Its always difficult to step into a club first off and build it up into a viable business. But stick with it and get yourself known. Join in social sessions, set up invitation mornings and play matches for the club to get people talking about you.
Don't forget to attach schools to the club and bring the kids back again.
I have manage to hit on funding for getting adults back into sport, you can claim upto £40 per person for an 8 week course, the one i have planned already has 17 attendees and growing. Be sure to speak with your local sport funding centre and work your way into the school sports rep book!
Every district within the county has one so ask around.
I have come to the conclusion that many clubs fail to have a set in stone programme for all range of standards and ages. Produce a brochure for existing and also prospective members to take and look at. Before long your programmes will be full and you can be planning how to double up on sessions by hiring another coach.
FINALLY, run some tournaments at the club to let the kids know about your services and club. I have managed to get hold of a yearly schools mini red tournament for our club. Use the time to sell drinks and coffees whilst you are there as well as anything else that kids may eat! Then ensure every kid has a copy of the summer camps programme.
On a personal note, i have managed to acquire the coaching services of the Army Tennis Team. This is only for 6 days whereby they will play the inter-services at wimbledon. I guess my ex-army background has helped but like everything its also helps with who you know. Very similar to all the examples i have given above.
Network, network, network and once you have enough contacts, network some more!
Friday, 21 May 2010
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Time waits for no one!
Why put off tomorrow what you can do today?
''Lets just have one lesson on the serve''.....''Sure''......''I must warn you i have had many lessons and no one has managed to sort out my serve!''.....''Oh that was good, i enjoyed that lets do some more''
Once you have someone for there first ever lesson, make sure for certain its not the last! I always say if something cannot be fixed within 2 minutes or 20 serves then its not worth fixing or you don't really know what you are doing!
Make sure at the end of the lesson that your student no matter who has an understanding of what to do and how to do it. Ask them when they will next practice this in a live situation and constantly check. You may have fixed it but its easy to slip back if the practice isn't constant. Set some practice homework for your students to commit to and you will be fine.
Don't forget word of mouth is more powerful than any advertising! Brochures and posters just back up your on court work and skills.
If you have spare time ensure you get the letters out to the more talented students in other groups inviting them back for more sessions at a later date.
On a personal note my book Tennis Psychology made Easy is starting to sell well, eclipsing the famous book Smart Tennis on Wednesday as we write. Although this may be because everyone has got a copy at this stage! My efforts to get the book in to local shops in Wimbledon have paid off i now get to provide them with copies on demand. I want thousands to be sold over Wimbledon infact more. Maybe this can be the start of something new.
After all time waits for no one!
''Lets just have one lesson on the serve''.....''Sure''......''I must warn you i have had many lessons and no one has managed to sort out my serve!''.....''Oh that was good, i enjoyed that lets do some more''
Once you have someone for there first ever lesson, make sure for certain its not the last! I always say if something cannot be fixed within 2 minutes or 20 serves then its not worth fixing or you don't really know what you are doing!
Make sure at the end of the lesson that your student no matter who has an understanding of what to do and how to do it. Ask them when they will next practice this in a live situation and constantly check. You may have fixed it but its easy to slip back if the practice isn't constant. Set some practice homework for your students to commit to and you will be fine.
Don't forget word of mouth is more powerful than any advertising! Brochures and posters just back up your on court work and skills.
If you have spare time ensure you get the letters out to the more talented students in other groups inviting them back for more sessions at a later date.
On a personal note my book Tennis Psychology made Easy is starting to sell well, eclipsing the famous book Smart Tennis on Wednesday as we write. Although this may be because everyone has got a copy at this stage! My efforts to get the book in to local shops in Wimbledon have paid off i now get to provide them with copies on demand. I want thousands to be sold over Wimbledon infact more. Maybe this can be the start of something new.
After all time waits for no one!
Saturday, 15 May 2010
What is talent?
My second Saturday at the club.
Many things are planned for the future and it sounds like the tour coaching series of courses for coaches will be going ahead. I will plan these dates and subjects by the end of the month and all will be run with ex top 50 WTA or ATP players along with myself as host!
Today was good, my old friend and ex student from the late 90's is improving at a great rate and will be back playing tournaments. The kids sessions were great but have this ingrained need to play silly games! I must remember that tennis is a game and sometimes they want to play for fun not just try and learn all the time. I guess 10 years away and just lecturing has made me realise that not everyone needs to be a champion lol.
However my main aim is to improve everyone to the best of their abilities. You have the workers and grinders, the lazy ones and the ones who just want to learn until they are hooked.
