The Grey Zone

Happy New Year! In our first episode of 2024, we tackle leadership: how we define it, what makes it good or bad, and how we can get better at it. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays! We got together, late as always, to discuss how to plan your training blocks, how your coaching philosophy influences your players, and the benefits of structured coaching vs. unstructured play. Enjoy!00:00 Planning sessions and blocks11:05 Structured vs. unstructured practice20:40 The influence of a coach's ideology29:50 Players who decide they no longer need c

Or just our nerdiest. Open vs. closed skill development, non-linear pedagogy, training decision-making, and whether it's more important to be consistent or to have weapons.0:00 - Non-linear pedagogy & open/closed skill development29:30 - Developing smart players39:45 - Consistency vs. power

Season 2 is here! In which we continue to delve off topic, touching on but rarely answering a variety of questions, such as:How much of an athlete's training should be 4 to a court, 2 to a court or individual?How do you go about welcoming someone new to your program?What are the ethics of communicating with parents and coaches?Enjoy!

The Lost Episode! Season 2 starts soon, but for now, enjoy Season 1 Episode 12:00:00 - U12 swing paths18:45 - Developing timing skills for return of serve22:00 - Should the First 4 really be the First 1?

07:40 - Why does technique evolve? 26:20 - Giving technical feedback in competition 31:10 - Differences between juniors ranked 800 ITF and 50 ITF 38:25 - Players having multiple coaches Thanks to Magnus, Thomas, and Jordan for sending in questions!

Mental toughness! What does it mean? How do we develop it? Does Al drink coffee or tea? Automaticity, problem-solving, beliefs, mindsets, skills, focus, and more. Timestamps:0:00 - Start of episode54:30 - End of episode

Easter Special! Timestamps:2:37: Genetics and responsiveness to trainingThe David Epstein book The Sports GeneHow does this affect the way we coach?23:26: The Steve Smith model of technical developmentIs it bad if all your players look the same?Is there value in your players feeling that everyone is doing the same thing, that we're all in this together?35:35: Coaching through f

What makes a coach one of the best ever?What goes into creating the right environment for players to progress and succeed?Why is the Tennis Director at ATC such a good-looking guy?and more... or less.

0:47 Representative learning design/Constraints-led approach is overhyped16:26 Don't undervalue mini-tennis31:32 Creativity is overrated41:30 Change of rhythm52:40 Questions from the listeners