My Tennis Coaching Podcast

"One of the biggest challenges for junior development coaches is knowing the right time to transition a player from red to orange ball. Move them too soon, and they struggle. Keep them on red too long, and they get bored." In this live session , we’ll break down: ✅ The key physical, technical, and tactical signs a player is ready for orange ball ✅ Why progression isn’t just about age—i...

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I dive deep into the latest LTA Player Pathway Guide-and I've got some serious concerns. Having worked with players on this pathway, I'm amazed by some of the guidance being given. Does it really help develop adaptable, match-ready players, or is it just another outdated framework?"I'll discuss:🎾 What the LTA Player Pathway gets...

Join me for this exclusive  YouTube Live  as I celebrate a year of  My Tennis Coach Academy ! Over the past 12 months, I’ve learned a lot—about coaching, building a community, and the challenges of modern coaching. In this AMA (Ask Me Anything), I’ll be sharing those insights and answering your biggest coaching questions live!" Topics include: 🎾  When should you move players to a new level?...

In this episode of the  My Tennis Coaching Podcast , I share what it’s really like being a  Constraint-Led Approach (CLA) coach  in a world dominated by traditional methods. I cover: How players, parents, and fellow coaches reacted to my coaching style. The skepticism, pushback, and moments of doubt I faced. How I overcame challenges and built confidence in my approach. Why I believe CLA is the fu...

"In this episode of the  My Tennis Coaching Podcast , I tackle the truth about tennis footwork drills and why traditional methods, like running around cones, are a complete waste of time." Key topics include: Why movement needs to be based on  representative environments  with real match-like information. The flaws of cone-based drills and why they don’t transfer to actual match play. Th...

"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I tackle a critical issue in tennis coaching: Are we, as coaches, truly teaching, or are we just running through drills? Broadcasting from my car, this candid rant dives into my recent experiences working with coaches at various levels." Key topics include: Why coaching should be investigative, like detective work. The overemphasis on t...

In this episode of My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan addresses a common concern among tennis coaches: players stagnating in their development despite significant training hours. Steve discusses the flaws in simply increasing coaching sessions, emphasizing the need for quality over quantity. He highlights the importance of match play and the potential issues with current coaching method...

"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I reflect on Week 1 of the Grand Slam Coaches Conference by Tennis Australia. The theme this year, 'The Power of Play,' resonated with me, but it also raised some questions. While I strongly agree that play and game-based learning are essential, I noticed some mixed messages in the presentations." I discuss: Why play is important but must remain...

In the final episode of the My Tennis Coaching podcast for 2024, the host reviews a year filled with both success and challenges in the world of tennis coaching. Key topics include the importance of goal setting, the experience of speaking at national coaching conferences, the relaunch of a content-rich membership website, and strategic shifts in social media presence. The episode also touches on...

Reflecting on the British Tennis Coach Association National Coaches Conference In this podcast episode, host Steve Whelan reflects on his experience presenting at the British Tennis Coach Association (BTCA) National Coaches Conference in Northampton. He discusses the challenges and highlights of delivering a tennis lesson in front of international coaches and peers, focusing on the serve using his...

Live Tennis Coaching Q&A: Techniques, Collaboration, and Coaching Challenges In this live tennis coaching session, the host experiments with YouTube's live streaming to answer questions from the tennis community. The session covers a variety of topics, including how to collaborate with coaches, the importance of education for players and parents, and the challenges of coordinating with club co...

"In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, I tackle the widely held belief that shadow swings improve muscle memory and skill acquisition. Using the principles of ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching, I explain why real-time context—such as ball flight and opponent positioning—is critical for effective skill development in tennis." I also compare shadow swings to activities lik...

The Impact of Survivorship Bias in Tennis Coaching: Why Copying Success Isn’t Enough "In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan explores the concept of survivorship bias in tennis coaching. Many coaches look to the methods used by top players as universal blueprints, yet this approach often overlooks the countless players who don’t make it to the top. Steve explains why...

In this episode of the  My Tennis Coaching Podcast , host Steve Whelan dives into his personal decision to forgo applying for the Level 5 Performance Coach Award. Steve shares the reasons behind this choice, discussing his coaching journey, commitment to professional development, and why he prioritizes a player-centered approach over traditional qualifications. Despite his extensive experience, St...

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast , Steve Whelan dives deep into the psychological and emotional challenges facing junior tennis players. From understanding why young athletes may resort to cheating to handling the impact of anxiety, external pressures, and self-umpiring, this episode offers insights for parents, coaches, and players. Through real-life scenarios, Steve shares actio...

Enhancing Coach-Parent Relationships in Tennis: Communication, Engagement, and Growth In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan tackles the challenges of dealing with tennis parents by emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships. Drawing from his experiences in forums held in Cambridge and Middlesex, Steve provides practical strategies to boost communicat...

From Drills To Skills Course: https://mytenniscoaching.com/certifications/ In this My Tennis Coaching Podcast episode, host Steve Whelan discusses the challenges and reluctance he faced four years ago when shifting from traditional tennis coaching methods to those grounded in ecological dynamics and constraint-led approaches. Steve recounts his journey from a methodology focused on basket feeding...

Enhancing Tennis Coaching Through Ecological Dynamics and Player Empowerment In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, hosted by Steve Whelan, the focus is on how incorporating ecological dynamics and a constraint-led approach can transform tennis coaching. Steve highlights five reasons his lessons now bring more enjoyment to his players: playing the game of tennis itself, empowering play...

In this episode of the 'My Tennis Coaching' podcast, Steve challenges the traditional approach of teaching tennis beginners to catch the ball before hitting it. The discussion, inspired by a recent conversation with fellow coaches, explores the misconception that catching is an easier skill and a necessary precursor to hitting. The episode argues that catching and hitting are distinct skills requi...

Rethinking Tennis Coaching: Why Focus on Present Over Long-Term Development In this episode, we explore the limitations of traditional long-term player development models in tennis coaching. Steve critiques the idea that following pre-set developmental frameworks for different age groups leads to successful players, arguing instead for a focus on the present needs and wants of individual players....

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan delves into the efficacy of basket drills and isolated practices for developing player confidence. Steve challenges traditional coaching methods, arguing that while such drills may provide temporary success, they fail to prepare players for the unpredictable nature of real match situations. He advocates for ecological dynamics an...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Matt Wigham from Peak Perform (https://www.peakperform.com.au) in Australia as we explore ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching in tennis. This episode delves into the creation of a representative environment, the concept of repetition without repetition, and the critical role of player-centered coaching. Discover how non-linear coaching dynamics...

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan delves into the nuances of ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching practices. He challenges traditional techniques-focused methods by emphasizing the importance of perception-action coupling, adaptability, and real-time decision-making. Through a comprehensive exploration, Steve explains how great tennis players excel not...

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Wellen is joined by legendary school coach Sam Tyler to explore ecological dynamics and innovative, constraint-led coaching practices in tennis. They discuss the challenges of managing large groups of children, integrating sports with academics, and creating player-centered environments that foster positive sporting experiences. Practic...

In this episode of the My Tennis Coaching Podcast, host Steve Whelan explores the complex relationships and dynamics between parents, coaches, and young tennis players. Steve emphasizes the importance of understanding ecological dynamics and constraint-led coaching practices, while also discussing the dangers and harm caused by parental comparisons of their children with other players. Steve share...