Why are so many former American Players NOT coaches?

Why are so many former American Players NOT coaches?



At the Sony Tournament on Key Biscayne I ran into the French coach’s contingent. There were several former top Tour players there. I enquired why there are so many former players coaching within the French Tennis Association? I was told they are basically incorporated into the system. I found this very enlightening and interesting! It seems that in America, our top players are still trying to play rather than cultivate younger players and coach. Why is this? It seems these players are running the other way, when in fact they are the single GREATEST resource American Tennis has to offer. We need them and their experience.


What do you think?

How do we improve American Tennis?

In order to improve something we must first acknowledge there is something that needs improving; a problem that needs solving. So is there a problem with Elite American Tennis?


As far as rankings go after Andy Roddick, the next Americans on the ATP are John Isner (22) and Sam Querry (25). America has had a long history of TOP tennis; from the 70’s, with Smith, Ashe, Connors and McEnroe, to Agassi and Sampras in the 80’s and 90’s. From my observation this is no longer the case. This isn’t a slight to Andy or any of the current American players, but it appears that something is missing.


Women’s American Tennis is also on a similar “non-existence” trend. After the Williams’ sisters, the next best is Oudin at 36.


So I ask: How do we improve American Tennis?

What's Up With Roger?

I was at the Sony Ericsson tournament and watched world No. 1 Roger Federer play Tomas Berdych. I watched ironically with a friend, a guy who has never played tennis. He asked me "who is going to win?". I replied "Roger; the only person who can beat Roger is Roger".

Roger jumped on Berdych, playing an aggressive style and net rushing. Then he let up. My friend asked me "Why is he hitting those trick shots" (drop shots). Federer even double faulted on set point in the 1st. He eventually lost in 3 sets.

Roger is looking bored out there. He doesn't seem able to sustain intensity sufficiently against sound opponents. The crowd was whispering it is because of fatherhood. I think he needs a fresh outlook.

He looked so very tough and invincible at the beginning against Berdych. It almost looked like he felt uncomfortable rushing net and forcing play even though it was working.

What's up with Roger?

Are the "Big" Racquets Hindering the Game?

This is an interesting question. Is the advent of larger sized racquets retarding the artistry of Tennis strokes? I think to some degree the answer is Yes! The bigger racquets are more difficult to maneuver and control than their traditional counterparts. However the modern player negates this difficulty by utilizing much more body rotation (feet, hips, shoulders and head) than the players of yesteryear. Consequently you have tremendous power being generated. That is the REAL "why"! To quote Tim Gullikson in Madrid 1983 to me: "It is not the size of the sword but the sikill of the swordsman". I took it to heart...


I was the 1st player in the Southern U.S. to use the Prince Graphite (1979). I was testing various prototypes so I know first-hand. I even had a conversation with Howard Head (the man behind Prince racquets & Head Sporting) about the oversized frame.


These are some of my thoughts, what do you think?




-Chip
http://www.chiphoopertennis.com/
chip@chiphoopertennis.com

The Art of the Serve

I consider serving an art, mainly. Granted this stroke is seen as power and speed yet the expert practitioner like a good artist is able to create varied effects. The great servers throughout time know the secret to serving; it is NOT only power. It is really about fluidity, coordination, rhythm, timing, and a host of other factors.


How does one go about learning this?


The first thing to explain is the concept of directions. You have up, down, back and front. Also there is left and right. One might think these directions are “intuitive” and thus take them for granted. However to deconstruct anything one must go to the very basics, and teach them. You’d be surprised at how the very simplest “basics” can be misunderstood. So we start with direction. The reason direction is mentioned is because one needs to know which side is responsible for the initiation of the generation of power throughout the serve.


Once this is understood we proceed to analyze the stance the student has selected. Most modern students will choose either the platform or the slide step. Each work, however the most explosive is the slide step for it allows the student to gather timing and balance similar to a basketball player exploding off the ground.


Once should not pay too much attention to grip. The student should hold the grip the way that is most comfortable for them. The most important aspect of grip is that the student should hold the racquet loosely and loosen on impact rather than tighten. This will give the whipping action necessary for racquet acceleration and a fast serve.


