In a first lesson with a true beginner, a student will learn the major rules as well as basic skills such as grip, groundstrokes, and serves.
After about 10 lessons, a beginner can expect to focus a little more on specific technique with shots that they struggle with and work on more strategic scenarios that players find themselves in in games.
Strategic scenarios include things such as: When to drop vs drive, how to manage the transition zone, and shot selection.
A student will also learn more advanced shots such as rolls, resets, and how to incorporate spin in shots.
I preach learning new shots first through muscle memory, hitting the same shot over and over. Then by hitting the shot in the middle of a game-like sequence by hitting a shot before and/or after the shot that the student is focusing on. An example would be having the student hit a serve before hitting their 3rd shot drop or groundstroke. Lastly, students will work on shots by having repercussions for poor shots, such as playing out points or sequences with me trying to win.
Lastly, recording parts of a lesson may be used to have the student see their game through my eyes.
In lessons 4-10, a student will learn more skills, such as 3rd shot drops, dinking, and possibly incorporating spin.
In these lessons, a student will also start to learn basic movement strategy on the court and general rules about when to hit certain shots.
I preach learning new shots first through muscle memory, hitting the same shot over and over. Then by hitting the shot in the middle of a game-like sequence by hitting a shot before and/or after the shot that the student is focusing on. An example would be having the student hit a serve before hitting their 3rd shot drop or groundstroke. Lastly, students will work on shots by having repercussions for poor shots, such as playing out points or sequences with me trying to win.
In a second and third lesson, a student will build on skills worked on in the first lesson as well as skills such as return of serve and volleying.
In my opinion, volleying is the most important skill for beginners players because lower level players play with more power and less intent. If you cannot play against power, you will not force an opponent to change strategies.