Smith College Tennis

2007

The Smith College Tennis Team is made up of qualified tennis players who are committed to improving their tennis game, who enjoy competition and who work at developing team unity. 

The tennis “coaching team” is made up of several individuals each year including paid coaches, grad student, volunteers and captains, trainers and administrators.  We work together to offer the necessary tools for the athletes to be excellent tennis players and we leave room for the players to make decisions and have choices.  In the process, we involve the coaching team as well as the athletes in the decision making process in an effort for the athletes to have a greater sense of ownership.  Our leadership goal is for us to become encouragers with a “bottom-up” versus “top-down” style.  This leadership style is a “grace based” cooperative style under girded with integrity and honesty. (It should be noted that this style does involve thought and sometimes the choices are not clear cut but hopefully challenges captains and players to make decisions that carry over to class room and life decisions.)  We believe that “choices” are a very important part of all tennis matches and I challenge the players to make choices and to understand that there are consequences for each choice.  The players must decide if a shot is in or out, what the score is, when to call a let etc.  Players must select tactics and strategies and incorporate shot selections based on ability, the personality of the opponent and the playing conditions as well as the designated scoring for the day.  .  Making good choices are not always easy or clear;   it may be more detrimental for an athlete to come to practice with a bad attitude then not to come at all but both carry consequences. 

Every attempt will be made to treat athletes as responsible adults until trust is broken.  Practices are considered by the coaching staff to be part of the honor code and each player is asked to be on time and to be present at the majority of practices.  It is the responsibility of the athlete to make up any missed practice time and she is responsible to find out what she missed on that day.  Flexibility is a big part of collegiate tennis and players and coaches are asked to make adjustments on a daily basis.  Experience indicates that teams that adjust to changes and are more flexible are more successful on the tennis court. 

We attempt to explain the Smith Tennis philosophy in a variety of ways from direct lectures on commitment, accountability and goal setting to a series of off court exercises emphasizing team bonding and fun.  Occasionally we have had the opportunity to bring someone in who is trained in directing the team in individual group and team goal setting.  We schedule several activities on the detailed calendar for the sole purpose of emphasizing “team”.  Captains are responsible for the “bonding” activities.

We commence the season with a series of “expectations” that are posted on the wtennis.org website.  We attempt to move during the season from a legalistic position (focusing on the expectations) to a team that is motivated by heart!  We try to help the athlete set specific tangible goals in order to define what it means to play from your heart. The following serve as reminders:

• Your win/loss record is not an indication of your self worth
• Constructive tennis advice is not criticism to you as a person.
• Coachability and goal setting that indicates improvement on the tennis court is more important that wins and loses.

It is important for each athlete to identify her strengths (both on and off the court) and then to take responsibilities of those gifts and by using them to benefit the tennis team.  Each year more is expected of the tennis team members.  The highest expectation of a good team member is to be a role model and encourager to others.  Strong peer leadership is essential. Captains are elected.  Captains commit to weekly planning meetings with the coaching staff and assist in the planning of practices, matches and special functions.  Captains are told that their most important role is communicating between players and coaching team and building relationships within the team.  They understand that there are no secrets between the coaching team.  A player cannot confide in a captain or coach without the information being shared with the leadership team.  The leadership team discusses line-ups, partnerships and challenges.  All information discussed at the coaching meetings is confidential and only the plan agreed on is brought to the team.  There is every attempt to lead all players with a unity that is necessary for on court success.