Recently, I had the privilege of coaching a new adult player who had remarkably made it to the club’s mixed doubles final. He approached me for a lesson on his second serve as the final loomed, sparking a coaching session that turned into a profound learning experience for both of us.
Setting the Stage
The lesson began with a simple question to understand his goals and preferences, which he nervously deflected back to me. This is a common scenario in coaching where the player is unsure of what they need, relying heavily on the coach’s direction. However, effective coaching begins with understanding the player’s personal enjoyment and challenges in the game.
Discovering the Player’s Style
He enjoyed playing defensively—keeping the ball in play and being a tough opponent to beat. His serves, he noted, were decent when successful. Upon probing, it turned out his first serve success rate was around 40%, with his second serve being more consistent but less forceful, yet often effective as opponents missed returns.
The Importance of Breathing
During the warm-up, I noticed he was holding his breath—a typical sign of nervousness. I advised him to breathe out loudly as he hit the ball, which immediately improved his depth and pressure on the court. Such simple adjustments can significantly impact a player’s performance by easing their physical execution and reducing anxiety.
Simplifying the Serve
His serve was hindered by a low ball toss and a quick, short swing, leading to inconsistency. Instead of overhauling his technique, I suggested he serve from the orange baseline, reducing the complexity of the serve. This adjustment helped him land more serves by naturally altering his toss and swing depth without feeling pressured by technical jargon or major changes.
A Revelation
After the session, he confessed his previous negative experience with coaching, where technical overhauls had dented his confidence. He appreciated that our session focused on leveraging his style rather than reinventing it. This approach underscores a philosophy I hold dear—coaching should renovate, not demolish. Small, thoughtful modifications can empower players, respecting their intrinsic style and building on what they already do well.
Coaching Philosophy: Enhance, Don’t Overhaul
This experience reinforced a critical aspect of coaching: the importance of enhancing a player’s natural game rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all model. Players come with unique styles, strengths, and preferences. Effective coaching should focus on making small, impactful adjustments that respect the player’s natural dynamics and personal comfort on the court.
Conclusion
The lesson with this player was a powerful reminder that tennis coaching isn’t about changing a player’s fundamental nature; it’s about understanding their needs and making adjustments that align with their existing skills and style. As coaches, our role isn’t to mold players into a predefined image but to support them in becoming the best versions of themselves, leveraging their unique attributes. This approach not only builds their skills but also their confidence and love for the game.
