Individual Approach: One Court, Different Psychological Profiles

Introduction: A Brief Answer

On one court, a coach cannot give the same tasks to all players — mental skills develop considering each individual’s reaction and motivation, not by a universal scheme. The same advice like “attack” or “stay calm” works differently, and the coach’s task is to find the suitable approach for each player.

—

Why This Topic Is Important

Often parents and adults notice that one player needs a tough competitive challenge, thriving under pressure and challenge, while another requires support, a calm pace, and encouragement. On the court, this difference is very clear: identical instructions are perceived differently. The same advice “stay calm” might help one player focus but cause another to freeze. Similarly, the command “attack” can inspire one but undermine another’s confidence.

Understanding these differences is crucial to avoid hindering a player’s development and to create conditions for natural progress. An individual approach is not just a set of labels but careful observation and fine-tuning of tasks for each person.

—

What the Sports Psychologist and Coach Explain

Why Universal Advice Often Doesn’t Work

Sports psychology shows that players’ reactions to stress and motivation vary significantly. One may speed up and become more active under pressure, while another might freeze, losing initiative and independence. When a coach gives the same instruction to everyone, some players get motivated, while others experience extra stress.

Universal advice attempts to simplify a complex learning process but ignores each player’s inner characteristics. As a result, some players feel unheard or misunderstood.

How Reactions to Pressure and Motivation Differ

Motivation and reaction to pressure are key factors influencing behavior on the court. For example, when a coach suggests making a task harder, a player who actively resists stress might feel energized and focused. For another, the increased difficulty may cause confusion and reduced effectiveness.

Feedback delivery also requires flexibility: some need clear and firm corrections, others a gentle and supportive tone. The coach considers these traits to avoid causing internal conflict in the player.

What Individual Approach Means Without Personality Labels

It’s important not to assign rigid personality labels that can limit a player. Instead, the coach observes the player as a whole: how they react now, what helps them move forward, and what holds them back. This approach is flexible and dynamic, involving constant observation and adjustment as the player grows.

Individualization is not a fixed trait but a process of adapting to specific manifestations during training.

How the Coach Integrates Mental Skills into Regular Training

The coach incorporates mental skills not as a separate subject but through short routine exercises and focus tasks during regular training. For example, after a rally, the coach might briefly discuss with the player what helped manage emotions or what was difficult. This is live contact and learning from mistakes without pressure or exams.

This approach helps develop self-regulation and resilience in game situations, gradually forming stable skills.

Role of Parents: Avoid Comparing or Imposing Someone Else’s Style

Parents should remember each child is unique, and comparisons with others or idols often hinder development. Imposing another’s playing style or behavior creates tension and internal conflict.

It’s better to support the child at their natural pace, helping them calmly try new tasks without demanding instant results. Mistakes are learning material, not reasons for criticism.

—

How It Looks in Training

Consider a simple exercise that the coach adapts to different psychological profiles.

For one player, the task might be strict: actively serving for accuracy and speed — this stimulates their competitive mindset and helps manage nervousness through activity.

For another, the same task is presented more calmly: focusing on movement quality and steady rhythm to reduce pressure and provide confidence support.

After the exercise, the coach asks, “What helped?” rather than “Why didn’t it work again?” Feedback uses different phrases — some need support, others clear correction.

Such live contact with the coach creates space for realizing individual potential.

—

Common Mistakes

• Copying the style of an idol or another player. This often leads to internal tension and unnatural actions.

• Comparing children in a group. Everyone develops differently, and comparisons hinder recognizing real achievements.

• Assigning rigid personality labels. This limits flexibility and hampers adapting tasks to current needs.

• Ignoring player reactions to stress: freezing or speeding up. Wrong coach reactions can increase anxiety or resistance.

• Expecting quick results and a perfect “player profile.” Development is gradual, without pressure or rush.

—

What to Do Now

Try choosing one small mental skill for a week — for example, learning to notice your emotions after each rally. During training, calmly discuss with the coach what worked and what was challenging, without criticism or pressure.

This step helps gently develop resilience and self-regulation.

—

How TS WINNER Helps

At TS WINNER club in Budva (Slovenska plaza, hotel Aleksandar), a space is created for calm, live contact with the coach. Here, not only technical mastery but also psychological comfort matters.

Through @TSWinnerbot, you can easily arrange a trial training where the coach gently observes the player’s reaction and selects the optimal task — without pressure or exams.

—

Conclusion

Different psychological profiles meet on one court, and an effective coach takes this into account when building tasks and feedback. The individual approach is not a template but a flexible adjustment to each player’s reaction and motivation.

The next step is to calmly try this practice on the court, starting with a small mental task and live contact with the coach.

—

Key Takeaways

• Universal advice often fails due to different reactions to stress and motivation.

• Individual approach means flexible adaptation, not rigid typologies.

• The coach integrates mental skills into regular training through live communication and error analysis.

• Parents should support the child without comparison or imposing another’s style.

• Start with one small skill and pressure-free discussion.

—

If you are ready to calmly try the individual approach and see how the coach adjusts tasks for your child or yourself, we invite you to a trial training via @TSWinnerbot. This is the first realistic step toward development without unnecessary stress and with live contact.

—

Source material used to prepare this article

• Individual Approach in Tennis Preparation Considering Psychological Features — I. V. Babichev, O. I. Zhikhareva, 2017.
• Sports Psychology: Science and Practice (NSUUE, 2020) — NSUUE, 2020.
• ITF CSSR Vol. 28 No. 80 (2020) — Integrating Mental Skills into Your Coaching: A Practical Approach — ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, 2020.

—

Nataliia Nemsadze

Sport psychologist at TS WINNER tennis school · licensed coach (ATP · TSS · TSCG)