Tennis with Coach Coleman Merce
💰$50 weekly lessons
Fueled by a lifelong love for the game, I bring 15 years of tennis experience to help players elevate their tennis. As a current collegiate player, I offer a unique blend of strategic insight and technical expertise. I am dedicated to fostering growth in a supportive, yet challenging environment.
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Teaches: Adults, Seniors
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Levels: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
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Lives in: University City, Missouri
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Happy Student Score: Not available
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Years Playing: Not specified
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Given: 0 lessons
Accomplishments
🎾10.07 UTR
🏅College Player
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Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:2 courts available
Flynn Park
420 Midvale Ave
401.4 miles awayOutdoors
Dwight Davis Tennis Center
5620 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112
399.6 miles awayOutdoors
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
9 AM - 8 PM
fridays
5:30 PM - 8 PM
saturdays
9 AM - 8 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lesson1. Warm-Up (5–10 minutes)
Jog around the court (2 laps)
Dynamic stretches (arm circles, toe touches, high knees)
Hand-eye drills:
Toss a ball and catch it (individually)
Toss to a partner and catch
2. Forehand Grip & Racquet Basics (5 minutes)
Show them the forehand grip
Let them practice holding it correctly
Have them shadow swing slowly a few times
3. Shadow Swings (10 minutes)
Demonstrate the basic steps:
Turn your body (non-dominant shoulder faces the net)
Swing low to high
Contact in front of your body
Follow through over the shoulder
Do 10–15 shadow swings together without a ball
4. Drop-Hit Forehands (10–15 minutes)
Players drop the ball themselves and hit it over the net
Coach gives feedback: "turn more," "nice follow through," etc.
Focus on good contact and balanced stance
5. Coach Feed Forehands (10–15 minutes)
I stand on other side and gently feeds one ball at a time
Players try to hit forehands over the net
Emphasize:
Making contact in front
Using full swing, not just a poke
Watching the ball
6. Mini Forehand Game (5–10 minutes)
Use service boxes only
Rally with a partner, just forehands
Let them play freely, aiming for control (not power)
7. Cool Down & Recap (5 minutes)
Light stretching
Ask:
What’s one thing you learned about the forehand?
What did you enjoy most?
Lesson 11+1. Improved Consistency & Depth
Rallies will become longer and more controlled
Focus on hitting with depth and direction (e.g., crosscourt vs down-the-line)
Coach may introduce patterns of play (e.g., rally crosscourt → attack short ball)
2. Refined Technique
More detailed work on:
Topspin generation
Footwork patterns
Serve placement and power
Backhand slice (optional)
Coaches may use video analysis or drills to fine-tune grips, swing paths, and follow-throughs
3. Match Strategy and Mental Game
Learn how to construct points (e.g., play to opponent’s weakness)
Emphasis on court positioning, anticipation, and shot selection
Introduction to mental toughness, focus routines, and managing nerves
4. Serve & Return Focus
Practice serve placement (wide, body, T)
Learn return tactics: block vs aggressive return
Serve + first shot combinations
5. Net Play and Doubles Concepts
Improve volley technique and transition skills (approach shots)
Learn doubles formations, poaching, and communication
Play mixed singles/doubles to improve variety
6. Live Play & Competitive Readiness
Point-based drills, games, and set play will become regular
Learn how to:
Keep score independently
Handle pressure points
Practice “match situations” (e.g., break point, deuce game)
Lesson 4-10Lesson 4–5: Consistency & Serve Introduction
Goals:
Improve control on forehand/backhand
Introduce serving mechanics
Begin rallying with intention
What to Expect:
Drills focused on hitting 3–5 balls in a row consistently
Movement drills: hitting on the run, split steps
Introduction to the serve:
Continental grip
Toss mechanics
Trophy position
Basic serving motion (no power focus yet)
Short-court rallies with partner
Lesson 6–7: Serve Practice & Net Play Introduction
Goals:
Build confidence in serving
Introduce volleys and net position
Start point play
What to Expect:
Full-court serving practice (with targets)
Simple serving games (e.g., "Serve and run to catch your own toss")
Introduction to the volley:
Ready position at the net
Punch technique (no swing)
Forehand and backhand volleys
Mini point play:
Serve → one rally → stop
Introduce scoring basics (15–30–40–game)
Lesson 8–9: Putting It All Together
Goals:
Integrate serve, rally, and net play
Improve directional control and footwork
Build stamina and point structure understanding
What to Expect:
Rally drills (crosscourt and down-the-line)
Approach shot + volley combinations
Serve + 2-ball rally games
Introduction to doubles positioning (optional)
Friendly matchplay with coaching interruptions
Lesson 10: Intro to Match Play
Goals:
Build confidence in playing a game
Apply all learned skills in a live setting
Develop mental skills: focus, resilience, positive attitude
Lesson 2-3✅ Lesson 2: Forehand Recap + Backhand Introduction
🔁 Warm-Up (10 mins)
Dynamic stretches (arm circles, leg swings)
Mini tennis (short court forehands to loosen up)
Toss-and-catch games to improve timing
🎯 Forehand Recap (15 mins)
Review from Lesson 1:
Grip: Eastern grip
Stance: Semi-open or closed
Swing path: Low to high
Contact point: In front of the body
Follow-through over shoulder
Drills:
Drop-hit forehands from coach
Forehands in pairs over mini net
Forehand rally competition (3 shots each)
🔄 Transition (5 mins)
Shadow backhand swings
Demonstrate difference in contact point and preparation
✋🏽 Two-Handed Backhand Intro (20 mins)
Key Concepts:
Grip: Dominant hand continental, non-dominant hand eastern forehand grip
Stance: Closed or neutral
Preparation: Unit turn early
Contact: In front of front hip
Follow-through: Over opposite shoulder
Drills:
Shadow swings (no ball)
Drop feeds (coach drops ball, student hits)
Toss-and-hit backhands with coach feed
🚦 Cool Down (10 mins)
Light jogging
Static stretching (focus on shoulders, forearms, legs)
Group recap: “What felt easier? What was hardest today?”
🎾 Lesson 3: Backhand Practice & Basic Rallying
🔁 Warm-Up (10 mins)
Jog around court with agility stops
Forehand + backhand shadow swings
Toss-and-catch alternating FH/BH
💪 Backhand Drills (20 mins)
Review grips and stance
Progression from static to moving drills:
Stationary drop-hit backhands
Coach-fed balls from service line
Partner backhand rally (short court)
🤝 Combine Forehands + Backhands (15 mins)
"Alternating rally" drill: coach feeds alternating FH/BH
Students try to rally 3–4 shots with a partner
Focus on footwork and switching grip efficiently
What you need to bringRackets
What I can bringTennis Balls
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation Policy
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why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you
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If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
CM
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