TNT: The Coaching Concept Hiding in Plain Sight

Every sport has its buzzwords, but one idea deserves far more airtime in squash: TNT, Takes No Talent.

You will hear the phrase in pockets of American football, basketball, and certain high performance environments, yet it is strangely absent in most racket sport cultures. That is surprising, because TNT speaks directly to the foundation of consistent performance. These are the controllable behaviors that require zero talent but separate serious athletes from the rest.

In squash, we spend enormous time discussing technique, angles, footwork, swing paths, and the subtleties of decision making. Meanwhile, many of the habits that actually determine long term progress rarely get the same attention. TNT behaviors include things like:

Arriving ready to train

Maintaining focus between rallies

Warming up properly

Listening to feedback

Resetting after a mistake

Staying engaged when tired

Being coachable

Showing respect for the environment

Preparing equipment correctly

None of these require genetic gifts or special timing. They simply require intention.

Why TNT Is Not More Widely Discussed

TNT feels both new and obvious at the same time. The idea resonates because it highlights something every coach knows: performance is built on disciplined habits. Yet it remains underused in squash for two reasons.

First, the sport tends to romanticize talent and technical genius. We admire the perfect drop, the attacking boast, the spin of the wrist. The unglamorous behaviors underneath do not make highlight reels.

Second, TNT removes excuses. When players understand how much of their progress sits within their control, the conversation shifts. The path forward becomes clearer but also more demanding. That clarity can feel uncomfortable.

Where TNT Changes Everything

When an athlete finally embraces TNT, the effect is striking. Training becomes more consistent. Skill development accelerates. Feedback lands better. Competitive habits improve. Coaches see it instantly. The player becomes easier to guide, more resilient, and more aware of what drives improvement.

TNT is the great equalizer. You cannot guarantee talent. You cannot shortcut experience. You can create a culture where these behaviors are the expectation rather than the exception.

What Comes Next

If we want to push junior squash forward, TNT deserves a permanent place in the conversation. The next step is identifying the most impactful TNT behaviors for long seasons, designing training environments that reward them, and teaching players how to execute these habits as deliberately as they practice forehands and volleys.

Talent matters. Technique matters. TNT is the floor everything stands on.

When athletes commit to what takes no talent, their ceiling rises faster than they expect and sometimes faster than they believe possible.