To all the coaches reading my articles, I have some advice.  Try to avoid using the word “but.”  This word seems very harmless, yet it can ruin your complements.  For example…
 
My student asks, “So Coach Samson, what did you think about my performance at the last tournament.”
 
I reply, “Your looping was very powerful; your footwork was fast; you had good strategy; BUT you missed every smash.”