Tennis Coaching

10 Simple Things To Do For A First-Class Program

1. Take care of the facility. Make sure all cans, lids, and balls are off the courts. Be sure there are no weeds growing in the fence.

2. Make sure each court has the proper center straps and proper single sticks placed three feet out from the singles sidelines. (These sticks are great projects for shop classes.)

3. Provide either benches or chairs for players on changeovers.

4. Provide water for each court. Make sure that players have cups.

5. To achieve a professional atmosphere, hang several banners of past team achievements. Solicit advertising and hang banners from local supporters or major corporations. One idea is to call a local restaurant and allow them to donate a banner in exchange for sending the visiting team to the restaurant.

6. Be sure that there are seats for parents and other spectators.

7. Be sure to call your local newspaper one day in advance and immediately after the match to report the final results (regardless of outcome).

8. Place scorecards at each court to help everyone keep up with the current score.

9. Make sure all team members get involved. Assign those not playing to chart matches or be in involved supporting those who are playing.

10. Be sure that your team is dressed professionally. Make sure you dress appropriately. The impression you make as the coach is extremely important.

Sell your Courts to Advertisers!

One way to generate income for your tennis program is to approach a local sign maker and determine the cost to have court banners made for each court. Then find local businesses who want to contribute. Several people to approach for help are parents who own businesses, cellular phone companies, computer companies, local water distributors, pizza parlors, etc. If you sell each for $300 and can get a good deal on banners, you can easily make $1,000. The idea is to have the “Goodyear Court 1″, “Home Depot Court 2″, etc

Promote Tennis & Your Team!

These ideas should be of use as you make plans to promote tennis and your team in the community.

1. Involve the community

• Send invitations to groups within or around your community that are interested in tennis.
• Be sure they know: When, were, and that they will be warmly welcomed to the match or practice.

2. Visit your local sports writer

• Find a way to build that relationship.
• Introduce that person to your team members.
• Point this writer to human interest stories about your players.
• Remember to call with match results on a consistent basis, regardless of the outcome.

3. Build a list of supporters

• Past players, parents, friends of tennis, local coaches or pros, and send them schedules.
• Share your results with them
• Consider forming a booster club or sending out a monthly newsletter. People are more likely to come to your matches and support your program if they know about it.

4. Develop a www site

• Find a student who will help you with this. Perhaps a computer class can work on this as a project.
• Be sure to print this address on all mailings so that people will surf the internet and find it.
• Make sure to keep it up to date with match results. Players will love to see themselves on the web and be anxious to promote the site to others.

5. Thank your active supporters!

• After matches be sure to thank everyone who came to support your team. Speak to them and invite them back for another match. Your personal touch will make them feel appreciated. This takes very little time and costs no money!