Learn Tennis with Cecil
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With over four decades of experience as a Certified Tennis Professional, I'm dedicated to helping players of all levels enhance their skills and enjoyment of the game. Whether you're a beginner looking to grasp the fundamentals or an advanced player seeking to refine your technique, I'm here to guide you on your tennis journey. Teaching allows me to share the joy of movement with others. There’s something exhilarating about watching a player improve their skills and enjoy the physical activity. My teaching approach emphasizes biomechanically sound strokes, skill evaluation, and the often-overlooked fundamentals of teaching group lessons. Teaching Tennis allows me to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether it’s helping someone achieve their fitness goals, overcome challenges, or simply find joy in the game, knowing that I’ve played a part in their journey is immensely fulfilling.
Levels taught: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
🏅Experienced Player
📝PTR Certified
🎓30 years coaching
🔥461 Lessons
⭐️Mental Performance Mastery Coach
Try Cecil risk free
When you buy with TeachMe.To you're getting access to a network of coaches. If you don't love your lessons with Cecil, we'll switch you to another coach or give you a full refund.
Reviews
Total reviews212
Average rating
5.0
Danielle V.Verified ✓
Lessons taken: 20
Cecile is by far the best instructor I’ve ever had. He is so personable and has a great teaching style. I was a total beginner and he patiently honed my individual skills as well as improved my movement on the court and game playing skills. After only 10 lessons, I’m starting to feel consistently successful in my skills. I highly recommend him regardless of your age or ability. He will make you a better and more well rounded player.
Alex T.
Lessons taken: 1
Coach Cecil - thank you for pushing me to improve my mental game today. Your emphasis on staying focused and maintaining a positive attitude, even during challenging points, was exactly what I needed. The visualization exercises we did really helped me stay calm and composed under pressure. Looking forward to more mental toughness training in our future lessons.
John R.
Lessons taken: 1
Coach, thank you for another fantastic lesson! My serve technique has already be made a noticeable difference in my accuracy and power. The personalized drills you designed were challenging but incredibly effective. Can't wait to see continued progress next time!
Pradeep C.Verified ✓
Lessons taken: 22
I had my first tennis lesson with Coach Cecil and it was outstanding. His emphasis on the basics made the class incredibly engaging and informative. Coach Cecil has a unique ability to simplify complex techniques, making them easy to grasp for beginners.
Emily H.
Lessons taken: 1
Coach Cecil, your impact on my tennis journey has been immeasurable, and I'll forever cherish the memories and lessons learned under your mentorship. Thank you for being an incredible coach and mentor.
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:12 courts available
Katherine Fleischer Park
1055 miles awayOutdoors
Tom Glenn High School
1057.1 miles awayOutdoors
Buttercup Creek Park
1059.1 miles awayOutdoors
Nelson Ranch Park
1059.8 miles awayOutdoors
Leander High School
1058.5 miles awayOutdoors
Westenfield Neighborhood Park
1066.4 miles awayOutdoors
Cedar Park HS
1061.3 miles awayOutdoors
John B Connally High School
1056.4 miles awayOutdoors
Austin High School
1067.2 miles awayOutdoors
Lake Travis High School
1073.5 miles awayOutdoors
Westlake HS
1069.1 miles awayOutdoors
Janet Bartles Park
1058.4 miles awayOutdoors
Want a lesson at your home or a different location? We can help.
When I'm usually available
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.mondays4 PM - 5 PM
tuesdays1 PM - 2 PM
wednesdays1 PM - 2 PM
thursdays1 PM - 2 PM
fridays1 PM - 2 PM
saturdays1 PM - 2 PM
sundays1 PM - 2 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonIntroduction to Tennis
Objective: Create a comfortable and encouraging environment while introducing basic concepts.
1. Warm-up and Stretching: Brief introduction to dynamic stretches to prevent injury.
2. Equipment Familiarization: Show proper grip (Eastern forehand grip for starters), racket handling, and how to use it efficiently.
3. Court Orientation: Explain court layout—boundaries, service boxes, and basic tennis rules.
4. Basic Forehand Stroke: Demonstrate and practice forehand shots, focusing on footwork, racket position, and follow-through.
5. Ball Control Drills: Simple hand-eye coordination drills (e.g., bouncing a ball on the racket) to improve feel for the racket and ball.
6. Fun Rally: End the lesson with a short rally to make the beginner comfortable hitting the ball and maintaining rhythm.
Emphasis:Enjoyment, building familiarity with the racket, and very basic forehand mechanics.
Lesson 11+Refining Skills and Strategy
Objective: Transition from beginner to intermediate play, focusing on tactical awareness and advanced shot-making.
1. Game Strategy and Tactics: Teach the importance of shot placement, court positioning, and anticipating the opponent’s moves.
2. Advanced Footwork: Introduce more complex footwork drills, like side-stepping and backpedaling, for better positioning.
3. Situational Play: Focus on specific match situations—serving under pressure, returning difficult shots, and winning points at the net.
4. Mental Training: Begin discussions on mental toughness, focus during rallies, and staying calm in competitive play.
5. Match Play: Incorporate more match-like scenarios with coaching during and after matches to refine tactics and performance.
