The Tennis Academy of the South

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The

Tennis Academy

of the South

P. O. Box 720147, Atlanta, GA 30358

2007 - 2008

ACADEMY HANDBOOK

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SECTION I: ACADEMY GOALS

The Academy goal is to develop each individual to their full potential in the game of tennis as well as life. The Academy staff works on two parallel tracks. One is developing a year round training environment

for the physical, mental, and emotional development of the national, sectional, state, and unranked player. The other track is developing life skills through the discipline of training and competition.

ACADEMY GOALS AND TRAINING ROAD MAP

Academy students and parents need a road map in choosing the level of commitment needed to attain the goals that are important to them. The TAS staff believes that the following training programs are a minimum requirement for each student to reach their goals in each category. There is no guarantee

that a student will reach their goals by adhering to the enclosed programs, but parents and students will have a significant advantage over others if they fully understand the necessary requirements for a student to reach their potential.

UNRANKED TENNIS PLAYER - The unranked junior is a player who is at the starting stage of

tournament tennis, has played ALTA for a few seasons but wants something more, or is an accomplished player who participates in many sports and or/activities. This player may set specific goals, but since tournament tennis is new to them they may be trying it out to see if tennis is their sport at the more competitive and committed level. If an unranked player has an expectation of being ranked they must practice at least 2 times a week during the school year and 3-4 days a week in the summer. They may take one quarter off from drill sessions and play other sports but must continue to play tennis at least 2-3 days a week to reach any measurable goals. This player needs to take a private lesson at least every other week or at a minimum once a month, participate in the drill session exercise program, set up at least 1 match a week, and play in 1 tournament every 8 weeks in the fall, every 6 weeks in winter and spring, and 1 tournament every 3-4 weeks in the summer.

STATE RANKED PLAYER - The state ranked TAS student is a player ranked lower than number 24 in

the state (players ranked #1-24 are considered sectional and/or nationally ranked players). This individual is in the development stage of acquiring competitive experience or is a player who participates in other activities which limits their growth in tennis. This player has specific goals that are recorded and tracked in a daily/weekly notebook. Setting goals is personal and based on ability, interest, and commitment. This player is usually striving to become a sectionally ranked player and wants to develop the skills and work ethic necessary to reach the next level. The state ranked player must workout at least 4 days a week in a regimented program during the school year and 5-6 days a week in the summer. They need to take a private lesson at least every other week but preferably weekly, attend 3-4 drills a week, actively participate in the drill session’s mental toughness program designed by the Academy staff, and set up at least 2 practice matches per week. They should also participate in the Academy drill session exercise program which they will also do 2 days a week on their own, play in a tournament every 8 weeks in the fall, every 6 weeks in winter and spring, and 2-3 tournaments a month in the summer. The state ranked player and their parents recognize that the drill session program is a solid base to build their game from; however, this program must be carried on throughout the week as they practice on their own. Most state ranked tennis players do not

reach their potential due to the lack of not taking the skills taught in drill sessions into their personal weekly workouts. The state ranked player should have specific goals in terms of: a training schedule, a well

planned tournament schedule, an off-court exercise program, setting up weekly matches, and following Academy outlined mental toughness training program. The state ranked player's goal should be to get to the sectional and national level with a possible college scholarship as the end result.

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NATIONAL/SECTIONAL RANKED TENNIS PLAYER - The sectional/national player has made a

total commitment to tennis as their sport and has typically spent a minimum of 2-3 years working 5-6 days a week on their game during the school year and 6-7 days a week in the summer. The sectional/national ranked player sets very specific short, intermediate, and long- term goals, which are tracked daily and weekly in a notebook. This player has integrated their training program with their coaches into their personal workouts during the week. They carry a notebook where they keep track physically, mentally, and emotionally of their progress. This player will take a private lesson weekly, attend 4-6 drills weekly, attend the weekly mental toughness session in the elite training program, participate in an off court physical conditioning program 3 days a week, set up 2-3 practice matches weekly, and play in 1 tournament monthly in the fall and winter, 2 tournaments monthly in the spring, and 6-7 high quality tournaments in the summer. The sectional/national ranked player's commitment is 100% focused on being the best they can be with a college scholarship as a final goal or possibly the professional tour.

