How do you select a good coach?

[AndrewD]

After having 3 coaching experiences, 1 good, 1 terrible and 1 excellant I was wondering how others went about choosing a good quality coach who will actually help their game improve rather than just taking their money?

When i first had lessons it was your standard, old school type of group coaching. Good for what it was and a nice introduction to the game. At that stage everything was new information and we got the basics down so I have no complaints whatsoever.

After a couple of years playing I thought it might be good to have a few lessons to add a bit more to my game so I could build on the game I had and add a few new elements that would make me a better player. Went to the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne (Im an Aussie) and had some lessons there. At the end I felt totally ripped off. I'd come out having learned nothing and felt a bit jaded re: tennis in general.

Then, happened to get the chance along with a friend, to play a couple of sets of doubles and a set of singles against Alan Stone (Aussie tennis commentator and former player of the 70's). Just through some subtle tips (so subtle I've forgotten them now, hence the need for some re-coaching) he had me hitting kick serves for the first time ever.

So, now Im looking to have a few lessons again how can I weed out the second type of coach and find one more like the last mentioned?

 

[Frank Silbermann]

What I did was look at how much it costs for private lessons and say, "There's no way I have that kind of money to spend on a sport!" Then I would read books and try to teach myself (even though some basic concepts I'm only now beginning to understand after 30 years).

 

[NoBadMojo]

a good teaching pro knows a number of cues to get a lesson playing better. if one cue doesnt click, you try another and you hit on one that registers. you are right, it can be something subtle. imo good teaching pros do not get very technical about each little aspect, and spend less time talking and more time reinforcing the cues once they click by hitting a volume of balls w. the new good technique to make the move part of the muscle memory. if you know of anyone who has had lessons and you have seen that they have improved, you could ask the person who was giving them the lessons. here in the us, almost anyone of any ability can easily become a certified teaching pro, and as a result there are alot of ineffective teaching pros..dont know how it is down under

 

[newbie123]

I think the key to good coaches are:

They dont waste your time talking about anything besides your tennis. A coach who can play very very well....not the most important but helps develop your consistency. You should also be able to clearly understand what your coach says from the first word. IMO, that is what differenciates good coaches from bad coaches. Good coaches are able to make you understand what you are doing and see immediate improvement. If you dont understand what the coach is trying to say at the very first lesson, dont take anymore. Many coaches simply tell you the old fashion common tennis cliches. For example, put your weight into the ball, step into the ball more, dont chop on volleys, or rotate your shoulders more on the serve. Whenever I get these type of coaches, I never understand what exactly I'm spose to do. Good coaches are able to use exercises or analogies that allow you to immediately understand what to do. I.E. instead of saying, hit up and into the ball on the kick server, he could say hit it as if you were carving the outer peel of an apple. My coach, for example, instead of saying put your weight into the ball more and maintain your balance, he does this exercise where I have to over emphasize my knee bend on an open stance shot, and I have to lift up my left leg(im a righty) right after the ball contacts the racquet. I could clearly feel a difference in the power and balance I had after doing this exercise. Basically, you should find a coach that is very clear and specific, and easy to understand.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Talk to some of the more technical/advanced people you see where you're playing. Ask for references on good coaches in your area. Also, ask them specifically if they really worked with those coaches and how they felt after in terms of progress.

Or, if you know already some prospective coaches, go to some of their sessions and see if you feel tempted by the way they conduct them.

I'd say coaches which bring up good juniors in competitions would be a good point to start with. This way you'd make sure they are up to date.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

The coach should have a reasonable playing experience (he does not need to be a world champion!).

He should have a solid teaching and coaching experience, maybe more than 10 years. I learned solid coaching after 10 years!

He should have a good communication skills -- both verbal and written.

He should believe in modern way of coaching. Why? Because I see some coaches teach the way they played the game!

He should prove his coaching through modern pictures, models, etc. (for example, if I want to talk about open stance forehand, I will show my students some hitting sequencing of the players who employ open stance forehand in certain situations).

He should be a certified (but that does not mean that all certified coaches are good). This means that somebody has tested this coach. A tested coach is better than non-tested.

He should show you some research work which he has done at international level.

And finally, it is the word of mouth. Speak with other players who have taken lessons from him. A word of caution here: Bad-mouthing is common in tennis community. People have said very bad things about good coaches, and good things about bad coaches! It is all about perceptions.

And also check his name. He must be a good coach if his name ends with Khan. Just a joke!

 

[Nastase]

This can be an easy or tough decision based on your goals, playing level and ambitions. I think you may want to consider making a plan first. What are your needs, goals, what kind of player are you, what are you trying to accomplish, etc? Once you have a plan then you can begin to look for a coach to help you get there. If you are just trying to go from a 3.0 to a 3.5 your options are many. If your goal is to improve strategically, mentally, or in other esoteric (advanced) areas of the game your options are fewer. Remember that coaches will draw from their own experiences! So talk to the coach before you enter into a relationship, you probably dont just want to stumble onto the court for a lesson. Have a plan, make sure he knows the plan, have a reasonably good idea that he can help you.

I agree with the above posts in general but want to add that just make sure the coach is invested in YOU. Yes you pay him. But you need to surround yourself with people who care, can add value, want to see you succeed, and make it fun and pleasureable. The coach is an important leg of the stool here. My 2 cents. Good luck.