Check out the now available audio versions of Frank’s books: Click here
QUESTION: What determines my daughter’s best playing style?
Frank: I recommend taking the path of least resistance. The game of tennis is an extension of your child’s personality, whether you like it or not. Fighting their natural genetics is a waste of time and money. Just like training without taking the athlete’s genetics into account. Simply put, your athlete’s best playing style is a reflection of their unique brain type and body type.
REMARK: If you haven’t already, read the opening section on this crucial topic.
Start by understanding your athlete’s personality profile and body type efficiency and shortcomings. Below are a few examples that help clarify the effect of a player’s unique brain and body type. (Note: Exceptions exist to every rule. Sometimes some players’ off-field personality conflicts with their on-field personality.)
A good example is my Aunt Loretta, a super friendly and polite old lady until she got behind the wheel of her Chevy Nova!
Matching personality profile and body types with the right playing styles:
- Players who show impatience would do well to devise deliberate one-two punch patterns that end in shorter points. Patient players should use their frustration tolerance as a weapon to potentially wear down opponents with longer grueling runs.
- Players who are flamboyant and have a lot of energy are likely to thrive with a fast, attacking playing style.
- Players who are reserved and quite stoic would probably benefit from a safer playstyle with counter-punching.
- Regarding body type dominance, fine motor athletes (with good hands) may benefit from a net rushing style. Gross motor athletes (who roll up and unroll more efficiently) would likely thrive in a backfield style of play.
I worry when parents spend a lot of time and money on the boat without ever acknowledging the likes and dislikes of the athletes towards the player and their hired entourage of coaches. Assessing and organizing the athlete’s organizational blueprint is parental responsibility 101.
Please note: A misconception among many parents and junior players is to copy the style of their favorite ATP or WTA star, who is successful with a particular style. Just because Serena Williams prefers a 4-ball rally with her “all attacking” style doesn’t mean your child has the brain or body type to thrive within that system. Or just because Novak Djokovic enjoys 10-ball rallies with his ‘patient countering’ style doesn’t mean his style is the best system for your athlete. Customization is the key.
It is the role of the CEO-facilitator parent to ensure that their athletes’ coaches are aware of their child’s unique brain and body design. Their child’s genetic makeup, along with the nurtured environment, dictates their ability to maximize their potential in the shortest time possible. Check out the now available audio versions of Frank’s books: Click here
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