My Tennis Coaching Podcast
The My Tennis Coaching Podcast is a practical, evidence-informed podcast for tennis coaches who want their players to perform in matches, not just look good in training. Hosted by Steve Whelan, coach educator and researcher, it explores modern skill acquisition, ecological dynamics, and intelligent practice design. Episodes bridge research and real-world coaching, unpacking why traditional drills often fail to transfer and what to design instead. The podcast is for coaches who want to design practices that show up on match day, move beyond technique-first coaching, and understand learning.
Episodes
Are Tennis Parents the Problem or Just Misunderstood?
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆Tennis parents are frequently blamed for applying too much pressure, becoming obsessed with results or interfering in their child’s development.But what if much of that behaviour is being shaped by the ju
Can You Mix Traditional Coaching with Ecological Dynamics?
Can traditional tennis coaching methods be combined with ecological dynamics and the Constraints-Led Approach?Coaches often say they take the best ideas from every approach. They use whatever works, selecting different tools from their coaching toolbox depending on the player and situation.That sounds sensible.....but what does “works” actually mean?In this episode, Steve Whelan explores the diffe
You Don’t Have to Change Your Tennis Coaching Overnight
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆Changing from traditional tennis coaching towards ecological dynamics and a Constraints-Led Approach can feel overwhelming.Coaches are often exposed to new theories, unfamiliar terminology and strong opin
Do Tennis Players Really Need the Fundamentals First?
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆“You need to teach the fundamentals first.”It is one of the most repeated claims in tennis coaching. Players supposedly need to master the correct grip, unit turn, split step and stroke mechanics before t
Game-Based Coaching Is NOT Ecological Dynamics | Wayne Elderton
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆What does it really take to change how you coach after years of experience?In this episode, Wayne Elderton joins Steve Whelan for an honest discussion about his journey from information-processing approac
How Ecological Coaches Actually Change Tennis Technique
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆Ecological dynamics is often accused of ignoring tennis technique and biomechanics. But ecological coaches do not abandon movement they investigate why particular movement solutions emerge.Inspired by a r
How I Coach a Complete Tennis Beginner Without Teaching Strokes First
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆Can ecological dynamics really be used with complete tennis beginners?Steve Whelan walks through the first twoweeks he would design for an adult who has never played tennis explaining how he scales the co
Five Things Tennis Coaches Confuse With Evidence
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆Tennis coaches regularly defend their methods through experience, successful players, longevity, tradition and popularity. But what do these arguments actually demonstrate?Steve Whelan examines five thing
Why Coaches Defend Drills That Don't Transfer
🎾 Players look great in practice but struggle in matches? Download the free Practice-to-Match Scorecard and access the mini-course here https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-practice-to-matchplay/ 🏆For one week, Steve Whelan has assessed viral tennis drills for their potential to transfer into match play. The reaction has revealed a deeper tension: what should count as evidence that a practice devel
The Pseudoscience Problem Taking Over Tennis Coaching
Tennis social media is increasingly filled with coaching methods described as “research-backed,” “neuroscience-based” or scientifically proven. But what evidence actually supports these claims?Steve Whelan examines how elite-player videos, isolated studies, scientific terminology and personal testimonials can create an illusion of evidence—and why ecological coaching must be held to the same criti
Why Your Players Keep Looking at You During Matches
Why do tennis players constantly look towards their coach or parent during matches?Steve Whelan explores how excessive instruction and immediate feedback can unintentionally create coach-dependent players. This episode examines the difference between providing answers and helping players become better at perceiving, solving and evaluating problems independently.
