For some reason, I have always enjoyed paying close attention to the different patterns in which players train, and especially to the little things that they do during their week-to-week training. My now many years in the field tell me that there are no coincidences, and that while natural talent is an important part of the equation, the accumulation of consistent hard work and good little habits most of the time surpasses the levels of performance in the later age groups when compared with those who seemed to have more “natural talent” at the earlier stages of junior tennis, but that had a hard time being consistent with their approach and sacrifices.
The constant exercise of case studying a kid’s development and his or her achievement of success is always attached to specific little and individual and team stories of actions that took place consistently that eventually separated them from the rest. I have seen players who always showed up earlier for practice and jumped rope or did their elastic band work while waiting for the time to start training. I have seen players who always stayed for an extra 30 minutes at the end of the day to hit a basket of serves on their own (Mostly on outdoor months). I have seen players scheduling competitive practice matches with peers on their own time. I have seen players making consistent good food and hydration choices. I have seen players who consistently give their very best regardless of who is on the other side of the net during practices. And my list can go on and on and on……
I have also witnessed important, positive and consistent actions from coaches and parents, and I always take mental notes on them because as I have said before, if I want my student or child to improve, I have to be willing to improve with him or her!!!
When we reflect on what we do each and every week, let’s make sure that we have our own “story” of the little things that we do consistently to separate us from the rest, and let’s keep telling ourselves that the accumulation of the hundreds or thousands of times that we repeat those good habits is what will give us the possibility to open those doors that initially we could only dream of.
See you on the courts!!! and, if you don’t have a story of your own yet, CREATE one!!!!
