Wow –some time ago I heard this phrase tossed around. “You do not have to change your stroke mechanics to win! Pay me an exorbitant amount of money and I’ll make you better.”
I like to think of it another way. You selected me to work with you and that is an honor; not the other way around.
Can you win without changing your stroke mechanics? Yes to a degree.
So why change stroke mechanics?
So you can hit the ball harder? Yes, but that is not the main reason.
So you can keep the ball out of center court? Yes, but that is not the main reason.
So you can hit better serves and dominate an opponent? Yes, but that is not the main reason.
Main reason? So you have a longer and safer career without back or shoulder or elbow injuries.
More on this:
Watch the results of the coaching “pitch”. Are their athletes winning? In some cases yes, but they were winning before going to super-coaches.
Another irony? Every super-coach who promises no change in mechanics had to change theirs. In most cases I was the instructor who helped them!
Here is the measure of a great coach.
If you can take a beginner and work with them to pro level. You are good. How many have done that? Better yet, how many have done that with more than one player in their careers?
That takes time and hard work on the part of the coach.
Now if you can take a C player and work with them to pro level you are good.
Same with B and A levels.
Bottom line-do the athletes get better? Can you see it? Can they?
Ask the athletes I have worked with. I am trying to compile a list of my national champions in all levels. Know what? That’s hard because my first ones were in 1978. They all changed their mechanics to win.
Know what else? I was totally devoted to their success. Even if they wanted to quit racquetball, I supported that decision! Why? It was best for them, not me!
I still am devoted to my athletes of all levels. That is what a coach does.
You will never be told by me you do not have to change. I will always push you to be better. That does rub some people the wrong way. So be it-I coach and try to be as positive as I can.
Coaching many different styles and personalities takes time and experience.
Guiding people out of their comfort zone for more victories, is not easy but that’s what a great coach does.
Telling players they do not have to change to win is what a great salesperson does.