NOT JUST 10 & UNDER
From:  Florida Tennis Magazine

Mar, 2012

I had not planned to make this month’s article an addition to last month’s article on high school tennis partnering with community organizations but a great relationship was just formed which will grow youth and high school tennis. My excitement is too overwhelming to not share this with you.

Six years ago we formed the Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association as the tennis arm of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. Our two main goals were, and still are, to better train, recognizes and inform high school tennis coaches and to establish a joint FACA an FHSTCA All Star Tennis Tournament.

I have been blessed to have some of the most recognized college, high school and professional tennis coaches, trainers, educators and organizers assist me in conducting our annual three day workshops equal to any high school tennis organization. As proud as I am of our training, I have been equally disappointed in my failure to produce a High School All Star Tournament.

January produced another successful FACA Tennis Workshop as well as the introduction of another immediate past president; that being Pierce Kelly, immediate past president of Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida; who brought attention to our other need. Like me, Pierce was looking to establish a State High School All Star Tennis Tournament for 2013.

Following its’ success of the inaugural division colleges State of Florida Men’s Tennis Championship, the YTF was looking to expand their Florida tennis activities to include a high school all star tennis tournament. Amazed at how prepared both organization were to establish this Annual Tournament. The Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida provided to the needed financial investment and leadership to bring the inaugural All Star Tennis Tournament to Embry-Riddle College on May 5th and 6th of this year.

This kick off event fulfills the goals of both FACA Executive Director Shelton Crews and ours of the Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association. We will be using a WTT format I used as Tennis Coordinator of the World Scholar Athlete Games at the University of Rhode Island in 2006.

Sixty-four high school senior players, four boys & four girls will be chosen from each of the eight regions of the FHSTCA sections, plus sixteen high school tennis coaches from Florida. The eight sections will compete against each other, using the WTT formant of Team Tennis play, which is boys and girls doubles play, followed by boys’ & girls’ singles and then mixed doubles determining the team winner.

Play will be at Embry-Riddle College, in Daytona Beach and players and coaches will be provided pool-side Dinner Saturday evening, lodging, breakfast, lunch, T-Shirts, Gamma goodie bags and memories to take to college. 

To finish last month’s article, hopefully, we realize that a high school tennis team is not an island unto them self. As high school tennis teams are individual players striving to produce team cohesions to produce a winning unit; so to be high school tennis part of the community:
As is the Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association and the Youth Tennis Association of Florida individually are productive organizations; when working together with Embry- Riddle College, The Florida Athletic Coaches Association and Gamma Sports, they will produce a tennis team, which will bring high school tennis playing seniors recognition that other state high school sports enjoy.

Who knows what would be enjoyed by future tennis players if the United States Florida Association moves beyond 10 and under tennis and join high school tennis in building a bridge between recreational and competitive tennis.

Coach John Danise is the Executive Director of the Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association & Tennis Chairman for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. John is a PTR/USTA train High Performance Coach at Sebastian River High School. He can be reached by going to www.fhstca.org

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10 & UNDER TENNIS & HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PROGRAMING?
From:  Florida Tennis Magazine

Feb, 2012

During these days of tight high school budgeting one might wonder how will 10 & under tennis fit into my high school tennis planning?  I can hear it now, “I don’t have enough time now”, “The season is too short”, “I can’t spend the time I need with the team now”, or “How can Pre-School & Elementary school age children help my program”?  Except for the last quote, all are true but fixable problems. 

Let’s start with the last remark first; I would first ask are you just planning for this season or the future?  If your plan is like that which we encourage our players to look like, it’s a journey to the future, this years districts, or if we are lucky the State Championship, is just one stop along the way. If it’s true that the fundamental mark of leadership is character, than what better way to mentor our team’s growth then reminding them that when we give to others, we receive even more.

Did I hear, too short a season; what better way to build team pride & bonding then sharing their knowledge with these 10 & under players? How better to give a team a sense of unity & accomplishment then knowing their time and dedication helped with the development of a new generation of others. You say we don’t have time to develop players. I’m sure you emphasize listening, watching and doing; 

Another way the team development will hasten is through instructions to others. Often I hear one of my highs school players yell “turn, turn, turn” and observe not only the 10 & under rotate their hips and shoulders but also observe one of the high school students reinforcing their stroke properly or hear another player comment, “I need to keep working on that”. I’m sure those high school coaches who volunteer in this USTA program can give many more examples of leaning through instructions.

