My Coach - April 2013 issue

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | March 2013 49

Tennis Australia Coach Membership T: 03 9914 4191 F: 03 9650 1040 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tennis.com.au/membership

MyCoach

50 Planning for a super season Networking opportunities can help coaches offer best practice in their business and guide students to their full potential.

52 A positive application of apps As technology proves increasingly effective in tennis, apps and video analysis can provide a positive tool for coaches.

54 Stroke master How top players like Novak Djokovic use the change of ends to refocus and recover.

55 Dedicated kids’ zones Many tennis clubs and centres are recognising the benefits of creating infrastructure especially for kids.

56 Coach drills

57 A journey filled with variety Matthew Limpus is inspired by the many challenges he overcomes in his coaching career.

50 AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | April 2013

With the buzz of the Australian Open and other events a part of hot and enjoyable summers for many

tennis lovers, coaches and players alike are ready to start planning for the year ahead and training harder than ever to achieve future success.

In order for another successful year in the tennis industry, planning ahead is crucial and coaches go to great lengths to ensure their programs and regimes are flawless and effective. One way in which coaches can ensure they are offering best practice in their business is through Local Advisory Groups, otherwise known as ‘LAG’. Local Advisory Group forums are where coaches can go to discuss local issues and be heard nationally.

Those local issues and challenges are then taken to the National Coaching Advisory Groups (NCAG) by LAG representatives, who come together to express their views on the issues that arise in tennis and at the “Coal Face”. Atilio Waltcheff, South Australian NCAG representative and head coach of the Atilio Waltcheff Tennis School, believes the collaborative approach helps build a stronger industry.

“LAG representatives are passionate about working collaboratively with Tennis Australia and its state branches in implementing strategies to help coaches. LAG are also a great tool to bring down barriers among coaches and increase trust, providing us (coaches) with the chance of seeing each other as an ally, not an enemy,” Waltcheff said.

Within the busy and constantly progressive tennis industry there is the challenge of ensuring coaches have the opportunity to voice their concerns and discuss any issues they face, especially in smaller or regional areas, where isolation can occasionally lead to a sense of helplessness. The issues that may arise in the day to day businesses of these coaches can greatly hinder plans and schedules.

LAG forums provide coaches with the opportunity to bring forward the issues they may face in the running of their day to day business, to be heard by other coaches and members alike, with opportunities to discuss solutions and learn from other coaches.

Adrian O’Sullivan, owner of Dynamic Tennis and Head Coach of Laffs Mt Gravatt Tennis Centre in Brisbane, relates LAG to the ‘Buying Group Theory’, meaning that together, coaches can drive tennis in a much more positive direction instead of individually being effected by petty issues.

“As a unified group we have access to greater opportunities and are very lucky to have such a phenomenal Grand Slam to drive our sport forward,” O’Sullivan said.

“If we weren’t together as an affiliated group this unified direction and the opportunities offered as a result would not be possible.”

The annual NCAG meeting provides a great forum to ensure coaches voices are

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Local Advisory Groups provide a tool for coaches to ensure they are offering best practice in

their business and helping students to reach their full potential. JOSHUA BOZIN reports

Planning for a super season

Every coach needs a plan in helping players reach their full potential.

NCAG meetings are an opportunity for coaches to network and gain valuable connections in the tennis industry.

Networking is a valuable tool for South Australian coach Atilio Waltcheff (left) with South Australia LAG representative Helen Rice.

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | April 2013 51

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heard nationally. Tennis Australia then works on solutions to the issues and challenges, developing tools to make life easier for coaches, inevitably seeing the industry grow and prosper.

Delegate coaches from each state present the issues and challenges from their respective states at the NCAG meeting in January, which the Tennis Australia Coach Development team then review. Waltcheff is honoured to be part of the NCAG.

“I am very proud and passionate in what I do, and in representing South Australia and its coaches. NCAG meetings are a great opportunity for the delegates to discuss the main issue/s in their state, with the other delegates and Tennis Australia,” Waltcheff said.

“Fantastic opportunities arise from these meetings and coaches are able to convey the discussion to their colleagues, paving the path for a much more cohesive and understanding team of coaches.”

The NCAG meetings are also a great opportunity for coaches to network and gain valuable connections in the tennis industry.

Wes Horskins, director of Futures Tennis Academy in Victoria, says that both LAG and NCAG meetings are great foundations in allowing coaches to meet each other and to network and share best practice ideas.

