Workshop Topics
Typical Workshop Agenda
*Denotes on-court session
12:30-1:00 — Check In
1:00-1:30 — Coaching High School Tennis: Off-court Basics
The basics of managing the administrative, fundraising, individual player development and other off-court aspects of a high school tennis season
1:30-2:00 — Planning Practices
The components of a complete, model practice are discussed. Includes warm-up, before-and-after stretches, technique and tactic work, drilling and conditioning.
2:00-2:30 — Practice Like you Play: Theory
You don’t hit 100 backhands in a row during a match. How to create drills and practices that develop PLAYERS instead of HITTERS.
2:45-3:15 — Practice Like you Play: Practice*
On-court examples of match-play drills which improve both shot-making and stroke skills.
3:15-4:00 — Avoiding Common Coaching Mistakes*
You’ll learn why the most popular drills and practice methods in the U.S. are pedagogically incorrect, how to avoid them and how to run effective drills and practices.
4:00-4:45 — Stroke Mechanics*
The basic components of the serve, volley, return, forehand and backhand are reviewed. Common myths and spotting and correcting problems are demonstrated.
5:00-5:30 — Mental Toughness
“SEE the ball?” “BE the ball?” Forget the mumbo jumbo. . . learn practical applications of sport psychology.
5:30-6:00 — Conditioning and Fitness*
Suggestions for team fitness and conditioning with stretches, drills and workouts
Other available topics:
An overview of the sports sciences as they apply to tennis: Biomechanics, Sports Medicine, Physiology, Nutrition, Motor Learning, Psychology, Physics
Recommended strategies for planning a season of drills and practices based on a pre-season phase, pre-competitive season phase and in-season phase.
Singles and Doubles Strategies*
A review of fundamental strategies and tactics, based on matchplay statistics.
Drill Session
Sports Nutrition Basics for Coaches
A review of what to eat and drink before, during and after matches; menu suggestions; fast-food options; etc.
Coaching
Basic advice on team building, discipline, coaching styles, team rules, transition to college, etc.
An overview of footwork, technique and tactics shows coaches how to develop an attacking return.
Both the “frying pan” and loop serves are discussed to show how to make both effective.
Building Tactics into Practices*
How to improve specific matchplay skills and the strokes that go with them.
We can develop one-day or two-day workshops.
