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Post Info TOPIC: The difficulties of coaching


Social player

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The difficulties of coaching


We all know how difficult it is for tennis players to make it big, but what about coaches too?! Especially in this country, where we don't always get the weather and facilities.. I know I've shared stuff on my blog in the past, but I've had a really good response from you all so far so massive thanks :)

I have started a new post on my blog (which I aim to make a series) about British tennis coaches! The first is about a British coach who wants his kids to learn about all of the top 20 British players, not just Murray and Konta - do you agree? I think it's refreshing, personally! 

If you have a spare 10 mins, it's worth a read! https://thebigracket.org/2017/11/26/coaches-corner-thomas-leach/ 

Does this type of article interest you, GB Tennis Fans?:)

Nick



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All-time great

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Interesting.
Any illumination of the interface between LTA and a day-to-day coach would be similarly very welcome.

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Tennis legend

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I have long been an advocate on here of making the Futures events part of a "Festival of Tennis" week which should tour the country. Kids need role models and nothing inspires them more than trying to follow in the footsteps of their heroes. Andy is a fantastic role model for young players but for many he would seem too "inaccessible". If you have the best up and coming players (typically Brits ranked 5 to 20 and beyond) in the local futures tournaments, get the kids in watching, give them a programme with the names and pictures of the players with a space for autographs and then once they have those autographs, give them a website where they can follow the progress of their favourite players.

Just imagine if they actually get to hit with their new favourite player in a freebie evening session at the tournament. If they get to meet these players in person under such circumstances, that connection, and the inspiration that goes with it, can last a lifetime.

I stand by what I have said here many times. The LTA wants to promote grass roots tennis and increase the numbers of people playing. Correctly marketed, the "Futures Road Show" could be their biggest marketing tool. The challenges of helping young pros and of trying to grow grass roots tennis are not mutually exclusive.

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ATP qualifying

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One of the problems caused by the LTA historically taking decent kids out of clubs and into academies, is that it broke the link between those moving their tennis on and the real youngsters following behind.  When a child can see someone  who started at their club playing really well on the next court, they must feel there's a chance that with a bit of hard work they could do so too.  To back up Bob's point about kids being inspired by accessible role models, I was at a relatively small club during the summer and one of our university players, who apparently had started at that club, called in to practice some serves during the lunch break in the kids' holiday course.  The kids watched fascinated and when the player finished, the coach introduced her to the kids and said how she had started playing on exactly the course they were on.  She chatted with them for a little bit and answered a few questions before going on her way.  Honestly, if Venus Williams had dropped in it couldn't have been more inspiring.  To say the kids went into the afternoon session full of enthusiasm is a bit of an understatement.



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Social player

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Noted! Glad you found it interesting :)



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