You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

For a long time, I thought good coaches figured things out on their own.

You planned better.
You worked harder.
You fixed problems quietly.

So that’s what I did.

When sessions didn’t transfer, I assumed it was my fault.
When players struggled, I added more structure.
When things felt unclear, I kept it to myself.

From the outside, everything looked fine.

Inside, it felt lonely.

3 Quiet Struggles Most Coaches Don’t Admit

1. Not knowing if you’re doing the right thing​
   You sense something is off, but can’t quite explain why.
2. Questioning methods you were taught — without alternatives​
   You know the old answers don’t fully work, but change feels risky.
3. Feeling isolated in your thinking​
   No one around you is asking the same questions.

None of that means you’re failing.

It means you’re thinking.

2 Things That Changed Everything for Me

1. Realising struggle is part of development — for coaches too​
   Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in interaction.
2. Learning alongside other coaches asking better questions​
   Not copying ideas.
   Not collecting drills.
   But sharing thinking, reflection, and design.

That’s when things started to click.

1 Place to Start This Week

Practice Design of the Week

A simple practice you can try immediately — and reflect on with others who care about why it works.

👉 Download this week’s Practice Design (PDF) Backhands, Backhands & Backhands.

“You don’t need perfect techniqueyou need real responses.”

This constraint invites creativity. Players must organise themselves under pressure and find a way to respond within a strict boundary.

I no longer believe great coaching is a solo pursuit.

In 2026, everything I’m building is centred around this idea:
coaches learn best when they’re supported, challenged, and not left to figure it out alone.

If you want help with that:

• Reply to this email for a 1-to-1 or a staff session
• ​Or stay close as we build toward the Modern Tennis Coach Conference 2026, where community, conversation, and real practice design come first​

You don’t need all the answers.
You just need the right environment.