[tennisbiz] Re: Two Coaches or More....

Several thoughts in no particular order strike me when I read of past
comments re: two coaches for tennis players.
First off I think, why not? Football has multiple coaches at most levels.
Soccer, basketball and baseball have multiple coaches at most levels. The one
coach for one player idea in tennis rarely creates a champion. Potential
good to great players are identified at local levels via tournament results.
Good players at local, regional or sectional levels -- if they seek to
improve and have the resources-seek the "best" coaches. Once potential
champions are identified, sectional USTA staffs usually start providing
"perks", endorsements and referrals within the USTA structure.
Next I think why shouldn't tennis players have "team coaching"? Most club
level large group tennis instruction is taught by more than one instructor.
Students get to see two or three or more instructors at one time. Why
wouldn't more than one instructor, more than one professional, be better for
a given student?
Well, several considerations must be evaluated before doing "team coaching."
First, there should be some type of overall teaching, coaching philosophy
adhered to by all members of the team. Something simple like technique,
consistency, depth and power could serve as a base.
Next, egos must allow it. Even though a head or lead instructor is in charge,
individual differences should be allowed within the context of an overall
teaching philosophy.
Finally, records should be kept. Preferably these records are kept in writing.
Ideally, these records start with the first lesson with a few minutes spent
on finding out where each student is starting from. And records are kept .
Religiously.
It seems to me that one of the true innovations within tennis teaching at the
local level might indeed be "team coaching." Where an overall teaching
philosophy exists and is adhered to, where egos can work toward the "what is
best for all concept" and
where records are kept to track learning, I say why not have "team coaching?"
For better tennis and more new tennis players,

Bill Thompson
President
Worldwide Intelligent tennis Services ( WITS )
"In tennis as in life you must always keep your wits about you!"
20220 13th ave nw
Shoreline, Washington 98177-2124
email:fintenpro_at_aol.com
 
Received on Fri Oct 26 2001 - 21:48:38 CDT