Suggestions for
2008 Indiana Tennis Conference
(taken from evaluation forms submitted at end of 2007 conference)

IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS
Find a way to make the drill and idea exchange better and more inclusive
Be able to pick up handouts from sessions you did not get to see
Schedule several shorter, more specific skills workshops (forehand, backhand, volley, etc.)
Mail the specific dates and schedule of speakers sooner  (2008 Date -- Feb. 7-8-9, 2008 at Indy Racquet Club!)
Make sure the classrooms are well-marked with an itinerary of what sessions are scheduled there
Doughnuts and coffee!
When the coaches and pros combine again, label the sessions: USPTA pros, HS coaches, Business topics
A job posting board with envelopes for resumes
Consider just a 2-hour Thursday night session, then bring the speaker back the next morning (4 hours is too long)
Have more time for new ideas for h.s. tennis -- more discussion
Limit session lengths to 75 minutes.  Longer sessions need to be broken into smaller groups, then reconvene
Provide a Continental breakfast
Do a "networking hour" where everyone can meet each other
Have handouts and videos available
I liked how the raffle drawing was conducted this year (winning numbers posted)
Have a central place where coaches can get bottled water, soft drinks, snacks
Push attendance at Hall of Fame
Loved the long-sleeved shirts for the board members -- sell those shirts at the convention!
Provide demo rackets and time to try them
Put high-energy speaker on right after lunch!
Help speakers with their outlines.  A good outline makes it easier to follow the presentation
Cut out the lunch time on Saturday between the last session and the Rules Interpretation Meeting
Mail information to middle school tennis coaches


SUGGESTIONS FOR TOPICS/SPEAKERS
USTA National Coaches
Conditioning, footwork
Little kids ideas, drills
Player motivational ideas
HS Team practice ideas, traditions, team rules
Coaching philosophies
Bryan Smith
Teaching the backhand
Forum on doubles strategies
DartFish video analysis/application
Sports psychology, training, nutrition
Mark Bey
Mental training
New drills and games
Chris Evert
Lee Ann Berning
Gender specific techniques and motivational aspects for hs boys' and girls' tennis
Stan Smith
Patrick McEnroe
Singles tactics and strategies for beginners and intermediates
Periodization training for average players who aren't year-round club players
Luke Jenson
Paul Wardlaw
Communicating with parents
Team drills
Working with large groups of differing abilities with just one coach
Coaching 101 for beginners
The best way to first show someone how to serve
How to chart a match
A serving clinic -- beginning/intermediate on one court, advanced on a second court
Running a feeder program
Former coaches, trainers of top players such as Sampras, Agassi
Pre-tournament preparation
Running summer camps
Drills/practice ideas for "unsupervised" players on other courts while coach works with 2-4 players on one court
Vic Braden
Jack Groppel
Middle school tennis

CARRYOVER IDEAS FROM SUGGESTIONS AFTER RECENT CONFERENCES
Women in the tennis industry
Rod Workman, Wayne Bryan, college coaches
"Drills for Kids 8 and Under"
"Drills for JV players who are awful players!"
More topics on strokes and techniques for coaches
Ken DeHart -- drills
Successful high school coaches discussing their programs
Fund-raising ideas for high school programs
Kirk Anderson, grassroots teaching aid
Steve Wilkinson
Chuck Kriese
Steve Contardi
"How to Handle Kids' Emotional Problems On and Off the Court"
Byron Buckley
Motivating Players and Charting Their Progress
Tennis Skill Teaching for New Coaches (including rules)
More sessions on team management
How to organize practices throughout the season
Understanding the significance of footwork
Return of Serve drills
Trainer -- addressing weight training in shoulders, core, legs, wrists
Grips ... and the reasons to use each kind
Different spins on the serve
Lou Holtz -- inspirational speaker. How to Motivate.
More every year about mental toughness (from different speakers)
IHSAA rules clarification and enforcement (offseason legal/not legal)
Larry Heflin (Lone Oak, KY, high school coach)
Lin Loring -- doubles strategies and ideas
Basic steps to teach and develop a serve
Successful mid-level coaches and drills and other things that they do
Drills for HS coaches given by HS coaches