This week I’m answering the most common pushbacks I hear about how learning really works.From “What about fundamentals?” to “But isn’t that how I was taught?” — I’ll unpack what’s really behind these questions, and how we can reframe our approach to coaching, development, and skill acquisition using ecological dynamics.Whether you’re coaching beginners or top players, this live will challenge how you think about practice design, injury risk, and the role of repetition.Bring your questions, bring your doubts. 🎾 Welcome to My Tennis Coaching – The Home of Modern Tennis Training! 🎾If you're a tennis coach looking to modernize your sessions or a player wanting to train smarter, you're in the right place! I'm Steve Whelan, and I specialize in Ecological Dynamics & the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA)-helping you move From Drills to Skills with real, match-relevant training.📅 NEW! Weekly Live Podcast – From Drills to Skills📍 LIVE Every Monday | 10 AM UK Time🎙️ Coaching insights, game-based drills, and expert interviews designed to help you ditch outdated methods and create engaging, high-impact sessions.

This approach didn’t just change my sessions...it changed my career 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-coach-newsletter/ What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ The GB player pathway promises to find and develop the nation’s most talented juniors. But from what I’ve seen—and what many coaches and parents are experiencing—it’s not working the way it should.In this live session, I’m pulling back the curtain.Based on a recent YouTube video from a Parents Community Q&A with the NGBS Head of Performance Coach Development, I’ll break down the hidden flaws in the current system and why it’s leaving many talented players behind.We’ll explore:🎾 The dangers of early selection and fixed “aspirational standards”🎾 How the system favours ranking chasers over adaptable learners🎾 Why are late developers quietly being filtered out🎾 The tension between control, funding, and genuine development🎾 What an effective, ecological pathway could look like instead🎾 Whether you're a coach, a parent, or a player, his is a conversation we need to have.Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6008161490960384🎾 Welcome to My Tennis Coaching – The Home of Modern Tennis Training! 🎾If you're a tennis coach looking to modernize your sessions or a player wanting to train smarter, you’re in the right place! I'm Steve Whelan, and I specialize in Ecological Dynamics & the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA)—helping you move From Drills to Skills with real, match-relevant training.📅 NEW! Weekly Live Podcast – From Drills to Skills📍 LIVE Every Monday | 10 AM UK Time🎙️ Coaching insights, game-based drills, and expert interviews designed to help you ditch outdated methods and create engaging, high-impact sessions.🎥 Must-Watch Coaching Videos:✅ Why You Shouldn’t Break Down the Serve: Whole vs. Decomposed Training – The real way to teach serving.🎥 https://youtu.be/0x6SdlQArSI?si=q4OxtflhXBxwikyP✅ How to Develop a Beginner’s Backhand in Minutes – A real on-court session using CLA.🎥 https://youtu.be/l65STewAKAw?si=6C8t4hTATDJnSRSs✅ Random vs. Blocked Practice – Why It Matters for Match Performance – The science of training for real competition.🎥 https://youtu.be/sOWyffgY1So?si=gqCyVjbPq9DlpdJD✅ Why Burnout Happens Mid-Season (And How to Prevent It) – Keep players engaged & avoid exhaustion.🎥 https://youtu.be/5sj_uGMjskI?si=oZeDUkEUg_Vd-psp🔴 Subscribe now and turn on notifications 🔔 so you never miss a live session or a new video!Join Our Growing Coaching Community!🌐 Website: https://mytenniscoaching.com (Get free drills & coaching resources!)📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytenniscoaching/💬 Comment on the video & join the conversation! What’s your biggest coaching challenge right now?🎾 Let’s transform the way tennis is coached—together! #TennisCoaching #EcologicalDynamics #FromDrillsToSkills #ConstraintsLedApproach #TennisTraining

This approach didn’t just change my sessions...it changed my career 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-coach-newsletter/ What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ Jannik Sinner’s is elite—but should your players copy him? In this live session, we’ll break down why mimicking pros often leads coaches and players down the wrong path. We’ll explore how to coach technique in context, why skill emergence matters more than imitation, and how to help players build solutions that suit them. Bring your questions—we’ll go deep on this one.

