I began this journey over 50 years ago when I learned to play this game. In that time I went from novice to open player, and began winning tournaments and being a “name” who got center court and back to a player on court 9, where I started! From there I began coaching on court nine and these days I end on center court quite a bit. It looks simple this coaching thing and money being tight these days, everyone is a coach. I see a guy at a tournament playing the B or A division and next thing I know he is a super-coach.
Okay, now this person begins a dialogue with me expecting me to receive them as a peer. Not going to happen. But many people like this want to do projects with me. As soon as someone has their name attached to mine they have the same status. This status I worked to earn. Them? Not so much.
So here are a few things I hold dear.
1. Earn your way there. Do not show up and proclaim yourself the best coach ever without ever having coached. Learn your craft!
2. Earn it as a player. I never played pro, but did play a few pro tournaments to learn. I also played 30 years, most as an open player. I believe you have to pay the ultimate price as an athlete; go all in. You must do that before you ask a student to do the same! I did that.
3, Keep learning! I know many of the new coaches do not have a base of knowledge necessary to coach. It takes time and it takes effort.
Now I do not disparage the coaches I coach against and whom I have known forever but I do work hard to separate myself from the pack. You do not see me online talking racquetball during finals. Why? I usually am coaching athletes in the finals.
Okay how do I make my brand unique? The only way I know is to keep working. When i get a new athlete who has worked with a ton of other coaches after my first lesson I ask, “Is this a different lesson than you have ever had?”
The answer is always “Yes, much different!”
Why? Secret sauce of course!!