Workshop Descriptions

PTR Tennis Teacher Workshops are the most successful training courses available for tennis teachers and coaches. They are based on a fundamental teaching method developed by PTR President & Founder, Dennis Van der Meer. More than 200 PTR Tennis Teacher Workshops are conducted on five continents each year.

Workshop participants vary within the tennis industry: tennis teaching professionals, college coaches, middle and high school coaches, USTA clinicians, professionals making a career change, etc. All workshops are led by specially trained PTR Clinicians. Workshop leaders begin their training as PTR Certification Testers.

PTR membership and certification are not included in your workshop fee. Many workshop attendees join PTR months before the workshop so they can prepare for the certification test. PTR certification ratings are awarded to those members who pass all five parts of the exam.

NOTE: Workshops are subject to cancellation if a minimum number of registrants is not met. A decision whether or not to cancel will be made at least one week prior to the date of the workshop.

IMPORTANT: For the International Certification Workshop, please review your DVD and study materials thoroughly before the event and bring your Test Preparation Guide to the workshop.

International Certification Workshop (10 hours)

PTR is the only certification organization that provides on-court training workshops in the United States to help you prepare for your certification test. PTR's International Certification Workshop is the industry leader in professional tennis teaching. The workshop is conducted primarily on court with emphasis on the fundamentals of teaching group lessons, the development of biomechanically sound strokes, error detection and corrective techniques, and the logistics of organizing group drills. The 10 hour course prepares members for the five part certification exam. Certification testing will be administered at the conclusion of the workshop. Current PTR members are encouraged to retest at this time to upgrade their rating.

Fundamentals of the International Certification Workshop

1. To demonstrate and actively learn PTR’s method for group lessons for the serve, forehand and backhand strokes.
2. To display and discuss successful error detection and corrective techniques that can be applied to common stroke problems found in the serve, volley, forehand and backhand.
3. To demonstrate specialty shot teaching progressions for the volley, spin serve, half volley, topspin lob and drop shot.
4. To focus on the qualities that make a successful tennis teacher.

PTR Kids Tennis (4 hours)

A varied curriculum designed to teach ages 5-10. The course covers essential skills needed for working with children, including age relevant coaching methodology, appropriate use of courts, equipment and balls. A developmental approach to building essential skills to get kids playing the game quickly and develop fundamentals to maximize long term potential. More than 50 games, activities and progressions to get kids playing while emphasizing balance, coordination, agility and motor skills. Includes simple competition, programming and marketing.

Competitive/Situational Games (4 hours)

An on-court workshop demonstrating action packed games that can greatly supplement any tennis program. Each game provides a situation that targets a specific match play or technical skill. The addition of structured competitive games allows students to experience competitiveness in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The workshop is a must for tennis teachers, program directors and coaches. Plus, participants receive a handout that contains 60+ games.

Play Action Drills (4 hours)

Drills that simulate match play situations and promote sound, strategic development are the basis of this workshop. Service return, passing shots, groundstrokes, volleys, reflex development, doubles positioning and transition to the net are only a few of the drills presented. This workshop is presented on-court with attendees participating in the drills.

Instructing Wheelchair Tennis (5 hours)

This course is for tennis teachers and coaches to augment their professional certification with a certification to teach wheelchair tennis. Teachers actually use wheelchairs in order to understand the special skills required to maneuver the wheelchair and to hit from a modified elevation. Mobility, stroke production and general wheelchair basics are all covered in the curriculum. Attendees will understand the components of chair construction, as well as learn that the degree of disability will vary with each wheelchair athlete.

Mental Training (4 hours)

This program is designed to enhance a player's mental toughness. The ability to concentrate, relax, focus and feel confident should complement a player's skills. Developing a positive mental attitude and approach to tennis competition can be significantly improved through a variety of proven ways. This workshop will demonstrate techniques to develop a player's mental strength. It combines off-court and on-court activities.

Successful Doubles (4 hours)

It's easy and fun to become an effective doubles teacher. This course will reveal the most efficient methods for teaching the unique game of doubles. It will show how to get players to the correct position on every shot, how to teach players to manage time on the court to their best advantage, how to explain each doubles position's specific responsibilities and numerous other objectives. Also included is information on teaching effective volleying and lob coverage.

Team Coaching: Basics (4 hours)

An interactive on-court workshop concentrating on the skills needed for high school coaches to be successful. The curriculum is compiled from today's leading industry resources. Details include team/player management, practice organization, singles and doubles, evaluation methods, tryouts/lineups and sportsmanship. This is an approved course for state and local districts for continuing education credits.

Team Coaching: Successful Singles & Doubles
(4 hours)

This course will reveal the most efficient way to coach high school singles and doubles. It will show how to get players to the correct position on every shot, how to teach players to manage time on the court to their best advantage, how to explain each player's specific responsibilities, and numerous other objectives. This is an approved course for many state and local districts for continuing education credits.

Team Coaching: Advanced (4 hours)

An interactive on-court workshop concentrating on the skills needed for high school coaches to be successful. The curriculum is compiled from today's leading industry resources. Details include player training, stroke production, practice organization, singles and doubles, and match evaluation methods. This is an approved course for state and local districts for continuing education credits.

Team Coaching: Team Practices (4 hours)

The objective of this workshop is to help coaches and teams deal with commonly recurring practice problems: large and often odd number of players, limited court availability, varying degree of skills, limited time to devote to technical and tactical development, emotional and physical disparities, and compatibility with players and their teaching pros. Premise: The key to successful practice is to establish an organized format in which all players are highly active and motivated. All drills should have a specific purpose and/or relate to specific patterns of play. A player’s ability to improve is directly related to the creativity of the coach. It is important to construct a competitive, yet fun environment.

Tennis Business Management (4 hours)

Developing professionally requires competence in many areas: club programming, scheduling, staffing, interviewing, club operations, marketing, budgeting, time management and compensation. Management and business skills are essential elements for the tennis director, head professional, teaching pro or facility manager looking to further his or her professional development. This course will summarize many of the essential components of a successful tennis business manager.

Club and Event Programming (4 hours)

A successful and healthy tennis program requires planning and creativity to maintain interest and enthusiasm. This course will review tournaments, lesson programming, scheduling, promotion, leagues and match arranging. Also presented will be several special event ideas that can be used as additions to any program.