In the Trenches: USTA’s Coaching Move: A Step Forward or a Step Sideways?

The USTA has officially entered the coaching business. Four levels, four price points, and one big promise—to elevate tennis education and boost U.S. participation to 35 million players.

Sounds great, right? Maybe. But from where I stand—on the public courts, working with everyday players—it’s not quite that simple.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Basic: Free entry level

• Rally: $49/year

• Professional: $149/year (includes insurance & some perks)

• Professional+: $249/year (includes insurance and added perks)

NO SEXUAL ABUSE AND MOLESTATION INSURANCE

There are only two levels that are certified. All offer access to “badges,” short educational modules designed to help coaches build skills and credentials. The problem? Only the two non-certified levels have been released so far, leaving professionals wondering when (or if) the certified pathways will follow.

And interestingly, two of the first sets of educational badges released by the USTA aren’t even about tennis—they’re about pickleball and padel. I’ve been told these are simply introductory courses, designed for volunteers who might help organize or supervise play.

That may make sense on paper—but it raises an important question:

Now, I’m all for more education. But when we start calling volunteers and parents “coaches,” things can get murky fast. A volunteer doesn’t need a certificate—they need mentorship and enthusiasm. Parents need understanding—resources like Frank Giampaolo’s and Lisa Stone’s Parenting Aces have been doing that beautifully for years. And if you’re a high school coach, Dave Smith’s High School Coaching Mastery should be on your shelf—it’s that good.

A recent example of murky coaching is here at LA in a local community center park. At the community center, the Park Director just sees “coach needed” for the tennis lessons on one tennis court at his center. The Program Director can afford $20 an hour, they get 20 students, and no idea whether the person they hire is certified or not. They are asked to know the difference between a USTA Coach noncertified versus a certified PTR or RSPA Professional. When those students finish the 10-week course, how many keep playing? Research suggests kids average a 1.9-year drop-off—and adults often drift away sooner.

Are we spinning our wheels?

Don’t get me wrong, I applaud the USTA for emphasizing fun in their curriculum. Not everyone wants to chase rankings or play league matches. Most just want to move, laugh, and connect. Yet, the USTA’s business model still revolves around getting more players into league play, where membership and participation fees fuel the system. That approach is counterintuitive for many recreational players who simply want to hit, rally, and enjoy the game without the stress of competing against strangers, worrying about sportsmanship, or dealing with questionable line calls.

But there’s a deeper question here—will this new USTA coaching initiative last?
History suggests that consistency has never been the organization’s strong suit. Remember the USTA Sport Science Level 1 and 2 programs? They came with great fanfare and promise, but quietly disappeared a few years later. Or how about the endless rebranding cycles: QuickStart became ROG (Red, Orange, Green), then 10 and Under Tennis, and eventually Net Generation. Each rollout required new marketing, new materials, and new “buy-ins” from coaches—while many of us in the trenches were still trying to implement the last version.

So the real question echoing across public courts and community centers is this: Is the USTA Coaching pathway another passing fad of a new board of directors—or a long-term commitment to genuinely supporting those of us on the front lines?
Coaches need more than another program; we need continuity, trust, and evidence that this time, the USTA intends to build something that lasts.

Let’s not lose sight of what really sustains tennis: quality coaching and authentic connection. That’s what keeps people coming back—not NTRP/UTR ratings or trophies, but the joy of play and belonging.

This is where the RSPA continues to shine.

The RSPA’s focus on professionalism, player development, and long-term engagement reflects what truly grows the game: trusted, skilled coaches who know how to inspire and retain players for life.