JV High School Tennis - Coaching

[shazbot]

Hey All,

So I'm roughly a 4.5, self taught. Been playing tennis since 2009 or so.

I recently applied for a head coaching job of a JV tennis team at a private high school in my area. I have a full time job, but thought it would be sometime fun to do since I love tennis.

To my surprise, they actually ended up interviewing me. I was very transparent with them during the interviews that I had no coaching experience what so ever. I told them I just love tennis and thought this would be something fun and challenging to do on the side.

Again to my surprise, they actually offered me the position, which kind of stunned me since they said they had people interviewing who had been coaches before...great, except I have never coached and this is all new to me.

Anyone coach high school tennis on here that can give me some pointers? It's not Varsity, so they are not expecting it to be a super competitive team. They told me during the interview that obviously they would like to win, but it's more about just getting everyone some playing time on the JV team and having some fun.

Any pointers would be great from people who actually have this experience!

 

[PhxRacket]

I have been involved with a program at different levels for a few years. What would you like to know? Msg me.

 

[Scuoteguazza]

Congrats on your new role! I coached a JV team for four years at a local boys private high school and enjoyed it. I was promoted to coaching the varsity team when the coach moved on the a college team. Your varsity coach should be able to help with designing practices. The varsity coach at my school actually designed practices for both teams then had me run the JV practice separately. Over time she let me design my own. Same with lineups. I ran my thoughts on lineups by her. She rarely disagreed. There are some books you can get on high school coaching.

 

[shazbot]

Congrats on your new role! I coached a JV team for four years at a local boys private high school and enjoyed it. I was promoted to coaching the varsity team when the coach moved on the a college team. Your varsity coach should be able to help with designing practices. The varsity coach at my school actually designed practices for both teams then had me run the JV practice separately. Over time she let me design my own. Same with lineups. I ran my thoughts on lineups by her. She rarely disagreed. There are some books you can get on high school coaching.

Good idea. I'll probably set up a quick call/meeting with the varsity coach.

I have looked up drills online and such, but I guess my biggest question mark is around what a practice should look like.

Is it more drills? Or are the kids expecting more of a 'lesson', for example, what they are doing wrong in their technique, correct swing paths, court positioning, etc?

I didn't play high school tennis, so I have no reference point .

 

[WildVolley]

If you want some good coaching ideas, I strongly suggest getting a hold of a copy of Dave Smith's Coaching Mastery.

He used to post here and was a very successful high school coach. What I found interesting was that he was a no-cut coach who developed some players from rank beginners to being competitive at the state level. He suggests creating a challenge ladder and team ranking based on the challenge matches that is visible to the players. He describes some of the rules for effectively implementing such a system.

 

[nyta2]

If you want some good coaching ideas, I strongly suggest getting a hold of a copy of Dave Smith's Coaching Mastery.

He used to post here and was a very successful high school coach. What I found interesting was that he was a no-cut coach who developed some players from rank beginners to being competitive at the state level. He suggests creating a challenge ladder and team ranking based on the challenge matches that is visible to the players. He describes some of the rules for effectively implementing such a system.

+1 great book

 

[RiverRat]

Anyone coach high school tennis on here that can give me some pointers? It's not Varsity, so they are not expecting it to be a super competitive team. They told me during the interview that obviously they would like to win, but it's more about just getting everyone some playing time on the JV team and having some fun.

Any pointers would be great from people who actually have this experience!

I've coached high school tennis and played college tennis. I think they are pointing you in the right direction as far as JV tennis goes. It is important to get everyone involved. Where being competitive against the opposition may not be the goal I would make it a priority in practice. Keep track of all of the competitions to keep everyone on their toes. It will also reduce the stakes for any one competition, which is so important for players to play up to their potential. Make drills competitive. Have people moving up and down courts. Create regular super breaker tournament round robins and make sure the players know you are keeping track. Recognize the unexpected wins of the players who need some confidence and maybe humble a few who need it. All of that can create a fun, competitive environment where players make sure they are doing their best all of the time. Keep your technical advice to a minimum. Focus on shot outcomes and have players trouble-shoot their own shots to achieve those outcomes. Be enthusiastic every day and have fun with the kids. Laugh with them, shout words of encouragement from two courts away. My high school tennis coach might not have been able to take a game off of our third doubles players, but he was always organized, encouraging and funny. You will be a better player than most, if not all of your players. Maybe have them get to challenge you each practice. Trust your instincts and be yourself. Thanks for sharing and good luck! Keep us posted on the happenings.

