Taking lessons from a qualified teaching professional can be a great way to take your game to the next level. However, be sure to choose your teacher wisely. As in any industry, teaching tennis has its pros and cons.
Tennis lessons can be expensive, and working with the wrong pro can not only waste your money and time, but can also dramatically halt your progress and enjoyment of the game. like journeyman High performance coach Ed Krass says, “You are either a product of your training or a victim of your training.”
A recent Google search reported that it is over 164,000tennis coaches employed globally. There are countless others who teach tennis on a freelance or part-time basis. I am convinced that most of them are real professionals. Passionate about their careers, they continue to learn and are dedicated to helping their students improve and enjoy the game.
However, there are also those who learn tennis for other reasons. Some are great players who, when their competitive days were over, moved into teaching. They understand that since they can play the game, they can learn it. Others learn to earn extra money while pursuing another career.
Finally, there are those who teach who have no business doing so. Their technical skills are poor and their knowledge of the game is minimal. However, they are fit, tan, look good in tennis clothes, and can sell ice to an Eskimo. Steve Smith (founder of Greatbasetennis.com) calls them car boot pros. “All they have is a ball hopper and an ego,” says Steve.
Those who fall into these categories are often interested in only two things: how many hours can I teach and how much will I earn per hour? They are beating the clock and the quality of their lessons reflects it.
Having worked in the tennis industry for nearly fifty years, I have seen the good, the bad and the incompetent when it comes to tennis teachers. In this article, I’ll outline some things to look for (and watch out for) when choosing someone to trust with your game.
Before we get into the specifics, I want to warn you to be on the lookout for two types of tennis teachers who roam the world of recreational tennis, cutting down unsuspecting players. First, there’s the “I was a great player” pro. These folks will regale you with stories about their playing days.
“ i played #1for the state of Florida in 2002.
“I played Wimbledon in 1999.
“I was a striking partner for Venus and Serena.”
For someone new to tennis, that sounds pretty impressive. However, being a great player has very little to do with whether a person is a great teacher. As I mentioned above, many players only teach because they can no longer play. They are frustrated that their playing days are over and often act as if teaching is beneath them. They go through the motions and, unless you are a promising player, have little interest in you or your game.
For the true pro, it doesn’t matter if you’re a tournament competitor or have trouble opening a can of balls. They are just as eager to see you, to help you get better, and to have a good time doing it.
Yes, if you are an elite player, it helps to work with a pro who has “been there”. Brad Gilbert is a great example of this. He had success on the pro tour and understands what it takes to win at that level. He also has an incredible understanding of game strategies and the ability to spot a player’s strengths, weaknesses and patterns. Would I trust him with a complete beginner, with limited athletic ability, who isn’t sure if he really wants to play tennis? Not necessarily.
Then, watch out the shortcut pros. These people tell you that they have discovered a “revolutionary approach” or “secret” to success that will make you a 4.0 – level player in 8 week. When you meet this guy, hide your credit card. There are no revolutionary approaches (or secrets) and it is impossible to predict the rate at which a player will progress.
After that, when choosing a professional, look for:
Reputation. Every professional has one – good or bad. Talk to your friends, other players and go online.
Certification. The Association of Racquet Sports Professionals (formerly the United States Tennis Professional Association) and the Professional Tennis Registry offer certifications to teaching professionals. Having one (or both) of these certificates shows that the person is qualified and serious about his profession.
Experience. Different ages and levels of play require specific techniques and approaches. A professional who spends most of his time working with high-performing youth may not have the necessary skills (or patience) to teach a novice adult. Perhaps, you have a learning challenge. If so, make sure the pro has experience working with players with a similar challenge.
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 a player one-on-one. Make sure the professional has experience teaching the type of lessons you want to take. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Maybe you’ve been taking lessons for a while and are wondering if you’re working with the right instructor. Here are some things to consider.
Is your professional knowledgeable? Your pro should know – and be able to clearly explain – the advantages and disadvantages of different grips as they relate to each shot in the game. They should be able to watch your game and analyze your strengths and weaknesses (technically, tactically and athletically) and then devise a plan for improvement.
Do you like his teaching style? Some professionals will ball-feed (or congregate with) their students 15minutes, not saying a word. Then, they will bring the player to the net and talk for five minutes. Others will talk while hitting with you. Both can work. Which style do you prefer?
Does he encourage feedback? Confident coaches encourage questions and feedback. Insecure they feel threatened by both. Ask your professional 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 any instructor who has their own method and doesn’t ask for (or seem interested in) your input.
Is he fully engaged? Your learning should come first you . If the professional constantly tells you about his life or checks his mobile phone for a long time YOURtime, find another professional.
Does your professional have patience? Although a struggling student can be frustrating for the instructor, the feeling is much worse for the student. The experienced professional knows this and can not only keep the spirits of the students, but help them cope with their difficulties. They recall how difficult it was for them to learn the game and tell students stories of how they struggled with the same shot when they first started. It is said that patience is a virtue. For the tennis teaching professional, it is as much a necessity as a racket and a basket of balls.
Are your lessons fresh, interesting and fun? Although a lot of repetition is required to inculcate different playing techniques and strategies, you don’t have to do the same drills, the same way, and hear the same words every lesson. A good professional works hard to plan his lessons. He looks for new exercises, uses different teaching tools and looks for different ways to express his teaching points. A dedicated professional also increases his knowledge and expertise by attending seminars, discussing teaching and playing trends with respected peers, and studying tennis books and videos.
Is your professional available when you are not paying for their time? Your professional should give you (and encourage you to use) their mobile phone number and/or email address. The student/teacher relationship should always extend beyond the court.
Finally, beware of teaching professionals who:
He usually comes late to court.
Makes an extremely long warm-up.
Take long water or bathroom breaks.
Give long explanations.
He often talks to the players on the other court.
Gets the ball when his teaching cart is not empty.
These are some tricks of the trade used by lazy professionals to shorten your learning time.
Take your time and do your research. Working with the right pro will not only improve your tennis, but it can also change your life—as it did mine. I will tell you about this in a future article.
