Coaching 101-
Empathy for your athletes! Remember back to when you were first learning the game is important. Leaving your comfort zone is important. I have a theory that in most cases if a coach has not done the work they are giving athletes, they are not going to be effective. A coach thinking they have all the answers with the physical training is a mindset that may not be correct. My advice is for coaches to listen to their athletes and long for the day they disagree with you, not agree with you! That means they are becoming independent.
That is the ultimate goal, to get an athlete to be their own coach, and being your own coach, means understanding training off court as well as on court.
Understanding what an athlete is going through, and deep respect for that athlete, from beginner to pro is the best thing you can do as a coach. If you do that, plus teach some good stuff, they will call you coach. (You won’t have to call yourself coach, they will call you coach!)
The good stuff without the empathy for your athletes will not work and vice versa ! I got a text yesterday from a teaching pro who was so excited. They shared with me their student’s excitement at learning the backhand. That is what a good coach is. Fired up for their athlete! Remember: “Nobody cares that you know until they know that you care!”