Want to Know the Biggest Mistake in Modern Day Coaching?
The post by Allistair McCaw
Want to know the biggest mistake in modern day coaching? – It’s ‘Over coaching’.
Allistair McCaw
Here’s 5 things that lead to over coaching:
- Over explaining something that is actually simple to understand.
- Trying to add on another thing and then another and another.
- Teaching concepts that are too advanced for the age group you are working with (example: Giving a drill Roger Federer or Cristiano Ronaldo does to a 10-year-old ).
- Their choice of words used are even difficult for a NASA scientist to understand.
- Bombarding the athlete with constant instructions and cues – in other words: “Paralysis by analysis”.
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All points are very valid and agreeable. However it is also important to not forget that all kids are not the same, some can handle more instruction, some cannot.
Ideally the instruction in groups is meant for the average of the group, but when in individual instruction the instructions should be at the learning ability of the individual that may involve more concepts or not, it is depending on the individual
I have player 13 year old very good player he hit really hard very good game looks like 18 year old boy but but but whenever he go to play match and he lost 2 game he give up even he stop trying what to do
Bhagat, Thank you for posting. I too can relate to your post and story about the 13 year old boy and I am sure many others can as well. I am fascinated by this ‘quality’ and want to know the trajectory/outcome! My girl–same thing! As a parent it is hard not to feel frustrated, helpless, and what to do? Change–something. She-12 year old. Won the whole section U 10… then a bit more challenged in 12u… she ‘folds’ under pressure…. where is that player I saw? one that hit pace/ and seemed to know how to win–where is she now? When she trains mixed group practice with high-schoolers (nothing to lose?) I see, and others do too, her level rises and she hits harder, more consistent with advanced older players like she is neck and neck with them! Bombing balls to them at the net, returning with ease and back to them rapid fire! People watch and think whoa, look out for this kid! She is better than high school champ # 1! Then, tournament, she plays ‘down’ and yes, as soon as she loses even one game, her level drops even more, and loses
6 -0 to a retriever she can blast the ball past in practice! Same old… for over a year! We see that the opponent wants to win more than she does and then does win! When she is totally schooling her opponent in the first 4 games, somehow the gal comes back wins the set, and then it’s over ( for my girl). If I had money and able to travel I’d send her as a a trial/challenge with a mental strength Guru (and stop technique training and even hitting!) and focus on how to construct a point, how to elevate her game, and be a ‘lion chaser’ (courage). Yes there is tennis IQ and even emotional IQ to be ‘a winner.’ Conclusion: These youngsters have ‘low self-esteem’, lack confidence, have irrational expectations ( for self/ and for others/parents/coach), and plain old fear of losing that a child equates with if I lose I am rejected and worthless. Why try anyway? I am never gonna be good with the top kids in my age group anyway. The mind gives up, they feel ‘worthless’ ‘inadaquet’ when someone challenges them in their age group and only ‘comfortable’ winning with a beginner/younger player. Fear of losing self! This is a ‘losers mind’, not a winner’s.
C.Evert said: My dad taught me how to play; I taught myself how to win. If preservation of ego is tantamount, a player cannot evolve. We have actually pulled the plug on tennis for now. Maybe when she matures? What makes someone ‘competitive’? What makes a sales agent a ‘shark’ who makes millions? What can motivate? As in a laboratory trial… which of these kids will be a winner and a champion? To what degree are ‘winners’ born, taught, and/or developed? Ferrer just said he tanks when opponent such as Nadal is fighting and he throws in the towel…accepts his limitations, yet can beat and win 90% of players on tour! so…. can a David Ferrer use ‘mental toughness’ to win a Nadal. No, apparently. Then what can Jr players achieve with mental toughness, Self-hypnosis and all the cutting edge stuff. Being the MOST conditioned player out there—can this create an edge-yes. As a parent spending money on privates, driving/gas getting to practice, home late every night– for what? A tournament with all THOSE experiences /accomplishments then enter you child and she just stops playing–sort of… drops shoulder on serve, and ball toss on serve way LOW! Bad toss, still hits ( in net)and then the powder puff serves, double faults, no energy and you feel like you are in the ‘Twighlight Zone.’ who cares who wins? Just play your best! and make it a competitive match! Self defeated! When the day before and and weeks prior private serve lessons produced ‘BOMB serves’ and ‘kicks’ that even the top 18 year old at the club can’t return? Souls are ‘born’ competitive when their God given athletic talent gets expressed ( any sport) then… they get propelled into their destiny… greatness and high achievement.