MSLTA conducts coaches workshop, honours Anant Jog

Former India Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal today advised the young tennis coaches that they must observe all three aspects of the game -- physical, mental and emotional --while reading the opponents of their wards.
Bal, who is one of the few Level 3 ITF-Certified coaches in India, spoke while conducting a Coaches Workshop, organised by Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA).
Close to 150 coaches from across Maharashtra are participating in the three-day workshop, which will conclude on Sunday.
Bal said the coaches must concentrate on how their player and his opponent prepares for the stroke, what is the point of contact and how the follow through is. He also said that the understanding of the pattern of play of the rival player was imperative for a coach.

"It is also important to understand the body language of a player. It can be understood even by the kind of clothes he wears. You must observe what the eyes of a player say. It will tell if he has hunger for success.
"You should also see how a player is planning a point when he is under pressure."

MSLTA also honoured 85-year-old Anant Rao Jog, who was first Indian to officiate at the Wimbledon in 1972. Jog was handed a plaque by MSLTA President Bharat Oza.
MSLTA secretary Sunder Iyer announced that all the participating coaches will be given coaches card, through which the benefits of insurance and medical test at discounted rates can be availed.

While Bal spoke on 'how to observe a match', other topics to be covered in the next two days are sports nutrition, rules coaches must know, tennis tactics for junior players and fitness for young athletes.