Coaching tennis?

[tennis_balla]

There are so many little things that a person needs to learn to be a good coach you could write a book...well, others have already haha. I don't feel I'm close yet to where I want to be as a coach, and its a constant learning process. You think about it all the time, it just never stops. To be a good tennis coach its not a job, its a lifestyle. Its something thats either in you or isn't.

I don't want to throw out percentage but a large portion of coaching is communication and how well you can talk to and deal with people. Understanding not only technical aspects of the game but understanding psychology and different personalities, being adaptable to different situations, able to teach the same thing a number of ways for different individuals. I love watching people, talking to them, learning how people react to different things, personalities etc. It really helps you understand better how to deal with problems on court. Coaching is more then just learning to hit a tennis ball over the net. When to talk, when to shut up, when to use verbal instruction, when to use visual instruction and so on.

Finding out what coaching philosophy you like the best is a must, but always be open minded in learning new things even from sources you might not always agree with. Even if its learning what not to do. Also, if you want to know where the game is heading then watch top ITF juniors and the pros as I believe that players change the game, not coaches. Coaches analyze whats happening and learn to teach it to others.

 

[Ash_Smith]

^^^Great post Balla

It works the other way too - learning to understand psychology and read people's personalities has made me a great negotiator when it comes to haggling for stuff! Over the years I've learned how to read people pretty well and pretty quickly (which helps massively when it comes to teaching) and i've never had a car salesman who hasn't been almost crying before we've sealed a deal since!

Cheers

 

[Fuji]

Hey all! Not meaning to hijack here, but I got offered the chance to become a certified coach here, and I'm thinking it would be a fun thing to have and a great way to get involved in my tennis community.

Is coaching something you can do on a "part time" basis since I'm still in school? (University next year)

-Fuji

 

[papa]

Hey all! Not meaning to hijack here, but I got offered the chance to become a certified coach here, and I'm thinking it would be a fun thing to have and a great way to get involved in my tennis community.

Is coaching something you can do on a "part time" basis since I'm still in school? (University next year)

-Fuji

You can but depending on the type of coaching your looking for will depend on materials, classes, certifications, references, background check you'll need. Schools generally will demand excellent references and require you attend/pass various courses. Tennis clubs will also require references and in most instances certifications. Sometimes you can find a YMCA or other place where tennis is offered and they might not be as fussy in the "requirement" department or let you start and get your stuff together as you go along.

Although I'm not a college coach I spent many years at a major university with the athletic department. I can tell you that colleges are very rigid (at least we were) in checking out prospective coaches - we would not take chances on anyone without checking them out competely.

 

[dennis10is]

Hey everyone.

Obviously I want to be a pro and be the GOAT and rule the world, etc. I know I can't, and I know I can't even earn any decent amount of money from tennis. But I do love teaching tennis, and it's just another passion of mine. I have already had some experience teaching mostly children, (8-12 years old,) taught a few adult classes, and will soon be an assistant coach at a high school team.

I'm a freshman in college right now, and I don't have any idea what I want to major in.

So I was thinking ... what is the likelyhood of coaching tennis as a career? What would one major in in college in order to do this? Is this a viable career choice on a monetary level?

I don't even know exactly what kind of coaching I would do. Coaching a team? Coaching at a club? Coaching privately? The sky is the limit, hopefully.

Anybody with experience able to share with me?

You should give up coaching as a profession. With the internet, nobody needs a coach anymore, they have youtube and this forum. Enough to turn anyone into a GOAT and millionaire if they want to.

 

[Fuji]

You can but depending on the type of coaching your looking for will depend on materials, classes, certifications, references, background check you'll need. Schools generally will demand excellent references and require you attend/pass various courses. Tennis clubs will also require references and in most instances certifications. Sometimes you can find a YMCA or other place where tennis is offered and they might not be as fussy in the "requirement" department or let you start and get your stuff together as you go along.

Although I'm not a college coach I spent many years at a major university with the athletic department. I can tell you that colleges are very rigid (at least we were) in checking out prospective coaches - we would not take chances on anyone without checking them out completely.

Very true! Thanks for the input! I'm not aiming to be a world class or college level coach by any means, but I figured it might be helpful to have.

I think I will end up getting certified, (Heck it's only a two weekend course and it's pretty fair priced!)

-Fuji

 

[papa]

You should give up coaching as a profession. With the internet, nobody needs a coach anymore, they have youtube and this forum. Enough to turn anyone into a GOAT and millionaire if they want to.

Well, although I would certainly agree that there is plently of information available through the web, books, DVD's, magazines, etc, its one thing to understand something intellectually and quite another to put it into practice. Many players know how the basics of stroke mechanics but simply cannot get themselves performing the stroke - what they think there doing and what they actually do, often/most of the time is very different.

Some can do it and improve without on-court help, unfortunately most can't.

 

[Bergboy123]

Yes I'm loving this too, and I've gotten way more answers and advice than I had hoped for. Thank you everybody!

 

[Essential Tennis]

Big fan of essential tennis.

Sorry will. i also like fuzzyyellowballs..

Ya, FYB is ok I guess.....

 

[JohnYandell]

What was Sharapova's response to the dinner invite, if you don't mind me asking...

 

[Limpinhitter]

8-12hrs/day on court is a fair bit. That's definitely not defined as "only" and doing it 6 days a week just adds to it. Then again some people don't mind that however, its the type of lessons you do that make it difficult or not.

My view on all of this goes like this, you're going to start small and be someones b*tch pretty much in the beginning, like with any job. Its up to you to learn on your own, gather as much information as you can about coaching like Ash says and in my opinion most of all develop your own system of teaching. Make sure its consistent and always look to refine it and make it better.
Depending on what your goals are, and how much luck and skill you have in the profession there are chances of getting head pro/tennis director jobs at clubs or resorts. Spending 3-4 hours on court a day, having 3, 4, or 5 guys working under you, managing the operation and so on. Lots of jobs like that available. I'll give you an example....

A good friend of mine knew a guy when he lived in Southern Cal, he was a decent player but nothing special. One of his strengths were he was very good with people. Not the BS'ing kind, just very good. He went for an interview at an equestrian club close to L.A. for a tennis directors position. My friend had to convince him to go, cause he didn't think he'd get the job. Of course, he got the job. This was back in the late 80's, first year salary? something like $70,000. Bought a Porsche, found a hot girlfriend...er I mean she found him lol. He was set, spent a few hours a day on court and the rest of the time he was managing the operation, the tennis side of the club. In the end he only lasted about 2 yrs there, I can't remember why he left but those jobs are out there bu it depends if thats what you wanna do, teach high performance juniors, work in a regular club etc.

Hey Balla,

I just noticed your reply. I meant "only" as in only teaching, not proshop management or tennis director. Hahaha!

 

[Limpinhitter]

You should give up coaching as a profession. With the internet, nobody needs a coach anymore, they have youtube and this forum. Enough to turn anyone into a GOAT and millionaire if they want to.

IMO, you couldn't be more wrong! There is no substitute for 1 on 1 coaching on the court. Internet lessons can be very helpful. But, an internet coach can't see you play, can't see if you are interpreting his advice as intended, or doing what he's instructing, and, therefore, help you make necessary corrections.

 

[Ash_Smith]

What was Sharapova's response to the dinner invite, if you don't mind me asking...

Not at all John. Yuri said NO!!! I like to think Maria was on the verge of saying yes before he cut her off!