Hit'm Where They Ain't

Larry Holmes has been playing tennis for over 55 years, started teaching tennis in the mid-1970s and has been a certified professional instructor over 20 years. Coach Larry is a member of the United State Professional Tennis Registry, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Professional Athletes for Hope, United States Tennis Association, Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association & Georgia Professional Tennis Association. He serves on the Board of Directors for GPTA. According to Larry “the role of the tennis coach is to assist in the growth and development of players of all ages, so they can enjoy the lifetime pleasure of tennis, both socially and competitively.”

Larry’s knowledge and appreciation of tennis and its history is extensive. “Tennis is relatively simple if you do several basic things well; watch the ball and move your feet.” Perhaps the best advice I ever received on playing and teaching tennis was from a Harry Hopman, the legendary Australian tennis player and Davis Cup Captain when he said to me, “hit the ball where your opponent ain’t”. Hopman's coaching steered players such as Ken Rosewall, Rod Laver, John McEnroe and Vitas Gerulaitis to the champions' circles.”

Larry's innovative teaching methods include programs emphasizing group and private lessons, progressions for all the basic, advanced strokes, corrective techniques, practice routines, use of spins, drill organization, singles/doubles tactics, and how to practice for tennis matches. A major focus is on “Doubles Tennis Tactics” system for developing and mastering play in doubles. Also, he demonstrates using patterns of play and drills, offering ideal positions and movements as well as the correct shots to dominate the court. Finally, the use of teaching aids is used to assist in the learning process.

Today, Larry provides motivational seminars for Fortune 1000 companies to help recognize exceptional performance, inspire personal achievement and reward excellence. Whether corporations are focused on increasing sales, building loyalty, rewarding employees or promoting new products or services; using tennis instruction/coaching as a guide to inspire and excite has developed into a very successful business venture for Larry. He acquired his management knowledge and experience while a software executive for Rockwell International, Digital Equipment Corp & Hewlett Packard. Also, he had his own management software consulting company, Access Communications Corporation. He is a United States Air Force Veteran, Georgia Realtor, tennis coach, fly fisherman, kayaker, husband and father.