Compete Like a Champion

Tennis #16

The best athletes are always looking to gain an edge on the competition. In Compete Like a Champion, Dr. Larry Lauer and Coach Johnny Parkes from USTA Player Development will explore all aspects of high performance tennis and what it takes to become a successful athlete. Our hosts will provide useful tips for tennis players, coaches, and parents. Visit www.playerdevelopment.usta.com for more resources.

Mental Fatigue? Yes, It's a Thing
Apr 22, 2025 – 35:22
Skill Drill - Mindfulness On-Court to Off-Court
Apr 7, 2025 – 26:46
Skill Drill - Spanish "Suffering" Drills
Mar 24, 2025 – 28:48
The Spanish Way With Chris Lewit: Part 2
Mar 17, 2025 – 33:08
The Spanish Way With Chris Lewit: Part 1
Mar 10, 2025 – 41:04
Boredom Isn't So Bad
Feb 24, 2025 – 20:23
Skill Drill - Finding Other Ways to Improve During Injury Time Off
Feb 3, 2025 – 21:49
How to Handle Injuries Effectively
Jan 21, 2025 – 34:57
Enhancing Your Performance and Life via Reflection and Gratitude
Dec 9, 2024 – 30:43
Skill Drill - Off-Court Coaching Simulation
Nov 18, 2024 – 28:22
Off-Court Coaching: Necessary Evolution or Threat to Tradition
Nov 7, 2024 – 39:22
Skill Drill - Outtoughing Opponents
Oct 21, 2024 – 30:46
Out-Toughing Opponents: Closing the Talent Gap
Oct 9, 2024 – 31:03
Skill Dril - Working On Anger Triggers On Court
Sep 17, 2024 – 29:48
Anger in Tennis - Does it Help?
Aug 26, 2024 – 33:48
Skill Drill - Deal or No Deal
Aug 14, 2024 – 33:13
How to Prep for a "Big" Event
Jul 31, 2024 – 29:04
Skill Drill - Coaching Players to be Motivated for Drills They Don't Like
Jun 24, 2024 – 31:54
Commitment Is Greater Than Motivation - Acting off Values
May 27, 2024 – 25:08
Skill Dril - When and How to Tap Into a Player's Common Motives
May 13, 2024 – 32:40
How to Motivate Players (and Why It's Challenging)
Apr 29, 2024 – 34:28
Skill Drill - Leading Your Performance Team From Forming to Performing
Apr 8, 2024 – 28:59
Models of Team Formation, Development, and Effectiveness
Mar 29, 2024 – 33:17
Skill Dril - On Court Support and Challenge
Mar 4, 2024 – 16:33
Habits of Effective Tennis Teams
Feb 19, 2024 – 39:20
End of '23 Reflection - How to Reflect in a Healthy Way
Dec 11, 2023 – 28:29
Coaching Excellence with Young Players - Coach Richard Ashby
Nov 27, 2023 – 56:15
Skill Drill: Slowing Down to Speed Up - Learning Progression and Coach Cues
Nov 13, 2023 – 22:20
Pressure is a Privilege - Integrating Mental Skills into Drills
Oct 23, 2023 – 31:37
Skill Drill - Determination While Defending
Oct 2, 2023 – 17:55
US Open - CoCo’ Resiliency, Ben’s Confidence, Novak's Determination
Sep 25, 2023 – 36:45
Skill Drill - Effective Use of the Towel Between Points
Sep 8, 2023 – 19:40
Busting 3 Tennis Performance Myths
Aug 21, 2023 – 33:44
Skill Drill - Simulating Major Competitions
Aug 8, 2023 – 30:58
5 Factors for Effective Coaching at Major Competitions
Jul 24, 2023 – 23:27
Skill Drill - Competition in Perspective
Jul 10, 2023 – 22:06
Keeping Competition in Perspective
Jun 26, 2023 – 43:55
Skill Drill - Overcoming Excuses On-Court
Jun 12, 2023 – 14:59
Excuse Me - Why We Make Excuses
May 29, 2023 – 31:29
Skill Drill - Reward the Process Games
May 15, 2023 – 20:07
The Art of the Debrief
May 1, 2023 – 29:32
Skill Drill: Bounce Back Game
Apr 24, 2023 – 15:25
Coaching Players to Bounce Back and the "Andy Murray Effect"
Mar 20, 2023 – 45:30
Skill Drill - Focusing on the Serve & Return
Mar 6, 2023 – 13:06
How do Players Pay Attention (TAIS)
Feb 13, 2023 – 45:55
A Healthy Tennis Pipeline: Australian Open 2023 Review
Feb 6, 2023 – 29:09
Skill Drill - Leading a Pre-Season Team Meeting
Dec 23, 2022 – 25:08
Creating an Effective Pre-Season
Dec 16, 2022 – 43:17
Skill Drill - Fun Athletic Warm-ups
Nov 21, 2022 – 20:10
Structuring Warm-ups to Develop the Athlete
Nov 15, 2022 – 30:09

Recent Reviews

Colossal Tennis

This is a wonderful podcast!

I love this podcast! As the Co-Founder of Colossal Tennis and USTA High Performance Certified Coach, I use many of these exercises in my daily practices with al of my students. Dr. Larry and Coach Johnny do an outstanding job presenting their ideas and information in an educational and entertaining way. Thanks for what you guys do on the podcast and keep up the great work!
Vinnie D #23

Visualization Ep

Hey all, Loved the Visualization ep. You mentioned resources in the show notes. Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks and great work! V
reviewNickname3124

This helps me understand more of what is required to become a great player

I have been listening for a while now and I love this podcast
tnnsgrl

Thank you

I am junior player living in Chicago and it’s very helpful. It helps me to accept the fact that I cannot do what most top juniors in nation are doing due to my family finances. Coaches and hosts are saying all the right things about practicing, tournaments etc however the more I listen the more I don’t understand usta and how player development works. I have one problem , I basically train like it’s told on this podcast , I don’t hunt the points mainly because can’t afford to travel and spend huge money on National tournaments which lead to the conclusion. All the players I train here with that travel mostly every two weeks to a National tournaments at some point are invited by USTA to a camps and they told me that I should be invited but in order to have it happen you have to play couple National tournaments. Basically it’s disappointing to listen to this podcast saying don’t worry about not playing too many tournaments and focus on development more and then players development people make you to play tournaments to be noticed! But review is about podcast and I love it !!!