In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching podcast, host Steve Whelan shares an inspiring account of a player who initially feared private lessons but had a transformative experience.

The player, an amateur with 12 months of experience, learned the importance of personalized coaching, focusing on their strengths and preferences rather than fitting into a rigid technique.

Through situational practice and adjustments without overhauling their natural style, the player regained confidence and faith in tennis coaching.

The story underscores the value of understanding individual dynamics and creating a supportive learning environment.

00:00 Introduction and Player Testimonial

00:20 The Private Lesson Experience

01:20 Understanding Player Preferences

03:25 Improving the Serve

04:46 Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

05:52 Practical Application and Adjustments

14:05 Coaching Philosophy and Reflections

18:13 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan examines the deployment of inexperienced tennis coaches, a topic raised in a Facebook group for tennis instructors.

Steve discusses the implications for player experience, arguing that deploying underqualified coaches, often for commercial gain or convenience, can harm the sport. He emphasizes the importance of mentoring and proper training to ensure quality sessions and maintain interest in tennis over the long term.

Steve also addresses the broader problem of the coaching profession not being seen as a serious career and highlights the need for modernization in tennis coaching.

00:00 Welcome to the Tennis Coaching Podcast

00:11 The Debate on Deploying Level One Coaches

01:11 The Impact of Inexperienced Coaches

01:45 Commercialization and Its Consequences

05:33 The Need for Better Mentoring Systems

07:29 The Rise of Pickleball and Its Implications

09:27 The Importance of Modernizing Tennis Coaching

11:32 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of the 'My Tennis Coaching podcast, host Steve Whelan addresses the nuances and misconceptions surrounding the training methods of professional tennis players, using insights from recent observations at Wimbledon.

Steve emphasizes the importance of context in training practices and critiques the blind imitation of professional routines by amateur coaches. He argues that the training methods used by elite players, often seen in isolation during tournaments, should not be directly copied without understanding the underlying context and specific needs of the athlete.

Steve also highlights the distinction between practice for skill development and routine maintenance or confidence-building in competitive environments.

00:00 Welcome to My Tennis Coaching Podcast

00:33 Debunking Traditional Coaching Myths

01:24 Context Matters in Professional Training

02:38 Misconceptions from Watching the Pros

04:43 The Influence of Social Media on Coaching

08:31 The Role of Tradition in Coaching Practices

10:42 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan discusses the pitfalls of traditional coaching methods for red stage players based on his presentation at the recent PTR UK Coach's Conference. He highlights four common mistakes: focusing on isolated stroke development, overpopulating courts, assigning inexperienced coaches to red stages, and having unrealistic expectations. Steve emphasizes the importance of creating a dynamic, chaotic, and fun learning environment that allows young players to explore and develop multiple skills rather than adhering to rigid, traditional methods.

00:00 Introduction and Conference Overview

01:21 The Problem with Isolated Stroke Development

03:46 Overcrowded Red Courts

06:18 Inexperienced Coaches for Red Stage

09:08 Managing Expectations in Tennis Coaching

19:18 Conclusion and Future Content

Drawing from his 10+ years of experience in coach education and his own journey of obtaining coaching qualifications, Steve discusses the challenges faced by national governing bodies in standardizing assessments for a diverse coaching workforce.

He shares his personal experiences, including the difficulties he encountered and how he practised meticulously to pass his reassessment.

