Pass it forward:
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Now it's your turn.
Olivia and Sammi teamed together to win 2nd place in our doubles tournament.
Younger kids look up to older kids and need role models who have a big heart. So we have set up a chance for you to get on this elite team of players who give of your time once or twice a week for 8 weeks to play tennis for 1 hr with a less developed player, and get to know the younger player by spending another 1/2 hour listening to them and sharing your own experiences.
This will be a huge motivational time for the younger child and may even change your own life. It will tell the younger player (s)he is appreciated and important to someone outside his or her immediate family.
Here's how it works:
1) Tell Jim you want to be on the "Pass it Forward Team". He will tell you if you qualify.
2) Jim will let you know if there is a young player who wants a tennis friend to practice with.
3) If Jim knows of a young player in need, he will give that younger player your name and phone number,
and you will be contacted by that player's parents. He or she will ask you if you are willing to practice with
their child once or twice a week for 4 weeks. This will always be girl to girl or boy to boy. One or both kid's
parents must be present at the tennis court at a local high school during the hour and a 1/2.
4) During your practice time you should give the younger player a few technique suggestions and work on 1-2
areas of their tennis game.
Example: help them practice the forehand by working toward a reasonable goal of 6 or 10 groundstrokes in
a row. Then feed balls to their forehand and compliment them on what they do well (like a good follow
through or nice footwork).
Next, help them on their serve or volleys.
Finally, play out some points with them, but don't keep score unless they insist.
5) At the end of the hour sit down and get to know them by asking questions about their family, school,
hobbies, favorite vacation spots, what they want to do when they grow up, etc. Most kids can answer those
questions with 3 to 4 words. Don't let them get away with that type of answer.
Ask the famous 5 Conversation Expander Questions: What, Why, Where, When & How.
If you ask what is their favorite subject in school they may say: "I like math." You should then say:
"What do you like about it? Why is it your favorite? When did you first get interested in it?
How do you think it will benefit you in the future? In other words, help them expand their answer.
Good conversation people are rare. It is an art form of life, but you can master it if you try. If you get good
at it you will come out of your own shell and become much more people centered instead of self centered.
As a tennis pro for 30 years, I have to work on this all the time and I have learned from my wife, Polly, how to
do this. She is an expert conversationalist, much better than me. However, I am still learning to improve.
In the end, if you do this, you will gain a new friend who needs a role model like you to look up to.
Call me today if you want to join this club. Jim (503) 658-3850
BONUS: Someday when you apply for a job this can go on your resume, i.e., that you were a member of Big Brother/Sister Club.
Future employers are impressed with new people who are applying for a job & think and act outside the box, i.e., outside of self & onto others.
This will be a huge motivational time for the younger child and may even change your own life. It will tell the younger player (s)he is appreciated and important to someone outside his or her immediate family.
Here's how it works:
1) Tell Jim you want to be on the "Pass it Forward Team". He will tell you if you qualify.
2) Jim will let you know if there is a young player who wants a tennis friend to practice with.
3) If Jim knows of a young player in need, he will give that younger player your name and phone number,
and you will be contacted by that player's parents. He or she will ask you if you are willing to practice with
their child once or twice a week for 4 weeks. This will always be girl to girl or boy to boy. One or both kid's
parents must be present at the tennis court at a local high school during the hour and a 1/2.
4) During your practice time you should give the younger player a few technique suggestions and work on 1-2
areas of their tennis game.
Example: help them practice the forehand by working toward a reasonable goal of 6 or 10 groundstrokes in
a row. Then feed balls to their forehand and compliment them on what they do well (like a good follow
through or nice footwork).
Next, help them on their serve or volleys.
Finally, play out some points with them, but don't keep score unless they insist.
5) At the end of the hour sit down and get to know them by asking questions about their family, school,
hobbies, favorite vacation spots, what they want to do when they grow up, etc. Most kids can answer those
questions with 3 to 4 words. Don't let them get away with that type of answer.
Ask the famous 5 Conversation Expander Questions: What, Why, Where, When & How.
If you ask what is their favorite subject in school they may say: "I like math." You should then say:
"What do you like about it? Why is it your favorite? When did you first get interested in it?
How do you think it will benefit you in the future? In other words, help them expand their answer.
Good conversation people are rare. It is an art form of life, but you can master it if you try. If you get good
at it you will come out of your own shell and become much more people centered instead of self centered.
As a tennis pro for 30 years, I have to work on this all the time and I have learned from my wife, Polly, how to
do this. She is an expert conversationalist, much better than me. However, I am still learning to improve.
In the end, if you do this, you will gain a new friend who needs a role model like you to look up to.
Call me today if you want to join this club. Jim (503) 658-3850
BONUS: Someday when you apply for a job this can go on your resume, i.e., that you were a member of Big Brother/Sister Club.
Future employers are impressed with new people who are applying for a job & think and act outside the box, i.e., outside of self & onto others.
