Every parent, even one that has “no idea about sport”, knows that a good coach is important. I’ve spent ages angsting over the right coach for my kids.
But what does a good coach look like? That depends on what you and your kid are trying to achieve.
- Tennis for fun
If you’re just looking at tennis as a fun activity for your kids so they aren’t lolloping around at home or glued to their devices 24/7, then these are the things I would consider when choosing a coach:
The set-up:
- Nearby location.
- Organised with billing and communication.
- Reasonably priced. It should be comparable to other group activities like swimming, dance etc.
- Offers group lessons. You probably don’t need a private lesson.
The coach themselves:
- Has high energy and/or is caring.
- Structures their lessons around fun.
- Doesn’t have to be super experienced, just interested, consistent and reliable.
- Tennis as a sport
This is when you want your kid to improve gradually, play the local weekend comp and possibly a tournament or two. Your aim is for them to enjoy tennis as a lifelong sport, but not take it too seriously. You’re probably looking for one private a week and then one group lesson or squad.
The set-up:
- Nearby location, but you may drive to the surrounding suburbs.
- Offers both group and private lessons and possibly a squad.
- Reasonably priced. Group lessons should be comparable to other group activities, private lessons comparable to other coaches in the area (ask around!)
- Decent courts and at a club that has junior teams.
- Organised with billing and communication.
The coach themselves:
- Structures the lessons with technique, tactical and some fun.
- For group lessons, structures the term to cover all the basics. A red flag for me is the same lesson over and over or they just do forehands and backhands and little else.
- Some experience. Not someone who has just finished their coaching course.
- Seems genuinely interested in your kid’s tennis journey - encourages them to play comp and some tournaments, facilitates hits if kids are interested.
- College/pro player
This is the hardest category because there aren’t a lot of coaches who have the experience, the drive and the set-up. It’s also hard because at this stage, it becomes a highly personal experience. With my three, two of them have an amazing relationship with the same coach, the other – the jury is still out. But if you don’t have that personal connection, then you probably won’t get the results.
For my daughter who is 15, starting to play pro women’s tournaments and wants to go pro one day, these are the things that I looked for when deciding on a coach.
The set-up:
Proper courts: Synthetic grass isn’t going to cut it anymore.
Access to a group of focused players: Having a dedicated environment becomes super important, especially for teens. If they are all working hard, supporting each other, and having fun, then they are more likely to stick to it and do well.
Organised: Scheduling becomes a nightmare the more your kid travels and plays. Especially if they’re still at school. You need to be organised and you need a coach who is too.
Clear pricing: Some coaches charge hourly, some have a weekly rate, and others do a package. Some want cash, some don’t. Some coaches give discounts to their best players, some don’t. Don’t expect a discount but be super clear about what you are expected to pay for what, when you must pay it and how. I’ve seen good coaching relationships sour quickly over money. So be upfront and clear.
The coach themselves
Some formal experience: This might be a qualification as a high-performance coach or experience with a tour player. But there needs to be something to show that they have learnt their trade to a high level.
Good connections: Be wary of a coach who dismisses the national body or talks ill of other coaches - it’s a small industry. Ideally, you want your coach to have good relationships with other coaches locally, nationally and around the world, a working relationship with the people at the national body and solid relationships with complementary professionals such as fitness trainers, sports psychologists, physios etc.
A learner: You want someone who is constantly trying to improve themselves and learn. The best teachers are always learning. If your coach doesn’t look to develop professionally, it’s unlikely they will be able to keep pace with the cutting-edge changes in the sport.
Flexible: When your kid starts to travel a lot for tournaments, things get tricky. It’s no longer possible to turn up every week at a set time. Flexibility from your coach becomes crucial. My daughter’s coach sometimes sets up 6 am sessions to fit her in. And we take them. Flexibility runs both ways.
Consultative: The reality is, even if you don’t have a tennis background, you are the one who watches most of your child’s matches, takes them to training, and knows them the best. The best coaches include parents on the journey (if the parent wants to) and respect their input. You also have a right to question the decisions a coach is making. If they can’t explain why they are doing something or are reluctant to, then that’s a red flag. Obviously, there needs to be a balance – questioning everything isn’t acceptable either, you should trust your coach as a professional – but if you have a concern and raise it, a good coach will always take the time to address it.
Good balance of technical, tactical, physical and mental: These are the four basics. No coach is going to be great at all of them, but if you find your coach is spending way too much time on one area or going over and over the same thing, then that’s a red flag – unless of course they have a good reason for it and can articulate that. I once had a coach say they don’t do the mental side of tennis – if a coach doesn’t do any of the four basics, then they aren’t the coach that is going to help your player achieve college or pro.
Treats wins and losses the same: Your kid is going to win some and lose a lot. If your coach only seems interested when your kid does well and is suddenly silent or absent when they lose, that’s a red flag. The best coaches treat wins and losses as learning opportunities to make their players better. They don’t fixate on the outcome, but on the processes that led to that outcome. Why did the player win? Why did they lose? And what can I teach them from each experience to make them a better player.
Has a holistic view: At this stage it’s not just about forehands and backhands. Your coach needs to be all over tournament scheduling, strength and conditioning, sports psych etc. They also need to be able to articulate and design the pathway they are going to guide your child down to achieve their goals. If they can’t tell you the plan, then there probably isn’t one. And you need a plan to keep the coach and your kid accountable.
Relationship and connection: This is the hardest thing to find and get right but when you do, it can make all the difference. Trying to achieve heights in any sport is super hard, super emotional and a LONG journey. It’s important your kid not only likes their coach but respects and trusts them as well. There needs to be a connection. The best coaches are really good at creating this connection. And if you as the parent can have a great relationship with the coach too, then you are on your way to creating a solid team and a solid team is where the magic happens.
They care and your values align: You can have a connection but for some high-performance coaches it really is just a job. And that’s fine, but I haven’t seen any kid achieve at a high level without a coach that really cares about them. I would even go so far as to say that if your child/family has an amazing connection with a coach and that coach shows themselves to be willing to go above and beyond, then that’s worth more than a coach with a wealth of experience where your kid is just making up the numbers. (As long as they still have solid credentials.) But if you can find a coach with experience that also goes above and beyond - then you’re on to a winner!
They watch your kids matches: I am constantly surprised by parents who tell me their kid’s coach has never watched a match or only watches one or two a year. If a coach doesn’t watch how your kid behaves under pressure in a match, I don’t believe they can make them a better tennis player. The way they play in a match should inform how they are coached. And with the technology available today, there’s no excuse for an invested coach not to watch a few key matches a year. My daughter’s coach has a young family and still makes an effort to come to 3-4 tournaments a year, as well as watch vision from other matches.
Other things to consider:
- Don’t be afraid to ask around. If you see a player you like at a comp or tournament, ask them or their parents who their coach is.
- Go and watch them coach. Honestly, you’ll learn a lot by watching them, especially if they don’t know you’re checking them out!
- Ask for a trial lesson.
- Stick it out for a bit. It takes a while to develop trust and for a coach to get to know a player. Don’t expect miracles in a couple of months. If you’ve done your research and due diligence beforehand, stick it out for at least six months before you decide it isn’t working.
- Never decide to ditch your coach straight after a bad loss! If you decide to leave, make sure it’s a rational, considered decision that’s in the best interests of your child and family.
By Anonymous Tennis Parent
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