This approach didn’t just change my sessions...it changed my career 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/tennis-coach-newsletter/ What if you didn’t have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ “His technique is all wrong.”Ever heard that from a parent, player, or coach? I used to say it too—until I started asking deeper questions.In this live session, we’re unpacking the real story behind “bad technique.”

Spoiler: it’s not always the player—it’s often the practice design that’s setting them up to fail.Whether you’re frustrated with how your players hit the ball… or wondering how to fix poor habits, we’ll explore:The real reasons technique breaks down under pressureWhy traditional “corrections” don’t lead to match-ready skillsHow to coach technique without drilling it to deathThe ecological approach to skill development and movement patterns

When (and how) to step in as a coach—and when to step backThis session is for coaches who want to move beyond surface-level fixes and start creating players who adapt, problem-solve, and perform when it matters.

What if you didn't have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ What happens when you’re publicly challenged by a fellow coach on social media?In this episode, I share the full story of being called out—and called a con man—for promoting an ecological approach to tennis coaching.I’m not afraid of being challenged. In fact, I welcome it. But when the challenge is built on shallow foundations, lacks evidence, and falls apart when questioned… it reveals a much bigger issue.In this honest, no-holds-barred podcast, we discuss:What actually happened during the social media falloutWhy direct, explicit instruction isn’t as effective as some coaches claimThe danger of blindly trusting online coaching personalitiesWhy parents need to research how coaches actually coach—not just how loud or confident they areThe emotional toll of public criticism—and why I won’t stay silentThe real “con” in coaching that too many people overlookThis isn’t about revenge. It’s about transparency, accountability, and calling for better conversations in our industry.🎙️ If you’ve ever felt torn between traditional and modern coaching, or wondered who to trust online—this is a podcast you won’t want to miss.🎾 Welcome to My Tennis Coaching – The Home of Modern Tennis Training! 🎾If you're a tennis coach looking to modernize your sessions or a player wanting to train smarter, you’re in the right place! I'm Steve Whelan, and I specialize in Ecological Dynamics & the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA)—helping you move From Drills to Skills with real, match-relevant training.📅 NEW! Weekly Live Podcast – From Drills to Skills📍 LIVE Every Friday | 10:30 AM UK Time🎙️ Coaching insights, game-based drills, and expert interviews designed to help you ditch outdated methods and create engaging high-impact sessions.

What if you didn't have to run repetitive drills to see real progress? 👉 https://mytenniscoaching.com/drills-to-skills-fast-track-to-match-success/ Ever wondered what's really going on behind the scenes of tennis coaching? From hidden secrets to untold stories, get ready to uncover the truth about the tennis coaching world. Whether you're a tennis enthusiast, coach, or player, this video will reveal the shocking realities and surprising truths that will change the way you think about tennis coaching forever. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to have your mind blown!🎾 Welcome to My Tennis Coaching – The Home of Modern Tennis Training! 🎾If you're a tennis coach looking to modernize your sessions or a player wanting to train smarter, you’re in the right place! I'm Steve Whelan, and I specialize in Ecological Dynamics & the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA)—helping you move From Drills to Skills with real, match-relevant training.

Is it really possible to coach beginners using Ecological Dynamics and the Constraints-Led Approach?

This week, I’m joined by fellow coach and My Tennis Coach Academy member John Cvitamovic, who’s been doing exactly that at the grassroots level.

In this live conversation, we’ll explore:

How John started applying ecological principles with beginners

What changed in his coaching (and how players responded)

The biggest challenges, including parent expectations and session structure

What success looks like when you focus on adaptability over aesthetics

Tips for coaches looking to try CLA but unsure where to start

Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or struggling to make modern methods work with beginners—this is for you.