SECTION II: GENERAL PROGRAMMING

There are 3 training programs in the TAS program. They are the State Level Program, the Section al Level Program, and the National Level Program. All students turn in written goals when they enter the TAS. After the student has set goals, it is the Academy staff's role to show the student what level of commitment is necessary for the student to reach their goals. After a student's ability and goals are assessed, they are placed in a compatible drill group where they are learning to work with other students in a positive manner. The following is a list of various aspects of training. They are:

2 - 5 weekly drill sessions, two hours in length

In-depth mental toughness training program (on and off court) Physical conditioning based on age and commitment

Competitive match play set up by staff Match play against other academies

Academy website for ongoing information and training Private tennis lessons

Tournament coaching at USTA tournaments (day and overnight)

College scholarship placement service. The staff writes letters, makes calls, and creates videotapes for students seeking tennis scholarships

Individualized training programs in physical conditioning and mental toughness training Individual counseling for a student's game and needs

Fall and spring parent seminars for tournament scheduling, tournament coaching, and how to get the most out of the TAS program

Purchase tennis equipment through Academy accounts at the best price allowable

SECTION III: YEARLY DRILL SESSION TRAINING

The primary goal of weekly drill sessions is to provide Academy students with a repetitive on-court workout where they take the principles from private lessons and work on them in a repetitive manner until they are second nature. Most juniors need guidance to know how to train for competitive tournament

play and to use proper time management. The weekly training in drill sessions serves as a road map of what they should focus on and how it should be done. Programming for the school year is divided into four definitively focused training periods. The first training period "Fall" is designed to emphasize the

basics and build a student's mechanics with detailed instruction on every stroke. The staff spends time

each week on one specific area (ex. hitting more topspin for depth, using the slice backhand properly, acquiring soft hands at the net, and using more variety on the serve). The second training period “Late

Fall” is used to get Academy juniors ready for Thanksgiving and holiday tournaments. The staff

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used to incorporate all technical and tactical aspects of the game that were learned in the first two training periods. The staff creates actual point play situations where students learn how and when to use

each shot. The fourth training period "Spring" is used to work on different hitting patterns (tactics)

pressure situations (tie-breakers, deuce-ad points, 4-4 in a set), and tournament preparation.

YEARLY DRILL SESSION TRAINING PERIODS

August 13 - October 28: In this training period students play fewer tournaments so the staff concentrates

on developing new areas of a student's game. Less experienced ability levels work on: [1] learning new stroke production, [2] change of spin, [3] spin serves, [4] intensive on-court drilling, and [5] a progressive physical conditioning program. More experienced ability levels work on: [1] developing greater shot selection, [2] changing the pace, [3] developing a coordinated program between match play and drilling, and [4] a rigorous physical off-court training program to meet the individual's needs. Mental visualization and toughness will be further taught as part of the drill session each week, giving students the ability to integrate the mental aspects of their game to the daily physical workout.

October 29 - January 13: In this training period the staff focuses on preparing juniors for Thanksgiving

and holiday tennis tournaments. Many juniors play these events so the staff leaves the basics of the game in order to prepare juniors for these events. Less experienced ability levels work on: [1] stroke production, [2] hitting patterns, and [3] tournament match preparedness. More experienced ability levels work on: [1] setting up points, [2] hitting patterns, [3] playing pressure situations, and [4] tournament match preparedness. All ability levels will focus on quickness and agility drills for the upcoming tournament match play.

