Become a Tennis Coach

There are a few coaching pathways you can choose from! USTA Coaching has a pathway for every type of coach. USTA Coaching introduces personalized learning journeys to help you grow as a coach, no matter your experience level. Whether you’re a parent looking for ways to share tennis with your child or a lifelong tennis professional, each pathway is thoughtfully designed for your specific coaching role and goals, making it easier to track your progress, discover new content, and earn recognition for your development.

Take a look at the options below:  

1. Community Tennis Coach

• A community tennis coach is a coach looking to teach tennis at the grassroots level. Whether you're a parent who wants to help with your child's tennis team, a high school student looking for a summer job or passionate about tennis and want to help out at your local community tennis association, park or National Jr. Tennis & Learning organization, the opportunities are endless!

2. Facility Tennis Coach 

• A facility coach works for a private or public tennis facility, either full or part-time.  Certification is highly recommended. One can pursue certification through USTA Coaching, the Professional Tennis Registry or the Racquets Sports Professionals Association. These certifications require training and testing. Instantly earning the trust and respect of clubs, schools, players, and recreational centers nationwide.

3. School Tennis Coach (Middle/High School)

• A school coach is responsible for developing players' skills through drills and instruction, managing team practices and tournaments, and ensuring good sportsmanship on and off the court. A high school tennis coach takes on a dynamic role that blends tennis expertise, organizational skills, and emotional intelligence. This position demands dedication but offers a highly rewarding experience for those passionate about both tennis and youth development.

4. College Tennis Coach

• A college tennis coach leads and develops a team by providing strategic training, mentorship, and recruitment while fostering athletic and academic success. To learn more about becoming a college tennis coach, please visit ITA Center for Coach Education.

5. Independent Tennis Coach

• An independent tennis coach is a professional tennis instructor who operates their coaching business. 
• The USTA can help you set up a small non-profit business like a Community Tennis Association. Learn more about how to start a CTA by clicking here or emailing Renee Lentz at lentz@ms.usta.com.

6. Cardio Tennis Coach

• Cardio Tennis is a high energy group fitness experience which uses the sport of tennis in a structured games based format to deliver the ultimate, full body, burning aerobic workout.

7. Wheelchair Tennis Coach

• Wheelchair tennis coaching focuses on adapting tennis coaching techniques for players using wheelchairs, emphasizing mobility, chair control, and specific strokes while maintaining core tennis principles.

The USTA has an ongoing commitment to providing a safe and positive environment for all of our players. Any coach working with children or adults is encouraged to be Safe Play Approved. Safe Play empowers the entire tennis community to recognize, prevent, and report misconduct, ensuring a brighter, safer future for our sport. We combine comprehensive education, background screening, and clear policies to implement standards for athlete safety. 

Safe Play Approval will grant you access to the Coaching Curriculum and Online courses.

SAFE PLAY APPROVAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. PLAY FACILITATOR COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

• Community Workshops are held year-round at facilities around the section for FREE. They allow coaches to learn and grow by networking with local coaches while participating in on-court demonstrations. The workshops are open to coaches at any level of the game, parents, volunteers or tennis enthusiasts. These workshops consist of 2-3 hours of instruction covering topics such as using modified equipment to serve, rally, and score, practice planning, drills for red, orange, and green levels of play, rotations to manage large groups of players, keeping the game fun for all players, and more! 
  • Check back in later for new community workshops!  

2. COACHING FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP:

• The USTA’s Coaching Fundamentals Workshop is a two-day, in-person training focusing on coaching principles and building skills to teach beginner to low-intermediate players of all ages. Coaches who complete the workshop will have the opportunity to be certified as a Level 1 Coach with an accredited certification organization upon meeting additional membership/certification requirements.
  • Check back in later!

3. CARDIO TENNIS TRAINING COURSE:

• Cardio Tennis is a high energy group fitness experience which uses the sport of tennis in a structured games based format to deliver the ultimate, full body, burning aerobic workout. Register for the Cardio Tennis Training Course, where you will learn best delivery practices, elevate your current delivery and become a better all around coach.
  • Check back in later for new cardio tennis trainings!

4. WHEELCHAIR TENNIS TRAINING: 

• Interested in getting trained as a wheelchair tennis coach? Attend our coaches training! Reach out to Katie Miness at katie.miness@ms.usta.com if you have any questions.
  • Check back in later!    

There are so many ways to continue improving your coaching skills! Take a look at all the resources available to you as a coach: 

1. Online Courses for Coaches:

• USTA Coaching: Your coaching journey starts here. With USTA Coaching's comprehensive course library launching in Fall 2025, we’re designing everything to support your coaching development with a brand new learning management system (LMS).

2. Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA): 

• USTA Middle States partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance to bring training and resources to tennis players, tennis parents, and tennis coaches of any level to learn how to create positive, character-building sports experiences. Through the partnership, USTA Middle States will make available live, FREE virtual workshop sessions throughout the year led by PCA’s experts.