Dissecting High Performance In Tennis

Episode 3 of Winning Words – The Audiobook Series is now live! As I’m releasing this episode, I just hit 99 reviews on Goodreads and Amazon combined—and I can’t tell you how proud I am of that. Even more surreal: we just crossed 1,000 copies sold. When I first published Winning Words, my goal was to maybe reach 500 readers in the first year. Hitting that number in just 2.5 months has been overwhelming in the best way possible. If you’ve read the book and found it valuable – thank you. And if you haven’t left a review yet, I’d be incredibly grateful if you took a moment to do so. Honest reviews help spread the word and make sure the next 1,000 coaches get access to these tools too. Now – let’s get into Chapter 3: Building Trust and Connection. How do you earn true buy-in from players? Why trust isn’t something you demand – it’s something you build. How to balance connection and professionalism without becoming “just a friend.” A practical framework for adapting to how your players learn and communicate. In short: Connection comes before correction. If a player doesn’t trust you, your coaching won’t stick. This chapter will help you deepen the relationship, adapt your message, and communicate in a way that opens the door – not shuts it. Heads up: You don’t have to wait for each chapter to drop. More and more coaches are taking advantage of the full audiobook version – because, let’s be real, most coaches don’t read books anymore. I’ve recently become a dad, and I barely have time to sit down with a paperback. If it’s not a podcast or audiobook, I probably don’t get through it. So if you’re like me – jumping between lessons, matches, and long drives – having the full audiobook in your pocket just makes sense. Get instant access to the full audiobook for the same price as the paperback ($14.99).Just email me at adamblicher@gmail.com and I’ll send it over personally. With all the waiting time we have as coaches – between sets, on the road, during rain delays – Winning Words in audio is a smart investment. You can actually absorb it, and more importantly, apply it. Right there on the court. Grab your copy of Winning Words here:https://tinyurl.com/WinningWordsAB Thanks again for your support. Let’s keep helping players grow—by becoming the most trusted coach in their corner. Let me know what stood out to you from this chapter. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Chapter 2 of Winning Words is now live! Want the full audiobook now? Email me at adamblicher@gmail.com to get access to the entire audiobook for the same price as the paperback ($14.99). Otherwise, new chapters will drop as episodes over the coming months. In this episode, we dive into Chapter 2: Beyond the Backhand – Why great coaching starts by understanding the person, not just the player Personality & Communication – How different types of players tick, and how to adapt your coaching to get through to each of them Gender, Culture, and Sensitive Topics – How to coach without falling into stereotypes or ignoring what matters most Tools & Tips – From using personality profiles to spotting key behavioral patterns that impact performance The truth is: you can’t coach effectively if you don’t know the person you’re coaching. This chapter helps you build deeper understanding, adapt your message, and connect in ways that build trust and boost performance. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to uncover what drives your players—and how to use that insight to coach more consciously and effectively. Grab your copy of Winning Words here:https://tinyurl.com/WinningWordsAB I’d love to hear what stands out most to you!

Many of you have been asking for an audiobook version of Winning Words—and now it’s here! Want the full audiobook right away? You can get immediate access to the entire audiobook for the same price as the paperback ($14.99) by emailing me at adamblicher@gmail.com. Otherwise, the rest of the book will be released in episodes over the coming months. In this episode, we dive into Chapter 1: The Power of Clear Roles & Expectations – Why strong coaching relationships start long before stepping on the tennis court Avoiding Misalignment – How thorough conversations can prevent misunderstandings between coaches, players, and parents Making the Right Coaching Decisions – Evaluating whether a player-coach relationship is the right fit One of the most overlooked aspects of coaching success isn’t just what you teach—but how you communicate expectations and structure relationships. This chapter breaks down how to establish clear roles, set mutual expectations, and navigate tough decisions—ensuring trust, respect, and alignment from day one. Grab a copy of Winning Words here:https://tinyurl.com/WinningWordsAB I’d love to hear your thoughts!

You Asked for It – Here It Is! Many of you have been asking for an audiobook version of Winning Words – and now it’s here! Want the full audiobook right away? You can get immediate access to the entire audiobook for the same price as the paperback ($14.99) by emailing me at adamblicher@gmail.com. Otherwise, the rest of the book will be released in episodes over the coming months. In this episode, you’ll hear: The initial spark – how Winning Words came to life and why communication became my focus Overcoming Communication Hurdles – real-life coaching struggles that shaped the book’s prologue Unlocking the Power of Communication – why mastering the way we speak, listen, and interact elevates coaching effectiveness If you’ve been curious about the thought process behind Winning Words and how it can help you become a more impactful coach, this episode is for you! Grab a copy of Winning Words here: https://tinyurl.com/WinningWordsAB I’d love to hear your thoughts!

