newpball
Legend
And you know it's the truth because....?
Etiquette when asked about another's coach?
- Thread starter BMC9670
- Start date
newpball
Legend
Exactly!
Fact is, and the poster admits that in his OP, that she has several students and that she is quite active with teaching. That means she must do something right, people otherwise would not continue to pay.
And in case you missed it, look at this gem:
So she is a mom, what is that supposed to mean?
Moms perhaps cannot teach?
Tell that to Jimmy Connors!
newpball
Legend
Indeed, the essentials should never be underestimated.
caugas
Semi-Pro
Well said for sure
Cobaine
Semi-Pro
The kids may be having fun. That doesn't mean they are learning the fundamentals of tennis. Plus, the OP already said that she is teaching frying pan grips, etc. If that's not proof of the coach not knowing what she's doing, then I don't know what is.
But he's being perceived as some sort of expert, which he definitely is not, so I think extra care has to be taken in giving your opinion when someone thinks you are an expert. If the kids are having fun, they will keep coming back and remember tennis as a pleasurable experience. And yes, it would be nice to learn correct technique from the beginning, but have you ever worked with little kids? I think anyone who can work with little kids on the court is a saint!! Not many people want that job, I'll bet. I'd have told the parent (in my 20-20 backwards vision) to give her the benefit of the doubt - maybe ask what her philosophy is. Maybe there's a method to her madness. And if she doesn't have a clue about what she's doing, why isn't someone in charge (the head pro) seeing this and doing something about it? Give her some training and fix the situation. Yeah, that what I would have said!
Ballinbob
Hall of Fame
Agreed... I'm not sure why he thinks the OP is bad-mouthing the coach either. Teaching a frying pan grip and hackish slices to beginners is not good coaching. You don't have to be an expert to know this
newpball
Legend
Every story has two sides.
I deeply mistrust people who instantly believe only one side of a story.
Got the full story: She was finishing up a lesson when we went down for a hit this evening, so we helped her pick up balls and I struck up a conversation by asking her how long she’s been coaching tennis. She laughed and said, “Oh, I’m not a coach, I’m just a tennis mom (her words, newpball) helping out.”
It turns out the HOA had an arrangement with a local club for one of their certified pros to give lessons, but the pro quit because his club wanted him to charge more than the HOA would allow. They don’t like to charge very much for activities over the monthly dues. So she offered to teach until they found a replacement. She told me she has never coached before and has very little playing experience. Her two sons, now in high school, took lessons when they were younger and she just tries to emulate what their coach did in their lessons.
She said there were 9 students when the pro quit and all but 3 of the students have left and 2 new ones have since signed up – including the guy who asked me about his daughter. I asked her if he knew she was just filling in and she said she didn’t know as the lessons are booked through the community office and not her directly so it never came up. I said the HOA newsletter advertises Professional Private and Group Tennis Lessons and she said she didn’t expect to be teaching this long, but they are having a hard time finding “a real coach” (again, her words) for those low prices.
Nice person, nice conversation. She asked if I had any suggestions, so I offered a few tips, but also suggested she ensure the parents know what the deal is if they are paying for lessons.
It turns out the HOA had an arrangement with a local club for one of their certified pros to give lessons, but the pro quit because his club wanted him to charge more than the HOA would allow. They don’t like to charge very much for activities over the monthly dues. So she offered to teach until they found a replacement. She told me she has never coached before and has very little playing experience. Her two sons, now in high school, took lessons when they were younger and she just tries to emulate what their coach did in their lessons.
She said there were 9 students when the pro quit and all but 3 of the students have left and 2 new ones have since signed up – including the guy who asked me about his daughter. I asked her if he knew she was just filling in and she said she didn’t know as the lessons are booked through the community office and not her directly so it never came up. I said the HOA newsletter advertises Professional Private and Group Tennis Lessons and she said she didn’t expect to be teaching this long, but they are having a hard time finding “a real coach” (again, her words) for those low prices.
Nice person, nice conversation. She asked if I had any suggestions, so I offered a few tips, but also suggested she ensure the parents know what the deal is if they are paying for lessons.
newpball
Legend
Needless to say you told her of this great forum! :grin:
goober
Legend
The issue at hand is not whether BMC is a better coach than this woman. The parent asking the question is looking for honest opinions, not made up fluff. If BMC believes that the teacher in question is teaching methods that will not lead to advanced technique he should say so. Maybe the parent doesn't even care if his daughter becomes an advanced player or maybe he is upset that he is spending a lot of money and from his view his daughter doesn't look anything like BMC's son in terms of technique. It really doesn't matter.
BMC should have a private conversation with him and make it very clear that is strictly his opinion and that this conversation should not get back to teacher in question. He also should make it clear that his is not a professional coach and the parent should ask other opinions especially from other coaches. Any parent worth his salt will not solely rely on one person's opinion. He asked you and you have a strong opinion on the subject, so I see no harm in voicing it- in the correct way of course.
