Learning & Coaching

Every now and again I think of my role as a coach, and the role of a coach in general for the learner of tennis. Being a teacher in school, it's important for me to reflect on my practices, but seldom do I reflect on my experiences as a coach. Because coaches aren't perfect either.

I first look back at how wonderful a job my parents did as my coaches, through the tears and fights and sweat, that made me a champion, and that continues to make my mindset and work ethic stand out from amongst my peers in many aspects of my life. I think about the passion they have for tennis, and the passion they vicariously instilled in me.

I think about what I've done as a coach, the students that I've taught, the shots I've made better, and I realize it's so much more than a shot or the game of tennis, just like in the classroom it's so much more than a novel or a good poem.

So I've complied a list. You know I love lists. But this list isn't just for you, it's reminder for me also, a reminder for me that I coach for a reason bigger than myself, and I hope one day it'll be a reminder for others who are in charge of children's learning and growing, so that they will always come out as a positive role model in someone's life.

Here it is; the list. A coach:

1. inspires a child to play tennis.
2. motivates; it's always easy to motivate a good player or a well-behaved child. But it is the one who struggles and who may have outbursts that needs the most motivation.
3. teaches discipline and routine; the child learns what is expected of them and what consequences await them if they do not follow through. Many believe that this may be strict or unfair, but it reality it gives kids wanted structure.
4. says the right thing at the right time, even if that right thing is saying nothing at all.
5. is a good listener.
6. is a role model at all times.
7. supports not just the player, but also his or her family and support system, and helps steer that support system to be a positive influence in the player's game.
8. notices the little things, whether it be a new haircut or a child's deteriorating attitude.
9. just once throughout the day, makes the child smile, and reminds them that tennis isn't everything.
10. is positive the majority of the time, and only negative when absolutely necessary.
11. let's the little things go.
12. loves what they do.
   

Doubles Blog

Hello world!

I know, I know, I'm a day late. Sorry! But I have a good excuse. I sat and graded 8th grade projects from 1 to 9 pm. Yeah, my brain was fried. Now it's unscrambled a bit! :)

Some doubs tips:

Your initial reaction when someone else is on your side of the court is “Get off my side of the court, fool!” However, if you’re playing doubles, this may turn slightly problematic if you kick your partner off the court. Now you have to tie the hypothetical umbilical cord and remember that without teamwork, you pretty much stink at doubles. Being aware of where your partner is beneficial, say, if they decided to throw a short lob to the opponent’s volleyer and your still at the net. Movement together is essential- two volleys are scarier than one, and two people in the back allows for a better grapple at defense. Yes, grapple is a not only an awesomely cool word, but it also happens to be a fruit- a cross between a grape and an apple- there’s your fun fact for today.

Back to grappling (even more awesome than grapple!) with doubles. Let’s talk positions. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone (usually girls, sorry) hugging the doubles alley, knees shaking from fear. The partner in the back has to cover about 80% of the court- don’t worry, your partner’s got that other 20% on a leash (Not so good metaphor/attempt at anecdote)! Truth is, there is not only “holy” position in doubles when the point is being played out- actually, it would be more honest to say that the “holy” position would be none at all. The more you move at the net, the more pressure the opponent feels to hit a better shot, and the higher the chance that they will make a mistake or that you (the volleyer) poaches. Yes, like an egg in boiling water. Or illegally hunting game (I guess that’s a bit better than an egg).  Never really understood why they (tennis-terminology inventors) called it poaching, but nevertheless…

Back to grappling (!) with the volleyer’s positioning. Again, there is no set place to stand for the volleyer during the point, but there are rules to help you make the most of doubles when your partner’s serving or returning. When your partner’s serving and you’re at the net (and you better be- don’t you dare go to the baseline, even if your partner’s serve travels 2.7 mph), you should be smack in the middle of the box. I hope I don’t have to tell you what box I’m talking about, partially because I’d feel silly explaining (the little one?), and partially because you’re just plain silly yourself for not knowing what I’m talking about. So there. Anyways- help your partner choose where the serve is going- if out wide, be ready for the down the line shot, and if body or T, be ready to poach (like an illegal hunter J). Encouragement is always nice- no one wants to hear “Can you hit the ball harder than 2.7 mph?” or “Your serve is frankly quite terrible.” You laugh, but there are people who actually say those things.

The returner’s partner. So say you’re at the net and you’re partner’s returning. It’s okay if you’re at the net, but if the opponent has a good serve, and the opponent’s partner likes to poach, you’re shark bait (or illegally hunted meat?). It’s okay to say back on the first serve to avoid that situation, but if you have a partner who has an awesome return, you should be standing a tad bit to the right and back of the middle of the box (the small one). So, you should be about a step from the service line and to the right of the middle of the box. This position does a couple of things- it puts pressure on the server, and it puts pressure once the returner hits back to the server- it allows for you to poach more easily as well. Try this position out in practice- your partner should be comfortable with you standing there before you try it out in a match, because you would potentially be in the trajectory of the ball if your partner can miraculously angle the ball off of a serve. You’ll be fine, don’t worry- you have to reassure your partner of that too. Calling the return is also a good doubles tactic- knowing where the ball is going off of the return can help you feel more comfortable at the net, especially if the return is going down the line. Speaking of which, some coaches believe that going down the line is taboo, but keeping your opponent honest (think illegal hunter) is a good doubles tactic. That being said, there is a reason why it’s considered taboo sometimes- it’s hard to hit and easy to react to once you expect it. Once every game is plenty enough. As the returner, it’s important that a high percentage of returns go crosscourt- this is a high-percentage play and involves your partner at the net into the point more.      

Say you’re the server- high percentage first service is key. If you have to kick your first serve, do it. Kick serves, by the way, are essential for doubles play. It allows you to have enough time to get to the net for a serve and volley and is consistent yet aggressive. Make sure you stand wider on the baseline and identify the weaker side early one. A body serve cuts off any angle that the opponent can hit, so lots of body serves can be used. Stay tuned for more “advanced” positions like the “I” formation and the “stack” formation. 

 Remember, don’t be the person cowering in the corner of the court and letting your partner do all the work for you- man up and make like an egg!