 

[shazbot]

I've coached high school tennis and played college tennis. I think they are pointing you in the right direction as far as JV tennis goes. It is important to get everyone involved. Where being competitive against the opposition may not be the goal I would make it a priority in practice. Keep track of all of the competitions to keep everyone on their toes. It will also reduce the stakes for any one competition, which is so important for players to play up to their potential. Make drills competitive. Have people moving up and down courts. Create regular super breaker tournament round robins and make sure the players know you are keeping track. Recognize the unexpected wins of the players who need some confidence and maybe humble a few who need it. All of that can create a fun, competitive environment where players make sure they are doing their best all of the time. Keep your technical advice to a minimum. Focus on shot outcomes and have players trouble-shoot their own shots to achieve those outcomes. Be enthusiastic every day and have fun with the kids. Laugh with them, shout words of encouragement from two courts away. My high school tennis coach might not have been able to take a game off of our third doubles players, but he was always organized, encouraging and funny. You will be a better player than most, if not all of your players. Maybe have them get to challenge you each practice. Trust your instincts and be yourself. Thanks for sharing and good luck! Keep us posted on the happenings.

Great advice mate, thanks so much!

 

[Scuoteguazza]

I try to avoid drills because the players don't get to hit many balls. I tell the boys that practices are more like clinics than private lessons. By that I mean I can point out if several players are making the same mistakes in technique or give quick pointers to a particular player but we don't have the luxury of spending, say, an hour on one player's serve. We spend more time on tactics and game play. So my practices consist of playing games and sets where I imposed conditions that reinforce playing in a specific way.

For instance, if I want them to play more aggressively the rule is once the ball is served all players have to be inside the lines of the court. No retreating. Or, awarding 3 or 5 points if a player wins the point by hitting a volley or an overhead but only one point if they win a point from the baseline. To encourage being more aggressive on their serve they get three chances instead of two. However, if they triple fault, they lose the game regardless of the score. Jorge Capestany has some similar games in his course on adding pressure to practices.

Because JV doesn't qualify for the state-wide end-of-season tournament in Massachusetts I mixed up my lineups to give everyone a chance to play official matches. My goal was still to have a winning record if possible so my #1 and 2 singles players and #1 doubles team played more than other the boys. I rotated the weaker players in to the official five matches, especially for non-league matches. I also told all of the players that I kept a spreadsheet of their results regardless of whether the match they played was an official match or an exhibition match. I'd tell them "all matches count."

 

[TennisDawg]

If you want some good coaching ideas, I strongly suggest getting a hold of a copy of Dave Smith's Coaching Mastery.

He used to post here and was a very successful high school coach. What I found interesting was that he was a no-cut coach who developed some players from rank beginners to being competitive at the state level. He suggests creating a challenge ladder and team ranking based on the challenge matches that is visible to the players. He describes some of the rules for effectively implementing such a system.

I also recommend that book. I used the it for several seasons. I liked the no-cut philosophy and setting up the team ladder which I did the first week into the season. I coached 27 kids on 5 courts so the book provided some great big group drills. Highly recommend the David Smiths for coaching kids.

 

[joah310]

man I wish my school coached, most of it was laddering. Very little actual coaching, which consisted of just hitting serves and using ball machine. Half the kids don't even know the different grips for different strokes.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Hey All,

So I'm roughly a 4.5, self taught. Been playing tennis since 2009 or so.

I recently applied for a head coaching job of a JV tennis team at a private high school in my area. I have a full time job, but thought it would be sometime fun to do since I love tennis.

To my surprise, they actually ended up interviewing me. I was very transparent with them during the interviews that I had no coaching experience what so ever. I told them I just love tennis and thought this would be something fun and challenging to do on the side.

Again to my surprise, they actually offered me the position, which kind of stunned me since they said they had people interviewing who had been coaches before...great, except I have never coached and this is all new to me.

Anyone coach high school tennis on here that can give me some pointers? It's not Varsity, so they are not expecting it to be a super competitive team. They told me during the interview that obviously they would like to win, but it's more about just getting everyone some playing time on the JV team and having some fun.

Any pointers would be great from people who actually have this experience!

@PhxRacket

 

[PhxRacket]

@PhxRacket

Thank you. Yes I messaged him yesterday. We complete Varsity tryouts today and have 26 kids trying out for the three open positions on JV. Super competitive this year. It’s going to take a high level of tennis to get on the JV ladder this year. Thankfully, we have a developmental team for the gents that come short.

 

[nyta2]

man I wish my school coached, most of it was laddering. Very little actual coaching, which consisted of just hitting serves and using ball machine. Half the kids don't even know the different grips for different strokes.

my hs "coach" didn't know how to play... he drove the bus very well, versed in many ways of saying "good job" or "tough game", and was an excellent biology teacher.

i always thought it would be a fun retirement thing to coach a hs team

 

[joah310]

my hs "coach" didn't know how to play... he drove the bus very well, versed in many ways of saying "good job" or "tough game", and was an excellent biology teacher.

i always thought it would be a fun retirement thing to coach a hs team

I know my coach knows how to coach, as he does it well over the summer, as he has a program, but during the season, both the jv and varsity coaches really don't put much effort in coaching the team. It is certainly a shame.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Thank you. Yes I messaged him yesterday. We complete Varsity tryouts today and have 26 kids trying out for the three open positions on JV. Super competitive this year. It’s going to take a high level of tennis to get on the JV ladder this year. Thankfully, we have a developmental team for the gents that come short.

Cool. Soon as I saw this it sounded familiar.

For your team and this season, I figured as much. I know you all are in full swing of things. I've bowed out of it all, but I think I mentioned that last we played. Anyway, if you ever get an evening or morning open let me know and we'll squeeze in a hit.

 

[PhxRacket]

Cool. Soon as I saw this it sounded familiar.

For your team and this season, I figured as much. I know you all are in full swing of things. I've bowed out of it all, but I think I mentioned that last we played. Anyway, if you ever get an evening or morning open let me know and we'll squeeze in a hit.

Absolutely! Mornings are easier as we go five days a week now. Open court play on Fridays for now, but it will be a practice day later as COVID has made the schedule crazy. Three matches per week. 75% of them away.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Absolutely! Mornings are easier as we go five days a week now. Open court play on Fridays for now, but it will be a practice day later as COVID has made the schedule crazy. Three matches per week. 75% of them away.

Dang! Glad I am not doing that craziness.

I will hit you up after Spring Break, or maybe during.

Cheers C.

 

[sureshs]

Main thing is to develop feeding skills. It does not correlate naturally with club player-level tennis shot skills. You must be able to feed controlled balls without spin to different regions of the court and avoid the natural tendency to slice or topspin. You also need to be able to do it rapidly, with multiple balls in your palm. Those with SW and W grips often switch to conti or eastern for feeding. Coaches prefer lighter rackets for feeding and sometimes choke up.

Feeding is a real tennis skill and highly underestimated.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Main thing is to develop feeding skills. It does not correlate naturally with club player-level tennis shot skills. You must be able to feed controlled balls without spin to different regions of the court and avoid the natural tendency to slice or topspin. You also need to be able to do it rapidly, with multiple balls in your palm. Those with SW and W grips often switch to conti or eastern for feeding. Coaches prefer lighter rackets for feeding and sometimes choke up.

Feeding is a real tennis skill and highly underestimated.

Why "without spin"? Most balls they face in a match will have spin of some sort. Why practice something that's not realistic?

I would think it better if, at least initially, you don't feed with a lot of spin.

But I agree: feeding is a skill and some people just ain't got it.

 

[TennisDawg]

Why "without spin"? Most balls they face in a match will have spin of some sort. Why practice something that's not realistic?

