MY DADDY / MY COACH
How to Teach Kids to Play Tennis
– Section 1 of 3 –
In this section, you’ll follow the tennis journey of Cosmin Miholca, a certified coach, as he teaches his two daughters how to play tennis. The series begins with their very first lessons, where they learn the fundamentals, and continues as they develop their skills and progress toward competitive tournament play.
My Daddy / My Coach is unique because it gives you an inside look at how a professional tennis coach teaches his own children: from complete beginners to confident, competitive players. You’ll see their development over time, including the techniques, drills, progressions, and lessons that helped them improve.
*These videos are intended to supplement, not replace, on-court tennis instruction. Tennis is a fast-paced sport that involves movement, balance, and equipment, and like any physical activity, it carries inherent risks. Always take responsibility for your own safety and work within the limits of your experience, physical abilities, and comfort level. Before attempting any skills or drills demonstrated in these videos, make sure you are properly prepared and avoid taking risks beyond your current level of training and ability.
Tennis Lesson no. 1: The Beginnings
(10 videos / 53 minutes)
– fun introductory games for little kids
– tips for teaching the grips
– forehand ground-stroke technique (learn and practice)
– tips for teaching kids tennis
Tennis Lesson no. 2: Basics of Ground-Strokes
(8 videos / 48 minutes)
– fun warm-up exercises for kids
– forehand ground-stroke review and practice
– forehand and backhand grips (how to teach)
– backhand ground-stroke technique (learn and practice)
– rally game with sponge balls
Tennis Lesson no. 3: Introduction to Drills
(7 videos / 42 minutes)
– tips for teaching kids
– shadow tennis and technique review
– fun game for balls pick-up
– tennis drills: ground-strokes on the run, speed and footwork
Tennis Lesson no. 4: Indoors
(8 videos / 56 minutes)
– fun warm-up
– ground-strokes tennis drills
– movement and preparation tips
– footwork and speed exercises
Tennis Lesson no. 5: The Serve – 1
(7 videos / 42 minutes)
– toss exercises for beginning players
– grip and contact point drills
– trophy pose and racquet drop
– serving to targets
Tennis Lesson no. 6: The Serve – 2
(8 videos / 50 minutes)
– toss and swing exercises
– adding the serve back-swing
– serving in balance
– teaching tips for coaches and parents
Tennis Lesson no. 7: Ground-Strokes, Footwork, Serve
(9 videos / 55 minutes)
– back to tennis (after a break)
– ground-strokes and movement drills
– first rally game
– footwork and speed exercises
– serve technique and practice
Tennis Lesson no. 8: Hand-Eye, Placement, Speed
(8 videos / 52 minutes)
– hand-eye coordination exercises
– ground-strokes rally
– ground-strokes placement drills
– speed and change of direction exercises
Tennis Lesson no. 9: Corrective Technique, Footwork
(8 videos / 49 minutes)
– forehand / backhand corrective technique
– ground-strokes footwork exercises
– rally games
Tennis Lesson no. 10: Rally Games
(9 videos / 62 minutes)
– rally games: coach vs player
– rally games: player vs player
– ground-strokes drills
– footwork exercises
Tennis Lesson no. 11: Consistency under Pressure; Serve Technique
(9 videos / 54 minutes)
– consistency under pressure (lots of ground-strokes drills)
– serve practice (warm-up, technique)
– serving under pressure (game)
– speed and change of direction drill
Tennis Lesson no. 12: Underhand & Overhand Serve
(7 videos / 48 minutes)
– shadow serve practice
– overhand serve (technique, practice)
– contact point tennis drill
– underhand serve (technique, purpose)
– fun serve game
Tennis Lesson no. 13: Fun On-Court Drills and Games
(8 videos / 53 minutes)
– speed and footwork (creative drills)
– return of serve (footwork and play)
– fun on-court games for kids
Tennis Lesson no. 14: Competitive Games
(8 videos / 59 minutes)
– competitive ground-stroke games
– speed and footwork drills
Tennis Lesson no. 15: The Volley
(9 videos / 57 minutes)
– introduction to volley (technique, progressions)
– volley footwork
– basic transition to the net (ground-strokes and volleys)
Tennis Lesson no. 16: Slice Serve, Volley, Transition
(8 videos / 48 minutes)
– slice serve (technique, tips for coaches/parents)
– volley practice
– transition to the net (ground-strokes, approach, volleys)
Tennis Lesson no. 17: Footwork & Groundstrokes, Serve, Tie-Break
(10 videos / 65 minutes)
– footwork and ground-strokes tennis drills
– serve practice (flat and slice)
– tie-break game
Tennis Lesson no. 18: Drills & Games, Volley, Transition, Serve
(10 videos / 62 minutes)
– hand-eye coordination drills
– competitive tennis games
– transition to the net (drills and games)
– serve practice (flat and slice)
– fun game for kids