JD 71 WORKING WITH PARENTS

CONTENT OF TWO CONSECTUTIVE WORKSHOPS

JD 71 Working with Parents

Workshop 1 Guiding Junior Tennis Players: Competitions,

Name of coach: Natasha Smith

Venue Zoom

Length of workshop: 60 minutes

Date and Time of day: 6:30p.m. Thursday April 4, 2024

Number of parents invited to attend. I will start by inviting parents of

the 18 children in our orange and green ball groups. We have 62
active participants in our junior program and I will expand the number
invited if needed, it's worth noting that our high-end country club has
a culture where active parent involvement isn't as common. Instead of
observing practice sessions, many parents opt to socialize at the club
bar. While I aim to shift this culture towards greater engagement, I
anticipate that sending an email to all junior parents may result in only
5 or 6 attendees. Similarly, during our USTA JTT Zoom meetings
(where I am a volunteer coach), despite hundreds being invited,
typically only around 10 parents participate in the workshop.
Number of parents actually present. TBD

Content of session

Topic 1 Choosing Appropriate Competitions for Children (15

minutes)

Topic 2 Handling Wins and Losses (15 minutes)

Topic 3 Sportsmanship (15 minutes)

Topic 4 Open Discussion/Q&A (15 minutes)

Topic 1: Choosing Appropriate Competitions for Children

 Red Ball Competitions (Ages 5-8):
o Designed for beginners aged 5 to 8, focusing on basic skills
and enjoyment.
 JD 71 WORKING WITH PARENTS

CONTENT OF TWO CONSECTUTIVE WORKSHOPS

o Played on smaller courts with low-compression red balls.
o Includes local club events, mini-tennis tournaments, and
USTA Junior Team Tennis Matches.
 Orange Ball Competitions (Ages 8-10):
o Progression from red ball or new students age 8-10
o Matches played on slightly larger courts with faster orange
balls.
o Events may include club tournaments, USTA Junior Team
Tennis, and potentially the Grand Prix Circuit.
 Green Ball Competitions (Ages 10-12):
o Intended for more advanced players aged 10 to 12.
o Played on full-size courts with green balls.
o Events may include club tournaments, USTA Junior Team
Tennis, and USTA Green Ball tournaments based on
performance in the Grand Prix Circuit.
 Yellow Ball Competitions (Ages 12 and up):
o Transition for proficient players around 12 years old.
o Matches played with standard yellow balls on full-size
courts.
o Emphasizes technical skills, tactical understanding, and
mental toughness.
o Events include USTA junior tournaments, school tennis,
USTA Junior Team tennis, and higher level Sectional and
National events based on rankings.
Balancing competition with adequate practice, skill development, and
rest can prevent burnout and injury. Encouraging participation in
multiple sports is beneficial, and families should consider the time
commitment of weekend tournaments. USTA JTT providing a great
option for Sunday match play.

Topic 2: Handling Wins and Losses

 Reinforcing Positive Behavior:
o Emphasize effort, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
o Celebrate achievements, big and small, to foster a positive
environment.
 Balancing Support and Independence:
o Coaches and parents can support while encouraging
independence.
o Can be helpful to step back and allow the child to take
ownership of their tennis journey.
 Practical Tips for Positive Parental Involvement:
 JD 71 WORKING WITH PARENTS

CONTENT OF TWO CONSECTUTIVE WORKSHOPS

o Effective communication is important between parents,
coaches, and children.
o Promoting autonomy while staying engaged:
 Utilize active listening techniques.
 Encourage open dialogue.
 Provide constructive feedback.
Strategies for Encouraging Autonomy:
Encourage Decision-Making:
 Involve the child in decisions about practice
schedules, tournaments, and goals.
 Facilitate discussions to understand their preferences
and interests.
Promote Self-Reflection:
 Encourage the child to reflect on their performance
regularly.
 Teach them to assess strengths, weaknesses, and
areas for improvement.
 Support them in maintaining a tennis journal for
reflection and goal-setting.
Reference: Gould, D., Lauer, L., & Rolo, C. (2017). Understanding the
role parents play in tennis success: A national survey of junior tennis
coaches. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 12(3),
316-328.

