Happy Friday! 

Today Coach Ryan says thanks to all the loyal families in the HAT program. It's important to find the right tennis program for you that's going to allow you to develop your tennis game to the fullest. The coaches must make sense! Once you find that tennis program it's important to understand a few things. In any program, even a perfect program (if there were such a thing) there will be multiple patches of struggle. At HAT we view struggle as wake up calls and growing pains.... Anyone who has been successful in anything had to struggle at some point to achieve greatness! So it's important that when you do find a trustworthy program that you stay the course with that program. 

Now, It's important to note that I am not saying that sticking it out in a program that is obviously not improving or taking steps to improve a students game is the right thing. BUT when you do find that tennis program hang in there. At HAT we care very much about every student and the students that do stay the course reap the long term benefits. 

Next, Coach Ryan discusses how it's hard for a tennis coach who cares about improvement for his players to have a student approach him and ask to improve a certain aspect of their game, BUT don't change anything. Don't be afraid of change! If the information makes sense it's important to get out of your comfort zone and make the changes necessary to improve to achieve your desired goal. It is a common pitfall for players to stay in their current comfort zone, halt improvement and then wonder why the opponents who they once were able to handle easily are now challenging or even beating them. The truth is you are either getting better or getting worse, keep challenging yourself to get our of your comfort zone continue your improvement with every hitting session!

Coach Ryan has three things on his mind to share with you today....

First, Coach Ryan has had experience with tennis juniors who come in to view the program and think that the program is just for tennis players who want to be professional. Ryan is here to tell you that this program is for everyone! All you need to have is work ethic and want to improve. If you don't have goals yet... We can help you develop them, if you want to be #1 in the world we can help with that too :) We are here to help, challenge and help you as a tennis player and more importantly as a person. 

Next, Coach Ryan explains how every good program must have a fitness component. For players who are just starting out in tennis this will help build confidence as they start to see their body change and for the serious player it will help give them the toughness that they need to be a great competitor! 

Finally Coach Ryan says a BIG thanks to Karen Barbat. Karen spent everyday she was with the HAT program on the courts with the kids during the TEAM program. She was a leader and worked extremely hard and I know that it meant a lot to the HAT students that she was there. We all wish Karen the best as she departs back to Denmark and to the Tour!

In todays blog Coach Ryan Discusses a few people who inspire him. The big boss Leslie is a chef and watches Gordon Ramsay and Robert Irvine two world renowned chefs. Ryan discusses how their keep it simple formula that they plug into struggling businesses around the world is exactly what tennis needs. It's not about trying to reinvent the wheel, it's really about keep the quality high!! 

Next, Coach Ryan elaborates a little further into the cooking world. Top chefs are measured by how many michelin stars they have... Wouldn't it be cool if tennis coaches were judged by a similar standard? The bar by which tennis coaches are measured is not as high as it should be and we all could use a little more accountability. 

Lastly, Coach Ryan discusses a current client who contacted us via the website from Dallas who asked us to do a customized program for him that could be done over the interned (skype). Now we certainly are not claiming to invent skype lessons :) but we think this is pretty cool!! If you would like to have a customized program for you from Coach Michael you can contact him directly at michael@highaltitudetennis.com. 

This week coach Ryan discusses a few thoughts that are on his mind from current happenings at High Altitude Tennis Academy, in Parker, Colorado. First Ryan wants to know how long you are willing to work hard? A current student is loving the program and Coach Ryan challenges him to continue the great work he has put in the past 12 weeks!!! Second, Coach Ryan worries that once visiting program students leave the HAT program to return home that they may fall into old habits.... He urges them to continue working on the good habits they developed during their duration at HAT. Lastly if you haven't heard of ET the hip hop preacher you are missing out! He is the absolutely best there is when it comes to motivational speaking! They guys is a true success story and we will try to get him out to HAT at some point to speak to the students around the Colorado area!

Coach Ryan discusses the sweet and the sour!  We all make mistakes - the key is to learn and move forward, and not run from your problems.  Next, he discusses how being honest with the kids is a must.... Have to give them positives and negatives.  When you are honest with kids that gives you credibility in the long run, and a compliment becomes a true confidence building compliment.  lastly, do you have ideas for the name of the new video blog?  If you do post them below!  If your suggested name is chosen then coach Ryan will send you a limited edition T-shirt!  

Today Coach Ryan discusses how proud he is of the kids in his program!  They are learning that lessons learned each night are bigger than tennis!  Ryan also shares that he is learning to take a deep breath before sharing exactly what is on his mind and that often times when you are sharing your opinion on a subject that is sensitive that the kids often get put in the middle.  For a coach to be a great coach it has to be bigger than them... It's all about the kids!  Being honest all around.  This means telling them the negative with the positive.... This makes you a more credible coach in the long run!  

Today coach Ryan discusses "funnel mentality".  He wants to know what you are putting into your funnel today to make sure you are closer to your dreams tomorrow.  It's easy to put in the hard work when everything is going right, but can you step up to the plate when you aren't feeling 100% and still push for your dream?  Coach Ryan believes that you can!  

Are you a contender or a pretender?  Many players write out their goals and dreams and they like the idea more than they like the actuality of the goals.  GO FOR IT!  Sports teaches us so much about life and for each student to be successful in tennis and beyond it's going to take pure guts and hard work!  Anything worth while will be a struggle at times... If it wasn't it would be called checkers!  Set your goals and go get what you're worth!! We believe in you. 

Coach Michael discusses the progress HAT has made on YouTube, the status of the 5280 voting and the importance of stretching after practice, match or workout!

Today Coach Ryan gives credit to all the HAT families!  Especially those families who are going through the HAT program together.  There's nothing better than seeing players and parents improving and supporting each other through the process. As we all know achieving something that is worth while will often times be difficult and that is what makes it fun and challenging.  What gets us through the frustrating times are those who around us who give us support.  

Ryan next gives a shout out to Eric Kwiatkowski who won 3 matches in only his second sectional tournament ever!  Eric has been a consistent hard worker and deserves every bit of success he gets.  At HAT we are all excited for the what is to come for Eric.  Keep up the good work. 

Lastly Ryan talks about how improving has very little to do with the person across the net from you, it is up to the individual.  If the player is motivated and wants their dream badly enough they will find a way to improve under any circumstance.  Karen Barbat did just that in practice last night.... One of the best team practices of the season!  

Have questions?  Let us help!  Submit your questions below and Coach Ryan would be happy to answer them for you!  

This week coach Ryan gives you a little behind the scenes info on happenings at HAT including a new addition, current and upcoming visitors and finally how competing will help you get your head right!  Enjoy and if you have anything you would like to have addressed by Ryan or any of the HAT staff please leave your comments below.  See you at the courts!!!