Podcast #164: Big Announcement + Question
April 4, 2011
On today’s episode of the podcast I have a big announcement that will has huge implications on the future of Essential Tennis! I also have a question to ask of all of you, one that you should answer in the comments on the podcast page at Essential Tennis. Thank you all so much for your support over the years, I can’t thank you enough!
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Welcome to the Essential Tennis podcast. If you love tennis and want to improve your game, this podcast is for you. Whether it’s technique, strategy, equipment, or the mental game, tennis professional Ian Westermann is here to make you a better player. And now, here’s Ian.
Ian Westermann: Hi and welcome to the Essential Tennis podcast, your place for free expert’s tennis instruction that can truly help you improve your game. Today’s episode of the episode is brought to you by Tennis Tours and Tennis Express.
Before we get to today’s show and the big announcement that I told you all about last week, I just want to say congratulations to Novak Djokovic. I really enjoyed the finals of the Sony Ericson open in Miami yesterday versus Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is just a beast right now. He’s playing so, so well. To be honest he’s never been my favorite player. I won’t get into that, but I just really respect him for the level of tennis that he’s playing right now on the ATP Tour.
It’s going to be really interesting to see how the rest of this year goes. Hopefully all of you listening had a chance to watch that match yesterday. If not, you should go check it out. It went 3 sets and really, really high level tennis especially in the third set. Alright let’s go ahead and get to today’s show. Sit back, relax, and get ready for some great tennis instruction.
Alright. So I know you all are wondering what I was talking about last week when I told you I was going to have a big announcement today, and I am. I want to tell you all from the outset here that episode number 164 today for this week is going to be a different type of episode. I’ve done 163 straight episodes that have been just tennis instruction nothing else, and today I’m going to mix things up just a little bit. I’m going to make the announcement that I was talking about last week, and I’m going to be asking a question of all of you listening, and I really want your answer. I really honestly do. I’m going to get to that question in just a couple of minutes.
I just want to be clear from the outset that I’m going to be talking about Essential Tennis websites and things like that, but I’m not going to be doing any Q&A or any tennis instruction today. So if you’re not interested in that, feel free to turn this episode off. You can just join me next week where I’m going to start up with my normal format again. But if you’ve been a fan of this show for any length of time and if you really appreciate the show and if you’ve learned anything from it, I really think you’re going to want to listen to what I have to say today.
So the announcement is that just this past week I completed my last week as a full-time teaching tennis professional at my job, a congressional country club in Bethesda, Maryland. I quit my job. I’m no longer teaching full-time. Just a little bit of background about where I was teaching. I never really talked about it on the podcast for good reason. As I was working there and working on the website at the same time, I really didn’t want to mix those two things together, but just to give you all a sense of the job I just left on purpose. I quit. It’s the second highest rated private club in the United States of America to join. The initiation fee just to get your name on the list, and it usually takes 3 or 5 years or so to become a full member after paying the initiation fee. It’s over $100,000 to get your name on the list just to join. And then of course once you actually become a member, you have your monthly dues and you pay for whatever you use at the club, tennis lessons or rounds of golf or whatever.
Just to give you an idea of how prestigious of a club it is, the golf US Open is being played there this year in June at Congressional Country Club, so I left. It’s kind of one of my early goals when I started working there was to be there at least long enough that I could be there long enough to see the US Open, but again I quit.
So this is a teaching job was something that was something I really wanted especially after I went and visited when I was interviewing. And typically pros really stay there for the long haul. The director of tennis has been there over 30 years. The head pro has been there over 10 years, and so this is a teaching job that most pros would really, really kill for. And I’m no longer teaching there as of this week. In fact, Monday, today is the first day of being on my own.
So why did I do this? I started Essential Tennis three years ago because I had a dream. I had a vision. I wanted to go just that next step. I had already become a pro at a really high level respected club, and that was all great. I really did enjoy teaching there. I love teaching. That’s really my passion is to teach people and be in the tennis industry, but I knew that I could even do one step better. And teaching at a regular club, I can reach in a one hour time period one, two people. Maybe if it’s a big group, 15 or 20 people. But I wanted to start a website to see if it was possible to reach the entire world, and I wanted to reach hundreds or thousands of people at a time instead of just a couple.
I also wanted to be self-employed and be my own boss and call my own shots and do exactly what I wanted to do in life and in my career. That was another goal of mine why I started the basis. Also I wanted to spend more time with my family and have more freedom. A typical day for me working at Congressional was waking up at 5 in the morning, leaving for work at 5:30, and getting home at night around 7 or so. So I haven’t seen much of my daughter. I have a 13 month old daughter. I haven’t seen a lot of her since she was born because I’ve been working really hard. I have an hour commute each way.
So those are all reason why I started the website. As a teacher, I wanted to reach more and more and more people and wanted to be my own boss. And now it’s a reality. I’m so excited about this, and that’s kind of the big thing I want to tell you all today is I’m leaving that kind of typical career behind as a tennis pro because I want to be your tennis pro. I want to teach all of you listening. That’s going to be my full-time job from today moving forward. I’m really, really excited about that. I’m pumped up for what the future holds.
Just to give you an idea, I started the website a little less than three years ago, and I was just going back yesterday as I was doing the outline for this show and taking a look at what’s happened in the last 3 years. Since I started the website, over 224,000 people, different people, have visited Essential Tennis. That gets me really pumped up. That gets me excited. That’s what I’m talking about. I can record a half hour podcast like what I’m doing right now and thousands of people can hear it. They’re all people that are pumped up and love tennis just as much as I do.
In those clinics that I would run at Congressional or lessons, those people might not even really care that much about getting better. They might not even want to work very hard. They might not even want to listen to what I have to say, and there’s some of you out there who probably don’t believe that. You’re saying, Ian that’s ridiculous. These people paid over $100,000 to be a member of this club. On top of that, they’re paying $60, $70 an hour to be on the court with you, and you’re telling me they don’t want to hear what you have to say? That is totally the case.
I should temper that by saying there were people that were incredible great students, and it was very hard to say goodbye to them and explain to them that I’m moving on to work on a website instead of teaching them in person. At the end of the day when I release this podcast, I know that hundreds and thousands of you will be listening that love tennis. You have a passion for it, and you’re working hard to get better. I just can’t match that in a club environment.
So over these three years, over 2.3 million page views have occurred on my website from all of those people all over the world that love tennis. I’ve done clinics in person all over the country here in the United States. In the future, I absolutely plan on going all over the world and working with fans of the website. I recently did doubles domination, my second release of my doubles course. There’s over 400 students inside of doubles domination. That’s right around the number of people who play tennis at Congressional, so that’s like having the entire active tennis member at Congressional. Every single person is all learning from me at the same time. I can’t do that. I can’t match that as a teacher inside of a traditional club environment.
Of course Essential Tennis podcast is the number one tennis podcast in the world now. If you go to Google and type in tennis podcast, this podcast will come up first. If you go to iTunes and type in tennis podcast, this podcast will come up first. So I’m incredibly humbled and blown away by this. Looking back at where I started, I started off with an idea that maybe this would be possible, but I really didn’t know. I just took one step at a time and kind of put myself out there. Looking back at how far the website has come, I’m just incredibly grateful and humbled by everything that’s been accomplished.
I want to tell you all that this is just the beginning. Everything that has happened with the website has happened really part-time. I told you all a few minutes ago what kind of hours I’ve been working at Congressional. All of those hours are now going to go to the website, and I’m going to be focusing 100% on making all of you listening the best possible player.
So that’s going to mean more clinics, and we’re going to be traveling a lot more. It’s going to mean a lot more video instruction. The video section of Essential Tennis.com really hasn’t been touched in months, and I feel bad about that. Starting this week, I’m going to be re-releasing a lot of new video instruction. That’s really going to be a focus of mine.
I’m going to be starting to spend a lot more time in the forums at Essential Tennis.com daily. I have time schedule for myself to go and answer questions that’s totally free. The advice that I give there, the advice that I give in the video instruction section of the website is totally free, and I’m going to be working on more comprehensive instructional courses just like doubles domination. I’m going to be working on putting more of those out there.
So my focus now in my tennis career, I want to tell all of you just be ready this. I’m going to start putting out so much stuff, and most of it totally free because just as when I started the website, my number one goal for it is still to make you all the best possible tennis players. And if you don’t want to buy anything from me, that’s totally fine. That’s always been totally fine. As you go through Essential Tennis.com, you’ll see that the vast majority of it is free, and that will continue to be the case 100%. I don’t mean 100% of it is going to be free, but it’s going to be the case that most of it, the vast majority of it is free and that’s 100% my goal.
Now, my question. Now that I’ve gone through all that and I’ve explained where I’ve come from, what my vision is for the future, what I’m going to be working on, I have a question for you. You. If you’re listening to my voice right now, I really want your input on this. What do you want from me? What do you want from Essential Tennis.com? Moving forwards, I want to make sure that what I spent my time on is really what’s going to be the most beneficial and most appreciated and what all of you are really looking for the most so that you get the most out of Essential Tennis.com.
My focus again is going to be 100% on you. If you’re listening to my voice right now, I want you to be a better tennis player, and to help me do that, I’d really appreciate some feedback. Tell me what you want more of it. Maybe it’s a certain topic that I really haven’t covered much in the past. Maybe it’s more audio instruction. Maybe you want more video instruction. Maybe you want a comprehensive course designed and created by me on a certain topic. Maybe you want a clinic in a certain part of the country or a certain part of the world. I want to know what you think would be most valuable for you as I move forwards with Essential Tennis.com.
So please take a few minutes, think about it, and then come to EssentialTennis.com/podcast and click on Episode 164 and leave a comment there. Please it doesn’t have to be complicated. It can just be two lines and just leave your thoughts on what you want moving forwards from Essential Tennis.com.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or long. I just want a couple of thoughts from you. I’m going to read all of those. I’m going to reply to all of them. You have my personal promise on that, so don’t feel like you’re going to waste your time. I will take each and every input I get, I’m going to take and consider. I will appreciate the time that all of you put in to do that. So again, EssentialTennis.com/podcast. Click on 164, and leave your comments or whatever you want to see on Essential Tennis moving forwards.
Now in wrapping up today’s episode, and I’ve talked a lot about the history of the website, me leaving my job, looking forwards, what I’m going to do, your input. I want to thank some people. This is really important for me because it wouldn’t be possible for me to be sitting here doing exactly what I want to do without the help of a lot of people. I’m going to thank three groups of people, kind of groups.
Number one is I want to thank my wife publically. I have been working incredibly hard the last year especially, and the last three years I’ve had the website going, but especially the last year as the website has started to ramp up and I’ve started to put up more and more and more, I have been away from my family. Maybe not physically but mentally and emotionally for some time now, and I want to thank my wife for her support of what I’ve been doing. There’s a lot of spouses out there that would not have the trust in what I’ve been doing. Just about that, yeah I’m going to make a living teaching tennis online. I mean, that’s crazy, right.
I’m the type of guy that has a lot of hobbies and interests. Those have all gone out the window as I’ve started spending more and more time on the site, and my wife and my child haven’t seen a lot of me in the last year. I want to thank my wife for continuing to support me unconditionally and trusting that what I’m doing will pay off for us in the long. Now it has. I’ve quit my job, and now I’m going to be home every day and I’m going to spend more time with her and with my daughter. So it’s paid off, but it really took a lot of trust for my wife to support me during all this time when I had to come at home at night late and say I’m sorry I need to go up to the office and I need to work. I’ve done that for months and months and months. So, Allison, thank you very much for supporting me in this.
Number two, I want to thank all of my online supporters and lots of different groups, listeners of the podcasts. The podcast has been really I’ve enjoyed doing the most. There’s no way I would have had the drive to continue doing it without the feedback, without the questions, without the comments, without the emails from those of you who have appreciated this show. Thank you so much.
I want to thank for the forum members, definitely the most active and most passionate fans of Essential Tennis are in the forums. If you’re a member of the forums and have posted there, especially if you’ve posted since the beginning, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. Honestly.
Those of you who have made donations in the past, thank you so much for your support. Those of you who have attended clinics, thank you for your support financially and emotionally. That helps me so much to see people come out in person and pay to be there and listen and really be good students as I work hard in whatever location I am to try and make them better tennis players. If you’ve attended a clinic, thank you very much.
Last but certainly not least, students that are inside of doubles domination and Essential Tennis platinum, the products that I’ve really put out there and worked hard at so far, thank you all so much. It wouldn’t have been possible for me to quit without that exchange of me offering value and instruction and you making that purchase and learning from me but also supporting me financially. I mean, that’s how it works right? I can’t quit my job without being able to pay the bills.
So if you’ve made a purchase from me of any kind of product like that, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
Then lastly, I want to publically thank Will and Adam at Fuzzy Yellow Balls.com. Behind the scenes, they have really been mentoring me and helping me a great deal. I look forward to continuing working with them in the future, doing projects together, the Grand Slam final webcasts, and helping each other out. Will and Adam, thank you both so much for your help. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the advice that you’ve given me. The two of those guys are great people. Honestly they’re very generous, and I just would not be quitting and I would not be making this announcement today without the two of them. So thank you both so much over at Fuzzy Yellow Balls.
So that’s pretty much. I’m really speaking from the heart here. I hope that if you’re a fan of Essential Tennis and a fan of the podcast, I hope that this hasn’t been difficult for you to listen to. I know that’s really different from what I typically do on the show, but I really felt like it was important for me to really put this out there, tell you all exactly where I am and exactly where the website is, and I really wanted to thank you all so much for your support. I vow to continue giving back to the tennis community generously day in and day out.
You should all pat yourselves on the back as well. Without all of you listening, this would not be possible either what has happened so far or what is going to happen moving forward. Who knows what the future has in store. I’m really excited for it, and I know the site is going to continue to be successful because of people like you, and I just want to thank you all so much for listening.
So again, please leave your comments on what you’d like see from Essential Tennis.com for myself. What do you want? Go to EssentialTennis.com/podcast. Click on episode 164. Leave your feedback, and I’m going to read and reply to every one of those comments.
So with that I’m going to wrap things up. I’ve said everything that I wanted to say. Thank you all again very much. Next week I’ll get back to the regular show format, Q&A, and whatever questions happen to be up next in line from those of you who have submitted questions for me to answer. So until then, I look forward to seeing you all on the internet and helping you all more so improve your tennis game and whatever I’ve done so far.
Again, thank you all so much for your support. I can’t say that too much. I’ll leave it at that. Thank you everybody, take care, and good luck with your tennis.
Hi Ian, I’m a newer member of ET and love your site. I started playing last September and have become a bit obssesive about the game to be honest! Wonderful for me as I have never considered myself good at sports. I have a very basic comment about racquets. Choosing a racquet is bewildering. How do you know what is the best option and at what point do you consider changing your racquet? I’d love a podcast on this issue. Thanks for everything you do.
Best regards
Claire B
Congratulations Ian, I’m happy things are working out for you, and you deserve it. I’m your listener since podcast ~30, and really enjoy hearing a new ET podcast while walking the dog.
The podcast is in the right track, mixing gear, strategic, mental and technical stuff. Your technique seems sound to me, and I’m a technical guy.
My suggestions are:
1- Keep your focus; don’t try to do everything at once.
2- Experiment a bit on the price of the curses, like doubles domination. Try to divide them in smaller packages with a price tag around $30 to $50 each. Or consider selling the whole for that amount.
Another possibility would be committing for a small monthly fee, like $10.
3- You said on the podcast about movies. Movies would be a great toll to add footwork and movement to ET.
4- I have a hard time learning stroke mechanics with visual aids. I’m mostly a kinesthetic learner, and would appreciate some movies with exercises to get the feeling of key movements, like serve pronation.
Keep on the good work.
PS sorry this post was late, I was out of the country.
Hi Ian, How about some tips for men’s (and women’s) singles players over age 55. I play with a group of 4.0-4.5 players. The “younger” players (<45 yo) hit with alot more topspin, than most of us. Tips on handling big topsin groundstrokes and general tips for getting the most out of our aging bodies on the court would be appreciated.
Ian, one followup comment.
What about setting up some way for people in the same area to get in touch with each other? I’d like to know if there are other ET followers in Toronto and, if so, whether any of them would be interested in getting together for practice.
Ian, interesting to learn about that hidden side of your life. I’ll continue to follow your work and fortunes with interest.
I’d like to know whether the wealthy D.C. meritocracy at that “congressional” tennis club are any better as tennis players and athletes than the rest of us. You intimate the answer when you mention the level of interest most of them have in the lessons you used to give.
I’ll bet a dollar that on average they aren’t any better than players at any other club. I bet their average level of fitness and skill is no different from what I see at mine.
You’d think that for $100 grand a person could become a 4.0 level player or better. I guarantee you I would. But I bet that on the court most of them are 3.0 to 3.5, tops, and in the locker room they’re pot-bellied old men with knee braces like everyone else.
In other words, the only thing they get for all that neat money is exclusivity.
PS: It was a good experience for you, and you’ll never regret it, but it’s to your credit that you got out of that stuffy atmosphere and will devote your energy to people who really care.
Bob,
You’re right, they aren’t any better on average than any other club filled with tennis players, simply due to the law of averages more than anything else. Having a ton of money certainly gives more opportunity to pursue interests like tennis with more gusto, but that requires that the student has a an interest and desire to learn in the first place. Also using the law of averages I can tell you that the vast majority of tennis players at ANY club is simply playing for enjoyment, recreation, and social reasons. I’ve worked at a very wide range of clubs with a very wide range of clientele. Congressional was just like the rest of them, but with much nicer facilities and a bigger pay check, haha.
Cheers
Good for you Ian. And best of luck.
One thing I would like to see is video analysis of points, games, and matches at all levels. I’ve toyed with the idea for about year now of writing a book about watching tennis. I find when I watch tennis on TV with other people, even tennis players, it’s hard for them to understand who’s ahead in a point, why players select certain shots, what strategies players adopt and what adjustments they make. I’ve decided I’m not qualified for such a project but I think it is worthwhile. I think it would be useful both to players and spectators.
Congrats on your big move. I’ve listened for some time, probably back to show 60. While I agree with more video, I listen to the podcast in the car so we need audio as well.
I’m in my mid-60s, trying to make it to 3.5, slowly getting better. I would really like to see some material for us boomers, like what type of excersize routine would help. I recently played doubles with a guy in his mid fifties against two guys in their twenties, man I couldn’t believe some of the shots they got back. So while I huff and puff and try to get to the gym a couple of times a week it would be really good to hear some suggestions on specifics for tennis.
I saw that you have a clinic in the Bronx this weekend and while I would have enjoyed going, I’m afraid the price tag was a bit high. I don’t know how you solve that, you’ve obviously got expenses and need to make money off this, baby needs new shoes, but…
You always sound like a very devoted father and its great to hear that part of the reason you’re doing this is to spend more time with your wife and daughter. But, take it from one who knows, it is very easy to get caught up in what you love to do that as much as you say, “My family comes first,” the pulls of what you are doing can be greater. I have no wisdom on this, other than if your family really comes first, carve out your family time and then fit your business in around it.
Best of luck, Norm
Congrats Ian! You deserve it. Having Essential Tennis podcasts to listen to on my Ipod these last couple of seasons has made several things more pleasurable; from long airplane rides, hours of waiting at airports, long drives in the oil patch where I work etc. Your knowledge and enthusiasm and your ability to convey complex ideas and techniques verbally is much appreciated.
The only negative I’ve seen was the limited opportunities to take part in any of the clinics. Hopefully now with the possibility of holding more clinics this problem will take care of itself.
From a tennis fanatic – THANK YOU
I just listened to the podcast. I have a match in an hour and sometimes I like to listen to an episode to get me in the proper tennis mindset. Of course, this episode was inspirational towards life, not just tennis.
I would like more insights into how to be the best “tennis parent” and successfully pass on the love of tennis to one’s children.
Given that you have more family time now, I would be interested in your reflections on this. I would also be interested in so-called “expert” ideas on this. So many pros are coached by their parents. Lastly, even from a technical point of view, what is a good way to slowly and progressively teach the game?
Best of luck on your decision to go solo. Just keep doing what you are already doing.Whenever you are in NJ I will take a private lesson.
I wanted to add my well wishes to all the others and also say thank you to your family – your facilitators. This courageous step of yours coincides with my search for the best on-line coaching which I have decided in the space of a few short months is the way forward. I find your mission of trying to reach as many tennis players as possible inspirational as well as your motivation, dedication and hard work
There have some very good suggestions so I can only add tweaks. Re the podcasts. Somebody mentioned ways of accessing and a sophisticated search engine with multi-word searches e.g.
losing + lead etc would be invaluable. When I meet a problem I want to find the answer in the Pods but how?
2. I was wondering as it’s such a wonderful resource whether it would make sense to illustrate some of them either with diagramms or videos. This would save you some mental work
3. This may not be a very popular suggestion but bearing in mind you’ve got to live, I would be prepared to pay a small sub say 10-15$ pm. I would see this as an alternative to buying the courses i.e. they would be included! Part of the reason is that I want DD, Tennis Ninja and Jim Mclennan’s building the serve which would probably about 1,000$ – and I can’t afford that so in the end I don’t buy any of them. If you could get enough subs it would be good for everybody and fit in with your ideals
4. Looking further ahead I wonder if there’s any chance of IMO the best 4 getting together to make “the” online tennis accademy i.e. Brent Abel, FYB, you and Jim of ETI network. That would demand a higher sub but it could be really good with all those skils and talents pooled
5. One day a clinic in Izmir, Turkey – quite near Tel Aviv. Lovely area on the Aegean
Dear Ian,
I am on the court 7 hours a day and 7 days a week. I play 3 hours of serious tennis every day and teach 4 hours a day to students of different levels. I am a regular listener to your podcasts both as
a coach and tennis player. There is no way I could possibly say how much I benifited from your teachings on both sides of the net. My students can not spell your name out . They probably have no idea who you are, but, whenever I need their attention or if I want to make sure that a message goes through, I simply say : Listen guys, this is a quote from Ian Westermann:. It works like majic.
Thank you so much for everything you thaught me.
A. G.
Hi Ian,
Congratulations on your move and the best of luck. I think your drive, enthusiasm, hard work and love of tennis ensures success. With regard to the question, I am not much help. I have so much to learn and still haven’t made the most of what you have already produced. I am always amazed how everytime I listen and relisten to a podcast I pick up something new. I am part of DD2 and finding the material great. My doubles has certainly improved and I see the DD2 material as a reference I will keep going back to. I also like the random listening of podcasts and watching videos depending on what I want to learn about today. A bit haphazard but great fun.
Thanks again
Judith
Judith,
Thank you so much! I’m really happy to hear how much you’re getting out of what I’m putting out there, that makes me happy. Thank you for being a listener and part of DD as well!
Hi Ian
Greetings from the UK.
Thank you for creating this site as I found it’s really helped me and my tennis over the last year or so I’ve been listening.
Thanks for your advice in response to my question about hitting against a wall and I look forward to the content you will put up soon. Also another question. I signed up for tennis ninja via your link but was not sure if I was one of the first 40 who get access to your fitnees course?
Hope you get to do a clinic in Europe somewhere as would love to meet you in person so you could really get stuck into my game.
Other random things that I would like help on are
double handed backhand technique
second serve into the deuce court
keeping your concentration when you get tired and the unforced errors start to mount up!
Thanks again for a wonderful site and best wishes for the future.
Stephen,
Thank you so much for all of your great suggestions, I really appreciate it! Thanks so much for being a listener.
I am from China,I really appreciate your work,thanks,keep going.
Thanks so much for listening in China!
Ian:
i am a 45 year player in mexico and find the podcast a very interesting and useful tool. i use to hear them on my way to work, i also find the videos very useful ( the one on the pronation on the serve helped me to raise my serve level)
i find specially interesting when you talk about competitive matches experience , mental, strategic an tactics.( i compete in the state tournaments)
i believe you are making a big contribution for the tennis comunity, and i was happy to know you found a great way to keep doing what you love , but getting closer to your family, congrats to you and your family , keep doing your fine job.
Abel,
Great to hear from you, thanks so much for listening in Mexico! I agree, the mental and strategic topics are awesome, ways for people to get better without even having to swing a racket! Thank you very much for your comments!
I know I am late in commenting but just wanted to say how touching your podcast was especially regarding your family and your acknowledgement of your wife. I had a great career and job as a lawyer for fifteen years before my husband decided to pursue a different career path and have to move our family. I had a 2 and 5 yr. old at the time. I knew my husband was very talented and a hard worker and that he would be very successful one day. However, it was a big risk. He started his own business and I would no longer be employed having moved far from my family and friends for him to pursue his dream so to speak. It was extremely hard on me, having never been a stay at home mom, and I had to put my ambitions on the back burner. However, it has been now 13 years, and I have never returned to working. However, only in the last three years when I picked up this sport of tennis, have I fully appreciated the luxury of staying home and raising my two daughters who are now teenagers. Tennis has given me something independent of my role as a mother and wife to pursue. It has given me the social outlet I so desperately needed and I am healthy and fit because of it., and therefore so happy. But it was a long journey and I know that my husband knowing that I believed in him and my willing to sacrifice so much for him made a difference in him achieving his goal of success. It sounds like your wife is the same kind of person who believe in you so much so as to make whatever sacrifices are necessary for you to achieve your goal. But I want you to never forget the sacrifices she makes on a daily basis and remember there will be plenty of bumps down the road but remind each other when you have hard times or arguments, and your will, that you believe in each other and repeatedly remind your wife how much she is appreciated and remember to do little things like just watching the kids for a bit so she can get a manicure or get out of the house for a cup of coffee. Good Luck Ian, and I am so glad I will be able to hear more of your instruction which has been so valuable to me. Please don’t change your format. I really like the way you take people’s questions and answering them so fully. Don’t start to make it more about you as some talk show hosts do but keep the focus on what your listeners want to talk about by creating your content for your podcast from the forums or emails. That is the best format in my opinion.
