Resources

David Benzel’s 5 Strategies for Athletic Success

With Bob Ronstadt’s comments in italics

1
Learn everything you can about your sport.
That includes its history, its traditions, as well as technique and strategies.
2
Practice even when you don’t want to.
Champions do. And you are a champion if you do too.
3
Recognize errors and don’t make excuses. Own it. Improve it.
Recognizing errors is the first step toward experiencing “deep practice.” See the book, The Talent Code, to discover what “deep practice” means. Also, David Benzel extends this rule (don’t make excuses) to everyday behavior as well… e.g., don’t make excuses about being late to practice, losing your composure, passing the buck, etc. Own it. Improve.
4
Be an optimistic thinker.
In other words, don’t let the negative rule your athletic development or your life.
5
Believe in yourself. You must believe in yourself and your success story. Self confidence is nurtured through practice and competition. Your successes and failures build on each other, producing a better athlete. It is an unending process.
Enjoy the journey. Enjoy your life. And pass it forward.

To learn more about David Benzel, visit his website “Growing Champions For Live” at https://growingchampionsforlife.com/

Other Resources

Become a USTA member
https://www.usta.com/en/home/membership/individual-memberships.html

The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle is the best book you can read to understand how talent, including tennis talent, can be developed.

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science about Exercise and the Brain, by John Ratey, provides the basis for why exercise helps people in all phases of their lives.

Net Generation
https://netgeneration.usta.com/
For players, coaches, volunteers, and other providers, Net Generation is the place to get in the game.

Junior Team Tennis in New Hampshire
https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/play-as-a-member/newengland/newhampshire/junior-team-tennis.html
Take a look at this site for some exciting tennis opportunities.