The Science and Art of Teaching

If technical knowledge is the science of teaching, then interpersonal communication is the art of teaching. Interpersonal communication characterizes the interaction that occurs between two or more people. In the world of coaching, acquiring an understanding of sports biomechanics is important, but mastering communication is essential.

Development of Interpersonal Skills Are you helping your athlete develop interpersonal skills? Here is a list of interpersonal communication skills that facilitate success in tennis and life:

  • Responsibility

  • Precision

  • Adaptability

  • Skill

  • Vigilance

  • Ambition

  • Amiability

  • Analytical Ability

  • Articulation

  • Assertiveness

  • Attention

  • Professionalism

  • Competence

  • Care

  • Confidence

  • Conscientiousness

  • Consideration

  • Consistency

  • Cooperation

  • Creativity

  • Critical Thinking

  • Dedication

  • Dependability

  • Detail Orientation

  • Determination

  • Diplomacy

  • Efficiency

  • Empathy

  • Encouragement

  • Energy

  • Initiative

  • Ethics

  • Experience

  • Flexibility

  • Diligence

  • Willingness

  • Honesty

  • Imagination

  • Independence

  • Industriousness

  • Influence

  • Innovation

  • Insight

  • Intuition

  • Leadership

  • Logical Thinking

  • Loyalty

  • Management Ability

  • Motivation

  • Non-verbal Communication

  • Optimism

  • Organization

  • Passion

  • Patience

  • Perceptiveness

  • Positivity

  • Practicality

  • Problem-solving

  • Productivity

  • Professionalism

  • Progressiveness

  • Punctuality

  • Rationality

  • Realism

  • Reflectiveness

  • Reliability

  • Resourcefulness

  • Respect

  • Responsibility

  • Sense of Humor

  • Sincerity

  • Sociability

  • Willingness to Learn

  • Teaching

  • Teamwork

  • Technological Literacy

  • Tolerance

  • Trustworthiness

  • Understanding

  • Verbal Communication

  • Versatility

  • Vision

  • Work Ethic

Undoubtedly, every parent or coach would wish for their athletes to possess these personal skills. Excellence starts with a positive culture both at home and in the club. In our sport, athletes don’t just seek places like “Top Tennis Academy” or “Mike’s Monday Night Clinic”. On a conscious level, parents and athletes seek excellent technical knowledge. On a subconscious level, they pursue meaningful interpersonal relationships.

A Solution-Oriented Culture

The culture I recommend is oriented towards solutions rather than problems. Athletes are much more likely to thrive in a solution-oriented environment. Coaches who provide a solution-based program are teaching lifelong skills.

An Effective Substitution Tip Every so often, replace the old pre-shot stretching routine with a dynamic dance challenge. Turn up the music and watch athletes laugh uproariously while they stretch dynamically. Trust me, even if they arrive tired, stressed, or negative, letting go, they will dance away their worries and you’ll have 25 kids with 25 huge smiles!

A positive mindset is a precursor to a meaningful session. Parents, the above substitution solution works wonderfully at home too as a way to motivate the family to seek optimism.

“An exceptional culture creates the attitude and positive mindset that promote growth strategies, which in turn support excellence in competition.”

The Club Culture It is important to note that, regardless of the student’s innate athletic ability, level of play, or commitment to the game, every student deserves the same sports scientific data, the same attention, and energy as a high performer. Indeed, providing a rich mentoring culture is exactly how average performers blossom into high-performance categories.

In recent years, I’ve conducted an informal study on the culture of tennis facilities during my travels around the world. I’ve come to very predictable conclusions:

Programs with a positive culture were monitored and often revised by the owners. They were optimistic by design and, as a result, achieved positive and thriving environments. They organically attracted top players through their triumphant athletes and satisfied parents. They also attracted dissatisfied customers from programs with a negative culture. Consequently, programs with a positive culture retained athletes up to three times longer than their problem-oriented rivals.

Programs with a problem-oriented sergeant drill culture struggled to maintain coaches, students, and to pay rent. As a result, they had to engage in serious recruitment, sales, and marketing efforts just to keep the doors open.