How to teach?

[Chanto]

So I've been chosen as co-captain of my high school tennis team. Two are in charge of fitness, and two are in charge of drilling and teaching.

Obviously, drilling is simple. But teaching isn't nearly as easy for a person like me. I'm the type that can understand pretty much anything, but can't explain stuff for crap.

So right now, I'm asking your help to teach me how to teach the team.

Thanks in advance.

[LeeD]

Every player brings a different scrap to the table, so you'd have to know the different players, their styles, their weaknesses, and pat them on their backs for their strengths.
But if you can't communicate what's inside your mind, you make a bad teacher!
Open up, say what you think, don't pull punches, don't play favoritism or grudges, just say what's on your mind about the different player's games.

[GetBetterer]

Find your team's weakness. Tell us, we can help you tell them.

[Jake Speed]

What a guy!

Kudos that you are concerned.

Don't underestimate the power of a team.

The information, you are looking for, can be found in books.

Obviously, the better ones.

Good luck!

JS

[5263]

Originally Posted by Chanto

So I've been chosen as co-captain of my high school tennis team. Two are in charge of fitness, and two are in charge of drilling and teaching.

Obviously, drilling is simple. But teaching isn't nearly as easy for a person like me. I'm the type that can understand pretty much anything, but can't explain stuff for crap.

So right now, I'm asking your help to teach me how to teach the team.

Thanks in advance.

One tip you may use for players is not to try to explain so much or to rebuild a stroke, so much as to demo something, that you ask them if they would like to try some minor adjustments. for example:

if someone was snapping the head around with their wrist on volleys, you could show them how the hand can lead the whole stroke, and ask if they would like to try a couple like that.

[GuyClinch]

Cheat. Watch alot of internet teaching - and then when you see a problem - compare that to the internet solution. And then copy where needed. :P

As many coaches will sadly tell you.. You can't really copywright teaching techniques. And anyway this is what all good coaches do - they teach they way they were taught. It's just easier now with the internet because you don't need the best coaching to steal the best ideas.

[armsty]

Analyse the stroke
What technical fundamentals should be worked on for it (e.g. never using a ready position, doesn't use the correct grip, doesn't turn their shoulders)
If explaining doesn't work, try something that forces them to make a chance, example being if they aren't in their ready position at net with elbows out infront, tie a piece of dowel across their chest with a small harness so they have to. Once they get used to it take it away and see what happens.

Trying things outside the norm can't hurt, you learn from them. Otherwise just do a lot of rallying/consistency based drills.

[nabrug]

Originally Posted by Chanto

So I've been chosen as co-captain of my high school tennis team. Two are in charge of fitness, and two are in charge of drilling and teaching.

Obviously, drilling is simple. But teaching isn't nearly as easy for a person like me. I'm the type that can understand pretty much anything, but can't explain stuff for crap.

So right now, I'm asking your help to teach me how to teach the team.

Thanks in advance.

Follow a teachers course.