My children started their tennis lessons more than three years ago when they were around 7 years old. As beginners, I had tried to play a little tennis with them, which is to say basically throwing the ball for them to catch. However, given the time commitments, I decided to send them to group tennis lessons organized by the local tennis body in Singapore. Having been with group lessons for a few years, I had the opportunity to observe what kind of attributes a good trainer would require:

1. Patience

I found that the most critical element a good tennis coach would need is a lot of patience. This is important as most beginners may not know how to hit the tennis ball as not everyone is lucky enough to have good ball sense. Some just aren’t able to coordinate as well. Therefore, the tennis coach must be able to discern between students who are more naturally inclined towards ball games versus those who are not as naturally gifted. Having figured this out, the good coach will know how to impart patience when coaching different types of students. For younger children, patience is especially more important. I have seen coaches show a ‘black’ face after every training session out of frustration at not seeing their younger teammates hit the ball. Such expressions of mild anger should not be displayed.

2.Technical Skills

This always happens. To be a good coach, one has to have a certain level of tennis skills. This can be picked up through the coach’s years of play as a junior player. Also, a good coach would take courses and constantly improve himself. In Singapore, a qualified trainer must have at least a level 1 trainer certification from STA. Therefore, always ask for your trainer’s qualifications. Feel free to do so since you are paying for their services.

3. Coaching experience

There is nothing better than the experience. It cannot be bought or taught at school. Therefore, a good trainer would normally be in the training business for at least 10 years or more. These are what you would call ‘experienced’ trainers. They would be coaching the schools tennis teams, some also coaching the elite junior squads or various STA boys group lessons. Again, ask your coach for their coaching experience.

4. Communication skills

This is very important as a coach with good communication skills can effectively and efficiently convey his technical knowledge to his pupils. This will allow students to improve much faster. Therefore, always talk to your coach to see if you can understand or understand what he wants you to do.

5 sharp eye

A good tennis coach must also have a keen eye to be able to detect problems in his students’ strokes and therefore be able to correct or adjust such small changes in strokes. A good eye, in my opinion, is like a sixth sense. Good trainers could somehow see things that others might not see. They can also communicate recommended changes to students easily and simply.

6. Positive, firm and encouraging

I find that a good manager also has to be consistently positive and firm with his charges. This will ensure that students pay attention to your teaching and improve as a result. Being firm can be a ‘pain’ at times and some parents or even adults may not be able to handle the ‘toughness’ of training. However, the coach also needs to be encouraging all the time. There is nothing better than a positive word. It is the antidote for our soul.

Well, I sincerely hope that you can use the above as a checklist when you are canvassing or reviewing your future tennis coach. Happy gaming!