Maria,
Thank you so much for the time that you put into that reply, I really appreciate it very much. I’m SO hopeful that I do exactly as you say and never forget how much my wife had to sacrifice for me to now be at home! She really did deserve to be thanked first, and she knows that
I’m really happy to hear how much tennis has meant to you over the years, it really is an amazing sport. Keep working hard at it and you will continue to improve and get more enjoyment out of it!
Take care.
Love to see you come to Denver for a clinic and also talk about how to get the most out of tennis lessons. I take weekly lessons and my pro is great, but often wonder what I can do to ensure I am getting the most from them.
Steven,
I’d love to come to CO! Hopefully in the future. Great question about getting the most out of your lessons, I’ll add that to my list! Thanks for being a listener.
Hi Ian,
Thanks for the awesome podcasts, always enjoyed listening to them while I’m working out at the gym.
Would be nice to learn about the various types of topspin forehand strokes such as for rally, passing, or the drive, etc. How they are performed and the purpose.
Thanks,
Stefan
Stefan,
Great to hear that you enjoy listening to the podcast! Great idea about different types of forehands, I’ll add that to my list!
Hi Ian,
Congratulations on your new status. I know you will continue to do well. I teach tennis in the Los Angeles area, and I use a lot of information from the podcasts and Doubles Domination to develop lessons for my students. Have a great time, and keep up the good work.
Jerry King
Jerry,
Thanks so much for taking the time to write! Great to hear that the podcast and also DD have been so helpful.
Hi Ian. Firstly, thanks so match for dedicating so much time to us. Your podcast has taken me from a 4.5 to a 5.0 player. On future podcasts I’d love to see more focus on equipment and recommendations on equipment for different players. Eg, racquet head size, flexibility, strings, etc.
Makers,
I’m really happy to hear that the podcast has been so helpful to you! Especially since you were already a 4.5 player to begin with, that’s awesome. I’ll definitely be having gear experts back on the show in the future, thanks for the input!
-Ian
Hei Ian,
I’m a listener from Indonesia, Congrats for your Giant step.
What I love about your podcast is simply because I can hear it almost anywhere. Here in Jakarta is a heavily jammed city. Hearing this podcast is helping me to stay in tennis even though I’m in the middle of nowhere. Hahaha.. Usually, I’m hearing your podcast on the road from my blackberry and it has been bothering me that the display name on the blackberry is not about the topic of the podcast (ex. the display name is podcast154,podcast164, etc). Altough some of them are displayed as the topic of the section, I would love it if all of the podcasts are displayed as the topic so I can hear it repeatedly without having a hard time remembering which podcasts are which topic. (ex. Serve,Backhand – getting consistent on serve and handling high backhand).Please consider.
Love your work here,
Frans W
Frans,
That’s very strange, all of the show files have been formatted the same way! I’ll see if I can find out what the issue is with Blackberry, thanks for letting me know about it!
Thanks very much for being a listener of the show and for taking the time to write, I really appreciate it!
Ian, Congratulations on the career change. I am really excited about the direction you will take the website now that you can focus your efforts. As a teacher myself, I applaud your goal of instructing as many dedicated people as possible. In response to your question, here is my personal list of website content:
- Q – A: Try to keep the conversation with students open by answering as many questions as you can – either on forums or on the podcast.
- Analysis of students’ tape of their strokes/matches.
- Video instruction on all basic strokes.
- More strategy content – singles and doubles.
- Training outlines to develop particular strokes/strategies. A lot of websites cover how to perform a shot but not how to develop it quickly and correctly.
Thanks for considering my input and all the instruction so far.
Best of luck,
Grant
Grant,
Thank you for taking the time to comment!
- I’ll definitely continue to follow a Q&A type format across many sections of ET. I think it’s a great way for me to keep focusing on what people actually want to hear about!
-Using student footage is definitely great (as long sa it’s shot well), look for more of that!
-Definitely, I’m just about to release a basic serve progression on the web site!
-Roger
-I think that’s a really big thing, and something that I’ve seen almost nothing of online. thanks for the suggestion!
Cheers
Congratulations on your new “job”. I am sure that it will be a great change in your life and that you will succeed in this new venture. As of your question… I think that the number one issue your website should focus on is strategy. Strategy is always kind of a “black hole” or “secret” amongst pros and professional players. At the end, a lot of us go to take tennis lessons and will greatly appreciate to really know what, why and when to use certain strokes and moves. At the end, it doesn’t matter how good you hit, but how you use those weapons in a particular situation.
Thanks and good luck,
Rod-
San Jose, Costa Rica
Rod,
I completely agree, strategy is such a HUGE thing, and yet many players only have a very basic understanding of it. I’ll do my best to focus on that moving forward!
Ian, I am sure that you will succeed in your new way. You are bringing value to all the tennis lovers over the world. I can see that the passion for the tennis is on the first place for you, the website success and the money to support it and your family was a natural thing to come. Keep it this way!
As regarding the content, as you said, some more instructional videos will definitely help. I would like to see the basics of every shot explained by you!
Wish you and your family the best!
George
George,
Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement! I’ll definitely continue to focus on the “essentials” in my videos, hopefully you continue to enjoy them!
Hi Ian,
I’m at the other end of the world in Singapore where it is humid and hot all year round. I’ve listened to every one of your podcasts, usually on my commute to work.
I have quite a lone ranger character and love to be alone in my practice sessions where I can quietly gather my thoughts. And anyway my tennis buddies are more interested in casual rallying and matches then in “boring drills”.
So I would love to hear some discussion or videos on the types of drills one can do when alone, especially with a practice wall. I have been honing my serve motions at a nearby practice half court, and am curious what else I can do there. It’s so difficult to find any info on practicing with a wall and most discussions I have seen is filled with dismissive comments on the usefulness of wall practice. Unfortunately I do not own a ball machine or a car, so it’s the wall for me.
Thanks and good luck on the big change.
Ray
Ray,
Expect to see a video from me very soon about practicing against a wall, it’s actually something that I’ve been planning on doing for quite a while, just haven’t been able to get around to it (until now!). Thanks so much for your feedback, great to hear that you’re enjoying the podcast so much!
Greetings Ian,
I’m actually relatively new to your website, but I feel like I’ve struck gold in finding it for what it can do to my tennis game. I really appreciate all the work you’ve put here for us players who want to improve our games. And a hearty congratulations as well as a wish for God’s blessings on your endeavours and your family also as you pursue your passion.
I’m still actually acquainting myself to your site and all it offers, but if there’s anything I can request it’s that it would be great to know if you will be doing any clinics in Asia, especially in the Philippines.
Much success Ian!
Jesse
Jesse,
I’m really happy to hear that you found Essential Tennis! Hopefully it will be a huge help to you moving forward. We’ll see about a clinic in Asia, I’d really love to do that. Hopefully in the future!
Take care.
Hey Ian, congrats and success on the new adventure…you did right to follow your heart…nice that u shared also. The analysis of points are great videos. It would be nice if we could send video for your analysis and feeback. All the best…you are a great teacher!
Ed,
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment. I might be implementing some kind of video submission form in the near future for people that would like their strokes/points to be used in my videos. We’ll see how it goes. Thank you for your feedback!
Congratulations, Ian, on the move. You’re obviously passionate about tennis and teaching so I have no doubt you’ll be successful in this endeavor.
It was suggested by another poster so I’ll just be reinforcing it here. The videos I benefit most from are the ones where you analyze points of real matches. Having great groundstrokes is helpful but less so if I’m either in the wrong place or hitting to the wrong area on the court. That mental transition from learning how to hit a tennis ball to actually understanding how to play tennis is a huge one. Videos where I can listen to what you’re saying and then actually see it in action is a huge plus.
Thanks and again, best of luck in this new (or rather more focused) venture.
Chris
Chris,
Thanks so much for the feedback! I’ll definitely be filming some more rec player points in the near future. Take care!
Ian,
Congratulation on the big change. I am sure you will be successful because you have so much passion about tennis.
I am a lefty, 66 years old, and am at the beginning end of the learning curve, so I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your videos and podcasts. I believe they are helping me. Thanks for all your time and effort you put into your tennis web effort. It shows and it is fun to be a part of it.
Again, congratulations and good luck.
Tom
Tom,
I’m really happy to hear that the podcast has been helpful to you! Congratulations on getting started with tennis, I’m sure you will continue to enjoy it for a long time to come!
You can use my Video Footage from Beginning player advancing with Service Stroke. Minimum i could do for the Great advice.
Greetz from Frankfurt Germany
Timo
Thank you, Timo!
Ian,
Congratulations and good luck with the website!
An ET clinic in San Diego would be great.
Ian C. In San Diego
Ian(s),
If Sandy Eggo is a destination, here are potential courts:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Coronado,+CA&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=27.504711,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Coronado,+San+Diego,+California&ll=32.692722,-117.176893&spn=0.002516,0.004823&t=h&z=18
Ian,
Thank you very much!
I agree, San Diego would be awesome. I’ll definitely be looking into it!
Thanks for the reply, regarding item #2, it was the premium membership, not the free videos.
Ahhhh, yes they used a different video service for those videos. I’m pretty sure that currently all of my paid videos are IOS compatible! It’s definitely a big group of people that use those devices.
Ian, best of luck on your career change. Three ideas below:
-do not ever stop the weekly podcast, it’s vital to your success.
Podcasts give the site a personal touch as well as a wealth of
knowledge.
-keep in mind many of your users use mobile apple products
(iPhone etc…). I stopped using FYB website because I could not
view videos on my IPhone.
-how about developing a workout routine for people who practice
On their own. I own and use a ball machine. Perhaps a drill a week
or one technical item (footwork, second serve, etc…) to work on
would be awesome.
Regards,
Christian
Christian,
1) I agree! Don’t worry, the podcast will continue every single week.
2) Really, you can’t view their videos? I think they’re all hosted on youtube which is IOS compatible……hm
3) Great idea, that would be a great video series, I’m adding it to my list!
Thanks so much for writing!
Hi Ian,
Congrats on the new life. Plenty of challenge and opportunity before you and really happy for you and all the listeners. I am a long time listener and have been benefited from your content, not matter it is podcase, video instruction or comments from forum.
I’d like to tell you two thing what I thought while listen to the podcast this morning on the train while commuting.
1. For me, I feel you it is hard for you to out play whatever you already done in podcast. If it is not possibly, it will be very hard to beat those day in and day out. I enjoyed the some content a lot when it was first time listen to it. Once hear it, I will skip them in replay. (Yes, I replay your podcast.) Such as sports medicine and mental toughness. Also you have already covered a lot of good topics and you might eventually run out of good topics. I start to feel that few of recent podcast is not as interest/useful as the old ones.
2. The great forum participants are one of your greatest assets. You have thanked them and they truly deserve it. ET differentiate itself from others, (TW, etc.) is it kind of personal and nice place to hang out. I logged in few time in chat and immediately welcomed by few member. That was just awesome. If you can use it and make a small base for you in different location cross the country. (continent later. not jumping the gun.) You can do a lot of things. We are tennis players. We play for win but also play for fun and exercise. It will be cool to have a ET player circle.
This is my way to say thank you. I really appreciate your effort and great help for my game. Hope the best for you and your family.
Frank,
Great to hear from you, thanks for the kind words!
1) Sorry to hear that you think I’ve used up a lot of good topics already (I know you didn’t mean this negatively, don’t worry). Even if I somehow manage to cover EVERY tennis topic (which is impossible in my opinion), I think that continuing to review is great for many reasons. Not everybody wants to go back and listen to all of the old shows, plus over time I get better at explaining certain things which can definitely benefit more people. I plan on continuing with the show for sure!
2) I agree, the ET forums are a completely different type of place to talk about tennis online and I’m going to guard that very closely. It will always be friendly and open!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your thoughts, I really appreciate it!
Hey Ian!
Congrats on the new chapter of your life. As a fellow self employed with a 13month old son, I’d hate to rain on your parade, but man, if you think you are gonna have more free time now as a self employed guy, you’re in for a rude awakening lol
I was excited for you just by hearing the anticipation in your on the podcast. That’s awesome man! Savor the feeling and here’s to hoping you exceed all your goals.
As far as expectations go, I’d like to see more video like you have mentioned and maybe some typical rec. player pitfalls (video demo) and how to correct them etc.
Peace out,
Egemen
Egemen,
Nice, we should start a club! haha
Thanks so much for your suggestions, I’ll definitely be doing more of what you’re describing. Take care!
Dear Ian,
What could be a possibility is, like Will did sometimes at fuzzyyellowballs.com, is deconstruct rallys between pros from a technichal standpoint, especially the big points. So we can know more why they choose that shot or what better or worse options they had. You can talk about it on a podcast like we read a rally in a newspaper article, even more so when that point is played in a big match like an ATP final.
