In our opinion the top 4 qualities of a squash coach are:
1. Knowledge of the game: A good squash coach should have a thorough understanding and practice a continuous learning of the rules, techniques, strategies and trends of the game.
2. Communication skills: A squash coach should be able to clearly explain and demonstrate the general approach, the techniques and provide constructive feedback to players. A good understanding of the player mother tongue is often an advantage.
3. Open-minded: Squash, like any sport, can be challenging to learn and master. A good coach should be patient and willing to work with players of all styles and backgrounds. Multi-cultural exposure can be beneficial to the coaches’ understanding of people differences.
4. Ability to motivate: A good coach should be able to motivate and inspire players to improve their skills and reach their potential. A positive mindset, energetic and friendly behavior will go well along with honest feedback.
We do our utmost to live up to these expectations and believe that our head trainer, Roman, brings a lot in this respect. What is your experience with squash coaches?