MARINA RACQUET STRINGERS

Why I love teaching people tennis 

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First of all, it's outdoors. People come to see me primarily to learn and to grow. They have to be open-minded and receptive to change. These are the type of people I enjoy being with. I also am a student of the game. I learn new things every single day.  I  really enjoy teaching people of all ages and levels of talent.

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By teaching a variety of people, I find that it keeps me sharp on my teaching skills. After graduating from Cal State University Dominquez, I started teaching in Marina del Rey. I enjoy teaching beginners, children and adults, all the way up to world class players. The age of my students ranges from 4 years to 98.

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I also enjoy working with juniors, who have the heart to go the extra distance to bring out the best tennis player that they could be. It is a sheer joy to watch these kids grow in spirit, develop a strong self-esteem and enjoy the game of tennis. I was fortunate to teach a 6 year old by the name of Derrick Bauer for 4 years. By then, I turned him over to some other Pros who continued his growth in the juniors. Derrick reached #2 in the nation in singles and #1 in doubles for several years in the juniors. I also worked with another junior, Jonathan Sappaiboon, #11 in the nation in 16's. He often reminded me of Michael Chang. He was a sheer talent and a hard worker.

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Philosophy

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Tennis is not only a sport, but also a game. Regardless of what you think it is, it should include fun. Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. I believe in a pressure free environment to learn and to grow. To make mistakes is human. To learn from your mistakes is to grow. The serve is the most important stroke in the game. The return of serve is number two. Included in the return of serve are such strokes that include a block or a chip. Among them are volleys, defensive lobs that use a block or chip, drop shots, chip and charge and like strokes that have short, compact or no backswing. The number one drill in tennis is (mini-tennis) keeping the rally in the service boxes only. I have students achieving consecutive hits 300 balls at age 6 & 1300+ balls in a row at age 9. This drill develops footwork, balance, positioning, hand-eye, contact point, touch, patience, consistency and I can go on and on for an hour on this drill. In the order of importance and development in all strokes they are as follows:

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1) Consistency. Keep the ball in play is the first objective.

2) Left and right direction.

3) Depth. Short and deep.

4) Spin. Spin is controlling at higher speeds.

5) Power. The last development of your strokes.

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I have been a USPTA Tennis Professional for more than 30 years and at the same location for the past 32 years.  I was on the Board of the USPTA and worked in conjunction with my mentor Bob Parker (USPTA Pro of the Year twice). Bob once dubbed me "Merlin of the Marina". He was amazed at the transformation I got out of my students in just one hour.

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I was also a USPTA tester which involved certifying other professionals who wished to become USPTA Certified Pros.

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Irving Byrnes was my first instructor when I was 16 yrs. of age. His first protégé was Richard “Pancho” Gonzales. Today's great players' serves have always been compared to the serving motion of Pancho Gonzales. Irving Byrnes, to his credit, gave him that serve. He also gave me my serve which was renowned in the South Bay for its spin and kick.  From the 2 years I spent with Irving Byrnes, I learned a lot of teaching techniques that I still use today. One quote that Pancho was known for is one that I frequently heard from Irving Byrnes, "Practice your serve every time you set foot on the court". Irving Byrnes instilled in me the need for a strong second serve.  A quote that I say to all of my students is "You're only as good as your second serve".

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I believe that my serve and my ability to teach it, is the main reason that I became a teaching pro. "The serve is the easiest and hardest to master". Easiest because you are in total control of both the service motion and the toss, which, if done consistently, will become a well lubricated machine-like motion that can be repeated over and over. It is hardest because of the timing with complicated moves along the kinetic chain and feel of the hit. With consistent practice these difficulties can be overcome.