Evening star., 1937-03-21

come to teach our youngsters to be
match winners, not just pretty stroke
players. We hear too much about
rush the net" from armchair
theorists.
Men playing modern tennis know
they cannot rush the net indis-
criminately against modern ground
strokes. Let us teach our youngsters
sound ground strokes so that they can
force their way to the net behind
them, when they make their opening.
But most Of all, our youngsters
must be match tough"
Time Is Ripe.
PIGHT now the situation is highly
hopeful for many reasons, at home
and abroad. Fred Perry's joining
professional ranks has crippled Eng
land and probably put it out Of the
running for the moment. But Ger
many, with Baron Won Cramm is
bending every effort to win the cup,
. with high optimism.
Australia, with Adrian Quist, Vivion
McGrath, Jack Crawford and their
new discovery, Bromwich, is dangerous,
too, but none of these nations has the
potential tennis power we possess.
Evidently the United States Lawn
Tennis Association realizes the mo-
ment is ripe because it has approved
the highly constructive plan of Capt.
Bishop at Culver Military Academy
for the formation of Junior Davis
Cup" squads.
1t is fortunate in having Capt.
Bishop to head this vital movement.
Much of the success of the national
boys junior championships held an
nually at Culver Is due to him.
The plan: Formation of squads Of
10 youngsters in each district, on
ability, craftsmanship and keenneSs,
to meet other sectional squads in
matches along Davis Cup lines.
These squads are to receive in
, struction under able local coaches.
There are other angles, but these are
outstanding.
Finally Approved.
PERSONALLY, I am heartily in
accord I advocated some such
thing for years, but Capt. Bishop
offered so clever a system that at last
official eyes we're opened.
Yet 7 would go a step beyond this
fine plan. suggest the U. S. L. T. A.
set aside a fund to provide expert
personal coaching by men like Vines.
Richards, Emmett Pare or Bruce
Barnes.
The association could request these
men, and. if it wishes, myself to
watch out for prospects, and if agree
able to the boy, his family and ad-
visers, work out a month with him.
The financial return to the coach
must be worth his time. Still, moth
ing will develop a boys strokes and
tactics like competition against a
better player.
Not only can the expert improve
the boys game, but by playing him
at least three sets of hard singles he
will make the lad match tough"
I already have made my position
clear on the necessity of that kind
of conditioning. And I find it neces-
sary to repeat the belief that the
Davis Cup is in our hands in the
near future if we can make thrifty
use Of our strength.
Capt Bishops plan is a step in
the right direction; but don't stop
with one step. His plan will raise
the general standard of play in junior
tennis.
But only by individual development
will the great Davis Cup stars be
evolved from the mass of material.
Every player interested in Americas
success can do his part by encourag-
ing and aiding in actual competition
any promising youngster he sees.
Let's not be selfish. In your club
or community give the chance to play
against better men to any boy with
possibilities. Who knows but what
that kid will be the next Vines?
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