This is an article ‘Instructional tennis methods for serious players’ by Marc Pulisci
There is a knowledge gap when it comes to conveying tennis instructions to adult players. While thousands of recreational players are trying to improve their on-court performances, only a few learn how to grip the racquet for a decent serve correctly, much more drive a backhand, or analyze an opponent to determine why they won or lost a match. At the same time, various false ideas start to take root in the minds of eager players. When increasing your tennis IQ, it's best to forget the myth that hitting the ball harder is your main gauge to measure improvement.
In the world of doubles, for example, many tend to squat too close to the alley. Some of those who play singles tennis dismiss their opponents and call them 'pushers' instead of acknowledging skill and consistency to gain better insights into their own performance. Unfortunately, some recreational players still need to understand that a crosscourt rally is often better than driving down the line.
Different strokes for different folks
First, it's important to review where the concepts of adult instructional tennis originate. Some coaches may give their players free rein on how they play on the court to see where they are on the performance level before polishing techniques through repetitive drills. For most coaches, understanding that tennis is a game of time, space, and physics is essential. After all, the cause-and-effect strategies combined with an on-court mental chess game win matches. Tennis training entails full measures of what goes on the court and what things might look like in a match.
Some coaches find it practical to enforce a trial-and-error approach to see what works best for which opponents. They troubleshoot problem areas and, in the process, sharpen their teaching methods while also considering how their players feel during a match. Of course, proper adult tennis instructions can only work with the student's dedication. Participating in at least six formal lessons in a span of five months throughout the outdoor season and attending clinics or private coaching sessions can surely mold the discipline required to improve.
Most instructors would first conduct an interview with the player to strike the correct balance between what the player knows and what the coach can contribute for improvement. Queries on how much a player is willing to invest for training, be it financially or in terms of time, can help coaches develop better plans for instructions and drills.
However, the urge to perform better on-court and the theoretical drive to improve as a player heavily rely on a tension between result and method. Giving players a chance to compete and discover which aspects of their game lack training or making them aware of their strong points can give them the proper focus and insight before moving forward with training.
Two heads are better than one
What's essential in teaching recreational tennis players individual instructions is how coaches can foster collaboration on and off the court. Whether competing in singles or doubles, players and coaches must compromise on unleashing every power shot, choreograph footwork, or mentally approach matches to measure improvements correctly.
Players also need to note how their coaches approach their training. Some might resort to concentrating on stroke improvements rather than working on on-court strategies, which is way more vital during a match. Any player can hit a ball and, with proper repetitive drills, can master wrist movement. However, players should always ask their instructors how they would approach the crucial stages of a match, such as when serving in deciding match points or trailing behind by a set. With the new rule in amateur and professional tennis allowing on-court coaching, that spirit of collaboration can be utilized more effectively than ever before.
The essence of developing an efficient adult instructional tennis model rests on the players and coaches. Both invest the proper time, effort, and analysis for each training session to break down what's wrong and devise the appropriate troubleshooting methods. Both should work hand in hand in reviewing patterns and developing tactics to improve a player's on-court game.
Developing efficient methods
Any novice player dedicated to learning and improvement should be told what he should work on first. Coaches should take a holistic approach to improve a player's overall performance rather than simply focusing on that one stroke that broke down during a match. Asking players what they learn from their previous matches is always a good step forward in developing instructional tennis methods. This practice proves to be true for any player as the sport continues to evolve and opponents are getting more competitive. More clinics have developed hybrid processes and drills to improve footwork, point play, and specific on-court instructions.
A player competing in singles tennis would notice how a coach may first focus on cardio and exercise as opposed to how doubles coaches may jump at strategies. It's all about planning programmed activities on a schedule to achieve improvements as long as both are on the same page regarding which aspect to work on; taking a deeper dive into polishing backhand swings and lazy footwork can always follow for singles players.
Thanks to modern technology, more instructional videos, and online tutorials are available as resources that have changed the method of most coaches' instructions. Likewise, capturing training sessions on camera can help review strokes and even full matches to gain more insights for improvement.
The bottom line is that players can learn a lot on the court, but there are other good places to help them improve. Yes, the execution happens when the ball is at play, but before diving into a competitive match, what matters most is how players and coaches strike cohesive instructional methods reinforced with a lot of thought and process.
Lastly, never go for coaches who are only looking for easy fixes. Instead, break aspects of your footwork, strokes, and mental toughness down with your coach on a more in-depth and personal level. Similar to learning how to play the piano, you can only play a flawless piece during a recital with the proper instructions from your teacher. Armed with the correct instructions, you'll be confident enough to execute them during crucial stages.
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