Ptr/uspta?

[SlapShot]

I know, search, search, search.

I have been looking at getting either PTR or USPTA certified, and teaching as a part time job. Right now I'm a 3.5 on the verge of being bumped to 4.0, have been playing since I was 12, but picked up a racquet only a few times in college. I'm 25 now, and have no aspriations of being the next Nick B., but do have a desire to teach tennis, be it at a tennis center or freelance.

I've got solid form on my strokes for the most part, and am always working to improve my own game.

Does getting certified make sense, or should I just hang tight and hold off for a while?

 

[CoachingMastery]

Getting either certification will provide you with additional teaching information and education, not to mention the ability to network with other teaching pros who are certified.

Certification in no way guarantees that you are or will be a good, great or horrible coach/teaching pro. It adds a level of legitimacy to your aspiration, yet nothing takes the place of experience.

Start as an assistant or high school coach. This will give you the experience of handling larger groups, dealing with different personalities, and the opportunity to work with players for several years. (This last point will tell you whether you are using good teaching elements...if after several years, your players are not advancing or competing at higher levels, you most likely are not using good teaching patterns/programs.)

Good luck and don't let your ability limit your interest in studying the game and seeking advice. If anything, you probably will learn more about your own game in the process!

 

[fuzz nation]

If you want to teach, I'd definitely look into the process. I certified with the USPTA in April and it really helped me to understand some important aspects of teaching efficiently with an individual or a group. I also got some valuable insight toward the realistic challenges that come with running a tennis business.

I only teach on my own, but with my certification, I enjoy the coverage of a significant insurance policy through the USPTA - it protects me from the standpoint of liability in case my students are injured, but it's also there to help my students with health care costs in case they get hurt during their lessons. I respect that approach a lot and you'll probably find that a lot of clubs, etc. will require or at least prefer that you have that protection in order to work for them.

Both organizations have a lot to offer for either full time or part time tennis people and I really found out how much I wanted to be involved in teaching the game after several years of coaching high school kids. That experience, along with some teaching on my own, really got me interested in eventually earning a certification, but I was already involved with some tennis work before I got the ball rolling with the USPTA. Dave Smith posts here as "Coaching Mastery" and he was apparently quite accomplished as a tennis teacher/coach long before he ever looked into a certification. His thought on the topic was that you can benefit from joining an organization, but you can also accomplish quite a lot on your own. In either case, most would probably agree that it's essential to keep expanding your knowledge and skills over time.

If your teaching/coaching experience is limited, I'd suggest doing a little to get more used to the craft - when you certify, you can potentially earn yourself a better rating if you can demonstrate higher competence. I think that it's also important to not rush your preparation - pay attention to the recommended periods of time to get yourself studied up so that you can also test more successfully.

Edit: Look at that, Dave strikes again!

 

[CoachingMastery]

Good advice, Fuzz!

While I taught tennis in California and Arizona for some 20 years without certification, I feel that my USPTA certification (which I've held for the past 8 years), has been a benefit for the reasons Fuzz mentioned. I value the experience of coaching for many years, (28 seaons) where I learned how to manage and effectively teach an average of 40 kids on each boys and girl's team. You would benefit from this type of experience as well as working at clubs and resorts. Another experience I did as a teen was teach for the city recreation department in Califronia.

The more players you work with, the longer you work with various players, all help you find what works and what doesn't. Certification will be another 'peg' on that experience board that will help you and give you some accreditation.

 

[SlapShot]

Thanks guys.

I helped coach girls tennis when I was in HS, but that was a few years ago.

I inquired to local groups about helping with their programs as a volunteer, and never heard back, but I may try and knock down that path first, and get the experience.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Thanks guys.

I helped coach girls tennis when I was in HS, but that was a few years ago.

I inquired to local groups about helping with their programs as a volunteer, and never heard back, but I may try and knock down that path first, and get the experience.

the best way to learn to teach is to see if there is a good local pro who is willing to mentor you. by that, i mean that you do whatever he/she asks of you within reason with no compensation..you get to pick his brain and learn how to teach tennis. the certification isnt an indication of a persons ability to teach tennis, but it is something that impresses people..something to put on a business card that makes you sound credible