“Most coaches work in isolation, so there are too few opportunities to share ideas and network for the betterment of our sport,” Horskins said. “These meetings are also

a great way to be kept abreast of Tennis Australia policy and direction.”

Members of the NCAG recognise that other sports are the true competitors and not in fact the coaches.

“We, the coaches, attend these meetings to represent tennis and to grow the sports’ participation and profile,” Horskins said.

Member Services Administrator at Tennis Australia, Karen Annear, says the forums available for coaches are great opportunities for networking. Coaches learn so much from each other and can find a great support network among their peers.

“The coaches get to see and hear best practice. Working collaboratively is far more beneficial than working alone

and seeing other coaches as a helpful network rather than a competitive threat,” Annear said.

So there is now a link that can be seen between local coaches and LAG representatives, which feed into the NCAG, and this ensures that local issues affecting coaches are heard.

The year ahead looks bright for coaches and players, knowing that there are such representatives and groups that are willing to listen and act on the issues and challenges that coaches face country wide, which inevitably will make the sport of tennis stronger and better than ever before, in growing it as one of the best and most favoured sports in Australia.

Coaches can find a great support network among their peers.

Tennis Australia Technique App

tennis.com.au

The major features include:- Record players in HD

- Compare your players to reference strokes

- Analyse your players’ strokes

- Manage your video files

- Use the time delay function

- Measure the speed of your shots

Now available from the App Store for iPad and iPhone

Only $2.99!


As consumers increase time spent on technology, the use of innovative analysis tools such as apps can

improve coaching, engage players and demonstrate that the coach is up to date with modern technology. Video analysis provides a powerful tool that gives the player evidence of where they are at technically and also allows for improvements to be tracked over time. It also allows for information to be shared and communicated via popular social media.

Using apps to improve coachingThe eye can only detect movements down to about one quarter to one fifth of a second, yet the use of the built in cameras in mobile devices allow a coach to capture 25 images per second. Combined with the ability to pause, advance or go back frame by frame and zoom in is a significant advantage in analysing a player’s technique because you can detect detail that you otherwise would not.

We also know that many learners prefer a visual learning style compared to an auditory learning one (VARK), which endorses the use of video analysis that can be easily implemented via video analysis apps on both Apple and Android mobile devices.

A video analysis app creates a record of performance of the stroke so that improvement can be tracked over time. Likewise, regressions in technique can be quickly identified, recorded and presented to the player to get them back on track quickly.

Video analysis apps can provide evidence to players and parents that they are improving. The use of innovative apps with many annotation tools and functionality is engaging and promotes the coach being up to date with modern technology and can be seen as a value add benefit. One of the most critical benefits is real time analysis that can immediately be sent electronically. The apps and the analysis produced via it provide another communication channel between the coach and the player and/or parent.

Tennis Australia Technique app FunctionalityThe recently-released Tennis Australia Technique app has many functional benefits for coaches.Record vision

Vision can easily be recorded on the device (such as an iPad or iPhone). It is recommended that you position yourself so that the player being filmed fills up most of the screen and that you are perpendicular (at right angles) to the component of the stroke you wish to analyse.

CompareOne of the most common and informative functions of the Tennis Australia Technique app is the ability to compare your player side by side and via the overlay function. This functionality allows the coach to comment on the differences (and similarities) of the players stroke and the correct technique. Additionally it is valuable and motivating to the player to compare earlier versions of their stroke to view improvements. The Tennis Australia Technique app also has an overlay function where the transparency can be altered for the players being compared.

Analysis toolsThe Tennis Australia Technique app has a number of annotation tools to highlight your analysis. The ability to draw lines, measure angles and insert shapes can be used effectively to highlight your analysis. Additionally, the ability to insert text,

take screenshots and provide comments via the Voice Over function add to the analysis options available to the coach. It is recommended that a systematic observation of the player’s technique occur so that the most appropriate intervention is given. The use of the annotation tools should focus on the primary flaw.

Learn modeThe Tennis Australia Technique app has model strokes for all stages Red (5–8 years), Orange (8–10 years), Green (9+ years) and Yellow ball players for all strokes (forehand, double-handed backhand, single-handed

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As tennis enters an increasingly technological age, the use of apps and video technology can

provide a positive impact for coaches and the players they are guiding. GEOFF QUINLAN reports

A positive application of apps

There are several management and communications options for your files.

A screen grab of some of the annotation tools highlights the coach’s analysis.


