In a first lesson, my main goal is to build a strong foundation while making sure the player feels comfortable and confident. I start by assessing their level—watching how they hit the ball, move on the court, and approach different shots. From there, I focus on the fundamentals, making small but effective adjustments to help them develop solid mechanics without feeling overwhelmed.
We begin with simple drills out of the basket, working on clean contact, proper technique, and controlled footwork. I like to go through all the key strokes—forehand, backhand, volleys, serves—to get a complete picture of their game. If needed, I’ll introduce hand-feeding drills to help them focus on footwork and positioning.
As the session progresses and they start feeling more comfortable, I gradually build them up to rallying. The goal is to ensure that they’re not just hitting the ball but understanding how to move, adjust, and prepare for the next shot. By the end of the lesson, they should feel more confident in their strokes and have a clear understanding of what we’ll work on moving forward.
From lesson 11 onward, the focus shifts to refining the player’s overall game and elevating their match play. By this stage, they should already be playing matches with a solid level of consistency and a clear understanding of strategy and shot selection. Now, it’s about taking their skills to the next level—hitting with more controlled power, executing patterns with confidence, and learning how to outlast their opponents.
We’ll work on adding more weight and depth to their shots while maintaining accuracy, ensuring they can dictate points rather than just keeping the ball in play. This means refining their technique to generate effortless power, using their legs and core efficiently, and understanding when to be aggressive versus when to stay patient.
At the same time, we’ll continue reinforcing smart decision-making in match scenarios—learning how to recognize opponents’ weaknesses, construct points effectively, and adjust strategies mid-match. With each session, the goal is to make them a more complete player who not only plays with consistency but also has the weapons to take control and win points decisively.
From lessons 4 to 10, we’ll start taking the player’s game to the next level by introducing patterns of play and strategic shot placement. Now that they’re more comfortable rallying and moving to the ball, we’ll work on directing their shots with purpose—learning how to control the point by hitting crosscourt and down the line effectively.
During this phase, we’ll focus on consistency and decision-making, helping them understand when to go for each shot and how to build points intelligently. We’ll integrate drills that simulate real match situations, emphasizing shot selection, depth, and placement.
As they gain confidence with these patterns, we’ll start playing more points, reinforcing simple but effective strategies. The goal is for them to not just hit the ball well, but to play smart tennis—knowing how to set up shots, recognize opportunities, and execute a game plan. By the end of this phase, they should feel more in control of their rallies and comfortable applying strategies in point play.”
In lessons 2 and 3, the player will already feel more comfortable hitting the ball, so the focus shifts to improving movement and consistency. Now that they have a better foundation, we’ll introduce hitting on the move—learning how to take the right steps to adjust to the ball instead of just reacting to where it lands.
We’ll work on proper footwork patterns, making sure they position themselves correctly for each shot. This means drills where they move to the ball rather than hitting from a stationary position, helping them develop better timing and balance.
At this stage, we’ll also spend more time rallying, emphasizing consistency and shot placement. The goal is for them to feel more natural in extended rallies, develop control over their shots, and start understanding the rhythm of the game. Each session builds on the last, so by the end of lesson 3, they should be moving better, rallying with more confidence, and beginning to play with more structure.
