If you've played tennis for any length of time you've probably heard of, read his books, been to his tennis camps and colleges, watched him on video or TV or heard him on professional tennis matches.
He's the one and only Vic Braden.
At the age of 80, he's no spring chicken, but his intensity is as bright as the sun on an Arizona summer day.
In his humorously, humble way, he teaches tennis like no other. He uses scientific facts, studies and research that continue to this day to be on the frontier of what all athletes need to know to enhance their skills.
The man whose motto is "Laugh and learn", is a licensed psychologist, sports educator and researcher, but as a college tennis player in Kalamazoo he was ranked second behind Tony Trabert.
Braden later played professionally for three years.
He picked up the game in an unusual way.
He was caught stealing tennis balls and was given a choice of learning to play the game or visiting the local police.
He was no dummy then, and certainly not now.
"I feel lucky to be playing a small part in the sports world," Braden said. "Looking for creative ways to help people play their chosen sport better, and sooner, has provided me with plenty of excitement and new knowledge.
"Though I still feel we're in the Stone Ages on many fronts, that will change because there are many fine researchers generating new projects. Playing a sport should be one of the finest treasures known to mankind."
The last few years Braden has been working on a new youth program called Junior Tennis Ambassadors.
In this program he teaches kids ages 9-18 to coach the game to their peers
It's been quite successful.
His early research started in the late 1950's where he did a role-reversal study.
"I made these kids become teachers and they taught other kids with ADD and ADHD and their concentration went up about 300 percent," he said. "That was my first tip-off that this program might work for tennis."
JTA began in 2009 and it involved over 500 students in 10 schools in southern California.
When they completed this teaching course they were then allowed to teach.
He also mentioned while it's a work in progress and there are some glitches to work out, it shows learning on a tennis court can be learned much faster than in a classroom setting.
He's also in the midst of studies with others regarding brain typing, DNA research, looking at the relationship of personality and motor skills as well as three-dimensional analysis.
Earlier this year Braden gave Roger Federer a CD he made at Indian Wells showing how he could be serving 20 mph faster.
"The pros on the tour could be learning so much more," Braden said. "Because I'm 80 years old, and I work so much, most people think the game has passed me by, but it's just the reverse.
"I probably understand the game better than I've ever understood it."
He added, "There's so much false stuff going on the Tennis Channel I can't even tell you... . most people don't seem to care, but for me, I just have this strong curiosity."
Brain typing is one of the subjects that has Braden's curiosity so he's driven to learn more through research and studies that should be coming out in the next year or so.
"There are 16 brain types and how to coach an individual based upon how their brain is structured. Now that's a pretty big issue.
"It's going to revolutionize how people are taught."
Sixty years of valued information from a man who spent half his college life living in a ball closet at Kalamazoo's stadium.
"While people are being introduced to a new sport, they should be laughing their guts out while learning," Braden said. " Those that learn this way are usually in sports for a life time."
From the simplest to the most complex issues, Braden is a man for all times.
He has my admiration, respect and attention to how he teaches not only tennis... .but life. I'd love to see the Tennis Channel do an biography on Braden.
Now that would be worth watching.
Chris Howard is a local USPTA Tennis Professional with over 35 years in the racquet and fitness industry. He can be reached at 928-445-1331 or choward4541@q.com
