Coach’s Corner
“Spencer’s tennis experience, dedication to his work, and his natural gift to instantly teach and connect with people are the perfect characteristics to have in a Tennis Director. His communications skills are exceptional. He establishes an instant rapport with his students. He demonstrates the highest level of professionalism.”
-David C. Tyrie
Managing Director Putnam Retail Management
Coach’s Corner
“Spencer’s tennis experience, dedication to his work, and his natural gift to instantly teach and connect with people are the perfect characteristics to have in a Tennis Director. His communications skills are exceptional. He establishes an instant rapport with his students. He demonstrates the highest level of professionalism.”
-David C. Tyrie
Managing Director Putnam Retail Management
The largest problem in the tennis teaching and coaching industry today is that far too many so-called “pros” are teaching Conventional Tennis.
It destroys instinct, intuition, athleticism, spirit, and feel for the game.
Tennis is about feel. Conventional Tennis lessons kill feel because the pro is fixated on the exact mechanics of the stroke, making the student believe that mechanics performed correctly is the stroke. That’s simply not true.
Oscar Wegner realized this, studying the ideal kinetic chain of the human body and seeing how it applied to tennis. The result was the founding of Modern Tennis Methodology, which has produced champions like Agassi, Roddick, the Williams sisters, Kuerten, and more.
The largest problem in the tennis teaching and coaching industry today is that far too many so-called “pros” are teaching Conventional Tennis.
It destroys instinct, intuition, athleticism, spirit, and feel for the game.
Tennis is about feel. Conventional Tennis lessons kill feel because the pro is fixated on the exact mechanics of the stroke, making the student believe that mechanics performed correctly is the stroke. That’s simply not true.
Oscar Wegner realized this, studying the ideal kinetic chain of the human body and seeing how it applied to tennis. The result was the founding of Modern Tennis Methodology, which has produced champions like Agassi, Roddick, the Williams sisters, Kuerten, and more.
By learning to work with your body and your unique style of play, you will maximize your tennis skills.
Modern Tennis principles are based on physics, dealing with everything that happens with the ball, and biomechanics, dealing with human movement. The difference between Modern and Conventional Tennis is stark and makes a world of difference.
For example, Conventional Tennis teaches players to be linear, yet the ideal movement for the human body when playing is rotational. When you apply Modern Tennis Methodology, you learn to bend and deflect rather than plainly oppose the ball’s trajectory during contact.
That’s why I have witnessed dozens of players perform strokes mechanically and send the ball to the moon or to the closest pond, while other players that do not have the perfect stroke keep the ball in the court repeatedly without a problem. Why? This happens because of FEEL.
Your internal senses must be developed through repetition. Within the repetition of your stroke you will find your unique style that works best because your internal senses are being fine tuned to help with your timing, balance, judgment instincts, spirit, and intuition.
What is most important is the functionality of the stroke, not how it looks.
By learning to work with your body and your unique style of play, you will maximize your tennis skills.
Modern Tennis principles are based on physics, dealing with everything that happens with the ball, and biomechanics, dealing with human movement. The difference between Modern and Conventional Tennis is stark and makes a world of difference.
For example, Conventional Tennis teaches players to be linear, yet the ideal movement for the human body when playing is rotational. When you apply Modern Tennis Methodology, you learn to bend and deflect rather than plainly oppose the ball’s trajectory during contact.
That’s why I have witnessed dozens of players perform strokes mechanically and send the ball to the moon or to the closest pond, while other players that do not have the perfect stroke keep the ball in the court repeatedly without a problem. Why? This happens because of FEEL.
Your internal senses must be developed through repetition. Within the repetition of your stroke you will find your unique style that works best because your internal senses are being fine tuned to help with your timing, balance, judgment instincts, spirit, and intuition.
What is most important is the functionality of the stroke, not how it looks.
When you add Mental Game Coaching to Modern Tennis, you become unstoppable.
I’m interested in helping people become champions. When I teach you how to use your greatest weapon, your mind, and how to refocus and be a mental giant, that mindset will lead to flow, then zone – the optimal state of mind every athlete wants to experience.
Optimal performance is a result of mental mastery.
Just look at Brad Gilbert in the 1986 Masters against John McEnroe. Brad Gilbert’s genius was forcing the opponent to play their weakness against his strength, making them hit shots they didn’t like from spots they didn’t want – turning their game against themselves.
It is the mental game that is also the difference in the match after two hours, in 90 degree heat, on the court in a tournament when both players are down and out. Your mental game has to be optimal to take your physical game through to victory.
When you add Mental Game Coaching to Modern Tennis, you become unstoppable.
I’m interested in helping people become champions. When I teach you how to use your greatest weapon, your mind, and how to refocus and be a mental giant, that mindset will lead to flow, then zone – the optimal state of mind every athlete wants to experience.
Optimal performance is a result of mental mastery.
Just look at Brad Gilbert in the 1986 Masters against John McEnroe. Brad Gilbert’s genius was forcing the opponent to play their weakness against his strength, making them hit shots they didn’t like from spots they didn’t want – turning their game against themselves.
It is the mental game that is also the difference in the match after two hours, in 90 degree heat, on the court in a tournament when both players are down and out. Your mental game has to be optimal to take your physical game through to victory.
You need this entire package – modern tennis methodology PLUS mental mastery – to become a champion. We think like champions, we go through regular life like champions, we practice like champions, and we play like champions. This is the key to helping my students do things like jump over 100 spots in the rankings.
One of the greatest myths is that mental toughness cannot be improved. This couldn’t be further from the truth – while everyone is born with a certain amount, it can be enhanced or damaged over time. Mental toughness is a learned skill.
