Mixed levels

[lobndropshot]

Would anyone like to share their thoughts on handling small groups with mixed levels?

[stotty]

Would anyone like to share their thoughts on handling small groups with mixed levels?

I do large groups with mixed levels/abilities. I use assistant coaches then flit between the different levels. If the assistants are well trained it works well. A large group for me would be 20 players or even slightly more.

A small group (4 to 6 players) with mixed levels is much more tricky and doesn't work well, unless, of course, you use an assistant. In small groups I don't use assistants as my profit is far less. Small groups work better if the players are of similar standards but not when levels are mixed: beginners with intermediates, for example. In my experience, the better players don't like training directly with lesser players and it's hard to devise drills where they can...this is the main problem and the crux why it never works for me in the long term.

[klacr]

lobndropshot,

What levels are we talking about and how big is the gap? are we talking 2.5-4.5 (NTRP ranking) ?

Small groups of different levels are a bit of a nightmare. At my private club, its fairly well organized. We do clinics and separate each level by court and have multiple pros. If it is only you as the professional, I'd ask what is making it possible for people of various levels to be on the same court. If It is something you are stuck with, sadly, dead ball feeding may be the way to go as these players hitting with one another will lead to some erratic and inconsistent rallies, if it even gets to the point of a rally. Work on a specific stroke and maybe if an odd number, you can play in with the weakest to even things out.

Anytime you are on a court with mixed levels it will always be tricky. The better players won't feel challenged and the weaker players will not gain confidence and feel worse about their games.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but live ball feeding and point situations will be tough.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Tennis etiquette...Playing to the level of your practice partner

Would anyone like to share their thoughts on handling small groups with mixed levels?

Super question!

Small groups work better if the players are of similar standards but not when levels are mixed: beginners with intermediates, for example. In my experience, the better players don't like training directly with lesser players and it's hard to devise drills where they can...this is the main problem and the crux why it never works for me in the long term.

There is one aspect of tennis etiquette that should never be lost on tennis students. Of course everyone wants to play up...but the reality is that it cannot be so. There comes a time when a person must give back...afterall there is always a point when anyone is playing up so they should feel that it is almost a part of their duty to not look down their noses at someone who is an inferior tennis player and learn to help others along.

Small groups of different levels are a bit of a nightmare. At my private club, its fairly well organized. Work on a specific stroke and maybe if an odd number, you can play in with the weakest to even things out.

Anytime you are on a court with mixed levels it will always be tricky. The better players won't feel challenged and the weaker players will not gain confidence and feel worse about their games.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

The key to any organization is its organization. You can quote me on that. Whether it is a company, a church, a family or a group tennis lesson...if it is organized to the last infinitesimal detail it will perform up to its potential. The trick is to get all of the square pegs in the square holes and all of the round pegs in the round holes.

If you have a small group and I am going to assume that the group is 3 or 4 if you have one court or 6 to 8 if you have two courts...you have to get the weaker players to work on keeping the ball in play (heavy emphasis) and challenge the stronger players with something more strenuous or challenging.

We have just started having adult training at our little tiny club here in Sweden so I have been faced with this exact situation. In the few weeks of "winging it" I have come up with a couple of ideas.

1. As Kyle suggests work on a stroke of the day...explanation then practice. A few feeds then have the students at each corner of the court...rotating every several minutes. Maybe rallying with each student for four balls each...the better players get longer takes with you...the beloved teacher.

2. Australian Doubles...this has turned out to be my favorite. One against two...I start the ball going against the team of two who are in doubles formation on the other side of the court and the singles players moves to the service side of the respective point. Game is to ten. Then rotate...singles player to the ad side and the ad side player to the deuce side and the deuce side player becomes the singles player. If there are four...then there are two singles players who rotate every two points.

3. Stegen (the steps in Swedish) One player on my side of the court...the feeding side. Player number one gets a baseline groundstroke and plays out the point...if he/she wins they advance to the next step which is a ball played from the middle of the court. If they win that they play the next point initiated with a volley. So if they win the first three points they are in position to win the game by winning a point that they initiate with an overhead smash. The teacher initiates all points with a feed ball and when any player loses a point on the challenger's side of the court they return to the end of the line.

3. King of the Court. The king is the player in the deuce court opposite the side of the teacher. In the ad court is the queen...in the deuce court on the same side as the teacher is the prince or princess and finally in the ad court there is the farmer. The king gets the first ball and then the point is played out and whomever misses goes to the farmer position and the rest advance accordingly.

4. Three. One player is alone on the teachers side of the court and they play one point against the first player...if the player receiving the feed wins the point they get a point. Each player plays just one point and the first to three gets to switch sides and play against the herd.

5. The up and back drill. If your weaker players are good enough to keep the ball going this is a great workout for the stronger player. I used to do this against any of my students as I could get a great aerobic workout. Simply take the first ball and move towards the net to a half-volley or low volley position then advance to the net. Once at the net start to retreat until you have gotten back behind the baseline again and immediately advance again. The backcourt player must keep the ball in play and the advancing and retreating player must place their ball in a position that is conducive to the baseline player keeping it in play.

These drills game hopefully instill a sense of fair play and working together for the betterment of the group. I like the Australian doubles and the students seem to like "The Steps"...best of all.

Just a little food for thought...hoping for some good ideas as well.