Area
Coaches Comment on High School No-Cut Program
The USTA Promotes No-Cut
Teams as "The Right Thing to Do"--
--Will Local Coaches Heed the Message?
2/15/08
With the idea that every child should have the opportunity to engage in healthy, lifelong activities in a a safe and supportive environment with their peers, the USTA is asking high school coaches to institute a No-Cut Tennis Program at their school.
"A no-cut policy sends the message that developing kids, even the less talented and/or late bloomers, are important to the coach," states the USTA website. Other reasons that the USTA gives in support of a No-Cut program include:
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Participating on a team helps create well rounded student athletes, develops leadership and teaches responsibility, discipline, teamwork and cooperation - skills every student should be entitled to develop.
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One week of tryouts is not enough for a coach to know who the best players will be in four years. Coaches are often pleasantly surprised by the contributions made by individuals considered to have less potential.
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Veteran no-cut coaches typically have higher winning percentages because they are able to capitalize on talent from a larger pool of players.
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Coaches conducting no-cut programs implement better coaching techniques, group management skills and set a great example for other school activities.
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No-cut programs open more opportunities for cooperation with parents, school and community that can result in much needed booster support as well as a built-in fan base for team matches
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Giving students the opportunity to be on a team with friends and representing their high school can provide a positive and memorable experience that will benefit them long into adulthood.
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Tennis helps athletes develop strength, flexibility, balance and agility along with aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Research shows that tennis players score high in vigor, optimism, and self-esteem, and lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than other athletes and non-athletes.
*source: USTA website
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Local Richmond area coaches were recently given an opportunity to comment on the No-Cut Program for this article. While many felt that the Program's goals were admirable, most coaches have not yet signed up as a 'No-Cut Coach'. Coaches who do sign up with the Program are eligible to receive a USTA recognition letter and certificate, customized press release, a Banner for their school, teaching aids and certain USTA promotional items.
Many of the coaches who responded to comment requests said that a No-Cut policy simply isn't doable.
"I like to be able to put everyone in at least one match and I have found that players would not perform well if I kept everyone," said Godwin girls' tennis coach Mark Seidenberg. "Practice time with limited courts is difficult.
"Also, we take a number of over-night trips which would not be financially feasible with a no cut policy."
Suzi Hupfer, the girls' tennis coach at Caroline County High School does not cut players. "Basically, they cut themselves. If they don't come to practice or refuse to run, or have a lousy attitude, I might ask them not to return," she said. "But Caroline County is rural, with no tennis clubs or programs. I love the sport and want to introduce it to as many girls as I can." Suzi could consider signing up as a No-Cut program coach.
Nancy Hayes, who coaches the James River girls' team, said that she would like to be a No-Cut coach, but needs to make cuts to keep the tennis program at a manageable size. "If I could get more help, I would consider expanding to a No-Cut program." As a public school in the Chesterfield County school district, James River isn't allocated funds for assistant coaches.
"The USTA offers up many 'simple' solutions for court allocation issues, but the reality is that it is very difficult to manage a large program if you are the only coach. Most of us who coach are not tennis professionals, but rather club players with a love for the sport," said Hayes, a 4.0 level player at ACAC. In fact, public schools are often bound by rules requiring athletic directors to hire teachers over outsiders for coaching positions -- that is, if a teacher is available. Salaries for teachers who take on coaching responsibilities are often startlingly low.
"There aren't enough resources available to help do what you need to do," said one recently retired boys' coach who gave up his position after just one year of coaching. "Dealing with parents, court issues, time constraints....it was difficult. The school didn't even offer transportation to drive the Varsity to matches."
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One of the more controversial reasons for No-Cut teams promulgated by Program supporters is the idea that "Children who are cut from sport programs are almost always the least skilled or those who have discipline problems. It is precisely these youngsters who are in need of an opportunity to grow through sport."
Some coaches who were interviewed for this article stated that this is the least likely reason they would give for not cutting players. "I don't have time to devote to training one player, or handling immature behavior at the expense of the rest of my players who come to the court ready to play and willing to listen," said one. He advised instead that players should work to develop skill sets and a work ethic before coming to tryouts.
