On-Court Best Practices
Your first time out on court may make you a bit anxious, but don’t worry about being a great instructor right from the start. These skills will come with experience.
The following tips are the foundation to your role as an assistant. Master these and with a little practice, you will be teaching like a pro.
1. Be Safe
Safety should be the #1 concern for any activity that you do on or off the court.
If you look at the image, you can see where it is clear where each student will be standing.
This is important so that they do not run into each other and if they swing they are in the clear. If you are using a lot of balls, make sure that they are out of the way so that players do not step on them. It is OK to stop a drill if there are too many balls in the way.
2. The Extras
The expectations are what someone pays for when signing up for a lesson, but what makes a big difference is when you take the time to do the things that are not expected.
For example, If you see a player standing around before class and you have the time, ask them to hit a few balls before class.
Anything you can do that is not expected (the extras), will go a log way with any player in your program (and their parents too).
3. Be Enthusiastic
Enthusiasm makes up for a lack of knowledge, especially when you are getting started. The knowledge will come. Most players will get inspired by your enthusiasm more than your knowledge, but when you can combine the two, you will have a lot of players looking forward to coming back for more.
4. Learn Your Player’s Names
Nobody likes a, “Hey you!” When you say someone’s name, it means you remember them and this goes a long way. Any time you can use a players name, it adds a lot to who you are as a coach.
You will see the assistant coach in the video assignment of this course doing a great job of using the players names throughout the lesson.
5. Pay Attention to Drill Speed
Keeping your players moving (in a safe way) is more fun, gives your players a better workout and is more impressive to the parents watching the lesson. You want to keep the players moving at a consistent pace whether they are on one court, or rotating from court to court.
When your players are moving from court to court in a multi-court class, pay attention to the number of players on your court compared to the other courts. If you notice there are more players waiting in line on your court, while the other courts have less, speed things up a bit. If your court has fewer players, then slow things down a bit.
6. Encourage Then Coach
It is important to follow the direction of the lead pro when it comes to the focus of a drill or game, but if you feel uncomfortable with the coaching aspect at first, don’t worry, this will come once you are more comfortable.
7. Stay Engaged With Your Students
Try to engage with your students before during and after the lesson.
1. Try not to hang out with the other coaches, especially at the beginning of the lesson. This is very easy to do and sometimes you may not even know you are doing it. When class starts, engage with the students as they enter the court. Hit with them if they do not have a partner. It’s all about them.
2. You should help pick up balls with your students. This also looks good to a observant parent. This is a great time to talk to the students about their game or other interests you know they may have.
These relationship builders will keep them wanting to come back. You will see some great examples of this in the assignment video.
What you may consider doing is just be an encourager for the first few lessons until you get the hang of it. Give praise whenever you see someone do something well. Even if you only say, “Great Try!” This is much more encouraging to hear as opposed to nothing at all.
8. Stay Active
1. Try not to sit on the bench or lean against the net-post. An active coach is more inspiring to your players and their parents.
2. Stay off your cell phone (unless it is an emergency or you are using it as a teaching aid). Your players deserve your complete attention. When you are paying attention to your phone, you are not paying attention to them. This is a definite “Lesson killer.”
Summary
If you are uncomfortable teaching at first, no problem, focusing on the concepts above will more than make up for your initial lack of knowledge.
Think about some of your mentors in the past. Why do you remember them still? Do you remember them for the way they taught you how to volley or hit with topspin? Or do you remember them for for the type of person they were and how they made a difference in your life?
Most would say the latter.