6. Fitness and Conditioning: Emphasize the importance of conditioning to maintain energy and endurance during matches.
Emphasis: Tactical awareness, advanced stroke variety, and mental preparation for match play.
By the end of this training plan, beginners will have developed a solid technical foundation, an understanding of tennis strategy, and the confidence to play and enjoy the game recreationally or competitively.
Lesson 4-10Progressing to Game Play
Objective: Develop consistent rallying skills, serve mechanics, and introduce more complex movements.
1. Forehand and Backhand Consistency: Continue working on stroke consistency, adding power and depth to shots.
2. Full Serve Development: Refine the serve, adding concepts of spin and direction.
3. Volley Introduction (Lesson 5-6): Teach volleys, starting with net positioning, technique, and when to use volleys during a point.
4. Baseline vs. Net Play (Lesson 7-8): Teach the difference between baseline and net play, introducing tactics and positioning.
5. Mini Matches: Introduce short matches or point play to develop an understanding of scoring, strategy, and pressure.
6. Introduction to Spins: Show how to apply topspin and backspin on groundstrokes for added control and variety (Lesson 9-10).
Emphasis: Combining technique with movement, shot selection, and strategic thinking in match situations.
Lesson 2-3Objective: Establish foundational strokes and understanding of tennis movement.
1. Recap of Forehand Stroke: Begin each lesson with a review to reinforce the forehand technique.
2. Introduction to the Backhand: Teach the backhand stroke (two-handed or one-handed) with a focus on footwork, racket position, and swing.
3. Footwork Basics: Demonstrate basic footwork patterns, including split step and lateral movement.
4. Grip Adjustments: Discuss grip variations (continental grip for volleys and serves).
5. Basic Rallies and Movement: Incorporate short rallies, emphasizing movement to and from the ball.
6. Serve Introduction (Lesson 3): Begin to introduce the basics of serving—proper stance, toss, and contact point.
Emphasis: Consistency with forehand and backhand, understanding footwork, and introducing the serve.
Advanced training plan
Your first lessonTechnical Refinement and Tactical Awareness
* On-court:
* Stroke Work: Focus on consistent execution of groundstrokes, volleys, and serves.
* Point Play: Practice tactical scenarios, shot selection, and adapting to different playing styles.
* Match Play: Simulate match conditions to apply technical and tactical skills under pressure.
* Tactical Discussions: Analyze professional matches and discuss strategies, shot selection, and court positioning.
Lesson 11+Key Training Tips:
* Individualized Approach: Tailor the training plan to the player's specific strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
* Variety: Incorporate a variety of drills and exercises to keep training sessions engaging and challenging.
* Progressive Overload: Gradually increase the intensity and difficulty of training sessions to stimulate improvement.
* Rest and Recovery: Ensure adequate rest and recovery to prevent injuries and optimize performance.
* Positive Reinforcement: Provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement to boost confidence and motivation.
By following this comprehensive training plan and focusing on the key areas, advanced tennis players can significantly improve their skills and performance.
Lesson 4-10Integrating Technical, Tactical, and Physical Skills
* On-court:
* Point Play: Combine technical refinement with tactical awareness to execute effective strategies.
* Match Play: Focus on maintaining consistency, adapting to different playing styles, and executing under pressure.
* Tactical Discussions: Analyze professional matches to learn from top players' strategies and shot selection.
Lesson 2-3Physical Conditioning and Mental Toughness
* On-court:
* Interval Training: Incorporate high-intensity drills to improve speed, agility, and endurance.
* Match Play: Continue to simulate match conditions, focusing on mental toughness and decision-making.
* Mental Training: Practice visualization, meditation, and breathing techniques to enhance focus and reduce anxiety.
Youth players
Working with teenagers1. Foot faults happen. You get a second chance.
2. Every game begins with “love.”
3. Each point is a new opportunity.
4. Miss-hits can be winners.
5. Learn from losses.
6. Celebrate the wins.
7. Believe in yourself.
8. Keep your eye on the ball.
9. Commit to following through.
10. No matter how far down you are, there’s always hope for a comeback.
What you need to bringHere's a list of essential equipment for your new tennis students:
Essential Items:
* Tennis Racquet: If you don't have one, I can lend you one. I can also recommend a beginner-friendly racquet from a local sports store or online retailer.
* Tennis Shoes: These should have good traction and support for lateral movement.
* Comfortable Athletic Clothing: Shorts, skirts, t-shirts, or tank tops that allow for easy movement.
* Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially during physical activity.
Optional Items:
* Tennis Balls: While I will provide balls during the lesson, having your own can be convenient for practice.
* Visor or Hat: To protect your eyes from the sun.
* Sunglasses: For added eye protection.
* Wristband or Towel: To wipe sweat.
Important Note:
* Racquet Size: For beginners, it's often recommended to start with a larger head size racquet, as it provides a larger sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball cleanly.
By having these items, you can focus on learning and enjoying the game without any distractions.
What I can bringNot owning a Tennis racquet or proper Tennis shoes should never be a reason you don’t start taking a lesson. I can provide you with a racquet. If all you have are running shoes that will do for now. Please bring your own water.
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation Policy
We totally understand that life can be unpredictable and plans might change. That's
why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you
peace of mind when booking private sports lessons with our awesome local instructors!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
Tennis with Cecil⭑ 5 (212)