Bailey’s Blog

As a coach knowing WHY a player is making an error is really important!

There are several reasons why a player makes an error. They might include -

• Poor footwork (player is late to the ball, is reaching for the ball, is too close to the ball)
• Bad balance (feet too close together, poor body alignment, poor use of the non -dominant arm and leg, no split step)
• Swing error (too big a backswing, turns the racket face over or under, poor follow through, loose wrist)
• Wrong contact point (hits above or below strike zone, hit late or too early)
• Mental error (is nervous, uptight, lazy)
• Pysical Conditioning (is tired, cramping, low blood sugar)
• Stategic Error (poor shot selection, hitting a low percentage shot or a shot they have not fully mastered)
• Variant factors (sun in eyes, windy, bad bounce, netcord)    

I suppose the list can go on and on……one thing I do know however, is that many many errors are due to poor footwork and bad balance while  the swing can be perfect ….or the footwork can be perfect, the balance great, the contact point right at the correct height etc… but the swing is all wrong. It is our job as coaches to understand ALL aspects of the game and straight away be able to make clear and accurate assessment OF WHY AND ERROR HAS BEEN MADE….I do feel in general that many coaches do not study footwork and balance enough and concentrate too much on the swing error and by pass the footwork and balance error!! All you hear is MOVE YOUR FEET…..well I am sorry that is not good enough!!! WE must teach the HOW and WHEN and WHY!!!

Coaches owe it their students to be knowledgable in all areas of the game…..TO BE CONSTANTLY UPSKILLING AND BEING A STUDENT OF THE GAME!! My aim of the Bailey Method is too a provide a system where coaches can  develop a BIAS EYE towards footwork, movement and balance and become a more COMPLETE COACH!!! Get licensed ……it is fun and will also really improve your own game!!!