Why Players Look Great in Practice but Struggle in Matches
Why do tennis players look technically strong in practice but struggle when they compete? Steve Whelan explores the difference between immediate performance and genuine learning—and asks whether conventional tennis practice creates an illusion of progress.In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, Steve discusses practice transfer, representative learning environments, perception-action co
The Confidence Myth Behind Basket Feeding
"We use basket drills to build confidence."It's one of the most common reasons coaches give for feeding balls.Whether it's introducing beginners to tennis or helping elite players "find their rhythm," basket feeding is often defended as a way to increase confidence.But what kind of confidence are we actually developing?In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast,
Why Technique Doesn't Create Skill (And Never Has)
Can perfect technique create skilled tennis players?For decades, tennis coaching has been built on the assumption that if players can repeat the "correct" technique often enough, skill will eventually emerge.But what if we've got it backwards?In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I explore one of the biggest misconceptions in sport: the belief that technique and skill ar
Has the Constraints-Led Approach Created Bad Coaches?
Has the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) gone too far?A recent LinkedIn post argued that too many coaches are hiding behind constraints-led coaching, becoming "robotic organisers" who simply set up games, ask players to "find a way," and stop coaching altogether.It's a criticism I've heard many times.And interestingly...I actually agree with parts of it.In this episode, I
Did the LTA Accidentally Damage British Tennis Clubs?
Did the LTA accidentally damage the very club culture it was trying to improve?In this episode, I explore one of the most fascinating papers ever written about British tennis:"Managing Change in British Tennis 1990–2006: Unintended Outcomes of LTA Talent Development Policies" by Robert Lake.Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the LTA invested heavily in talent development, club moderni
Can You Teach Deception in Tennis? The Science Behind Tennis' Hidden Skill
Can deception actually be taught? Or is it simply something that elite players develop naturally over time?In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I sit down with ITF coach and researcher **William O'Connell** to explore one of tennis' most fascinating and misunderstood skills: **deception**.Drawing on William's recent research paper, we discuss how deception acts as a count
The Dangerous Coaching Lesson From Rafa's Netflix Documentary
"Suffering builds champions."It's one of the most common messages in sport.And one of the most dangerous.After watching Episode 2 of the Rafa Netflix documentary, I found myself questioning the story being told about Rafael Nadal's development.The documentary presents a powerful narrative.No water during practice.Playing through injury.Fear of making mistakes.Constant pressure.Th
Should We Copy The Italians? The Truth About Tennis Player Development
Everyone is talking about Italy.Jannik Sinner. Lorenzo Musetti. Jasmine Paolini.The common response?"Let's copy the Italians."But what exactly are we trying to copy?In this episode, I explore one of the biggest mistakes in coach education and player development: assuming that because successful players came through a system, the coaching must have caused the success.That's correl
Why Tennis Players Are Obsessed With Ratings Instead of Learning
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I explore why the current competition structure in UK tennis may be unintentionally limiting player development, creativity, adaptability, and long-term participation in the sport.Modern junior tennis is increasingly dominated by:• ratings• rankings• grades• selection pressure• outcome-based environmentsBut does this actually align with how skill
Why Kids Don’t Need More Tennis Drills
Why are so many tennis players struggling to transfer practice into real match performance?In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I sit down with Jeff Webb to explore the growing tension between traditional coaching methods and ecological approaches to skill development.We discuss:• Why demonstrations and technical models often fail players• The problem with isolated drills and biomech
Why Beginner Tennis Coaching Is Broken (And What to Do Instead)
Do beginner tennis players really need to learn technique first?Most coaching sessions for beginners look the same:Throwing drills, catching exercises, isolated technique work…But very little actual tennis.So when beginners finally play points, everything breaks down.In this episode, I challenge the idea of “fundamentals” and explore a different approach to beginner coaching — one that focuses on
Is Tennis Really Dead???
Is tennis dying?In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I explore a question many people in the sport are starting to ask: Is tennis slowly losing relevance?With the rapid growth of padel and pickleball, tennis is facing real competition for players, court space, and cultural attention. But the real issue may not be the new sports themselves.The deeper problem lies inside tennis.In this
What makes a Tennis Practice Real?
