The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most online retailers! Click Here to Order
FINDING THE RIGHT TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
“When selecting a pro, you’re not just paying for the hour on court…but hopefully, you’re paying for the thousands of hours of experience the coach has acquired solving similar issues.”
Initial instructors are usually chosen by proximity, cost, and availability. Once your youngster moves into the competitive stage, it’s time to identify the styles and personalities of coaches that fit your child’s needs. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to have more than one coach. In this day and age, top players have an entourage of technical teachers, hitters, mental and emotional experts, off-court athleticism experts and physical therapists. The key to success is unity among the entourage.
A great example is ATP star Sam Querrey. When I worked with Sam in his early teens we focused on the mental/emotional side of his development. His parents Chris and Mike always employed a terrific team of hitters, coaches, and clinics to provide world-class instruction for their son.
Profiling a coach before a relationship begins is recommended. Most confident coaches will welcome you to simply sit and observe their lessons before committing to lessons. There are many factors to consider when seeking a new coach. The first is what personality and style best suites your athlete? Listed below are eight types of coaches that you may be employing along your journey.
Coaching Styles:
The Detailed, Analyzer
The Off Court Fitness Expert
The Kind and Fun Loving Coach
The Hitter
The Emotional, Psychological Coach
The Strategizer
The Academy Recruiter
The Drill Sergeant