In this special episode, I’m diving into something truly fascinating—AI has taken on Winning Words – How to Unlock Potential Through Communication as a Tennis Coach and condensed the entire book into just 30 minutes! Using Notebook LMN, this AI-generated episode pulls out the most essential lessons from the book’s three key sections—Off-Court, On-Court, and At Tournaments—and the accuracy is mind-blowing. In this episode, you’ll hear: How AI breaks down the fundamentals of relationship-building with players The key takeaways on how to communicate information effectively as a coach The essential framework for helping players perform at their best in tournaments If you’re looking for a fast-track guide to the most powerful coaching communication insights, this AI-powered recap is an episode you don’t want to miss! Grab a copy of Winning Words here: https://tinyurl.com/WinningWordsAB I’d love to hear your thoughts!

In this special episode, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you—I’ve written a book! Winning Words – How to Unlock Potential Through Communication as a Tennis Coach is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to tell you all about it. But that’s not all… As a special thank you to my loyal listeners and the tennis coaching community, I’m making the entire audiobook version of Winning Words available for free right here on the podcast! In this episode, I’ll dive into: Why I wrote Winning Words How it can help you become a better coach What you can expect from the audiobook series How better communication can unlock your players’ full potential If you’ve been following the podcast and found value in the insights shared over the years, this book is the next step in taking your coaching game to new heights. Grab a copy of the paperback here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRTK3ZZW?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book and how it helps you in your coaching journey. Let’s keep learning and growing together!

  Hi guys, In this episode you are going to listen to Kyle LaCroix. Kyle holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Stanford University. He is among a bunch of other certifications a USTA High Performance Coach and last year he was named USPTA Master Professional which is the highest achievable rating a tennis professional can hold. On a day-to-day basis Kyle is running Sets consulting that specializes in educational tennis solutions, You’ll get to know: How to adapt and set high standards How to balance work-life as a tennis coach How to consider the legacy that you leave behind Enjoy the show! Timestamps 01:00 The shared denominators of great coaches05:30 No connection, no direction08:30 Balancing adaptability11:15 Adaptability and standards12:40 How to communicate standards15:30 Work life balance as a tennis coach21:45 Failure26:25 The semantics around failure31:10 The best way to fight negativity36:30 Holding up your end of the bargain + flicking with the wrist 48:50 On court coaching – for it against it53:45 Is serve and volley on it’s way back to tennis?60:15 My aces my faults – owning your mistakes, gratitude and perspective

  Hi guys, In this episode you are going to listen to Emma Doyle. Emma has been coaching for the past 30 years. She is a Tennis Australia High Performance Coach, tennis touring professional and a talent developmental coach. Emma is big on what she calls the “E-factors” Energy, Empathy and enjoyment. You’ll get to know: How to use future based questions How to use sticky language When to use direct- and indirect coaching Enjoy the show! Timestamps 01:30 What makes a great tennis coach04:00 Listen06:30 Future based questions12:00 Sticky language14:45 Direct vs indirect coaching21:20 Questioning25:00 WTCA26:30 Team values30:00 Habitual words30:45 Keep knocking on doors and don’t take it personally31:45 The importance of cringing32:40 It doesn’t matter if you have the prettiest technique34:30 Tennis exposes who you are35:00 Gamification and anchoring36:30 Emma’s inspirations38:00 Emma’s advice to players, parents and coaches40:15 How to get in contact with Emma

In a revealing chat with Peter Lundgren, the coach behind tennis legends like Roger Federer and Marat Safin, listeners discover the emotional rollercoaster of being a traveling coach and a father. Lundgren contrasts the distinct styles of Federer and Safin, shedding light on their unique mentalities. He also discusses the paradox of new tennis balls, which excite fans but can be detrimental to players, and shares valuable insights on balancing the challenges of personal life amidst the demands of coaching.

  Hi guys, In this episode you are going to listen to Howard Green. Howard spent six years in the Royal Marines Commandos. Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan he has extensive experience in preparing ITF, ATP and WTA players and Currently Howard is the Head of Strength and Conditioning at USN Bolton Arena High Performance Tennis Academy which he has been for ten+ years. You’ll get to know: Non-ego-confidence Setting up physical fundamentals for tennis players What tennis players can learn from the Marines Enjoy the show! Timestamps 01:30 Rehersal03:40 Mnemonics07:40 Non-ego confidence11:10 Why the Super Movers programme15:20 Providing tennis players with the best possible fundamentals22:00 What the Super Movers programme is all about28:30 The key shapes32:00 Determining the load of tennis drills36:00 S&C on the professional Tennis Circuit40:00 Speed up learning by sharing on social42:00 Don’t be afraid to copy experienced coaches43:30 The application of bungees in tennis46:00 Don’t take away the tennis player’s opportunity to learn47:30 You have to do extra