In 25 years of coaching, I've never come across a simpler and more effective way to describe these two crucial areas of the game, and what's most amazing is that these were written in 1925, almost 100 years ago, by former top player of his time Bill Tilden. I've spoken to numerous coaches and players, who also love this, especially the words for timing, as no-one could come up with what Bill did. I've been using this successfully with players on court for several months too.
I think coaches these days can easily get caught up with over-analysing the game, and sometimes the simplest things are best. Yes, the game has changed a lot in 100 years, but footwork and timing are two areas that are timeless. The human body hasn't changed in that time, so the purpose and ability to use footwork hasn't changed. It doesn't matter what technology you have in the racket either, as timing the ball requires the same skill now as it did back then.
The purpose of footwork (by Bill Tilden): Footwork is the means to perfect weight control and balance.
We all know the importance of balance, but weight control is something slightly different, and crucial when it comes to achieving that great timing. Balance is always about stability through the body, but weight control (and distribution) will change depending on the circumstances of the ball and the shot being attempted. I've found that body weight awareness is also a great way to think about it, having awareness of how your body weight is distributed when preparing for the shot.
How to time the ball (by Bill Tilden): Timing is the transference of the player's weight into his stroke.
The simplicity of it is genius, and it works well on every kind of shot from defensive to neutral, to attacking. Even just the smallest amount of body weight transfer forwards enables better timing, and more efficient transfer of energy from the body to maximise racket speed at contact and therefore power, spin, and control. Get out on court and try it!
I always wondered why parents would often say to me 'When I tell my child to do this or that exercise to help their tennis, they don't listen, but they'll listen to you, so could you tell them?'. I was left thinking 'what is wrong with these mini humans? Surely good advice is good advice, so it shouldn't matter who is giving it?'.
Yes, you might be thinking of simple reasons why this happens, and yes, we all know that to differing extents, teenagers don't listen to their parents, but what is actually going on, and why is this also important for tennis coaches to understand?
Based on the very latest science, the answers are quite fascinating, and I think worth summarising and sharing. Understanding it certainly brings home the importance of my role as 'coach' in their lives, and enables me to be more effective in that role.
The first thing is that the teenage brain is hard-wired through evolution to tune out the voices of their parents, and tune in and be more attentive to 'other' voices. With their peers, it's about forming friendships and gaining independence, and with other adults, it's about developing their understanding of the world through different people's experiences.
Whilst this evolutionary process is going on, there also comes a point (between the ages of 10-16) where the child's developing brain subconsciously knows the child's parents so well as people, that it feels they no longer have anything to offer it in terms of continued brain development.
For these 2 reasons, children will often zone out and tune out when their parents are talking, but seek out and be more interested when non-parental adults are engaging with them.
Of course, I should say at this point, these processes occur during childhood and adolescence, and not beyond. Your teenager should slowly turn back into a normal person as they reach early adulthood, who loves, respects, and fully values you as their parent!
The other important aspect that comes out of the science and research with kids and teenagers, is the tone of voice used by parents and other adults like coaches and teachers.
Children and teenagers simply don't respond well to a controlling tone of voice, a pressuring tone of voice, and certainly not to a disappointed or angry tone of voice. We probably sort of know this, but why is it the case?
Put simply, children and teenagers need constant re-assurance that they are loved, valued, and respected by the most important adults in their lives, their parents. Teenagers may sometimes act like they don't need this, but it is just an act, they are in fact quite needy! The point is, that any negative tone of voice, automatically sends a clear message to the developing brain that this love, value, and respect is under threat or in some way conditional, which can then lead to the unhealthy internal processing of negative emotions and feelings.
The reason for the negative tone of voice doesn't matter, and so although it might seem justified by the parent/coach/teacher, it will never have the positive/beneficial effect on the child/teenager that is desired, and if done repeatedly, could even end up being a cause of mental and emotional stress in later life.
In fact, it's been shown that children don't respond to any parental anger in a logical way. For example, if a parent is showing anger to, let's say, an annoying driver who's holding them up, the witnessing child will internalise that anger as though it were directed at them. I was amazed by this, and it might be worth reading that last sentence again!
As I'm sure is very common knowledge by now, the part of the brain that deals with decision making, logical reasoning, and consequences of actions, is the last part to fully develop, so teenagers often rely on emotions to make decisions rather than logical thought, hence why they don't always make the best decisions, especially when it comes to reacting in the moment.
As coach, my biggest superpower is empathy, and having this understanding fuels it. I often easily understand why certain behaviours and actions have happened, and can then address them calmly and productively, and it's very pleasing to see plenty of significant improvement with certain players who used to struggle with anger and/or poor behaviour and attitude.
