Category: Platform Tennis

USA Professional Platform Tennis Merges with USPTA

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On May 4th the USA Professional Platform Tennis Association announced that it was merging with the United States Professional Tennis Association.

The merger has generally been met with open-arms by the APTA, PPTA members, and the USPTA membership. Questions have been raised because some of the day-to-day details have not been completely finalized. In addition, some USPTA members want to make sure the primary focus of the USPTA remains on tennis.

As it turns out some of the teaching professionals in parts of the country, such as the Midwest and East Coast, have taught multiple racquet sports for much of their careers. For these members, the consolidation has many clear benefits.

The merger also has the potential to strengthen the USPTA’s sponsorships and partnerships, particularly with companies such as Prince who sell equipment, balls, and accessories to both markets.
Over the summer additional details of the merger will be announced. Look for great things on the horizon from the USPTA platform tennis professionals.

A copy of the press release follows or click here.

USA Professional Platform Tennis Association Merges with USPTA

Three Critical Decisions by the APTA

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Over the years the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) has done a lot for the sport that most people don’t realize. Along the way its successes have outnumbered its miscues.

The primary responsibility of the group is to organize sanctioned tournaments and manage them throughout the season. In addition, they are responsible for the standards and rules of the sport.

About 25 years ago the APTA Board thought it would be a good idea to add a Mixed Doubles Presidents Cup. MISCUE!

On several occasions the APTA has supported singles and singles tournaments. Both are good ideas that the members didn’t support.

The APTA Board also legalized the carry and set guidelines for the size of a paddle and its number of holes. As well, the group resolved a dispute about the amount of grit on a paddle and decided that a let serve should be playable.

Considering its financial constraints, the APTA Board has done a commendable job in its most basic role-maintaining the rules, standards, and infrastructure of the sport.

Over the last forty years, the APTA has made three decisions that have had a lasting impact on the sport. As we celebrate the sport’s 80th birthday, it seems appropriate to recognize those decisions and how they have impacted the sport today.

President’s Cup – In the late 1970s platform tennis was at its peak in terms of participation. Passport Scotch was the sponsor of the pro tour and Hertz was secured as a sponsor for a first-time event called the President’s Cup. The Cup was separate from the National Championships, it was held over two days, and most importantly, it targeted the weekend player.

After its inception, the event went through a series of sponsors and no-sponsors. Each year the APTA board had to wrestle with the definition of a “weekend player” and how to move the event forward for the next season. Initially the event was held only for men, but after several years it was expanded to include women.

The event strengthened the level of play in all APTA regions. For example, players from the Western Region (it was called Region V at that time) would make their annual pilgrimage to the Cup where they improved their skills and took their new-found knowledge back home to share with their peers. Over time, the number of good players improved dramatically in all parts of the country, as the Cup motivated the “weekend” players to play in regional tournaments so they could qualify to play in the President’s Cup.

As a two-day event, with sponsors, the President’s Cup was arguably one of the most competitive and exhilarating competitions in the country.

President’s Cup and Nationals – During the 1980s the men’s draws for the National Championships went through a period when the number of entrants declined. To bolster participation the APTA board voted to kill the President’s Cup as a two-day event, change its format, and host the competition prior to the National Championships (The women’s Cup was held on Thursday and the men’s Cup on Friday). By doing that they ensured that the top 25 “weekend” teams would be at the event.

It was sad to see the elimination of the President’s Cup as its own event, but the decision by the board bolstered the National Championships. Participation at most National Championships since that time has been a full 128 draw that was deep in talent.APTA

Men’s and Women’s APTA Nationals – Those who have played the Nationals over the past 25 years have experienced the event as the championships for both the men and the women.

Prior to the 1980s that was not the case.

At an APTA Board meeting a contentious discussion was held about whether to merge the two events. One side of the room argued that there were not enough courts at the clubs, the women wouldn’t be treated equally, the women don’t like to play on certain days. In short, IT JUST WOULDN’T WORK.

The sentiment from the other side of the room was that a merger would put the women in the spotlight, it would make for greater camaraderie, and it would increase the chances for sponsorship. In short, THE APTA HAD TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK.

The latter won the argument.

The three decisions made by the APT board took place over a period of about ten years (late 1970s to late 1980s). The Board did what they thought was best for the game at that time.

In retrospect these decisions helped strengthen the foundation of the sport for both men and women players. The sport as we know it today wouldn’t be the same if the APTA Board had not initiated the President’s Cup, integrated it into the National Championships weekend, and combined the Men’s and Women’s Nationals.

The Common Body of Knowledge for Platform Tennis

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Every sport has a common body of knowledge (CBOK) that is the foundation for teaching and playing that sport.  At the highest level baseball players have to throw, catch, and hit. In the sport of platform tennis, the CBOK includes:
• Serve and first volley
• Return of serve
• Net play
• Playing in the backcourt
• Playing the screens
• Communications
Each of these six areas has multiple subsets.

When the USA Professional Platform Tennis Association formed in 1998 its first undertaking was to establish a common body of knowledge for the sport. That CBOK has since served as the foundation for its testing and certification process.

It was developed to eliminate myths, challenge current teaching methods, suggest efficient methods for instruction, and reduce unnecessary injuries by doing away with techniques that physically do not make sense. The CBOK was not intended to be an endorsement of one method of instruction, realizing that teaching professionals customize their system process based on their knowledge, personality, and number and skill level of students.

A group of professionals met the day before the 1999 APTA Nationals and taped their thoughts about what should be included in the CBOK. Over the next six months, Gary Horvath transcribed this session, put it in a document, and oversaw a series of discussions and further edits based on feedback from fellow professionals Hank Irvine, Gerri Viant, Rich Maier, Patty Hogan, Bob Callaway, Sue Aery, Bobo Mangan, Christi Hays, Connie Jones, Steve Nycum, Chuck Poe, Dave Romberg, and Rodney Workman.

Looking at the six points above, it seems like the development of the CBOK would be a simplistic task. It wasn’t.

As well as being the backbone of the teaching profession, students of the game should also take note of the CBOK. The playing and instructional programs at their facilities should include all six elements. As well, these programs should include the subsets under the six major points mentioned above.

 

 

2012 RJ Reilly Platform Tennis Camps – Serves, Volleys, and More

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This year marks the 20th year of RJR Platform Tennis Camps. A lot has changed in the way the sport is taught since Dick Reilly first rolled out his camps two decades ago.

Prior to 1990, there was limited platform tennis instruction. Over the years, the RJR camps demonstrated the value of concentrated high caliber instruction. Just over ten years ago, the USA PPTA was a offshoot of RJR programs. As a result, more than 230 platform tennis professionals have been certified and there are a variety of camps and “traveling” camps that provide instruction. It has become fashionable for players to improve their game through professional instruction. As a result, more players have an expanded knowledge about how to play the sport and most are enjoying their time on the court.

There is a core set of knowledge taught in each session of the RJR camps; however, it is customized to meet the needs of the players in each group. The core knowledge for the October, 5th-9th 2012 session is provided below.

Session I – Serve and Volley and Positioning
o Technical focus
o Hitting serves with spin. (Note: the serve and first volley are taught as a unit.)
o Fundamentals of volley.
o Tactical discussion
o Placement of the serve and first volley.
o Discussion about how service placement may dictate strategy and positioning for the remainder
of the point.
o Volley placement (deep and down the middle or to backhand side of ad court player).

Session II – Serve and Volley and Lobs
o Technical focus
o Hitting serves with spin. (Note: emphasis is on the role of spin on the serve and potentially the
overhead.)
o Fundamentals of volley.
o Lob.
 Off the deck (off a volley).
 Block (guarding the corner).
o Tactical discussion
o Placement of the serve and first volley.
o Discussion about how service placement may dictate strategy and positioning for the remainder of
the point.
o Volley placement (deep – middle of the backcourt or backhand side of ad court player).
o Lob height (As high as lights or in the sun).
o Lob placement (middle of the backcourt, make them move two directions to hit overhead).

Session III – Service Returns and Controlled Drives
o Technical Focus
o Shorter backswing.
 Increased control.
 Improved positioning for next shot.
o Modest pace.
o Balanced position when hitting the ball.
o Focus on placement.
o Tactical discussion
o Consistent drives.
o Drive placement.
 Consistency – high percentage of returns.
 Return short balls to outside of court at net player (or cross court).
 Return short balls to inside of court at seam, server, or player off the net.
o Help players better understand how to move drives to take opponents out of position.
o Keep pressure on opponents with a series of drives.

Session IV – Wires
o Technical focus
o Proper positioning.
 Back screen shots.
 Side screen shots.
 Side back shots.
 Back side shots.
 Crease shots.
o Center of the swing is at front of body – must be further back for backhand.
o How to lob down the line, cross court, and to the middle of the court.
o Tactical discussion
o Mix up placement of lobs.
o Mix up lobs and drives.

Session V – Tactics in the Wires
o Technical focus
o Proper positioning for greater consistency.
o Balanced when hitting shot.
o Tactical discussion
o When to lob.
o When to drive.
o Shot selection to set up player in deuce court.
o Shot selection to set up player in ad court.
o Review of Rules.
o Most common questions that professionals deal with.
o Questions from players.

