Coaching High School Tennis

High school tennis can create a sport and friendships that last for life. With less than 1 percent of high school athletes receiving a college scholarship, the high school team is the pinnacle of many athletes' experience. A tennis team can be a positive experience that inspires friendships and play over a lifetime, or a negative experience that results in a player losing interest in the sport completely. Coaching a high school tennis team is a dynamic endeavor. It is also a huge responsibility. The student athletes are full of energy and coaches have a great opportunity to help players in their growth toward being successful athletes and young adults. The skill set needed to be a great tennis coach is different from those needed to be a great tennis player. When I look back at the coaches I most enjoyed coaching against and whose team members enjoyed playing for them the most, I see very few professional or even collegiate level tennis players. Instead I see school teachers, basketball coaches, dentists and a city manager. What does it mean to be a role model? Role Models At the first team meeting every year I ask my players,"Who considers themselves...