Why Most Tennis Players Never Improve (And How to Break the Cycle)

[@malharmalicoaching]

You're watching my newsletter in video form. If you're finding value in my coaching, you should join (it's free). Here's what you would have received a few weeks ago: beforeandaftertennis.beehiiv.com/p/your-ego-is-preventing-you-from-improving-ss-12 Also: Free Guides: Combat Choking Cheatsheet: beforeandaftertennis.beehiiv.com/c/combat-choking-cheatsheet/? 5 Myths & Misconceptions in Tennis: ⁠⁠⁠beforeandaftertennis.beehiiv.com/c/5-myths-misconceptions-in-tennis Forehand Checkpoint Guide: ⁠⁠⁠beforeandaftertennis.beehiiv.com/c/free-forehand-checkpoint-guide/?

[@olesdidukh5801]

Straight to the camera :)

[@malharmalicoaching]

Okay, noted!

[@ybakos]

Thanks for the illustration of goal setting.

[@malharmalicoaching]

Glad to hear it was helpful!

[@Nightrangersb]

The problem is bridging. It all depends HOW you practice. A stepwise approach with MANY appropriate intermediary challenges is the only way to EVENTUALLY thoughtlessly incorporate a new skill in competitive play. It’s like crossing a strong river where the other side is the condition you want to be in. You can just jump in (competitive play) from your bank (current skill level), but most likely you will be swept away. Even if you try it over and over again it’s not the best way to learn. You need many stones to leap onto across the river.

[@malharmalicoaching]

That's a great analogy. Thanks for the comment!

[@kennethyeong1251]

Thanks for the video! So true!...so many are like that. My regular hitting partner who is a pusher just wants to win.....never ever practice to improve.....i told him he needs to learn hit topspin to get better....his response was he was never ever going to change his strokes.....very fixed n contented mindset unfortunately

[@malharmalicoaching]

Yes, unfortunately this does happen. I’m glad you found the video helpful!

[@kbddv6181]

You are correct. If you really want to get better, you have to find a coach who knows how to truly teach the skills and how to develop a player. I live in Dallas, TX and I have been playing for 35 years as an adult. I have only found 1 tennis coach who really knows how to TEACH correct technique and in what order… and how long it can take, especially if the player has a lot of practice playing with incorrect technique. There are teaching pros who have good technique, but they do not know how to teach it to a child or an adult. But the player has to make the long term commitment of lots of court time practicing and lots of court time learning correct technique from a coach who knows the intricate nuances of correct technique to play tennis at a high level.

[@malharmalicoaching]

Sounds like you found someone great to work with. Glad to hear it.

[@mlbaker40]

There's only one way to improve. First, you need a good developmental coach who can actually show you how the strings interact with the ball. It's science. Second, two hours per week of lessons, another 2 of practice and maybe you play a match. Think about it. A pro in the top 20 can show up to play a tournament and get eliminated in the second round of a masters 500 or 1000 event. Pros spend most of their time practicing. Mcenroe went 84 and 3....a rare event. One other problem is that most recreational players have something that is horrible for tennis, generally, a full-time job.

[@don9733]

Full time job is not an excuse. Most rec players I have seen are lazy not willing to put in the work, therefore resorted to pushing for rest of their life.

[@alexandermayer2026]

This is “content”? The biggest problem with the level of play is the horrible level of coaching, like this. Could the coach play to a high level? Has the coach produced high level players? Can the coach perfectly demonstrate the techniques he is teaching? The answer 99% of the time is a resounding no. And the default concept is that teaching is done best in a group setting. Tennis and golf are only best taught in private lessons. Instead coaches promote group lessons in order to increase their volume and increase their income. The advent of the academy through Bolletieri also mirrored the TOTAL decline of the US as the tennis powerhouse. He is a guy who could not play and could not even hold a racket like a player. What kind of coaches could he possibly hire? And the slice vs topspin backhand is ridiculous. A better slice backhand is often the correct answer, but each case is unique. The fastest route for most players to improve: fire your coach and spend time in the ball machine; learn to hit 50 balls in row on each of your shots; play your matches with the intent to reduce your unforced errors - forget raising your shot level and concentrate on as conservative a shot as you need to cut down your errors. You probably need to have some winning plays to be a USTA 5.0. Below that level, you can consistently win by reducing your errors. If you want to go for winners, monitor your close rate - how many errors before you hit that big winner? And don’t listen to snippets of bad content like this which mean nothing and will set you back. Topspin backhand, my butt.

[@ybakos]

Dude you missed the whole point .🤣

[@alexandermayer2026]

@ there was no point. Practice more is just the bailout of incompetent coaches. Your job is to create motivation to practice more. But the job that virtually none of the coaches can do is to simplify the basics of the game to the point where students can see the point of practice. Without credentials and track record, no one deserves a job in any field. And the coach should be willing to predict a level of improvement.

[@albertcamus5970]

What is wrong with you? LOL. This is perfectly decent advice..