To me talent is when a student enjoys hard work, enjoys improving and learning whilst listening and is athletic. Our job as coaches is to facilitate the improvement of technique and tactics but more importantly and this is a key missing ingredient with alot of coaches, empower the students and players with the ability to problem solve and think.
This week i set up a performance programme which includes 1.5 hours coaching, 1.5 hours drilling and 1.5 hours of pressure point matchplay and psychology. All for £50 per week for a maximum of 8 students. Alongside this the players will get two individual lessons per month and programming and planning for the journey ahead. As coaches this is a great programme and beneficial for all. But for potential players this for sure is not enough, so make sure that set matchplay sessions and practice sessions throughout the week when you have to work with other groups and individuals.
With all plans and programmes now in place, all that is required is to start the school work and add the extra secondary and primary school and we are good to go, full steam ahead and a fill a club that actually loves to have an outstanding junior programme and membership.
Dont forget to email if you want more advice. Right now i still keep in touch with many of you even regarding PTR issues. Just because i have left this part of my life behind me doesn't mean i wont help when needed.
So just holla
Many things are planned for the future and it sounds like the tour coaching series of courses for coaches will be going ahead. I will plan these dates and subjects by the end of the month and all will be run with ex top 50 WTA or ATP players along with myself as host!
Today was good, my old friend and ex student from the late 90's is improving at a great rate and will be back playing tournaments. The kids sessions were great but have this ingrained need to play silly games! I must remember that tennis is a game and sometimes they want to play for fun not just try and learn all the time. I guess 10 years away and just lecturing has made me realise that not everyone needs to be a champion lol.
However my main aim is to improve everyone to the best of their abilities. You have the workers and grinders, the lazy ones and the ones who just want to learn until they are hooked.
To me talent is when a student enjoys hard work, enjoys improving and learning whilst listening and is athletic. Our job as coaches is to facilitate the improvement of technique and tactics but more importantly and this is a key missing ingredient with alot of coaches, empower the students and players with the ability to problem solve and think.
This week i set up a performance programme which includes 1.5 hours coaching, 1.5 hours drilling and 1.5 hours of pressure point matchplay and psychology. All for £50 per week for a maximum of 8 students. Alongside this the players will get two individual lessons per month and programming and planning for the journey ahead. As coaches this is a great programme and beneficial for all. But for potential players this for sure is not enough, so make sure that set matchplay sessions and practice sessions throughout the week when you have to work with other groups and individuals.
With all plans and programmes now in place, all that is required is to start the school work and add the extra secondary and primary school and we are good to go, full steam ahead and a fill a club that actually loves to have an outstanding junior programme and membership.
Dont forget to email if you want more advice. Right now i still keep in touch with many of you even regarding PTR issues. Just because i have left this part of my life behind me doesn't mean i wont help when needed.
So just holla
Thursday, 13 May 2010
More days, more planning and more meetings
So with the passport fiasco behind me and on its way, i can settle back into planning and re-arranging.
Remember when planning your sessions ensure that groups are set for just after school hours so the kids get used to leaving school and coming straight to tennis. Some schools have the ability to take a mini bus of kids from the school to the club which is even better! Parents who work would love this and are willing to pay.
Sometimes, programmes need rearranging along with times to maximise your potential earnings. Work out when the club has quiet times and work out why. Perhaps, this is then key to add in extra coaching sessions. Try not to interfere with social tennis, although to set a group just prior to this will ensure that this also fills quite well.
Now is the time to plan the summer programmes and get them out, the earlier the better. Get them into schools you work in, around the club and anywhere else that maybe fruitful.
Today i had a meeting about funding for schools bar the short deadline to get applications in i can help with this side of life for those interested. After all it all helps and don't forget schools help build the programme and the club. Email me if you want details, the deadlines for primary and secondary schools for next year are October this year.
Now i need to plan the club tournament. Ciao
Remember when planning your sessions ensure that groups are set for just after school hours so the kids get used to leaving school and coming straight to tennis. Some schools have the ability to take a mini bus of kids from the school to the club which is even better! Parents who work would love this and are willing to pay.
Sometimes, programmes need rearranging along with times to maximise your potential earnings. Work out when the club has quiet times and work out why. Perhaps, this is then key to add in extra coaching sessions. Try not to interfere with social tennis, although to set a group just prior to this will ensure that this also fills quite well.
Now is the time to plan the summer programmes and get them out, the earlier the better. Get them into schools you work in, around the club and anywhere else that maybe fruitful.
Today i had a meeting about funding for schools bar the short deadline to get applications in i can help with this side of life for those interested. After all it all helps and don't forget schools help build the programme and the club. Email me if you want details, the deadlines for primary and secondary schools for next year are October this year.
Now i need to plan the club tournament. Ciao
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Well that's another fine mess you got me into Stanley......
So here is an unusual chain of events...
Sunday print tickets for holiday on 22nd well in advance - Good
Notice member of family has extinct passport - not good
Book 7 day super fast passport appointment in london - good
Turn up and forget birth certificate - not good
Worse still walk off train at stop and leave 3 x passports, cheque book, potential already signed other passport for said person of forgotten birth cert and holiday clothes on train - super not good!
Find passports and related stuff after jumping on next train and chasing train in front to Shoeburyness! - Stroke of luck
Get back in time to continue coaching at club for rest of night - Phew
Beat mens team captain to stamp playing authority on club - Job Done
and tomorrow i get to go upto the passport office again to try again
but.....if you have the ability always stamp your playing standard on a club as soon as possible 'just do it'. With your coaching ability becoming known adding a playing ability makes for a sound grounding and a slight gain of respect has been earn't. But never ever rest on your laurels, remember clients are doing YOU a favour by hiring you, not the other way around.
Next job is to arrange a fun day so everyone gets to 'meet the coach'. I will set out an outline and again post this for you on my web.
Glad this is helping some of you and your emails are always welcome. Even if they are about pathway courses and things that you still need as a PTR member. Always a pleasure, never a chore!
Sunday print tickets for holiday on 22nd well in advance - Good
Notice member of family has extinct passport - not good
Book 7 day super fast passport appointment in london - good
Turn up and forget birth certificate - not good
Worse still walk off train at stop and leave 3 x passports, cheque book, potential already signed other passport for said person of forgotten birth cert and holiday clothes on train - super not good!
Find passports and related stuff after jumping on next train and chasing train in front to Shoeburyness! - Stroke of luck
Get back in time to continue coaching at club for rest of night - Phew
Beat mens team captain to stamp playing authority on club - Job Done
and tomorrow i get to go upto the passport office again to try again
but.....if you have the ability always stamp your playing standard on a club as soon as possible 'just do it'. With your coaching ability becoming known adding a playing ability makes for a sound grounding and a slight gain of respect has been earn't. But never ever rest on your laurels, remember clients are doing YOU a favour by hiring you, not the other way around.
Next job is to arrange a fun day so everyone gets to 'meet the coach'. I will set out an outline and again post this for you on my web.
Glad this is helping some of you and your emails are always welcome. Even if they are about pathway courses and things that you still need as a PTR member. Always a pleasure, never a chore!
Monday, 10 May 2010
Note to self....
Must stretch more!
Right now Mondays are slower days but with the plan now in place and posters on the wall we shall see what happens. Don't forget to put up a poster about your coaching abilities, details and some business cards underneath! This works great and then the only thing to do is get out there and promote yourself in socials, matches and in your coaching! I will add my current poster to my website for you to copy and use yourself.
Hope this all helps!
Right now Mondays are slower days but with the plan now in place and posters on the wall we shall see what happens. Don't forget to put up a poster about your coaching abilities, details and some business cards underneath! This works great and then the only thing to do is get out there and promote yourself in socials, matches and in your coaching! I will add my current poster to my website for you to copy and use yourself.
Hope this all helps!
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Day 5 and first week complete
Okay Saturday at the club is complete two high level individuals and three groups of mini red, orange and green.
The groups are okay the green group however reminds me of the County squad i trained years back. 7 potential county class girls and another i will pull in from mid week. Perfect!
This is what coaching is made for. My years of experience as a tutor and ability for constant and never ending improvement are standing me in good stead! Sometimes you don't realise your abilities until they are used real time.
Posters are up in the club and programmes are set in place, i can't start in ernest until the end of the month but that was always the plan when leaving the PTRuk. Didn't quite turn out that way but i guess there are reasons for this. It seems my life is taking a different direction and my link with my friends seem to be opening doors for me. Plus it also gives me the opportunity to train more for the Vets Tour in earnest, no reason why i can't train every day for this (email me if you are interested in the sessions).
Right now i am working on the Tour Coach book and am adding quotes from Ljubicic and Ivansevic as well. I hope to have the rough draft for just after Wimbledon. Along side this i am planning the Tour Series of courses run by ex WTA players. Keep an eye out for these soon!