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backhand, backhand slice, forehand volley, backhand volley, overhead, serve, forehand return of serve, backhand return of serve and double-handed return of serve). The Learn mode video’s can be used as stand-alone video’s to present ideal technique to a player or used when using the Compare mode via side by side or overlay functionality.

The Learn mode offers the stroke fundamentals for the preparation, backswing, forwardswing, contact and follow-through for each of the strokes. The information and detail provided is relative to the stage of development. For example, compare the information given for the serve in the Red stage (5–8 years) and a Yellow ball stage (Table 1):

Time DelayThe Time Delay function allows the coach to delay the action (by a range of five to 30 seconds) so that players can view themselves and get immediate feedback. This function lends itself ideally to group sessions or squad sessions where the coach is using a traditional drill or a Spanish style drill with a pre-determined number of shots. An example could be the coach asking the players to highlight or emphasise leg drive on groundstrokes. The players can immediately view their performance as the action is delayed by a pre-determined length of time to facilitate them observing their performance against the goal of using leg drive in groundstrokes.

Manage and communicate your filesThe Tennis Australia Technique app has the functionality to easily manage and communicate your files. Your files can be named and renamed, trimmed, split and copied to the camera roll. Files can be

communicated via email and uploaded to Facebook, YouTube and Dropbox.

This functionality is very useful to the coach. The coach is no longer required to transfer files from a video camera to his computer, open an analysis program, import the files and then analyse them. Consider a young player having a lesson with her coach, the coach can analyse the performance and email immediately to the parent who is watching the session from the side of the court and view it on her phone right there and then.

What’s next for apps?Players are becoming increasingly savvy with the use of technology. Coaches need to keep pace and the use of video analysis apps that can improve coaching, especially as many learners are visual learners. Additionally, the files captured can motivate and engage the player even more as they have evidence of their

improvement. Many annotation tools exist to assist the coach with their analysis and these can be easily communicated to many stakeholders. The Learn mode provides model strokes and content for all stages (ages) and all strokes. This allows the National Sporting Organisation (Tennis Australia) to provide a technical resource to many coaches and players.

The Tennis Australia Technique app

The app exists for iPad and iPhone on the iTunes App Store (AUS $2.99). An android version is planned for release in the coming months.

It is highly recommended that coaches invest in a stable tripod and bracket for the iPad to maximise the functionality and results of the analysis. Many options exist online that can be ordered.

Table 1: Serve content for Red Stage (5 – 8 years of age) and Yellow ball player

Serve Red Stage (5–8 years of age) Yellow

Ready • Assume a basic side on position

• Grip: #3 Eastern forehand grip to a #2 Continental grip

• Serving stance – within a range of acceptability. From ‘feet perpendicular to the net, front foot angled towards the net post and back foot behind the front, parallel to the baseline shoulder width apart to a slightly closed stance

• Non-hitting hand supports the ball and throat of racquet

• Grip: #2 Continental

Backswing • Release ball toss at approximately eye level

• Able to achieve a coordinated throwing action

• Tossing arm raises up towards the net post and ball released at about eye level

• Palm of hitting arm remains down facing the ground

• Rhythm: High point of toss equals high point of racquet (often called ‘trophy’ position)

• Transfer of body weight onto the back leg (Back knee flexion at 110° ±10°)

Forwardswing • Elbow bends to initiate coordinated over arm throwing motion

• Elbow bends to initiate throwing motion

• Extension of elbow up to impact• Racquet follows an upward swing

path• Rhythm: Ball toss drop synchronised

with leg drive up

Contact point • Achieve a basic coordinated throwing action

• Contact points vary due to the type of serve executed

• Eyes focused on impact point• Shoulder over shoulder rotation

evident• Shoulders rotate parallel to the net

Follow through

• Follow through as a natural extension of swing

• Achieve a balanced recovery

As the single-handed return of serve comparison between Orange and Green stage players demonstrates, apps can provide a visual measure.


By the Stroke Master

What do you see?Players change ends every second game in a match, providing the chance to regain

composure and recover in preparation for the next two games. Here we see how

Novak Djokovic, one of most physical players on tour, uses the change of ends to

his advantage.

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Effective use of the change over to revisit match strategies, visualisation and routines.

The sit down helps legs recover from physical fatigue and also allows for heart rate to return to normal.

A formulated hydration drink combinies carbohydrates

for energy, sodium for fluid retention and replacement of electrolytes for optimal

performance.

