Get in the game!  Do your share in doubles.

As I see it:

While taking a lesson, a student queried me: “where should I stand in doubles.” At the same time demonstrating to me that, he stands about three feet from the net, and straddles the Singles sideline to prevent his opponents from hitting down the line.

He suggested “…by standing in the alley, no one could pass him down the line.  True!

He also offered that his position gave his serving partner more room in which to hit their serve.  Also true!  I volunteered.

I agreed his reasoning made sense to protect the alley, and to give his serving partner room in which to place their serve was sound and purposeful; however, the execution and performance of this stratagem was flawed for “winning doubles” for several reasons.  Let me explain.

Certainly, standing in the alley would discourage the down the line shot, but it’s not doubles in tennis; you leave so much territory uncovered, or to be covered by your partner.  Not a good idea.

In doubles each team must decide how to adequately cover the entire court, where a tennis ball might land without leaving certain areas vulnerable, and open to your opponent.

Dividing the court equally and at the same time moving in tandem, wherever your partner might wander permits the easy, and adequate means to defend your side of the court.  At the same time this makes it harder for your opponents to penetrate.  The need to take the net, as soon as possible, and at all cost, cannot be overemphasized.

On certain points you might feign forgetfulness about watching the alley, just to entice an unwary opponent to present you with an easy “diagonally crosscourt” volley; just as you would move to one side of the service area, when waiting for the serve. 

This trick is employed to invite your serving team to serve to a certain side of the court or to an opponents’ forehand, or backhand.

Standing to one side in order to protect the alley requires your partner to cover more than their share of the court because more of the court is exposed, thus standing in the alley to protect it should be avoided.  Doing so immediately identifies your knowledge of the game of tennis to be weak.

Since your opponents’ strokes will be coming towards you, my experience shows me that by standing back at the service line when my partner is serving permits me more reaction time if the receiver is able to nail the serve.

And, being back from the net discourages lobs over my head, while also giving my partner all the court they need to see to serve into, so don't just stand on the sidelines, get on the court and into the games.

If not to win, why compete?

"Winning is not everything; it's the only thing." Vincent Lombardi.  If not to win, why compete?

History tell us that as man evolved, and became more civilized, he converted his skills of hunting into a sport, since hunting for his meat, furs, and fish life was no longer necessary to survive.

Men and women today shoot at targets rather than enemies as a sport, [unless at war] in competition in high school, college and the Olympics, as well as other competitive sporting events.

Competition, as a Nation, a team, or individual--pitting your athletic ability, skills, intelligence against your peers in sport--has always been a source of accomplishment, pride, self-worth, and yes,  often accompanied with the "Agony of defeat," yet few handle the last part of defeat very well.

A case on point.  Recently I've noticed in my circle of tennis playing friends competition has taken a new bent.   When each team has won a set, rather than play a third set, or play a tie-breaker, according to the rules, play is often just stopped.

As I see it, and perhaps, this stems from the newest educational phenomenon of "dumbing down America's society, and education."  Dumbing down our kids--who later become adults--because parents, and teachers alike are afraid to let their kids fail.  In Tennis, "Champions are born in the labor of defeat.

We are producing a lot of kids, and ["adults, as I see it, who look for short cuts...]"  The "no fail, "no win" approach to tennis does more harm than good," in society as well.  In Tennis, being an individual sport, you can be as good as you want to be.

My likeable, well meaning peers, who enjoy tennis play, but won't,  can't,  or claim either not to have the time, the need, nor the money--they say--to devote to improving their game to make them truly competitive.  Instead, they simply change partners to try to win, or agree to play only two sets, rather than play long enough to determine a winner;  or play only with their select foursome.

My observation has been many strong players will let the weaker player play the ad side, knowing that the strongr player would likely win more points on that side, and effect the outcome of the match favorable.

However, As I See it, if the stronger players are somewhat evenly matched, but one stronger player feels that the other weaker player might not be quite as weak as his, that player will often let the weaker player play the Ad court.  This way the stronger player saves face, because his partner allegedly insisted on playing the Ad court.

I know.  I've done my share of losing, and after losing, on the way home from an event, makes for a long trip, because a loss is a "disappointing companion."

