{"id":5704,"date":"2024-04-11T14:49:16","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T18:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/?page_id=5704"},"modified":"2024-04-12T15:34:51","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T19:34:51","slug":"essentials-for-coaching-tennis-groups","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/essentials-for-coaching-tennis-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Essentials for Coaching Tennis Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"is-style-dots wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Success in coaching<\/strong> is built on a complex combination of technical and interpersonal skills, tied together by motivational ability rooted in belief in individual and group achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Coaching is a lifelong pursuit \u2026 the learning process is ongoing for part- and full-time coaches.&nbsp; The elements of group coaching include the elements of coaching individuals, plus the challenges of group dynamics.&nbsp; This outline is intended to provide a glimpse of the breadth of topics good coaches strive to master.&nbsp; It is not exhaustive \u2013 there\u2019s more than this for sure!&nbsp; Skills in a subset of the topics listed below are essential to coaching success, whether you are a lead coach, an assistant, an organizer, a regular, or an occasional volunteer helper \u2026 and whether teaching beginners or more advanced players.&nbsp; For example, <strong>all<\/strong> coaches must have safety skills, \u201csafe play\u201d skills (required if age 17+), basic on-court skills, positive attitude projection, and a basic understanding of optimal challenge and how to create it through progressions.&nbsp;&nbsp; Moreover, introductory coach training includes essentials, but not all the topics\/elements listed here, and much can be gained through on-court apprenticing with lead coaches who understand that their role is to lead players and coaches by example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"301\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/phasesofengagement.jpg?resize=920%2C301&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/phasesofengagement.jpg?w=920&amp;ssl=1 920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/phasesofengagement.jpg?resize=300%2C98&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/phasesofengagement.jpg?resize=768%2C251&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 920px) 100vw, 920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Group Coaching Tips &amp; Goals:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Player &amp; Group Success<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Fun, passion, actively engaged (as individuals), everyone engaged (as a group, inclusion)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Adoption progression: casual recreation to lifelong enjoyment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Advancement progression: basic skills, mastery, proficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Group and individual growth, cohesion, sense of identity and team<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Physical fitness, wellness, and mental health benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Tennis 4 Learning Programs using Tennis as a context for learning\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Life skills learning, character development, and personal growth in cooperative, group context<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Academic learning (both specific and parallel learning, learning how to learn)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Expectations for Success<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Essentials expected of coaches <em>and players<\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Respect, positive attitude, effort, cooperative effort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Communication, listening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Addressing each other appropriately, by name, title<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Punctuality, attendance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Safety first!\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Physical on-court safety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Basic first aid, first aid kits, emergency procedures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Hydration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Safe Sport\/Safe Play child safety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Covid safety<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Leadership, preparation, lesson planning, sense of direction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Knowledge of tennis skills, non-tennis athletic skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Knowledge of specific academic and life skills in <em>Tennis-for-Learning<\/em> programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Translation of knowledge into productive instructional and educational activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Creativity, personality, enthusiasm, positive vibe, fun<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Motivational skills, constructive\/positive attitude projection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Tracking and documenting progress, player development plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Watchfulness, awareness, and responsiveness to individual, group, and sub-group needs\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><em>Create optimal challenge opportunities based on progressions<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Activities for Success<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><em>Optimal challenge activities based on progressions<\/em> which take group diversity &amp; range of skills into account\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Positively challenging (not daunting)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Aspirational, with a sense of direction and what\u2019s next<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Inclusive activities which foster teamwork and fellowship (sense of group, everyone is valued)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Activities which creatively recognize all aspects of individual growth, improvement, achievement, and contribution to group success (not limited to technical skills)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Free-play and player-initiated activity opportunities, group-initiated variations of activities, discovery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Motivational, engaging activities which foster group cohesion and ownership of group practice and play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Activities which encourage self-assessment and individual ownership of self-development plans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Skill training activities which develop and reinforce essential tennis-specific techniques, patterns, and biomechanics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Cross-training activities which develop athleticism and athletic diversity, agility, balance and balanced fitness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Activities which impart knowledge of the sport\/game of tennis, including historical and current information, and activities which encourage further independent discovery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Activities which incorporate TGfU (Teaching Games for Understanding) Approach (see below)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Academic topical activities in <em>Tennis 4 Learning<\/em> programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Teaching Games for Understanding (\u201cTGfU\u201d, Butler et al, 2008)<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">\u201cTeach games through games.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">\u201cBreak games into their simplest format \u2013 then increase complexity.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">\u201cParticipants are intelligent performers in games.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">\u201cEvery learner is important and is involved.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">\u201cParticipants need to know the subject matter.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">\u201cNeed to match participant skill and challenge.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">TGfU element examples: Tactical awareness (space, time, force), read\/respond\/react\/recover, offensive and defensive strategies, \u201ctennis toolkit\u201d awareness (power, spin, direction, footwork, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Lesson Planning: Elements of a (typical) Structured Training Session<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Set-Up, Check-In<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Thematic welcome (repeat the theme often, e.g. \u201cPractice makes Perfect\u201d, \u201cGo Team\u201d, \u201dBig Spin, Heavy Ball\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Warm-up activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Theme-reinforcing Skill &amp; Drill activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Theme-reinforcing Games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Theme-reinforcing Review &amp; Celebrate (and next session preview\/reminder)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Note: \u201cThemes\u201d can be skill-based (e.g. stroke, technique, footwork), fitness-based, learning principle-based (e.g. \u201cpractice makes perfect\u201d, \u201cwalk before you run\u201d), life skill-based (teamwork, respect, decision-making, listening, negotiating), or simply fun (dancing, acting, celebrating a holiday or a tradition or an event)<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Sport-Specific Tennis Coaching Skills<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Dead ball, live ball<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Progressions\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Soft\/hard, slow\/fast, low\/high, short\/long, spin\/flat, static\/dynamic, simple\/complex, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Feeding skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Drill and Game setup skills\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Court equipment, teaching accessories, player positioning, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Cooperative\/partner practice skills and progressions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Footwork technique<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Swing technique (stroke-specific essentials)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Athletic stance, hitting stance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Racquets, strings, balls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The physical court<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The scoring system, the game, rules, competition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">History, context<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Strategy, playing to strengths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Mental skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Player assessment, levelling groups efficiently<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Non-Tennis-Specific Athletic Coaching Skills<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Agility, balance, dexterity, speed, fitness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Coordination, hand-to-eye, proprioception<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Strength, flexibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Biomechanics, ground force, leverage, eccentric plyometrics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Throwing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Swinging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Acceleration, deceleration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Knowledge of anatomy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Diet, nutrition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Tennis 4 Learning (T4L) Programs (Additional considerations for Teachers, Pro Coaches, Volunteers)<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p class=\"\"><em>Note: \u201cTennis 4 Learning\u201d is a program targeted to elementary school children, utilizing tennis-related activities as opportunities for learning and reinforcing academic and life skills.&nbsp; T4L activities relate fun, engaging and visual problems &amp; solutions to understanding otherwise-abstract concepts, principles, and skills.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Lesson Plans and Lesson Structure are essential<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Target audience (age, ability), topic &amp; scope must be clearly stated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Research, preparation, fundamentals must be correct<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Setup, props, and tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">What\u2019s the tennis \u201chook\u201d and how does the sport or the court or the gear support the learning opportunity?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Discovery, game play, optimal challenge and progressions are key tools for success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Success in coaching is built on a complex combination of technical and interpersonal skills, tied together by motivational ability rooted in belief in individual and group achievement. Coaching is a lifelong pursuit \u2026 the learning process is ongoing for part- and full-time coaches.&nbsp; The elements of group coaching include the elements of coaching individuals, plus [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5704","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5704"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5731,"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5704\/revisions\/5731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/publictennis.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}