Lessons
-
Currently – Tennis Pro teaching privately in Palos Verdes, CA
-
1990 to 2000 Wilson Promotions and Sports Marketing Manager
-
Ranked Junior Intermountain
-
So. Colorado State High School Singles Champion Billy Mitchell High School
-
Colorado State Boys 18’s Doubles Champion
-
Played on scholarship Northern Colorado University
-
Tennis pro – Vail Tennis Club
-
Director of Tennis — Colorado Springs Country Club
-
Director of Tennis — Arapahoe Tennis Club, Cherry Hills, CO
-
Director of Tennis – Rolling Hills Plaza Racquet Club, Torrance, CA
-
Owner – DeYoung Tennis Academy
-
Contributing Instructional Editor – World Tennis Magazine
-
Head Tester USPTA – CA Division, International Tester – China, Korea
-
Director Wilson, SCTA/USTA Super Excellence Player Development Program
-
Founder and owner: TATP – A tennis product and development company with licensing agreements with Prince and Wilson Sporting Goods
WELCOME
Welcome to my Lessons Page
"Lee DeYoung is one of those rare individuals who has a proven track record in teaching every level of tennis."
Dr. Jim Loehr - Founder Human Performance Institute and mental toughness coach to over 200 ATP and WTA tour players.
"I teach on a private court near Palos Verdes High School."
Lee DeYoung
Student Testimonials
"I've known Lee since I was a junior player growing up at Rolling Hills Plaza Racquet Club. We've kept in touch over the years, and I still love doing his workouts with my tennis friends. They are as much fun now as they were 35 years ago!" Erica Smalley
I am 64 years old and have been working with Lee for approximately 10 years. I don't think I will ever stop. I thoroughly enjoy my time with him and learn something every single lesson. He is a master at creating "feel". For most of us, tennis is not something that we are naturally skilled at. By using his own inventive models, devices, and methods, he can replicate how our body should "feel" when completing a sound tennis stroke. My old way of hitting a tennis ball was reciting mechanical body movement thoughts in my head for every stroke. That simply doesn't work. Clearing my head and relying on the "feel" of a stroke has made me a much better tennis player and, even better, I enjoy tennis more than ever. Lee will help you get to this place.
My daughter, Ripley, had learned solid fundamentals from some very decent coaches; but she needed some fine-tuning, especially with her strategy and mental toughness. That’s when a friend referred us to their “Tennis Sensei,” Coach Lee. Lee’s coaching style was just what Ripley needed to take her game to the next level. He was innovative yet old-school with his on-court tools and explained the mental game in a way that really stuck with Ripley. He certainly helped Ripley improve her physical game as well. He is not a coach who just feeds a lot of balls, nor one who is driven by a clock. Lee makes each minute on the court a meaningful one, and will willingly go over the hour mark if it means assuring a successful lesson. Lee’s impact and influence helped Ripley achieve her goal of playing college tennis and she has had a successful college career at a D3 college in the Boston area having played in the #1 doubles spot since her Freshman year and winning conference titles with her team for three straight seasons. Thank you Coach Lee for your belief in Ripley and more importantly, for giving Ripley the gift of believing in herself. Jen U.
I’ve enjoyed Lee’s lessons and workouts for over 10 years. I’ve benefited from his vast tennis wisdom and genuine friendship. Recently my husband and I bought a vineyard and Château in Paso Robles and with Lee’s connections and help, we are starting a tennis and wine retreat in Paso Robles. Take a lesson and get connected with Lee. You’ll be glad you did. Shari Sunada chateaurobles.com
'Lee is a unique tennis coach and an incredible person! We started taking his lessons after friends recommended him and we have been enjoying the lessons very much. Ronan & Ari Antonelli
Ripley
To say that Lee saved my quality of life would be an understatement. A couple of years ago, I tore my rotator cuff while hitting a routine rally shot with my partner. I proceeded to have it checked out with a surgeon who quickly told me surgery was required. At that time I knew Lee DeYoung but only in passing. It was Lee who suggested I get a second opinion, and that I start taking lessons with him to strengthen my non-dominant forehand to prepare for the worst. When it was time for surgery, the pandemic was at a peak, and it was postponed until a later date. During this time, working with Lee did more than just strengthen my shoulder and game, I was provided with a highly qualified coach with attention to detail while using teaching tools that he has invented. When it was time to reschedule surgery, the physical therapy along with my work with Lee strengthened my shoulder to the point that my game was far better than before the injury and no surgery was required. Tennis is a huge part of my life and a love that I would’ve regretted losing. While physical therapy helped, I can truly say it was the work with Lee that brought me back. His knowledge, coaching, and support to be in your corner is second to none.