Threats to Tatoos by President

Recently, it has been reported that President Obama has attempted to deter his daughters from following the trend of young adults and teenagers today from getting a tatoo.

That reminds me of when I was going home on leave from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After training, we got a chance to hit the town, or in other words to celebrate our getting out of basic, and presented with our next training, or duty assignment.

Many of my class members headed to the saloons or the tatoo parlors, or the red light districts, and there are plenty of each just outside of Lackland.

Though I was educated in the early 50's with all upper classmates, in a one room school house, that also served as our church on Sundays, sex was not a subject that parents, or grandparents of my generation ever to discuss.  Hey! But, it was understood though never a word was spoken about sex or tatoos in our family.  Both were taboo subjects.

Those neighbors, workers who did have tatoos showing, usually were celebrating a love affair, or remembering a parent or loved one, which often were soon regretted.

When I came home on "Home Leave," I  mentioned to my mother--not my father, mind you--that I had thought about getting a Tatoo: "Dangerous Dan." 

Why Dangerous Dan?  Well, a family friend, who later would lose a leg in a mining accident in West Virginia, coached Sandlot Baseball and had given me the moniker: "Dangerous Dan" for relief pitching, and strike outs on our baseball team:  Chisler Motors.  Don't laugh, I did have a tryout with the Cleveland Indians in 1960.

My mother's response: "You better not get no tatoo."  That was that!  Had I mentioned it to my father I  might not be writing this blog.

Obama's attempt to threatening his daughters about getting a tatoo amounts to being a challenge:  "Like families who tatoo together stray together, or stay together."

A better approach would be: "Get a tatoo, and you're out of here." or "Fine, get a tatoo in lieu of Tuition."

My Take on why Raleigh has closed the YWCA

You know, it was at the YWCA on Oberlin Rd. that they held the "First Driving while Black Symposium."  The Mission of the YWCA was to empower women and eliminate racism. 

With the news of the Y's abrupt closing one can conclude they have done neither.

You would think they would want to at least make that "YWCA"  Raleigh's iconic Civil Rights Museum like the Greensboro venue.

Those in attendance that August 4, 2001 day with Shani Barrax, Racial Justice Coalition Coordinator  were: former N.C. Senator, and member of the N.C.G.A. Judiciary 1 Committee, Frank Balance; now a convicted felon; former ACLU, Executive Director, Deborah Ross, who is now a member of the N.C. General Assembly; Bryan Collins, an Attorney, and now a candidate for a Judicial seat, and who competed Feb 25, 2005 to become Wake County's first public defender were all in attendance along with WRAL, David Crabtree.

Ms. Sally Hamilton Scherrer, Esq., Attorney at Law and Mr. Trent Carmon, President of Raleigh-Apes NAACP were also present.  That diversity!

Ken Eudy, Vice President of a Public Relations entity, had 15 employees now has 35, was there and has seen need to create CapStrat, changing its name from Capital Strategy.

Those panelist, seeking racial harmony and justice then included, a black syndicated columnist, Val Atkinson; John Hood from the John Locke Foundation;  James Eshelman, one of the conveners for RTP Diversity Homesite Group;  Gregory Richardson, Executive Director North Carolina Commission On Indian affairs; Matty Lazo-chadderton, special assistant for Hispanic/Latino Affairs and Constituency Services.

Cash Michaels was also there at the "Y", then Editor of the Carolinian Newspaper, published by Kelvin Jervay. 

Recently, in the Student Newspaper of North Carolina State University, Thursday, March 1, 2012 by Shawn Thompson, Staff Writer for the Nubian Message on local media diversity, which the N & O Editor John Drescher, Executive editor of the News & Observer claims: "The Carolinian is a piece of history we ought to repect and honour, " yet neither the known activist, or writers then, or now took up my claim for First Amendment Protection; but mooning? Yes.

One weekly paper, went so far as claiming I was not a "serious candidate" for House Seat 35, because of my claim of profiling, which resulted in my $25.00 conviction and court cost for my silent digital expression to a Raleigh Police Officer, and why left-turn on red is still not law in North Carolina.

Has the "Hush" money run out?

Though my name was erroneously spelled on the program, I was one of the speakers on the program that day who was claiming racial profiling.  However, my name appeared on the program as: David Young; not Daniel Young. 