In this episode, I unpack a brilliant question from a top coach:“What are the non-negotiables for representativeness in tennis—and can you trade some for others?”We explore:Why throw tennis isn’t representative (and what it teaches us)The 6 core elements of representative learning design in tennisThe difference between looking like the game vs. functioning like the gameWhat coaches might be gettin
Why ‘Play With Better Players’ Isn’t Always Good Advice
You’ve heard it a hundred times: “Play with better players, and you’ll improve.”But what if that advice is only half true?In this live session, I’ll break down:Why constantly “playing up” can stall learning, not accelerate itWhat ecological dynamics says about challenge, attunement, and informationHow to design matchplay that’s representative and actually helps players growWhat parents and coaches
Why Kids Must Hit (Not Catch) to Learn the Game
Are we preparing kids for tennis, or for a game they’ll never actually play?Most red stage programs still rely on throwing and catching, but research shows these skills don’t transfer to striking sports like tennis. In this Live, we’ll break down the science, explain why hitting matters, and show you the 5 principles that must guide early-years tennis.What you’ll learn:Why throwing & catching
"But What About the Basics?" Tackling the Real Questions Around Skill Learning
This week I’m answering the most common pushbacks I hear about how learning really works.From “What about fundamentals?” to “But isn’t that how I was taught?” — I’ll unpack what’s really behind these questions, and how we can reframe our approach to coaching, development, and skill acquisition using ecological dynamics.Whether you’re coaching beginners or top players, this live will challenge how
Why Most Tennis Practices Fail
What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-t... Read the paper discussed in this stream 👉 https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...Most tennis practices look good on the outside—clean reps, tidy footwork, technical instructions.But here’s the truth: they don’t prepare players for real matches.In this live session, I’m opening the flo
Why Tennis Has the Worst Pathways in Sports
This approach didn’t just change my sessions...it changed my career 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-coach-newsletter/ What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ The GB player pathway promises to find and develop the nation’s most talented juniors. But from what I’ve seen—and what many coa
The Sinner Effect: Why You Should Avoid Imitating Jannik
This approach didn’t just change my sessions...it changed my career 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-coach-newsletter/ What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ Jannik Sinner’s is elite—but should your players copy him? In this live session, we’ll break down why mimicking pros often leads
Why ‘Fixing’ Technique Might Be Holding Your Players Back
This approach didn’t just change my sessions...it changed my career 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-coach-newsletter/ What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ “His technique is all wrong.”Ever heard that from a parent, player, or coach? I used to say it too—until I started asking deeper
I Was Called a Con Man by a Coach - And What Happened Next
What if you didn't have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ What happens when you’re publicly challenged by a fellow coach on social media?In this episode, I share the full story of being called out—and called a con man—for promoting an ecological approach to tennis coaching.I’m not afraid of being challenged.
The Shocking Truth About Learning In Tennis
What if you didn't have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ Ever wondered what's really going on behind the scenes of tennis coaching? From hidden secrets to untold stories, get ready to uncover the truth about the tennis coaching world. Whether you're a tennis enthusiast, coach, or player, this vid
Can Ecological Coaching Work at Grassroots Level?
Is it really possible to coach beginners using Ecological Dynamics and the Constraints-Led Approach?This week, I’m joined by fellow coach and My Tennis Coach Academy member John Cvitamovic, who’s been doing exactly that at the grassroots level.In this live conversation, we’ll explore:How John started applying ecological principles with beginnersWhat changed in his coaching (and how players respond
Are Private Tennis Lessons a Waste of Time?
What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ Private lessons are sacred in tennis coaching… but should they be?They’re seen as the gold standard: the fast track to fixing flaws, mastering technique, and accelerating progress. But what if private sessions—especially for kids and developing players
Why I Quit Coaching Everyone (And Why You Should Too)
What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://my-tennis-coaching-limited.kit.com/youtubelinksYou Can't Coach Everyone - And You Shouldn't Try To.Early in my coaching career, I worked with every age, every stage, and every type of player. I was on court non-stop, chasing results… and burning out fast.Everything changed when I made one decision: I specialized.In th
I Gave Up Tennis Drills… And THIS Happened
What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://my-tennis-coaching-limited.ki...Traditional basket feeding has been a staple in tennis coaching for decades-but what if it's holding your players back? In this live session, I'll share what happened when I stopped basket feeding completely and shifted to a more modern, player-centred approach.We'll break d
Ultimate Guide to Preparing Your Players for Victory!