Prepared bag with spare clothes, additional racquets at different tensions, grips, snacks and any additional tools to overcome any on-court obstacle.

Use a towel to remove sweat from the surface of the skin to cool the body’s temperature.

JOH

N A

NTH

ON

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ISPA


MLC Tennis Hot Shots (MLCTHS) has taken the Australian tennis community by storm and has

altered the way kids experience tennis forever. The modified balls and courts help children learn new skills of tennis faster and more easily. It also means kids experience success early, therefore increasing the chances they will enjoy themselves and want to play again. In 2012, the MLCTHS program was given even more credibility and momentum when a landmark decision was made by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to change the rules of tennis, where all 10-and-under competition must be played with modified balls and it further recommends the use of modified courts.

As coaching programs tailored to children are taking off around the world, so has the rapid demand for permanent infrastructure to support these programs. This has created the recent phenomenon of ‘dedicated Kids’ Zones’ at tennis venues. In no country is the shift towards dedicated Kids’ Zones more prevalent than in the United States. Over the past six years, over 10,000 permanent 36 inch (Hot Shots Red) tennis courts have been built. Additionally, blended line marking are now considered the norm for tennis venues and are a standard feature in new builds.

Although the United States has taken the lead, the demand for permanent MLCTHS courts and blended line markings in Australia is on the rise. More and more coaches are looking to transition their junior programs from temporary throw down courts to permanent courts as a way to attract more kids to the game and increase junior opportunities. Gemba research indicated that ‘primary school-aged children’ is the key priority life stage for tennis programming, therefore tennis facilities should develop tennis infrastructure that matches these priorities.

Kids’ Zones can be created from small areas on surplus land within a tennis facility site or the conversion of an existing full sized tennis court. If there is no spare space or sufficient resources available for a dedicated Kids’ Zone a combination of blended red and orange line markings can be painted over a standard existing or new build tennis court/s.

The great thing about Kids’ Zones is that they are flexible in terms of size and orientation. Designs are based on the available space, number of children likely to use the facility, the desires and preferences of the venue manager and, last but not least, the budget available, making every project unique.

While MLCTHS courts have recommended sizes, they are not set in stone with allowance to adjust the court size making the best possible use of available land.

Dedicated Kids’ Zones should be bright and vibrant so that children are attracted to the tennis environment. A range of colours can be chosen with the addition of exciting features including bull’s eyes, targets, ladders, club logos etc. The space can also be used as a multi-use area doubling up as a fitness, training or social area for other members.

Top five reasons to consider permanent MLCTHS courts at your venue:

1. Make tennis more attractive to kids.2. Create a safe environment for kids to

play tennis in.3. Enable children to practise on the same

sized courts they have lessons on.4. Provide better opportunities for

parents to play tennis with their kids socially.

5. Save time from unpacking and repacking temporary lines and nets.

For more detailed information on developing dedicated Kids’ Zones, permanent MLCTHS courts, blended line markings and/or funding opportunities please contact Natasha Kersten via [email protected]

Dedicated Kids’ ZonesCoaCh Business

Shrinking tennis will make

it bigger than ever as

more clubs and centres

recognise the benefits

of creating infrastructure

especially for kids.

Two full sized courts grew to become eight MLCTHS red courts at Wollongong Tennis Club.

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Permanent MLTCTHS courts can be easily adapted into many clubs.


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D/N/O – Zones of the court1 – Time war Objective: Understanding time – stealing time and buying time through court positioning and shot selection.

Description:• Players play a point in half court only, cross-court.• Player A to play as normal.• Player B must recover and touch line (coach places line on

opposite side of centre line) between each shot they hit.• Coach to monitor difficulty for Player B and adjust line to find

appropriate challenge point.• Players play first to five points, and then change roles. Repeat

on opposite cross-court side.

Coaching Point: Coach looking for Player A to create opportunities to move forwards and steal time. Also looking to be offensive through use of angles to force opponent out of court. Coach looking for Player B to buy time through court position and ball flight. Also monitoring the shot quality of Player B to reduce shot options of Player A.

2 – Traffic Light Drill Objective: Understanding correct shot selection, based on time and court position (self and opponent).

Description:• Players play full court points (with a hand feed).• Winner of previous point feeds.• Both players must call aloud, their situation prior to playing

each shot:

– “Red” – if in a defensive situation. – “Orange” – if in a neutral situation. – “Green” – if in an offensive situation.

