(Disclaimer: I am not talking about one specific instance-this has happened so many times in the past it deserves a post!)
This little happening drives me crazy. Here is the scenario. A new player with tons of talent signs up with me. I break down their swing and movement and give them some basic drills to start with. Often these drills are “air drills” with no ball, just practice of proper footwork.
Student then sends me their video. I open the video of said drills and to my shock and horror I see movement drills with the ball and a competitor teaching said student in a private lesson. Let me explain how that can screw everything up I am trying to do.
1. Said pro does not know what I am teaching.
2. Said pro is not correcting the flaws in technique and footwork.
3. So regarding #2 above, said pro is reinforcing poor mechanics.
4. So regarding #1-3, student would improve their game more by doing nothing!
5. Because regarding #4 all they are doing is reinforcing the errors they came to me to fix!
Not all pros will correct flaws and not all teaching pros even see the flaws! I have had more than one athlete in mind who could have been the best of the best if they had stuck with the program.
The racquetball public just thinks all coaches are equal. Call yourself a coach and you are a coach.
There are some great coaches out there and I recognize that. Unfortunately there are also great people selling lessons. One group has athletes heading to the top and the other group is heading to the the bank!
My recommendation is to hire a coach who cares about you first and your game second. Oh, and make sure they are coaching up super-specific about the basics; you know, like forehand, backhand, serve, and movement on the court.
Go get’em tigers!!