I am thrilled to share with you that I had my first full class at College Park Tennis Club last night. (Pictured above) All of the people were new to my no non-sense style of coaching. “Hit the ball,” I yelled to a new client. “I am hitting the ball,” she screamed back. “My Grandmother hit’s the ball harder than you!,” I yelled back across the tennis court. The group laughed and she laughed. She started to hit the ball harder.
After a period of soft hitting, I had to stop the class and call the group to the net. “Listen,” I said. “I am here to help you bridge the gap between reality and fantasy. Right now, your reality is not looking too good. The fantasy is what I see as your best tennis. Now get out of the way and let me help you be the best you can be!” From that moment on all seven players lifted their games. The hitting was significantly stronger and at a higher level. The points were engaging. The players started to clap and cheer for one another as each player stumbled into excellence. The excitement and energy was palpable.
If I had told the group, “Let’s work on just getting the ball back into play,” do you think the group would have been clapping and cheering for one another as they gently and tenderly placed the ball over the net? Of course not! Who have you ever seen applaud mediocrity? My vision for all of the RJT classes is to motivate, challenge and inspire you to hit harder and play better than you ever thought was possible. I want you to learn to experience what you’re actually physically, mentally and emotionally, capable of doing. I want you to be great! I know you can be great!
Rob the tennis coach
