In this episode, I unpack a brilliant question from a top coach:

“What are the non-negotiables for representativeness in tennis—and can you trade some for others?”

We explore:

• Why throw tennis isn’t representative (and what it teaches us)

• The 6 core elements of representative learning design in tennis

• The difference between looking like the game vs. functioning like the game

• What coaches might be getting wrong when designing “game-based” sessions

• How to balance exploration and transfer in your practices

If you’re serious about designing sessions that actually transfer to matches—this episode is a must.

You’ve heard it a hundred times: “Play with better players, and you’ll improve.”
But what if that advice is only half true?

In this live session, I’ll break down:

• Why constantly “playing up” can stall learning, not accelerate it

• What ecological dynamics says about challenge, attunement, and information

• How to design matchplay that’s representative and actually helps players grow

• What parents and coaches often misunderstand about competition level

Whether you're a coach, parent, or player — this is a must-watch if you're serious about real development, not just chasing better opponents.

Are we preparing kids for tennis, or for a game they’ll never actually play?

Most red stage programs still rely on throwing and catching, but research shows these skills don’t transfer to striking sports like tennis. In this Live, we’ll break down the science, explain why hitting matters, and show you the 5 principles that must guide early-years tennis.

What you’ll learn:

Why throwing & catching games don’t prepare kids for tennis.

What early childhood research really says about fundamental motor skills.

How expert striking sports develop anticipation & perception–action coupling.

The 5 principles of Red Stage practice you can use to check your own sessions.

How to use the RPAT tool to measure whether your practices are truly representative.

👉 Want the game-based examples (Two Touch Tennis, Zombies, Stop & Serve, etc.)? They’re all inside My Tennis Coach Academy.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6008161490960384