Build Your Best Game

Chuck Kriese says coaches and players alike should realize that people learn the skills of tennis in different ways and at different rates of speed.

Coaches often make the mistake of believing that young players should play and learn the game as they did, and these coaches try to mould them accordingly. This is a mistake because every person is unique and has an individual way of learning and doing things. The solid technical fundamentals of the game are of the utmost importance, but how they are learned and executed is an individual matter.

Psychologists often talk about the difference between the left brain (repetitive) and right brain (creative) dominance in people. In learning and playing the game, it saves a lot of time and frustration if it is understood which way a player learns best. How he or she goes about the other parts of the daily routine can provide a hint.

If a person is meticulous and prefers a set routine, chances are that he or she learns best through repetition. A more creative person who enjoys doing things differently prefers creative teaching methods. It is important to point out, however, identified, the opposite method should also be used to provide balance.

The repetitive learner still needs to experiment with shot-making and creativity, and the creative learner needs to perform the repetitive drill work to enhance the reliability of his or her strokes. Both personalities are unique and special, but taken to an extreme they can be counterproductive.

There are four different personality types that present different challenges for coaches.

• Sanguine

• Choleric

• Melancholic

• Phlegmatic

Some Just Want to Have Fun

The sanguine personality is driven by the need to have fun and be noticed. This personality also likes spontaneity. A sanguine personality is likely to be unorganized and happy-go-lucky. The person might not appear to be serious about learning, but this is not necessarily the case. He or she is driven to learn a skill simply because it is fun to do.

It can be a tremendous tool for the coach to understand what the player needs to learn instead of what they think the player needs to learn. The coach can then structure activities that are meaningful but make sure an element of fun is involved.

A sanguine person who also has characteristics of wanting to be in charge (choleric) can be the best combination for a good leader in a group situation because these individuals have a need to get things done but have fun in the process.

Some Want to Be the One to Get It Done

The choleric personality has the need to be in control. He or she also wants to get things accomplished. A player with this personality trait makes many decisions for others in many different situations. This person does not take on a project without being fairly certain of success.

Coaches and friends might look at choleric players as bossy and pushy, and they often try to subdue or change this trait. It is much more productive to channel the choleric’s learning patterns in ways that enable them to have control over the situation. The choleric can be given three or four good choices of what kind of workout to do, or the natural aggression can be used as a tool in dealing with friends.

In a choleric player, the most conflict arises when sparring with another choleric in the peer group. They both fight for territory without even knowing why the tension is there. It is best to give two cholerics in one group different leadership responsibilities and try to teach them to be tolerant of others with similar needs.

Choleric players make great team captains as long as they learn to get along with others in the group. The choleric personality is internally motivated and usually excels in whatever they set their mind to do.

For Some, It Must Be Done Right

The melancholic player has a deep need for detail and a need to get the job done right. Even as young children, they have a way of organizing things. They usually do well with repetition and respond well to instruction. These players will carry out the plan of a coach or a parent perfectly and thrive on the fact that they take care of details.

On practice days this works perfectly, but the unpredictability of match situations can cause problems. It might be necessary to give this individual more detailed instructions when preparing for competition. This player needs to realize, however, that some of the other players on the team will not care about the details of a situation to the same degree.

Although this player thrives on good organization, him or her needs to experience variety in practice.

Some Learn by Being Part of the Group

The phlegmatic player is usually motivated externally. This person enjoys the process of doing something but does not like conflict or the responsibility of having to make a lot of important decisions. This type of player needs a very detailed program laid out by a coach or parent to get the amount of training that it takes to be successful.

Practice days are difficult for the phlegmatic person because there is no great sense of urgency to get things done. On the other hand, those individuals thrive under certain situations because thy keep a cool head.

We All Have Strengths

Each of these personality types has specific strengths and weaknesses in learning and playing tennis. It is also important to note that any strength taken to an extreme can become a weakness, so a wise coach will try to mold a balanced approach for the young player.

Although a person will have the dominant traits of one of these personalities, he or she is certain to have some of the traits of least one other type as well. The only personalities that no not mire the sanguine-melancholic and the choleric-phlegmatic combinations. After the coach learns the specific learning patterns of a youngster, that coach can be much more helpful to the individual. Athletes should also understand the uniqueness in the manner in which they learn things.

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