Coaching

The discussion of coaching in professional tennis has been a discussion that is moving closer to action as the sport looks to engage a wider audience. Coaching currently happens at the high school level, collegiate, world team tennis....yes it should be allowed in professional tournaments.
World class players are supposed to be equipped for compentency at every level of the game including strategy during a match. Successful doubles partners coach each other every point. Why not in singles? It is boring watching a professional match where a player is going down in flames, particularly when 10 tennis pros sitting in the bleachers can pick out the shift a player needs to make to get back into the match. Tennis is one of the most complex and involved sports both on and off the court. Most players will respond well to a coach talking to them during a match. The rules can be set up where twice a set during the changeovers a coach can use the time to talk to the player. There are many things a coach can do to settle a player down. The skills are usually simple. Help them settle down, tell them what to do to shift the game play, identify a pattern of the opponent.... the player may still lose but as least they are offered an opportunity to make the match interesting. Affordability? At the professional level many players already travel with coaches. Other players have hitting partners and buddies that can watch the match. Just a thought.......

Athletic Training

Every high school athletic program that includes mental performance as part of their athletic
training will produce better team consistancy and players. The mental piece is often a shout from a coach to "concentrate." What actually does that mean to a player? Sometimes the player responds by grimacing his/her face as though the facial gesture will somehow change their performance. Mental tools are not magic they are trainable tools that are handy not only for athletic training but in many ways outside of sport.
When players learn introductory mental skills in high school they are more prepared for the next challenge level during college. If an athlete has been trained well in college and has the good fortune of making to the professional level - talent alone will not carry the athlete for long but
refinement of mental skills can help the player make it to the next level and enjoy the ride.

mental tools for performance

It has been said many times that the mental game is 90% of sport success. I disagree. Technical and strategic knowledge, physical conditioning, proper nutrition including hydration AND the mental tools need to be in balance for ongoing successful involvement in sport. One piece is no less important than another in developing a balanced performer.
The imbalance occurs when the athlete doesn't practice mental skills, routines. They wait until the night before the big event and then decide they need mental training.....