A step-by-step guide on how to become a tennis coach by Steve Butcher – LTA Level 5 Master Performance Coach, Tutor and Mentor, Tennis Director at “Your Advantage Tennis Academy”
Crucially to become a tennis coach you must be passionate about tennis and love helping others to improve in, what can become, a game for life. Tennis coaching, like many careers, can also be very challenging in dealing with the many on-court and off-court issues that everyone faces in their daily lives. However it can also be one of the most rewarding career paths in sports education.
Technical and tactical development for tennis coaches
Tennis coaching involves the complexities of teaching highly technical skills, enhancing tactical awareness, developing physical aptitude, and building mental tenacity of a player. Whether your focus is on coaching juniors at your local club, working with more elite players, or travelling the world on tour, please find a few words of advice on how to get started.
Firstly you need to build a strong playing foundation yourself; you don’t need to necessarily have been a professional player, but you need to have a certain level of ability. I began my career on the competitive circuit, even playing at Wimbledon in the final of the London Parks and Clubs Tournament – importantly this gave me a solid understanding of the key tennis technique.
Tactics and competition experience is crucial. Playing the game regularly helps you demonstrate your skills confidently and relate to your future students. Often full-time coaches can maintain a level by playing with their top junior and senior players.
Official tennis coaching qualifications in the UK
It is really important to gain recognised coaching qualifications and accreditation. In the UK, this means being Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) accredited, which requires: a valid qualification, LTA DBS verification, completion of the online LTA Safeguarding course (3hrs online), and a First Aid at Work Qualification (6hrs course).
Coaching training bodies have a qualification pathway with various levels of accreditation. Assistant Coaches generally learn the basics required to support other senior coaches leading group sessions, instructors are qualified to lead beginner groups and run basic sessions, and fully accredited coaches can work more independently with both individuals and group sessions.
The high level senior/performance coaches are far more experienced in the delivery of advanced technical, tactical skills and often have experiences in programme management training. There are various coach training bodies LTA, ICA, USPTR, ITF RPT and others, all of whom offer recognised certifications.
Initially to gain more experience on court, why not start by volunteering or assisting at your local club, school, or academy. Most coaches will gladly appreciate such complimentary support, but please be aware that not all coaches are the greatest coach educators and ensure that what you are experiencing and witnessing is effective for your own future development. With that being said, like in any other occupation, experience is vital.
Observing other coaches, learning how they deliver a session, understanding how to plan effectively, and for you to get comfortable in managing groups of all ages and abilities is obviously a crucial element of becoming a coach.
For you to establish and develop effective communication and leadership skills is something that is developed over time and some can bring such skills from other roles, jobs and experiences. For younger, less experienced coaches this all needs to be honed and developed over time.
Motivation and social skills
Great coaches aren’t just technically sound in their range of skills, but they have the ability to motivate players, listen to their problems both on and off the court, and adapt using their range of life experiences both in sports and beyond. It is certainly worth investing additional time in learning more about sports psychology because this plays a big part for both adults and junior players alike. An understanding of child development and how we learn, and general mentoring skills, will enable you to connect effectively with both players and, often more importantly, the parents.
Finding your first clients and jobs as a tennis coach
To be successful and keep up with change, tennis coaches are continuously learning and updating their IT skills and knowledge of new technologies. For example AI video analysis, smart racquets, and an array of other data-based performance tools are becoming available for public use. You need to stay updated by attending various workshops, online courses, and potential professional mentoring.
We live in a highly competitive world and it is essential that a tennis coach is able to promote and deliver a brand to their customers promoting who they are and what can be delivered.
With websites like court15.com you can create a simple profile which will showcase your coaching philosophy, what experience & qualifications you have obtained, and supporting testimonials. You can also include other success stories about your journey as a coach. Additionally, platforms like Court15.com are making it far easier for coaches to connect with clubs, players, and parents across the UK.
My final thoughts I would like to share with you is that becoming a tennis coach is an exciting journey, but to withstand the various bumps in the road it requires a high degree of passion, patience and commitment. Both in managing your players, parents and other stakeholders, and having a continuous approach to self-learning and personal development. I treat every player like a new painting and use all the skills obtained to paint the next masterpiece, it’s very rewarding. Certainly every player you can help improve is a reflection of your focus, skill, empathy, and dedication to the sport.
So, whether you’re a young player looking to assist and grow your opportunities, a middle aged player looking for a side hustle in additional to normal life, or a high level player aiming o become a Master Performance Coach—remember, your journey begins with that first rally with a new player; establishing their basic skills so they can be set up for a game for life – hopefully!
If you are interested in finding out more about coaching, mentorship, or guidance on qualifications please do not hesitate to contact Steve Butcher LTA Level 5 Master Performance Coach, Tutor & Mentor at youradvantage-tennisacacdemy.co.uk.
