Coach advice during games

Ji-Soo Woo Asked 15 years ago

Hi Alois

as a coach, when your player comes to you during a time out or during change of ends, what kind of advice do you give?

Generally speaking, is it more about general strategy and tactics?  Is it helpful to be talking about actual stroke techniques in the middle of a game? 

I was just curious because we recently finished our NSW Country Championship team event and we were giving a lot of advice and suggestions during change-of-ends, and just wondered what REAL coaches talked about.

Cheers

Ji-Soo

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Ji-Soo,

Advice during games comprises almost only tactics and strategies.  We try to keep these as simple as possible as it is difficult to process too many things during a game. If you can give them 1 or 2 things that you can see, that is aboutall a player can process.

Try to focus on the early part of the rally, where to serve what types of serves , what types of returns and general placement during the rally.  Don't try to set up too many shots ito the rally because it never happens that way.

It is a common mistake to try to change technique in a match.  Again this is really difficult to almost impossible.  Keep that for training nights.

Hope this helps.