Jeff Rothbard, affectionately known as “Coach Jeff,” is a passionate tennis professional who brings decades of leadership, strategy, and dedication to his work on the court. Based in Carmel, Indiana, and Chicago, IL, Jeff specializes in coaching players of all levels—from energetic beginners to advanced juniors and competitive adults. With a strong focus on mental resilience and technical fundamentals, his coaching is built around one core belief: great attitude and great effort lead to great results.
His teaching style blends purposeful movement, focused footwork, and a growth mindset. Players learn to trust the process, using methods like the “bounce-swing” rhythm and “Next Time” reflection to grow from mistakes and build confidence. Whether he’s running a high-energy clinic or guiding one-on-one lessons, Jeff cultivates an environment where everyone can thrive both on and off the court.
Before returning to his lifelong love for tennis, Jeff had a successful career in business spanning over 30 years. As founder and president of SilverCreek Properties, he developed and managed commercial real estate across 18 states. Under his leadership, the firm grew to include 60 properties before being sold in 2006. He later transitioned into “flipping” residential property and property investment, building and scaling ventures with the same drive he now brings to coaching.
Today, Jeff’s mission is clear: to help each player grow not only as a competitor but as a confident, disciplined individual. With every serve, swing, and strategy session, Coach Jeff is shaping athletes and their futures.
Baseline Tennis Academy
Jeff Rothbard
Phone: 317.721.3390
https://jeffrothbard.com
https://medium.com/@jeffrothbard/about
https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jeff-rothbard-3b9f
https://www.quora.com/profile/Jeff-Rothbard-2
What inspired your transition from business to full-time tennis coaching?
After 30 years in commercial real estate, I realized my passion for mentorship and leadership was better suited to a court than a conference room. Tennis has always been a constant in my life, from childhood through adulthood. Coaching offered the perfect blend of discipline, strategy, and human connection. I wanted to make a deeper impact by helping people grow on the court and personally. Shifting to tennis was a life choice rooted in joy, fulfillment, and purpose. I finally get to do what I love every day and help others find their potential.
How would you describe your coaching philosophy in one sentence?
“Great attitude and great effort lead to great results” that’s my core belief. Great results does not mean you will win, but you perform at your best on the court and in life. My coaching is about teaching athletes to embrace challenges, trust the process, and develop resilience. I help players improve by focusing on purposeful movement, mental strength, and consistent habits. When you bring energy, stay coachable, and keep showing up with intention, success follows naturally. Tennis becomes a metaphor for life by overcoming adversity, adjusting under pressure, and growing from every match and situation. I believe every athlete, regardless of level, has untapped potential. My job is to bring that out through guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback.
What makes your teaching style unique?
I emphasize rhythm, mental clarity, reflection and believe that not everyone learns the same. My “bounce-swing” rhythm technique helps players sync their timing, and using the “Next Time” reflection encourages learning from mistakes without self-judgment. I build each lesson around individual needs and prepare for every lesson. During the lesson we work on movement and intention with your shots and intensity with your footwork because footwork isn’t just a skill, it’s the foundation of success. I create a positive, high-energy environment where players feel safe to fail, learn, and improve. I also focus heavily on mindset because your attitude on the court mirrors your attitude in life. By connecting the mental and physical aspects of tennis, I help players build confidence and become their best selves, as athletes and individuals.
How do you motivate athletes who are struggling with confidence?
I remind them that confidence is earned, not given. It comes from doing the work and trusting that effort leads to growth. I help players break bad habits and challenges into manageable steps and celebrate progress; no matter how small. I use the phrase “Next Time” often, to reframe setbacks as opportunities for learning. I also ask questions that redirect focus from results to process: “Did you move your feet?” Did you use your legs? Did you hit low to high? or “Did you fight for every point?” When players recognize their effort, they regain ownership over their growth. Encouragement is essential, but accountability and perspective are the real confidence builders.
What’s one lesson from your business career that you apply to coaching?
Leadership is about service, communication and listening. In business, I learned that empowering people, listening deeply, and setting clear expectations created winning teams. The same principles apply on the court. Coaching is about teaching, guiding, and inspiring. I run my practices like I ran my businesses: with clarity, structure, and a strong culture of respect. Just like in business, results in tennis come from consistent effort, strategic thinking, planning and resilience. I also believe in building relationships. When players know you care about them as people, not just athletes, they give more, learn faster, and enjoy the journey.
How do you tailor your coaching for different skill levels?
Every player has a unique learning style and pace. For beginners, I focus on fundamentals of grip, footwork, and basic strategy while building excitement and confidence. With advanced juniors or competitive adults, I dive into technical refinements, tactical awareness, and mental toughness. I adapt language, drills, and intensity based on the athlete’s experience and goals. What remains constant is my emphasis on a growth mindset, purposeful movement, and positive energy. Whether someone’s chasing a college scholarship or just picking up a racquet for fun, I meet them where they are and help them move forward with confidence and clarity.
What role does mindset play in player development?
Mindset is everything. Physical talent matters, but without mental toughness, it’s incomplete. I teach players to stay present, manage emotions, and handle pressure. We use techniques like visualization, controlled breathing, and positive self-talk to stay grounded during matches. Growth mindset means accepting failure as part of improvement and being willing to stretch beyond comfort zones. It’s about shifting from “I can’t” to “I’m learning.” That shift unlocks performance gains and builds character. On-court success is a reflection of how you think, how you speak to yourself, and how you respond to adversity. A strong mindset creates strong athletes.
Can you share a memorable coaching moment that impacted you deeply?
One young athlete I coached had talent but lacked belief. She’d get overwhelmed in matches, lose focus, and spiral. Over months, we worked on her confidence by simple affirmations, celebrating small wins, and focusing on effort, not results. Slowly, her mindset shifted. She won a tough local tournament, not just with skill, but with poise. Afterward, she hugged me and said, “I didn’t think I could, but you did.” That moment reminded me why I coach. Seeing someone realize their strength on their terms is more rewarding than any trophy. It’s about the impact.
How do you stay energized and inspired as a coach?
I draw energy from the people I coach. Every day on the court is a chance to learn, grow, and make a difference. I stay curious as I study the game, attend coaching workshops, and reflect on each session to get better. Tennis is always evolving, and so am I. I also balance work with personal time by being active, spending time with my family, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle keeps me grounded. Ultimately, knowing that I help players become stronger, more confident versions of themselves keeps me inspired. I don’t see this as work, it’s a calling.
What’s your long-term vision for your coaching journey?
My goal is to build a legacy of leadership through tennis. I want to continue developing confident, disciplined athletes who succeed on and off the court. I’m also passionate about mentoring younger coaches and passing on what I’ve learned and helping elevate the standard of coaching. Long term, I envision creating a tennis academy focused on holistic player development by combining technical training, mental coaching, and life skills. I want every player I coach to walk away with a better forehand, and a stronger sense of self. That’s the real win, and that’s the legacy I hope to leave.
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