Blackburn Tennis Productions: 2015

Monday, July 20, 2015

BTP Client Appreciation Week!

With BTP client Christopher Bevans at my 4th of July pool party

This week, I would like to feature some photographs of BTP clients. I am incredibly blessed to have wonderful, dedicated tennis clients. Thank you for allowing me to help you improve you tennis game and for helping me to be a better teaching pro every day.

Congrats to BTP client Maria Kosmetatos for her 2015 USTA PNW win!

Hoover Li repping BTP winter wear

BTP + Seahawks! Ashley Winters knows a winning combo when she sees it.

Logan and Casey Smith tried out BTP lessons for the first time recently. They are the grandkids of long-time BTP client Pam Baker.

BTP 4.0 USTA Team: Congratulations on the great season!

Thanks everyone!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Proper Grip is Tennis 101

Eastern Forehand Grip

Eastern Forehand: Basic grip to apply to all shots

a. topspin groundstrokes

b. underspin and flat groundstrokes

c. all serves

Semi-Western Forehand

Semi-Western Forehand: Grip used for mild topspin; forehand groundstrokes only

Western Forehand

Western Forehand: Grip used to create heavy topspin for forehand groundstrokes only

Continental

Continental

a. groundstrokes: use this grip to hit a forehand flat or with underspin--- or ---one and two-handed backhand shots flat, slice, or with topspin

b. serves: flat, slice, topspin

c. all volleys

Two-Handed Backhand

Two-Handed Backhand

a. Eastern grip top and bottom hands [pictured]

b. switch to Continental grip on the bottom hand to achieve more topspin

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Student Testimonials

"I have been taking lessons with Anthony for almost 9 years now. I started at his group lessons at Nike WHQ and then transitioned to year-round classes at his club. He is knowledgeable about the mechanics of tennis and is good at helping me to develop my own strategies for match play. He asks what my goals are for my game and helps me focus on them (he kicks my butt when I come to class with low energy!) throughout the lesson. All in all, Anthony is an excellent teacher and pro. He brings a huge breadth of knowledge about the game and combines that with in-class drills and exercises to support his lessons."

-Maya Broadfoot
NFL Demand Planning

“I decided to pick up that racquet again after many years without playing tennis. Lucky for me, I found Anthony Blackburn to help me bring back my game. He quickly recognized what worked from my ‘old school’ style and updated my game with important ‘new school’ skills.
He is patient, but firm. He encourages you to improve on your strengths but also makes you work on the weaknesses you would prefer to forget! If you are committed, he will work hard with you to meet your goals. His group classes are fun and fast paced - his private lessons focused and intense. Having Anthony's guidance has helped me love the game of tennis again and I look forward to playing forever!”

-Maria K.

"Anthony Blackburn has been a fantastic pro for me to learn, play and think the game. I started as a 2.5 (beginner) and now I'm on the verge of 4.0 under his tutelage. Not only am I being taught the correct stroke/swing techniques and footwork that works for me, but also how to play smart during a match.
I've received a lot of compliments on my game from friends and opponents, and I've been asked by several opponents to team up to play in tournaments, or to play on their league teams. That, to me, is high praise.
Since I've started taking lessons from Anthony, I've really enjoyed tennis and in turn, tennis has made me a fitter, healtheir, happier person. So a big 'thank-you' to Anthony for my improved game and overall well-being."

-Hoover Li

"If you're interested in improving your tennis game, or just picking up a racquet for the first time, Anthony Blackburn is who you should turn to. I have taken both clinics and semi-private lessons from Anthony for 4 years and have come a long way under his tutelage. He listens to what you want to work on and provides a consistent feedback throughout the lesson. He works you as hard as you want, but will push you to work harder. Anthony encouraged my tennis partner and me to enter more tournaments, and in 2010, we achieved an NTRP ranking of #1 in the 3.5 Combined Women's category in our region. This was a direct result of our semi-private lessons and Anthony working hard with both of us on our game and improving our doubles strategy. He helped us to correct bad habits and strengthened our confidence on the court."

-Rochelle Hart

“I started playing tennis under Anthony's guidance - I knew nothing about the game except for what I had seen on TV. His passion for teaching and watching his students improve is infectious, and he is committed to teaching his students to be solid tennis players. He taught me to play ‘smart’ tennis using technique that is repeatable and consistent under pressure. His lessons and clinics are fun but some serious work.”

-Carlie Nielsen

“Anthony has been a part of my 'tennis' life for over 20 years! I picked the racquet back up when I needed a sport after having children. He has been my inspiration, my coach…and he is my brother! I get no special treatment either! I started out as a 2.5 player. Under his coaching I quickly rose to the 4.0 level. His understanding and knowledge of the game is beyond words. He challenged me to work on my weakness. As a baseline singles player, my game has become an even stronger force to reckon with!
He has an innate ability to provide his students the skill of strategizing for matches. He doesn't just teach you how stroke the ball, he teaches HOW to play a match! I have been around many pros in the city and I can say that what Anthony brings to the court is like no other pro that I have been around. In the words of BTP – ‘Keep Swingin'!”

