By My Tennis Coaching
The podcast currently has 57 episodes available.
The Impact of Survivorship Bias in Tennis Coaching: Why Copying Success Isn’t Enough
"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan explores the concept of survivorship bias in tennis coaching. Many coaches look to the methods used by top players as universal blueprints, yet this approach often overlooks the countless players who don’t make it to the top. Steve explains why it’s crucial to consider each player’s unique needs and circumstances, moving away from one-size-fits-all techniques."
Drawing on ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching, this episode offers insights for coaches seeking to avoid common pitfalls and create more effective, individualized training plans. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to coaching, these insights will help you rethink your approach to player development.
Want to take your coaching further? Check out my 'From Drills to Skills' course! Learn how to design practices that build adaptable, skilled players without relying on outdated methods.
https://mytenniscoaching.com/certifications/
Timestamps:
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan dives into his personal decision to forgo applying for the Level 5 Performance Coach Award.
Steve shares the reasons behind this choice, discussing his coaching journey, commitment to professional development, and why he prioritizes a player-centered approach over traditional qualifications.
Despite his extensive experience, Steve explains why the Level 5 award doesn’t align with his current philosophy and growth path. Join the conversation on the value of ongoing learning and the evolving landscape of modern tennis coaching.
📌 Links & Resources
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:38 Why I Decided Not to Apply for Level 5
04:47 Reflecting on My Coaching Journey
08:36 The Importance of Continuous Professional Development
11:55 Rethinking Coaching Qualifications
13:31 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, Steve Whelan dives deep into the psychological and emotional challenges facing junior tennis players.
From understanding why young athletes may resort to cheating to handling the impact of anxiety, external pressures, and self-umpiring, this episode offers insights for parents, coaches, and players.
Through real-life scenarios, Steve shares actionable advice on managing emotional responses, parental pressure, and controversial calls. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives that aim to nurture a healthier competitive environment for juniors.
📌 Links & Resources
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:59 The Cheating Dilemma in Junior Tennis
03:16 Perception and Anxiety in Tennis
05:00 The Role of Parents and External Pressure
06:25 Emotional States and Decision Making
08:15 Parental Pressure in Youth Sports
09:13 The Impact of External Pressures on Players
09:35 Coaching Perspectives and Emotional Engagement
10:45 Handling Controversial Calls and Player Reactions
12:13 Advice for Parents and Coaches
15:20 Broader Environmental Factors in Player Development
16:06 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up
Enhancing Coach-Parent Relationships in Tennis: Communication, Engagement, and Growth
Key tips include setting aside time for debriefing at the end of lessons, leveraging video messaging for a personal touch, and encouraging players to write their own progress reports.
These approaches aim to align messaging, reduce conflicts, and create a more cohesive coaching environment, while also giving a glimpse into an upcoming course on constraint-led coaching. This episode is designed to help coaches foster trust, accountability, and growth both on and off the court.
Interested in more coaching insights? Explore my 'From Drills to Skills' course and enhance your practice design skills today:https://mytenniscoaching.com/certifications/
From Drills To Skills Course: https://mytenniscoaching.com/certifications/
In this My Tennis Coaching Podcast episode, host Steve Whelan discusses the challenges and reluctance he faced four years ago when shifting from traditional tennis coaching methods to those grounded in ecological dynamics and constraint-led approaches.
Steve recounts his journey from a methodology focused on basket feeding and explicit instructions to one that emphasizes player autonomy, decision-making, and representative practice.
He underscores the importance of adopting new methodologies in response to the limitations of traditional practices, which often fail to transfer to match contexts. The podcast also highlights the psychological barriers coaches might encounter when transitioning methodologies and the supportive community that has grown to facilitate understanding and implementation of innovative coaching strategies.
Steve introduces an online course that aims to help coaches transition their practices effectively by gradually integrating constraints and player-centered approaches.
The episode serves as a resource for coaches looking to enhance their coaching techniques through more effective and engaging methodologies.
Enhancing Tennis Coaching Through Ecological Dynamics and Player Empowerment
In this episode of the 'My Tennis Coaching' podcast, Steve challenges the traditional approach of teaching tennis beginners to catch the ball before hitting it.
The discussion, inspired by a recent conversation with fellow coaches, explores the misconception that catching is an easier skill and a necessary precursor to hitting.
The episode argues that catching and hitting are distinct skills requiring different affordances and interactions with the environment.
Steve advocates for allowing beginners to play tennis from the start, emphasizing the development of perception-action skills, adaptability, and dynamic movement through direct engagement with the sport.
The episode calls for tennis coaches to move away from outdated methods that delay player progress and to create more effective, play-focused learning environments.
Rethinking Tennis Coaching: Why Focus on Present Over Long-Term Development
Steve critiques the idea that following pre-set developmental frameworks for different age groups leads to successful players, arguing instead for a focus on the present needs and wants of individual players.
By sharing personal coaching experiences with twins and examples of players of different physical capabilities, Steve highlights the non-linear nature of human development and the importance of adaptability in coaching.
The video advocates for a more tailored and present-focused approach to coaching, encouraging coaches to prioritize immediate skill development and fun to keep players engaged and improving over time.
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan delves into the efficacy of basket drills and isolated practices for developing player confidence.
Steve challenges traditional coaching methods, arguing that while such drills may provide temporary success, they fail to prepare players for the unpredictable nature of real match situations. He advocates for ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching practices, which create more adaptable and confident players.
Steve also addresses common pushbacks from coaches and provides insights on developing versatile skills through dynamic and adaptable training environments.
Join us for an engaging conversation with Matt Wigham from Peak Perform (https://www.peakperform.com.au) in Australia as we explore ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching in tennis.
The podcast currently has 57 episodes available.