January 8 , 2009 
Acceleration Tennis at Meadowood (Napa) Resort - Doug King
Click here to see a video tour of Doug King's program at Meadowood Resort.
Evolutionary Change versus Compulsory Change David W. Smith Senior Editor, TennisOne In my articles I've tried to emphasize the importance of understanding how players learn, respond, and, subsequently, employ the concepts of skilled tennis execution and strategy. While there are a plethora of methods to "hit a ball over the net," there are only a limited number of methods that result in more prolific play or allow players to move on to more prolific play over time. Today I'd like to focus on how different kinds of change can be either detrimental to or contribute to more skilled play. Change is Inevitable The saying, "the only thing that is truly constant in life is change," certainly can apply to the way students learn to play tennis. However, it is interesting that depending on how players learn–or rather depending on the foundation they first develop when learning–millions of players can end up stagnating at levels far below their potential. Why is this? It is a given that new players to tennis will make changes in the initial patterns and strokes they first learn. But this observation must be understood in the context of natural adaptations versus compulsory adaptations. Compulsory changes are those that must occur for the player to reach his or her potential, whereas natural adaptations are changes made within a foundation that are not mandatory for more skilled play, but occur because of the natural, human propensity to create idiosyncrasies based on player perceptions, personality, and character. Obviously, as a player becomes more comfortable and familiar with the complex interaction of moving, swinging, and hitting a moving tennis ball, (and, accordingly, applying various spins, speeds, and hitting the ball to strategically optimal locations), the student will evolve as they develop an affinity for these components just as a musicians develop different playing styles, rhythms, feel, and personal tastes in the music they play. While 100 people can learn to play the piano within the same correct playing foundation, each one will develop a unique and personal flair for both the instrument as well as the music they choose to play. Tennis players are no different! Mandatory Change If a student learns rudimentary, grips, strokes, and footwork, then the aspect of reaching "skilled" levels is dependent on the player's ability to make mandatory changes in many of these hitting elements. The player must change from the inferior, ineffective, or just plain flawed patterns that were first learned, and, at some point, adopt and master more effective, prolific, and opportunistic methods. Making such changes is hard. It reminds me of the story about the woman who gave her tennis pro $50 bucks for her lesson and said, "Now don't change a thing!" This hits close to home for many players! Why Mandatory Change is so difficult This concept of learning rudimentary methods first, then transitioning to more effective, prolific and advanced methods later is oddly unique to tennis. I have found few (if any) other sports or skilled activities that adopt this learning mantra. Most sports teach kids the same foundation that pros and other advanced players use. The difference is usually in the equipment or distances: Basketball coaches use smaller basketballs and lower hoops; golf instructors use shorter clubs and hit to shorter targets; baseball coaches teach proper throwing techniques but within shorter distances. Yet, of the 117 books I have on tennis, (not to mention many DVD's, web-sites, the USTA, and even teaching pros in the industry), most pontificate from a foundation of teaching methods that are less challenging with the focus on getting the student to play tennis fast. There seems to be a fear that if students are introduced to challenging methods first, they will abandon the sport quickly. Now, while I know there are those who resist anything that is challenging, the truth is, most student–even kids–understand the concept of learning things that will lead them to become more prolific players. The reason that mandatory change is so difficult is that when the student begins to compete, regardless of the level of competition, the desire to win will usually override the desire to use more effective stroke mechanics–if those mechanics are unfamiliar, uncomfortable. This phenomenon will always cause the student to revert back to more comfortable or familiar grips, swing paths, footwork or hitting strategies, even though they know such methods will not allow them to progress to more advanced levels. What Each Student Should Know Every student should ask themselves this one question before they attempt to play tennis: Is this technique based on advanced play or will it need to change later on? Obviously, if the student could care less about improvement and doesn't want to become more skilled, then this concern is irrelevant. However, in my experience, I don't think I've ever come across a player who says, "Gee, I'd love to play tennis but I really don't want to be any good." When Does "Productive Change" Occur? Understand that, as I mentioned at the start of this article, all players will change from what ever initial patterns they first attempt. However, there is an important side note to this statement: When players learn an Advanced Foundation, these players usually experience what I call "Evolutionary Change." Just as in science, the term "Evolutionary Change" usually refers to "adaptive change," one that benefits the organism in its environment. In tennis, when the foundation is based on advanced principles, then the change is usually beneficial and based on the person's personality, character, and perception of strengths as they continue to develop. Such changes can include more (or less) aggressive grips, stances and loop swings on groundstrokes, variations in serve backswings and stance, the use of more slice or more topspin on various shots, and variations on follow-throughs among other things. Not only are these adaptations or evolutionary changes natural, they occur with little or no suggestion from a teacher. While there can always be suggestions to try something if the student is being too mechanical, it is rare indeed that pros need to teach such changes in a student's game. Conclusion Obviously players need to employ more advanced strokes and methods early on. Note, I don't promote hitting at speeds associated with more advanced play. Nor, do I promote extreme advanced "idiosyncrasies" you see among top pros. Almost all players will evolve and develop adaptive patterns to augment their foundation naturally over time. (However, at most academies, players are usually introduced to more extreme stroke patterns over time, once their foundation is established.) Remember, simply hitting thousands of balls every day will seldom lead to more advanced play unless those hits include the constant practice of more advanced, more prolific stroke patterns. There really is no reason anyone who has the desire can't become a highly skilled player. But, avoiding flawed learning methods is certainly not only a step in the right direction they are steps that will prevent a lot of frustration and stagnation in every player along the way! As always, we would love to hear from you! Questions, comments, personal experiences all create helpful dialogue for everyone! Please click here to send us your email.
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