Also, on the program was Leslie Wright, and Jamil Thomas.

It would be interesting to know where they are and what they are doing now.

I'm retired, been diagnosed with prostate cancer, won the N.C.Men's Senior Game 2011, and drove my motorcycle across the United States; but still seeking justice from Black Activist Leaders i.e, Bruce Lightner, Vance County commission, Terry Garrison, Dan Blue, Larry Womble, among others like Thom Tillis, Beverly Perdue and her staff.

The North Carolina General Assembly voted to repeal the Racial Justice Act enacted in 2009.  Why?

What was the purpose of having enacted such legislation to begin with?  What was the purpose of calling it: "The Racial Justice Act."  Racial Justice strikes me as an honorable objective.  What's confusing to me is "Actual innocence."  Either you are innocent, or you are not innocent.  Another entity I find interesting is one that calls itself: N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law.  Isn't that what our courts are?

You would think so; but there is some controversy about FairJudges.net, a 527 tax-exempt organization created by a former N.C. Supreme Court Judge, that ran campaign ads in 2006 that said: "Fairness.  It's the most important quality a judge can have...judges who will treat all people fairly."

That's interesting because it was on the watch of Chief Judge Burley Mitchell, that my First Amendment case of symbolic speech was denied by the court in 1992.

North Carolina legislators, judges, politicians have the propensity of throwing out such purposeful sounding names i.e, Actual Innocence, N.C. Institute of Constitutional Law, and FairJudges.net,  in juxtaposition to their motto: "To be rather than to seem."

According to news reports the N.C. Conference of District attorneys petitioned the General Assembly to repeal the newly enacted Racial Justice Act, signed into law in 2009 by Governor bev. Perdue.

Perdue is now set to repeal the act. They say it is because of fear that using statistics to prove bias would let 157 inmates appeal their death sentences, because it's is alleged that during voir dire, blacks were screened preemptively from the jury panel by white prosecutors.

I think there is another reason.   You see, Gov. Perdue was sent a claim for exoneration, and remedy of redress, compensation for a First Amendment, Free Speech case sent by Certified Mail to her previous spokesperson, Chrissy Pearson, and Perdue's General Counsel.  Both have since resigned.

Jon Romano is now said to be Perdue's new communications didrector, replacing Pearson, who left 2-3 months ago.

Another interesting question is:  "Why was a resolution to the legislators signed by all but two of the district attorneys in North Carolina?  And, who were they?  What were their motive for not signing?

A writer of American Detective fiction, Rex Todhunter Stout, says: "...Statistics are of two kind, the kind you look up, and the kind you make up."

If statistical findings from a Michigan State University law school research show that black defendants who killed a white person in North Carolina--or, let's say offended a white person [finger gesture]-- were more likely to be sentenced to death, or fined respectively, 2 1/2 more times, than if the person was not white, then let N.C. law schools prepare for the State of North Carolina statistics to show otherwise, which the N.C. General Assembly can then use to dismantle the Racial Justice Act.

America's Tennis Decline of own making

Released, May 30, 2011, TOTT, America’s Tennis Decline, As I see it.

It's the Talk of the Town!


For some time now, sportswriters have noticed an absence of an American players in the finals of the U.S. Open, the French Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon, and not just as the result of injuries.

Some attribute the decline to the lack of Clay Courts in the United States, and offers that up as the reason for Spanish Players' new dominance. However, I see it a little differently.

As I see it, it’s a lot more basic than that. Surprisingly, and with the surge of popularity in the USTA’s Quick Start Program, at local county, and city recreational facilities, you would expect a plethora of talented new players. Not so, and I’d like to elaborate on several problems that come to mind.

Many take lessons but few learn to be Tennis Players.

One of the reasons I do not participate in USTA Tennis events is because of its "tennis marketing" rather than marketing of "better playing of tennis." Many of the tennis magazines are written by tennis instructors certified by the USTA, but who have limited experience in teaching tennis, but may have been talented players in their day.

The tennis magazines will often highlight, and promote the playing style, ball spin, and service speed, of the most popular player, rather than calling attention to the players form, the early, or lack of  early shot preparation, or the players’ ability to anticipate, or the tennis acumen of the player, or the player’s shot selection, as I see, or how players should employ better footwork, and stroking, and service technique to prevent tennis injuries.