If I'm totally honest, I didn't have this understanding or influence even 5 years ago. They don't teach you ANYTHING about this stuff on coaching courses. I used to think that some kids are just more prone to playing up, behaving poorly, and despite trying, I certainly was never able to make any significant impact on those kids. Though I've always believed behaviour/attitude/attention can improve over time, I didn't have any skills or tools to effectively achieve that. The difference is that with my ever improving understanding, I now do.
(Edit April 2024): A final point worth making is that empathy is all well and good, and even without scientific knowledge, most adults (if they try hard enough!), will remember what it was like to be a teenager. Given how technology has moved on at a very fast pace, it's important to accept that adults today DON'T KNOW what it's like growing up as a teenager TODAY. A willingness to listen to them, and to understand them as an individual, but also as a teenager growing up in the 2020's, is probably the best an adult can do to achieve connection that will allow them to help, guide, and support better.
As with everything I express and make public on my website, I always welcome your thoughts, feedback, advice, and constructive criticism. It helps me get better. Do feel free to get in touch!
Carlos Alcaraz lets slip his amazing mindset in Miami during his pre-tournament press conference: This was perfect timing for me as a coach, as we were talking about the tennis god Rod Laver in our Team Hawker Squads the very same week, and gaining an insight into his winning mindset from a post-match interview from 1974 with then coaching legend Vic Braden.
This was part of a term-long project that saw all our squad players delve deeper into non-outcome based reasons for playing competitive tennis. The theme very much on development of life skills, character development, and pure enjoyment!
Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Grand Slam last September in New York at 19 years old, and is widely touted as perhaps being the next established No.1 Men's player. He came from match point down twice last year in Grand Slam matches, including in New York, so this guy not only knows how to win, but also how to find his best tennis when he really needs it.
He continues to impress this year, and this quote was a few days after he had won the Indian Wells event. Here's what he said: "I don't feel the pressure too much, I know the things I have to do. I need to play relaxed and not mind if I lose or if I play well or not... That is why I am playing at a good level. I am enjoying every single second and playing relaxed. That is what I am thinking about on court".
Yes, you read that right, this legend says he has a mindset that involves not minding about the result, and not even minding if he's playing well or not! He's there for the enjoyment, and because this mindset allows him to be so relaxed, his body is then primed to produce his best or near his best. It's obvious really because any pressure to win, tends to lead to stress and anxiety, and extra pressure to perform. Of course, with that tends to come a lower level of performance.
Our players have made great strides with their mental/emotional skills, and we focus on finding ways to enjoy competition and stay relaxed, as we know this will lead to more success on court! Thank you Carlos and Rod, for helping our players to be happier and to play better when on the match court!
The ABSOLUTE BEST quote for anyone who wants to achieve success! (from January 2023): Clearly it's not, but you're here now, so you may as well have a read! Read it slowly and take it in, I think it's gold!
Viktor Frankl (1905-97): “Don’t aim at success—the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s dedication.”
This very much relates to how I coach. For me, it has always been about taking the focus away from the uncontrollable's (like winning), and shifting it subtly towards healthier focuses that are in a person's control, and will paradoxically help them to win more.
I love the use of the word dedication, because by nature it suggests you're investing your effort and energy with such a direct focus that future outcomes are not distracting the mind, and therefore not raising levels of stress and pressure, as they inevitably do. Of course, dedication can only come from within, but regardless of the differing levels of dedication our players have to tennis, it's always a privilege and a joy to support them on their tennis journey!
This sums up everything I'm trying to instil with our Team Hawker squad players, when working on mental/emotional skills for competing.
Earlier this summer Ronnie O'Sullivan won a record-equalling 7th World Snooker Championship, and when asked how heavily that number 7 had weighed on him, he replied:
'Not at all. Don't get me wrong, the records are nice when you get them. I've just never performed well when I'm going for stuff like that (who has?!). I just try to enjoy the game, work hard, compete, and enjoy what I do'.
Every word is gold! Whether someone is trying to achieve GOAT status in their chosen sport, or just trying to win a Matchplay match at Hawker!
I know this is easier said than done, but all the skills we've worked on through the winter give our players the opportunity to take a step closer to developing that relaxed and superior mental state for competing!
Kids can't concentrate as well today as they could 10-15 years ago. I've seen it first hand, and the research backs it up. Some of the examples I could give you of inability to concentrate are just ridiculous!
This book explains clearly why it's happening, and not just to kids. Johann Hari spent years travelling the globe, talking to experts, collecting the latest research, and experimenting.
Social media and smart phones are unsurprisingly part of the problem, but why and how they are so bad for concentration is both surprising and alarming.
They are also only the tip of the iceberg, with numerous other factors contributing to our diminishing ability to focus! If you're interested, then have a read of Stolen Focus!
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