One way to do that is to get players started in programs at the elementary or middle school level. Chesterfield County is one of the largest counties in Virginia, but it does not offer tennis in middle school, while school districts north of the James River do. It's not hard to see why teams advancing to the State Championships hail from those districts offering tennis programs to middle school students.
Nancy
Hayes agrees. "I believe Chesterfield County needs to get
tennis started at some of our middle schools. If interest
increases, high schools can then offer JV programs, which is the best
way to encourage many more young people to get involved with the
game." Currently there is little or no opportunity for
players not in the 'Top 6', the players who make up the Varsity, to play
in meaningful matches.
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"Splitting the boys and girls seasons would help us make better use of our courts," said Hayes. She shares practice time on the school's 6 courts with the boys team. At Midlothian High School, the boys' and girls' teams alternate practices on only 4 courts.
"I am very aware of the USTA's program but at the present time I do not participate in it," said Midlothian HS girls team coach, Doug Garrett.
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Private schools locally don't have as many issues with court allocation and coaching turnover. Part of this is due to the fact that the boys season is separate from the girls, with the boys playing in Spring and girls in the Fall. Also, private schools have more courts on average, which does allow coaches more of an ability to take on more players. Some schools, like Collegiate, are also in a position to pay a small amount for Assistant Coaches to take on JV teams.
"We are not a 'no-cut' team per se, but we strive to find a place for all who desire to participate," said Collegiate Coach Chris Conquest. "Van capacity (for travel to matches), court availability, conditioning/weight room capacity, significant match-play opportunity, and meaningful coaching ratios all preclude unlimited rosters.
"Students who are sophomores or younger may play on a JV team. Sometimes, when it presents as a good fit, I offer a Team Manager position to a player who might otherwise be cut. Otherwise, the coaches here try to encourage students who might be cut to play a different sport. For example, there might be room for more athletes on the Track team where there is demand for a variety of skill sets."
In Henrico County, Godwin boys' team coach Tom Hoy said, "Having a JV team would be ideal. [Under current athletic program rules] If you play your alternates against another team, it counts as one of the 16 matches that you are allowed by the VHSL." In the past, Hoy had his alternate players get some match time against private teams like Benedictine or Trinity. "My alternates would play their starters. However, it counted as one of my 16 matches so I had to stop doing it."
Coach Hayes seconded Hoy's frustration with the lack of JV programs at public schools. "You only need your top six for a match. Usually three exhibition matches are played [following the varsity matches], which gives the next 6 players some match experience. This is the public school version of a JV team where new players are given the match experience that they need to develop their skills. Unfortunately, it is limited by both time --oftentimes it gets too dark to play-- and court constraints."
Overall, most of the coaches who responded felt that No-Cut teams can work under the right circumstances. "Four years ago, when I started coaching at James River, we were a No-Cut program by default," said Coach Hayes. "Twelve young ladies came out for the team, and half of them had no tennis experience. I kept the entire group and essentially ran two practices simultaneously.
"Occasionally I convinced a friend to come out and help me mostly by spending time with the less experienced players. It was a terrific group of girls and ultimately a very rewarding coaching experience."
Coach Hayes will be able to see the fruits of her efforts this year. This Spring, at least two of those original novice level players will be in the varsity line-up. "A testament to why it would be great to be a No-Cut program," she said. "The more people who learn to love tennis, the better!"
But, No-Cut will be a no-go for Coach Hayes this season, at least. Last month, almost 30 girls were present at her 'tennis interest meeting' - eleven returning players and almost 20 new potential recruits.
"Cuts will probably need to be made."
However, there are always those who figure out a way. Like Coach Jim Alberston, who retired last year from coaching the boys' and girls' teams at Clover Hill. "In my entire years as tennis coach, I never cut. Even with only four courts. Being part of the team in any capacity is really important in high school. I was the boys' coach at Clover Hill ten years - and girls' coach for three. Never cut."
Last year, Alberston's team won the District Championship.
For more information about the USTA No-Cut Program, visit the USTA website
by:
Sara James
Thank you to the many coaches who contributed comments for this article
:)