The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible NOW available through most on-line retailers! Click Here to Order
ESTABLISHING EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES
“Being coachable is when the eagerness to improve overrides the fear of change.”
Parents and coaches, plan on communicating your expectations to your athlete and entourage of coaches and trainers to develop an important alliance with the team. Defining the behaviors you expect from your athlete’s during both practice as well as in match play will pave the road for excellence in tennis and in life. This is especially important for the beginner and intermediate levels of the game.
My Top Twenty Tennis Coaching and Parental Expectations:
- Place effort and improvement over having to win the match, social game or live ball drill.
- On the court be grateful, enthusiastic and polite.
- Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled practice session to prepare.
- Arrive on court dressed and ready to compete.
- Avoid complaining or criticizing others.
- Give the coach your best efforts and your undivided attention.
- When the coach is talking, hold the balls. Stop, look him or her in the eyes and listen.
- No cell phones allowed on court.
- Move quickly between drills and during ball pick up. Yes, the student helps pick up balls!
- Hustle and give 100% effort.
- Avoid negative tones, body language, and facial expressions.
- Avoid using profanity.
- Admit mistakes and understand the cause of the error.
- Come to practice with a pre-set game plan and an eagerness to learn.
- Be open to constructive criticism.
- 16. Be willing to develop your weaknesses.
- Stay fully committed and focused for the entire training session.
- Rehearse staying focused and in a positive frame of mind for the entire training session.
- Be aware of mistake management and unforced error accountability.
- Practice in the manner you are expected to perform.
“Choosing to train below their capability breeds mediocrity.”
Athletes training without their deliberate, customized developmental plan in mind may be putting in high quantity, low quality work. This stunts their growth and tremendously minimizes any chance at performing at full potential.
