In part two of our conversation with Balu sir, we discuss the various mental and tactical factors involved in professional coaching and how it impacts the athlete on and off the court. He highlights the importance of instilling autonomy in children and how that translates to performance later on in their careers. 

Balu sir kept it light with a few memorable stories from the camps and tours whilst also providing an insight into the importance of coaching education and a few ways in which the art of coaching can be established to translate into high performance on the court. 

There is something for everyone in this podcast and we hope you enjoy it! Thanks and stay tuned!

01:10 - The key assessments made to address specific needs for the athlete - tactical, mental or technical.

01:56 - "I try to change a technical part through tactical intention." 

05:55 - Mindset changes on and off the court - "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" 

10:32 - Creating situations in practice by simulating game-like scenarios and addressing the multiple psychological factors.

11:55 - The difference between Clinical and Sports Psychology. The importance of travel for an athlete's mental development.

19:05 - Exposure and the effect of experiential learning in instilling autonomy in a junior athlete. 

21:55 - A short story from tour featuring Rohan Bopanna! 

25:15 - Experience with S&C coach  Christian Bosse and the importance of an integrative set -up for player development.

30:45 - "The children see the coaches talking in the same language and voice, which made everybody comfortable and work towards the same goal."

31:00 - Stories from camps and the tour! 

36:32 - The long term athletic development program. Creating a tournament structure and multiple facets of training.  

41:35 - Methods implemented during long weeks on tour and the importance of keeping it light! Alternative methods of bringing about independence and decision-making. 

42:55 - "You're good with this rubbish, you talk a lot of nonsense." 

50:00 - An account of the light atmosphere maintained during the camps and tours.

51:35 - IMPORTANT - The significance of coaching education. "Coaching is a combination of Science and Art!"

1:02:50 - Allowing the kids to be creative and being their own genius.

1:03:35 - "We only help tennis players get better, champions are made by themselves." 

01:05:40 - "Actually I was very intense off-court when I started coaching." 

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