intentionality'. The emphasis on your practice session, the focus you put into it is what will develop your skills. 

Our belief at Ten and Under Tennis Lessons is in the power of a half hour. A student will have a focused, purposeful lesson designed at mastering a skill to be able to rally, play, or develop advanced strokes. In those sessions we move them from the simple to complex, from the model to independent practice. We structure the lesson like a tennis match with work and short breaks. 

Works Cited

Gellard, Mark.   "Perfect practice makes practice perfect". Tennis Pro, Professional Tennis Registry. p. 26-28. January/February 2015.

Character Counts! (From USTA 10 and Under Tennis)

CORE VALUES OF A SUCCESSFUL PLAYER

Whether you are a junior player starting your tennis career, a dedicated tournament player, a casual League player or a top professional, there are seven core values you should have to make sure success applies off the court as well as on it.

 

Today’s successful tennis player must be:

CONFIDENT

Players must have an unshakable self-belief in their abilities and skills. That is, they expect to be successful.

DETERMINED

Players push through hardship and struggle, always continuing to strive for success in a positive, productive manner.

ENGAGED

Players should have their full focus directed on what matters in that particular moment and be invested in their own success.

PROFESSIONAL

Players demonstrate character and exhibit the behavior and attitude of an athlete who is consistently prepared to practice and compete with full engagement.

RESILIENT

Players must have the ability to bounce back and refocus after failures, letdowns, etc., bringing their best effort to their next point, set, match, tournament or training session.

RESPECTFUL

Players act in a way that demonstrates appreciation for the game, courtesy to their opponents and teammates, and that focuses on bringing out the best in others – all while demonstrating sportsmanship and honoring the rules of tennis.

TOUGH

Players must be able to endure periods of difficulty and adversity in training and competition, both mentally and physically. They must embrace pressure and accept the challenge to continue to grow as a player and as a person, remaining resolute in their desire to succeed.

America’s top professional and most promising young junior players are living out these seven core values each and every day at the three USTA National Training Centers as well at Regional Training Centers, Early Development Camps and TEAM USA camps around the country. 

 

Players should continually strive to develop these values throughout their training and play – both on and off the court. Players that exhibit these seven core values every day will achieve the ultimate goal of competing – and behaving – like a champion.

 

These values were developed as part of a collaborative effort of USTA Player Development national coaches and Dr. Larry Lauer, mental skills specialist for USTA Player Development, to communicate the collective values of the national coaching staff on a daily basis.

Be in the H.E.R.E and N.O.W : Focus and Flow on the court and in life

When do you find yourself truly happy with an activity you are doing? Have you ever thought about that? There was a famous psychologist and professor who did some research on artists and was amazed at how they could paint for hours on end and two hours was like ten minutes. Even though the term "flow" has been around since the beginning of time, it was this psychologist who helped explain this concept to people. He explains that people are happiest when they are in the moment, in the here and now, and totally involved in an activity. He explains that people who get in the flow enjoy what they are doing, there is some challenge, there is a clear goal, and the person has some control over the outcome. Typically when this happens, time flies by. You are so involved in the activity that an hour feels like ten minutes. That is the kind of life skill we need to have each and every day, being totally here in the present. It is good to prepare for the future, to have a plan, but then we need to put our anxiety aside and work the plan, be in the moment instead of always thinking about what will happen. We should be focusing our attention on what is happening. When you apply this principle of flow, you will see a greater enjoyment in your everyday life, from work to family to recreation.

McCain, Daniel. (2015) Tennis Pro Magazine. Professional Tennis Registry. 

Tag words: flow, Mihaly Czikszentmihaly

Tennis Lessons at Cesar Chavez Park

Each Wednesday we offer tennis classes in Laveen at Cesar Chavez Park. Our class for 5-7 year old students is called Learn to Rally and it starts at 5:30-6:00pm. Our Beginner class starts at six and is over at seven o'clock.

Encanto Park Tennis Lessons

Encanto lessons start the week of March 9. We offer Monday and Thursday evening classes for ages 5-7 and 8-12.  Learn to Rally starts at 5:30 pm and the beginner program starts at 6:00 pm. Please see the city of Phoenix parks and recreation page to register.