From Drills To Skills Course: https://my-tennis-coaching-limited.ki..."Tournament preparation is one of the biggest challenges for tennis coaches. In this live podcast, I break down how to get your players ready for competition using game-based learning, Ecological Dynamics, and the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA). Too many players train hard but struggle under pressure-why? Because traditiona
Mastering Tennis: Building Mental Resilience in Your Daily Training
Struggling to help your players overcome fear of failure, negative self-talk, and over-focusing on match outcomes? Join me for this LIVE Q&A session where I break down practical, science-backed strategies to develop mental resilience in tennis players-right inside your daily training sessions!✅ What You'll Learn:✔️ How to help players overcome fear of failure and take more risks on the cou
When to Move Players from Red to Orange Ball: A Coach’s Guide 🎾
"One of the biggest challenges for junior development coaches is knowing the right time to transition a player from red to orange ball. Move them too soon, and they struggle. Keep them on red too long, and they get bored."In this live session, we’ll break down:✅ The key physical, technical, and tactical signs a player is ready for orange ball✅ Why progression isn’t just about age—it’s ab
Become A NATIONAL Level Tennis Player Under 10
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I dive deep into the latest LTA Player Pathway Guide-and I've got some serious concerns. Having worked with players on this pathway, I'm amazed by some of the guidance being given. Does it really help develop adaptable, match-ready players, or is it just another outdated framework?"I'll discuss:🎾 What the LTA Player Pathway gets r
Birthday AMA 🎉: One Year of My Tennis Coach Academy + Your Questions Answered!
Join me for this exclusive YouTube Live as I celebrate a year of My Tennis Coach Academy! Over the past 12 months, I’ve learned a lot—about coaching, building a community, and the challenges of modern coaching. In this AMA (Ask Me Anything), I’ll be sharing those insights and answering your biggest coaching questions live!"Topics include:🎾 When should you move players to a new level?🤔 Is ther
Breaking the Mold: My Journey as a Constraint-Led Approach Coach
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I share what it’s really like being a Constraint-Led Approach (CLA) coach in a world dominated by traditional methods.
I cover:
How players, parents, and fellow coaches reacted to my coaching style.
The skepticism, pushback, and moments of doubt I faced.
How I overcame challenges and built confidence in my approach.
Why I believe CLA is the
"The Truth About Tennis Footwork Drills: Are Coaches Doing It Wrong?"
"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I tackle the truth about tennis footwork drills and why traditional methods, like running around cones, are a complete waste of time."
Key topics include:
Why movement needs to be based on representative environments with real match-like information.
The flaws of cone-based drills and why they don’t transfer to actual match play.
T
The Major Flaw in Tennis Coaching: Are Coaches Truly Teaching?
"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I tackle a critical issue in tennis coaching: Are we, as coaches, truly teaching, or are we just running through drills? Broadcasting from my car, this candid rant dives into my recent experiences working with coaches at various levels."
Key topics include:
Why coaching should be investigative, like detective work.
The overemphasis o
Beyond More Coaching: Effective Strategies for Tennis Player Improvement
In this episode of My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan addresses a common concern among tennis coaches: players stagnating in their development despite significant training hours.
Steve discusses the flaws in simply increasing coaching sessions, emphasizing the need for quality over quantity. He highlights the importance of match play and the potential issues with current coaching meth
The Power of Play: Reflections on the Grand Slam Coaches Conference
"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I reflect on Week 1 of the Grand Slam Coaches Conference by Tennis Australia. The theme this year, 'The Power of Play,' resonated with me, but it also raised some questions. While I strongly agree that play and game-based learning are essential, I noticed some mixed messages in the presentations."