My first week has been busy and fulfilling, almost like i have missed this but the simple things in teaching are great and i have decided to start vlogging these for you. The simple games and practices to improve your players. Before long the website will be a wealth of knowledge i have gained over the 16 Years of coaching.
The groups are okay the green group however reminds me of the County squad i trained years back. 7 potential county class girls and another i will pull in from mid week. Perfect!
This is what coaching is made for. My years of experience as a tutor and ability for constant and never ending improvement are standing me in good stead! Sometimes you don't realise your abilities until they are used real time.
Posters are up in the club and programmes are set in place, i can't start in ernest until the end of the month but that was always the plan when leaving the PTRuk. Didn't quite turn out that way but i guess there are reasons for this. It seems my life is taking a different direction and my link with my friends seem to be opening doors for me. Plus it also gives me the opportunity to train more for the Vets Tour in earnest, no reason why i can't train every day for this (email me if you are interested in the sessions).
Right now i am working on the Tour Coach book and am adding quotes from Ljubicic and Ivansevic as well. I hope to have the rough draft for just after Wimbledon. Along side this i am planning the Tour Series of courses run by ex WTA players. Keep an eye out for these soon!
My first week has been busy and fulfilling, almost like i have missed this but the simple things in teaching are great and i have decided to start vlogging these for you. The simple games and practices to improve your players. Before long the website will be a wealth of knowledge i have gained over the 16 Years of coaching.
Friday, 7 May 2010
Day 4
Fridays generally used to be my programme writing day for the PTR. This is where i used to get my motivation and inspiration to write the courses that thousands of you over the years attended. Even though i will continue this now to add to my personal website today was spent printing and sorting out the programmes to be.
Plus i have sent free copies of my book to book shops around Wimbledon to see if anyone will sell them and buy more later. I want a 10,000 book order please!
Now must finish the last bits and then to work on the 'Tour Coaching' book, i will send out a rough cut pre-release to those who are interested with the permission of the Author of course.
Plus i have sent free copies of my book to book shops around Wimbledon to see if anyone will sell them and buy more later. I want a 10,000 book order please!
Now must finish the last bits and then to work on the 'Tour Coaching' book, i will send out a rough cut pre-release to those who are interested with the permission of the Author of course.
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Building Building Building
Okay so day 3 more networking and to add to the secondary school I now have a primary to add to the list. I am after the one big girls private catholic school and another primary. With that the club will be brimming with students. The summer programme just needs adjusting and that will be out to the members along with the programme of events for the year.
I am particularly looking forward to the oncourt fitness hour using the Etcheberry methods, if this works then i will ensure i place one during the day. The little hitters programme will commence after the half term and right now my priorities are to get some sign up sheets for the main events i wish to build and get a poster up with my details in full view of the club.
3 hours of coaching went well, 18 mini reds in the first session with some budding stars, 8 in the orange session and a poor show out of 3 in the next. Saying this throughout the sessions for sure there are some talented youngsters but question is how much? Right now there are some remedial deficiencies in the games as a whole. Consistency and fundamental technique being key but on the bright side they can all rally to some degree or other. Damn the last coach who taught them all to serve though!
Tomorrow is kinda a day off but time to get the tax for last year to the accountant and print what i need for Saturdays sessions. By the beginning of June there should be a full programme being run and then i can start spreading the 'coaching word of mouth' Essex wide.
Once this is all in place then i can plan masterclasses, an Essex wide talent id day with a few 100% 6 month scholarships thrown in for the performance squads.
Lets see. Hope this helps those in charge of their clubs!
I am particularly looking forward to the oncourt fitness hour using the Etcheberry methods, if this works then i will ensure i place one during the day. The little hitters programme will commence after the half term and right now my priorities are to get some sign up sheets for the main events i wish to build and get a poster up with my details in full view of the club.
3 hours of coaching went well, 18 mini reds in the first session with some budding stars, 8 in the orange session and a poor show out of 3 in the next. Saying this throughout the sessions for sure there are some talented youngsters but question is how much? Right now there are some remedial deficiencies in the games as a whole. Consistency and fundamental technique being key but on the bright side they can all rally to some degree or other. Damn the last coach who taught them all to serve though!
Tomorrow is kinda a day off but time to get the tax for last year to the accountant and print what i need for Saturdays sessions. By the beginning of June there should be a full programme being run and then i can start spreading the 'coaching word of mouth' Essex wide.
Once this is all in place then i can plan masterclasses, an Essex wide talent id day with a few 100% 6 month scholarships thrown in for the performance squads.
Lets see. Hope this helps those in charge of their clubs!
