We would like to welcome Robert D. from Atlanta, GA, to the MyTennisLessons team. We pride ourselves on bringing on not only quality coaches, but quality people as well, which is why we are so excited to have Robert on board. If you live in Atlanta, GA, review Robert’s qualifications, teaching experience and hobbies below to see if they would be the right pro for you. Again, we are happy to expand our tennis lesson services in Atlanta, GA, with the addition of Robert. Sign up with Robert D. today!
About Robert
I played number one positions in singles and doubles in high school and college. I attended the University of New Haven in Connecticut on a tennis scholarship. I starting teaching tennis to children for the Guilford Recreation Department to children from age 5 through 14 when I was in high school. I managed the travel team of the Guilford Park and Recreation Department that is only 15 miles from New Haven, Connecticut. I was head tennis professional of the Sachem Head Yacht Club in Guilford for two years. I have played singles and doubles tournaments and got to the quarterfinals of the State Open losing to a member of the Junior Davis Cup team. I have coached boys and girls varsity tennis teams in Connecticut including at Fairfield High School where James Blake attended. In Atlanta, I had taught tennis at the Dennis Ralston Tennis Academy. For almost two years, I took two-three lessons weekly with Ken DeHart who became a close personal friend. He taught me a two-handed backhand, te
nnis psychology, was tennis director of the Professional Tennis Registry at one time, and has just returned to teach tennis professionals at the Australian Open. Please google his name to learn about his accomplishments, publications and videos. Currently, I take lessons from Tony Palafox who was John McEnroe’s coach. Tony teaches at the YMCA in Buckhead and has become a friend. I also have taught for the Old Saybrook Park and Recreation Department in recent years and recently taught the 10 and Under program at two elementary schools in Durham, Connecticut, for full days collaboratively with a friend and former student. For me, collaboration and attendance at workshops improves my tennis knowledge and skills and allows me to meet new friends. I am a retired special education teacher and library media specialist. With my special education background, I have taught children with special needs including wheelchair tennis and emotional challenges. I also taught tennis to children with a
utism.
Teaching Experience: 42 years
Teaching Style
I am especially strong in teaching one and two handed backhands so that the student learns how to hit a flat, slice, sidespin, topspin and undercut depending upon court location and opponent. My best strokes are the forehand and backhand volley from the service line to the net as well as the drop volley. I start my lesson warming up kinesthetically to stretch muscles and then asking the student to hit with me in the forecourt using soft balls to get a feel of the ball. Feel of the ball and depth perception are important as a foundation for me to feed balls to the student. I ask the student how well he hits and what his goals are. Mutually, we agree upon objectives. After five minutes maximum, I show visually how the ball should be hit and ask the student to copy me. Next, I toss balls from different locations on the same side and opposite side of the net followed by hitting balls to my student in likewise manner. A lot of visualization, show and tell, and repeated practice embo
dy most of the lesson. We focus upon the cause and solution for rapid improvement. Together, I explain and write down the objectives and how they have been met in writing. At the end of the lesson, we stretch our muscles. I ask the student to write a log of what has been learned and to email this log. New objectives are identified for the next lesson with closure identifying what has been learned and what will take next time. I always ask that the process of learning precedes outcomes as I scaffold all skill development for efficient improvement and transfer to recreational or competitive play.
Hobbies
I watch basketball, golf and football especially at the college level. My favorite TV channels are PBS, ESPN2, National Geographic, Smithsonian, BBC, ESPN, and MGM network. I enjoy studying history at the local, state, and national level: history of Europe, China, and the Middle East. I also like classical music, young adult literature (especially titles of the National Book Award), movies (especially Oscar winners), organic food diet, shopping and international cuisine.
