1st lesson free
Raphael's profile and their contact details have been verified by our experts
Raphael
- Rate $40
- Response 1h
$40/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- Tennis
Former nationally ranked junior tennis player. Have a few students that I coached that went to college on tennis scholarship, one was also nationally ranked. Have been teaching tennis since 1997.
- Tennis
Lesson location
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at your home or a public place : will travel up to 50 mi. from Madisonville
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About Raphael
I’ve been teaching tennis since 1997—not because it’s easy, but because I’ve seen it change lives.
Over nearly three decades on the court, I’ve coached former students to college scholarships and one to a national ranking. But my deepest credential isn’t trophies. It’s this: I’m a father of seven.
Raising seven children taught me what 10,000 hours of coaching could not—that every single person learns differently, moves differently, and responds to pressure differently. There’s no one-size-fits-all swing. There’s only your swing, refined with respect for your body and your goals.
I’ve also come back from injuries on and off the court. I know what it means to rebuild, to adapt, and to refuse to quit. That “never give up” attitude isn’t a slogan I sell—it’s how I’ve lived and how I teach.
What you can expect from me:
· Honest feedback, never harsh.
· Respect for your time, your effort, and your limits.
· A structured plan that pushes you without breaking you.
What I expect from you:
Effort. Not perfection. Just honest, consistent effort.
My only goal is to help you become the best player you can be—because the better you play, the more joy tennis gives you. And that joy is why I’m still coaching, decades later, one student at a time.
Ready to start? Let’s get to work.
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About the lesson
- All Levels
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
I want to share my love and knowledge for the game of tennis.
Here is a profile tailored for a tennis coach with experience since 1997.
Foundation:
“Progress through controlled repetition, not just rallying.” You blend classical biomechanics (consistent grips, footwork patterns) with modern situational play (attacking short balls, net transition).
Key Techniques:
· The 3-Zone System: Teach players to recognize Red Zone (defensive, behind baseline), Yellow Zone (neutral, rally), and Green Zone (attack, inside baseline). Each zone has specific shot selection and footwork.
· Progressive Ball Control: Begin with mini-court (red/orange balls for adults if needed), then short-court (service line to service line), then full-court – ensuring feel before power.
· Target-Based Drilling: Use flat cones and chalk lines exclusively. No “just hit cross-court.” You demand a 70% landing rate on a 1m target before increasing pace.
· Video + Live Correction: Record 2-3 rally points per lesson. Watch immediately, highlight 1 technical fix (e.g., racquet drop on serve) and 1 tactical fix (e.g., recovering to center).
A Typical Lesson Plan (60 min)
All lessons start with a brief interview (2 min): “How did your arm feel today? What did you struggle with in your last match?”
1. Dynamic warm-up & footwork ladder (8 min) – Including split-step practice on a cue.
2. Cooperative rally (10 min) – Cross-court only, 10-ball goal without error. Builds consistency.
3. Theme drilling (20 min) – Example: “Approach shot + volley finish.” Coach feeds short ball; player hits deep approach down the line, closes to net, finishes with angled volley. Repeat 30x.
4. Game situation (15 min) – Conditional play: Server must serve & volley, or returner must lob on second serve. Play to 11 points, win by 2.
5. Cool-down & debrief (5 min) – Stretch, recap 2 successes, assign 1 home drill (e.g., “20 serves with trophy pose freeze at home”).
What Sets Me Apart as a Tutor
· Racket Science Integration: You explain why – e.g., “Closed stance vs open stance, and when which stance is preferred over the other.”
· Emotional regulation drills: During lessons, you introduce controlled distractions (someone clapping, a missed line call) and teach reset rituals (bounce-breathe-hum).
· Injury-aware approach: I’ve adapted to modern rackets and poly strings – I correct overhitting that leads to tennis elbow; you teach shoulder-friendly serve mechanics. Also, how string tension can cause or irritate older injuries.
· Parent/partner reporting: After every 4 lessons, you send a 1-page PDF with progress metrics (first-serve percentage, depth consistency) and specific at-home exercises.
Who the Lessons Are For
Degree & Level:
· Beginner (1.5–2.5 NTRP): Never played or can barely rally. Focus: continental grip for volleys, split-step, high-percentage cross-court.
· Intermediate (3.0–3.5): Consistency but no weapon. Focus: depth control, approach shot, basic serve placement.
· Advanced (4.0–4.5): Club league players with reliable strokes. Focus: point construction, pattern play, attacking second serves.
· Junior competitors (10–18 years): Tournament players. Focus: mental toughness, shot tolerance, transition game.
Class & Specificities:
· Private (1-on-1) – best for technical overhauls.
· Semi-private (2–3 players) – ideal for doubles tactics or rally drills.
· Small group (4–6) – high school teams, cardio tennis with stroke correction.
· Specificities: Adults 40+ with limited mobility (you modify footwork patterns); left-handed players (you mirror-drill lefty vs. righty patterns); players with past tennis elbow (you teach “loose grip, late contact” and softer string setups).
Not for: Elite 5.5+ players seeking high-intensity sparring, I would refer those to a former pro.
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Rates
Rate
- $40
Pack rates
- 5h: $200
- 10h: $400
free lessons
This first lesson offered with Raphael will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
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