THE NUMBERS
In a past life I was the world’s worst trainee accountant. I apologize now if I ever did your books when I spent three tortuous years looking at only figures. Luckily, Looking at number alone was a big challenge for me, my creative brain didn’t naturally gravitate to numbers, but like most things if you can
WHY TENNIS IS THE HEALTHY INTELLIGENT CHOICE FOR YOUR CHILD!
Of course we are biased. We love tennis, but every once in a while it is worth reminding ourselves that those that don’t yet play may not see tennis as we do. As we move into a new era of sports it is worth reminding ourselves why tennis is the among the healthiest ways to get
Eric Made Me!
She was seven and fast! I mean so fast your hair flew up when she ran by and I am sure I heard a whooshing noise. Her legs were a whirl like a roadrunner cartoon and no one got anywhere close to her! So I wasn't surprised when on sports day they made her race with
JOHN’S WISH!
John arrived to be greeted by the smiling face of his coach, in fact everyone was excited to see him. He was given a cool lanyard with his official player pass and put it around his neck with pride. Next he reached into a box and pulled out a colored wrist band. Blue! John was on
ARE YOU STOPPING YOU?
I watched a presentation today with a video clip of a "great example drill". Although there was fun and action in the drill and it was organised there was zero teaching and no opportunity to either! As long as I can remember I have been taught not to have lines and if the pro hits more
WINNER OF THE BEST TROPHY!
Has anyone arrived at the club and given you a present you were not expecting? The proverbial apple for the teacher! How did it feel to think that just for doing your job and doing it well someone gave you something special? It may have been small but it was valuable. You didn't enter a competition,
PARENT PRESSURE!!
There are six times when a kid and others look to a parent as if to say "You should have the answer here and know what to do!" We parents don't always know what to do and most of the time are just trying to do our best! These are the times we would appreciate your
WHAT’S IN A SMILE?
The buzz on my phone was to remind me that it was time to leave for my Covid vacination (a day that brings relief to almost everyone) .. So out of the gate and off for a walk like Hairy McCleary from Donaldsons Dairy (if that is lost on you then you missed out reading Julia
THE WORST QUESTION TO ASK A KID!
We post a lot here about developing programs but also spend much of our time invested in being better coaches. So prompted by a comment from Adam Kohlbeck last week I thought it would be nice to revisit this! I ask this question a lot on workshops! What is the worst question in the world to ask a
OOPS A DAISY!
He stumbled, tried to recover and with arms outstretched bounced into the ground! I remember thinking I wish i only had that far to fall and bounced like that, but then he was 2 and I am 52. "Oops a Daisy!" said his mum in a cheery voice. The face screwed up, the was a momentary pause
DON’T RUN A KIDS TOURNAMENT!
It may sound like a weird statement but let me explain! There are multiple posts on the value of competition in this group, so of course we think kids tournaments are important (in fact I would venture it's the most under developed and greatest need in kids programming today!) but look at the headline again! It's
WHAT SHOULD I WORK ON WITH MY KID BETWEEN LESSONS!
Ok so you have have enthusiastic parent! Great! But he wants to "work" on things? Hmmm maybe not so great! But the kid gets to practice and they are committed! Great or not? It's a dilemna most of us have faced and of course there is no perfect answer but here are a few things to consider!
LEARNING TO BAKE – CHILD LEARNING IS MESSY
Today is my birthday so I am not sure what I am more excited about, the 5000 presents that will no doubt arrive from my facebook friends (feeling sorry for the mailman) or my giant birthday cake? It’s weird how my brain works! Everything becomes a metaphor for child learning, programs or some form of development. So let’s
IGNITING THE FLAME
The fascinating book “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle raises the issue of “ignition” as a key part of the development of elite performers. One of our key jobs as tennis coaches is too spark a flame of passion for the sport in our students. Whether we are aiming to develop pro players or building a program