Tennis Lessons - All Ages

I learned to teach youth tennis basic drills from Mike Woody (Former Executive Director of Tennis at the Midland Tennis Center) and Jorge Capestany of Capestany Tennis through the USTA (United States Tennis Association). I attended the University of Michigan Adult Tennis Camp for six years. I’ve played in the City of Ann Arbor Tennis Tournament over 20 years. I emphasize the importance of dribbling a tennis ball with a Tennis Racket is comparable to learning to dribble a basketball to beginning to learn to play Tennis and Basketball respectively. I also use drills I learned from former Stanford University Tennis Coach, Dick Gould. Teaching Kids How to Play Tennis - Dribble Drills - Coach Dick Gould (17 NCAA Championships) I began teaching Tennis for Superior Township in 1990. Superior Township received a grant from the Federal Government for teaching Tennis to at risk children.

My rates are $40 per hour for 1 individual. I will teach group lessons at a competitive rate.

I’ve had a great love for tennis since childhood, but I did not learn to play until I took a class at Eastern Michigan University. I discovered the EMU Basketball Coach was teaching the Tennis Class. I thought he would just blow off the class because he would focus on coaching basketball and not teaching tennis. I quickly discovered Al Freund, took the class very seriously. I enjoyed the class very much and began to play recreationally, play in local tournaments and follow tennis more seriously. In fact, years later I had the opportunity to talk with Coach Freund after an EMU Alumni game. I told Coach Freund how grateful I was to be in his tennis class, and I thought he would not take the class seriously. Coach Freund told me that he was an Assistant Coach under Coach James Dutcher. Coach Dutcher got the job as the basketball coach at the University of Minnesota and Al Freund was selected as the Head Coach at EMU. Coach Dutcher advised Coach Freund to take the Health & Physical Education classes seriously because you never knew when you might be fired as a College Basketball Coach and you had to depend on teaching classes to earn a living. I have taught tennis for over 20 years with Ypsilanti Township, the City of Hamtramck, and at Palmer Park in Detroit, MI. I was offered Tennis Instructor position through the United States Tennis Association – Southeastern Michigan Chapter. I am a Certified Instructor through the United States Professional Tennis Association.

I work with Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced players of any age.

I am grateful for a new student I began teaching Tennis last month. The student is energized and enjoys my teaching methods.

Before you even start looking, figure out what you actually want out of your lessons. Coaches often specialize in different styles of teaching. The Beginner: You need someone focused on fundamental mechanics, hand-eye coordination, and keeping things fun so you don't get discouraged. The Recreational Player: You want a mix of cardio, consistency drills, and a few strategy tips for casual weekend matches. The Competitive Player: You need an intense coach who focuses on match strategy, footwork patterns, mental toughness, and technical tweaks under pressure. 2. Check Certifications and Experience While a great former player can be a great teacher, playing tennis and teaching tennis are two entirely different skills. Look for credentials from recognized organizations, such as: USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) USTA (United States Tennis Association) net Generation certifications Pro Tip: A certified coach is trained in proper progression models, meaning they know how to build your strokes step-by-step without causing injury or bad habits. 3. Observe Their Communication Style A great coach needs to speak your language. During your first interaction or a trial lesson, pay attention to how they give feedback: Do they explain why you are making a mistake, or do they just tell you what to do? Are they encouraging and patient, or do they take a strict, high-intensity approach? Make sure their energy levels match what motivates you. If you get stressed by intense critique, a high-pressure coach might burn you out quickly. 4. Understand the Logistics & Total Costs Tennis can get expensive quickly, so be clear about the financial and logistical commitment upfront: Court Fees: Does the hourly rate include the court rental, or is that an extra fee? Guest Policies: If the coach teaches at a private club, do you have to pay a guest fee or become a member to take lessons there? Cancellation Policy: What happens if it rains or you have to reschedule? Look for a clear 24- or 48-hour policy.

Before you even start looking, figure out what you actually want out of your lessons. Coaches often specialize in different styles of teaching. 1. Experience and Qualifications You want to know if they are actually trained to teach, not just talented at playing. "Are you certified by the USPTA or PTR?" (Certified coaches have been vetted on their teaching methodology, safety standards, and progression models.) "What skill levels and age groups do you primarily teach?" (A great high-performance coach for teenagers might not have the patience or right drills for an adult beginner, and vice versa.) "How long have you been teaching tennis full-time?" 2. Teaching Style and Philosophy This helps ensure their personality and approach line up with how you learn best. "How would you describe your coaching style?" (Are they strict and intense, or relaxed and encouraging?) "What does a typical 60-minute lesson look like with you?" (Look for a good balance of physical warm-ups, technical feeding drills, live-ball hitting, and a wrap-up strategy discussion.) "How do you handle feedback and corrections?" (Do they use video analysis, visual demonstrations, or mostly verbal cues?) 3. Goals and Progress Make sure they are willing to tailor the lessons to your specific agenda. "Based on my goal to [insert your goal, e.g., improve my backhand / play casual singles matches], how would you structure our first few weeks?" "How do you measure a student's progress over time?" 4. Logistics, Rates, and Policies Tennis can come with hidden fees, so get the business side of things completely clear. "What is your hourly rate, and does that include the court fee?" (Some public or private courts charge an extra $15 to $40+ per hour just to reserve the space.) "Do I need to pay a guest fee or hold a membership at this facility to take lessons with you?" "What is your cancellation and inclement weather policy?" (You want to know exactly how many hours in advance you need to cancel without penalty if something comes up, or what happens if it rains.) "Do you offer a discount if I buy a package of lessons upfront?" --- Pro Tip: Before committing to a large package, always ask: "Can we schedule a single trial lesson first to see if we're a good fit?" A great instructor will always welcome a trial run.