Did I hear I can’t afford the cost of additional balls? It’s obvious you did not attend last years FACA tennis workshop. I discussed multiple uses of Quick Start tennis balls for developing your team. If you go to www.fhstca.org you can find an outline of the presentation. I have learned that having the entire team performing the same drills as often as possible builds team unity. Quick Start tennis balls also helps with developing proper technique. The fundamental of technique is needed at all levels and the different balls provide that reinforcement.

By joining with a local NJTL or USTA chapter you may not only find additional community support you may also find a source for financial support and programming; (see www.district15njtl.org for other programming) And your players even receive volunteer hours they need for most colleges. Keep in mind these 10 & under players will grow and some day go to high school. They are our Future! Best of all the pure enjoyment you will receive when working with these 10 & under is almost illegal.


Coach John Danise is the Executive Director of the Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association & Tennis Chairman for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. John is a PTR/USTA train High Performance Coach at Sebastian River High School. He can be reached by going to www.fhstca.org

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Jan, 2011

Florida Athletic Coaches Association and United States Tennis Association joined forces to present high school tennis coaches training.

FACA Tennis Chairman and Past PTR/Florida President, John Danise, does not know how he will top the 2011 winter workshop, held this past week-end.

Thursday, the three day clinic started with Corbin Graves and John Danise, Florida High School Tennis Coaches Associations President and Immediate Past President, monitoring recommendations to the FHSAA.

PTR & USPTA Pro John MacDonald lectured on the four keys to a great tennis program and Former Wake Forest coach, Dede Allen followed with conditioning drills. After Leon High School coach Kevin Record spoke on how to put together a team line-up, PTR/USTA High Performance Coach and District 15 NJTL Tennis Director, John Danise, ended the day with his presentation of “Growing High School Tennis Programs for the Future.

Fridays program moved from the hotel to the USTA/Florida tennis facility and Florida State Tennis coach Dwayne Hutquist stressed the important aspects of doubles.  Returning with his Florida State Doubles Coach, Nick Crowell, and Dwayne had the high school coaches moving with numerous double drills.

USPTA Master Professional and former University of Cincinnati tennis coach, Dave Power arrived from Windward Lake Club, in Atlanta and stressed the importance of point development.  Upon returning in the afternoon Dave shared self coaching aspects from his book, “The Inner Coach”.

PTR Pro and Maclay High School Coach, Corbin Graves shared high school tennis drills and PTR Pro and Sebastian River High School tennis coach John Danise ended the day showing the numerous ways Quick Start Tennis Balls can be incorporated in high school drills.

Saturday morning the volume was turned up as USTA/Fl Section Schools Coordinator, Rebecca Halpern, introduced “National HSCW” trainers, Jorge Andrews & Mike Woody to the 100 plus high school tennis coaches.

The day included team building games, survival training, footwork/warm up, how to run an effective practice and essential games every coach should know.

John is appreciative of all the speakers and the USTA for making this year's program the best in his ten years of conducting the training.  He is hopeful of having many of this year's presentations available on the Florida High School Tennis Coaches web site within the next couple of months, www.fhstca.org.

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Micheal Kypriss has been selected by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association as a Coach of the Year finalist for 2006. His outstanding coaching record, and service to the coaching profession have earned him this national recognition.

Michael's teams have been nine time state champions, and state runners-up eight times. During his tenure as coach, he has had over 850 wins. He was the Florida USTA Coach of the Year in 1996, and a National Coach of the Year Finalist in 1991.

As a finalist ofr the 2006 Tennis Coach of the Year, he will be honored at the National Awards Banquet in Branson Missouri on June 29^th. The annual event is attended by coaches and Athletic Directors in 17 categories from all over the United States.

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January 4, 2006

ebastian River coach John Danise and Vero Beach coach Jack Armistead have built solid tennis programs at their respective schools. So it's no surprise the two veteran coaches will give presentations this week at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association meeting in Daytona.

Danise is the tennis chairman for the FACA and has put together a comprehensive program for the three-day seminar, including presentations by college coaches and World Tennis Association pros.

"I set the agenda, but I try not to give just my point of view on things," Danise said. "I see a lot of people with different views. Whether I believe it or not, I want to put things out there for discussion."

Danise will give his speech on essentials for a personal development plan or business plan.

Armistead, who has coached at the youth, high school and college level since the 1960s, will speak on building a successful high school tennis program. In seven years at Vero Beach, Armistead's teams have gone 83-11 and won four district titles.

"Jack has coached successful programs for a lot of years," Danise said. "He has a point of view on the subject. One thing people are always asking is what it takes to build a successful program. He's a good presenter, and I'm looking for people to get these coaches excited about teaching young people." - Kevin Van Brimmer, Press Journal