I've been taking Lee's workshops and private lessons for over 15 years. His passion for teaching and his continued desire to share his wisdom about the game is remarkable. He's very supportive, coming out to watch some of my matches and giving me feedback about my match. No matter how bad I think I played, he always has something positive and encouraging words to say. When I lose a match, he would say "You learn more from the matches you've lost than the ones you've won." Or "You didn't lose the match, you just ran out of time to find solutions." His methods for teaching and the tools (or what I sometimes call his "gadgets") he used during lessons, just give you a different perspective and understanding of the game. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be the player I am today without him. Every time I finished a lesson, I love the game even more.
Lee DeYoung is a terrific tennis instructor! With unique and creative tools, his affable teaching style is constructive, encouraging and fun. Great with kids too…our grandson’s look forward to lessons with “Coach Lee”! Most importantly, he is an exceptionally kind and thoughtful person.
My husband and I first met Lee soon after we moved to PV. We had stopped playing tennis for almost 10 years, and we needed help with basic + advanced skills. We have worked with other coaches in LA, but Lee stands out by far! He's extremely knowledgeable, professional, thorough, and highly skilled. We always look forward to our lessons. Lee has facilitated our purchases of shoes, rackets, etc. We trust his recommendations. Thank you Lee!! Agnes Simone
We moved to the Palos Verdes area from the UK in 2021 and met Lee purely by chance whilst buying tennis rackets. Lee has very unique and effective coaching techniques and has quickly taken us from rusty beginners to an NTRP level 3.0 (Amalia) and 3.5 (Nick) We can now enjoy playing social tennis with friends in the PV area and thanks to Lee’s coaching we have a solid foundation to go from strength to strength. Our weekly lesson with Lee is definitely a highlight of our California life experience and we cannot thank him enough! Nick & Amalia Alcock
We feel incredibly fortunate to have Lee as our daughter's tennis coach. Over the past year, we've witnessed remarkable progress in our daughter's tennis skills. Lee's coaching has not only fine-tuned her strokes and provided valuable tips for match play, but he also has a clear tennis roadmap for her development. What sets Lee apart is his ability to balance the technical aspects of the game with a genuine passion for fostering a love of tennis in his students. Our goal was for our daughter to make the high school tennis team, and thanks to Lee's guidance, she's well on her way to achieving that. We're particularly impressed with how he's transformed her serve. Our daughter not only enjoys her lessons with Lee but is also motivated to practice what he teaches her, which speaks volumes about his coaching style. Lee's dedication and expertise have been instrumental in our daughter's growth as a tennis player. We couldn't be happier with the progress she's made under his guidance. Thank you, Lee, for being such an incredible coach and mentor to our daughter." Shannon Pereira
Kaitlin Tsue is the only fully certified USPTA pro in the world who has had a hemispherectomy. I worked with her for two years until she was able to pass the USPTA certification test. She now teaches wheelchair tennis and works with Special Olympics Tennis. - Lee DeYoung https://www.ustasocal.com/pratt-determination-drives-tsue-to-reach-and-achieve-tennis-career/
I taught her Mom Kristina when she was about her age. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Tennis is a lifetime sport. - Lee DeYoung
Kate Adamson is a stroke survivor whose story is inspirational. A Manhattan Beach mom of two little girls who suffered a massive brain stem stroke at age 33 that resulted in locked-in syndrome (a nervous system disorder) and severe hemiparesis. Her recovery was beyond what anyone thought possible. She went back to college to get her masters degree, and works as a motivational speaker. She generously agreed to play test and help refine an invention of mine. A hemiplegic chair for stroke survivors whose bilateral function is impaired but can be mobile on the chair and play tennis for recovery. Lee DeYoung
Starting out Beau and Kelly on their lifelong tennis journey. I also teach their Mom and Grandmother. Tennis is a lifetime sport for all.