Toni Nadal shares what makes a good coach
In a recent interview, Toni Nadal explained what makes a good coach. The 58-year-old, who worked with the 17-time Grand Slam winner Rafael for 27 years and is now the Head Director of the Rafa Nadal Academy, said: "It's not necessarily the one who knows the most, but who is able to give the ideas that he wants to give. Then the more you know, the better. But would Einstein be the best mathematics professor? I do not know. The best math professor is the one who encourages and motivates you. The best coach is the one who makes the player gives his best. How do you do it? There are several ways, but I did through reflecting. Before my nephew, I coached some of the best guys in the country in my town, and I always did with the maximum excitement, giving simple and easy messages. People believe I ask for a lot of effort, but I do not believe a lot in the effort but in the exigency. And in tennis, the first exigency is the focus, which is important in any sport but especially in a sport where you have a minimum margin of error. You can make an unforced error, but you always have to be careful.
Then you get used to it and doing it at the Barcelona Open, US Open and doing it on a daily basis in training is not that difficult. And then you need to have a good shot. You can make an effort, but a bit like in Formula 1 - if you are a good driver but you do not have a McLaren or a Ferrari - that makes a difference. A good coach needs to have order. Organizing a one-hour practice in the best way is the key. And you need to make kids enjoy, by progressing and improving."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2GX2mwa
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