I am a lucky guy. I get to work with some of the best players in the world, and even the greatest ever for 18 years. But I also get to work with newbies, brand spanking new players who fall in love with this sport. I love coaching players of all levels. In this post I want to highlight my junior athletes. Currently I coach a third grader, a seventh grader, a 9th grader, and college kids in my junior ranks. Now here is the funny thing about the junior athletes. They started with me at an early age. They all have different levels of commitment to racquetball, playing other sports, and being in other activities.
The high school kids have been with me since they were in elementary school and now everyone knows who they are when they go to tournaments. So much so everyone wants to be their coach and helper. Where were all these new friends when the kids first started with me?
I always love to say “Remember who your friends are today, because when you get better as a player, you will have many more new friends.”
Fans and all sorts of people get “cred” when they hang with greatness. I try not to market my athletes in a “look who I coach” way. That is also why I coach more than one athlete. The athletes performances validate my coaching. But here is the thing. I was a coach before athlete X and will be a coach after athlete X. I am the same coach, but of course the athletes change! The fact that Hall of Fame careers have happened on my watch gives me great satisfaction.
A very recognizable name in racquetball once asked me, “Seriously, what could you find wrong with my backhand?”
My response? “I have coached all levels from beginners to Hall of Fame first ballot players. Of course I can find something you can improve on with your backhand.”
Then there is this of which I am very proud!
I have never asked an athlete if I could coach them. Never! Athletes have to come to me and all athletes I have ever coached have come to me. Now I am friendly with all players due to the respect I have for all competitors so I do talk to players, and they will get the idea they are welcome if they want to try my coaching. But I do not ask! I only want motivated people who want to learn and who will practice. If you want a coach to help you keep improving, I’m your guy. If I talk you into hiring me with a huge sales pitch, how committed will you be? You have to call me or ask me. Why? Well, how committed will you be if you will not even approach me?
If you have read this far…You can even try it out for free on my webpage….first lesson is on me! Thanks for reading and ……
Go Get’em Tigers!!