Steve critiques the current methods of coach assessment, questioning their relevance and effectiveness in truly developing competent coaches. He advocates for a more dynamic, ongoing mentoring system instead of high-stakes assessments.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on how tennis coach assessments can evolve to better serve the coaching community.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:50 The Challenge of Standardizing Coach Qualifications

02:37 Personal Experience with Coach Assessments

05:22 The Evolution of Assessment Methods

06:55 The Impact of Assessment on Coaching Quality

13:12 Rethinking Coach Development and Mentoring

19:47 Conclusion and Call to Action

Designing Representative Tennis Practices: Key Strategies and Tools

In this episode, Steve Whelan, also known as 'My Tennis Coach,' explains how he designs tennis practices that mimic real match scenarios. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear intention based on player feedback, previous experiences, and match observations. Steve introduces a practice game called 'Kryptonite' designed to help players identify and exploit their opponent's weaknesses. Key elements of his methodology include providing players with lots of information, high variability, decision-making opportunities, and movement solutions. He also promotes his Tennis Coach Academy membership for deeper insights and practical resources. Make sure to like, subscribe, and visit mytenniscoachin.com for more.

00:00 Introduction and Video Overview

00:39 Setting Clear Intentions for Practice

01:29 Designing the Kryptonite Game

03:06 Game Criteria and Player Interaction

04:38 Incorporating Variability in Practice

06:42 Tactical Decision Making and Movement Solutions

08:06 Conclusion and Membership Information

In this episode, host Steve Whelan shares a personal and challenging experience with a player who decided to leave for another coach.

Steve discusses the dynamic between ecological dynamics and traditional coaching models, specifically focusing on a case where feedback on a player's serve and backhand from a national governing body led to the player's departure. Steve examines the pitfalls of a one-size-fits-all, technique-focused philosophy, the implications of early talent identification, and the impact of national coaching frameworks.

He stresses the importance of adaptability in coaching and questions the validity of judging young players based on rigid competency checklists.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Story

01:10 Player's Background and Aspirations

01:55 Feedback from National Coach

03:46 Coaching Philosophy and Approach

05:13 Player's Progress and Challenges

07:16 Reflection on Selection Criteria

10:56 Impact on Coach and Player

15:24 Concluding Thoughts and Questions

In this podcast, Steve Wheelin, founder of mytenniscoaching.com, discusses the role of mentors in tennis coaching and emphasizes why he believes the current mentor system in the UK is broken.

He explores how traditional tennis coaching methods, which focus heavily on technique and isolated drills, continue to dominate despite their limitations in real-game scenarios. Steve argues for a shift towards ecological dynamics and constraint-led approaches, bringing up the challenges coaches face when trying to embrace these new methods, such as resistance from head coaches and peer pressure.

He advocates for open-mindedness and innovation in coaching to better develop players' problem-solving skills and adaptive abilities.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:17 Defining a Mentor in Tennis Coaching

01:22 The Importance and Impact of Mentoring

01:59 Challenges in Traditional Tennis Coaching

03:16 The Struggle with Adopting New Methods

07:52 The Role of Head Coaches and Peer Pressure

15:32 The Need for Open-Minded Mentoring

18:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Tennis Coaching video Podcast, host Steve Whelan addresses criticisms regarding his coaching approach. From inside his car, Steve discusses his philosophy of minimal intervention and prioritizes player-led problem-solving over traditional technical coaching. He argues that authentic coaching is about connecting with players and adapting to their needs, rather than following a rigid lesson plan. Through this candid discussion, Steve aims to clarify misconceptions and emphasize the importance of helping players think for themselves on the court.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Update

00:29 Addressing Criticism: Just Playing Games

02:18 The Traditional Coaching Model

04:02 The Fix-It Mentality in Coaching

06:51 Empowering Players Through Implicit Coaching

10:32 Frustrations and Misconceptions in Coaching

14:17 Conclusion and Future Plans

🎾 Join Steve Whelan in this live stream as he discusses the perceived threat of pickleball and padel to traditional tennis and why tennis coaches and clubs need to shift their perspective. Rather than viewing pickleball and padel as adversaries, Steve offers his opinion on why it's crucial for tennis coaches and clubs to adapt their delivery and marketing strategies to remain relevant in a changing landscape. Discover how embracing change and diversifying offerings can not only mitigate the perceived threat but also open up new opportunities for growth and innovation in the tennis industry. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion - tune in now!

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