Establishing Lineups can be Challenging
Posted 8/27/2008 9:43:00 AM
A little more than a week into the new high school tennis season, many coaches are still trying to settle on a varsity lineup. I am finding this to be an especially difficult challenge this fall because my Delta High School team is so inexperienced – 3 seniors, 1 junior, 12 sophomores, and 8 freshmen.

Many of the young players are going through that stage in their development where they are showing flashes of tremendous potential but are having trouble finding consistency from day to day.  It is normal for young players to suffer breakdowns before they achieve breakthroughs.

I have never been a big believer in “challenge matches” – the term for those practice matches that most high school tennis coaches use to determine their team’s lineup.  I have never quite understood why so many coaches put so much stock in challenge matches.

I cannot imagine the basketball coach determining the final spot in his starting lineup based upon who can win a one-on-one game of H-O-R-S-E.  Similarly, I cannot imagine the baseball or softball coach holding a home run contest and then settling a starting lineup based upon the results. I understand that these examples are oversimplifications, but I still maintain there should be more factors in determining a lineup rather than just who can beat who on a given day.

I think it’s important to evaluate how well players handle pressure – and that’s revealed most clearly during actual matches against other schools.  I have had players before who seemed to have all the shots in practice matches but tensed up in real matches and didn’t perform at the same level.

I include this paragraph in my team rules every season:

The lineup is determined on the basis of consistency at all practices and matches.  Factors include willingness to adapt strategies to fit new situations, ability to work together with doubles partners, work ethic in practice, leadership qualities, ability to thrive under pressure, and willingness to abide by all team rules.   

I keep track of the results of all practice sets and practice matches played among our players during the season.  And I consider those results as I determine our lineup.  But it is just one factor – not the only factor.
Posted By: Tim Cleland  
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