Tennis coaches have so many elements to work on with their players from a physical standpoint as well as from a mental perspective. I often wonder “what do tennis coaches really want with regards to the mental side of the game?”

When I ask them this question, I get a variety of responses that run the spectrum of challenging emotional situations that tennis players find themselves in every day. Then, I write something or am asked to speak in front of coaches, and I think, ok, have I nailed it? I’ve given them specific information that has proven to work and they can use on a daily basis with their athletes. And in addition, we discuss how these can be integrated with what they are coaching in skill and competition.

I am left feeling as though I’ve made an impact but wonder if there could be more, if I could make a more long-term mark.

One-time “fix” vs. long-term results

One-off presentations or articles disseminate great information and coaches can pick up on a few elements to take away and use. But change is hard. It takes time and it needs a consistent concerted effort to make it happen.

At one time, I was offering individual sessions but quickly moved away from this. A new client would come in, I’d do an assessment and inevitably they’d walk away from the session with at least one strong nugget. As humans we think, “Ah I have the nugget I need to improve so that must mean I am fixed.” Nope, it just means you have really good information to start the process of actually making change. But, it doesn’t allow you to experience effective, sustainable outcomes. And it is super frustrating for athletes, as the ultimate goal is to help get you what you are really looking for – peak performance and winning more.

The same seems to hold true for training coaches and when coaches are coaching groups and teams. When you are looking for your tennis player to perfect a skill, make a consistent change, and create a real impact, you wouldn’t spend one session with them and expect them to have their entire game, technique, and future with tennis all figured out.

Several dynamics collide for tennis coaches

As a coach you want to have all the information, but it’s just not (realistically) possible to coach the physical game of tennis and work on a tennis player’s complete mental game plan. Yes, there are some simple and effective things you can do. In my courses and presentation, we discuss key elements you need to understand and recognize. However, how do you actually incorporate these new things into your existing mode of operation?

We all know how difficult change is. Physical growth and change take time and so does mental development. Similar to coaching technique and the skills of the game, mental training takes the same consistent effort.

Fortunately it doesn’t take as much effort to develop mental skills as it takes to learn how to be a good tennis player. Elite athletes grasp how the process works, practice utilizing mental skills, and then are able to see changes in their performance in a relatively short amount of time. The best part is when they start seeing and feeling the results of their hard work.

The magic happens when physical training and mental training work together

This magic also takes a concerted effort from us who are on the continuum of mastery coaching staff. It helps significantly when tennis coaches, who work on physical performance, and mental coaches who work on mental performance  collaborate and work together to integrate what is happening on the court with what is happening in the athlete’s mind. The emotions can be controlled. The interruptions in consistent performance can be diminished.

My work with tennis players also includes working with coaches and parents. I often get the opportunity to work with parents, helping them align with what I am working on with their child which is very valuable. I sometimes get the opportunity to talk to coaches as well, but it’s rare. When I do, you can see the difference it makes to the athlete and that is when you actually get to see the magic come to light.