Let’s start with the USTA Rating System. As I see it. The purpose is to provide a basis for tennis instructors that are certified by USTA, to give lessons in order to move players from one rating to another with their self evaluation criteria for tournament play. Using the USTA rating format, I see only a 1. Novice; 2. a beginner, 3. a person who plays tennis, and 4. a Tennis Player. as being a necessary ranking method.

However, the tennis teacher, as I see it, and the instructors’ ability to disect the stroke, and present it in increments so that the student can grasp how the stroke is produce is sorely lacking.

I believe it is more important being able to teach the fundamental, and the basics of any stroke in less than and hour, and have a unique, systematic method, and realistic expection for student to use my technique to develop their own style of play.

If a teacher, who is of tournament skill level, uses a one hand backhand when playing or teaching, and acknowledges that using a two-hand backhand, or two-hand forehand requires the student to run more, and requires quicker foot speed to get to the ball--which would be a handicap to the Senior player--why would the instructor permit the student to use two-hands, when learning to play?

Finally, the work ethic for learning, and practicing around most courts, as I see it, where I play appears to be only actual play. There is also a sense of entitlement around the Challenge Courts that if you wait, you will get a chance to play, but little understanding that competition, requires daily attention to your playing skills, and ability, not just exercising, that drives the accomplished, and winning tennis players.

Hey!  That's my perspective.  What's yours?

Tennis Decline is of America's Own Making

Released, , TOTT, America’s Tennis Decline, As I See it.

For some time now, sportswriters have noticed an absence of an American players in the finals of the U.S. Open, the French Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon, and it's not just because of an injury.

Some attribute the decline to the lack of Clay Courts in the United States, and offers that up as the reason for Spanish Players dominance. However, I see it a little differently.

As I see it, it’s a lot more basic than that. Surprisingly, and with the surge of popularity in the USTA’s Quick Start Program, at local county, and city recreational facilities, you would expect a plethora of talented new players. Not so, and I’d like to elaborate on several problems that come to mind. Many take lessons, but few learn to be "Tennis Players."

One of the reasons I do not participate in USTA Tennis events is because of its "tennis marketing" rather than marketing of "better playing of tennis." Many of the tennis magazines are written by tennis instructors certified by the USTA, but who have limited experience in teaching tennis, but may have been talented players.

The magazine will often highlight, and promote the playing style, ball spin, and service speed, rather than the players' form, the early shot preparation, players’ ability to anticipate, tennis acumen of the player, player’s shot selection, and how player’s employ better footwork, and stroking, and service technique to prevent tennis injuries.

Let’s start with the USTA Rating System. As I see it. The purpose is to provide a basis for tennis instructors that are certified by USTA, to make more money giving lessons, supposedly in order to move players from one rating to another with their self evaluation criteria for tournament play.

However, As I see it there need be only a 1. Novice; 2. a beginner, 3. a person who plays tennis, and 4. a Tennis Player. as being a necessary ranking method.

Tennis teachers'--as I see it--their instructional, capability to disect the stroke, and present it in increments so that the student can grasp how the stroke is produce is sorely lacking. I pride myself in being able to teach any stroke in less than and hour, and have a unique, systematic method, and realistic expection for student to use my technique to develop their own style of play; though many have disparaged the systematic, graduated length method of stroke production.

If a teacher, who is of tournament skill level, uses a one hand backhand when playing or teaching, and acknowledges that using a two-hand backhand, or two-hand forehand requires the student to run more, and requires quicker foot speed to get to the ball, which would be a handicap to the Senior player--down the road a few years-- why would the instructor permit the student to use two-hands, when learning to play, a sport of a lifetime?

Finally, the work ethic for learning, and practicing around most courts I visit, as I see it, appears to be only playing, and few spend more than 15 minutes on the Wall. 

There is a sense of entitlement around the Challenge Courts, but little understanding that competition, requires daily attention to your playing ability--not just exercising--that drives the accomplished, and winning tennis players.

And yes, I do sometimes lose to players I think I should beat, but even aging champions are nurtured, and "born in the labor of defeat."