I finally got a student that I will coach for 1 hour, twice a week. My student is about 2.5 level. He can hit all the basic strokes in the sense that he can get it over the net. First lesson is tomorrow and I have never hit with him before. For all you veteran coaches, please give me some advice on what I could work on with him for the first lesson.
my first teaching gig
- Thread starter pro_staff
- Start date
noobplayer
Semi-Pro
well im a student myself...only 15 yrs. old.
i would say just practice ground strokes, serves, volleys to see what the student can do. try some slices. then just do drills for the first lesson to see his technique footwork etc. then start correcting his techniques and hits consistently. thats more like after the 1st lesson. "being able to hit all basic strokes in the sense that he can get it over the net" doesnt sound like a 2.5 lvl. being able to hit over the net is actually more like 1.5 or 2 imo.
i would say just practice ground strokes, serves, volleys to see what the student can do. try some slices. then just do drills for the first lesson to see his technique footwork etc. then start correcting his techniques and hits consistently. thats more like after the 1st lesson. "being able to hit all basic strokes in the sense that he can get it over the net" doesnt sound like a 2.5 lvl. being able to hit over the net is actually more like 1.5 or 2 imo.
looseswing
Professional
I am not a coach but I have had private lessons from about seven different coaches. From experience during the first level the coach asks me what I would like to work on and we spend a majority of the lesson just testing and looking at my strokes. Then we focus on specific areas, one to two a lesson. Work on the area until it is bettered. However with lower level players I would suggest just starting on the basics.
tarheels2323
Semi-Pro
looseswing said:
Agreed, and make sure that after every session, your student goes home and writes "cues" on a notecard for each stroke you work on that day. He can add to it as he gets better and you introduce him to the finer points of stroke mechanics and tactics. Also, make sure he knows that practicing between lessons is a must. However, don't be all business - make sure that there is a "game" atmosphere involved at some point in the lesson (easier with a double student lesson as you can have them compete). Good luck!
tarheels2323
Semi-Pro
pro_staff said:
That makes it a little different (and a little easier for me to give you advice). I started coaching at 15 too but coached under my high school coach which gave me some great experience. A 12 year is a nice first student as they are beginning to develop the physical skills for tennis and are willing to do what you say without questioning it. Plus, you can actually rally with them successfully. I'll give you some games that one of my coaches played with me and some that I played with this particular age group under my high school coach:
Mini tennis is fun for pretty much any age. You and your student stand at the service line on opposite sides of the net and play with a cushioned ball. Depending on the student, the "court" can be moved back to 3/4 court with cones. Make sure the student takes full strokes. Keep score with alternating service. This is also a good way to teach tennis scoring.
Depending on the level of the player, crosscourt points are a good way to work on footwork and placement as well as stroke mechanics.
I could go on but I'm tired and want to go to bed (lol). However, the best thing to do is to just be creative and make sure to take note of what the kid likes and doesn't like doing. Start with what you want to work on and create a game around it. Only a small part of the lesson should be devoted to games (and this part should be at the end) but it will be something that the student will look forward to and work toward (he'll be anxious to try to beat you). Most of the lesson should be devoted to mechanics, especially at that age. Also, make sure to work on footwork, it can make or break him down the line. Again, good luck!
golden chicken
Hall of Fame
when you're working on a skill such as a weaker backhand, don't feed from the baseline. feed to him from the net and start him at the service line. then gradually move him back. this does two things: 1, it gets him some success getting it over the net and 2, it allows you to get into the groove of feeding consistently, which you'll find is the hardest thing about coaching other than effectively communicating the hows and whys
good luck
good luck
I don't have any idea of your time table here but I'd suggest you stay with one stroke per session. I don't like the idea of "asking". If you get someone (doesn't sound like you have someone with much if any experience) who knows a few strokes, be prepared to go onto another.
The other thing is break the session down into a few parts. Take a rule or two and discuss it each time - different rule each time of course. Second, take some time and explain positioning involved on the stroke your going to work with (small blackboard works great and you can make one - (lines and all) for just a few bucks. Then demonstate the stroke your going to work on - and don't try to dazzle them either --- just the stroke mechanics at first.
Feed the balls slowly at first and resist the temptation to over-correct. Let them hit half a dozen and then show them again. Always remember that this isn't your opportunity to put on a dog & pony show and show them what a great player you are - the reason they are taking lesses is so THEY can learn how to play.
The other thing is break the session down into a few parts. Take a rule or two and discuss it each time - different rule each time of course. Second, take some time and explain positioning involved on the stroke your going to work with (small blackboard works great and you can make one - (lines and all) for just a few bucks. Then demonstate the stroke your going to work on - and don't try to dazzle them either --- just the stroke mechanics at first.
Feed the balls slowly at first and resist the temptation to over-correct. Let them hit half a dozen and then show them again. Always remember that this isn't your opportunity to put on a dog & pony show and show them what a great player you are - the reason they are taking lesses is so THEY can learn how to play.
