The Anatomy of a Great High School Tennis Program: The nation’s coach of the year weighs in ...
Ryan Knarr High School Coach of the Year 2021
High School Tennis: A great stepping stone
It´s no secret that not all high school tennis coaches come with a tennis background. And not all high school tennis programs rival this one. But for parents and players interested in what a proactive tennis culture can do for student-athletes, on & off court, we sit down with the Nation’s Coach of the Year (2021), Ryan Knarr.
Ryan gives us an inside look at how his team thrives. The positives of playing high school tennis, the right mindset and the team values he instills in his players. The right coach - player connection will always be of enormous value to a tennis player. Players will always remember that coach who cared to bring out their best. And Ryan’s players are reaping the rewards alongside those blissful team moments they´ll have for a lifetime.
Pro tip: 💡
Junior tennis camps year round for 2023 check here.
How does high school tennis work: Basic rules in 2022
High School Tennis in Pennsylvania and within each particular county differs by region. In our League (Berks County) we play 5 singles and 2 doubles, with repeats, so you can have 4 of your players repeat into doubles after playing singles.
In other parts of the state, other formats are used. Such as 3 doubles (8 game pro-set), 4 singles w/ repeats, or 3 singles 4 doubles (with no repeats) and you must play 11 players.
Finally, for ALL district play at all regions in PA, we switch to 3-2 format using 7 players 3 singles players, 2 doubles teams- no repeat. This highlights the depth of your team.
From a development perspective, I like having our players be able to play singles and doubles and repeat.
At the high school level, we are trying to develop the complete student-athlete. In areas where a 3-2 format is used throughout regular season play, players may go an entire 4 years and just play singles OR just play doubles, not both.
If they´re playing at the next level in college, they need to be able to play singles AND doubles. Both are different disciplines. It's important that all players are able to play doubles. And understand the nuances of doubles compared to singles. I like allowing players to play both singles and doubles whether it is a 5-2 format or 3-4 format with repeats.
What do you look for in your players?
Looking at our program at Conrad Weiser, a commitment to being the complete student-athlete on the court, in the classroom and in the community is what we are looking for in our players.
The ability to commit to something BIGGER then themselves and be part of an ELITE culture. We use tennis as a platform for growth in those 3 areas. On the court, in the classroom and in the community. All 3 develop the complete student-athlete and allow them to use tennis to change their lives.
Our program at Conrad Weiser Tennis Association (A USTA Community Tennis Association and non-profit 501c3) allows players to start playing tennis at Conrad Weiser and continue playing Grades 1-12.
Most players in our tennis program have come up through CWTA from elementary and middle school. They understand our culture. Our H.Y.P.R.R. Culture and Anchor Down Mantra, all essential parts to allowing our players to grow in all aspects of their lives using tennis as the platform in our program.
Our CWTA community tennis program is a year round program that allows our players to play year round.
Your background in tennis is extraordinary compared to most high school tennis coaches. Do you train your players year round or do players supplement training off season with junior tennis academies?
Having grown up in Robesonia and having gone to Conrad Weiser, it was a dream of mine to develop a 1 of a kind tennis program here.
This community wasn't considered a tennis community.
In 2012 we started Conrad Weiser Tennis Association, a USTA Community Tennis Association and 501c3 Non-Profit committed to growing and offering tennis programming in the Conrad Weiser area and beyond. Working collaboratively with Conrad Weiser School District to grow School Tennis in grades 1-12.
This includes doing USTA School tennis programs in Elementary, Middle School and High School Physical education classes.
And, Having a Tennis in PE Training, for all PE teachers every 2 years as well as offering CWTA after school tennis programs at the 10U and Jr. Scouts (Middle School level).
These programs are year round and are able to develop a pathway for players to play consistently within our CWTA program year round.
This is also for high school tennis players to play within the CWTA program once they get to high school from the 10U and Jr. Scouts middle school program. So they'd have continuity year round while they're in high school.
Our CWTA staff is one of the most ELITE staffs around. All our certified tennis professionals work with our players to develop their games. As well as the complete student-athlete.
We pride ourselves on being able to develop our own players and give them the best opportunities to succeed, on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
Personally, I have a very extensive background and have served at the district, state and national level for various organizations and groups. I always take what I've learned and developed and bring it back to Conrad Weiser to continue to develop an ELITE program. A program our entire community can be proud of and take a lot of pride in.
Do your players go on to play US college tennis?
“Our program with CWTA year round, having our players developed in our culture, has allowed Conrad Weiser Tennis to develop an astounding 40% of our players that come through our program go on to play college tennis. Compared to a national average of less than 5%, this is an incredible number.”
