says
2023 Certified Organ Donor
says
2023 Certified Organ Donor
Well-Known Member
You all read the title... we have discussed this topic throughout several threads on and off.
Sound off on key things to do for adult learners... I am talking about our typical TT player who never started TT until their adult or mid-life years.
First a few things on the coaching situation in USA and a few other countries. Some countries have good organization and support/infrastructure. Most places in USA don't have a proper club, even those places hire a current or former elite amature high dollar cost per hour. Typically, many adults do not progress measurably or at least not nearly as much as they should. Some coaches string players out teaching them just enough to keep them with coach. Some coaches treat the adult training like training kids. Some have no idea how to communicate to adults or clearly articulate fundamentals. Some adults do not listen, some experiment too much with equipment, some don't want to learn and progress, just learn enough to look good at lunchtime TT at work.
This discussion could use some things for an adult learner to look for in a coach.
1) RESULTS - Easily the number one objective measurement. If an adult player is club average 1400-1500 and receives pro style training from a coach, within 2 years, that player should be 1700+ EASILY. Often we see no progress, so looking at players that a coach does lessons with and seeing if they all progress would be an EASY no-shyt Sherlock way to spot ineffective coaches.
2) ABILITY to clearly articulate to make adults understand how and why to do the fundamentals. So many pro-style coaches do not coach - they drill the player, often their attempts at talking are too rigid or not well communicated.
3) FLEXIBILITY in getting player to progress. Not all players play the same way or have the same skills (although their are common skills we should all have) An effective coach is one who does not dictate playing exactly this way. A coach has to work with what he/she has got and cannot try to get there in one step.
4) WORKABLE PLAN - an effective coach for adults should be able to help the player realize and form a plan, several plans with clear steps and goals - plus how/why to get there. A player paying all that money should have a plan and a few paths to get there. There should be many immediate/down the road and way down the road things. Plans for technical shot improvement (say improving a BH opening topspin) and strategic goals (such as finding ways to use shots to setup better FH finish or how to integrate footwork building the point)
5) SPOTTING FLAWS - an effective coach should immediately be able to see ineffective biomechanics, wrong footwork/position, strike zone effectiveness, and tactical decisions) Said coach should frequently be talking to player on how this is impacting the game and level and HOW to improve it.
That was for starters... now about some things the coach should focus on... I will leave some out so there are things for TTDers to chime in on.
1) FUNDAMENTALS (The technical stuff) - Every exercise or drill or shot should be focused on applying the fundamentals to a shot or situation
....1A... POSITION - getting into effective position should be a must in every sequence, it all starts with position. Good position allows leverage and some room for imperfection.
....1A0... Ready Position Crouch - how to start
....1A1... Footwork - HOW to get into that good position, which ones work well in what situation
....1A2... Knee bend prior to opponent's shot - this makes a world of difference in ones ability to move laterally on an instant
....1B... BALANCE and RECOVERY - Obviously there is no good leverage or preparedness for the next shot without this. All shot sequences must emphasize this.
....1C... STRIKE ZONE - Where in the zone to impact the ball to do what. How to wait or speed up timing. How to give MAX impact to the ball.
....1D... POWER TRANSFER - how to efficiently make kinetic energy and give it to the ball
....1D1... Whip - how to use sequence of muscles to make bat speed
....1D2... Grip Pressure - how to control or add rebound of ball
2) How to apply it in a rally (technical, tactical and strategic stuff) - How to adjust under pressure, how to deal with no time or non-optimal position, how to read opponents and their tendencies, measures and counter-measures. How to grow technical/technical things into usable items in a rally, game, match, and growth (Strategic)
Sound off on key things to do for adult learners... I am talking about our typical TT player who never started TT until their adult or mid-life years.
First a few things on the coaching situation in USA and a few other countries. Some countries have good organization and support/infrastructure. Most places in USA don't have a proper club, even those places hire a current or former elite amature high dollar cost per hour. Typically, many adults do not progress measurably or at least not nearly as much as they should. Some coaches string players out teaching them just enough to keep them with coach. Some coaches treat the adult training like training kids. Some have no idea how to communicate to adults or clearly articulate fundamentals. Some adults do not listen, some experiment too much with equipment, some don't want to learn and progress, just learn enough to look good at lunchtime TT at work.
This discussion could use some things for an adult learner to look for in a coach.
1) RESULTS - Easily the number one objective measurement. If an adult player is club average 1400-1500 and receives pro style training from a coach, within 2 years, that player should be 1700+ EASILY. Often we see no progress, so looking at players that a coach does lessons with and seeing if they all progress would be an EASY no-shyt Sherlock way to spot ineffective coaches.
2) ABILITY to clearly articulate to make adults understand how and why to do the fundamentals. So many pro-style coaches do not coach - they drill the player, often their attempts at talking are too rigid or not well communicated.
3) FLEXIBILITY in getting player to progress. Not all players play the same way or have the same skills (although their are common skills we should all have) An effective coach is one who does not dictate playing exactly this way. A coach has to work with what he/she has got and cannot try to get there in one step.
4) WORKABLE PLAN - an effective coach for adults should be able to help the player realize and form a plan, several plans with clear steps and goals - plus how/why to get there. A player paying all that money should have a plan and a few paths to get there. There should be many immediate/down the road and way down the road things. Plans for technical shot improvement (say improving a BH opening topspin) and strategic goals (such as finding ways to use shots to setup better FH finish or how to integrate footwork building the point)
5) SPOTTING FLAWS - an effective coach should immediately be able to see ineffective biomechanics, wrong footwork/position, strike zone effectiveness, and tactical decisions) Said coach should frequently be talking to player on how this is impacting the game and level and HOW to improve it.
That was for starters... now about some things the coach should focus on... I will leave some out so there are things for TTDers to chime in on.
1) FUNDAMENTALS (The technical stuff) - Every exercise or drill or shot should be focused on applying the fundamentals to a shot or situation
....1A... POSITION - getting into effective position should be a must in every sequence, it all starts with position. Good position allows leverage and some room for imperfection.
....1A0... Ready Position Crouch - how to start
....1A1... Footwork - HOW to get into that good position, which ones work well in what situation
....1A2... Knee bend prior to opponent's shot - this makes a world of difference in ones ability to move laterally on an instant
....1B... BALANCE and RECOVERY - Obviously there is no good leverage or preparedness for the next shot without this. All shot sequences must emphasize this.
....1C... STRIKE ZONE - Where in the zone to impact the ball to do what. How to wait or speed up timing. How to give MAX impact to the ball.
....1D... POWER TRANSFER - how to efficiently make kinetic energy and give it to the ball
....1D1... Whip - how to use sequence of muscles to make bat speed
....1D2... Grip Pressure - how to control or add rebound of ball
2) How to apply it in a rally (technical, tactical and strategic stuff) - How to adjust under pressure, how to deal with no time or non-optimal position, how to read opponents and their tendencies, measures and counter-measures. How to grow technical/technical things into usable items in a rally, game, match, and growth (Strategic)