I would think it better if, at least initially, you don't feed with a lot of spin.

But I agree: feeding is a skill and some people just ain't got it.

JV players can’t handle the spin so you’re going to have balls being sprayed all over. It becomes counter productive when you are drilling a large group. If it’s one on one instructing you could possibly feed with spin, even then it’s probably better to start with a friendly feed.

 

[shazbot]

So we had our first practice today.

About what I expected, but hoping I get some better players after Varsity tryouts end.

So I had a group of 8 kids today to start, I will probably be getting about another 7-8 after the Varsity tryouts are finished.

Majority of the kids are basically brand new and really don't know how to hit the ball. Which makes for kind of an odd practice. I don't want to bore the few kids who do know what they are doing, by going over basics like 'how to old the racquet and swing paths' but I also need the new kids to learn and improve to the point where they can at least get the ball back a few times.

Guess my question is, should I really worry about improving the new players? Or should I just focus on doing drills that make it competitive and fun, even if most of them are just dinking the ball?

 

[joah310]

So we had our first practice today.

About what I expected, but hoping I get some better players after Varsity tryouts end.

So I had a group of 8 kids today to start, I will probably be getting about another 7-8 after the Varsity tryouts are finished.

Majority of the kids are basically brand new and really don't know how to hit the ball. Which makes for kind of an odd practice. I don't want to bore the few kids who do know what they are doing, by going over basics like 'how to old the racquet and swing paths' but I also need the new kids to learn and improve to the point where they can at least get the ball back a few times.

Guess my question is, should I really worry about improving the new players? Or should I just focus on doing drills that make it competitive and fun, even if most of them are just dinking the ball?

I would at least try to get a basic stroke, but I think most schools including mine just get them to make contact with the ball and let them enjoy hitting it

 

[WildVolley]

So we had our first practice today.
...

Majority of the kids are basically brand new and really don't know how to hit the ball. Which makes for kind of an odd practice. I don't want to bore the few kids who do know what they are doing, by going over basics like 'how to old the racquet and swing paths' but I also need the new kids to learn and improve to the point where they can at least get the ball back a few times.

Guess my question is, should I really worry about improving the new players? Or should I just focus on doing drills that make it competitive and fun, even if most of them are just dinking the ball?

Do both. Try to offer lessons and drills that will develop the new players, while still allowing opportunities for competition and fun.

As a former high school coach, one of the most satisfying things about coaching was seeing some of the kids who didn't know how to properly hold a racquet advance after a single season to hitting serves with a throwing motion and a continental grip, topspin shots off both side, and nice slice volleys with a single grip. Of course, some kids didn't seem to improve at all. One of the nice things about working with the beginners is they don't have habituated bad habits. Good instruction can really make a difference.

Sometimes have the players doing cooperative drills, and other times do king of the court competitions and other fun things. You'll find you can do a lot of things in a practice if you keep them active.

 

[Friedman Whip]

So we had our first practice today.

About what I expected, but hoping I get some better players after Varsity tryouts end.

So I had a group of 8 kids today to start, I will probably be getting about another 7-8 after the Varsity tryouts are finished.

Majority of the kids are basically brand new and really don't know how to hit the ball. Which makes for kind of an odd practice. I don't want to bore the few kids who do know what they are doing, by going over basics like 'how to old the racquet and swing paths' but I also need the new kids to learn and improve to the point where they can at least get the ball back a few times.

Guess my question is, should I really worry about improving the new players? Or should I just focus on doing drills that make it competitive and fun, even if most of them are just dinking the ball?

I'm curious how things are going for your team? I started to respond to your questions a couple of weeks ago by relating some of my experiences in a similar coaching situation but I was afraid it might make you so depressed you might resign.

 

[zipplock]

For the beginning kids we do games to make it fun while also working on proper strokes. They like mini-court dingles a lot (straight and cross court). We also play 4 game matches so everyone serves twice. That gives them a chance to work on the scoring/mechanics of a match and we can identify things each individual kid can work on. Most important thing is make it fun so they will want to improve.