This email got my attention a few days ago.The question to me was, “Do you use a charting system when you coach matches?” By charting system I think they meant a nice excel sheet with codes for short serves, unforced errors, etc. I have had many friends try to explain to me their charting system and I get flashbacks to 9th grade Algebra when the teacher was talking a mile a minute explaining some formula or other and asking if there were any questions. I was that kid that was embarrassed to say I had no clue what he was talking about.
One charting system I have seen is a use of abbreviations-ue=unforced error, FE-forced error, DSl-drive serve left etc. and a drawing of a court with circles with the errors on the court. For straight percentages this system works but has it’s drawbacks. Read on…..
I do have a system for coaching matches and I guess it would be best described as recording what is happening now, in the future, and what happened in the past!
1. What is happening in the match. Now–bhs=backhand sucks–hahaha
2. What we need to do to win. Future=fhbwnp–forehand backwall needs work
3. What we need to work on in future practices for future matches. Future=WOMG–work on mental game
4. Maybe what great shot was executed and how great it works (past and future)
I use colorful phrases and acronyms so nobody knows what I am writing but me. RS might mean the ref sucks or it might mean Right side for example. I will star something that needs to be called to the athlete’s attention. I will star it twice or three times if it is very important. During a time out I will only address three stars or more. The others will be dealt with in future practices. But I will violate all of those rules when someone is winning and controlling the match. During those times I rarely say anything. At those times all I can do is mess the match up by over-coaching. NOTE: 3 or 4 stars gives me something to tell the athlete on a timeout–most times that is not much because the player has to keep their mind clear and not be cluttered with “over-coached” verbal commands.
I use UE, unforced errors as in UEBH or UEFH. I also try to record FE. Big difference between unforced errors and forced errors. That is the failure of straight charting. If I was to chart points scored on my player’s backhand side only, and they played someone with an awesome drive serve their % would show a weak backhand. That stat could be wrong. I get an idea of how to attack certain sides of the court based on an opponent’s body type, mindset, personality, and most important, skill set. Charting systems I have seen cannot show all of that or at least in my experience it cannot.