BMC should have a private conversation with him and make it very clear that is strictly his opinion and that this conversation should not get back to teacher in question. He also should make it clear that his is not a professional coach and the parent should ask other opinions especially from other coaches. Any parent worth his salt will not solely rely on one person's opinion. He asked you and you have a strong opinion on the subject, so I see no harm in voicing it- in the correct way of course.
tommyfr
Rookie
But it can be more fun for a child to get instruction, try it out and then notice improved results, than just spraying balls all over. And even more amplified if we look a couple of years forward.
The real fun in most cases is when you can play matches with other kids and win sometimes.
The real fun in most cases is when you can play matches with other kids and win sometimes.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
But he's being perceived as some sort of expert, which he definitely is not, so I think extra care has to be taken in giving your opinion when someone thinks you are an expert. If the kids are having fun, they will keep coming back and remember tennis as a pleasurable experience. And yes, it would be nice to learn correct technique from the beginning, but have you ever worked with little kids? I think anyone who can work with little kids on the court is a saint!! Not many people want that job, I'll bet. I'd have told the parent (in my 20-20 backwards vision) to give her the benefit of the doubt - maybe ask what her philosophy is. Maybe there's a method to her madness. And if she doesn't have a clue about what she's doing, why isn't someone in charge (the head pro) seeing this and doing something about it? Give her some training and fix the situation. Yeah, that what I would have said!
I actually love working with kids at that age (8-12)! It is the ideal age when they actually listen to what you say and you really see them progressing quickly. When I teach some 13+ year olds they immediately answer with something like "but Djokovic doesn't do it that way!" when I correct them and they ignore my teaching… It annoys me to no end, especially as they believe they are doing things which they actually aren't. Those little know-it-alls
newpball
Legend
Use video and confront them!When I teach some 13+ year olds they immediately answer with something like "but Djokovic doesn't do it that way!" when I correct them and they ignore my teaching… It annoys me to no end, especially as they believe they are doing things which they actually aren't. Those little know-it-alls
tennis_balla
Hall of Fame
I stay away from these types of questions at all costs, its never a good idea to get involved and never offer unsolicited advice. However, if someone does ask me I say something along the lines of, "If you are unsure then shop around, try a few different coaches or go check out other programs." Let them learn on their own.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
You know how these know-it-alls are, they'll find some excuse ("I had a bad day")… Also, I will not inconvenience the growth of those willing to learn by concentrating on those unwilling to learn. I believe that one is responsible for his own learning and progress.
This is a tough question. I am always trying to learn as a tennis parent since I didn't play myself. My son was taking at a rec center w/ a USPTA certified coach, but I noticed his forehand didn't look like the better kids we played against in team or league tennis. Well, he was hitting flat and not a modern forehand (yes, this is how inexperienced I am, lol). All I knew was in under 3 months of quick start, my son was by far best in his group at rec center even after they promoted him 3 X. A wonderful co worker whose son played in the ATP was awesome enough to advise me. She told me where her son had taken lessons, the best academy in our area, what to look for etc... I took her advice and things have really progressed. She was a vet/experienced tennis mom and I was open enough to take her advice. I am very grateful to her for her open/honest opinions etc... So, if some one is truly trying to better their child's tennis skills and seems to have an open mind to different directions, pls be honest! I played a musical instrument to a high level as does my other child and have helped others finding qualified instructors. It's very difficult to find good teachers in a technique based discipline, tennis, piano, violin or ballet!
Avles
Hall of Fame
Not so sure it's all good, maybe I don't understand the situation but this sounds like pretty sketchy behavior on the part of the HOA if they are advertising "professional" lessons (at $45 a pop) but offering someone with no teaching and little playing experience, even as a fill-in.
Student and parents should at the very least know about the credentials (or lack thereof) of their teachers, and it sounds like that isn't the case here.
Student and parents should at the very least know about the credentials (or lack thereof) of their teachers, and it sounds like that isn't the case here.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Reading post #61 looks like you solved the mystery.
caugas
Semi-Pro
I love it when everythings falls into place. Looks like she's was just helping out and making some extra cash on the side..
tennis_ocd
Hall of Fame
Perfect. Some of this stuff is pretty basic -- e.g., serve/volley grips and should be taught correctly at age 10. The real issue comes when coaches are teaching a well accepted method with which one just personally disagrees.
Then I'd stay out of it.Looks like that was simply an oversight and not intentional. They did have a pro at one point, and may have forgotten to change the newsletter (the "programs" section is pretty much the same each month). That's why I mentioned it to her and suggested people that are signing up new should know the deal.
Ah, you are one of those saints I've seen out there. My hat's off to you!I actually love working with kids at that age (8-12)! It is the ideal age when they actually listen to what you say and you really see them progressing quickly. When I teach some 13+ year olds they immediately answer with something like "but Djokovic doesn't do it that way!" when I correct them and they ignore my teaching… It annoys me to no end, especially as they believe they are doing things which they actually aren't. Those little know-it-alls
