Introduction: Breaking Down the Myths
“You can’t use the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) with beginners.”
“You can’t coach with CLA unless you’ve been on court for decades.”
“You certainly can’t use it with adult learners.”
These are just a few of the persistent myths surrounding Ecological Dynamics and the Constraints-Led Approach in tennis coaching.
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching podcast, I was joined by John Cvitanovic, a coach who’s relatively early in his career but is already embracing and implementing the CLA with real success. What followed was a deep and raw conversation about coaching identity, breaking free from outdated models, and why CLA isn’t just possible for new coaches, it may actually be more natural.
From Cookie-Cutter to Curiosity
John described his own experience growing up in a traditional tennis coaching environment: line drills, drop feeds, choreographed progressions. The typical “stand here, swing like this” model.
When John became a coach, he initially followed suit. Lesson plans, technical cues, basket feeding, because that’s what he thought coaching was. And for a time, it felt like it was working.
But something didn’t sit right.
“I started questioning if this was really how people learn. It felt rigid, disconnected, and I wasn’t seeing consistent player development.”
That sense of disillusionment sparked a deeper search. That search led to the Constraints-Led Approach, and ultimately to our academy.
Why CLA Worked Better for a New Coach
John made a key point: because he didn’t have years of ingrained habits or traditional influence, adopting CLA felt easier.
He didn’t have to unlearn bad habits, he just needed to explore something that made more sense.
“I had the space to experiment. I wasn’t under the thumb of a traditional head coach. That gave me room to test the ideas and see how they worked for myself.”
The freedom to design practices that invite player exploration rather than prescribe solutions created more player ownership, faster learning, and more meaningful development.
Coaching Without a Script: From Plans to Purpose
One of the most striking shifts in John’s approach was the move away from rigid lesson plans:
- No six-week checklists
- No laminated book of technical progressions
- No obsession with ‘getting through the drills’
“Now I walk onto court with an intention, not a plan. I observe. I adapt. I coach what’s in front of me.”
That change has helped his players become more independent, resilient, and adaptable on court.
And as John mentioned: it’s also made him happier as a coach.
The Challenges of Going Against the Grain
John was candid about the doubts he had early on, especially once he started coaching in a larger centre with other coaches observing:
- “Am I doing enough?”
- “Why do they look busier than me?”
- “Should I be giving more feedback, more drills, more demos?”
The temptation to revert to ‘doing more’ for the sake of appearances is real.
But with support and confidence, he stuck to his philosophy:
“I’m not here to make it look good, I’m here to make learning happen.”
That takes courage, especially for a younger coach working in an environment where traditional methods still dominate.
Why CLA Isn’t ‘Advanced’……It’s Human
A recurring theme throughout our conversation was this:
CLA isn’t too advanced for beginners. It’s too human not to use.
CLA and Ecological Dynamics are based on:
- Human behaviour
- Environmental interaction
- Real-world skill emergence
In many ways, new coaches are better positioned to adopt this approach because they’re not anchored to outdated pedagogical models.
John explained it perfectly:
“I found it harder to learn how to coach traditionally than to coach with CLA.”
And that’s a truth that needs to reach more coach education systems.
Coach Education Must Change
Too often, we overload new coaches with information:
- Complex biomechanical theory
- Dozens of technique checklists
- Rigid frameworks that don’t reflect the game
“If we say players aren’t machines, why do we treat coaches like they are?”
We need an ecological approach to coach education, one that meets coaches where they are, allows space for exploration, and aligns with how humans actually learn.
Because right now, coach education often talks about being ‘player-centred’, while completely ignoring the needs and individuality of coaches.
Final Thoughts: Let Coaches Coach
John’s story is a refreshing reminder that coaching evolution doesn’t have to take decades. With the right support and mindset, new coaches can implement modern methods from day one.
And perhaps more importantly, they can enjoy coaching again.
If you’re a coach who feels boxed in by lesson plans, exhausted by ineffective drills, or simply curious about a different way—maybe now is the time to explore the Constraints-Led Approach.
Because the next generation of coaching isn’t about doing more. It’s about coaching better.
Want to Coach Like This?
🎾 Join the My Tennis Coach Academy today to get full access to:
- Our growing library of CLA-based drills and session plans
- Step-by-step frameworks to implement ecological coaching
- A thriving community of coaches (like John) learning together
#TennisCoaching #ConstraintsLedApproach #EcologicalDynamics #CoachEducation #SkillAcquisition #PlayerDevelopment #ModernCoaching
