How to find the right tennis coach for a beginner

It is extremely important to find the right coach for your ward at the beginner stage itself. That is because the beginner stage is the foundation, and mistakes learnt there take a very long time to unlearn. To find the right choice, check whether the coach ticks the following boxes.

Qualified coach: Look for a coach who either has the requisite qualifications, or has 10 years or more of experience. The coach should know his tennis, and at the same time know how to impart that knowledge. One small mistake can be damaging in the long run. For eg, a wrong grip taught at an early stage might ruin the child's hand. The coach should know to play tennis at the basic level, and be able to stretch a rally to at least 10 volleys.

Honest coach: Even some 'markers' have become coaches and convinced parents to enroll their kids for 'private' or one-on-one lessons. This not only costs a lot of money, it is unnecessary at the beginning stage. International guidelines stipulate not more than four kids to a coach. The child must have fun while learning. Parents watching from the sidelines ensures that the coach works better.


Right equipment: The equipment for the child can be bought online, after consulting the coach. Check the brand before buying; there are many options

Suitable academy: Ideally, the academy could be within 3 km of your residence. This cuts down on commute time. Please observe the academy for at least 5-6 sessions before enrolling your ward. Consult other parents for a better picture. Check whether:
---Is the coach on time?
---Are the balls, cones etc. ready on court?
---How long is the actual lesson?
---What is the student/coach ratio?
---Is the coach suitably dressed and able to answer your questions?

This piece covers coaching for beginners. I shall soon follow this up with intermediate and advanced level tennis.

(Shekhar Menon has been teaching tennis for the last 30 plus years, mainly in the NCR. He is qualified by the AITA/ITF and the PTR to teach worldwide. Many Davis Cup and Fed Cup players have been coached by him.)