In my entire life, I’ve only seen a handful of pros recognize and apply not just proper tennis lessons, but mental toughness as well into their lessons, training, and overall coaching. I incorporate all that and more.
This is why I’m recognized for helping my students gain skills that seamlessly transfer into match and tournament playing conditions, and the results speak for themselves.
“Entering the MIAA Finals this year, I worked with Spencer on my fundamentals and fine-tuned my serve. In only two weeks of on-court preparation, working on my confidence and mental toughness, I was fully prepared to win the Massachusetts State MIAA championship. I highly recommend Spencer to any high performance player looking to elevate their game.”
Joe DeLinks
2008 Massachusetts Singles State Champion, Ranked #3 in New England
You need this entire package – modern tennis methodology PLUS mental mastery – to become a champion. We think like champions, we go through regular life like champions, we practice like champions, and we play like champions. This is the key to helping my students do things like jump over 100 spots in the rankings.
One of the greatest myths is that mental toughness cannot be improved. This couldn’t be further from the truth – while everyone is born with a certain amount, it can be enhanced or damaged over time. Mental toughness is a learned skill.
In my entire life, I’ve only seen a handful of pros recognize and apply not just proper tennis lessons, but mental toughness as well into their lessons, training, and overall coaching. I incorporate all that and more.
This is why I’m recognized for helping my students gain skills that seamlessly transfer into match and tournament playing conditions, and the results speak for themselves.
“Entering the MIAA Finals this year, I worked with Spencer on my fundamentals and fine-tuned my serve. In only two weeks of on-court preparation, working on my confidence and mental toughness, I was fully prepared to win the Massachusetts State MIAA championship. I highly recommend Spencer to any high performance player looking to elevate their game.”
Joe DeLinks
2008 Massachusetts Singles State Champion, Ranked #3 in New England
Beyond just being great on the court, it is even more important to be great off the court. I will never put tennis ahead of being a good person.
If my students were to become great players, but are lacking character, morals, and ethics, then I have failed. Being a great person first and a great player second is what I preach.
Win or lose, be first to the net to shake hands. Always respect the game, the opponent, and the people watching. Set the example in the face of frustration.
People later in life will never remember the wins and losses, but they will always remember how you acted and handled yourself. It’s not what happens, but how you handled it.
With this rock solid foundation of having the right perspective, tennis will come easy. You’ll win not only in tournaments, but in life as well.
My Message To Parents
I’m not part of the clique here in New England. I have zero interest in the good ol’ boys club where the majority of so-called pros are teaching Conventional Tennis, making fun of kids off the court, talking about the parents, and not really helping so they can keep charging you as you come back for more and more worthless lessons.
Please read this great article from Tennis Life about what is truly important when finding a coach. Some of the most successful teaching pros are those who don’t have a million trophies or the perfect shot – instead, the best pros are those who understand the game, understand the struggles their students are going through, and know how to coach those students to greatness.
It’s important that the person you are hiring really has your son or daughter’s best interest at heart. My #1 interest is the personal development of your son or daughter as a player, academic, and person.
My Message To Parents
I’m not part of the clique here in New England. I have zero interest in the good ol’ boys club where the majority of so-called pros are teaching Conventional Tennis, making fun of kids off the court, talking about the parents, and not really helping so they can keep charging you as you come back for more and more worthless lessons.
Please read this great article from Tennis Life about what is truly important when finding a coach.Some of the most successful teaching pros are those who don’t have a million trophies or the perfect shot – instead, the best pros are those who understand the game, understand the struggles their students are going through, and know how to coach those students to greatness.
It’s important that the person you are hiring really has your son or daughter’s best interest at heart. My #1 interest is the personal development of your son or daughter as a player, academic, and person.
Are you interested in some of my qualifications and experience before reaching out? Here are my credentials and some more about me:
- Modern Tennis Certified Instructor
- PTR Insured
- Etcheberry Certified
- Fourty years of playing experience
- Ranked among New England’s Top 20 as a Junior
- All State and Maine State Champion Undefeated – 1990 York High School, York, ME (Coach Ted Welch)
- Trained at Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Bradenton, Florida
- Twenty-five years of tennis coaching experience, accomplished training players of all levels of ability
- Private Coach to Nationally and Sectionally Ranked Juniors Boca Raton, Weston, Pompano (FL), and Cape Cod (MA)
- Coached and trained Kate Donnelly for 3 years, raising ranking over 100 spots, helping her earn a scholarship to Sacred Heart University
- Coached and trained Joe DeLinks, helping him become Massachusetts Singles State Champion in 2008, and helping him earn a scholarship to Central Florida University
- Served as an agent negotiating substantial college scholarship packages
- Network of college coaches throughout the US
I am a competitive, energetic, enthusiastic, goal oriented coach with the ability to maximize players potential. I emphasize analysis and strategy of opponents, mental and emotional competence, stroke development, patterns of play, mental toughness, diet, nutrition, and strength training.
I’ve been mentored and trained by some of the best in the industry – Butch Staples, Toby Larson, and Patrick Segfeldt to name a few.
I enjoy mentoring and counseling young players, scouting and recruiting talent, and building rapport with the player and their families. I develop an individualized training program for each of my students. Click here to view my Testimonials from past students and parents of students to find out more about their experience working with me.
Let’s chat. Call me at (508) 367-8954 or click the button below to contact me.
Find out more about my philosophy on tennis
I’ve received permission to post these four articles from Tennis Life magazine, which highlight important aspects of tennis that I implement into my own coaching. Please enjoy reading them by clicking the article name below to learn more about this great game and how it should be approached.