I discuss:
Why play is important but must remai
Reflecting on 2024: Triumphs, Struggles, and Goals for 2025 in Tennis Coaching
In the final episode of the My Tennis Coaching podcast for 2024, the host reviews a year filled with both success and challenges in the world of tennis coaching.
Key topics include the importance of goal setting, the experience of speaking at national coaching conferences, the relaunch of a content-rich membership website, and strategic shifts in social media presence.
The episode also touches o
Reflecting on the BTCA National Coaches Conference
Reflecting on the British Tennis Coach Association National Coaches Conference
In this podcast episode, host Steve Whelan reflects on his experience presenting at the British Tennis Coach Association (BTCA) National Coaches Conference in Northampton. He discusses the challenges and highlights of delivering a tennis lesson in front of international coaches and peers, focusing on the serve using hi
Live Tennis Coaching Q&A: Techniques, Collaboration, and Coaching Challenges
Live Tennis Coaching Q&A: Techniques, Collaboration, and Coaching Challenges
In this live tennis coaching session, the host experiments with YouTube's live streaming to answer questions from the tennis community. The session covers a variety of topics, including how to collaborate with coaches, the importance of education for players and parents, and the challenges of coordinating with club c
Debunking Shadow Swings: Why They Don’t Work in Tennis Coaching
"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I tackle the widely held belief that shadow swings improve muscle memory and skill acquisition. Using the principles of ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching, I explain why real-time context—such as ball flight and opponent positioning—is critical for effective skill development in tennis."
I also compare shadow swings to activities lik
The Impact of Survivorship Bias in Tennis Coaching
The Impact of Survivorship Bias in Tennis Coaching: Why Copying Success Isn’t Enough
"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan explores the concept of survivorship bias in tennis coaching. Many coaches look to the methods used by top players as universal blueprints, yet this approach often overlooks the countless players who don’t make it to the top. Steve explains why
Why I Chose Not to Pursue the Level 5 Performance Coach Award
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan dives into his personal decision to forgo applying for the Level 5 Performance Coach Award.
Steve shares the reasons behind this choice, discussing his coaching journey, commitment to professional development, and why he prioritizes a player-centered approach over traditional qualifications.
Despite his extensive experience,
Managing Anxiety, Cheating, and Parental Pressure in Junior Tennis
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, Steve Whelan dives deep into the psychological and emotional challenges facing junior tennis players.
From understanding why young athletes may resort to cheating to handling the impact of anxiety, external pressures, and self-umpiring, this episode offers insights for parents, coaches, and players.
Through real-life scenarios, Steve shares acti
Enhancing Coach-Parent Relationships in Tennis
Enhancing Coach-Parent Relationships in Tennis: Communication, Engagement, and Growth
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan tackles the challenges of dealing with tennis parents by emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships. Drawing from his experiences in forums held in Cambridge and Middlesex, Steve provides practical strategies to boost communica
Embracing Ecological Dynamics: Transforming Tennis Coaching
From Drills To Skills Course: https://mytenniscoaching.com/certifications/
In this My Tennis Coaching Podcast episode, host Steve Whelan discusses the challenges and reluctance he faced four years ago when shifting from traditional tennis coaching methods to those grounded in ecological dynamics and constraint-led approaches.
Steve recounts his journey from a methodology focused on basket feedin
How I Made My Tennis Lessons Fun
Enhancing Tennis Coaching Through Ecological Dynamics and Player Empowerment
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, hosted by Steve Whelan, the focus is on how incorporating ecological dynamics and a constraint-led approach can transform tennis coaching. Steve highlights five reasons his lessons now bring more enjoyment to his players: playing the game of tennis itself, empowering pla
Reevaluating the Fundamentals: The Catching Versus Hitting Debate in Tennis Coaching
In this episode of the 'My Tennis Coaching' podcast, Steve challenges the traditional approach of teaching tennis beginners to catch the ball before hitting it.
