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
Facts to Consider When Selecting a Pro
Finding a Pro is easy. Finding the right Pro will require more thought and leg work. You may be using different types of Pros for different reasons. Below are a few insider tips to help you hire your entourage of coaches:
- In every region, only a very small percentage of pros actually teach the top players. (There are very big differences between teachers and recruiters.)
- Look for a coach who’s enjoying what they do, it’s contagious.
- Seek out a Pro that is so busy, that they don’t need you.
- The 10,000-hour rule applies! Being a master coach is a learned experience.
- Seek out a Pro who understands your child’s unique Brain and Body Type (Genetic Predisposition).
- Make sure the coach is asking questions, customizing and targeting their lessons.
- Ask every player that beats your kid, “Great match…who is your coach? Where do you train?”
- Ask a prospective coach, “We’ve heard great things about you, may we come and observe a few of your lessons?”
- Pay the coach to chart a match and devise his game plan for improvement. Meet regarding his observations and suggestions.
- Ask for a resume and who they trained under. (As a teacher- not as a player.)
- Look for a coach that encourages independent thinking versus dependent thinking.
- While there are exceptions, a former ATP/WTA challenger player does not always translate into a great teacher. The most successful tennis coaches were not the most successful tour players.
- Be wary of a Pro that discourages you from hitting with other Pro’s, hitters or trainers!
SPECIAL NOTE: To avoid confusion, employ one coach per job at any given time. Two different coaches employed to fix a serve may prove to be extremely confusing for your child. Conflicting information and battling egos spells trouble!
“It often proves beneficial to secretly observe a coach or academies without the coaching staff knowing you are a future client. This experience will provide you with an honest assessment of their program.”
