Coach, I do not want to change that!” Okay, I’d be lying if I did not tell you I hear that from time to time. So here is what I do.
I explain why they should change and the ramifications of not changing. At that point most change. Sometimes I modify. Case in point a champion came to me and told me they needed help with their backhand but their forehand was “dialed in”. Upon reviewing video I realized this athlete needed help on both sides, forehand and backhand.
With only days before a big national tournament we collaborated and decided to only modify the forehand and work on the backhand.
It worked. After the tournament, the modification was eventually thrown out, the shot selection changed as a result of the modification and said athlete was in the elevator of racquetball excellence, “going up!”
Another case study refused to change their backhand. Upon study they still refused. After four months, I got a “Okay Coach, I’m ready for the change and understand why!”
Here is what coaches sometimes miss.
First-making someone change may not be the way to go.
Second-Change will be counter-productive at first in most cases with results. But that’s not a bad thing!
Third-letting the athlete discover the need for change is far better than telling them.
Now dear reader a question for you-
Where is your weak area? Are you willing to change?
Attack the weaknesses and jump on that elevator, and say “top floor please!”