Check out the Now Available Audio Versions of Frank’s Books: Click Here
THE COACHES PATHWAY
“I’m not going there,” says Coach Kathy. “That’s way above my pay grade. Little Kelly is nuts! Her Mom will get upset and blame me if I don’t continue to just feed balls. Things will get uncomfortable, and they’ll fire me! I’m just gonna ignore the white elephant in the room. I’ll just hit & giggle and keep the paychecks coming by keeping the sessions lite & fluffy!”
The Coaches Pathway was written to emphasize the importance of teaching software skills, which can be a daunting affair for many teaching professionals. Coaches like Kathy, who lack the skills to teach software, or are unwilling to develop the mental and emotional components in their athletes, place their needs above their developmental obligations.
Teaching software is not easy and is often rejected by both parents and athletes, who mistakenly judge the quality of the training session by the number of balls hit. Unfortunately, at the intermediate level, solid strokes get the athlete into the event. And together with fitness, the athlete may progress through the early rounds. However, the athletes that consistently thrive in the final rounds have well-developed mental and emotional components. Successful coaches of the future will have developed the skills to teach emotional aptitude along with exquisite strokes.
MANAGING TRAINING TIME
“Value isn’t directly correlated to volume.”
Quantity versus quality of training is an underrated affair. Each minute isn’t equal to the next. Effective time management is essential in a deliberate, customized developmental plan. In regards to maximizing a student’s potential at the quickest rate, training should be intensely focused on the individual’s unique needs.
If athletes aren’t getting the results they’re capable of; it may be the perfect time to
design a new developmental plan.
I’ve witnessed expensive training sessions ranging from total time-wasting games to fun/socialization, to the development of skills and the repetition of those skills. While they all offer value, mastery of an individual sport requires a tailor-made, personalized plan.
Properly preparing for pressure requires evaluating the athlete’s competence and confidence.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT …OR DOES IT?
“Practice Makes Permanent.”
The old school saying “Practice Makes Perfect” is not exactly true. Experience tells us that practice makes whatever you’re attempting permanent. Grooving flawed strokes only make the flaws permanent. One of the differences that separate the good from the great is in how they practice. There is a world of difference between effective training and ineffective training. Deliberate, customized training focuses on improving strengths and re-routing weaknesses versus mindless grooving.
So, how do we customize training? I recommend starting by videotaping actual matches and quantifying the data. Researching why points, games, sets, and matches are won or lost.
Great coaches use match data to improve:
- Opponent Profiling
- Between Point & Changeover Rituals
- Focus/Emotional Control
- Athlete’s Top Patterns
- Cause of their Errors & Winners
Maximizing potential at the quickest rate is not typically found on the assembly-line practice court. It’s not just about how to hit a stroke, it includes when, where, and why.
Those who progress quickly don’t solely focus on repeating
what they already know on the practice court.