Players that come through our program play at a high level. They're able to train and balance the academics and athletics and want to continue it at the next level.
Our players have garnered both academic and athletic scholarships at the Division 1, Division 2 and academic scholarships at the Division 3 level.
Many of these players have gone on to have very successful college careers. Many college coaches contact me and want players that come out of our program.
We also give our players the opportunities and exposure they need to develop and market themselves at the next level. We help them attend college recruiting days, make college videos and help them along the pathway.
Do you train your boys & girls teams differently in high school tennis?
The boys and girls tennis programs don't differ too much. They train year round and are able to develop as complete student-athletes.
We work very equally with our boys and girls programs. Both teams are able to develop through the same culture, values and development as the other.
How do you think high school tennis benefits a player's growth off court?
High School tennis is a HUGE part of a student-athletes complete development. Learning to be part of a program and a culture and being part of something BIGGER than themselves. It's important to understand we're developing championship student-athletes. Well rounded individuals that can use tennis to positively impact their entire life on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
To teach them and allow them to realize that nothing is given, everything is earned. You have to work for what you have and to "Trust the Process".
We don’t set TEAM or program goals. Instead we are process oriented, trying to Trust the Process and be one day better each and every day. Once you bring your best at an ELITE level every single day, when you put all those days together, you are going to have something very special.
How has Covid affected your players training & matches?
The COVID shutdown in 2020 was a real test for our entire program, our players, families and coaches.
Not being able to see the players for 4-5 months and going from an every day program to suddenly not having much tennis in their lives on an everyday basis was a huge change.
Our program at the Grade 1-8 level went from 47 players down to 24. Until we were able to fully restart the program and get the next group of players collectively back up and running after the pandemic. We have come back better then ever and have over 50 kids playing tennis year round now with CWTA.
The mental game is half the battle in tennis. How do you instill confidence + mental toughness in your teams?
Confidence and Mental toughness are essential to perform at the highest level possible.
We feel that the most important thing for our players to perform at the highest level, they need to prepare at an ELITE level.
They need to have a complete development through technical/mechanical, strategy, fitness, mental training sessions, match-play and private 1 on 1 sessions.
They need a complete understanding of what they need to do. Not only with our players but also with our parents who we host with parent/player meetings 2x a year.
Having our players prepared. Giving them the confidence and all the resources to succeed at an ELITE level allows them the confidence to play their best and bring their best. When their best is needed (Competitive Greatness) at the biggest moments.
Do you find it makes it easier on players to push through big points having people depend on them and feeling part of a team?
A lot of our players will play many USTA or UTR events throughout the year. However, when they're playing for the name on the FRONT of the jersey, knowing they're playing for something BIGGER than themselves. This is an important & inspirational thing for them.
They also know that they´re part of a very very special program. A program that's come from nothing to something and they're part of that process.
It's important throughout the coming years for players to uphold that legacy. To understand what it means to play for this program. To be a part of something really really special that can change their life and be part of something they can take with them forever.
For kids who play USTA tournaments and forgo high school tennis - what are your thoughts? How do you advise parents & players?
High School Tennis is an ESSENTIAL part to all junior players development. Players need to know how to function as part of a team, to be part of something BIGGER then just themselves.
To be part of a team and understand that they're an important part of a teams success and part of a culture that is incredibly special.
I think high school programs that have the culture in place and the infrastructure to be flexible and work with high level juniors and give them the tools, resources and flexibility to play at a high level, allow them to play their national and regional USTA tournaments.
Showing this balance and having a 2 way street between the high school program and their development is something that is an essential ingredient to managing this type of dynamic.
College coaches also appreciate players that can play singles, doubles and understand what it means to be on a team.
Players that do not play high school tennis because they are just playing tournaments are not going to get the full experience of being in that team dynamic.
High School tennis is so special to be able to play for a team and understand the team dynamic and being a mentor and an inspiration to the other players in the program.
Players at a high junior level growing up will play hundreds of tennis matches throughout their career.
But being able to play and represent your school, community and the people that have been there in the place you grew up? You only get to do that for a few years. It's an incredibly special time in your life. That's why I feel all junior players should play high school tennis.
Does high school tennis affect UTR rating?
I feel that high school tennis could be a great advocate for both UTR and the ITF WTN (world tennis number).
I feel that we're helping players by being able to have high school matches count for a players UTR. (Learn about UTR ratings here.)
This is helping them short-term, long-term and also adding value for high school players looking to play at the next level.
In PA, there have been discussions. Hopefully in the near future we have all of our high school tennis matches counting towards a players UTR.
Ryan Knarr - for the win!