About Me
I'm a native Washingtonian with an undergraduate and law degree from the George Washington University. I've been a USPTA certified Tennis Professional since 1989 and have taught full time since then. I've taught at various clubs and programs in the DC area including Columbia Country Club, Washington Tennis Foundation, East Potomac Tennis Ctr., I was the Head Professional at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont from 2008 - 2011. I have several certifications in junior tennis including PTR"s 10 & Under Tennis; USTA Net Generation, and have directed and taught my own Tennis Plus Fun junior programs for 25 years. I played varsity tennis at the George Washington University while an undergraduate. I've played and studied the game for over 40 years, including today's modern stroke techniques and footwork, and was the Boys Head Varsity Coach at Saint Stephens/St. Agnes HIgh School in Alexandria, VA.
Although experienced and comfortable in teaching all levels of children and adults, I especially enjoy working with beginner and intermediate adults and children to help them acquire today's modern techniques to increase their skills and broaden their enjoyment.
My passion is sharing my knowledge and experience to enable adults and children to achieve their tennis goals , and enrich their lives both physically and socially through playing the "sport of a lifetime"!!
Teaching Style
Lessons begin with understanding a student's goals and creating an overall lesson plan to achieve it.
I believe in teaching modern and sound stroke technique, as well as incorporating effective footwork necessary to support today's modern strokes, and efficient court coverage. Every lesson starts with a brief dynamic warm up, then feeding drills for specific skill development, and finally "FUN "game based" playing drills and games to implement those skills.
I use innovative drills, games, and equipment early on that enable students to start rallying and "playing the game" faster!!
Above all every lesson should START and END WITH a SMILE along with a home practice assignment.
Photos
Latest Reviews
I had a great experience with Coach Ernie! I was interested in working with someone to improve my forehand and backhand strokes as well as footwork – he did exactly that plus some! He has an immense amount of knowledge and countless tips. I recommend Coach Ernie to anyone that wants to improve his or her game.
Ernie is a friendly and extremely knowledgeable coach. He gave lessons to my wife and I, who are both beginners but have different strengths and weaknesses, in a way that allowed us both to progress very rapidly. In fact, we both felt significantly improved after a single lesson. In six sessions he worked us through key foundational techniques (forehand, backhand, volley, etc) that allowed us to enjoy playing on our own much more than before we started.
Amazing experience! Ernie is the most knowledgeable tennis coach I came across and his advice and coaching tips are super valuable. Highly recommended!
Coach Ernie is exceptionally knowledgeable about tennis techniques, including strokes, footwork, and mindset. I would recommend working with Coach Ernie if you want to learn the basics of playing tennis or if you are like me, an intermediate-level player who always wants to improve her game. I have greatly improved my forehand and footwork by taking lessons with Coach Ernie. And last but not least, it's the mindset of playing tennis, knowing how to read and respond to different shots. If you are clear about what you want to improve, Coach Ernie will help you do that!
I’m only a few lessons in with Coach Ernie and my tennis skills have already improved dramatically! I am a beginner and he makes sure to explain everything thoroughly so I’m truly get a good understanding of the game. It’s clear that he cares that his students learn the proper mechanics and tailors each lesson to what I’m picking up or struggling with that day. Highly recommend choosing Coach Ernie to help you improve your tennis skills!
I have had a couple lessons with Ernie and can't recommend him enough. Thorough and thoughtful he explains techniques with ease and mastery . Awesome instructor , very happy got matched with him.
Ernie has a deep understanding of how to teach kids tennis. He works really hard to engage both of our children and is responsive thier ideas. Erie is committed to them learning solid strokes and fundamentals. Our children have advanced in only a few lessons.
I am an adult beginner tennis player. Coach Ernie made me feel comfortable from the first lesson. Because he has had years of experience working with youngsters at all tennis levels, I learned that there were techniques and equipment that Coach Ernie uses with younger folks that would work with me as well. Most importantly, starting with using low-bounce tennis balls that slowed the game down to a speed that gave me time to play good basic tennis shots. We moved to slightly slower bouncing tennis balls that are helping me to use good technique and to rally consistently. This has been a key component to my gaining confidence with my tennis swing and with my ability to watch the tennis ball. I finally feel like I can have good technique and have fun playing the game of tennis.
FAQ's
Yes! I often work with groups of families or friends with 2-4 people.
Nope! All fees are already included in the price. (tennis court fees, taxes, etc)
Yes, I can travel up to 12 miles to a tennis court in your area.
There is a 6 hour minimum commitment, but if you are not happy after the first lesson, I offer a 100% money back guarantee.
I will contact you shortly after signup. You will NOT be charged until we have spoken about your schedule and other important details.
MTL Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not satisfied after the first lesson, we will set you up with another coach or refund your remaining lesson credits.