FAQs

WHAT DO I NEED FOR AN AHEAD-COACH SESSION?

  • A tennis court
  • A player, ball machine or tennis wall
  • A charged smartphone with sufficient internet connection at the court (per player)
  • Charged wireless headphones (per player)
  • A cradle to attach the smartphone to the fence

DOESN'T THE HEADPHONES FALL OUT WITH THE DYNAMIC MOVEMENTS IN TENNIS? WHAT ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL NOISES?

  • In our experience, the headphones can withstand even the most dynamic movements, whether it's executing a forehand, backhand, or serve. A quick 'head banger test' beforehand will usually indicate whether the headphones will stay in place during the game.

  • If you have stoppers as attachments, ensure they are of the right size, neither too small nor too large. Depending on the headphone model, ambient noise can be effectively masked out. This means you won't hear the impact sound of the ball or the opponent's noise.

  • If you wish to be aware of your surroundings, you can either opt to play with just one earbud or disable the 'noise reduction' function in your headphone settings (usually found on your smartphone) or enable the 'transparency' function.

  • It's good to know that sports headphones come with specially designed earpieces that can be customized to fit comfortably. We prefer using Shokz headphones as they allow you to hear the coach and any ambient noise, such as the sound of the meeting place.

WOULD IT BE ALLOWED TO USE AHEAD-COACH IN AN OFFICIAL MATCH?

The current rules do not permit coaching during an official match (Medenrunde, LK, or DTB tournament). However, you can engage in a practice match with a playing partner, during which we can provide you with tactical tips. You can then apply what you've learned in an official match.

WHAT QUALIFIES THE COACHES WHO SUPERVISE ME DURING THE SESSION?

  • All our coaches are carefully selected based on their excellent communication skills, years of coaching experience, and a keen understanding of the individual needs of players. They have also competed at a high level themselves, providing them with insights into the concerns and desires of tennis players.

CAN THE COACH EVEN SEE AND CORRECT ME PROPERLY, EVEN THOUGH HE / SHE ONLY SEES ME FROM BEHIND?

The placement of the smartphone camera allows the coach to view the game from the player's perspective. The coach is therefore 'live' with every stroke and every step, enabling them to provide real-time tactical and technical instructions and collaborate with you to enhance your game.

HOW MUCH DATA DOES A SESSION CONSUME?

Based on our current experience, the data usage for a one-hour session typically ranges between 1.0 GB and 2.5 GB, depending on the selected video quality.

WHICH SMARTPHONES ARE SUITABLE?

  • Smartphones that are no more than 5 years old typically come equipped with sufficiently good cameras, regardless of the brand.

  • However, there may be variations in battery consumption. Older smartphones tend to consume more battery power.

  • In general, it's essential to ensure that your smartphone is adequately charged before the session.

  • A power bank can also be a helpful 'emergency charge point' in case you need it.

HOW CAN I OPTIMALLY POSITION AND ATTACH THE SMARTPHONE?

  • For the best perspective for the coach, attach the smartphone to the center of the fence at a height of approximately 1.70m - 2.00m.

  • Whenever possible, use the higher-quality camera on the back of the smartphone.

  • Alternatively, you can attach the smartphone to the fence using a pen and rubber bands. If there's a tarpaulin on the fence, two small safety pins and a freezer bag can also be used for secure mounting

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help!