The Carolina Panthers are 17-1 and headed to Super Bowl 50. The team is fulfilling its Destiny and looking to redeem the loss in their only other Super Bowl appearance in 2004. While becoming a powerhouse franchise in the NFL, there are 5 things that the Panthers are doing that you can use to improve your tennis game.
- Stay together as a team- Throughout the 2015 season, the Panthers team have always given credit to their teammates. Yes, that is easier to do when you win 17 games. It is also too easy to get down on teammates when they fumble, throw an interception or make a mistake. The same is true for tennis. Everybody makes mistakes, so when your partner double faults or misses an easy shot, let it go and be positive with them. Remember you also miss shots and would want to be treated fairly. Also, after the match always deflect compliments to your partner and remain humble. After a loss, make sure to be complimentary to your opponents. I personally had a problem with this as a junior tennis player and would blame myself for losing and not give credit to my opponent for winning. Don't make the same mistake, it is short-sided and limits your personal growth.
- Stay with your strengths- When something is working well, why change it? The Panthers found great success in leveraging the athletic abilities of their quarterback, Cam Newton and the tenacity of their defense. Cam led a lightning bolt offense with a strong arm and fleet feet. Favorite targets Olsen, Ginn, Jr. & Benjamin were valuable receivers and the defense anchored by Davis, Kuechly & Norman stopped opposing quarterbacks all season and never wavered in their study of the opposition. I was told very early on in my tennis career to keep a winning game and change a losing one. If your game is driving one opponent crazy, why involve her partner any more than necessary? If your partner is on fire at the net, do all you can to get her up there and hit a consistent ball to set her up to attack the opponent's returns. Often, when players get ahead they like to start experimenting with different tactics that might be a weakness. If you are up 6-0, 5-0, have at it. Otherwise stick to the game plan and play your strengths that day.
- Share the success- He has been criticized by some, but Cam Newton likes to celebrate with his teammates and fans. He started handing the touchdown football to young kids in the endzone front row and circling the stadium giving high fives after the games. He is also quick to credit his teammates for victories and take responsibility for mistakes (remember tip #1). In fact, Cam has all the names of his teammates written on his cleats. Charlotte, NC has also benefited from all Panthers players becoming more active in the community and thanking the very people that support them. When you win matches, make sure to thank your partner (she was there too) and maybe even your team captain (thankless job). Also don't forget to share your happiness with your certified tennis coach. He/she would love to hear about what went right in your match and use that feedback to help you continue to improve. When you do not win, make sure to not drag down your partner. Be graceful in defeat and congratulate your opponents. Make sure not to cheapen other teammates' wins with off-handed comments (ex. they stacked the team and you got the weaker team or you were lucky to play with her, she is much better than you). This happens more often than you realize and will create the wrong team atmosphere for your success.
- Remain positive in the face of adversity- You will not always have great success and you have a 50% chance of losing today. The Panthers at one time were looking at an undefeated season when they lost to division rival Atlanta Falcons in week 16. Although a setback, they regrouped and came back to beat the Buccaneers 38-10 a week later. Matches are not always going to go your way. The sun will come out when you serve and go behind the clouds for your opponents. You will leave your favorite racquet in your spouse's car right before they leave town. As I tell my children and remind my clients, life is not fair and the earlier you can learn that the better. More than likely it will take from you rather than give to you. Learning this early on in life and sports will allow you to take a mental inventory before, during and after matches. You do not get what you think you deserve, you get what you work for. No one likes to lose, but make sure you give it 100% from beginning to end. One of my biggest pet peeves is when juniors start losing during a match and play sloppy tennis just to get it over. They justify losing by saying that they did not give it 100%. That thinking is going in the wrong direction. Of course it is going to hurt when you give it everything you've got and you lose but what did you learn or gain from not giving your best effort. An attitude of "whatever is convenient" won't accomplish very much. An attitude of "whatever it takes" is impossible to stop. You always learn much more about your game and yourself from your losses than your victories.
- Give back and lift up others- The Panthers have definitely had an incredibly positive influence on their fans and city this season. Youth football programs have grown, local charities have seen Panther players support their causes and they have given the city of Charlotte hope and something in which to collectively believe. Earlier in Newton's career, he was seen as cocky and not willing to engage with the fans. That has been a 180 this season, with Cam finally taking on the full role of leader. Like all great leaders they know it takes a full team for sustained success. Cam has plenty of Pro Bowl teammates but his real support comes from the fans. One fan in particular, Braylon Beam, has stolen the hearts of the Panthers and their fans. Braylon is fighting brain cancer and was selected by Make-A-Wish to be a NFL coach for the day. Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera handed over the reins during Panther Fanfest and Braylon did not disappoint. See the video clip Braylon Beam. So how does this relate to you? You love tennis and at some point and time, you were introduced to it by someone else. Why not pay it forward and encourage someone who has never played to give it a try? Connect them with your tennis professional and help them get the right start to learning the game. Take your gratitude one step further and invite a player that might be struggling or with less experience to join your foursome. Tennis players can sometimes be cliquish and play with the same 3-5 people all the time. Expand your circle and enjoy playing with a variety of partners and opponents. It wasn't too long ago that you were the "weaker" player wanting to play with "stronger" players to improve. Make sure you don't forget the value that gave to you when you were moving up the ladder.
Tennis is the vehicle for a healthy, athletic life. Be positive, play to your strengths, lift up others, stay strong and give back to raise your game and life to its highest potential. See you on court and #keeppounding
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