The Neuroscience of Memory – Eleanor Maguire

Colin Chambersalzheimers, brain, coaching, dementia, Education, Learning, memory, mind, nerves, steps Leave a Comment

In this engaging lecture the speaker Eleanor Maguire explains through demonstrations some of the peculiarities of memory to show that we often do not remember things exactly as they occurred yet we often believe we do. I learnt a lot about human memory years ago at school and it has stuck with me ever since because I know what it …

Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck

Colin Chamberscoaching, Education, Learning, Life advice, lifestyle, mind, Physical Education, spectacular performances, steps, Strategy Leave a Comment

If you have not heard of Carol Dweck’s work on the Growth mindset, then you are missing out. I learned about the growth mindset in my teens, and I have used it ever since in almost every success I have ever had. The principle is simple, and in fact, so is the implementation, which is why it is one of …

Does early success help or hinder later success?

Colin ChambersBusiness, coaching, competition, Psychology, Strategy Leave a Comment

It is often assumed that great success in youth will translate into the same success in later years. Though I couldn’t help noticing that Gael Monfils won 3 junior slam titles in a row yet at senior level the closest he has come to winning one is reaching the semi finals of Roland Garros. Huge success at junior level had no effect on …

Movement is the platform for power

Colin Chamberscoaching, steps Leave a Comment

Last night I applied the concept that Power comes from movement, movement does not come from power. Something I have noticed repeatedly is that power in tennis and all sport comes through good movement but the reverse it not true. Good movement does not come through great power. What do I mean? I’ve been exploring the best way to build …

close up photo of person holding tennis racket and ball

Want to win: Pick your battles

Colin ChambersBusiness, coaching, competition, Psychology, sport, Strategy Leave a Comment

Sport reflects the competition inherent in life and picking your battles is the lesson we learn from watching Tennis. From Stanislas Wawrinkas recent success at the Australian Open to Novak Djokovics dominance over Rafael Nadal, through to Rafaels and Roger Federers ongoing rivalry. Each of these battles has been a series of campaigns with each combatant having periods of dominance …

Relaxing under pressure: Accuracy

Colin Chamberscoaching, tennis Leave a Comment

Building on my article Relaxing under pressure I can explain the benefit of my focus on accuracy. I’ve been working through an online course on Tai Chi. It’s fantastic because it puts into simple words the concepts I am trying to bring to my game. At the moment it is about “finding neutral”. That means simply resetting my posture, stance and mindset …

Relaxing under pressure: Consistency

Colin Chamberscoaching, tennis Leave a Comment

Building on my article Relaxing under pressure I can explain the benefit of my focus on consistency. Last year I tried too hard which led to injuries, first in my wrist then foot. I have since learnt that better technique and recovery would have avoided it all. So that’s what I’ve been doing. The problem has then become a lack of play. …

Excellent Vic braden interview from Online Tennis Instruction

Colin Chamberscoaching Leave a Comment

Vic Braden has been around tennis for a long time. He has some fascinating and useful insights. Florian Meier of Online Tennis Instruction shared some excellent interviews that are really worth listening to part 1 Points I noted were: attacking the net.  the reducing recovery time: Used to have 4 seconds between points now have 2.2 in mens and 2.5 in womens. Leads …

Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Colin Chamberscoaching, Physical Education, training Leave a Comment

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework provides a basis for the school curriculum. It’s what the school system hopes to build on. So getting the best out of it ensures the best start for school and so on. Development Matters in the  Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a PDF explaining the key aspects of the EYFS. I believe sport is an education and sport is preparation …

Stanislas Wawrinka Coaching setup

Colin Chamberscoaching Leave a Comment

Coach: Magnus Norman joined last april after the Australian Open. Prior to this he was coached from age eight until June 2010 by Dimitri Zavialoff then Peter Lundgren (former coach of Marat Safin and Federer) until September 2011 Magnus Norman won one ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title at the 2000 Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, a few weeks before he …

Your best coach on court is your last mistake

Colin Chamberscoaching Leave a Comment

This is just a perfect quote so I wanted to keep it for later. The full quote is: “Your best coach on court is your last mistake, learn from it & make your adjustments..don’t get mad”  Thanks to Scottsdale Tennis (@KJtheTennisPro) tweeted at 9:25 PM on Fri, Jan 17, 2014:#coaching @USTAJrComp @USTACAZ_JrTournIt’s such a tough mentality to achieve but also …

Winning at the Net: Great Net Positioning

Colin Chamberscoaching, Technique Leave a Comment

Continuing the series teaching you how to dominate the net by online tennis instruction check out episode 2 great net positioning. With Roger giving such a masterful display at the net in his Quarterfinal against Murray we see the huge advantage of good net positioning as an advantage and extra option against todays baseliners who dominate. Net positioning is something …

Winning at the Net: Stop framing volleys

Colin Chamberscoaching, Technique Leave a Comment

I follow a bunch of on online tennis coaches and I’m really glad I do. I have learnt a ton. Much from their free stuff and tons from the courses I’ve bought. Florian Meier (not the touring pro :-)) focuses a lot on technique and is currently sharing some free instruction on dominating the net. So I thought I would …

Tennis Strategy: Is serve and volley coming back in 2014?

Colin Chamberscoaching, Strategy Leave a Comment

With Stefan Edbergs appointment as Roger Federers next headline coach and Boris Becker joining team Novak you have to wonder what each team is thinking about. Of course Severin luthi rogers permanent coach welcomes edberg but what is the reason to bring the Swede in? I can’t help but wonder if Serve and Volley is the aim in 2014? Federer now has Edberg, …

How to Coach: Use your opponents strengths

Colin Chamberscoaching, Strategy Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard the phrase “every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. It’s used in physics but I like to use it on the tennis court. In fact I’ve had to learn it because I’ve met enough people that use my own power against me. I still remember a ranking match where my serve was everything I hoped it …

Coaches: use what is in front of you

Colin Chamberscoaching Leave a Comment

The eternal question a player must ask regularly of the people advising them is what can this person teach me? If the answer is very little then either you have learnt all that they have to teach or the lessons you need have changed and you must determine how you will now continue learning what is needed. In a sentence …

Serena Williams coaching setup

Colin Chamberscoaching Leave a Comment

As part of my series of posts looking at the coaching setups of the top pro players Let’s look at Serena. Of course she grew up with her father Richard Williams as her main coach with her mother oracene supporting. She also had the best hitting partner you could ask for in the future number one and multi grand Slam …

Victoria azarenka coaching setup

Colin Chamberscoaching Leave a Comment

Vika has had a long standing coach named Sam Sumyk. Most of what I know about him comes from this brief interview with will Hamilton of Fuzzy Yellow Balls. What is clear is that their partnership works and there is no indication of it ending any time soon since Vikas amazing success has come with Sam at the helm. Like …

What coaching support do top tennis players need?

Colin Chamberscoaching Leave a Comment

I’ve started a series of posts looking at the coaching setups of the top players on the men’s and women’s tours. I’m asking the question what works? Is it a highly individual process or are there common factors and patterns. I’m not going into huge detail yet, just looking at the basics about how the team is setup. All success …