Train like the pros?

It's most likely that you already do. Sure they may do it longer, or faster, or more frequently, but they are often working on things that are VERY similar to what you are working on. Consider this "story" from about 20 years ago.

As a coach of reasonable experience, but still eager to learn, I found myself stumbling onto an amazing opportunity. I was attending the early rounds of the US Open. This was back before Flushing Meadows underwent major renovations (twice). The Practice Courts were along the perimeter of the facility, separated by a row of tall and thick bushes. They also had thick , vision-blocking windscreens that went all the way down the fence within a foot or so of the court. It was possible to watch practice from a distance on the other side, but only from a good distance from the courts. However, since I had visited the Open for the prior 7-8 years, I knew my way around pretty well.

On this day, I spotted Mark Philippoussis, Australian top tenner, and master of the "Scud Missile" serve, practicing with his coach and a training partner on the farthest court. His coach was Tony Roche, another legendary Aussie player and coach, and someone I had always looked up to with great respect and admiration. They were working oncourt, then sitting on the bench by the fence, and going back and forth pretty frequently. I quickly worked out how I could walk to the back sidewalk, and if no one was around, crawl under the high thick bushes, and get myself to the fence behind their bench and eavesdrop on their conversation! What an opportunity, I thought. A chance to listen to a conversation between one of the world's top players and his equally accomplished coach discussing whatever. I had to try. What was the worst that could happen? Security catch me and throw me out? Worth the risk, for sure.

As fate would have it, I found myself alone on the sidewalk and easily crawled into the space between the bushes and the fence. Moving quietly, i was happy to find that as I worked into position, the two of them were back oncourt and wouldn't hear me rustling around 3 feet behind the bench! Within minutes they began walking back toward the bench, and my heart raced in anticipation ( of getting caught, or of learning something special?- not sure)

As they sat and chatted, it was very apparent they were working on the serve. I was so psyched to get to listen to a deep, detailed conversation. I assumed I was going to hear high level technical jargon, and innovative bio-mechanical analysis known only by those at the very top. Maybe I could get access to some special secrets that would help me help my players crush the serve like Philippoussis !

The conversation went like this:

TR: "I think your toss is a little low"

MP: "Yea, it feels a little low"

TR: " if you can toss it a little higher, and hit it a little higher, you can get a little more speed"

I was shocked and amazed. They were having the EXACT same conversation I have had with a hundred students, and no doudt you have also had.

The chat continued:

TR:" is your grip a little tight"

MP:"maybe"

TR:" try loosening a little, let go of that racket head speed, allow the racket to whip through the ball"

MP: "ok"

Again, plain, basic, fundamental stuff. Not high tech super advanced groundbreaking info- hardly. The same stuff you and I work on daily.

That was it. They didn't come back to the bench while I endured another 10 minutes folded up like a hidden pretzel. I made my escape, again unnoticed, and went to a nearby bench to do a little reflecting...

My thoughts then, as well as today, went something like this:

The best players in the world are working on the same things that the juniors in our program are.

Basic fundamentals, and keeping it simple, are critical elements for players and coaches of ALL levels.

It's very validating to hear Coaching royalty use statements and concepts that are consistent with our very own vocabulary.

Players at all levels have a lot more in common than you might think. As stated, the world ranked players may do it faster, more often, and more frequently, but the tasks and the concepts are a lot more similar to lower level players than they are different.

It was an experience that I still regard as a milestone in my coaching development. I share it here with you to highlight that when you get out and do the work, you are working like the pros, on the right stuff, and on the right path. So keep focused on getting better, with the full confidence that you are training the right way.