The Coach's Impact: Outcome vs. Technique

I recently started to learn to play Tennis. While I have played the sport before, I had never attended coaching classes for it.

One of the first things the coach taught me was how to hold the racket correctly. It seemed easy enough during the shadow practice, and then I started to play with the ball. Most of the times, the ball either hit the net or fell outside the court. On a few occasions when the ball fell in the right place, I got called out by my coach for holding the racket wrong.

I could either hold the racket right or hit the ball accurately. It was a battle between technique and outcome.

Success is often defined by the outcome; by what is visible, because it is easy to measure. What does not receive as much attention is the technique, especially when the outcome is desirable. Focusing on and mastering the technique enables us to build a stronger base, which ensures consistency of outcome.

This is where having a coach can help - a formal (assigned) coach or an informal one (family and friends). The coach can help you:

• Monitor both the technique and outcome and provide you with real-time feedback
• Set goals based on the feedback and monitor progress
• Stay motivated on the long and sometimes arduous journey of change.

So, as you look for that next skill that you want to build, identify a coach as well, who can help you on this exciting journey of growth.