I hope this message finds you somewhere between celebrating an ace and searching for that rogue tennis ball that always seems to disappear into thin air. 

Today, I’m reaching out not to talk about the next big tournament or the latest technique to perfect your child’s backhand. Instead, I want to share a little secret with you, one that might just redefine the way we approach training.

Let me take you on a short journey. Imagine, if you will, a young player named Alex. Alex trains hard, never misses a day, and is always the first to arrive and the last to leave the court, and often would add extra training sessions at the weekend.

You might say Alex is the embodiment of dedication. But there’s a twist to Alex’s story, a lesson that took a while for him to learn.

One day, during a particularly intense training session, Alex’s energy and focus seemed off. The usual spark was missing. 

Afterward, Alex came to me, frustrated, feeling like all this relentless training was leading nowhere. That’s when it hit me—the piece of the puzzle that had been overlooked. Rest.

Yes, rest. 

The unsung hero of athletic development. It’s not the most glamorous part of training, and it certainly doesn’t get the heart pumping like a good rally does, but its value? Immeasurable.

I told Alex about the time I learned this lesson myself. When I was training for a fitness competition, my coach caught me sneaking in an extra training session on what was supposed to be my day off. 

Instead of the lecture I expected, he simply asked, “Do you know when a bow is most likely to break? When it’s always strung tight.”

I spoke with Alex’s parents and coach and got them to commit to one full day of rest per week, and a lighter day in the week.. And guess what? The transformation was remarkable. Not only did Alex’s performance improve over the coming weeks, but the joy of playing, the spark, was brighter than ever.

So, dear parents, I share this story not just to advocate for more downtime (though a little extra family time never hurt), but to remind us all of the balance necessary in nurturing not just athletes but happy, healthy children. It’s not about having them train until they’re on the verge of breaking, but about ensuring that their passion for tennis burns brightly for years to come.

Let’s encourage our young players to listen to their bodies and respect the signals it sends us. Let’s show them that greatness on the court isn’t just about the hours of practice but about how well we recover, learn, and grow during our time off it.

Reply With ‘Routine’ To  Help Your Player Get The Most Out Of Their Training. (I will share over the routine that I use to get the best out of my players.)

Remember, every champion knows when to push forward and when to step back and rest. It’s this dance, this balance, that truly makes a SuperMover.

As we continue on this journey together, let’s keep this conversation going. I’m here not just as a coach, but as a fellow parent, a guide, and a friend.

Here’s to serving up success, both on and off the court.

Warmest regards,

Howard

Your Dedicated Tennis SuperMovers Coach  

P.S. Next time you’re enjoying a rest day, think of it as the secret ingredient in our recipe for tennis greatness. After all, even the best athletes need a moment to breathe, to live, and to simply be kids.