Good luck on your fulltime job as online tennis instructor!
Patrick
Patrick,
Thanks for writing! A lot of people have been requesting rally break downs for the pros, enough that I don’t think I should ignore it, haha. I appreciate the suggestion!
Dear Ian,
First I would like to thank you a lot; I’ve been listening to your podcast for almost a year now and I can’t tell you how much it has added to me as a tennis player.
Second, congratulations on your move because I think it will be better for you and for us as well and what I hope to really see is exactly what you’ve said on the podcast which is more video posts because I think it helps much more than the audio instructions.
Wishing you the best,
Mohammad
Mohammad,
Thank you for writing, I’m really happy to hear that the podcast has been so helpful to you!
A LOT more video is definitely on it’s way, don’t worry! Best of luck with your game.
Ian,
Congratulations !
Your website is excellent, and you have a gift that is to be so friendly, and so nice over the web (which I think is a big challenge).
My expectations: good balance between free content / paid content. A few of the material you’ve put on the site (like DD 2.0), or even guys at FYB were priced at the few hundred dollars range, which might be a little pricey for an entry level customer, someone who has never engaged in the experience of doing this type of course. I know this is probably well worth it. In fact, maybe as you (and also guys at FYB) said, it’s probably a bargain. But only if we do ourselves our part of the work. I’ve done a few e-learning courses myself, and they were great. But in all cases I was motivated (for different reasons) to do my home work. What I’m affraid of in tennis e-learning is to be beaten by all the other things in life that scream louder than my passion for the game. That’s one of the reasons I still pay a tennis instructor (on a monthly base): it kind of pressures me to go to the court.
I hope I was clear enough in my writing….
Best Wishes,
Marcelo Feltrin (from Brazil)
Marcelo,
Great to hear that you’re enjoying the web site!
I completely understand what you’re saying, and it totally makes sense. This is why people pay personal trainers to get them in good shape as well, it ads so much motivation to actually show up to the gym when you know that another person is standing there waiting for you!
I’ll be thinking about how to implement what you’re talking about more effectively. I’ll also probably be coming out with some lower priced courses as well that will be available all the time instead of only once in a while at a higher price.
Thanks so much for your feedback!
Hi Ian, I salute you from Romania!
Ian, you are a wonderful person and I wish all the best with your life, with the site and everything.
You site really helped me with my tennis. I really enjoy watching/listen to/reading you.
About ideas to improve your site.
It would help me a great deal if essentialtennis would allow a subject based search.
I’d also like a subject based structure of all material (video/audio/blog/etc) in the site, beside the existing one.
It is fine to keep your current structure, with the sections: podcast, video, blog, forum, etc.
I’d also like to add a subject based organization of all material: podcasts/videos/articles/etc.
The structure I’m interested in is something like:
Technical Execution:
-Forehand (here different forehand strokes)
– defensive forehand
– offensive forehand
– windshield wiper forehand
– dropshot forehand
…
– Backhand
…..
– Serve
…..
– stances
– footwork
– etc
Strategy:
Double:
Single:
Mental:
Physical condition / warming up:
Other/Un-categorized:
ETC…
This can be realized if every video/podcast/article/forum subject/etc
have at least 1 label from the subjects above.
For example, the video:
http://www.essentialtennis.com/video/2009/11/tennis-singles-strategy-pay-attention/
should have at least 2 labels (keywords): Strategy, and Single. Also, the Podcast #158 How to beat pushers, fall into the same categories Strategy, Single.
If I search for all video/podcast/article/forum subject/etc about Strategy in tennis game, I’ll get these 2 as well. More specific keywords can be added, for example Pusher, allowing search of all entries touching this subject.
I told you about this, because, most of the time, I’m interested in specific subjects on your site. For example, I feel that there is something wrong with my forehand, or with my defensive forehand, and I want to search all articles (either video, or audio, or articles) about forehand technique.
Other time, I feel that I have some mental problems when playing decisive points, or when I take the lead, or when I start the match badly, so I’m interested to read those about my problem.
Thank you, and I’m looking forward to watching your site.
Laurentiu
Laurentiu,
Thanks for taking the time to write! Great to hear from you in Romania.
Interesting idea on having a listing of topics by subject, that’s something that I hadn’t thought about before. I’m definitely adding that to my list, it’s an excellent idea.
looking forward for more video instruction with your podcast
Tnx and more power to you
Thanks for dropping by, Jojo!
Ian, you sound so passionate and inspiring ! It’s great that you chose to focus on this website. i am one of your supporters in Ukraine, and your materials help me a lot.
Answering your quiestion I would really appreciate it if you could hit some key points on kids training. For instance, my 8 year old is in a tennis class, this is his 3rd year. This season he started getting so much pressure, two hours on court plus an hour of general physical training. While this may be good for an adult, this seems to be an overload for his age. So what should be priorities at this age, what accents should be made kids in their early tennis years? This sort of stuff. Also, any technical or tactical advice for kids is something that many parents like me would certainly find useful.
Thanks again. You are a great coach !
Sergei,
Great to hear from you! Thanks for being a fan in the Ukraine.
Several people have suggested content directed towards kids, I’ll definitely be thinking about that! Thanks for taking the time to write!
Hi Ian. Just listened to the pod and wanted to say congrats! Your passion and enthusiasm are contagious and we all look forward to your future success and wish the best for you and your family.
So many great comments and ideas already but thought I would throw this out. I’m new to the game (like in picked up a racket in 2009 for the first time in 30 years). I’ve had a couple classes at my local Parks and Rec and at a 2.5 level now.
It’s been great learning and advancing but I feel as if I’m in a bit of a black hole as far as instruction goes. It feels like a lot of instruction is geared toward the high intermediate and advanced players.
The comment about creating a ‘greatest hits’ compilation rings true with me. I’d really love to know where I should be as far as skills, how to practice, things to focus on – from the Intro to Tennis level and each step of the way for beginner to low intermediate. I’m not saying you need an instructional video and pod that is aimed for each level but maybe it’s something to think about if you will have the bandwith?
-ps, bring a clinic out west to Seattle! Summers are beautiful
Bill,
You’re right, a LOT of the digital instruction out there goes way over the heads of your “average” tennis player. I’ve tried to avoid that at all costs and will continue to do so. I think a “greatest hits” category is a great idea and plan on doing that.
I’m actually talking to a friend of mine about doing a Seattle clinic this year! Keep your ears on the podcast!
Ian,
Congratulations on your next move and best of luck. I am really impressed that you have accomplished what you have so far while holding another full time job – I had no idea. I think it’s awesome that you still manage to reply to every single comment.
As far as what I would like from you, I think some videos to accompany some of the podcasts. Perhaps you would like to ask your audience which podcasts could use this more than others because at times words at enough, but other times visualization helps.
Also I agree on an earlier comment you probably don’t want to overlap too much with what FYB has already done, you don’t want to reinvent the wheel here, but perhaps you can work more together so that your content links to theirs, and vice-versa.
Thanks again for all you have done and looking forward to what you’ll produce in the future.
- Adan
Adan,
I like the idea to add more video to the podcast shows (examples etc), I’ll definitely be doing that whenever possible. Thanks so much for taking the time to write, I appreciate it!
I’d like to have you have some discussions with some top pro coaches (and players if possible) about strategy and training. For example, what is Djoker doing strategy wise that’s so special that he’s unbeatable — he clearly seems to have both Nadal and Fed flumaxed out of their game.
If need be, feel free to dumb it down for us 3.0 to 4.0 TE dummies, but I sort of think that a lot of us TE dummies aren’t so dumb thanks to your efforts — Feel free to call these episodes your Tennis for not-so Dummies series…
Minimally, it would give you something to do when you attend ATP events, now that you have time to attend. Good luck on your endeavors.
Fred,
Great ideas! I’ve had a lot of people suggest that I talk more about what the pros are doing, that can definitely be valuable when applied to the rec game. Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts!
Holy Cow – There are 86 replies to this podcast already! There is a reason for that, and it comes from the energy and community you have created. Here are a few items that are really diverse, that come to mind:
1) The ET community, as you noted, is pretty big. However, you have only so far scratched the surface. Your ability to continue to make this your full time job is in part driven by making the community as large as possible, so that you have more opportunity for the value added items (Platinum, DD, etc.). One thing you can do to increase the size of the community would be to activate the current ET army. Maybe give us ideas on how to approach tennis acquaintances to describe what we are doing, and the value. Maybe this would be done as an interview show with forum members that have gotten people into the forum. While it may be in each of our short term interests to keep ET as our “secret weapon”, it really helps us all in the long run to make ET a success, and to share ET-isms with our face-to-face players.
2) Also related to the new ETers – For you and a lot of us, we started years ago, and have covered a number of issues a few times over. Therefore, maybe having another category of podcasts that would be the “greatest hits”, or the ones that are most valuable. You could actually make this a vote of the community via the forum.
3) Please make sure you don’t depreciate the items that we pay for. Again, it is in our long term benefit to have you happy and making a decent living.
4) During play, I think that novices do not have a clear example of what is meant by “keeping your eye on the ball. There is a specific eye procedure that players such as you do as you see the ball, and also what you do and are looking at during other times. For example, after you hit the ball, you are probably looking at the opponent’s body position to start assessing the next shot. What I have in mind is a “Westermann-cam” that maybe you strap to your head, and do some video processing to put us in the driver’s seat.
5) Similar to this, most of us are pretty much on our own as far as where to direct our thoughts during point, and during the non-playing times. We have been told “between points, breath, think about the opponents weaknesses, decide on a game plan, etc.”.. What I have in mind more is filming you during a few games, and then provide commentary, like a director’s narration during a movie, on what you (or some other pros) are thinking during the match situation. I know that you are not playing competitively now, so maybe this is better done with someone else, and you do the interview.
6) Lastly, in the podcast you made some mention that all the time you were spending at Congressional, and the commuting, can now be turned to the ET enterprise. Make sure you don’t lose sight that you are doing this in part to develop a balance between your work life and your family life.
Again, congrats on your new direction.
Mark in Sandy Eggo
Mark,
Great to hear from you! Thank you so much for the time that you put into your thoughts, I really appreciate that.
1) I agree, the more the merrier inside the ET community, as long as the same feeling of family continues in the forumes (which I will make sure of). Thanks for the ideas here.
2) Hm……interesting, I’ll have to think about the best way to implement that (the selection/voting part of it). Good idea!
3) No worries there! Everything that I do here on the site is going to get a big increase in value and quality now that I’m doing it full time.
4) I actually wrote a blog article about watching the ball a while back, sorry I don’t have the link handy, but it’s in the “pro blog”.
5) Ooohh….actually having me mic’d up during point play and filming it might actually be really interesting….
6) Thanks for that reminder. I’ve set a very specific schedule for myself and will be spending a LOT more time with my family and doing other things that I enjoy than I was before.
Cheers!
Holy schnikes! I’m a day late and almost 100th in line?! Seriously though, congrats again Ian for fulfilling your dream and striking out on your own. I’m sure there were tons of great suggestions above, so I’ll just add a couple personal thoughts.
First, I think there’s already tons of great technique analysis out there, both at ET, FYB, etc., and there’s also quite a bit of general strategic concepts, i.e. hit cross-court, approach down-the-line, etc. I think it might be beneficial to have more real-world video analysis of tactics of rec players of various levels. You’ve already done some of it. For example, if participants were willing during clinics, you could have two 3.5s play each other and overdub some tactical and shot selection analysis afterwards. They do post-match analysis move-by-move like this all the time in chess. For example (I could be wrong on the analysis here, but it’s an example of what I’m talking about), after player A hits wide serve, the most common responses are cross-court or back up the middle. The down-the-line return is uncommon because it opens up the cross-court reply. So, the server should position himself here immediately after the serve. The return was short cross-court, so the best options are a down-the-line approach or continue a cross-court rally. In this case, because the returner was pulled so far wide after the serve and is sprinting to get back to proper position, it’s very difficult to change direction back, so a cross-court reply is best. Blah, blah, blah. If this was done at multiple NTRP levels, we could get an idea of what types of decisions are made, how often they are the right or wrong ones, and improve our own shot selection in the process.
Second, things will probably be different with you working on the site full-time and adding more content, but as is natural development, things can sometimes get a little stale. It’s great hearing people’s stories, thoughts, and progress, but sometimes it can be a little redundant. Changing things up and hopefully adding more forum members will address this.
That’s all I have. Keep up the great work!
Fight,
Great to hear from you!
I hear what you’re saying about rec player point analysis, a LOT of people are suggesting that. Definitely plan on seeing more coming out!
When you say that things can get stale, are you talking just about the forums or do you mean the podcast and other content as well?
Cheers!