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
A new start and regime
Many of you now know i have left the PTRuk. Thankyou for your messages didn't realise i had touched so many around the world! Personally i am not sure i have made the right decision to leave and jump into the direction i have but......at the same time circumstances dictated for once in my life a direction i had to turn.
But enough of that already, this leaves a good opportunity to teach anyone how to build a club from the bottom up. The club itself is set in a woodland area, 10 courts and currently boasts 70 juniors and around 180 adults. The programme is very basic and needs building and rescheduling.
I get to take over the current programme of 12 hours of group lessons. Here your name is made if you are good enough and the word will get out of your abilities and talents. Don't be afraid of hard work
First and foremost when walking into the club you have to understand the environment and needs of the members. To do this you need to join in socials and run some fun days. Get to know the members and put your face about. This means giving some free time away but don't worry it comes back to you and overall you never now who your membership consists of!
.
I have only run 3 sessions at the club already and joined in a fun day but so far i have learned.....
The club is rife with school teachers
It also boasts a link to sport essex and a wealth of funding for coaching
School teachers have friends who can get you into schools very easily and within 2 days of negotiating we are in the first school and whats more they are coming to the club.
The aim of working schools is to get them into the coaching programme, my tactic is to use two secondary schools one is a private school. With the county high school the only suitable year to work with are Year 7's. Any other will be a waste of time and you can get those into tennis via other events like school talent id days.
You will need to build your programme and as it stands i have written a rough outline that i will post for you temporarily on my web andytennis.co.uk for you to look at, this is purely from listening to the members and understanding what has worked in the past.
Get your holiday programmes out early and take these into schools with you, always keep these, your business card and a current diary with you to book lessons and always have an up to date understanding of where you are.
Remember build it and they will come!
From here on in i will give you a daily blog until such time you can work a 40 hour week over 5 days.
But enough of that already, this leaves a good opportunity to teach anyone how to build a club from the bottom up. The club itself is set in a woodland area, 10 courts and currently boasts 70 juniors and around 180 adults. The programme is very basic and needs building and rescheduling.
I get to take over the current programme of 12 hours of group lessons. Here your name is made if you are good enough and the word will get out of your abilities and talents. Don't be afraid of hard work
First and foremost when walking into the club you have to understand the environment and needs of the members. To do this you need to join in socials and run some fun days. Get to know the members and put your face about. This means giving some free time away but don't worry it comes back to you and overall you never now who your membership consists of!
.
I have only run 3 sessions at the club already and joined in a fun day but so far i have learned.....
The club is rife with school teachers
It also boasts a link to sport essex and a wealth of funding for coaching
School teachers have friends who can get you into schools very easily and within 2 days of negotiating we are in the first school and whats more they are coming to the club.
The aim of working schools is to get them into the coaching programme, my tactic is to use two secondary schools one is a private school. With the county high school the only suitable year to work with are Year 7's. Any other will be a waste of time and you can get those into tennis via other events like school talent id days.
You will need to build your programme and as it stands i have written a rough outline that i will post for you temporarily on my web andytennis.co.uk for you to look at, this is purely from listening to the members and understanding what has worked in the past.
Get your holiday programmes out early and take these into schools with you, always keep these, your business card and a current diary with you to book lessons and always have an up to date understanding of where you are.
Remember build it and they will come!
From here on in i will give you a daily blog until such time you can work a 40 hour week over 5 days.
Monday, 3 May 2010
Latest News
Welcome back all! Last week I had the privilege to work alongside some of the best coaches in the world, Leo Alonso whom currently coaches world ranked Leonardo Mayer; Alex Rossi who was the former coach to world number 1 Marcello Rios, Daniel Spatz who has coached many junior players to tour level including Del Potro; Ken DeHart who's claim to fame is his client Harrison Ford and also of the TennisOne.com regime and not forgetting Clive Carrigan whom is Director of the PTRuk and revered world wide.
Of course all took away a copy of Tennis Psychology made Easy and it was great that Danny had actually sat down to read most of this and let me know the parts he particularly liked and will use with all his players!
On top of that I now have a script and first start to the forth coming book 'Tour Coaching' and what a coach can expect to hear from players if they wish to pursue this avenue. Included are many quotes from current tour players including Dinara Safina. This i am co-writing with Silvija Talaja and can expect like all good books to be ready in another year and a half from now! Probably another 3-5 years after that for a best seller in the tennis world too.
Now next week back to the office to plan and get ready for the weeks to follow. One day i will slow down and take stock at what is around me but for now life ploughs on and i am enjoying the ride.
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