Magicians and Mechanics

By Chris Lewit


Annacone: the spectrum is from magician to mechanic.

There are different types of learning styles and personalities that shape players' technical development. Paul Annacone, esteemed professional coach and author, has described a spectrum thar runs from magician to mechanic.

Magicians are players who are creative and intuitive in their approach to learning technique while technicians are analytical and rational. For players who are trying to get better, it's important to figure out what type of learner you are on the spectrum.

Coaches and parents should also try to uncover how their kids or students learn best. Understanding that different personalities can benefit from a range of approaches can dramatically improve technical teaching effectiveness when building a Winning Pretty game.

Which?

A player's personality and learning style will have a big impact on the way they learn and should be taught. Players should strive to create the optimal learning environment based on their learning type.

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Chris Lewit is a leading high-performance coach, author, and educator. He is the author of the best-selling book Secrets of Spanish Tennis 2.0, which is now available, and a new technique book, Winning Pretty, which will be published by New Chapter Press in paperback in 2026. He is also a contributing editor for Tennisplayer.net magazine and a long-time member of the RSPA and PTR. As an educator, he has presented at several large conferences, including the PTR International Tennis Symposium. Chris studied religion and literature at Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia, and is currently pursuing a PhD in kinesiology and biomechanics.

As a player, Chris Lewit played No. 1 for Cornell University and competed on the USTA and ITF pro circuits. As a coach, he has recently worked with several No. 1 junior players in the US and has trained hundreds of nationally ranked juniors. He directs a boutique full-time academy for homeschool/online players and a high-performance summer camp program, as well as high-performance training for all ages and levels, all at his club in the beautiful green mountains of Manchester, Vermont.

Chris Lewit has a popular YouTube channel, Youtube.com/ChrisLewit, and you can follow his writing portfolio at https://medium.com/@ChrisLewit.

Chris Lewit Tennis
World-Class Technical Training
Expert in Spanish and European Training Methods
New York, New York and Londonderry, Vermont
914-462-2912

Contact Chris directly by phone/WhatsApp at 914-462-2912 or chris@chrislewit.com.


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