The more experienced a coach becomes, the more he/she will realize that overloading advice has its unintended consequences. Coaches feel empowered after “giving a good lesson”. Students are usually satisfied with a coach who provides a library of knowledge on the tennis court, especially when beginning with a new client!

Parents are often surprised at my lessons involve almost no dialogue. Sometimes I’m asked “why do you let him get away with doing that”? I guess it’s then fair to ask, what are they paying me for?  Well, I believe that failure is necessary as long as observation and presence is taking place within the individual. If students are empowered to solve mechanical issues with the coach, they will become more efficient learners.

My role is facilitation. Tactical and technical calculations are going to take place when the student is present and stimulated by competition specific to ability. Mini tennis games encourage angular learning, thus stimulating effective strategy.

Roger Federer hits his forehand over forty different ways so who am I to tell someone the correct way to hit a forehand? I can’t teach someone each of the forty forehands to hit in each given situation. It’s impossible.

I’m not suggesting that no teaching is involved whatsoever. It’s important for students understand that most force is produced from the ground, use of opposite arm levers, implementing kinetic chain repetition, static/dynamic balance, and postural alignment through all planes of motion must be understood and integrated through quality repetitious exercises.

I encourage parents to check out the quickstart program as the structure itself encourages player empowerment though lighter racquets, modified balls, modified courts and live ball learning.

Children are like sponges, they absorb everything. If they can be empowered to make decisions, solve problems and be independent, then there’s no reason why they can’t learn to implement these skills in tournaments or amongst friends/family. It takes an experienced and empathic coach to facilitate this type of learning. It also requires cooperation of the parent, coach and player to understand what their role is.