January 14 - March 30: In this training period the staff will take the information learned from the

holiday tournaments and work with students on tournament preparedness through intensive on-court drilling in an effort to prepare Academy juniors for the spring tournament season. Less experienced ability levels will take the new strokes and use of spins they have learned through a series of on-court drills (controlled by instructors) that simulate playing points in a match. Through repetition drilling each student will make his or her shot selection and execution second nature. More experienced ability levels will take newly learned shot selections, changes of pace, etc., and put it into purposeful practice through instructor-controlled drills. As this training period has the worst weather, the staff believes the student needs more repetition drilling as they tend to miss many of their weekly workouts and execution is not as strong. The staff will further integrate the mental visualization training into the 10-week drill program with training coinciding with the on-court drills. By the end of this session each student will be ready to implement the last 6 months into match play.

March 31 - June 15: In this training period the staff will develop final preparations for summer

tournament play. Less experienced ability levels will continue to work on: [1] stroke production, [2] change of spin, [3] developing basic hitting patterns, and [4] difficult pressure situations. The drills will become more point play oriented with students using the above to develop their own style of play. More experienced ability levels will take their shot selection from winter drills and role-play hitting situations in match play. Instructors will continue specific on-court drilling 30% of the time while 20% of the student's time will be continuing the development of serve and return. The remaining 50% of time will be used to role play different hitting and pressure situations, and playing tie-breakers correctly, and developing specific game plans for match play. The staff will continue with the final 10-week off-court mental visualization

training sequence.

June 16- August 10: For the summer the Academy staff has set up an 8-week drill session training period.

Juniors sign-up/pay for 3 drills weekly, but are given 5 drill sessions times they may attend weekly. The staff requests parents call the business office by Sunday 12:00 noon each week and sign their junior up for the drill sessions they would like to attend that week. There are no exceptions to the weekly deadline for

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sign-up except juniors playing a tennis tournament. If a junior is at a tournament the staff allows parents to call the TAS business office when they are coming home and sign up for drills that week. The summer schedule gives parents and students great flexibility in scheduling, and the opportunity to take a junior’s game to a new level.

SECTION IV: ACADEMY DRILL SESSION OPTIONS

STATE LEVEL PROGRAM OPTION:

Juniors sign-up for 2 drill session per week for 11-weeks.

There are 3 make-up drill sessions a junior may attend in 11-weeks. In order to be eligible for

a make-up drill session a junior must cancel any drill they are not attending 24 hours in advance. If a junior/parent does not cancel a drill session in advance, the junior will forfeit the ability to make-up the drill session. Any drill sessions not attended in the 11-week time period are forfeited.

There are weekly make-up drills sessions times for inclement weather. If a junior does not attend

the set weekly make-up time, the drill session is forfeited.

COST: $594

SECTIONAL LEVEL PROGRAM OPTION:

Juniors sign-up for 3 drill sessions per week.

There are 6 make-up drill sessions a junior may attend in 11-weeks. In order to be eligible for

a make-up drill session a junior must cancel any drill they are not attending 24 hours in advance. If a junior/parent does not cancel a drill session in advance, the junior will forfeit the ability to make-up the drill session. Any drill sessions not attended in the 11-week time period are forfeited

Juniors are expected to attend drills rain or shine. The staff will go off court with mental

imagery programs when there is inclement weather.

Junior and parents commit to 4 out of the 5 yearly time periods to participate in the Sectional Level program.

Junior agrees to play in 2 tournaments every 11-weeks.

Must commit to writing tournament goal sheet 2-weeks in advance of the tournament followed by a post tournament evaluation within 1 week. All necessary information is on the TAS website. Junior must agree to participate in 3 days of off court physical training. Most training sessions will

be in conjunction with drill sessions.

Junior must commit to attending all mental toughness seminars. COST: $894

NATIONAL LEVEL PROGRAM OPTION:

Juniors sign-up for 4 drill sessions per week, but will receive 5 drill session times weekly.

There are no extra make-ups as they are built into the cost.

Juniors are expected to attend drills rain or shine. The staff will go off court with mental

imagery programs when there is inclement weather.

Junior and parent must commit to the Academy Level 2 training program for 1 year. Must play in 2 tournaments every 11 weeks.

