When I’m working with kids — even if I’m teaching the same core tennis skills — my approach, pacing, and communication shift a lot from how I’d coach adults.
The key is to keep it simple, keep it moving, and keep it fun while still reinforcing proper technique.
Here’s how I adapt:
1. Adjust the Environment
• Court Size: Use smaller courts (red, orange, or green ball court dimensions) so kids rally sooner and feel successful faster.
• Equipment:
• Lighter racquets suited to their height and strength.
• Low-compression balls (red, orange, green) to slow the game and lower bounce height.
• Targets & Visual Aids: Cones, flat markers, hula hoops for aiming — kids respond better to visual goals than verbal ones.
2. Simplify Communication
• Short Instructions: 1–2 key points max per drill (e.g., “Turn your shoulders” or “Hit in front”).
• Demonstrate More, Talk Less: Kids copy movement better than they process long explanations.
• Positive Framing: Replace “Don’t drop your racquet head” with “Keep your racquet up high like a superhero sword.”
3. Build Engagement & Fun
• Game-Like Drills: Wrap technique into challenges — e.g., “Hit the cone” or “Can we get 5 in a row?”
• Mini-Competitions: Races, accuracy games, and team challenges keep energy high.
• Role Play: Give creative themes (“Pretend you’re a ninja when you split step” or “Hit the ball over the mountain”).
4. Keep Lessons Dynamic
• Short Segments: Rotate activities every 5–8 minutes to match their attention span.
• Movement First: Avoid long lines — have multiple stations or feed quickly so kids are always active.
• Progressive Challenges: Start easy, then add small challenges (smaller target, faster ball).
5. Focus on Development Beyond Technique
• Coordination & Agility: Include off-court activities like ladder drills, catching games, and reaction ball bounces.
• Sportsmanship & Confidence: Praise effort, not just results — encourage high-fives, “good shot” habits.
• Self-Discovery: Ask guiding questions — “What happens when you hit earlier?” — so they learn to problem-solve.
6. Manage Energy & Behavior
• Set Clear Expectations: Start each lesson with 2–3 simple rules (e.g., “Listen, try your best, have fun”).
• Reward Good Habits: Stickers, stamps, or “Player of the Day” keep kids motivated.
• Read the Room: If attention drops, switch to a quick game before returning to technique.
When coaching teenagers, my approach is a blend between the fun, high-energy style I’d use with kids and the technical, structured approach I’d use with adults — but with an extra focus on ownership, challenge, and relevance.
They’re at an age where:
• They want to be taken seriously.
• They respond better when they understand why they’re doing something.
• They thrive on competition and measurable progress.
Here’s how I adapt:
1. Build Connection & Respect
• Treat them like athletes, not kids — involve them in planning (“What do you want to work on today?”).
• Share personal or pro-level stories that make lessons relatable.
• Show I value their input — ask for their self-assessment after drills.
2. Balance Fun with Challenge
• Set Clear Goals: Teens love hitting targets — “Let’s get 7/10 serves into the deep box” or “Win 3 rallies in a row.”
• Add Competitive Elements:
• Point-based games against coach or peers.
• Leaderboards for consistency or serve accuracy.
• Introduce Match Play Early: Even in small sets or tiebreakers to keep motivation high.
3. Make the “Why” Clear
• Explain the purpose of drills — “This footwork pattern helps you recover faster so you can hit your next shot earlier.”
• Show the match application — link skills directly to how they’ll win points.
• Use pro match video clips as examples.
4. Keep Lessons Physically Demanding
• Teens can handle more intensity — I use rally-based conditioning drills (e.g., point play with 3 burpees for the loser).
• I mix in agility, sprints, and reaction work that mimic match fatigue.
• Gradually increase rally lengths and speed to push endurance.
5. Foster Independence & Responsibility
• Encourage them to self-feed for certain drills so they take ownership.
• Ask them to analyze their own strengths/weaknesses during a rally.
• Have them track progress in a notebook or phone app (serve speed, rally count, match wins).
6. Support the Mental Game
• Teach basic between-point routines — deep breath, reset, visualize.
• Talk about handling nerves, especially before tournaments or tryouts.
• Reinforce resilience — treat mistakes as part of the learning process, not failures.
