The PTM Podcast
info_outline 033 - Mike Barrell - Evolve9 - Your Value Isn't Your ResumeThe PTM Podcast
info_outline 032 - Oscar Wegner and His Preferred Coaching StyleThe PTM Podcast
Oscar’s Success As a Coach When the coach can communicate through easy words and willing to permit the student to experiment and fail, learning will create a independent and lasting result. People learn when they experiment what does and does not have the correct result. We need to get creative when working with players to get them to understand concepts. They need to practice using a self-discovery model because this is what hey will do during a match. They need to figure out how to handle adversity for themselves. Oscar used this method with Bjorn Borg and Gustavo Kuerten. To learn...
info_outline 031 - Dr. Mark Kovacs - Become a Specialist In an Area You Are Passionate AboutThe PTM Podcast
In today’s episode, I had another chance to interview Dr. Mark Kovacs, one of the nations leaders in sport science. In this episode, Mark talks about the importance of trying to specialize in one of your passionate areas. You want to develop a skillset in any area that may make you known in: Your Local Area Your District Your Section Or eventually even nationally Some examples may include: The way you design drills How you teach Club management High performance All payers can be trained with a HP mindset, be at different levels. You may adjust the drills, the language…..etc You...
info_outline 030 - Sid Newcomb - USPTA National Tester - The Importance of DiagnosisThe PTM Podcast
Today we welcome Sid Newcomb, USPTA National Tester to the PTM Podcast. Sid is going to discuss the importance of the diagnosis in a lesson. Diagnosis is such an important part of what we do as teaching pros. A lot of inexperienced pros tend to diagnose based on the last ball they just fed. Way to much info instead of one thing they can work on. In a private: Start by removing yourself (or don’t teach the way you necessarily play) Be observant of the student Ask questions These are all super important in the diagnosis. A good pro has the confidence to ask questions to find out what...
info_outline 029 - Motivating Your Students To LearnThe PTM Podcast
Today’s Quick Tip Is: Tell Your Students What They Are Going To Learn – Teach Them – Tell Them What They Learned And using my online marketing method, may just get those stubborn players eager to learn. A Quick story: I had a group of students recently come to the campus for a week and it was an amazing experience for me s well as for them (I hope anyway) And by the way, if you are interested in bringing a group here, talk to me and I will set you up with an experience that you will not forget. Each day this group worked with an expert on campus: Monday: On-Court With Player...
info_outline 028 - Jorge Capestany - The 5 Types of PeopleThe PTM Podcast
Today I interview USPTA/PTR Master Professional Jorge Capestany. Jorge is a highly regarded tennis professional all around the world and has arguably the best tennis drills site on the internet. So Jorge , through his own experience has put people/coaches into one of 5 different levels 1. The Encourager - They look for the good in others and take the extra steps to tell them 2. They look for the good, but don’t tell them 3. Generally wired to look for the bad in others 4. Look for the bad in others and then DO tell THEM. These people are kind of mean. 5. The Gossiper - Look for the...
info_outline 027 - Successful Progressions - My Foolproof Plan For BeginnersThe PTM Podcast
027 – Successful Progressions – My Foolproof Plan for Beginners So today’s quick tip is: Start with contact and progress backwards when working with a NEW player, So why do people say that tennis is HARD? I’m going to tell you how I achieved 100%, yes I said 100% success, with getting every new player I have ever worked with to hit a 20 ball rally over the net on their 1st day with me. There are two secrets here and one of them is you So come on, make it easy for them. This way you can increase the chances of them being successful and coming back for more! Now you...
info_outline 026 - The Ocean Liner CoachThe PTM Podcast
Today’s Quick Tip Is: Become the Ocean Liner Coach if you are in the business in taking a player from one point to another. I have been on one cruise. I thought I would never like them, but I really do. The cool part, other than the free drinks and ice cream, it that even though there is a final destination, we make a lot of successful stops along the way. For example: My in-laws come to Florida every year to hang out with us for a few months. Now when I make the drive, it takes me about 21 hours to get here from Michigan. When they drive it takes about 4 days, because...
