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June 2000 Article Latest Leading Edge Tennis Article
The Tennis Server
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Tennis Intelligence:
As the age old saying goes "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him to fish and he will eat a lifetime." I think this applies to all coaches, parents and educators out there. I have some serious concerns about all those coaches and educators who may sincerely think they are doing the "right thing" but aren't. Maybe their coaching or teaching is good for the here and the now but as the player gets older it may cause problems. Looking back on my coaching career, I know that in my earlier days, I sometimes tried to do too much for my players. Though I was entirely dedicated to their development and playing careers there were times when I should have taught them differently. I may have instilled a "love for the game" to those players and coaches and made them feel special but still there needed to be an empowering self educating quality introduced. I may have given them just a bit too much dependance on me. Ask yourself some serious questions about how you treat your players and assistant coaches. A little soul-searching never hurt anyone. Your intentions may be the most sincere and very honorable but their effects may be detrimental to the people you care for the most.
Leading Questions/Empowering SolutionsWe all need to develop continually on the road to excellence. A great way to help your students learn is to ask them questions that can help them find the answer, instead of simply telling the player the answer to a strategical problem. Try to use a carefully asked question to help them find the empowering answer. Try to pose "guided questions" to your players that can potentially provide them with a solution instead of simply telling them the answer. For example, one of your students has a recurring problem playing a specific rival tennis player from a cross-town academy. This opponent is a pure power player. You might note that this rival player's game style includes:
Instead of telling your player outright what you know about this player's characteristics, try "leading or guiding" questions which could help him or her find solutions to strategical problems:
Bumps and BruisesGod knows that for much of my early days of coaching, I did not ever want to see my players and assistant coaches to go through hardships and difficulties. I sincerely didn't want them to feel real tough times, so I tried as often as I could to make things "smooth" for them. I'd do the extra little things for them; I'd go through situations and take the emotional pains. I know now that by doing this I may have cushioned the initial blow but hurt their long-term development. I know it hurts to see people you sincerely care about go through tough times but believe me everyone needs learning lessons and often the best and most powerful come when there is some level of stress involved.
Time and ExperienceIn my younger coaching days, man oh man, I thought I knew it all back then. For those who know me really well, it showed in my confidence and actions. Back then (as is still today), my hunger for personal development and growth is as strong as ever, however there is a difference in perspective. I realize today that it takes "time" to really grow and learn. Books are always great, conferences and workshops are wonderful motivators and the Internet, man oh man, the amount of information that can be found is incredible. However, real growth takes "time" and with all this available information, well, sometimes we can tend to be a bit impatient and rush development. Valuable experiences, some positive, some negative, are all filled with so much learning potential for all. We can plan, we can read and hear new thoughts, modes, and trends but time and experience are key to proper long-term development.Friends, I hope that you find much information that you can use from this article. I urge you to take this and expand on it. The road to development is long, but with a bit of questioning you can find the proper way to achieve your goals. Until next time, take care. Reggie Reggie's RequestI have a small favor to ask all my readers and hope that you will take the time to respond to any of my questions regarding "Kid's Tennis."
Thank you friends for your kind e-mails and questions this past month! I will be in England in mid-June to present for the International Tennis Federation. If you are at the conference please say "hello," as always I'd love to chat! I will be attending Wimbledon Championships shortly thereafter the conference, say hello if you happen to be there. Greetings to Alex in Hong Kong, I hope you are well! "Aloha," Flavio in Hawaii, I will contact you soon regarding your request. Kay in Hong Kong, thank-you from the bottom of my heart for your help! Chris in New York thank you for your invitation, it is much appreciated, I look forward to seeing all the coaches in the future. A warm "hello" to: Jennifer, Lisa, Kellie, Bernard and my other new friends in Canada. Finally, but certainly not last, a friendly "wuz-up Dee," blue skies, favorable winds, a huge fuel tank and a parachute never hurt ... To seeing good friends soon, till next month! Reggie
This column is copyright 2000 by Reggie Vasquez Jr., all rights reserved.
Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Reggie by electronic mail at reggie@tennisserver.com. |
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I have met many coaches around the world with such great passion and
enthusiasm for coaching. They give with their entire heart and soul!!!
Kindly, fellow coaches from Melbourne to South Africa have
said those kind words about yours truly. What can I say, it's easy
for me to show my love for the game, when I simply love my profession;
coaching players, performing workshops and lectures at conferences.
Anyways, with all these passionate and enthusiastic coaches, I still worry
about the players. 
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