Players and coaches spend a lot of time together. They practice every day to improve forehand and backhand. They perform specific fitness plans to take care of the body. They talk about mental abilities needed to outperform opponents. Additionally they analyze what happened in the past and plan what they want to achieve in the future. Add eating meals together and it looks like there is no much time left for being alone. And let’s not forget about tournaments.

Marcin Bieniek

Coaching job is a complex one. We not only have to take care of all the details that have impact on player’s development but we also have to travel to tournaments to see how players play under the pressure. Seeing own athlete during competitive battle is an invaluable experience and information for any coach. It is not possible to compare training and tournament environments because they are hugely different. When player fights for ranking points and trophies the stress elevates enormously. That is why many players are not able to play at the same level during competition that they are able to show during every day practice session.

Going to tournaments is a must for any coach who wants to help own player get to the top level but of course number of tournaments depends on the level and age of the player. When player is 12 years old he will play less tournaments per year and coach doesn’t have to be available during every travel. On the other hand when you work privately with player who competes on ITF/WTA/ATP Tour you have to be ready to spend most of the days away from your home. Only with your player.

When you travel with your player it is important to think about communication. Effective communication builds trust and trust builds good relationship. When you spend so much time one on one with player you have to take care of relationship because many times it is more important than pure strokes. When coach and player feel good with each other results will come quickly. When there is a problem with communication it will be visible also in player’s performance.

When you travel to tournaments with your player remember about:

Balancing tennis and personal life

If you only talk to your player about tennis all the time it is not surprising that player will be overwhelmed with this topic. Especially when he loses the match. Try to balance subjects and activities related to tennis and other aspects of life. Do some sight-seeing, go shopping or talk about funny moments of your life. Show your non-tennis side and spend nice time with your player.

Sometimes just listen

Coaches think that players expect them to always give advice and solutions. Most of the time yes because they hire coaches to help them improve own game but sometimes all they need is just to say something to coach. You don’t always have to respond. Players have own thoughts, doubts and problems and many times coaches are the only people who can they talk to. Listen to players and you will build good communication so players won’t feel scared of saying anything to you. Tennis or non-tennis related.

Non-verbal support

Tennis is a difficult sport. Every tournament has only one winner. If it is your player – congrats to both of you. If not you have to be ready that your player will be disappointed, angry or even depressed after the loss. It is really delicate situation because coach has to decide what to do after the match is over. Players are full of emotions and they don’t look at that realistically. From my experience I can say that just being around the player during tough moments is more than enough. You don’t have to do anything. Just be there and wait. If your player will want you to listen you will know. If your player will need your advice you will hear that. If your player will want to be with someone you will also be the one to help. Effective communication is not based just on words so remember about that especially when the score is not as expected.

Going to tournaments can be a marvelous time but it can also be really tough experience. It all depends on communication. If coach and player get well with each other everyone is happy. Effective communication as well as forehand can be build and improved consciously. Make sure you make your job and take care of little aspects that will maintain good relationship and be the base for excellent on-court results.

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