"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I tackle a critical issue in tennis coaching: Are we, as coaches, truly teaching, or are we just running through drills? Broadcasting from my car, this candid rant dives into my recent experiences working with coaches at various levels."

Key topics include:

• Why coaching should be investigative, like detective work.
• The overemphasis on technique at the expense of understanding player perception and behavior.
• How ecological dynamics can transform learning and skill transfer.
• Questioning traditional methods and the misconceptions about constraint-led coaching.

If you’re ready to rethink your approach to coaching and focus on what truly matters—understanding your players and fostering effective learning—this episode is for you.

Let’s keep the discussion going! Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media.

Download my FREE '5 Game-Changing Drills' to make your coaching more impactful:
https://mytenniscoaching.com/free-tennis-drills/

#TennisCoaching #SkillTransfer #EcologicalDynamics #PlayerDevelopment #ConstraintLedApproach

In this episode of My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan addresses a common concern among tennis coaches: players stagnating in their development despite significant training hours.

Steve discusses the flaws in simply increasing coaching sessions, emphasizing the need for quality over quantity. He highlights the importance of match play and the potential issues with current coaching methodologies, advocating for more practical, match-focused training.

Steve challenges the conventional mindset, encouraging coaches to rethink their approaches to enhance player growth effectively. 00:00 Introduction and Player Development Concerns 00:55 The Coaching Dilemma: More Hours or Better Quality? 02:37 Challenges in Current Coaching Practices 04:34 The Importance of Match Play 07:21 Evaluating Coaching Methodologies 13:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I reflect on Week 1 of the Grand Slam Coaches Conference by Tennis Australia. The theme this year, 'The Power of Play,' resonated with me, but it also raised some questions. While I strongly agree that play and game-based learning are essential, I noticed some mixed messages in the presentations." I discuss: Why play is important but must remain representative of match conditions. The shortcomings of traditional tennis coaching and the overuse of isolated drills. How to strike a balance between structure and variability to improve skill transfer. I also dive into the challenge of blending methodologies like ecological dynamics and traditional coaching approaches, and why some of the conference presentations felt inconsistent. Get 50 practices today to enhance your coaching and improve skill transfer! Visit our YouTube shop by clicking the featured product or hitting this link: https://my-tennis-coaching-limited.kit.com/products/pre-order-the-ultimate-tennis Let me know in the comments your thoughts on the conference, what you enjoyed, and how you're applying these ideas in your coaching. Join the Conference here: https://coachesconference.com.au/ #TennisCoaching #ConstraintLedApproach #EcologicalDynamics #PowerOfPlay #SkillTransfer

In the final episode of the My Tennis Coaching podcast for 2024, the host reviews a year filled with both success and challenges in the world of tennis coaching.

Key topics include the importance of goal setting, the experience of speaking at national coaching conferences, the relaunch of a content-rich membership website, and strategic shifts in social media presence.

The episode also touches on the personal challenges faced, such as losing players due to coaching philosophy differences, the emotional and psychological burnout of intensive coaching, and balancing family life.

Looking forward, the host sets ambitious goals for 2025, focusing on speaking at international conferences, enhancing the community aspect of the website, and potentially influencing coaching practices on a national level. 00:00 Reflecting on a Year of Tennis Coaching 00:26 The Importance of Goal Setting 01:41 Achieving Major Goals in 2024 14:23 Challenges and Lessons Learned 28:30 Looking Ahead to 2025