Ian – when I said “stale” I was just referring to the forums. It just seems like 80% of the posts come from a handful of members. While their stories, insight, opinions, etc. are fantastic, I just think the forum could benefit from a broader range of perspectives. Also, it could just be me with burnout or something, so if no one else chimes in with similar thoughts, go ahead and ignore it. No biggie at all really. Everything else is picture perfect with ET, so I’m just kinda reaching to come up with anything to comment on.
Gotcha, I know what you mean. Thanks again for your input!
Congratulations Ian, I’m sure that your time in the past teaching others the skill involved in tennis was great and that this new chapter will be even better. Best wishes towards you, essential tennis, and your family.
As for any requests, I don’t really want anything more – simply continuing this website would be well worth it already. I’m currently in high school (I’ve sent you a couple e-mails before, but I’m not so sure if you remember) and since my family doesn’t play tennis and the only coach I have is at school, this website is a valuable source of information. The fact that it is still up and that everything is free is just spectacular, for all the things you’ve broadcasted. So thank you for that.
Again, I wish the best for your family and your new lifestyle. Hopefully it benefit all the listeners at essential tennis, and of course, you. Good luck.
SecondWind,
Thanks so much for the warm wishes, I really appreciate that!
I’m really happy to hear that the site has been so helpful as you make your way through high school tennis. I grew up playing in a family where nobody else liked the sport either, I totally know what you’re going through! Keep working hard, keep listening, and you’ll keep on improving. Definitely let me know if I can help.
Hi Ian,
It was nice listening to your trip down memory lane! I guess I will have to get familiar with your website now that you won’t be teaching me in person. I will email suggestions once I have had a chance to peruse the site in detail. You will be happy to know I have been going through the doubles course. You will also be glad to know that Erin and I had a great match today. We competed against 2 very good players on Court 1 and won! We anticipated their shots well, didn’t get beat by the lob and came into the net. We both said to each other that we could hear you in our head saying be calm. So, we happen to be 2 of your students who listened when you were instructing us!
Take care,
Maureen
Maureen,
Haha…..yes! I’m really happy that I corrected myself during the show and said that there WERE people that wanted to hear what I had to say, haha. You were a great student and have made some HUGE improvements, I really hope that you keep it up! Great job on that win, sounds like you kept in mind all of the important stuff, keep up the good work!
Hey mate,
Congrats on the move. It’s definitely brave of you and certainly admirable for you to take this step. I’m sure you’ve done the math and you’ll do fine.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. Guessed what I’m going to say yet? Come to DOWN UNDER for a holiday with the family and a clinic! That’ll be the day.
John,
I’d LOVE to come to Australia some time soon! I’ll definitely let you know when I do, maybe I’ll plan a clinic around the time of the Open. Cheers!
Congratulations Ian !
Well done on your success and the new lifestyle this is able to give to you and your family!
Spend plenty of time with your growing daughter and wife.. They grow up so quickly so it is awesome that you will be around to keep those memories forever!
Well done mate – chat soon
Michael
Michael,
Thanks so much for dropping by! I appreciate your encouragement very much, that means a lot to me. Talk to you soon!
Ian,
congrats on the move it takes a lot of guts to leave a well paying job and I am sure that you have made the correct choice for your family and yourself.
I hope you start to do more video instruction because it allows us to actually see what you are discussing. Also I think it would be great if you had a fitness section that dealt with in season and out of season tennis specific exercises. Also maybe a “treatment” section discussing tennis type injuries what to look for and how to treat them. I know you are not a doctor but you have played tennis your whole life and have gone through the aches and pains. Is there a book in your future?
Can’t wait to see where your future takes you and are you ever going to come to Los Angeles for a training session. I am sure there are a lot of people out on the west coast that would love to spend time with you.
Reid,
Thanks so much for writing! Trust me, a LOT of video is on it’s way! I’m also in the process of putting together a very comprehensive fitness course, which will include interviews with a sports medicine doctor about injury prevention and treatment!
I’ve done several clinics in Palm Springs and plan on heading back there soon. Keep your ears on the podcast!
Hi Ian Congrats on the big move. I would like to see a serve comprehension course. It could include 1st serve and second serve and 2nd serve. Also, to go into detail about the kick serve, flat and slice serve and serve placement. Also, could you make a strategy course like Tennis Ninja.
Again my best wishes to you… Thank You…
Akash,
Thank you so much for your warm wishes and also your content ideas. I really appreciate it very much!
Ian –
Thank you so much for the podcast! My answer to your simple question is a bit long, but it involves two things that I love, tennis and education.
I would like a set of courses, tailored to my skill level, to improve my tennis.
If I want to become a medical doctor, I can look up all of the courses I will need to take, and what order they need to be taken. With tennis, I am not aware of a sequence of “courses” I can take to improve from an average NTRP 3.5 to a great 3.5 player, or from a good 3.0 player to a 3.5 player. Is this the right court for the directionals course?
It would be great if I could start these courses at any time and I could go as fast or slow through them as I wanted. If I can’t play for a few weeks, fine. Each course would require mastery (proven by a test) before I could go on to the next step. I would like to be able to send you video for analysis if I was having trouble mastering a particular item. I would like to pay for these courses like college credit.
I would like a series of skills tests that would let me measure my skill level over time. When you diet, you can measure your weight to see if you are making a difference. With tennis, we have tournaments to measure progress. But the rec level NTRP is full of players who play a level higher than they should and loose in the early rounds, or we have players playing down a level to secure the tournament win. So there is a lot of noise in the measurement. It would be nice to have drills that measure performance. How many of these can you hit out of 30? If your community is all doing the same tests, they have something in common that they can discuss.
I would like to be able to track my results over time and compare my progress with other players. This shows accomplishment, and everyone likes to see that. I would like to be able to get “graded” by you by sending you a video of the skills test. Think of it as a final exam for the course.
I would like to see in-depth instruction about grips. If you watch videos by Nick B, you’ll see a lot of attention paid to the grip, and this is missing or treated too briefly in almost all tennis instruction. If we are lucky, we know the names of the different grips, but this reminds me of the quote by Richard Feynman: “You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you’re finished, you’ll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird. So let’s look at the bird and see what it’s doing – that’s what counts. I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”
Most tennis instruction focuses on technique, but the level of the player’s fitness is probably holding the player back more than they realize. The player gets tired and makes more unforced errors. A curriculum that included fitness elements or drills targeting fitness would be great, especially for those of us who do not play inside in the winter and have time to shift to fitness.
I would like to see instruction on drills that train muscle memory and footwork. As rec players, we usually rally or play sets and spend way too little time on drills. We work on technique in rallies, which is not the right place. A scheduled curriculum could provide the reminder to do more drills that target technique, and you could provide short videos that illustrate how to do them.
Many people in the United States pick up tennis in high school, and this is probably true elsewhere too. Unfortunately, there are not enough courts for everyone who wants to play and there is only one coach. This means that there is not a lot of time for instruction. Many of these kids come from families that don’t play tennis, so they don’t play at tennis clubs and they certainly aren’t prepared to pay for private lessons. I think that there is an opportunity for you to put together online instruction targeted at kids who are playing, or want to play, high school tennis. They may end up being customers for life. I would like to see them get affordable instruction so they start a lifetime of great tennis.
John,
Thank you so much for the time that you put into your post!
I’m not going to respond to all of the individual thoughts and suggestions (hopefully you understand) but please know that I just took notes on a LOT of what you’ve laid out in a document I’m keeping for future content ideas. I agree that some kind of comprehensive course guiding players from one level to another would be amazing, I’m going to be thinking about that.
Videos about grips, footwork, fitness, and muscle memory are definitely all on the way, either in course or completely free. Those are all excellent suggestions.
Again, thank you so much for your valuable input, I really appreciate it very much. Thank you for being a listener!
Ian,
Will make this short as possible… you must be busy. Long time fan of you and your podcast. (By the way, love the strings you sent me a while ago… thank you.) You provide not only excellent, applicable, “easy to understand”, tennis intruction… but do so with an appealing radio personality. Brilliant idea to honestly share with your listeners your thoughts and plans. Such personalization makes us fans feel good about supporting your efforts… as opposed to feeling used simply for profit. Your dedication to providing continued valuable free resources in addition to your planned “paid” programs, also lends itself to your fans WANTING to support you in your venture. Kudos to you and your family for all the great efforts… as you said, it surely was a group effort. Best of uck to you.
As to content suggestions: I have benefited most from your podcasts dealing with specific Q&A, wherein you can expand the topic to include generally applicable concepts in either technique or strategy (which you combine very well.) As an ex-collegiate athlete (Div I – not tennis) I appreciate your combining both sound fundamental techniques with strategic considerations… as is requited in real life athletics. So in short the podcast is great.
Likewise I understand teh need to generate revenue flow as well, and I believe that the video instruction is of most value to me, and would probably be the most likely to get me to open my wallet and pay for instruction. As an accomplished teaching pro, might be great to see you on teh court – perhaps with some rec level players, providing “hands on” real life type of tennis instructon. Each on cour session could be dedicated to various technique or strategic topics.
This could dovetail with your podcasts so that unpaid listeners could hear you discuss the problems encountered during your on-court session (for free), while those that are willing to pay for more depth and detail will not only gain from the podcast discussion… but have the added value of being able to ulitlize the video taped lessons. Just a thought…
Again my best wishes to you… Thank you…
Huckleberry,
Thanks so much for your kind words, I really appreciate that very much.
The Q&A format of the podcast will definitely not be changing! I’m happy that you’ve enjoyed the way that I’ve organized that show.
The VAST majority of the content in my pay products will definitely always be video, it’s just simply what most people want, plus I believe when it comes down to it video is a better teaching medium. Lots and lots of people are suggesting hands on videos with rec players just like you are, definitely look for some content like that soon.
Thank you so much for all of your input, I really appreciate it a lot! Thanks for being a listener.
Ian, first congrats on your guts to make the jump to self-employment. We, your listeners, will try to go along this journey with you.
As regarding suggestions:
1) First, if podcast is good, video is great!
2) Second, tactics are easier to learn than moves, as they only require understanding and remembering_at_the_proper_moment – and moves require lots of repetition and identification_of_deviations that are though to do on oneself. So my suggestion is to go on the Double Dominations path, for doubles and for singles.
2a) You could suggest exercises to be done to fix patterns of play, like those on the book of USTA Tennis Tactics.
3) And of the suggestions already suggested by others above, I’d like to endorse these:
3a) Tactical adjustments during a match (reading an opponents weaknesses and adjusting tactics accordingly).
3b) A focus on the older player
When you are ready to consider clinics abroad, I could put you in contact with great Brazil tennis entrepreneurs, who organize tournaments and events here in Rio de Janeiro or Brazil-wide, and you may get a good deal on this market. Let me know by email.
Enjoy the new live!
Ric
Ric,
1) I agree! A lot more video is on the way….
2) Great feedback. I agree, tactics are definitely more simple and take less effort to implement. I’ll be keeping that in mind.
3) Also agree, tactical adjustments are huge.
Brazil would be incredible! It’ll probably be another year or two before I have a big enough audience to do something like that, but I’ll definitely keep it in mind. Thank you for your offer!
Ian, as someone who’s been fortunate enough to have taken many live lessons from the best tennis teacher in the word: I am devastated that you’re leaving but so excited for the world to see what you can do! I’m diving into essential tennis head first and loving it!
I’m excited to see programs and productions on tennis fitness. I’m also looking forward to participating in as many clinics as I can. I’ve read through many of the other comments and it sounds like I’ll have a lot of years of learning ahead of me if you just get to half of everyone else’ requests – good stuff! 5 in a row!
Thanks so much!
Andrew,
“5 in a row!” hahaha, you’re such a great student, Andrew. With your attitude and work ethic you’re definitely going to continue to improve. Keep up the good work, hopefully I’ll be seeing you again soon!
Hey Ian,
I´m so glad you lost your job!!! hehehe
Just kidding. I’m glad you’ll have more time to teach us.
I really appreciate the podcast, and looking forward to getting other type of materials that I´m sure will have a olt of thought and quality put into it.
One thing I find that really helps me is watching other players having lessons. FYB has a section called “Amateurs” where Will gives a lesson to beginners. I’m much better player than the ones he teaches at those videos (they are really beggining), but even so, I find it it’s helpful. So, if you could film a clinic of yours, not teaching an absolute begginer, but a “good recreational player” would be awsome. I learn a lot that way.
I was afraid that your big announcement would be quitting the podcast.
Was very relieved to hear that it was quite the opposite!
Thanks!
Andre
Andre,
Great to hear from you!
Several people have posted about putting up more video footage of beginner players being taught, etc, I think that’s a great idea! Definitely look for that type of material coming soon. Thanks for being a listener!
Congratulations Ian, I applaud your making this very challenging change. Your former employer lost a superior asset but I’m sure it’s the right move for you and you’ll become another Internet success story.
I’ve benefited from many of your podcasts and videos and believe that your Platinum program’s video coaching is an effective and cost effective approach. I especially like that you teach proper basic technical mechanics rather than just tweaking players’ strokes.
