Dissecting High Performance In Tennis

Apr 10

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.

Mar 22

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!

Mar 8

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!

Feb 15

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!

Feb 7

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!

Jan 23

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!

Jul 4, 2023

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 coaches 05:30 No connection, no direction 08:30 Balancing adaptability 11:15 Adaptability and standards 12:40 How to communicate standards 15:30 Work life balance as a tennis coach 21:45 Failure 26:25 The semantics around failure 31:10 The best way to fight negativity 36:30 Holding up your end of the bargain + flicking with the wrist 48:50 On court coaching – for it against it 53:45 Is serve and volley on it’s way back to tennis? 60:15 My aces my faults – owning your mistakes, gratitude and perspective

Aug 14, 2021

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 coach 04:00 Listen 06:30 Future based questions 12:00 Sticky language 14:45 Direct vs indirect coaching 21:20 Questioning 25:00 WTCA 26:30 Team values 30:00 Habitual words 30:45 Keep knocking on doors and don’t take it personally 31:45 The importance of cringing 32:40 It doesn’t matter if you have the prettiest technique 34:30 Tennis exposes who you are 35:00 Gamification and anchoring 36:30 Emma’s inspirations 38:00 Emma’s advice to players, parents and coaches 40:15 How to get in contact with Emma