• Coach to award point to opponent if a player fails to call correctly, or early enough.

• Players play first to 11 points.

Coaching Point: Coach feedback/questioning is important to ensure players are aware of correct decision making. Coach to encourage players to predict (anticipate) likely situation based on their previous shot quality, and opponent’s court position.

C

PLAYER B

PLAYER A

C

FEEDER (winner of previous point)

C

RETURNER

SERVER

Author: Derek Burden

Focus: Defence/Neutral/Offence-Zones of the Court.

Stage: Orange 2 – Green

Equipment: Drop down lines.

3 –Be in to winObjective: To encourage players to create opportunities to finish points from the net, or inside the baseline – and to try to minimise opportunities of their opponent.

Description:• Players play points on a full court as normal (with serving).• If either player can win the point from the net (through winner or

forced error only), they receive three points.• If either player can win the point from inside the baseline

(through winner or forced error only), they receive two points.• All other points are valued at one.• Players play first to 11 points then change server.

Coaching Point: Scoring system should encourage players to create opportunities to move forwards. Coach to monitor quality of decision making as to ensure unforced errors are well managed.


I love the game. I wasn’t good enough to play for a living myself, but I really wanted to stay involved in the game somehow. Tennis has been part of my life since I first picked up a racquet as an eight-year-old in Bowen, North Queensland.

My most memorable moments in tennis have come through my coaching, not my playing. As the saying for teachers goes, the same can be tweaked and applied to tennis coaches too: ‘Those who can, do. Those who can’t, coach!’

Being a coach for over 10 years has helped me realise that there are no problems in life, only challenges and solutions. In many ways tennis players are constantly faced with constant challenges on the court, but if my athletes can believe in finding ways to achieve success by remaining optimistic this will not only assist them on court, but also provide valuable skills for life in general.

Along with a team of coaches at LifeTime Tennis, we coach some of Queensland’s up and rising stars including Ashling Sumner, Naiktha Bains, John Millman, Steven de Waard and Joel Lindner. LifeTime Tennis programs are based on the concept that people come to play tennis and not learn about it. This philosophy allows people of all

ages to enjoy the benefits of the sport without restricting any of them based on skill alone.

We pride ourselves in giving the player’s ownership and responsibility over their game. It is after all, their game and not mine. The successes they achieve in life are theirs and so too are the challenges they will meet along the way.

Coaches need to enjoy the job too in order to have a positive impact. We all work hard but we have fun doing it. If it doesn’t feel like work, then it isn’t.

Honesty is an important part of the coach-athlete relationship. Being honest with the players I’m working with also allows them to be honest with me. I encourage the kids to tell me how I can improve as well. This open communication has helped me to further engage my athletes and better align coaching sessions to their specific needs and preferences.

In many instances coaches are seen as role models, but I don’t see it that way. I’ve been luckier to work with some of the athletes that I have than the other way around. I feel the kids I’ve worked with have taught me as

much about coaching as I’ve taught them about tennis.

Two main things give me personal career satisfaction. The variety is the first thing. Having the chance to work with kids and adults, beginners through to high performance is like having several jobs each day. Outside of that I would say the journey. Working with a player and seeing them develop and grow as tennis players and people has to be the most satisfying thing of all. My main goal is to continue helping all the players I work with to become better and enjoy their tennis.

It’s nice to receive some industry recognition. I was named Tennis Queensland High Performance coach of the year in 2011. Even being one of the seven nominees for the Coaching Excellence – Club award at the Australian Tennis Awards in 2011 provided me with further drive in my coaching career.

I’ve been a Tennis Australia lead learning facilitator in the Junior Development Coaching Course since 2010 and I managed Tennis Australia’s International ‘Young Stars’ tour in 2011. Facilitating the courses has allowed me to pass on my knowledge to essentially the new generation of tennis’ coaches and hopefully my experiences will further assist them in their development.

Name: Matthew Limpus Qualifications: Tennis Australia Club Professional coach

Clubs: LifeTime Tennis at Nudgee College, Brisbane, Queensland Other: Tennis Australia Lead Learning Facilitator

A journey filled with variety

Overcoming challenges and finding solutions are evident on and off the tennis court.

MY TENNIS LIFE

Career fulfilment is an important aspect for any

professional. Two key areas continue to inspire

and provide satisfaction for Matthew Limpus.

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My Coach - April 2013 issue

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