Your child has started to show an interest in tennis. As a parent, you’re proud to see your kid on the court with their racquet and even more so when they succeed in matches. A parents’ support is essential when developing a players game (which holds true with most things) mostly in that it helps their overall psyche. Some parents not only give their unrelenting support psychologically but also feel the need to take on the physical aspect of the game. This inevitably includes taking on the tennis coaching duties. If you are a tennis parent who also feels that it is best to call yourself coach, you should keep a few things in mind.
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First of all, and maybe most importantly, really be sure you know what you are doing on the court yourself. Teaching your kid means being able to explain, as well as demonstrate, the fundamentals. Not only does this include groundstrokes, but also tactics and strategies. There is nothing wrong with observing other players and coaches to get an insight into how other instructors teach their students and what they focus on. If you feel a little insecure about certain aspects, try to find some books or videos that can help you out with your questions.
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Especially when you are teaching your own children, you have to separate your parent-child relationship from the coach-student relationship. Of course it is a tricky thing to do, and slightly disconcerting, but it’s important to not let discussions or disagreements bleed into the other aspect of your relationship. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t necessarily treat your time on the court with your child as “quality time”. Treat it as the teaching opportunity it is.
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Even when it’s your own child and you only want him or her succeed, don’t set expectations too high. Compare your child’s situation with the situation of others the same age or playing level and decide if you should expect the same from them. Sometimes you need a different perspective in order to avoid overwhelming your own child. Don’t apply too much pressure and always stay calm and patient while your child is trying to implement what you taught them.
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Even though you may think you are right about a particular aspect of a drill or lesson, your child’s own thoughts and opinions are just as important. Don’t force him or her to think just like you, rather let them express themselves. It helps for a developing player to mold their own ideas allowing them to grow and improve in the long run. A tennis player always must take responsibility for their own behavior, performance and success.
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Since you are not a professional tennis coach, you might not know every little detail about tennis and that’s okay! Stick to what you know and can improve, while letting others fill in the blanks.
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The toughest part is being able to take a step back and recognize when it’s time to let an objective professional take the reigns.There will probably come a point in time when you acknowledge to yourself that you might not have enough competitive experience or technique to further your child’s game. At this point, consider hiring a qualified tennis coach who can help your child to the next level.
Either way, when you get to this point you’ll know where to turn. MyTennisLessons, the place to find experienced and qualified tennis instructors, will support you in finding the right instructor your specific tennis situation.
