Coach’s Notebook

Karthik Menon

Thinks aloud, then gives you something to try on Thursday.

About

Karthik Menon coaches juniors on weekday evenings and does most of the thinking while walking between courts. The Notebook reads the way a coach talks: here is what I noticed, here is what I would try, tell me how it goes. Drills over theory, sentences that wander a little, and almost always a small task for your next practice.

Writes about

Practice and drills
Reading your own matches
Doubles patterns

Stories by Karthik Menon

Beyond the Score

21–19, 21–19. Two very different matches.

Two pairs win 21–19, 21–19. Karthik follows their opening games to find the exchange each should bring to practice.

Explore the story Karthik Menon · 5 min read · Match analysis · Practice

Beyond the Score

Slow starter, or slow to restart?

Two juniors get the same advice, “start better”. Compare opening-five and post-interval rallies to see which restart each needs to practise.

Explore the story Karthik Menon · 5 min read · Coaching · Practice

Beyond the Score

When your pair wins on your serve, what does that tell you?

Karthik reads a doubles serve split, then puts both partners on court to test the reply behind the number.

Explore the story Karthik Menon · 5 min read · Doubles · Practice

Beyond the Score

What changed after the interval?

Two points after a coaching cue can look encouraging. Karthik checks whether the player had a chance to use it, then sets a practice task.

Explore the story Karthik Menon · 4 min read · Coaching · Practice

Karthik Menon is a SmashIQ desk name: an editorial voice rather than one person’s byline.