How about an occasional feature where you analyze the technique of an ATP/WTA Pro in advance and then we can watch for it during a TV match. It could be a couple of things that this Pro does that are either good or bad that we as players could try to emulate or avoid doing, i.e. Nadal’s over-the-head follow through and why is it good or bad. It isn’t anything he was taught to do so what causes him to do it? What would Nadal gain and lose if he changed?
Best wishes on this new stage of your life.
Lloyd,
Thanks very much for the encouragement!
I’d love to analyze pro strokes, the tricky part is actually getting the footage/permission to USE the footage publicly. This is something that I’ve been working on, however. Hopefully in the near future you’ll see some pro analysis!
ian…
congrats on the move. as someone who has spent 30+ years self employed i wish you all the best. i believe you will find the lessons learned and freedom gained are well worth all the efforts you will put in and the challenges you will face.
from the website i’d like to see as much doubles coverage as you can put up. like a lot of folks i play much more doubles than singles and would love to see as many drills and tactics relating to doubles as possible. i’ll look forward to checking in at the website.
regards, don
Don,
Thanks very much for the encouragement! I really look forward to being my own boss.
I definitely plan on putting out a lot of doubles content, it’s something not many web sites do and I love doubles! Thanks very much for the suggestions.
Oh man! I wish you so much luck in this endeavor. It takes guts to make a move like this and I admire you.
I love the video analysis you do and the one thing I think would be an improvement is to somehow put you or another pro side by side with us on a split screen video (is this technically possible?) so we could see and directly compare our tennis stroke with someone who knows how to do it right. I would like to see frame by frame what the pro does right and frame by frame where we are trying to do the same thing but screwing up. Wouldn’t you love to somehow put yourself in Rodger Federer’s body and experience what it feels like to hit a ball like he does? I know, I know, we don’t have that Matrix VR technology yet but we can dream can’t we?
I would love it if you could put together a camp for maybe a weekend down here in the deep south (Alabama) where we could go out and have a filmed hitting session and then in the afternoon gather around a screen and review our technique in a classroom setting …. something like that. I think you get the drift.
Thanks Ian so much for helping us out.
Vernon,
Yup, doing a side by side is definitely possible, and yes, I’d really enjoy knowing what it feels like to hit ONE ball like Roger, haha.
I haven’t done any clinics in the south yet, but definitely will in the near future. Video analysis is always part of my weekends!
Thanks very much for your input, I really appreciate it!
This would be way awesome — split screen of us hackers next to the real guys. Will and Adam did a little of that with their great FH series.
Hi Ian,
Great to hear of your big decision. I hope it becomes your dream!
I would like to see more videos teaching us how to play the game, doubles/singles. I would like to learn more about reading the other player and how I prepare to return the ball and make a game plan.
Thanks
Mary,
Thanks so much for your suggestions! I really appreciate it. Definitely plan on seeing a lot more singles/doubles videos!
Ian,
Congrats on the move. Thank you and your family for doing this. It’s great that your goal is to reach and share your knowledge to as many tennis players as possible. You’ve mentioned somewhere that 3.5 is around 80% of all tennis players. Hopefully soon you can move us all to 4.0 as the 80%.
Requests:
* a clinic in Atlanta, Ga.
* glad to hear that there will be more videos. Slowmos analysis of your vids are always great (even if i have to flip them to righty first =).
* maybe setup a “Tennis Fans By Location Lounge” area within the website. I think it’ll be a great way for like minded tennis players to find others by location for meetup/pickup games.
* I think you’re hitting the tip of the iceberg with Doubles Domination. Online or offline, there are many instructions/analysis for Singles, but not much content for Doubles. I know there’s got to be more doubles players out there than singles.
* I have a 2 yrs old. I’d love to see some contents about grooming a young tennis player. Ideas/tips for teaching children.
Gt,
I know that Atlanta is an amazing tennis city, I’d definitely like to do a clinic there!
Interesting idea about the location feature on the site…..I’ll be thinking about that.
I agree, I see very, very little online instruction for doubles players specifically. I definitely plan on continuing to grow Doubles Domination!
Many people have suggested instruction/tips for little kids….I’ll definitely be thinking about it.
Thanks again!
Ian,
Congratulations on the big decision.
I like your comments about time with family and time for hobbies and interests. For me and my family, tennis is a hobby/interst/family time. For about a year we’ve been playing tennis, for the about last 4-5 months we actually showed improvements as I discovered ET and could better coach them. Essential Tennis has been a benfit to me and my family, and I hope the best for you and your family.
I’d like to see more differentiated instruction/forums for lower level players. Also, tips for juniors or older learners might be interesting too — as I have a teenage son who plays and my wife and I are learning in our 40′s.
There may also be a segment of those who actually want to help others and be better at that. In about a week, my wife will play her first match against someone other than me — she’s entering a local tournament. And I’m excited and nervous about how much I’ve done to get her ready. I imagine you have many in the ET community who work with their friends or have a team or otherwise have similar interest.
Also, I think more video is great to illustrate points or show demonstrations of what is discussed. Although I actually really like the podcast, how you can make an analysis and discuss matters without photos or videos — find that very applicable (when you describe something I can visualize me making the same mistake and needing to fix it, but if I see a video I think, that’s not what I do). Interesting that your podcast helps me with how I feel I’m hitting, what mental mistakes are made and problems I may be having. Videos help me to see what mistakes others are making.
Thank you for what you’ve done and looking forward to what you’ll do next.
P & J
Sato,
Thanks so much for writing! I’m really happy that you and your family have found so much enjoyment in the sport of tennis, that’s excellent.
In case you didn’t know about the forums here at ET they’re an EXCELLENT place to interact with others that share exactly the same interests as you as far as improving your own game and also the games of others: http://www.essentialtennis.com/forum/ It’s free!
I agree, video is extremely valuable and I plan on making it a really big priority moving forward!
Thanks again for your feedback!
Good luck with the new venture, Ian!
I really enjoy your pre-match analysis, and what I’d like is perhaps a matching post match analysis which rather than speculating on what may happen, examines what actually did happen.
Also, anything that explains on how to direct a serve – I know you touch upon this in some places, but an actual video or podcast or whatever that specifically examines this would be very welcome.
Thanks and once again, good luck!
- roGER
Roger,
Thanks so much for the great suggestions! I’ll definitely be using some of those things soon.
I am an avid fan of your podcast. Good luck with the new endeavor.
JC,
Thanks so much!
Hi Ian
Congratulations on the move that you’re making. I went solo three years ago with my own work – it has had its peaks and troughs but definitely have never looked back.
What do I want to see? I suppose it’s not so much a subject, or a style of delivery eg. video / audio. I want to see both you and the guys at FYB really focusing on how the internet medium can best be used to effectively improve people’s game.
You guys currently have different strengths and weaknesses. FYB’s video instruction, especially in FYB Premium and Tennis-RX is hands down the best of its kind. But the FYBP forum is a party where nobody showed. Whereas the Essential Tennis Forum is a real community – plenty of people engaged, real dialogue, you spend so much time taking the trouble to answer all the comments and questions, and doing so with real personality. Some of your formal stuff is too repetitive for my tastes as you address yourself to the sceptics in the audience.
I would love to see an Essential Tennis that inspires people with the love of the game – instructional material that is not only informational, but uplifting and motivating. What would that look like?
I would love to see online tennis instruction that has learned the best practice online learning techniques out there, and found new ways to use the things that can work for this kind of subject. Start with the tech companies – they are always the first to explore the potential for the technology.
I’m not aware that anyone in my village club listens to Essential Tennis. Of course, I can say to people ‘hey, there’s this great podcast’ but mostly they’re not that interested in improving their game. I would love to see some kind of online programme that was positively built to encourage people in their local club to pair up, or to group up in the case of doubles, to go through the programme together. How could that work? Why would that be different to saying “why not just invite your buddy also to do Doubles Domination?”
Maybe this is getting over-complicated. But I’m convinced that if you’re going to make the most of the potential for the step you’re taking, it’s not about just kicking out three times more of the same as you’re currently doing. It’s about making a better considered, really well planned, really well executed product that will set the standard.
Ideally, if I buy your product I will find myself whenever I need that bit of extra inspiration, or reminding of where I should be, I will go back and watch it again, or do it again, or whatever it is that it involves. Just like at the moment, I might go back and re-read ‘Winning Ugly’ to remind myself of a particular mindset.
The people you taught that were the most rapid improvers – what were the factors that distinguished them from the rest, and how could you use the online medium to replicate that? The will to improve is obviously a big part of it – but there’s more than that.
You can tell I’m very excited for you! How people build business models around concepts is something that I am always interested in. It’s an exciting journey that you’re undertaking – good luck with it. You have at least the first prerequisite for making it a success – you have a community of goodwill. Not a bad place to start.
Mallen,
Great to hear from you, thank you so much for writing!
I really appreciate your thoughts very much, you really put a lot of time and consideration into that. I really hate to be a skeptic, but in my opinion a teacher in any arena can only do so much for their students. They can have the enthusiasm, be inspirational, have all of the right teaching tools, use the right approach for the right student, ect, etc, but at the end of the day the student has to make the CHOICE to buy into what the teacher is doing, otherwise all of the teacher’s efforts were completely wasted.
Now, obviously I’m not the best teacher or coach to have ever lived, not by a long shot. I still have many areas that I can improve on to be more effective and attract people to our sport. The real question is: “Do I want to work X times harder at what I’m doing to try and attract people who weren’t really all that interested in the first place?”. The biggest motivator for me to start ET (hands down) was that I yearned to fill my schedule with people who love the game just as much as I did, people who wanted to hear every word that I had to say and really appreciated it. I was tired of trying to convince people, and then have them not even care about it at the end of the day if I was successful.
Hopefully that makes sense, and hopefully it doesn’t come off as being selfish. I simply want to spend the largest percentage of my time with people who automatically benefit the most from my instruction. If nothing else that’s much, MUCH more efficient and simply makes the most amount of sense. If somebody doesn’t love tennis enough to want to listen to a podcast, or to want to go through Doubles Domination then I’m fine with that, trying to convince them otherwise is something I’m not very interested in!
Cheers
Thats exactly the Problem iam facing looking into Future to Teach Tennis Students.
For the 4 Years im palying this Sport now i played for almost around 10 Hours a Week (Summer more winter Less) and played all the Times with 2 Boys (1 18 Years now and the other 16 Years now). They listened to me right from the start and had trust in me and in what i was saying. I play 90% of the Matches and Training Time with them and we all benefit from this Situation.
Other where silently laughing at us and i did Part Time Coaching the Other Groups at our Club (Youth Teams of Girls between 13 and 18, and the Other Boys they where playing with about 12-17 Years). Noone believed me and most of them rated me on my actual Rating of Strenght and Playing years and couldnt believe that one who isnt best at Tennis can teach them.
Long story short, i quit for the Same Reason you did Ian. If im going to coach i want People that are inspired by Tennis and are willing to put alot of effort in it. Fun is essential yes and enjoyment btw but effort is key to me but talking hours of hours on uninspired Students is waste of time and not satifising me.
Those two Boys im playing with are on their way to beat the Best Members in our club (Summer will Tell) and won the Regional Youth Championship beating the “Best” Player (without nmentioning a few talents that havent participated because they play waaay up higher) around 20km Radius.
I think i know exactly how you feel with that.
Thanks for your reply, Timo. Good to know that you know exactly what I’m talking about!
Cheers
Congratulations Ian
I really enjoy your show.
I would like to see more of strategy and mental drills to be tougher.
Thanks again and the besto of luck to you and your family
Arturo,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and suggestions, I really appreciate it!
Great move! I have a several ideas for you to consider:
1. A different kind of TennisRX!: Focusing on common tennis injuries, both avoiding and mitigating them. Your help in getting me to relax my “death grip” on the racquet —and stroking (especially concentrating on the follow through)— has completely taken away my chronic tennis elbow and wrist pain.
2. A library of really good forehands, backhands, serves etc. in HD, slow motion, but using material that is not from pros and therefore subject to royalties and restrictions. How about using your advanced students (with their permission) who show particularly good technique on particular shots?
3. A library of common failings of rec players, before and after, especially with what they look like after appropriate correction and practice.
4. A focus on the older player—both for them and others. How does one maintain enthusiasm for tennis over the years and stay in shape to play? How does one alter how one plays to conserve energy and be efficient in the use of available energy? The special venues that are available for older players: senior, super senior, age-specific tournaments. Also, maybe even learning to playing with various infirmities and illnesses. That might be a special product offering!
Your appreciative older student,
Jay
Jay,
Great to see you here!
1) I agree, those types of topics can be life changing for tennis players, I’m definitely adding those suggestions to my list.
2) Hm…sure, I could definitely do that. I’ll keep that in mind as well.
3) Great idea.
4) That’s definitely something that I haven’t considered before, but I think a lot of players out there would really appreciate it. Also adding to my list.
Thanks so much for your suggestions!
