Drills & Content are hurting tennis coaching
Coaches just want drills, content, and answers. This was some feedback I received during a recent call with a fellow coach and his team. “If I just give them the drills, they can maintain the standards,” he said. My response? “Yes, but those drills may not suit the players.”
The tennis coaching world is now obsessed with “content”—how to hit the perfect forehand, how to develop the serve. I’ve released books filled with games and drills myself. But there’s a major flaw in this approach, one that I see repeatedly in coach education courses. Drills work amazingly well in one setting with one group of players but fall flat with others. Coaches come back from workshops armed with new ideas, only to find that the games don’t translate or fall apart. “But it worked so well with these players?” they wonder.
This is a modern issue with coaching. We see professional players conduct drills and assume that must be the answer. We see successful coaches run a practice and think, “That must be the answer.” We run a session and it works wonders, so we believe that surely must be the answer.
The part we miss is that every player, every lesson, is unique. I could run the same practice with the same players on two separate days and get two different responses. The art of coaching is not just about knowing what to coach but understanding how to coach. The drills or the “cookbook” are not the answer.
The true art of coaching lies in designing, manipulating, and adapting practices to fit the specific needs of the players in front of you at that moment. We’re losing sight of this in an age obsessed with content, with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) churning out products, programs, and content that coaches can copy and paste without addressing the true coaching skill—how to coach.
The Dangers of the “Cookbook” Approach
One-Size-Fits-All Mentality: Drills that work in one context may not be effective in another. Players have different needs, skill levels, and learning styles. Applying the same drill across the board overlooks these individual differences.
Stifling Creativity: When coaches rely too heavily on pre-designed drills, they can miss the opportunity to be creative and responsive. Coaching becomes about following a script rather than engaging with players in a dynamic, adaptive way.
False Sense of Security: The “cookbook” approach gives coaches a false sense of security. It suggests that if you just follow the recipe, you’ll get the desired results. But coaching isn’t that simple. Real improvement requires understanding the nuances of each player and being able to adjust on the fly.
Neglecting the “How”: Focusing on drills and content shifts attention away from the critical skill of how to coach. The ability to adapt, communicate effectively, and create a learning environment is what truly sets great coaches apart. The drills are just tools, not the entire toolkit.
The True Art of Coaching
Adaptation: Great coaches can adapt their methods to fit the players in front of them. They understand that what works today might not work tomorrow, and they’re prepared to adjust accordingly.
Player-Centered Approach: Instead of forcing players into a pre-set mold, effective coaching involves understanding each player’s unique needs and tailoring the approach to help them grow.
Dynamic Learning: Coaching should be a dynamic process. It’s about observing, responding, and evolving with the player. The real magic happens when coaches move beyond the drill and engage in the moment, guiding the learning process in real-time.
Focus on “How”: The most impactful coaching isn’t about having the best drills; it’s about knowing how to implement them in a way that resonates with players. It’s about communication, connection, and creativity.
Conclusion
In a world increasingly obsessed with content and quick fixes, it’s essential to remember that the true art of coaching isn’t found in a “cookbook” of drills. It’s in the ability to adapt, respond, and engage with the players in front of you. Let’s move beyond the superficial allure of content and focus on developing the skills that truly make a difference—how to coach effectively.