The discussion, inspired by a recent conversation with fellow coaches, explores the misconception that catching is an easier skill and a necessary precursor to hitting.
The episode argues that catching and hitting are distinct skills r
Why Focus on Present Over Long-Term Development
Rethinking Tennis Coaching: Why Focus on Present Over Long-Term Development
In this episode, we explore the limitations of traditional long-term player development models in tennis coaching.
Steve critiques the idea that following pre-set developmental frameworks for different age groups leads to successful players, arguing instead for a focus on the present needs and wants of individual players
The Myth of Basket Drills in Tennis Coaching
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan delves into the efficacy of basket drills and isolated practices for developing player confidence.
Steve challenges traditional coaching methods, arguing that while such drills may provide temporary success, they fail to prepare players for the unpredictable nature of real match situations. He advocates for ecological dynamics
The Future of Tennis Coaching With Matt Wigham
Join us for an engaging conversation with Matt Wigham from Peak Perform (https://www.peakperform.com.au) in Australia as we explore ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching in tennis.
This episode delves into the creation of a representative environment, the concept of repetition without repetition, and the critical role of player-centered coaching.
Discover how non-linear coaching dyna
What Truly Makes A Great Tennis Player
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan delves into the nuances of ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching practices. He challenges traditional techniques-focused methods by emphasizing the importance of perception-action coupling, adaptability, and real-time decision-making.
Through a comprehensive exploration, Steve explains how great tennis players excel n
Mastering School Tennis Coaching
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Wellen is joined by legendary school coach Sam Tyler to explore ecological dynamics and innovative, constraint-led coaching practices in tennis.
They discuss the challenges of managing large groups of children, integrating sports with academics, and creating player-centered environments that foster positive sporting experiences. Pract
Navigating Parent-Coach Dynamics in Tennis Coaching
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan explores the complex relationships and dynamics between parents, coaches, and young tennis players. Steve emphasizes the importance of understanding ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching practices, while also discussing the dangers and harm caused by parental comparisons of their children with other players.
Steve shar
Mastering Tennis Warmups and Match Preparation Techniques
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan delves into the importance of practicing essential match scenarios, such as proper warmups, handling toilet breaks, and dealing with line disputes.
He emphasizes the significance of creating realistic training environments to better prepare players for actual matches. Steve also discusses the mental preparation needed during wa
Building Tennis Stars: Ecological Dynamics and the Under-8 Experience
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan welcomes Greg from Mini Tennis Insight to discuss the intricacies of coaching under-eight tennis players.
They explore innovative coaching methods, such as the ecological dynamics approach and player-centered tactics, to make tennis engaging and effective for young players.
The discussion emphasizes building a community feel
Overcoming Fear: A Tennis Coaching Transformation
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching podcast, host Steve Whelan shares an inspiring account of a player who initially feared private lessons but had a transformative experience.
The player, an amateur with 12 months of experience, learned the importance of personalized coaching, focusing on their strengths and preferences rather than fitting into a rigid technique.
Through situational pra
The Impact of Inexperienced Coaches on Tennis Programs
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan examines the deployment of inexperienced tennis coaches, a topic raised in a Facebook group for tennis instructors.
Steve discusses the implications for player experience, arguing that deploying underqualified coaches, often for commercial gain or convenience, can harm the sport. He emphasizes the importance of mentoring and pro
Contextualizing Professional Tennis Training Practices
In this episode of the 'My Tennis Coaching podcast, host Steve Whelan addresses the nuances and misconceptions surrounding the training methods of professional tennis players, using insights from recent observations at Wimbledon.
Steve emphasizes the importance of context in training practices and critiques the blind imitation of professional routines by amateur coaches. He argues that the train
Why Traditional Red Stage Coaching Methods Fall Short
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan discusses the pitfalls of traditional coaching methods for red stage players based on his presentation at the recent PTR UK Coach's Conference. He highlights four common mistakes: focusing on isolated stroke development, overpopulating courts, assigning inexperienced coaches to red stages, and having unrealistic expectations. Ste
Reevaluating Tennis Coach Assessments
In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan delves into the topic of tennis coach assessments.
