Many players want to know how much coaching does it take to be a great player. Honestly, that varies from player to player. However, for most junior players I recommend 1 private and 2 group drills per week plus at least 4 hours/week of practice during the school year. That is an 8 hours of tennis per week. That is generally about all that a school going player can expect to put into their games and keep their grades up.
It is important that the player be focused during practice and lessons because time is not as easy to come by during the school year. Private lessons must focus on one or two topics and then be diligently practiced on the players own time and during drill sessions. Players generally do not make big leaps during school year tennis, but a player can improve steadily if he/she dedicates themselves to a schedule.
Drill Sessions are just that. They are designed to encompass the entire group. A player only gets out of a drill session what they put into it. I hear junior players complain abou the fact that they don't get much from drill session. My first question to them is, "Did you focus and give the drill 100% effort?" Generally, they reply with "I was bored" or "They weren't working on shots that I am working on". Those are excuses!
In conclusion, a serious junior player should do 1 private per week, 2 group lessons per week and put another 4 hours of personal time into their games. These hours should be focused and have a specific goal in mind. If this pattern is followed, a player can expect a steady increase in skills and improvement.
Thanks for reading my blogs and feel free to leave any suggestion, comments or questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment