What can parents, coaches and players control?

WHAT CAN PARENTS AND COACHES CONTROL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ELITE JUNIOR PLAYER?

In tennis we know that it is the individual COMBINED WITH the daily training environment, that will determine how quick an athlete improves throughout their junior development years. Parents and coaches cannot control the individual ALTHOUGH WE CAN INFLUENCE, but we can control the environment. Below I outline what can be controlled, what can be influenced and what is all down to the individual.

ENVIRONMENT – SOMETHING WE CAN CONTROL!

A GREAT TRAINING ENVIRONMENT CONSISTS OF:

A high volume of quality training consisting of private, small group, squad and match play sessions.
Quality surfaces and venues
Good coaching and hitting partners
Opportunity to compete in tournaments throughout Australia and overseas
Strength and conditioning
Access to medical services such as physio, doctors etc

AS PARENTS AND COACHES, MOST OF THIS WE CAN CONTROL. THERE ARE NOT MANY ENVIRONMENTS OR COACHES AROUND AUSTRALIA RIGHT NOW (SINCE THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES WERE SHUT DOWN IN 2020) THAT HAVE ALL THESE THINGS (THE NTA IN BRISBANE MAY BE THE ONLY ONE). SO PARENTS AND COACHES NEED TO SEEK THESE THINGS OUT TO PUT TOGETHER THE WEEKLY ENVIRONMENT – THIS IS IS SOMETHING THAT IS “CONTROLLABLE”.

THE INDIVIDUAL – HOW MUCH INFLUENCE CAN WE HAVE?

When assessing an individual, I have narrowed it down to 3 categories that make an individual elite tennis player, and all 3 are very important. These are:

The personal characteristics of the player
The competitive ability of the player
The X-Factor qualities of the player

Some personal characteristics include:

Attitude (glass half full or empty person?)
Resilience – ability to bounce back after losses or setbacks
Work ethic and dedication
Passion for the sport
Determination to reach their goals
Self-drive and motivation
Professionalism, attention to detail
Ability to self-analyse and learn from mistakes

I BELIEVE THESE CHARACTERISTICS ARE PART NATURE AND PART NURTURE. A GROWING CHILD CAN DEFINITELY BE INFLUENCED BY THOSE PEOPLE AROUND THEM WHEN DEVELOPING THESE CHARACTERISTICS, BUT ALSO IT IS PART GENETICS

2. Competitive ability of the player during matches. This includes

Guts
Courage
Composure
Dealing with whatever comes at them and having the ability to adapt

THIS IS A TRICKY ONE. YES COACHES AND PARENTS CAN HAVE AN INFLUENCE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS AREA IS LARGELY DOWN TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO WORK OUT. EXPERIENCE IS THE NO.1 DEVELOPMENT FACTOR IN THIS AREA IN MY OPINION.

2. The "X Factor" qualities of the player. These include:

Ball striking/timing
Natural athleticism
Competitiveness
Confidence/self belief
Ability to learn things fast
Resilience to injury
Ability to consistently come up with great shots and points in clutch moments

I BELIEVE THESE THINGS ARE EXTREMELY HARD OR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO “TEACH” IN A PLAYER. THESE THINGS ARE WHAT SEPERATES THE “GOOD” FROM THE “GREAT”.

AS A PLAYER, PARENT OR COACH – ARE YOU “CONTROLLING THE CONTROLLABLES”?