My son and daughter started their tennis lessons more than three years ago when they were around the age of 7. As beginners, I had tried playing some tennis with them i.e. basically tossing the ball around for them to catch. However, given time commitments, I decided to send them to group tennis lessons organised by the local tennis body in Singapore. Having been with the group lessons for a few years now, I had the opportunity to observe what kind of attributes a good coach would require:
1. Patience A cool and level head would go a long way in ensuring the kids are able to listen to you. This will also not scare the kids or your students away. Tennis, although competitive in nature, should be made to feel fun and enjoyable.
2. Technical Know-how A sound tennis coach must have strong tennis techniques and abilities. He must be able to demonstrate playability of all the required tennis strokes and techniques. A good coach must also be able to break such complicated moves into simpler parts for the student to learn and pick up quickly.
3. Nothing beats experience. It cannot be bought or taught in school. Therefore, a good coach would usually be in the business of coaching for at least 10 years or more. These are what you would call 'seasoned' coaches. They would be coaching the schools' tennis teams, some also coach the youth elite squads or various kids' group lessons by STA. Again, do ask your coach for his coaching experience.
4. Effective Communicator There is no point being able to play well or even having sound technical skills if one is not able to impart such know-how effectively to your fellow charges. Therefore, always go for a coach who is articulate in the language that you are comfortable with. If you prefer to speak in Mandarin, ask for a Mandaring-speaking coach.
5. Keen eye Having a sixth sense to pick out poor strokes is fundamental to being a good coach. This will ensure that the student can improve quickly as well.
6. Positive Mindset A supportive mindset is also critical. No one likes a coach who is gloomy and pessimistic. It will make coaching dull and boring. Therefore, observe your coach's personality. Go for someone who has a supportive outlook in life.
Well, I sincerely hope you can use the above as a checklist when sounding out or reviewing your would be tennis coach. Happy playing! - 15254
1. Patience A cool and level head would go a long way in ensuring the kids are able to listen to you. This will also not scare the kids or your students away. Tennis, although competitive in nature, should be made to feel fun and enjoyable.
2. Technical Know-how A sound tennis coach must have strong tennis techniques and abilities. He must be able to demonstrate playability of all the required tennis strokes and techniques. A good coach must also be able to break such complicated moves into simpler parts for the student to learn and pick up quickly.
3. Nothing beats experience. It cannot be bought or taught in school. Therefore, a good coach would usually be in the business of coaching for at least 10 years or more. These are what you would call 'seasoned' coaches. They would be coaching the schools' tennis teams, some also coach the youth elite squads or various kids' group lessons by STA. Again, do ask your coach for his coaching experience.
4. Effective Communicator There is no point being able to play well or even having sound technical skills if one is not able to impart such know-how effectively to your fellow charges. Therefore, always go for a coach who is articulate in the language that you are comfortable with. If you prefer to speak in Mandarin, ask for a Mandaring-speaking coach.
5. Keen eye Having a sixth sense to pick out poor strokes is fundamental to being a good coach. This will ensure that the student can improve quickly as well.
6. Positive Mindset A supportive mindset is also critical. No one likes a coach who is gloomy and pessimistic. It will make coaching dull and boring. Therefore, observe your coach's personality. Go for someone who has a supportive outlook in life.
Well, I sincerely hope you can use the above as a checklist when sounding out or reviewing your would be tennis coach. Happy playing! - 15254
About the Author:
As an avid tennis player and a parent of kids who are learning to play tennis, I sincerely hope that I can share some of my thoughts and views when it comes to tennis lessons and tennis coaching in Singapore. Please check out more tennis coaching resources at Tennis Coaching Singapore and Tennis Lessons Singapore
