How do I Make The Team?
As interest in tennis has grown over the years we continue to try and accommodate everyone's desire to play this great sport. As our team has become more competitive over the years the skill and attributes required to be a varsity tennis player has grown. The following characteristics are what coaches will be looking for as they select the team this year.
What We're Looking For
Court Skills:
Do you have all of the basic shots down? Groundstrokes, net play, serves, returns? Do you understand how and when to hit shots and how to attack your opponents weakness? Do the mechanics of your strokes allow you to hit the ball consistently in and to where you want it? Can you defeat someone of lesser skill than you in a tight situation? Coaches will be looking at all of these aspects for all players. We want players that can do it all and have all the necessary skills.
Do you have all of the basic shots down? Groundstrokes, net play, serves, returns? Do you understand how and when to hit shots and how to attack your opponents weakness? Do the mechanics of your strokes allow you to hit the ball consistently in and to where you want it? Can you defeat someone of lesser skill than you in a tight situation? Coaches will be looking at all of these aspects for all players. We want players that can do it all and have all the necessary skills.
Dedication:
This concept requires ZERO skill, only effort and attitude. We will be looking at all girls to gauge their level of commitment towards the sport and the team. Being punctual (on-time) is a must to show dedication to the sport and your teammates, you can't cheat the game by not taking it serious. An effort of 100% is required at all times no matter what is happening on the outside of the court. We know you might not feel comfortable or capable at times on the court or in life but max effort is a constant that never should dwindle. We want players who are dedicated to the sport.
This concept requires ZERO skill, only effort and attitude. We will be looking at all girls to gauge their level of commitment towards the sport and the team. Being punctual (on-time) is a must to show dedication to the sport and your teammates, you can't cheat the game by not taking it serious. An effort of 100% is required at all times no matter what is happening on the outside of the court. We know you might not feel comfortable or capable at times on the court or in life but max effort is a constant that never should dwindle. We want players who are dedicated to the sport.
Athleticism:
How good of an athlete are you? How high can you jump? How fast can you run? What kind of shape are you in? How's your reactions? While many people are born athletic there are those who work hard at becoming athletic by effective training and correct practice. Being an athlete on the tennis court is one of the biggest advantages for high school players, use that to your advantage. If you're less athletic than you'd like to be, play all sports to become more comfortable and athletic on the court. We love players who play multiple sports. "Cavemen Play 2" is an AFHS slogan that encourages multi-sport athletes. We want our tennis players to be athletic.
How good of an athlete are you? How high can you jump? How fast can you run? What kind of shape are you in? How's your reactions? While many people are born athletic there are those who work hard at becoming athletic by effective training and correct practice. Being an athlete on the tennis court is one of the biggest advantages for high school players, use that to your advantage. If you're less athletic than you'd like to be, play all sports to become more comfortable and athletic on the court. We love players who play multiple sports. "Cavemen Play 2" is an AFHS slogan that encourages multi-sport athletes. We want our tennis players to be athletic.
Coachability:
Being coachable is a life skill that requires ZERO talent. Taking advice or direction from a coach and putting it into practice is vital, it helps achieve the vision of the team and enrich the playing experience. Athletes who aren't coachable miss the big picture of team success and how it affects others. We look for athletes who are looking to be coached knowing that there's always a chance to improve. "If you're green you're growin', if you're ripe you're rotten." We want players who want to be coached.
Being coachable is a life skill that requires ZERO talent. Taking advice or direction from a coach and putting it into practice is vital, it helps achieve the vision of the team and enrich the playing experience. Athletes who aren't coachable miss the big picture of team success and how it affects others. We look for athletes who are looking to be coached knowing that there's always a chance to improve. "If you're green you're growin', if you're ripe you're rotten." We want players who want to be coached.
Attitude:
Once again, this is something that requires ZERO skill. Having a positive attitude will allow you to be humble and grow at the same time. Making things pleasant on the court has everything to do with attitude and that takes preparation on and off the court. While being athletic is a huge determining factor for success on the tennis court, one's attitude will put them over the top and help them achieve ultimate success. Humility goes along way in sports as you acknowledge there's more to do and improve upon. Whether you're involved in a drill, exercise, workout, or match, a positive attitude will only help you perform better. We are looking for players who have a positive attitude and look for the good in life.
Once again, this is something that requires ZERO skill. Having a positive attitude will allow you to be humble and grow at the same time. Making things pleasant on the court has everything to do with attitude and that takes preparation on and off the court. While being athletic is a huge determining factor for success on the tennis court, one's attitude will put them over the top and help them achieve ultimate success. Humility goes along way in sports as you acknowledge there's more to do and improve upon. Whether you're involved in a drill, exercise, workout, or match, a positive attitude will only help you perform better. We are looking for players who have a positive attitude and look for the good in life.
Team Makeup
Varsity/JV
Varsity/JV will consist of the top 21 Girls selected by the coaches. These girls are considered varsity contributors meaning that they may earn the opportunity to play at least one match at the varsity level against another high school. These girls will practice together daily, may be enrolled in the Tennis Conditioning Class, and be together as a team throughout the year. Coaches will determine who best fits where on the lineup when we play other schools while considering the above mentioned skills/attributes.
Practice Squad
These girls will be grouped together into skill levels to best help their growth and progress as a tennis player. They will receive instruction from coaches and their improvement will depend on their practice and desire to play challenge matches against one another. These girls will practice after the Varsity team and could have opportunities to play matches against other teams throughout the year.
