As a tennis instructor you want whatever is best for your students. Everyone needs a reminder every once in a while of the little things that keep your student engaged, excited, or motivated for tennis. Of course you always feel confident in tweaking a students forehand but the mental aspect is just as important as any stroke on the court.
(1) Always Make Your Student Feel Comfortable
Every student is unique, in personality and technique, which means that you as an instructor are responsible for adjusting not only drills, but your temperment. A student likes to be understood throughout the duration of lessons. Mistakes will occur, instructions will be misunderstood, and criticsm may be taken the wrong way. It is important that your student feels they can always express their opinions, doubts or lack of understanding.
(2) Explain Technique, Strategy, And Drills Patiently
There are often multiple moving parts when it comes to a particular tennis drill. A student may understand what they should do in a general sense, but the details involved in mastering movement, stroke, and shot placement could confuse anyone. It is important to show patience, and if necessary, explain your point over and over. You are the person who possesses the knowledge to help a student, so a patient approach will eventually get your point across.
(3) Focus Not Only The Failures on The Court, but Also the Successes
It is one thing to be present, correct strokes and give passing advice during lessons, and it’s a whole other thing to deeply discuss why you’ve either failed or succeded on the court. Talk with the student about the matches they had won or lost over the past week. Find out what the student thinks about their performance and what they feel like they should work on to feel more stable in his next match. Talking about, and praising, a great performance invariably gives the student more confidence for future training sessions and matches.
(4) Challenge Students and Show Them Their Actual Limits
It is only natural for a student to doubt their performances, progress, and abilities at some point during their tennis life. You, the instructor, recognize the student’s abillities and are responsible for letting the student know not only what they need to work on, but also excel at. Don’t be afraid to set challenges, even if you think they may not be able to rise to the occasion. As mentioned earlier, failure is not always a negative, but rather can represent a learning opportunity. Remember however, you must know your students comfort zone in order to properly challenge them.
(5) Build Up a Foundation of Trust and a Healthy Student-Instructor Relationship
There are times when being an instructor goes beyond just teaching the physical skills and mental strength of tennis. Personal issues can plague a student and may even begin to effect their play on the court. If your student wants to talk with you about what is bothering them, always be there to listen but don’t overstep your boundaries as a tennis coach. You always want the best for your student on the court and you should represent a figure they can trust. Be prepared for all personality types, levels of commitment, and personal baggage. It is your job to navigate this terrain in the most professional way possible.