Session VI – Controlling the Net
oTechnical focus.
o Proper positioning.
 Deuce court.
 Ad Court.
 Playing with a left-handed player.
o Stance at net
 Feet parallel to net.
 Feet in line perpendicular to net.
o Types of overheads
 Hit with pace (two wires)
 Spin
 Swinging volley
 Push/Pillow
 Waterfall
 Slash
 Roll
oTactical discussion
o Placement of overheads.
o Placement of volleys.
o Communications
o On-court during point.
o On-court between points.
o Off-court to improve on court performance.
o Playing with left-handed players.
o Determine which drives and lobs are going out.

Session VII – Competitive Play
o Men’s round robin.
o Women’s round robin.

Session VIII – Review of Techniques, Tactics, and Specialty Shots
o Review of spin on serve as it relates to placement.
o Controlling the net with proper positioning.
o Deeper serves as a way of improving first volley.
o Consistency in the wires.
o Review of differences between tennis and platform tennis and the subtleties of the sport.
o Maintaining balance on service returns.
o Maintaining balance on short balls and flick shots.
o Team instruction (for players whose partner was present).

In line with the philosophy, “The game teaches the game,” each session included match play to incorporate the topics focused on in the instructional sessions.

A sampling of comments from the participants shows the value of instruction in a camp setting:
o I came away with  a game-changing serve.
o I now feel confident in the ad wires.
o And I feel unstoppable in the deuce wires.
o We learned the importance of having the ability to be a Steady Eddy on the court.
o I learn to like drills and compete in them, just as if they were a match.
o My volleys have never been so good.
o I found that the wires are much easier by knowing where the ball is going.

Whether your sport is platform tennis, tennis, volleyball, or skiing, most players find that they enjoy it more if they learn to improve their skills and tactics through quality instruction.

 

RJR Platform Tennis Camps – A Game Changer

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With the platform tennis season right around the corner, players should think about lessons, drills sessions, or a clinic to improve your game? Even better, how about an extended weekend learning the sport at a platform tennis camp in scenic Jackson Hole, Wyoming? A camp setting provides a learning environment where tactics and techniques are introduced in the early stages and refined over the next 4 to 5 days.

This discussion looks at a compilation of the programs I have used while running RJR Platform Tennis Camps over the past 19 years. A camp consists of 8 sessions, each 2-3 hours in length. The sessions include instruction, drills, and match play to reinforce what was discussed earlier in the day.

Session I – Players are reminded about the importance of stretching and proper warm-up, hydration, and playing at high-altitude. The technical focus is on hitting serves with spin. (Note: the serve and first volley are taught as a unit.) Tactical discussions emphasize how placement of the serve and first volley dictate strategy and positioning for the remainder of the point.

Session II – The session begins by hitting controlled forehand drive service returns; however, the main focus continues to be the techniques and tactics of hitting the serve and first volley. (Serve and first volley sessions may also have a complementary service return focus). Volley technique and placement are again emphasized. The tactical goal of the serving team is to force the opposition to hit from either a neutral or defensive position after the first volley.

Session III- Forehand and backhand screen play is reviewed. From a technical standpoint, the emphasis is on efficient movement and positioning. Subtle positioning differences are noted for the forehand and backhand wires.

The tactical discussions center on shot selection (lob or drive) and placement (down-the-line, middle, or cross court).

Session IV – Again, attention is given to the serve and first volley. From a technical perspective, the focus is on efficient movement when volleying. Tactically speaking, players practice placement and court positioning. Drills focus on consistent execution of the serve and first volley to allow the serving team to efficiently maintain control of the net for the entire point.

Session V – The overhead instruction spotlights consistency and placement. Players try the various types of overheads (spin, push, pillow, waterfall, slash, roll, sidearm, 3/4 arm, tennis overhead). The importance of near-perfect execution on the overhead is highlighted during match play. For example, a scoring system may be put in place where a missed overhead causes the offender to automatically lose the game.

Session VI – Attention shifts to shot selection (lob or drive) and placement in the backcourt, beginning with the service return. Players are shown how to move the team at the net, create offensive opportunities, and escape from defensive predicaments. In the match play, players are motivated to keep their lobs in play. A scoring system is put in place where offenders automatically lose the game when they miss a lob.

Session VII – The session continues with a review of the technical and tactical aspects of serve and first volley, positioning at the net, and backcourt play. During a break in action, rules and etiquette are reviewed. Prior to match play, a series of drills are demonstrated to provide players with the tools to improve and maintain their skills after they leave camp.

Session VIII – In the final session players are divided into groups to focus on areas where they desire special attention.

Because platform tennis is easy to learn, many players feel that lessons are not necessary. Past participants in camps lasting 4-7 days can readily testify that they have increased enjoyment of the sport because of their improved technical and tactical knowledge.