Topic 3: Sportsmanship

Open discussion on how parents help teach sportsmanship to

their children.
 Lead by Example: Show good sportsmanship as parents and
coaches.
 Educate: Discuss fair play, respect, and handling wins and
losses.
 Positive Reinforcement: Recognize and praise good
sportsmanship.
 Discuss Scenarios: Talk about real-life examples of
sportsmanship.

Offer some ideas below to parents on how to handle sportsmanship

before, during and after competition.
 JD 71 WORKING WITH PARENTS

CONTENT OF TWO CONSECTUTIVE WORKSHOPS

 Pre-match Discussion: Remind players of fair play principles.
 Clear Guidelines: Ensure players understand umpiring rules and
dispute resolution.
 Conflict Resolution Skills: Teach effective communication and
problem-solving.
 Consistent Enforcement: Apply consequences for
unsportsmanlike behavior.
 Intervention: Set clear expectations and consequences for poor
sportsmanship.
o Example: Share personal experiences to illustrate
consequences
 Post-match Reflection: Discuss conflicts and resolutions
constructively.

Open Discussion, Q&A for parents (15 minutes)

References:
 Hellison, D. (2011). Teaching Responsibility Through Physical
Activity. Human Kinetics.
 Martens, R. (2012). Successful Coaching. Human Kinetics.
 National Alliance for Youth Sports. (2008). Sportsmanship: A
Guide and Resource for Parents, Coaches, and Athletes. Human
Kinetics.
 Smith, R. E., & Smoll, F. L. (2012). Sportsmanship:
Multidisciplinary Perspectives. John Wiley & Sons.

Questions asked by parents

Conclusions and preparation for next Workshop

Any other information

Coach analysis of the success of the workshop + things to be improved

for 2nd session.
 JD 71 WORKING WITH PARENTS

CONTENT OF TWO CONSECTUTIVE WORKSHOPS

Workshop 2: Fueling Success: Nutrition and Hydration Strategies for

Junior Tennis Players
Name of coach: Natasha Smith

Venue Zoom

Length of workshop: 60 minutes

Date and Time of day: 6:30p.m. Thursday April 18, 2024

Number of parents invited to attend. I will start by inviting parents of

the 18 children in our orange and green ball groups. We have 62
active participants in our junior program and I will expand the number
invited if needed, it's worth noting that our high-end country club has
a culture where active parent involvement isn't as common. Instead of
observing practice sessions, many parents opt to socialize at the club
bar. While I aim to shift this culture towards greater engagement, I
anticipate that sending an email to all junior parents may result in only
5 or 6 attendees. Similarly, during our USTA JTT Zoom meetings
(where I am a volunteer coach), despite hundreds being invited,
typically only around 10 parents participate in the workshop.
Number of parents actually present. TBD

Content of session

Topic 1: Understanding Nutrition and Hydration in Tennis (15 minutes)

Topic 2 Practical Approaches for Coaches and Parents (15 minutes)

Topic 3 Timing and Importance of Food and Fluid Intake (15 minutes)

Topic 4 Open discussion (15 minutes)

Topic 1: Understanding Nutrition and Hydration in Tennis (15

minutes)
 JD 71 WORKING WITH PARENTS

CONTENT OF TWO CONSECTUTIVE WORKSHOPS

 Explanation of the unique energy demands of tennis.
 Importance of proper nutrition and hydration for optimal
performance.
 Overview of different macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins,
fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) essential for
tennis players.

Topic 2: Practical Approaches for Coaches and Parents (15

minutes)

 Strategies for coaches and parents to educate junior players

about nutrition and hydration.
 Practical methods for teaching players about making healthy
food choices.
 Examples: showing different foods, grocery store visits, involving
parents in discussions, creating food and drink cards for players.

Topic 3: Timing and Importance of Food and Fluid Intake (15

minutes)

 Discussion on the timing of meals and snacks before, during, and

after practice or competition.
 Importance of proper hydration, especially in varying
environmental conditions and with younger players.
 Identification of common challenges related to nutrition and
hydration in junior tennis.
 Strategies for overcoming obstacles and maintaining a healthy
diet and hydration routine.

Open Discussion and Q&A (15 minutes)

Questions Asked by Parents

Conclusions for Workshop: