Do you work with all types of students.
Pretty much. I’m comfortable working with anyone. Over the years, though, I’ve learned that my knowledge is only part of the equation. Positive, coachable, and committed students are the ones who make use of my knowledge, so that’s my criteria.
Your prices are less than most club fees for lessons but you seem to claim that you provide as much or greater coaching value. Why do you not charge more?
Yes, I charge less than the clubs. This is for two reasons. One, a club pro splits the lesson fees with the club. I simply pass this savings on to you. Could I charge as much? Sure. There are coaches who know much less than I do who, because of their names or playing background charge much more. But I have found that the bulk of people cannot afford to take too many lessons at these high rates. I don’t want to only be accessible to rich people. I want to be accessible to committed and coachable players. My prices allow pretty much anyone to do 4-20 lessons, thereby achieving their goals with me.
How long will it take to see results?
It depends on many factors. You can take one lesson, and we might make a shift that immediately translates to better results for you. Generally, though, in four lessons you can understand my suggested changes in your body. In 8-12 sessions, you can start to have it down. In 12-20 sessions, with you working it on it on your own, you can self-correct.
You seem to emphasize technique. Is that all you address with your students?
Definitely not. When I work with a player, I look at them as a whole, but if their strokes are inefficient, correcting these issues is my priority. As competency is gained, we look at how points are constructed. Obviously, if a player’s strokes are functioning well, I emphasize point construction. However, sometimes it’s not just mastering a stroke but mastering a particular type of ball with a stroke that needs training. It is different for each player. What isn’t different is that you have to be coachable and committed.
Will you insist on making changes to my game?
Sometimes. Again, there are many factors to consider. Whom do you play? What are your goals? What is your physical ability? How much time on your own are you willing to invest reinforcing what we work on in our sessions? My main goal is to have fun together helping you get to the next level. How we go about this and what I emphasize will vary depending on the answers to the questions I noted. Always, though, I approach coaching as a partnership. The students who make the most progress are the ones who ask questions and give feedback.
You state that you only coach part-time. Why is that?
The number one reason is that I’m a full-time father, and she is my first priority. In addition, I am still focused on some of my own remaining tennis dreams. Being on court coaching actually helps me reinforce things in my own game, but too much and it negatively affects my own training. Plus, I have a number of other interests.
Where will I come for lessons?
You will come to my residence on Siesta Key for tennis lessons. Six years ago, my dream was to be able to walk out of my house and work on my game. I live that dream every day, and I love meeting new people and helping them with their games in this beautiful court setting.
