As a tennis coach deeply immersed in both observing and practicing different coaching styles, I’ve reached a stage of self-development where conventional drills and lesson plans no longer suffice. My journey through the constraint-led approach has taught me that while tasks, games, and constraints are essential, they are not one-size-fits-all solutions.

The Myth of the Universal Solution

Initially, I believed that setting up games and tasks was enough to foster player development—simply engage players with the task, and skills will develop. However, experience has shown that what works for one player might not work for another. For example, I once set up the same practice for an orange ball player and a green ball player, only to realize that their different ages, developmental stages, and personalities meant they engaged with the game entirely differently.

This realization was a turning point. I learned that copying and pasting the same game or task across different players was counterproductive. It ignored the unique ways each player saw and engaged with the game—what I now understand as seeing different affordances in each situation.

The Common Coaching Fallback

It’s easy to see the prevalence of a generic approach in tennis coaching. A quick browse through YouTube or Instagram reveals countless videos promoting the “perfect” technique to improve a forehand or the ultimate drill for better volleys. Similarly, I’ve observed coaches applying the same lesson plan to multiple players, dispensing generic advice without tailoring their approach to individual needs.

This copy-and-paste methodology not only undermines the coach’s role but also fails to recognize the individuality of each player. Every player interacts with and perceives the game differently, even from day to day.

Tailoring Coaching to Individual Needs

Now, when I set up a game or a drill, it’s to gauge where the player is at that moment. My observations focus on how they interact with the game and the solutions they devise. My role has evolved to tailor the game to present more challenging problems or alternative solutions based on the player’s responses, not my preconceptions.

I am currently refining my coaching interventions, focusing more on facilitating than directing. I talk and question less, allowing players more space to explore and understand the game themselves. This shift has reinforced my belief that despite my experience and qualifications, I cannot see the world through the player’s eyes. What I perceive as a problem may not be what the player is experiencing.

A New Coaching Paradigm

As coaches, we must resist the urge to apply a one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding that each player is unique and recognizing that it’s okay not to have all the answers are crucial. The true joy of coaching comes from collaborating with the player to discover solutions together.

Stay tuned to the blog over the next few weeks, where I will share insights from my work and research on effective coaching interventions. We’ll explore how to truly tailor coaching to fit the dynamic needs of each player, stepping away from the outdated copy-and-paste methods that dominate much of tennis coaching today.