87 Bits of Unsolicited Coaching Advice

Aug 23

For the first time since 2009 I am not at a high school tennis practice so I’d make a list of the lessons learned and memories made. This list actually started in January when I was making the decision to step away from coaching high school tennis. Enjoy!

The players don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Girls are grosser than boys.
Treat players to what they could be not as they currently are.
Set an edge early. Constraints and order precede meaning and joy.
Obsessing over coaching is the easy part. Assent and consistency is the hard part.
When you start, you think you know a decent amount. Hint: you don't.
Strong leadership + Low Technical Knowledge > Low Leadership + High Technical Knowledge.
Maddi Halter, the 2nd does not give up.
McKenzie and Peyton Catt do not fear the cold.
The most rewarding part of coaching is witnessing a sense of belonging and confidence grow in the player/team.
The Ben & Thomas doubles team worked well... and then it didn't.
'Hype' and 'Motivation' in tennis are overrated. Right effort and poise are far more important.
Count yourself lucky if there isn't at least one parent complaining.
Expectations suck.
Get creative during those mid-season lulls; black eye paint, fake news stories, people doubting your team, breathwork, etc.
If possible, put Colten Mouzin on your team.
The stories the players rehearse in their head = sports psychology.
You are just one piece of the performance puzzle; family, individual, you.
Samuel and Bella win most fun to rally with.
The 'Ribet Awards' is must-watch TV.
Hunter Ingram is the "flying squirrel."
Destroyer of Overheads = McCaine
Whiffer of Overheads = Faith, and Noah
Good content makes for an inspired coach. Here are some sources I found helpful; TennisDrills.TV (Team Oriented Drills & Program Management), IHSTeCA Coaches Convention, Coaches, Feel Tennis (Technical Genius), and Books (Inner Game of Tennis, The Score Takes Care of Itself, The Mindful Athlete).
Forest Park is the greatest court to play on; Jasper is a close second.
John Gaftner fears no wasps, scabs, or pain.
A Vince Atkinson "C'mon" or "No" is a sound to hear.
No Mitchell, we will not go to Grandy's.
Don't shoot a squirrel with an elephant gun.
Losing seniors is always sad.
Seeing new faces is always exciting.
If a player doesn't know a skill, then develop progressions until you reach the desired skill.
Don't play Katie Donovan in the summer of 2017... (0-0),(0-0)(0-0)
The spring can be surprisingly cold and fall predictably hot.
You have no idea what a player is going through or the impact you can make.
Boring Drill? Add these constraints; time, score, competition, or targets.
You get out what you put in.
You will see Murphy's Law in full force. Examples: Playing on three courts on one night, injuries before sectionals, people forgetting stuff (shoestrings, shoes, rackets), a concussion in a bathroom, match points ending with a ball disappearing (it was in the throat of the racket), a coach informing you the bus's tailpipe is dragging and so much more.
Don't stand in the way of Bella Atkinson if she has a goal in mind.
Team flow is one of the greatest feelings in the world.
Living up to the ideals you preach is challenging.
Remember, these are kids.
Remember, these are also young adults.
Never count Colten Mouzin out of a game.
Great doubles chemistry = Fun to watch
Poor Doubles Chemistry = Ph.D. in Couples Therapy
High School Team Success = Middle School Programs, Pro-Active Parents, and community support.
Players are not responsible for your happiness.
You can win big but feel hollow inside.
Make sure your court's fences are up and court dried with leafblowers before the opponent arrives.
Do not underestimate Luke Weiss's clumsiness, and do not overestimate how much he cares.
Left-handed people, people's names, and handshakes will be the end of me.
Black shoe Macee is the greatest Macee.
Sometimes you have to get 'medieval.'
Vince Atkinson is the Devil Who Went Down to Georgia
Charlie Niehaus wins best dreads.
Never take a moment for granted; it will be over before you know it.
James Hancock's Mind x (Coleton + Noah + Vince + Macaine + Luke) =Anything
Groundstroke Fundamentals; stability, contact point & coil
Come season time, build strokes that will handle under pressure.
Nothing hard comes from anything soft.
Create pressure through increasing difficulty and raising the stakes
Hard conditioning can serve as a right-of-initiation, a vote towards the stronger you, and increased team chemistry.
You can train three areas; body, craft, and mind.
A coach has two tools; shit & whip cream. Some kids need the shit others need the whipped cream.
Rules for Lawrenceville: Give citizens a court and let the Mayor know the practice times.
Kenadee Fry is a honey badger, and honey badgers don't care.
Nothing works without trust.
David Evans is a mesmerizing player.
Izzi Finch & Maddi Halter, the 1st, are a heck of a doubles team.
HS Girl Doubles Hacks = Lobs, Volleys, and Overheads
Easy Leadership Checkboxes: set the parameters (times, what you need), repeat the objectives.
If you have more than three goals for a player, you have none.
Bus Speaker HOF: Christina Smith, Lily Waggoner, Anna Donovan, Charlie Niehaus, Vince Atkinson, and Thomas Vieke.
Grant Freeman is tall, and he can volley well!
If you are sad about a graduating senior, don't stop coaching them; provide support, reach out, and cheer them. Everyone needs someone in their corner.
The doubleheader match at Washington Catholic (v/W.C), Washington, and Lincoln (v/South Knox) was the most fun tennis evening ever.
Be an IHSTeCA Member and go to the convention.
Coaches will gladly help you.
Izzie is a strong leader.
Too much difficulty = anxiety. Too much ease = boredom. In the middle = Flow. Find Flow.
Emphasize and judge factors you can control; effort, execution, and mindset.
Try to add to the possibility of what a player could be.
What Ifs > Yeah Buts
Dynasties are built in the offseasons.
Caroline Herman might be the most outstanding player who never played.
Just because your done being a high school coach doesn't mean your done coaching.