Go for it Ian –
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
– Goethe
Come see us in the CA Desert !!! and bring Doubles Domination with you — It’s the BEST.
Nancy,
I’ve done several clinics in Palm Springs and definitely plan on doing more in the near future! Keep your ears on the podcast as I typically announce clinics there first. Hopefully we’ll get to work together in person in the near future!
Hi Ian,
Congrats on the move.
What I would like to see is more discussion of strategy for both singles and doubles. There are a lot of websites out there that covers technique but there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of websites that really talk about strategy. Discussing strategy using pro-rallies as a model would be helpful in my opinion.
Thanks!
Andrew,
I agree, looooots of technique talk but not a lot of stuff about tactics (especially doubles!). Thanks so much for your suggestions!
I forget to tell you what im looking fowward the Most at your Site would be
1. Tactics Talk about Tactics, how to beat diffrent Types of Players, how to use your Strenghtes and so on
2. Trainingdrills Videos that i can use with my Friends.
thx
Timo,
Thanks so much for your suggestions!
Hi Ian,
Listening to your podcast today brought back memories of my self back in 1986.
I had coached every day in London from 1975 until 1986.
For my daughters first 6 birthdays I was not there because of my work – so I decided to make a change.
In 1986 I moved from London to Tenerife – still working as a tennis coach but working when I wanted to work and also working with people I wanted to work with – I could do what I want – and its was the best move I made for my self and in those days also for my family.
So go for it – you can always go back and get a coaching job somewhere, but you may never have the chance to do this again.
Regards from a sunny Tenerife
John,
That’s awesome, you just can’t put a price tag on working by your own terms and with the types of clients that you really enjoy spending time with. Congrats on that. Cheers!
Hey Ian,
Share your enthusiasm about the change in your professional life. I also recently left my high-tech sales/marketing position to focus on my passions: playing tennis and cooking!
I’d love to see some more video content, as well as more audio focusing on the mental game.
If I can help you in your international efforts – I’m originally from Detroit but have lived in Tel Aviv, Israel, for the past 20 years, I’d love to do so. My background is in marketing/international business for Israeli technology products/services. Also would be psyched to put together a clinic here in Tel Aviv!!
All the best, Don
p.s. i’m a 4.0 player who has recently attended the Evert Academy in Boca Raton, and in the past have been to Bolletierri in Bradenton a couple of times. I started listening to your podcasts a couple of months ago, and am looking forward to playing next week in my first local Master’s tournament since listening to about 25 of your podcasts on a recent flight from Europe to the States; funny enough, I introduced myself to Kim Clijsters in the lounge at Brussels airport and had a nice chat with her before she flew to Miami:-)
Don,
That’s amazing! Great to hear about your positive career change, I’m sure you’re extremely happy you did it.
Wow, a clinic in Tel Aviv, that would be amazing. Do you think there are many people who know about ET there?
Great to hear that you’re making such good use of the podcast, keep up the good work!
Hey Ian,
They many not necessarily know about ET – though they should – but tennis has been growing in popularity over here with the success of Shahar, Dudi Sela and Andy-Yoni in doubles. We have a master’s tournament next month here in Tel Aviv with over 600 participants!
Hi Ian.
I was the one you helped with the Serve. And i will sent you some Videos soon again.
I told my Girlfriend about you and she alsways sits beside me on her computer Listening to your Shows (shes got nothing to do with tennis) and is exited about your effort you put to the Game of Tennis. I can always point at you and say:”You see, there are others like me that are totally crazy about Tennis im not the only one
Funny thing is that i quit my Job too right now (im working as Kindergarden Teacher) and looking for a New Job in the Same Sektor with less Working Hours to make some Zertifikations for Tennis Coach in the Next few Years!
Keep up the good work Ian!
I love to hear your Show.
Greetz
Timo (and Nathalie of course)
Timo,
Great to see you here!
Haha….it’s pretty tough to find somebody more crazy than I am, glad that I could help out with your girlfriend!
Nice, best of luck getting into tennis teaching! I hope your dreams come true. Take care!
I turn to the internet for daily inspiration so I would like to see “Today’s Tennis Tip” and be able to read something quickly, be inspired and then bring it to the court that day. A few simple lines on different tactics and skills every day that will remind me of certain things to do. Sounds delicious, don’t you think?
Do you know why I’m 1000% positive that you’ll continue to be a great success? Alison. I loved how you thanked her first, deservingly so. And I love how she supports you to the dying end. You two are the BEST and you’ll go far.
Sally
Sally,
Thanks so much for your support over the years, and for your suggestions above as well. I really appreciate it!
as someone who started playing in wisco but took more than three decades to play more regularly and competitively, you have been a very large part of my success in coming back. specifically, your instruction on mental fitness has been extremely helpful.
i apologize in advance for the health care references in the following list of suggestions.
1. Quality Metrics. developing a system or model that allows players to monitor her/his improvement is an ingredient to improving one’s game. in other words, how does one know what to improve without data?
2. ePrescribing. TennisRx is a product that comes close to this aim of determining the cause(s) of a particular weakness and prescribing the necessary treatment for its resolution.
3. Patient Engagement. An internet-based Player Portal increases player engagement and satisfaction while improving communication with ET.
Looking forward to seeing you in the bronx!
Patrick,
Great to hear that the site has been so helpful!
Excellent suggestions. It will definitely take some creativity to implement them, but the long term benefits are obviously huge. I really appreciate your input!
Congratulations Ian on the Big Decision. You do a great job week in/out! You provide all of us tennis nuts a great way to connect with quality instruction – Thank you! Enjoy it all!
Carlotta,
You’re very welcome!
Hi, Ian,
Today’s announcement is very impressive to me. I am glad because from now you will interact with us more frequently. I am a big fan of your podcast and doubles domination.
Especially for me, your advice after looking at my serve video was tremendously helpful.
One suggestion is that video session from users. If users can upload videos here and you will respond, then It will be very interesting and helpful.
Thanks.
Seung,
I agree, video lessons using strokes of users is extremely helpful. I’ll have to think of a way to have people submit their videos……Thank you!
Ian,
Enjoyed listening to the podcast. Authentic. From the heart. I am sure you will look back at this as the best professional decision you ever made.
Instead of suggestions on what you should do, I will make a few suggestions on what you should not do:
1. Don’t sacrifice quality for more bucks.. It ALWAYS catches up with every businessman who goes down that road;
2. Don’t neglect your family and hobbies as you try to grow the business. It’s an easy thing to fall into, especially if you convince yourself you are “doing it for the family.”
3. Don’t get a big head or take yourself too seriously if the business takes off.
4. Don’t ever forget why you are doing this in the first place. If you ever forget, just replay this podcast.
5. Don’t stray from what makes ET unique: personalized, high quality tennis instruction for recreational players seeking to improve their game. There are millions of players around the world who fit that description, and you can spend the rest of your career helping them.
Good luck in your career move, and as a loyal ET’r and as your friend, I support you 100%.
John M
Spot on with the advice John!!!!!
John,
Thanks so much for posting this. I’m literally going to print it out and put it up on my wall! All very good reminders for me as I more forward. Cheers!
Ian,
Here’s what I’d like moving forward…
1) I’d like to see more video instruction on the site. Everybody seems to love it, and it makes the site more dynamic.
2) I’d like the opportunity to go to another clinic. The one I attended wasn’t merely informative. It was a blast.
…and…
3) I’d like a back rub. I just spent an hour in the gym and another hour on the ball machine, and my muscles are a little sore.
If you could do those three things for me, I promise to stop referring to you as “my little brother” in the forums.
John
John,
1) I agree, lots more is coming!
2) More of those coming as well, they will be much more specific as well.
3) Sure, fly on over here and I’ll comp you one.
excellent choice! i’ve been a self-employed writer since 1973 — and my husband is a self-employed antique-clock restorer since 1992! it’s the only way to go! …. we’re both tennis players and enjoy the podcast… more video! and anything else you’d like to put out there. we love it all.
Jeanne,
More video is on the way! Thanks so much for being a listener
Hi Ian
I´m thrilled that THAT´S your big announcement. That WE get more of you:)
I´m a teaching coach in Denmark myself – and also teaching other Danish coaches through our national coaching courses.
Among a lot of other great things I really liked your videos, where you analyzed in depth a players ground strokes.
I would love, if you would do a series, where you compared players of different abilities (I know FYB did a series on ground strokes) within different shot making. For instance serve-, volley-, movement-technique and so on.
Wish you all the best,
René
Rene,
Excellent idea, I like that a lot. I’ve added it to my list, definitely a strong chance that I’ll be use that. Thanks so much for your time and support!
Congratulations Ian on going it alone!
I also made the decision to go self employed 12 years ago and nowadays I fit work around my tennis so I reckon you’ve made the right move. With all your determination and passion for tennis, I’m sure you’ll have every success.
I would like to see more video (specifically wall and ball machine drills), and more singles strategy. In terms of paid for content, I would certainly consider a singles strategy course, similarly priced and structured to doubles domination (which by the way I would highly recommend to all E.T. followers). Possibly courses could include different entry levels for different standard and types of player ?
All the best and good luck.
James,
Thank you so much for your suggestions! I’ve added all of them to my running list and will definitely be keeping them in mind as I decide what to start working on next. A hitting wall video is definitely coming out soon!
ditto — on the drills for wall and machine
Hi Ian!
That’s a really big decision, no doubt! I sincerely hope it will work out for the best.
As for my humble wishes, I can chime in on what beth14 already mentions: more video.
I’d like to see specific situations set up to show particular strategical possibilities and decisions. Not wholly unlike what I’ve seen already on your site, perhaps a bit more polished and fluent – but absolutely not the intimidating commercial (“Trust me, I’m tanned and I know what I’m doing”) style one often seen on some other video clip sites. Keep it essential!
…and more graphics.
The graphic of the court and players is really good, and as used now in DD2, the conversational style is already great. A second type of graphics I think could be made in more of a presentation style, where you have a better flow and clearer logic on a shorter topic, perhaps also in shorter time. If I’m looking for a subject, and I have a collection of videos to browse through, it’s really difficult to find the few seconds (really) that I look for. Shorter and simpler videos could help – Flash graphics maybe?
I do, however, wish for some clearer (graphic) ways to show different shots with pre-designed lines and curves. Same thing about covered areas and angles on the court – these could be shaded or rastered areas, selectable with some tool in your program. I tend to loose the message if I have to follow a shaky hand drawing a line… this is difficult on the screen, I know, and therefore some research into how this could be done would be appropriate.
More.. oh yes. The mental part. This really deserves a part of the site of it’s own – please find a way… A yoga class is not what I’m looking for; nor is a “talking head” type of video. Please find a way. The PC’s up there are all great, but scattered and sometimes cross-referencing and repetitive. Again, please find a way to package this.
Again,.. big decision. I hope it all works out well and that we all can be part of this adventure.
All my best wishes,
Sören
Soren,
Haha…..definitely don’t worry about me keeping it “essential”. I absolutely hate the type of video instruction that you’re talking about, in fact seeing so much of it was a big motivating factor for me starting the web site 3 years ago. Thanks for reminding me about it though, I’d hate myself for starting to put out content like that.
The videos that I put out here on ET will definitely on average be much shorter and much more to the point. In DD 2.0 I’m doing my best to convey huuuge amounts of information, and make sure that everybody understands exactly what the concepts are, etc. The videos I do for ET will be much more bite sized, much more to the point. Thanks a lot for pointing that out though, I’ll be keeping it in mind.
Hm……to be honest I’m not quite sure how I could accomplish what you’re talking about, at least not within the way that I’m currently making those videos. What you see in those videos is simply my computer screen, and I’m using my mouse/cursor to move things around. I’m definitely open to suggestions on how I could do it differently.
I’m actually talking to a mental toughness expert about putting together a comprehensive training course much like DD for the mental game. Is that something you would be interested in?
Thanks so much for your input!
100 plus comments in the book and Soren wins for the funniest line: “Trust me I’m tanned and I know what I am doing.” Cracking up over it all day!
WOW, Congrats Ian. I wish you the best with the ET podcast. I’ve followed you now for over a year and you have done great for yourself. I hope to meet with you next year at Indian Wells BNP. I honestly have to say that you’re instructions have helped me quite a bit. I’m constantly plugging ET to all my tennis peeps. I look forward to listening to ET for the years to come. One day I wouldn’t be surprise to see ET on the Tennis Channel. That would be awesome.
Roger,
Thanks so much for your continued support! I really appreciate the fact that you tell others about the web site so much, that really helps a great deal. Hopefully I’ll shake your hand at IW in a year!
Thanks for the reply. I’d like to see how to become a teaching tennis coach for juniors and adults. I actually want to teach not to turn them into pros, but to promote tennis as a healthy life time sport. I’d like a podcast for those want to do this and how to go about it. And I do want you to bring back ET live.
Roger,
Thanks so much for the suggestions! I’ll definitely be adding them to my list, cheers.
