BALANCING ACT PARENTING YOUR GCTC TENNIS PLAYER Version 3.0

ROLES SupportTriangle CHILD ROLE: Train & perform to the best of their ability Adopt & apply successful values CHILD ROLE: Train & perform to the best of their ability Adopt & apply successful values PARENT ROLE: Provide safe environment Provide financial support Provide training/competition scheduling and transportation Reinforce appropriate values PARENT ROLE: Provide safe environment Provide financial support Provide training/competition scheduling and transportation Reinforce appropriate values COACH ROLE: Provide Development pathway & training Tactical Technical Psychological Physical Reinforce values: Respect Excellence Discipline COACH ROLE: Provide Development pathway & training Tactical Technical Psychological Physical Reinforce values: Respect Excellence Discipline

COACHING ROLE WHY TRUST US? Highest Certified Staff in Western Canada Highest Certified Staff in Western Canada Designated a Tennis Canada Tennis Development Centre (one of 4 in BC) Designated a Tennis Canada Tennis Development Centre (one of 4 in BC) Rated in the top 12 TDC’s in Canada Rated in the top 12 TDC’s in Canada 2005 Canadian Facility of the year for program excellence 2005 Canadian Facility of the year for program excellence

COACHING ROLE LONG-TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY (LTAD) At GCTC, we take the long-term view. At GCTC, we take the long-term view. 10 years/10,000 hours rule 10 years/10,000 hours rule The LTAD is specific stages of Development that dictate the appropriate amount of training and competition. The LTAD is specific stages of Development that dictate the appropriate amount of training and competition. 1. Active Start 2. FUNdamentals 3. Developing 4. Consolidating 5. Learning to Perform 6. Learning to be a Pro 7. Living as a Pro 8. Tennis for Life

CAREER PATH INFORMATION CAREER PATH INFORMATION 1:300,000 become top 150 world-ranked players (Compared to 1:70,000 NHL players) % 1:300,000 become top 150 world-ranked players (Compared to 1:70,000 NHL players) % Canadian International “Super-Star” Player Performance indicators: Canadian International “Super-Star” Player Performance indicators: Boys: Successfully competing (semi-finals or better) in National Championships one age division above. Boys: Successfully competing (semi-finals or better) in National Championships one age division above. Girls: Successfully competing (semi-finals or better) in National Championships two age divisions above. Girls: Successfully competing (semi-finals or better) in National Championships two age divisions above. Primary path for top Canadian players = US Division 1 Scholarship (11 players from GCTC since 1999) Primary path for top Canadian players = US Division 1 Scholarship (11 players from GCTC since 1999) The Dream is the Driver: Reality will become evident by itself. Don’t kill the dream! The Dream is the Driver: Reality will become evident by itself. Don’t kill the dream!

COACHING ROLE Benefits of Group Training: Benefits of Group Training: Economical (GCTC 40-60% less expensive than comparable programs in BC) Economical (GCTC 40-60% less expensive than comparable programs in BC) Training ‘synergy’ Training ‘synergy’ Top/bottom of group challenge Top/bottom of group challenge Key: “What you do is far more important than who you train with” Key: “What you do is far more important than who you train with” Level Advancement Based on: Level Advancement Based on: Competencies Competencies “Professional Coaches eye” “Professional Coaches eye”

COACHING ROLE PRIVILEGES FOR THE PROVINCIAL & NATIONAL PROGRAMS: Walk-on Privileges Walk-on Privileges Scholarships: Scholarships: 25-75% 25-75%

COACHING ROLE GUIDELINES FOR FUNDAMENTALS STAGE: 3/4 Court Competitive 3/4 Court Competitive Full Court Transition Full Court Transition Champ Champ 80% Practice to 20% Competition 80% Practice to 20% Competition Tournament Matches per year: Tournament Matches per year: Appropriate Level = 2:1-3:1 win/loss ratio Appropriate Level = 2:1-3:1 win/loss ratio 4-9 on-court hrs/week (private & group) 4-9 on-court hrs/week (private & group) Every weekend = ‘practice tournament’ Every weekend = ‘practice tournament’

COACHING ROLE GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING STAGE: Provincial Provincial National (U12/U14) National (U12/U14) 60% Practice to 40% Competition 60% Practice to 40% Competition Tournament Matches per year: Tournament Matches per year: singles/16-20 doubles singles/16-20 doubles Appropriate Level = 2:1-3:1 win/loss ratio Appropriate Level = 2:1-3:1 win/loss ratio 8-10 on-court hrs/week (private & group) 8-10 on-court hrs/week (private & group)

COACHING ROLE GUIDELINES FOR CONSOLODATING STAGE: National (U16) National (U16) 50% Practice to 50% Competition 50% Practice to 50% Competition Tournament Matches per year: Tournament Matches per year: singles/20-30 doubles singles/20-30 doubles Appropriate Level = 2:1-3:1 win/loss ratio Appropriate Level = 2:1-3:1 win/loss ratio on-court hrs/week (private & group) on-court hrs/week (private & group) Every weekend = ‘practice tournament’ Every weekend = ‘practice tournament’

COACHING ROLE GCTC COACHING PHILOSOPHY Tennis training = Training for life VALUES: Excellence Excellence Discipline Discipline Respect Respect ATTITUDES ATTITUDES Process over results Process over results ”What you do and who you are after a mistake shapes your life.” ”What you do and who you are after a mistake shapes your life.” “Who you become because of competition is far more valuable than winning or losing.” “Who you become because of competition is far more valuable than winning or losing.”

