# @mytenniscoaching on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Db4JQKBAphD
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69004401-mytenniscoaching-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/938ee6673f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-10T23:00:05.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Steve Whelan | International Tennis Coach Developer (@mytenniscoaching) — https://gondola.cc/mytenniscoaching

## Caption

Conversation 23/43 

I really shouldn’t be saying this, but not every ecological practice needs to be highly competitive.

Competition can create pressure, consequences and meaningful intentions.

But the moment you introduce a score, players’ behaviour can completely change.

They may protect the score.

Choose safer options.

Prioritise winning over exploring.

Avoid unfamiliar movement solutions because failure now carries a cost.

The practice may become more competitive while becoming less useful for exploration.

Great ecological coaching requires a careful balance between exploration and performance.

You might begin with a cooperative task that allows players to search for different solutions.

Then introduce an opponent so their actions must adapt to live information.

Finally, add scoring or a value system to examine whether those solutions remain functional under competitive pressure.

Opposed practice and competitive practice are not necessarily the same thing.

An opponent provides live information and uncertainty.

A score changes the meaning and consequences of every action.

Neither is automatically better. It depends on what the practice is intended to invite.

Before adding a scoring system, ask:

What behaviours will the score amplify?

What possibilities might it suppress?

Competition is a constraint—not a compulsory ingredient in every practice.

The conversation continues tomorrow.

Follow mytenniscoaching for evidence-based coach education.

#TennisCoaching #CoachEducation #EcologicalDynamics #ConstraintsLedApproach #SkillAcquisition

## Stats

- **Views:** 1,485
- **Likes:** 16
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## Tags

constraintsledapproach, skillacquisition, ecologicaldynamics, coacheducation, tenniscoaching

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