info_outline 025 - The Ambulance CoachThe PTM Podcast
Today’s Quick Tip Is: Stop commenting on every shot and PICK ONE THING. Don’t try to correct each shot. There are NO REDOS anyway, just opportunities. Instead, Try to look for the primary issue and go from there, BEFORE THE FACT. Now you have presented an opportunity to the student. As a tester, the student was supposed to match the primary problem we saw, but the key for me was even if the primary problem didn’t match mine, that was OK as long as long as he progressed properly and the student LEARNED and improved. Let’s start with the positive: Now, depending on...
info_outlineSo today’s quick tip is: Following some basic Do’s and Don’ts will help you and the staff be more consistent and look more professional
When I started teaching, on my own, I had to write up policies for my staff. I came out of college as a Director at a resort in Northern Michigan.
Not because I was an amazing pro, but I think I had a lot of help from my PTM Director and they really didn’t have any programs yet, it was just an amenity, so I couldn’t screw it up that badly, Right?
I still had to come up with a whole set of programs, policies and processes on how things needed to be done.
What did I do?, well if you listen to episode 003, I copied a bunch of things from my PTM program, camps and internships I worked, called other pros and had some of my own.
To be honest, I was not great initially at developing a “Teaching Philosophy” for the program, and my focus was on just creating one.
Now I was still a Greenhorn Director and Pro, but I did want the staff to be professional and I would worry about the other stuff later. This was all pretty new to me and a bit intimidating because I wanted to do a great job
So I took our Do’s and Don’ts for the tennis professional that we had in our PTM program and applied this to our program, and I want to go over these with you today. They will be in the show notes as well
Remember that these are basic and a bit old, but I think still stand true to this day. If you were taking this in a certification course, it would definitely be more complex, but this should be a great start.
Do’s and Don’ts of the Teaching Professional
- Arrive 15 minutes early.
- Exaggerate alertness and expression.
- LOOK PROFESSIONAL.
- Follow the clubs dress code (collared shirt)
- Make sure that courts and equipment are prepared in advance.
- Listen to Head Pro’s instruction and objectives.
- Stay on court during the whole lesson.
- Help pick up balls.
DON’TS:
- Show up late.
- Yawn (or hug your racquet)
- Lean against the net post, curtain, etc…
- Talk or bounce balls while the Head Pro is talking.
- Talk about work related problems with students.
- Leave court during ball pick-up.
BASIC DRILL ADMINISTRATION TIPS
Get Their Attention
- Be loud and enthusiastic
- Exaggerate expression
- DEMAND ATTENTION
Keep Them Moving
- Students should not be standing in one spot too long
- Most important to a parent watching the lesson
- More fun for students
- More fun for Director to watch
Setting Up The Drill
- Explain the drill and objective
- Demonstrate drill
- Split students up by ability if needed
Tips For Good On Court Drill Administration
- Pay attention to safety
- Pay attention to drill speed
- Exaggerate loudness and expression
VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES FOR TENNIS PROFESSIONALS
There are many voluntary activities done by staff members that will enhance the program. These activities are the catalysts that will move the program from an average one, to one that excels. These “freebies” reflect your interest in the programs and will help your students feel a bit more special. These are “Extras” like we talked about in episode 001 These might include:
Hitting with students during free time, even 5 to 10 minutes will have an impact on the student and their parent.
- Helping a student select a tennis camp
- Taking students to tournaments
- Organizing a tournament or fun day
- Watching students play out of class
This is big when you want to make that good first impression like we discussed in episode 011
Bottom Line: Looking professional and acting professional will definitely set you apart from even those pros who think they are better than you. You are in the people business.
Good Luck,
Coach Mick, USPTA