-Nikki Blackburn

"I have been playing tennis since I was 7 years old. I have been taught by four coaches who were all good, but Anthony is just great. He is hard on me, but always calmly insists on making my serve consistent, groundstrokes steady, and volley game up to high standard. He believes that all parts of my game must be excellent and insists that I have advanced game strategy as well. At 14, I need to work hard and be positive, and Anthony has made me believe that anything is possible, on or off the court."

-Madison Rosen
14 years old

"I was really glad to meet Anthony at my daugher, Collette's, first tennis lesson. While I am not a tennis player, I liked how he interacted with her and encouraged her!

-Mark Peterson

BTP Lesson Time Structure

The time scheduled for each lesson may has some overlap. This time is set for lesson scheduling, payments, picking up tennis balls, addressing any questions and returning student phone calls. If Anthony is not present at the time your lesson is scheduled, please use the time for serve and return and a general warm up. The scheduled lesson time will always be honored. Please realize this time is set for the balance of efficient and effective coaching. Understanding this, allow for 5-10 minutes before and after each lesson if necessary.

Thank you and Respectfully-

Pro Rate : Junior Development Through Private Tennis Instruction

Any type of tennis lesson should be supported by private instruction. BTP has helped junior tennis players excel quickly and efficiently using the Pro Rate system. The values of private instruction include:

1. Focus on inner competition

2. Develop your comfort level

3. Boost confidence

4. Enhance instructor/student communication

5. Motivation over embarrassment

6. Dictate or customize lesson focusing on where improvement is needed.

The Pro Rate system includes the basic teaching aids:

1. Eyes-on (visual)

2. Mind-on (video and print reference material)

3. Hands-on (demonstration and execution)

4. Ears-on (listening and understanding)

Understanding how to learn is as important to reach your tennis goals, as it is to experience. "The Game of a Lifetime."

Important Dates to Remember in 2011

* Mon., Jan 3: All Classes Resume
* Mon., Jan 17: All Lessons are Canceled- MLK Holiday
* Mon., March 21-27: All Lessons are Canceled- Spring Break

* Mon., May 2: Nike Tennis Lessons Begin

* Mon., May 30: All Lessons are Canceled- Memorial Day

* Mon., July 4: All Lessons are Canceled- Holiday

* Mon., Sept 5: All Lessons are Canceled- Labor Day

* Fri., Sept 30: All Nike Lessons End

* Wed., Oct 12: All Lessons are Canceled- Personal Day

* Wed., Nov 23: No Lessons after 3pm

* Thur., Nov 24: All Lessons are Canceled- Thanksgiving

* Fri., Nov 25: All Lessons are Canceled

* Mon., Dec 19-Dec. 31, 2011: All Lessons are Canceled- Holiday Break

* Mon., Jan 2, 2012: All Classes Resume

Cancellation Policy

Private Lessons: Normal lesson fees will be charged to students who don't call to cancel or reschedule missed lessons at least the day prior to their scheduled lesson time.

Group Lessons: A series of lessons consists of one class per week, for ten weeks. Students are required to pay for their series in full on the first class of each new session. A prepaid lesson will be deducted if the students does not notify the instructor of his/her absence at least six hours prior to their scheduled class time. "No Show" lessons cannot be made up at a later date. Emergency cancellations are at the discretion of the instructor.

Lessons available for make up cannot be done at your regularly scheduled class time. Lessons must be made up within the same ten-week session. If you will be attending a class as a "make up lesson", you must notify your instructor at least 24 hours in advance of attending the make up class. Your instructor will call you only if you cannot attend that "make up" class.

Any lessons canceled due to inclement weather, holidays or instructor's absence will not need to be made up. Your current session will be extended to account for these cancellations.

Important: If you have been absent from a lesson, please call 503.292.2649 on the day you will be returning to class to confirm that your lesson will be held. Also, a message will be left for the students at 877.365.4521 (ext. 3) if a class has been cancelled.

Lessons For Life : Non-Profit

With the increased rates of high school drop-outs, drugs and alcohol and teen pregnancies, President Anthony Blackburn created Lessons For Life. Lessons for Life is a grass roots, non-profit developmental program to provide tennis and build a foundation using the game of tennis, for at-risk youth. In addition to gaining skills on the tennis court, Lessons for Life will provide life long skills such as learning to participate in a structured environment, sharing, sportsmanship, self confidence and cultural awareness.

Donations, funding and additional information please contact Anthony at lessons4life@blackburntennis.com

Monday, July 20, 2015

BTP Client Appreciation Week!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Proper Grip is Tennis 101

Anthony Blackburn-Tennis Pro

BTP Offerings

Philosophy

BTP Contact Info...

BTP Hours of Operation

Student Testimonials

Blog Archive

BTP Lesson Time Structure

Junior Academy Program Schedule

Junior Academy Program Schedule

Pro Rate : Junior Development Through Private Tennis Instruction

BTP Time Share Tennis Lessons

Important Dates to Remember in 2011

Cancellation Policy

Lessons For Life : Non-Profit

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" Where People Who Play Tennis, Become Tennis Players "