Reflecting on the British Tennis Coach Association National Coaches Conference In this podcast episode, host Steve Whelan reflects on his experience presenting at the British Tennis Coach Association (BTCA) National Coaches Conference in Northampton. He discusses the challenges and highlights of delivering a tennis lesson in front of international coaches and peers, focusing on the serve using his methodology rooted in ecological dynamics and constraint-led approach. Steve also shares insights from other presenters at the conference, his motivations for speaking, and the overall importance of independent tennis coaching conferences. Finally, he invites listeners to comment if they want access to his full presentation video and teases future plans for his coaching podcast. 00:00 Introduction to the Conference Experience 01:01 Setting Goals and Achievements 01:53 The Importance of Speaking at Conferences 02:40 Ecological Dynamics and Coaching Philosophy 05:43 Focusing on the Serve 07:14 Personal Story and Coaching Evolution 08:13 Practical Coaching Techniques 11:11 Reflections on the Presentation 21:45 Insights from Other Presenters 27:56 The Value of Independent Conferences 31:27 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Live Tennis Coaching Q&A: Techniques, Collaboration, and Coaching Challenges In this live tennis coaching session, the host experiments with YouTube's live streaming to answer questions from the tennis community. The session covers a variety of topics, including how to collaborate with coaches, the importance of education for players and parents, and the challenges of coordinating with club committees. The coach also critiques traditional coaching methods like shadow swings and solo practice, emphasizing the need for realistic, dynamic training environments. Additionally, the discussion touches on the logistics and costs of indoor tennis courts, communication challenges with young players, and the impact of AI on lesson planning. The live Q&A offers valuable insights and practical advice for both coaches and players. 00:00 Introduction and Experimentation with YouTube Live 00:42 Answering Instagram Community Questions 01:33 Collaborating with Different Coaching Methodologies 04:46 Challenges of Young Players Using Yellow Balls 07:57 Implicit vs Explicit Coaching Approaches 10:32 Access to Indoor Tennis Courts 17:54 Communicating with Young Players 20:46 Using AI for Tennis Coaching 23:29 Dealing with Club Committees 24:08 Challenges of Tennis Coaching in Clubs 24:41 Managing Upwards: Educating Club Committees 26:22 Respect and Performance Indicators 28:44 Balancing Coaching Programs and Club Resources 30:15 The Debate on Shadow Swings 32:08 The Science Behind Effective Tennis Training 38:22 Practical Tips for Coaches 45:19 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I tackle the widely held belief that shadow swings improve muscle memory and skill acquisition. Using the principles of ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching, I explain why real-time context—such as ball flight and opponent positioning—is critical for effective skill development in tennis."

I also compare shadow swings to activities like acting, dancing, and boxing, highlighting why evidence-based coaching methods are essential for creating adaptable, skilled players. If you’ve ever wondered whether shadow swings truly benefit your players, this episode is a must-listen.

Got thoughts or evidence on the topic? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

Want to revolutionize your coaching? Check out my 'From Drills to Skills' course for insights on designing practices that focus on real-game performance:
https://mytenniscoaching.com/certifications/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction to My Tennis Coaching Podcast
• 00:41 Debate on Shadow Swings
• 01:26 Critique of Traditional Coaching Methods
• 04:21 Scientific Perspective on Movement and Learning
• 07:33 Addressing Common Misconceptions
• 17:12 Conclusion and Community Engagement
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#TennisCoaching #ShadowSwings #EcologicalDynamics #ModernCoaching #ConstraintLedApproach

The Impact of Survivorship Bias in Tennis Coaching: Why Copying Success Isn’t Enough

"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan explores the concept of survivorship bias in tennis coaching. Many coaches look to the methods used by top players as universal blueprints, yet this approach often overlooks the countless players who don’t make it to the top. Steve explains why it’s crucial to consider each player’s unique needs and circumstances, moving away from one-size-fits-all techniques."

Drawing on ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching, this episode offers insights for coaches seeking to avoid common pitfalls and create more effective, individualized training plans. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to coaching, these insights will help you rethink your approach to player development.

Want to take your coaching further? Check out my 'From Drills to Skills' course! Learn how to design practices that build adaptable, skilled players without relying on outdated methods.

https://mytenniscoaching.com/certifications/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction to the My Tennis Coaching Podcast
• 01:03 Survivorship Bias in Tennis Coaching
• 02:16 The Role of Coaches vs. Players
• 03:59 Misconceptions in Player Development
• 14:53 The Importance of Individualized Coaching
• 19:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts