Taking classes from a qualified training professional can be a great way to take your game to the next level. But choose your teacher wisely. Like any industry, tennis training has its pros and cons.
Tennis lessons can be expensive, and working with the wrong pro will not only waste money and time, but can also dramatically halt your progress and enjoyment of the game. like USTA “You are either the product of your coaching or the victim of your coaching,” says high-performance coach Ed Krass.
According to a recent Google search: 164,000Tennis coaches employed worldwide. There are also numerous people who teach tennis on a freelance or part-time basis. I am sure the majority of these people are true experts. Passionate about his career and committed to continuing to learn and helping students improve and enjoy their game.
However, there are also people who teach tennis for other reasons. Some are great athletes who have dedicated themselves to teaching after competing. They think that because they can play games, they can teach. Others teach how to make extra money while pursuing other careers.
Finally, there are people who teach classes with absolutely nothing to do. Their technical skills are weak and their knowledge of the game is minimal. But they’re healthy, they’re tan, they look good in tennis clothes, and they can sell ice to Eskimos. Steve Smith, founder of greatbasetennis.com, calls them car trunk experts. “All they have is a ball hopper and their ego,” says Steve.
People who fall into this category are often only interested in two things. How many hours can I teach, and how much can I earn per hour? They are measuring their time and the quality of their teaching reflects this.
Having been in the tennis industry for almost 50 years, I have seen the good, the bad, and the incompetent of tennis teachers. In this article, I’ll outline some of the things you should look for (and look out for) when choosing someone you can trust with your games.
Before I get into specifics, I would like to caution you to beware of two types of tennis teachers that roam the world of recreational tennis preying on unsuspecting players. First, ‘I was a great player’ professional. These guys will tell you stories about their playing days.
“ #played1In the state of Florida 2002.”
“I played at Wimbledon. 1999.”
““I was Venus and Serena’s hitting partner,” he said.
For someone new to tennis, this may sound very impressive. But being a good player has little to do with whether a person is a good teacher. As mentioned above, many players give lessons simply because they can no longer play. They feel frustrated that their play days are over and often act as if teaching is inferior to them. They make the moves and have little interest in you or your game unless you are a promising player.
For a true pro, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a tournament participant or have trouble opening a can of balls. They equally want to meet you, help you progress, and have a good time.
Yes, if you are an elite athlete, it helps to work with a pro who has “been there”. Brad Gilbert is a great example of this. He has had success on the professional tour and understands what it takes to win at that level. He also has an incredible understanding of game strategy and the ability to point out player strengths, weaknesses and patterns. Can we trust him as a complete beginner with limited motor skills and not sure if he really wants to play tennis? Not necessarily.
Next time be careful shortcut approval. These people say they have discovered a “revolutionary approach” or “secret” that will lead you to success. 4.0 -level player 8 main. Hide your credit card when you meet this person. There are no innovative approaches (or secrets) and it is impossible to predict how quickly a player will progress.
Then, when choosing a pro, check the following:
reputation. Every pro has one, good or bad. Chat with friends and other players and go online.
certification. The Association of Racquet Sports Professionals (formerly the United States Professional Tennis Association) and the Professional Tennis Registry provide certification to teaching professionals. Earning one (or both) of these certifications shows that someone is qualified and serious about their profession.
experience. Depending on age and level of play, specific techniques and approaches are required. Professionals who spend most of their time working with high-performing juniors may lack the skills (or patience) needed to teach novice adults. Perhaps you are having difficulty learning. If so, see if the pro has experience working with players with similar challenges.
Are you looking to sign up for private or group lessons? The expertise required to keep a group of players engaged and learning is much different than working with players one-on-one. Make sure the pro has experience offering the type of class you want to take. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Perhaps you’ve been taking classes for a while and are wondering if you’re working with the right instructor. Here are some things to consider:
Is your professional knowledgeable? A pro must know and be able to clearly explain the pros and cons of different grips as they relate to every shot in the game. They should be able to look at your game, analyze your strengths and weaknesses (technical, tactical and athletic) and then design a plan for improvement.
Do you like his teaching style? Some pros will feed the students balls or gather them together. 15Nothing was said for several minutes. Then take the player over to the net and talk for five minutes. Others will talk to you while hitting you. Both can work. Which style do you prefer?
Does he encourage feedback? Safe coaches encourage questions and feedback. Anxious people feel threatened by both. Ask a pro to honestly assess your level of play and tell you what you need to do to improve. When he tells you something, don’t be afraid to ask why. Beware of instructors who have their own methods and don’t ask for your opinion (or seem to care).
Is he fully engaged? The class should include the following: you . If the pro is constantly talking about his life or checking his phone while playing. yourWhen you have time, find another pro.
Is your professional patient? A struggling student may be frustrating for the instructor, but for the student, the feeling is much worse. An experienced professional knows this and can not only boost students’ morale, but also help them overcome challenges. They remember how difficult it was to learn the game, and they tell their students how they struggled with the same shots when they first started. There is a saying that patience is a virtue. For tennis instructional professionals, rackets and ball baskets are as essential as a basket.
Are the classes fresh, interesting, and fun? It takes a lot of repetition to learn the different skills and strategies of the game, but you shouldn’t do the same drills, do the same things, and hear the same words every lesson. Good professionals work hard to plan their classes. He seeks out new training methods, uses different teaching tools, and explores different ways to express his teaching points. Dedicated professionals also improve their knowledge and expertise by attending seminars, discussing training and playing trends with respected colleagues, and studying tennis-related books and videos.
Can I contact a professional when I am not being paid for their time? Your professional should provide you with his or her mobile phone number and/or email address and encourage you to use them. The student/teacher relationship should always extend beyond the court.
Lastly, beware of education experts who:
I habitually come to court late.
Performing an overly long warm-up.
It takes longer to drink water or take bathroom breaks.
Provides lengthy explanations.
I often talk to the players on the next court.
Picks up the ball when his training cart is not empty.
These are just a few tricks that lazy experts use to speed up class time.
Take your time and do your research. Working with the right pro will not only improve your tennis skills, but it can also change your life, just like it did for me. I will talk about this in a future article.
