I’ve learned a lot about patience and listening to kids. Trying to make sure you listen to kids, ask them questions, don’t tell them what to do all the time. Find out how they tick and acknowledge them.

If a player says: “I can’t hit a backhand today.”

Instead of saying to them: “Why are you saying that? Don’t do that.”

I like to acknowledge what they just said by saying: “You sound like you’re struggling with your backhand today?” or “Oh, you’re having a hard day.”

Often you find that the players especially the younger ones and even as they get older, they sort of know you might be trying to trick them, but they’ll let their guard down. Then you can say: “hey, I think it might help you if you take the racquet back a little earlier on the backhand.”

So, for parents and coaches I think it’s very important to listen and acknowledge.

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