Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s regular feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week. PLAYER TO PLAYER DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT YOUR QUESTIONS, so please send any queries you’d like answered, or responses to other players' questions, to Player@USTA.com.
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This week's question from Carlos: | “I would like to know if there is a trick to deciding when to poach in doubles. What should I do before poaching? What should I look for from the opponent...?" | | Please share your thoughts with Carlos by e-mailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown.
Got a question of your own? Send that along, too! | |
READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week’s question from E.M.:
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)"I am getting a little frustrated with one particular USTA captain in my league. She has a reputation for being a "diva," and I try not to associate with her. However, she is now beginning to get on my nerves because she has been "stealing/luring" players from other teams to join hers. Today it was one of the players who was planning to join mine. What can I do about this behavior?"
PLAYER RESPONSES:
From Chris B.:
A player can't be stolen if a player isn't willing to walk away from his/her current team. There is really nothing you can do about it. It's frustrating and painful, but in order to learn why a player might be enticed away, ask your lost players what they found more attractive about playing for someone else. It might simply be a matter of play time or partnering. You could also confront the captain and tell her you are on to her, and there is an unspoken courtesy that you do not recruit from already existing teams. It’s a difficult situation, for sure.
From Donna C., Naples, FL:
I definitely agree with you that recruiting players from other teams can be rude and a little too "cutthroat" for me. But I think I get more frustrated with the player who agrees to play on my team and then goes back on her word and goes to another team, rather than the person doing the recruiting. In the long run, I would rather have a team of committed, loyal players who are in it for the team than a team of players looking out for themselves and jumping ship at the first offer they get. A team who "steals" players for their great skills will only kick them to the curb if they are off of their game for too long. If that is the kind of team that a player is looking for, that is what they will get!!
From Coach Poppie, Palm Bay, FL:
E.M., it sounds to me that there is more competition off court than on court. Personally, trying to control or change the behavior of others should not be of your concern. One way to recruit and retain players is through position leadership. There are two old sayings: “Get your customers with low price only; lose your customers to lower prices.” Maintain your highest standards, establish rules and boundaries, and play your best.
team: 1. a group of persons joined together in an action, 2. two or more horses, oxen, etc., … harnessed together.
Team players want to play where they are equally yoked and, as with animals, one or both will be chafed if not. They want to have fun. Winning is important but should not be the most important thing, especially at the recreational level. Players playing their best and how they live with the results does more for team building than some would think.
In closing, think of ways to screen players into your team and let others continue to fence players out of theirs. After all, a team can only have so many players. When the recruits don’t produce or players sit out, your team will develop as it should. Remember this… teams that plan activities after a match, practice together and fellowship with one another off court will hold true.
Live by the Golden Rule, “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” It’s been around a long time. It worked then and still works now.
From Kenny S., Highland Park, IL:
Winning isn't everything. You have to go out there and give it your best. The team you are on should have fun, be friends with each other, practice together and have team unity. This diva will get what is coming to her – an overhead in the stomach, or the karma police putting her life in chaos in another way. Have fun, get better. Actions speak louder than words, and let your racquet do the talking.
From Jerry G., SF Bay Area:
There is little you can do to change the behavior of the "diva," as long as she is not violating any league rules. There was a recent article in a tennis magazine concerning a captain in the San Francisco East Bay who sounds like your "diva." His goal appeared to be to win at almost any cost, and he actively recruited the best players from other teams. Obviously, the players he successfully recruited were those whose goals were in line with what he was offering. You need to find out the goals and ambitions of your players and recruits and try to satisfy them within the constraints of your team's goals.
*Please note that any advice given out in this forum should in no way be confused with actual medical advice. Before starting any new exercise regimen or altering your existing one, we strongly urge you to consult with your regular physician.
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