Natural Learning

What is natural learning?

Natural learning is the most extraordinary learning process we can ever find in our lives. It explains how we learn to walk, talk, run, etc. Yes we take these things for granted but if we had to learn them as adults we would certainly struggle!

Young kids can learn to speak a new language in three months without any structure and that is quite amazing if we take in consideration the thousands of different combinations of words and sentences used in their newly learned language.

I used to believe that you need to be taught to read and to wright and so you need learning structure. I don't think that anymore!, as a passive observer of my home-schooled eight year old daughter I was surprised to see that she is learning to read and wright in Portuguese and English without any single instruction and without any structure or method. Our only task as parents is to give them the tools and to answer their questions if they have some. We don't ever correct them unless they ask us to do so.

It is a pity that kids as they grow older start loosing track with their own natural learning way as they get used to being told what to do and how to do it. Slowly they become passive learning adults without any responsibility for their learning.

But what about structure?

I think that structure only serves the teacher because it creates a simple method that is unquestionable, rigid, and doesn't demand from the teacher constant search for the best learning tools for the student. Structure doesn't serve the student who is hungry for knowledge and experimentation. Structure shows the student that there cannot be any innovation and that you have to do it in a certain way. Structure kills creativity. Structure makes learning boring.

Is there a natural learning process for playing tennis?

Yes there is. These are a few ideas that have been working for me:

Stop judging your skills and techniques, just notice them.
Take your time, relax (it is not a sprint it's a marathon).
Know what you are doing (record yourself on video).
Know what you want to do with a certain skill(watch the pros and study their swings).
Compare your technique with other players (without judgement).
Understand that you are an unique person with a unique technique.
Listen to everyone (even coaches) but only act based on your own instincts and experience.
Stop being a passenger on your own car, jump in the driving seat!
Don't let the outside pressures (like competition or social status) affect your skills.

Throughout the years as a tennis coach I've been changing my own philosophies about the learning process for my students and for my own game.

I see so many players on court who feel stressed and frustrated with their shots. The more they complain of course the least they improve. They are prisoners of their own habits.

As a coach I try to make players understand that they are unique. They are also their own masters and should develop an independent view about their own shots. I really think that the time for the players to "buy" everything the coach tells them is over. Just because I am a coach you don't have to believe me. You need to check other players and the pros and then see if my interpretation matches your interpretation.