The Coaches Playbook Newsletter

Hey Reader, As tennis coaches, we've all witnessed players like one of my former players Kieran. The challenging transition from Orange to Green courts. It's a crucial stage in a young athlete's development, where foundational skills are put to the test in new, demanding conditions. Let’s explore why this transition can be particularly tough, through Kieran’s journey. Kieran’s Challenge: Stepping Up to Green Kieran had been thriving on the Orange courts, where the ball's lower bounce and the...

The moment’s here…Pre-sale tickets are now live for The Modern Tennis Coach Event – Feb 2026. This is the first Tennis coaching event of its kind, focused entirely on: Ecological Psychology Ecological Dynamics The Constraints-Led Approach And a player-first lens that challenges traditional coaching And the lineup? 👀We’ve secured speakers who: Grand Slam Winning Coaches A Mentor to national coaches and coach developers around the world A coach who is completing a PhD and publishing on skill...

What if you could stop guessing—and start coaching with clarity?That’s exactly what My Tennis Coaching Academy gives you. From full certifications to real-world practice tools, it’s all here:Practical. Evidence-based. Designed for real coaches, not theorists. 👇 Here's what you get as a member: All-in Access to the AcademyJoin the movement of coaches who are building better players without burnout. 4 Certifications | 70 Webinars | 200+ ModulesFrom foundations to advanced topics—everything’s...

Hey coach, For 18 years, I coached the way I was taught. Basket drills. Step-by-step technique. Static biomechanics.On paper, my sessions looked great.But on court?My players broke down under pressure. Especially in matches. Especially when it mattered. I blamed them at first—focus, nerves, laziness.Then I realized it was me.My coaching didn’t prepare them for real tennis. That’s when everything changed. What I use now is a simple 3-phase framework.It’s made my players more adaptable,...

Do beginners really need fundamentals first?Do you need to teach “the basics” before you let players play?Are closed drills still worth doing?What about injuries from bad technique? These are the questions I get every single week—From coach education courses, Instagram comments, YouTube replies, and live Q&As. So today’s My Tennis Coaching Podcast episode is dedicated to them. 🎙️ Watch now: But What About the Basics? Tackling the Real Questions Around Skill Learning What We Covered: 🔹 Why we...

“Split step!” “Move!” “Be quicker!” I used to bark these commands all the time.Especially when a player missed a ball they should have reached. And for a while, I thought it helped.Until I realised they weren’t moving better, they were just trying to move faster.And mostly… at the wrong time. The issue wasn’t effort.It was information. Players don’t move because we say so.They move when the game tells them to. Here’s what I now do instead, no more shouting needed. 3 Coaching Insights 1️⃣...

Hey Reader, If you’ve ever felt stuck delivering sessions that don’t quite transfer…If you’ve ever watched a player nail it in practice but freeze in competition…If you’ve ever wondered if there’s a better way to coach… Then you’ll want to save these dates: 🗓️ February 14–15, 2026🎾 The Modern Tennis Coach EventHow Modern Coaches Build Adaptable, Match-Ready Players This is a 2-day virtual experience that brings together top coaching minds, real session breakdowns, and the evidence-based ideas...

Hey coach, I used to write lesson plans like scripts. Every detail mapped out: Internal rotation Shoulder-to-shoulder recovery Tactical cues I’d plan the drill, the feed, the progression.It felt good. It looked good.But when match day came, the players froze. They hesitated.They missed.They fell apart. I blamed effort. I blamed nerves.But really? I was planning practice, not performance. And it’s not just me. Coaches I mentor around the world report the same:Players shine in training, but...

I did everything by the textbook. I planned every session.I followed lesson progressions.I basket fed hundreds—thousands—of balls.I mimicked the biomechanics guides, the technical checklists, the “perfect” model forehand. But when my players stepped onto the match court?They crumbled. They couldn’t problem-solve.They couldn’t make simple decisions under pressure.They were lost—and honestly, so was I. I was coaching the way I was taught.But the results? They just weren’t there. Maybe you feel...