Coaching Character Steve Cook, USPTA Elite Pro, Executive Director Greater Midland Tennis Center Teaching tennis to youth is about much more than simply tennis instruction. To become an accomplished athlete in any sport, a child must buy-in to the work required and develop a burning desire to be successful. At the same time, coaches have the opportunity to positively influence the lives of athletes and help students build character, work ethic, and the many life-skills associated with their sport. All coaches should take time to develop their own written Coaching Philosophy. This living document may take many shapes and surely should include one’s principles of coaching, one’s goals and a personal mission statement. This practice will help coaches stay focused on the most important aspect of coaching – the privilege of character development. The famous late UCLA basketball coach, Coach John Wooden, led the UCLA basketball team for 27 years winning ten NCAA championships. Coaches of all sports would benefit from reading his autobiography, They Call Me Coach. This highly successful
coach put his players first, and he valued character development most. At the base of Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success” lie the corner stones of Industriousness and Enthusiasm. In the middle of the base lie Friendship, Loyalty and Cooperation. It is worth noting words not included at the base or anywhere in the pyramid – words like ranking, pedigree, or talent. Wooden makes it clear that changing lives was the most important thing, and he clearly placed the emphasis on developing the athlete’s character first. Wooden also said, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” Coaches should strive to find ways to keep character building traits in the forefront of programming. Some have displayed signs with famous quotes, such as Arthur Ashe’s “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Another facility displays a large character-building word at the top of the fence on each court. Instead of going to Court 1 or Court 2, players go to the Honesty court or the Perseverance court.
Another way to keep life-lessons and character building in the forefront is to begin each clinic with Words of Wisdom. A coach introduces a character-building word or quote. The coach asks what the word or quote means to the athletes, and how it may apply in their school or daily lives. Thought provoking discussions and opportunities for growth likely follow. A few minutes spent in this practice reaps untold benefits. Rumor holds that Epictetus, the famous Roman Tennis Coach and Philosopher, 55-135 A. D. said, “Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast, and one day you will build something that endures, something worthy of your potential.”
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Spring 2021 Midwest Connection 7