Must commit to writing a tournament goal sheet 2-weeks in advance of the each tournament Followed by a post tournament evaluation within 1-week.

Must commit to 3 days of off court physical training. Most session will be run in conjunction with drill sessions.

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Each junior will be given a lead pro to be accountable to. The lead pro will ensure that each aspect of the program is being followed.

COST: $1154

SECTION V: ANNUAL PROGRAM FEE

Each student will be charged a yearly administrative/program fee of $275 to participate in the Academy. As the Academy year is August through July, new students will have their annual program fee pro-rated from their start date through the end of July. Families with more than one child participating will only be charged one $275 fee, and each child will receive the following:

1) Tournament coaching at 2 Atlanta based tournaments chosen by the Academy staff, typically one in the fall and one in the spring.

2) Competitive match play set up for students by the staff

3) In-depth mental toughness program that coincides with weekly drills

4) Quarterly off court mental seminars for mental imagery training, scheduling what tournaments to play, tournament coaching

scheduling, nutrition, and how to get the most out of the TAS program. 5) Purchasing equipment at the lowest allowable price + shipping

6) Interactive website at www.tasouth.com which provides all schedules, off court mental imagery 7) programs,

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7) College selection service for tennis scholarships. 8) Match play weekends with other academy juniors

*SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: The yearly program fee is due the day a junior joins the Academy. However, a junior may participate in the Academy for 30 days and decide to drop out of the Academy and have the annual program fee refunded in full. After the 30-day trial period the yearly fee is non-refundable for any reason.

PURCHASING TENNIS EQUIPMENT

TAS juniors and their families may purchase tennis equipment through TAS at the lowest allowable price + shipping. There are merchandise catalogs in the business office where members can purchase

merchandise. To purchase merchandise, members will call the business office to place the order. The business office will contact members when their equipment arrives and equipment will be paid when it is picked up.

SECTION VI: PROGRAM SPECIFICS

TAS offers a complete range of programs for all levels of commitment. All TAS juniors have the opportunity to take advantage of the following programs as they are incorporated into weekly drill sessions or are offered on a quarterly basis. It is important for parents to understand their juniors' needs, to be able to get the most from TAS programming.

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HOW TAS TENNIS TRAINING IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ACADEMIES

We believe that drill sessions should be a very strong instructional time on court. Students should attend drill sessions with the mind set that they are present to work on specific aspects of their game and not worry about [1] what court they are on, [2] what other students they are working with, or [3] who wins any competitive type point play. The main emphasis should be on the pro's instruction of the drill and each student focusing on their game. Many academies set up drills where there is very little instruction. One pro will go from court to court with 10 students hitting with each other. In this scenario, the Academy believes that a parent is paying for their junior to mainly "hit" with other students. Students should be focused on receiving instruction from the best instructional staff possible. We believe the Academy offers the finest instructional staff in Atlanta.

MENTAL TOUGHNESS AND VISUALIZATION TRAINING

Many people believe students are either mentally tough or not; some people say it is innate. Our staff believes each student has a range or capacity that can be developed in this area. Mental toughness can be

taught similarly to a physical exercise program. If a muscle of the body (or a mental aspect of the game)

is exercised regularly, (and charted for growth) it becomes finely tuned. Mental training is simply creating an instructional and disciplined program where a student can develop the attitude needed for winning, as well as having fun. Students must be willing to develop these skills daily on their own. They must

work on the mental side of the game similarly to practicing a forehand or serve for 20 minutes daily.

As the coaches integrate the mental training program into weekly drill sessions and off court drill sessions, students must take ownership of these skills and use them in practice as well as tournaments.

COMPETITIVE MATCH PLAY

The Academy staff will set up competitive match play for Academy students by calling the Academy business office and requesting a match. The staff will set up the matches but will not set up the time or place. If students cannot arrange a time and place, then call the business office for another opponent to play. If a student sets up a match and the opponent does not show up, please call the business office immediately. If this occurs regularly, the staff will not be able to set up match play for the student who did not show up.

COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The TAS staff would like to build stronger lines of communication by contacting parents once each 11 week session and going over the following points. They are: [1] tell parents what their junior is doing in drill sessions and how they are coming along, [2] give parents an update on any special events, [3] ask them if they have any equipment needs as TAS can purchase equipment for families at wholesale cost, and [4] ask if there is any aspect of the program that the staff could do a better job for their junior. The staff believes that this contact will give parents a greater sense of what the Academy is all about

and how a parent can get the most out of the programming for their junior.

PRIVATE TENNIS LESSONS

It is important for TAS parents to recognize that drill sessions do not take the place of private lesson instruction. All students need some form of private lesson instruction. Private lessons are necessary as

the staff will be working from a set agenda in drill sessions and do not have the flexibility to deviate from the schedule for every student’s individual needs. Contact the Academy office for information

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concerning private lessons. Private lesson instruction is paid for on an individual basis, at the time the instruction is provided, and is paid directly to the private lesson pro. TAS is not involved with any aspect of private lesson instruction.

TOURNAMENT COACHING AT USTA TOURNAMENTS

GOAL: The goal of tournament coaching is to train juniors how to prepare, think, and act in pressure situations. The Academy staff seeks to further prepare juniors for college tennis and life where

they will be on their own and have to make decisions that are going to affect their competitive play, (i.e.. "If I go out to the party tonight, how will that affect my play tomorrow against Stanford University."?) The Academy pros grew up playing these same tournaments and want to impart their knowledge and experiences to the Academy students.

PARENTAL TOURNAMENT EDUCATION: The Academy staff will hold seminars offering specific instructions for parents in selecting the proper tournament for their junior, what parents need to know about assisting their junior to cope with the pressure of tournaments, and how your behavior can affect your junior at a tournament.

2 TOURNAMENTS THAT COACHING IS PART OF THE YEARLY PROGRAM FEE: As part of the annual program fee, each JUNIOR will receive tournament coaching at 2 Atlanta based tournaments (chosen by the Academy staff) during the school year (this does not include summer tournaments).

DAY COACHING AT TOURNAMENTS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR: The TAS staff will offer

day coaching for selected tournaments from TAS’ website. For tournaments during the school year, the

staff will only offer 1 warm-up time daily for all students and it will be in the early morning before match play begins. There is no court space at these tournaments to hold warm-ups throughout the day. TAS coaches will watch a minimum of 5-6 games of a match (the entire match when possible), coach juniors between sets, and then critique the match afterwards.

DAY COACHING AT HOLIDAY AND SUMMER TOURNAMENTS: When the TAS staff offers day or overnight coaching at holiday and summer tournaments, each tournament will be priced according to the costs involved. Parents will be given individual pricing for each holiday and summer tournament in advance of the event in order to make a decision on whether to take coaching.

THE VALUE OF OVERNIGHT COACHING: The TAS staff will offer overnight coaching for out

of town tournaments. The staff believes overnight coaching offers each junior a unique opportunity

they do not have when attending tournaments with their parents. The staff and juniors eat, sleep, and breathe tennis on these trips as court tactics, match preparedness, and mental toughness are discussed at every turn in the day. Juniors build closer relationships with other juniors and they learn

different skills from one another, whether it is on or off the court.

SECTION VII: CANCELLATIONS, MAKE-UPS, AND OBLIGATIONS

CANCELLATIONS AND MAKE-UPS DRILL SESSIONS: In the State Level Program juniors have 3 make-up times offered every 11-weeks, and the Sectional Level Program juniors will have 6 make-up times offered every 11-weeks. Juniors/parents must cancel a drill session 24 hours in

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advance in order to receive a make-up drill. A junior will forfeit a make-up drill if they do not cancel 24 hours in advance. The National Level Programs have make-ups built into the weekly schedule.

