The word perfect often comes up in the language of coaching. Perfect practice leads to greater performance and other such myths exist in the world of sport. Is the pursuit of perfection actually slowing down development of players and adversely affecting their belief and focus? In this episode the guys dig deep into the concept of perfect and how tennis is a messy, imperfect world. Ways to help perfectionists deal with unrealistic ideas of performance are explored as well as the roots of perfectionism.

Dr. L and Coach Johnny tackle the much discussed, misunderstood phenomenon of cheating in junior tennis. Is cheating rampant and if so, why? What should players do about it? Some of the ways players attempt to deal with cheating are discussed, as well as how it might all be in your head anyway. Conventional ideas such as cheating a cheater back are refuted and a new way of looking at and dealing with perceived cheating is examined.

ATP Player Mackie McDonald joins the podcast to discuss his journey from junior tennis to the professional ranks. In is personal journey he talks about how he started in tennis and some of the big moments along the way including his epic match vs. Dimitrov at the Aussie Open and his memorable 4th round run at Wimbledon. Mackie ends the podcast providing recommendations to young players striving to be a great tennis player, and to coaches on how to support their players

Personal growth is always framed as a positive pursuit and one that we should all be engaging in. But is there a dark side to striving for personal growth? What mindsets lend themselves to achieving growth? What inaccurate perceptions do many athletes, coaches, and parents have about growth that have negative effects on motivation and learning? You will want to listen as we discuss ideas about personal growth in tennis that you don't hear very often.

How can you use music to prepare for your matches? When should you listen to it? What kind of music should you listen to? Believe it or not, there is some science behind why athletes choose the music they listen to before competition. Dr. Larry and Coach Johnny break down how to use music to enhance your performance, and the pitfalls of using music ineffectively to prepare for matches.

Coach Mark Lerman joins the podcast to discuss observations from the 2019 US Open. From how players prepare to how they compete in crunch time, examples are given on how to manage distractions, handle adversity and perform under pressure. A must listen for players who are interested in developing their mental game in tennis.

To learn more: playerdevelopment.usta.com

To close the gap between matches and practices coaches must rely on specific principles in the practice environment. In this episode Dr. L and Coach Johnny discuss how great coaches John Wooden and Jose Higueras set the practice environment including setting expectations, creating accountability, and keeping it simple. 

To learn more, visit playerdevelopment.usta.com

In this episode the guys review their observations from the USTA National Junior Clay Court Championships. They talk about what they saw from players and parents and how things are trending in a good direction. They discuss ideas for how players, parents, and coaches can navigate junior national tournaments. 

To learn more, visit: playerdevelopment.usta.com

Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach, President of the USCCE and professor at West Virginia University, drops by the podcast to discuss the status of coaching in the US. The episode details the importance of the coach developer and what the role entails. The role of coaching in tennis, the continued need for coaches to develop their craft and what parents should expect in a coach is also discussed. 

Learn more at playerdevelopment.usta.com

Dr. Larry and Coach Johnny observe the 2019 US Open and discuss factors that are determining the outcome of matches. The guys talk strategies on how to manage the stress and chaos of a Grand Slam in the Big Apple. 

Find out more at: playerdevelopment.usta.com