The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.
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Let’s Look at the Characteristics of the Coachable Athlete:
- Willingness to Accept the Coach’s Philosophy
- Acceptance of the Necessity for Improvement
- Desire to be Accountable
- Optimism and Growth Minded
- Respectfulness
- Acceptance of Responsibility
- Letting Go of Excuses
- Non-Combative Attitude
- Open-Minded too Constructive Criticism
- Eager to Receive Feedback
- Respectful of the Coach’s Knowledge
- Selflessness
- Integrity
- Courageous
It’s astounding how many young athletes self-sabotage their potential by choosing to ignore the above positive characteristics. Coachable athletes are taught life skills development and religiously held accountable for their morals and ethical conduct by their parents and coaches. Parents and athletes, please look for the above positive characteristics of the coachable athlete in your entourage of coaches as well. You can be sure that quality coaches will be looking for the same positive characteristics in their students and their parents.
In the 1st Edition of The Tennis Parents Bible (published in 2010), I wrote about the importance of positive coaching and parenting. A vital takeaway was the use of the 5-1 compliment to critique rule (verbal and non-verbal). If athletes are to fire their optimistic responses we have to provide the ammunition. I recommend exposing these qualities in timely condensed sessions. Coaches, the above 14 coachable software skills should be discussed in a creative, interactive information exchange that feels like a chat versus a moral lesson.
