In Episode 11, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson take a closer look at one of the most important decisions a parent can make in a young athlete’s journey: choosing the right coach. Drawing from their experiences as players, coaches, and parents, Ryan and Steve discuss what separates a great coach from a good instructor and why the person guiding a young athlete can have an impact that extends far beyond the tennis court.

Ryan and Steve explain that great coaching is about much more than forehands, backhands, technique, or credentials. The best coaches care about their players, understand how to develop them over time, build trust, and create an environment where athletes feel empowered to grow. They also discuss why the relationship between a player and coach can influence a young athlete for years to come.

The conversation then turns to what parents should actually look for when evaluating a coach. Ryan and Steve discuss the importance of character, communication, development, trust, coaching style, and finding the right personality fit for each individual athlete. They also explain why a highly credentialed coach isn’t necessarily the right coach for every player and why the relationship itself can matter more than a résumé.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ What parents should look for when choosing a coach
✅ Why a coach’s influence extends beyond teaching tennis
✅ Why caring and character can matter more than credentials
✅ The importance of trust between the player, coach, and parent
✅ How the right coach can help develop both the athlete and the person
✅ Why the best coach for one player may not be the best coach for another
✅ The difference between transformational and transactional coaching
✅ When bringing in a specialized or additional coach can help
✅ Why too many coaching voices can become confusing for young athletes
✅ The importance of having a long-term development plan
✅ How a coach’s personality and coaching style should fit the individual player
✅ Why the culture and environment surrounding a coach matter
✅ How involved parents should be in their child’s development
✅ Why young athletes need opportunities to struggle, fail, and solve problems on their own
✅ How parents, players, and coaches can communicate more effectively
✅ When it may be time to change coaches
✅ Why losing matches doesn’t necessarily mean a player needs a new coach
✅ Why parents should look for a mentor, not just an instructor

Ryan and Steve also discuss the role parents play in the player-coach relationship. While parents make enormous sacrifices to support young athletes, they explain why there also needs to be room for players to develop independence, experience failure, and learn how to solve problems on their own. Open communication between the parent, player, and coach can help everyone understand their role while keeping the athlete’s long-term development at the center of the process.

The conversation also tackles one of the most difficult questions for families: when is it time to change coaches? Ryan and Steve explain why a few bad results shouldn’t automatically lead to a coaching change and why development can sometimes require temporary struggles. Instead, parents should pay attention to whether the coach still believes in the player, cares about their development, communicates openly, and remains invested in helping them reach their goals.

Ultimately, Ryan and Steve return to a simple idea: choose character over credentials and look for a mentor, not just an instructor. The right coach should care, build trust, understand development, and help guide a young athlete both on and off the court.

Whether you’re a parent searching for the right coach, a young athlete navigating your development, or a coach looking to make a greater impact, this episode offers an in-depth look at the relationships, trust, communication, and environment that can shape an athlete’s journey for years to come.

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Hosted by Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson and recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

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