May 2000
Question:
Throughout my career I have heard phrases like, “That’s a skill you are born with,” “You can’t teach something like that” and “It’s easier to tame a lion than to motivate a mouse.” These phrases usually relate to concepts such as killer instinct, anticipation and the fighter within. Can you please shed some light on this from a scientific perspective?
Answer:
There is no question that some intangibles exist regarding who is able to perform at the highest levels in any performance arena. For example, there are many different ways to win a tennis match: one athlete has an unbelievable competitive fire within, another has a great weapon in one of the groundstrokes, while yet another could be a tremendous retriever.
To attempt to answer such a thought-provoking question, we should just deal with two basic phenomena. We all have genetic predispositions for certain attributes (for example, to run fast, to be artistic and creative, or to be analytical) and we are all surrounded by environmental factors that will enhance or diminish the development of our genetic attributes. Michael Jordon, for example, has said that he probably wasn’t the most genetically talented athlete in the NBA, but he will immediately add, “But nobody worked harder than me.” Within each person’s ability to play tennis well, the question must be asked, “What form of training will best bring this specific player’s talent and skill to the surface?”
I have heard two sides of the debate on this issue.
1. A chain will break at its weakest link, so you must do all that you can as a coach to improve a player’s weaknesses.
2. The coach must focus on developing a player’s strength to make it an awesome weapon.
Obviously, the best plan is to do both if possible but that seems to be sitting on the fence, so let’s try to answer this dilemma in a sound, practical way.
Examine the five limiting factors of each of your players and “face the truth” (both you and the player) with each aspect.
1. As far as strokes, is there one that could truly become a weapon and what are the weaknesses that an opponent could attack?
2. What about this player’s movement with regard to speed, dynamic balance, agility, coordination and power?
3. What is this player’s fitness level with regard to aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance along with flexibility?
4. How mentally tough is this player, especially in circumstances under pressure, wanting to win too badly and preparing properly in between points and changeovers?
5. How does this player use various tactics? Does this player understand the geometry of the tennis court and know how to close out points?
Once you have answered these questions in detail, you are ready to discover the types of training that will bring this player’s genetic talent and developed skills to life on demand. You will also be able to surround this player with a learning/training environment that will enhance the possibility of optimal skill development. For example, I believe that anticipation is a totally learned response to what is happening on the court. I refuse to believe that someone who doesn’t play tennis can go onto a court and know where someone will hit a ball before he/she makes contact. It is only after years of experience and training that one learns to recognize what can possibly happen in a specific situation on the court during the heat of battle.
In summary, entire books have been written about the topic you question. I have given an overly simplistic answer in an attempt to help you gain positive, yet useable feedback on how to maximize your own skills in developing players. We must continue to pay attention to genetic talent, both the good and the limitations, but we must also realize that the type of environment surrounding the player (coaches, parents, friends, practice sessions, match play, etc.) will definitely affect the individual’s skill development in all areas, both positively and negatively.