Dear Ian,
Congratulations on making the big decision. I’m sure your enthusiasm, intelligence, and love for the game, will bring you continued success.
As for future instruction, I would like to see more video on the serve. My serve is reliable, but every once in a while I hit a great one, no effort and plenty of pace and direction. However, replication is a problem. I can’t figure out what produces these one-offs. Perhaps there isn’t a secret, and it’s really a matter of progression over time, but I can’t help but think that the answer lies somewhere in the swing path and arm/wrist movement details.
A related issue is the kick serve. I think I’m doing everything I should be, the resulting spin looks correct, but no kick. And when I do get a kick, I can’t repeat it.
Thanks for all the podcasts and information you share. It makes a difference.
Maury,
If you have access to a video camera and would be willing to be used as a guinea pig I’d be happy to go over your serve technique in the video section of the web site! The issues that you’re describing are definitely pretty individual to a certain player (at least that’s what it sounds like). Let me know what you think!
Thanks very much for your kind words, I appreciate it.
Ian,
I think you have done an excellent job on the podcasts over the last couple of years. Good luck on the career choice..
as a fortysomething 3.5 hack (who believes he should be a 4.5) here are some suggestions:
1. Tactical adjustments during a match (reading an opponents weaknesses and adjusting tactics accordingly).
2. Coaching specific to juniors (I have a 13 year old, who has trouble comprehending some of the adult-specific instruction). Also, juniors tend to play different (its the bang-bang western grip shootout most of the time), so tactics and strategies specific to these segments might be interesting..
best wishes,
-Ajay
Ajay,
1. That’s a topic that is VERY rarely covered online, excellent idea.
2. To be honest I probably won’t be creating anything geared specifically towards juniors, but I’m adding it to my list!
Thanks so much for your input, I appreciate it.
So I guess Lucy’s lefty forehand is on its way and the next thing you know she’ll be overpowering Daddy, Will Hamilton, Rafael Nadal and even Fernando Verdasco in a forehand to forehand crosscourt rally. Its really easy for us listeners to hear your voice since we can hear it while driving, resting, relaxing, biking, working out and just about anything as long as you’re ears are free. But you had to make time during a hectic schedule to make all of this possible. I bet outlining and editting are a pain too. With this new status of EssentialTennis I’d definitely like to see some on-air podcasts with listeners calling in, clinics, more video content of technique, match analyzing strategies and adjustments. An EssentialTennis getaway would be nice too. Thats it for now but I am very fortunate along with a few other listeners to get to know you personally. We all wish you the best.
Ben,
Thanks so much for your suggestions and encouragement as well! I really appreciate your support over the past few years.
No lucy is going to be a righty with a 2hbh just because daddy isn’t!!!!!
Haha…..you could be right….we’ll have to wait and see. As long as she has any backhand at all I’ll be happy!
Congrats on the life change and career choice!
I have been in my own business office now for 12 years now (self-employed). So I can tell you that there will be many and new challenges to face as time moves on. However, there is also great satisfaction and freedom of time and choices in running your own business. Hope it works out for you.
Since you asked us what honest feedback we might have for the future of ET, here are 2 things I suggest.
*Please consider bringing back ET Live, at least on a limited basis. This was the call-in show whereby “tennis-passionate” ET callers could call in with real-time questions and comments, and get instant answers and feedback. I liked that you had some guests on there too from time to time. I thought that it was one of the most fun and educational things which ET offered. So I hope it returns one day.
*Clinics. I know that your philosophy is to offer intensive and focused clinics, with jam-packed informational content and value with the goal of getting your tennis better. This is all well and good. Keep in mind that not everyone is 25 years old with the performance goal of reaching a 5.0 all-court game. Some people want to surely improve their tennis, but perhaps within their own game style and within the context of recreation and fun and exercise.
Thus, I would like to see perhaps 2 types of clinics: one is more tennis-performance oriented, one is more tennis-vacation oriented.
A tennis-vacation clinic would offer classes, drills and instruction yes, but heavily mixed with vacation time to allow sightseeing, shopping, and even watching pro tournaments at locations where the clinic is run. In fact, tennis vacation clinics should be done at same time as major tourneys such as Indian Wells and Miami, or even Paris (Roland-Garros) or Melbourne (Aussie Open). This would be easier to “sell” to wives, girlfriends and families, etc. And you would increase your potential data base of potential clinic sign-ups.
I also look forward to any tennis vacation type clinics overseas, such as in Costa Rica or other places.
Good luck with the new ET.
Gary
Gary,
Thanks very much for writing, your support over the years has been much appreciated!
Ahhhhh, ET Live. I really enjoyed doing that show a great deal. I’m going to add that to my list of suggestions and see how my time management is looking a month or two from now. It’s possible I’ll start something like that up again.
Excellent suggestion on the clinics. As I start doing more of them I plan on differentiating between player levels, topic focus, and even vacation destinations as well!
Thanks again Gary.
Hi, congrats on your success with the website and this new chapter on your life.
I have to tell you that i’m a tennis player that developed with your podcast. I’ve been playing tennis for 4 years now, and i probably listen to your podcast every monday for about 2 years now, when I found it on the internet I spend several hour listening to all the podcast content and reading the foruns and i have to say, until today i always found what i was looking for. So i’m really happy to know that you also has found what you was looking for when started this website.
About the question, most podcast and instructions you gave on your podcast met in some level something that i needed, so my only request is that you keep making thoose insightfuls podcasts, like “how loose i shoul play” and “How hard i shoul swing”, because they were by far the the instructions that consolidated my technique and got me into this year (three weeks ago) on the first division on my club, something that wouldn’t dream of when i started playing 4 years ago on the 5ª division.
So thank you for everything and i hope my club start some VIP division, because with you full time with us i know for sure that my game will improve even more.
Romulo,
Great to hear from you, it’s wonderful to know that your game has continued to improve thanks to the podcast! Don’t worry, I will continue do the same types of topics using exactly the same teaching/communication style. Hopefully the show continues to help!
Hey Big lefty,
Let me say great choice — not the tennis choice — the choice to spend more time with your daughter and family. Way way worth it!!!!!!!
More video would be what I would like. As for topics — your body of work in the PC’s is amazing — your taking questions on strategy, skills, mental game, fitness is just about perfect. If you did that with video content in nicely sized easily digestible video bites that is what I would love. Maybe like a 10 minutes max weekly thing where you take a question and cover it, if the topic runs longer do it in chapters. I always think I know the things I want to hear, but then you do a show on something that seems completely irrelevant to me, but I get some other choice nugget I wasn’t even looking for. I don’t always know what might help. Through time build up this great video library of everything tennis — like the PC’s.
Love to see drills done correctly, teaching points that you highlight them during instruction, why my serve return is still so weak…..
Does this mean we’ll FINALLY get a PC on the 2hbh- teasing!!!!!
Oh and if you do any variation of my idea — I get first dibs on the second video lesson on the 2hbh. Put me on the list now right after the the goofy drop shot video!!!!!!!
Do you have access to a digital video camera? Would you be willing to send me some footage of your backhand to use in a lesson on the site?
AWESOME idea if you are going to do what it looks like you are contemplating. Using listener video to do your on-line teaching. Of course in my case you are setting me up to be the example of all the things NOT to do!!! But I suppose with all of my whining about the 2hbh it is time to put up or shut up!
So questions: Is mpeg-4 ok? How long of a clip do you need? What angle or angles would you like? If you are going to do this for real as an idea you might want to set up some parameters for submissions. I would like to give you editing privileges – so you might want to consider some sort of a limited-waiver that gives you the right to edit it for tennis instruction only; that we can agree to by submitting our clips.
It is supposed to be kind of windy here the next couple days (lovely spring in the desert gusts to 35 mph today) – but what is the time frame that you would like me to get it to you in?
Beth,
If you take a look at the video section you’ll actually see that I’ve reviewed the strokes of several site fans, something I definitely intend on doing more of!
-mpeg-4 would be great
-I only need 30-60 seconds of repetitive hitting (just the backhand)
-Side-on angle would be best (from the left side right along the baseline)
Definitely let me know if you need any more info! Whenever you get around to it is fine.
Beth,
Thanks so much for the feedback! One video at a time I absolutely plan on building up that section of the site just like I have the podcast. Plan on seeing a lot more there in the near future!
I know you have critiqued lots of other vids in both the forums and the premium section, my hitting partner sent you one you looked at. But this is definitely cooler if you are going to take our submissions and make that a video section. It avoids the copyrighted pro issue, avoids making Allison become your videographer every weekend and does not step on Will and Adam’s toes. Kind of carves out your own niche – direct instruction of average recreational players so other recreational players can identify themselves and get instruction as well. So if you are going to do this just talking to me as your audience that is cool, but if you are doing it globally that would be way sweet. ie: “Hey everyone watch how because he is too close to the ball he is forced to draw his elbows in to help get his racket through quicker, but in not having a nice long swing path he loses power and control.”
Beth,
All good points. Look for videos like this from me!
Ian,
Congratulations on going your own way and going after what you want in your career! I wish you all the success in the world. You definitely deserve it.
Some of what I think would be awesome:
1. A weekly live video podcast where you answer people’s questions. I know you already do this with ET Platinum, and I’m not sure how you could keep that premium if you also did it for free. Maybe only ET Platinum members could submit video for analysis, like they are able to now.
2. A clinic in the Twin Cities! Sometime in mid- or late-June, so that we have a chance to chisel the rust off our games after months of dormancy.
3. A regular quick tip geared at the common mistakes made by players at each level (3.0, 3.5, 4.0). One of the golf magazines has something like this. They have one tip geared at high handicappers who are trying to break 100, one geared at mid handicappers who are trying to break 90, and one geared at low handicappers who are trying to break 80. For tennis, you could identify the most common flaws at each level that prevent advancement to the next level, and once a month (or every two weeks), identify one and provide a quick tip on how to improve it. As you mentioned, not everyone who plays tennis is as dedicated as the core ET members, and there will be more of those people visiting ET as it continues to grow. They may look at a course like Doubles Domination and say, “way too much work for me”, but look at a quick tip and say, “hey, cool, I’m gonna try that in my next match”.
4. A course like Doubles Domination, but for singles players. This would be a bit more involved, since you’d have to address the various styles of play (S&V, all-court, offensive baseliner, counterpuncher), but a course that covered the core strategies of the singles game would be terrific.
5. If the attendees are okay with it, post some video of the clinics. One, it could be used to illustrate your teaching (such as drills to improve a certain stroke or strategy). Two, it would be a way for people to get a sense of what your clinics are like.
6. Equipment giveaways tied to product purchases. One of the photography websites I visit does this about once every three months. If you purchase the e-book they’re promoting at the time, you’re entered into a drawing for some sweet gear. If you were able to partner with the equipment manufacturers (or Tennis Express), you could have giveaways for new racquets or shoes. Or a free clinic.
7. A regular (maybe every two weeks) look at a pro player, with an analysis of one of his or her biggest strengths, and how the amateur player can apply that to his or her own game.
Looking forward to seeing how great ET will be now that you’ll be able to focus even more time and effort on it.
Chris
Chris,
Thank you for the encouragement!
1. This is something that I’ve actually thought about before…..but it was also before I began Platinum. I’ll start thinking about it again….
2. Absolutely, I’d love to take a trip there. My wife and daughter are actually there right now! We’d need an indoor facility willing to host the clinic and 8 people to sign up. If you’d like to help me do some of the leg work on the facility part I’d be happy to give you a discount if the clinic ends up filling. Let me know.
3. Hm…..I like that concept….I’ll add that to my list.
4. I’m hesitant to do a course like that since FYB has done so many on singles, but obviously I teach at least a little bit differently than Will does, it’s definitely not out of the question!
5. Definitely doable, I’d need a camera man.
6. Good idea.
7. This is a tough one since I don’t have any licensed pro footage. I supposed I could do it on my court diagram instead.
Thanks so much for the time you put into this!
wow…what a podcast….good for you…I am a tennis newbie (43 year old female) and my mom, who retired (was a fed) and moved up to syracuse with us was playing USTA in NoVa. I decided to take up tennis so we could play together…we listen to your podcasts and shared the cost of doubles domination (we live in the same house). I have a lot of questions especially about equipment that she can’t answer. I would benefit from asking you those questions and having your answer. Thanks for wanting to better the site and podcast.
Good luck.
Tamara,
Definitely the two best ways to get feedback about equipment would be:
1. Send me your questions to use on the podcast. Every couple months I have a gear expert on who answers questions from listeners. It might take a little while but I’d definitely get to yours eventually.
2. Sign up for the forums and post your questions there in the Gear section. There are some REALLY knowledgable people in the forums, and I am going to start dropping in more and more often to answer questions myself.
Congrats on the big move! I’m sure it will be a successful one!
My favorite video on your site is Doubles Strategy (from November 28, 2009). I’d like to see more point play analysis like this. I can learn from what players are doing right and what they are doing wrong.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Mike!
Thanks very much for the input, I’ll add that to my list.