Drawing from his 10+ years of experience in coach education and his own journey of obtaining coaching qualifications, Steve discusses the challenges faced by national governing bodies in standardizing assessments for a diverse coaching workforce.
He shares his personal experi
How to design Tennis practices
Designing Representative Tennis Practices: Key Strategies and Tools
In this episode, Steve Whelan, also known as 'My Tennis Coach,' explains how he designs tennis practices that mimic real match scenarios. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear intention based on player feedback, previous experiences, and match observations. Steve introduces a practice game called 'Kryptonite' designed to
Navigating Player Departures and the Challenges of Traditional Coaching
In this episode, host Steve Whelan shares a personal and challenging experience with a player who decided to leave for another coach.
Steve discusses the dynamic between ecological dynamics and traditional coaching models, specifically focusing on a case where feedback on a player's serve and backhand from a national governing body led to the player's departure. Steve examines the pitfalls of a o
Breaking the Cycle: Why Traditional Tennis Coaching is Holding Us Back
In this podcast, Steve Wheelin, founder of mytenniscoaching.com, discusses the role of mentors in tennis coaching and emphasizes why he believes the current mentor system in the UK is broken.
He explores how traditional tennis coaching methods, which focus heavily on technique and isolated drills, continue to dominate despite their limitations in real-game scenarios. Steve argues for a shift towar
The True Art of Tennis Coaching: Beyond Just Playing Games
In this episode of the Tennis Coaching video Podcast, host Steve Whelan addresses criticisms regarding his coaching approach. From inside his car, Steve discusses his philosophy of minimal intervention and prioritizes player-led problem-solving over traditional technical coaching. He argues that authentic coaching is about connecting with players and adapting to their needs, rather than following
Why Pickleball and Padel Aren't the Problem
🎾 Join Steve Whelan in this live stream as he discusses the perceived threat of pickleball and padel to traditional tennis and why tennis coaches and clubs need to shift their perspective. Rather than viewing pickleball and padel as adversaries, Steve offers his opinion on why it's crucial for tennis coaches and clubs to adapt their delivery and marketing strategies to remain relevant in a changin
Navigating Coaching Confusion: Which Coach is Right?
🎾 Join me in this exclusive live stream as I tackle the challenging question posed by one of my players: "Which coach is right?" Discover how I handled being challenged by my player, who was confused by my non-linear approach compared to their other coach, a technical genius. Did I take the easy road and insist on blind obedience, or did I take the time to explain my coaching philosophy and why I
Coaching Adult Beginners Without Teaching Technique
Join Steve Whelan as he shares his recent experience coaching a group of complete adult beginners without teaching them any technique! In two lessons, Steve refrained from giving a single technical teaching point and discusses why. Tune in to learn why Steve believes that adults don't necessarily need basic techniques and how coach interventions can sometimes do more harm than good. Plus, don&
The Norwegian Model: Why Fun Matters in Youth Sports
Join me in this live stream as we delve into Norway's innovative approach to youth sports and why prioritizing fun is key to producing not only better athletes but better individuals. Discover how Norway's emphasis on enjoyment over ego or financial gain is shaping the future of sports development. From fostering a love for the game to instilling valuable life skills, we'll explore why
Elevating Your Tennis Coaching Business: Adding Extra Value to Lessons
Join me in this episode as we dive into strategies for adding extra value to your tennis lessons and elevating your coaching business to new heights. Discover how to present yourself more professionally and create a memorable experience for your players from the very first interaction. From pre-lesson preparations to delivering exceptional experiences during the lesson and beyond, we'll cover
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紐約鳥｜New York Aperture
The Swerve Podcast: Obscure Topics | Conspiracy Theories
The Bread and Banter Podcast
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Busted Open
Deadline: White House
Crickets Corner
History of the Earthquake and Fire in San Francisco
Fox news