11 WEEK TRAINING PERIOD STUDENT/PARENT OBLIGATION: When a student signs up for an 11-week training period, they are obligated to finish the session. Students may not drop out of their

commitment after the 11-week training period begins for any reason other than sickness or injury. Should a student drop out of drills for any reason other than sickness then the student/parents agree to pay for their commitment. New Academy students have 30 days to try out the Academy and would be eligible for a refund if they did not stay in the Academy.

SECTION VIII: INCLEMENT WEATHER

STATE LEVEL PROGRAM: When a parent feels there is inclement weather on a drill session day they

should call the TAS business office phone line (404-421-2025) one hour prior to the scheduled drill session time. The outgoing message will provide parents with information as to whether the drill is being moved indoors or cancelled. The message is never set earlier in the day as the weather may be inclement earlier in the day and then clear up at the time of the drill. The one-hour advance message gives all parents enough time to adjust their schedule. If there is not message then the drill session is set and on schedule.

SECTIONAL + NATIONAL LEVEL PROGRAMS : The Sectional and National Level Programs meet

rain or shine. Juniors should call the TAS business line 1 hour in advance of the drill to know whether to meet on court or off court for mental imagery training.

SECTION IX: INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

The TAS staff uses a congruent teaching method developed by the entire staff through many years of experience. A junior will receive the same quality instruction at each Academy site. The Academy

Director level staff meets weekly for specific discussion on: [1] weekly progress in drill sessions, [2] changes that need to be made, [3] groupings, [4] new instructional methods to be used, [5] specialty program scheduling, and [6] stronger organizational systems. Our aim is better court utilization, access to your nearest location, conditioning programs, and mental toughness training. Juniors will be grouped by age, ability level, and commitment level.

In addition, the Academy’s staff is made up of former nationally and internationally ranked players. In order to be a high level coach, you need to have played and taught at the national and international level. The TAS staff has taught more nationally ranked juniors than any other tennis academy in Atlanta.

SECTION X: SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING

TAS will run the following special event programming throughout the year with a specific schedule provided on the TAS website. This programming is designed to offer juniors and parents more in-depth and personalized training in problem areas of their game.

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PARENT/JUNIOR COUNSELING AND INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM SERVICES

Academy juniors and parents may need varying levels of additional services and/or counseling throughout the year. The staff has set up the following services and counseling on an individualized basis so parents may obtain the best programming for their junior. These services are charged at the hourly private tennis

lesson rate of each TAS professional. The staff will offer the following counseling:

Quarterly or as needed counseling for goal setting and programming Individual tournament schedule counseling

Strength and conditioning counseling with aTAS pro and strength coach

Mental toughness training counseling with a TAS pro and sports psychology consultant

VIDEO STROKE PRODUCTION EDITING

The staff will offer video analysis for student's stroke production. Staff members will film pertinent strokes and take the best forehand, backhand, serve, etc. and have the one shot reproduced 10 to 15 times so students can mentally rehearse the correct shot for 5 to 10 minutes each day. Video editing of individual strokes is at the center of the Academies programming. As strokes improve and a game changes this should be done on a quarterly basis. The program is offered on a fee basis structure.

COLLEGE SELECTION SERVICE

As part of TAS’ annual program fee, the staff will offer an on-going service to all TAS on how to select the best college and tennis program for scholarships. The instructional staff has tremendous background in this area, as many are former high-level collegiate players and former coaches. The staff will further write and personally call any tennis coaches a student may wish to approach. Parents must be pro-active and call the TAS office and give the staff complete details of what they would like them to do. If a parent is not sure of the correct approach then make an appointment with a staff

member to set up a counseling session to develop the best strategy. The staff is totally committed to assisting each junior to obtain the best scholarship possible.

SECTION XI: HOW TO SIGN-UP FOR ENTRY INTO THE ACADEMY

A student may enter the academy by going on line to the TAS website and [1] have their parent fill out the TAS registration form, indemnifying release form, and medical release form and [2] write a check for the annual program fee. All of the enclosed information ensures that parents fully understand what

TAS Academy needs from them in terms of participation and accountability and further what the Academy will do for them.