AboutJim Leupold Expertise I feel very confident answering any questions regarding technical aspects of the game -
from stroke production to strategy. My strengths, because of my extensive training, is
keeping the game very simple, energy-efficient and effective, eliminating injuries and
mistakes at the same time.
Experience I've been the director of tennis and teaching tennis fulltime for 21 years, 19 at one of the top tennis resorts in the US and the world, the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. I've traveled to 20 countries around the world, playing and teaching tennis and performing comedic and entertaining tennis shows. I work with Peter Burwash International (PBI), a company which trains professionals for 400 hours before the first lesson can be taught. That's compounded by continuing education, including a mandatory 60-hour annual meeting and 360 educational newsletters from PBI professionals received every year.
Organizations Peter Burwas International (PBI), the world's foremost tennis management company with 90 professionals in 20 countries worldwide
Education/Credentials I received a B.A. in Journalism in 1985.
Awards and Honors * Tennis Magazine's Ten Greatest Tennis Resorts - twice
* Tennis Magazine's 50 Greatest Tennis Resorts - every year since 1990
* TennisResortsonline.com - Always in the Top 75 Resorts in the world - always in top 25 and as high as #3.
* PBI Rookie of the Year runnerup
* PBI Most Improved Professional of the Year
* PBI Professional of the Year
* Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa's Customer Service Manager of the Year
Expert: Jim Leupold Date: 5/26/2008 Subject: Children in ages from 4-7
Question Hi Jim,
I was wondering if you know any simple and fun games for kids in age from 4-7? I only know Jail Break and Tennis Baseball.
Answer Tyler,
This is easy with just a little bit of creativity. What are the kids' favorite t.v. shows/cartoons, etc.? You don't even have to know that much about SpongeBob SquarePants. THEY know all about it. You can ask them for all the information you'll need.
Make up a game with scoring where any contact gives SpongeBob a point and failure to do so gives his nemesis a point.
Become a kid. Use your imagination. If they're unable to make contact or stop a ball from rolling or hit the ball over the net, etc., then they have to jump into a bucket of (pretend) worms for 3 seconds. If they succeed, they get to go to (pretend) Disneyland!
Create teamwork drills - one child drops the ball and the other hits it. One drops, one taps and the other tries to hit over the net. There are dozens of options.
Have them play tag where they have to keep a ball balanced on their racquets and touch each other with their other hand (or try not to get touched, still balancing the ball on the strings).
Anything you can do that helps them improve their hand-eye coordination, judgment, balance and racquet and ball skills is good. Throwing is just like hitting a serve. Tossing underhand is like hitting a forehand. Throwing a frisbee is much like hitting a backhand. If they can catch, they can volley.
Uncork your creativity and get into "pretend-land." You'll have at least as much fun as the kids!
Best Tennis Regards,
Jim Leupold
PBI Director of Tennis
Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa
