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My first ever lesson approaches - what to do ?

Published: 21 Dec 2005 - 18:46 by Viper

Updated: 22 Dec 2005 - 16:54

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Ok, my first ever squash lesson is fast approaching, it is an hour so how do I structure it ?

I take lessons a lot in skiing and I always like to set the agender with the instructor, I would like to do this in squash as well. In dot form what should I do ? Here is my idea :

1. Quickly explain my squash history to the coach.

2. Explain where I think I have weaknesses

3. Explain how I have been trying to improve those weak points.

4. Outline what I want to achieve in the short and medium term with my game.

5. Hit up with the coach and ask for him to look over my  technique.

6. Spend 15min or so on technique if it is required.

7. Spend time on discussing tactics and how to win a point.

8. Play 15min of a game with him talking through my style as we go.

9. Recap and get him to leave me with 3 things (and no more) to work on over the following weeks.

 

What do you think ?

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From Viper - 22 Dec 2005 - 16:54

Thanks David.

I am well prepared to listen to the coach, but like taking lessons in skiing or golf it can take awhile until you find an instructor that you gel with, and through my long experience in taking lessons with the other 2 sports I believe it is best practice to set the ground rules early on between pupil and instructor and to work in partnership with the coach rather than just sit back and be led.

Different if you are a beginner but I am not.

I have found all coaches have responded very well when they see me take a strong active role in the lesson structure.

It will be very interesting to see if a squash coach can be anywhere near as professional as instructors from sophisticated sports like golf and skiing, my gut feeling (if the prevailing structure of squash in Australia is any guide) is I think not.

I look forward to being proved wrong.

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From dmennie - 22 Dec 2005 - 13:39

Hey Viper,

What you wish to achieve is most important, this should be explained to the coach.

All coaches are individuals as are players and as long as you are improving you must "trust the source". ie use the coaches assistance to its fullest.

I say this because if you think you can reach your goals without assistance, why waste time and money with coaching. I am sure your coach would say the same thing.

Be aware of the difference between coaching and training as they are two different entities. I coach players and also train them. The coaching aspect is the learning part which they will have specific drills as homework to remedy anything we have been focussing on. The training aspect has less instruction and is more activity drill based work.

I wish you the best to reaching your potential

Merry Xmas

David M.

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From Viper - 22 Dec 2005 - 08:23

 Time will tell.

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From drop-shot - 22 Dec 2005 - 00:15

Geez, Viper, I am afraid you do not need a coach according to what you say.
In my opinion, you should tottaly rely on his/ hers opinions and hints and remarks.
You go to the doctor with broken leg and they know what to do and how to do it. When you go to the squash coach, you tell him, I wanna be better than I am and he knows how to do that. It's important to have a plan, but what you have in your mind looks like definite plan to outsmart poor gentleman/ lady. In my humble opinion, you should stop at bullet 4 and let him/ her act.

Good luck

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From Viper - 21 Dec 2005 - 21:15

It is not until the weekend.

I know what you are saying, but I am VERY experienced when it comes to lessons from instructors, skiing mind you but none the less I think squash will be no different.

I think it is very important to make it clear to the coach what you want out of the lesson otherwise they can easily lead you off in a tangent, leaving you a little  afterwards.

He is a level 2 coach and very experienced so I expect him to be on the ball, like ski lessons if he is not what I am looking for I will have no hesitation in moving on.

I am sceptical about the level of professionalism in squash coaching, at least with ski instruction (at a high level) you are dealing with very serious instructors at the peak of their profession, often from OS.

He might be a bit taken back when he turns to me on the court to begin the lesson

I  will let you know how we both went, you never know he might storm off the court half way through !

 

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From rippa rit - 21 Dec 2005 - 20:41

Viper - well the lesson is over for sure by this time of day.
I bet it went nothing like you planned?  True/False?
Who took charge of the lesson, you or the Coach?
Your comments about the lesson would be appreciated for our info.
Thanks

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