COACHING ROLE KEY QUALITY: Being a Self-Aware Athlete Self aware athlete are able to correct errors in body movement, skill execution, emotional responses, concentration and mental attitude more quickly and effectively. Self awareness coaching leads to athletes that are self motivated, self-reliant, learn faster, react quicker, adapt to varying conditions and opponents more easily, have less injuries, and ultimately to improved sports (and life) performances. Self aware athlete are able to correct errors in body movement, skill execution, emotional responses, concentration and mental attitude more quickly and effectively. Self awareness coaching leads to athletes that are self motivated, self-reliant, learn faster, react quicker, adapt to varying conditions and opponents more easily, have less injuries, and ultimately to improved sports (and life) performances. The opposite of a self-aware athlete is a coach/parent dependant athlete. The opposite of a self-aware athlete is a coach/parent dependant athlete. Imparted through a “Cooperative” coaching process Imparted through a “Cooperative” coaching process

PARENT ROLE TOP 7 SUCCESSFUL PARENTING ATTITUDES TO ADOPT: 1. Constant Improvement vs Comparison 2. It is their journey, don’t make it about yours 3. In practice, what they do is always more important than who they are with 4. Process over results 5. Reinforce that their attitude determines their altitude 6. Understand the real ROI (return on Investment) 7. Remember, this whole thing is about kids playing with a ball

PARENT ROLE TRAPS PARENTS CAN FALL INTO IN THEIR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT TAKING THEM OUTSIDE A HEALTHY ROLE: “Looking for the Magic Syndrome”: “Looking for the Magic Syndrome”: Usually starts after a small taste of success (Winning a tournaments, Provincial Champion, etc.) Usually starts after a small taste of success (Winning a tournaments, Provincial Champion, etc.) “They need way more now” frenzy (Supplementing lessons at other Academies, multiple coaches around the city, etc.) “They need way more now” frenzy (Supplementing lessons at other Academies, multiple coaches around the city, etc.) “Over-involvement” Behaviors “Over-involvement” Behaviors The trap is to be blown by every wind of advice rather than leaving the development to the experts. Even if their child is ‘successful’, always take advice with discernment (especially at tournaments). Listening will nearly always lead to trust-eroding mind-sets. The trap is to be blown by every wind of advice rather than leaving the development to the experts. Even if their child is ‘successful’, always take advice with discernment (especially at tournaments). Listening will nearly always lead to trust-eroding mind-sets.

PARENT ROLE “OVER-INVOLVEMENT” BEHAVIORS: Encroaching on ‘coaching’ decisions Encroaching on ‘coaching’ decisions Which groups the players are in Which groups the players are in If/when they should advance to higher groups If/when they should advance to higher groups Who they are with in training Who they are with in training The drills they do and order of skills developed The drills they do and order of skills developed Engaging in this behavior exhibits ‘over-involvement syndrome” and a lack of trust in the expertise of the coaching staff Engaging in this behavior exhibits ‘over-involvement syndrome” and a lack of trust in the expertise of the coaching staff Our response to parents engaging in these kinds of conversations will be gently ‘re-framed’: “Thank you for your input however, these are coaching staff decision and we need to all stay within our roles for your child’s maximum benefit.” In other words, please trust us! Our response to parents engaging in these kinds of conversations will be gently ‘re-framed’: “Thank you for your input however, these are coaching staff decision and we need to all stay within our roles for your child’s maximum benefit.” In other words, please trust us! Development experts should make these development decisions. Development experts should make these development decisions.

PARENT ROLE ATTITUDES/BEHAVIOUR AROUND TRAINING: If at the session, support rather than distract. If at the session, support rather than distract. After the session, provide a supportive, “Emotionally Safe” environment After the session, provide a supportive, “Emotionally Safe” environment (Stop “Shoulding” on them). (Stop “Shoulding” on them). Help them to practice. (coaching is risky but management & reinforcement is good) Help them to practice. (coaching is risky but management & reinforcement is good)

PARENT ROLE ATTITUDES/BEHAVIOUR AROUND COMPETITION: How you react to difficult situations is critical (“More is caught than taught”). How you react to difficult situations is critical (“More is caught than taught”). Provide a supportive, “Emotionally Safe” environment (e.g. What is the first question you ask your child after a tournament match?) Provide a supportive, “Emotionally Safe” environment (e.g. What is the first question you ask your child after a tournament match?) Competitions are ‘pop-quizzes’ on indicators of applying what is learned in practice (emphasize process over results) Competitions are ‘pop-quizzes’ on indicators of applying what is learned in practice (emphasize process over results) Have you identified your best location at events (if at all)? If in sight, temper your reactions. Have you identified your best location at events (if at all)? If in sight, temper your reactions. Have you identified when is the best time for feedback (if at all)? Have you identified when is the best time for feedback (if at all)?

THE GOAL Emotionally and physically healthy human being with solid values, work ethic and problem-solving abilities Emotionally and physically healthy human being with solid values, work ethic and problem-solving abilities

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