Coaching For Life: A Guide to Playing, Thinking and Being the Best You Can Be - Softcover

Annacone, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1633843823 ISBN 13: 9781633843820

Publisher: Irie Books, 2017

Synopsis

Coaching for Life is an autobiographic journey into the mind and heart of a remarkable man. In his own well-chosen words Coach Annacone describes his life as player, coach and the friend of many who love and work in the field of tennis. This exceptional story is full of anecdotes and exciting passages of dynamic play and deep concentration from Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, to name only two of the many intimate portraits revealed here. In the words of Paul Annacone:

 

“Coaching for Life is not about the sport of tennis as much as it is a process-oriented journey based on the sport of tennis. It is the life I have lived, and the front row seat from which I have watched some of the greatest players compete on the most majestic courts in the world. But it is also something that can be applied to our own day-to-day life.”

 

In this revelatory book tennis becomes the perfect metaphor for life. In explaining how to play with perseverance, rather than luck, Coach Annacone speaks for all of us--students, teachers, business pros, homemakers, parents, journeymen and women of all kinds, knowledge seekers and athletes on the cutting edge of their chosen game, whatever that game may be.

 

Aristotle once said it this way---“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”

 

We can always do better but it is best to do our best, says the author of this clear and positive paradigm for playing, living and being yourself at your best.

 

The champion’s way as clarified by the world greats of tennis always comes down to the basic truth of the following universal Annacone principles:

 

--Work not only hard but smart

--Commit and refine your process

--Prepare for and accept adversity

--Strengthen your game and see it clearly

--Take pride in your resilience and reap the reward

About this title

About the Author

As commentator on the Tennis Channel, as life and sports coach, as memoir writer, Paul Annacone is in a class all by himself. He draws on more than thirty years experience, starting out as a top 100 tennis player and becoming, in time, one of the greatest coaches in the field. He has helped such greats as Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Tim Henman, Sloane Stephens, and many others.

Review

Excerpt from MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW ...

 

At first glance, Coaching For Life: A Guide to Playing, Thinking and Being the Best You Can Be looks like a how-to guide for living well; but it moves well beyond self-help as it combines an autobiography of coach and author Paul Annacone's life with a discussion of how the rules and methods of tennis apply outside of the sports world. Anecdotes of players and moves are thus paired with best practices firmly rooted in real-world encounters.

 

Paul Annacone adds anecdotes and his personal encounters to illustrate these points, immersing readers in his life experience as well as his methods:

 

"The variety of shots, slices and angles you see in a player like Roger is strategically important to his game. But not initially. Not even for him. The mechanics of tennis, the building blocks of skill, come first. Once those are understood, then it becomes easier to understand how to execute the arsenal of shots that are the signature of the skilled player. But how can we - in any endeavor - move forward in a direct and uncomplicated way?

 

“Well, to put it bluntly, the more variables we create for ourselves at the outset, the harder it is to execute our plan. Repetition and well-designed drills are the answer. Strategy? As I've been saying, it must come later. First the body needs to learn how to think on its own, and this can only happen when the primary skill-set - the tool box, so to say - is put in place. With proper physical mechanics, good habits grow and become basic reflexes. Once the body has memorized the drill, then the mind can add an overall strategic plan."

 

The result (the book itself) is thoroughly grounded in the sport but reaches out to athletes and general-interest readers alike, adding strong visuals to make it a top recommendation for sports and general-interest lifestyle collections alike.

 

Diane C. Donovan, Senior Reviewer
Donovan's Literary Services

 

“It’s great to see so many of the tools we used written down in this book, a great resource for anyone pursuing goals.” Pete Sampras

 

“When you achieve your goals, it makes all the hard work pay off. Paul was a master at constructing, managing and executing the process.” Roger Federer

 

“Paul Annacone has been blessed with talent and surrounded by it his entire life.”

Mary Carillo

 

“He was brilliant at ingraining good habits on the practice court ...the need to trust your game and then executing that plan on the match court.” Tim Henman

 

“Paul’s philosophies, anecdotes, and wisdom are unparalleled ... if you want a recipe to bring out the best in yourself, this book is for you.” Chris Evert

 

“Terrific book!” Tracy Austin

 

“This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to reach their potential, both on and off the tennis court.” Lindsay Davenport

Edition details

• Publisher: Irie Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1633843823
• ISBN 13: 9781633843820
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 194