Next is ball toss. High toss or low toss? The flexibility of the student is the determining factor to what toss should be used. Stiff legs necessitate a high toss. High toss means that the student will also pendulum or drop the racquet head before getting the racquet to the set position. Remember top and bottom must be in synch. The student is required to hit the ball as it descends into the strike zone, which is much more difficult to time…and if it is windy, even more difficult than that.


Now let’s look at the more ideal and compact presentation. The student is more flexible, increased trunk rotation and shoulder flexion accompanied by bent knees. One could say this student is more prepared to affect a quicker strike. He will naturally toss the ball lower and begin with a bend in the racquet arm. This type of presentation is much easier to time. The angle created by the bent knees is equal to the angle created by the bend in the arm (forearm, elbow, bicep). Top and bottom in synch. The best server of today Andy Roddick exhibits this in his stroke.


The next area of analysis is extension through the hit. The modern players to not drop the racquet head behind the back and reach up. This is the old “back scratching” action. In yesteryears we were taught to reach up, precipitated by going down first. Now you see the top servers go outside then around, much like the quarterback in football or pitcher in baseball. They go from the ear, around and out. Yes I’m talking about the concept of circular rotation, angular rotation finished with linear acceleration. This is what they do now!


The problems come about when one is mixing these applications incorrectly. For example tossing the ball quite high but taking the racquet from the ear. The top is ready to strike but the toss is so high the strike is mis-timed with the toss and the player must wait for the ball to come into range…a major cause of double faults…too much delay.


The next area to look at is the finish. You must rotate the entire front side around so the aft side can follow. Your head should turn as well. Just watch Andy Roddick. He knows that the body follows the head (that’s why you see him whip his head on his serve and forehand).


Now that we know all this data how do we implement it?


The first thing we must have is the student’s agreement to change. Assuming we have that we’re home free.


Technically we examine his flexibility. He needs increased flexibility so spend much time on this. Next examine his stance: feet too close together? This will throw off his rhythm. How’s the toss? Too high? Work with him to shorten the toss. Explain to him there is little power so far away from his center. If he won’t change instruct him to jump up vertically at impact. This will decrease the distance created by the high toss and cut down on the delay before the strike.


Next get him to rotate. This means to pull down and around with the ball toss arm before contact. This is crucial. The modern serve is powerful because of this pulling action. The racquet is not “pushed” through the hitting zone but instead pulled by the front side first (creating centrifugal force). Work with the student to get the feel. This will take some hours to accomplish.


Note: During training pay little attention to where the ball is going. In or out, in the net…it doesn’t matter at first. They will work it out. The key is the body rotation. As a coach you must know two basic rules. 1) If the ball goes long the student didn’t turn completely enough on impact (and thus there was not enough rotation to bring the ball into the box). 2) If the ball goes in the net the student merely is collapsing on impact (the body is bending over thus dragging the ball down into then net).


If you keep practicing and practicing these fundamentals you will soon have a serve that will make you proud. Not only will you learn the serve but also how to use it. Enjoy!

What is Black Belt Tennis?

Black Belt Tennis is the result of more than 30 years of observation and experience gleaned from elite athletes and coaches throughout the world.



I found that an increasingly vast majority of world class athletes have passed through the Martial Arts on their personal quest for athletic mastery. The Martial Arts are set up gradiently so one can grasp the concepts and apply to increase one's potential.


I saw that Tennis could benefit from such an orientation. Furthermore I have observed that Tennis Players of this age use stances and ball strikes that are astonishingly similar to certain Martial Arts disciplines.


It is from this that I devised the concept of Black Belt Tennis. I take the student from wherever he is and through education and drills increase his capacity step by step to create a level of mastery.


Black Belt Tennis is about creation, individuality, and predictable change. It is a well-coordinated and versatile system. When one goes through this system he understands how to generate athletically on the court.


Finally, I want to stress that in my system you become aware of the technical contributions of the great players of the past and present as every great player of any era had something to do with my compilation.


It is my intention to help improve the athletic potential of all Tennis Players and increase the entertainment value of Tennis as a whole.


If you're like me, and have been listening to fans (or are one) you may have heard about the lack of "all court play" in recent times.


The Black Belt Tennis System fills in the gaps that the fans and players alike have been yearning for.


I appreciate your time and I hope to hear from you soon.






-Chip

Founder, Black Belt Tennis