Better Coaches=Better Players ft Kyle LaCroix

Better Coaches=Better Players ft Kyle LaCroix

Author: Lisa Stone October 15, 2025 Duration: 56:12

Welcome to Season 14 Episode 39 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this week's episode, Lisa chats with former top junior and long-time coach and coach-educator, Kyle LaCroix.

We've kind of followed a theme in our most recent episodes, one in which we've examined the state of junior tennis coaching and how to make it a better experience for the coaches, players, and parents. The hope is that, through these conversations, we can get the ball rolling to improve coach education, parent education, and the overall experience of families and professionals involved in our sport.

Here's a little bit more about Kyle and why he's a great guest to tackle this subject:

Kyle LaCroix has a proven track record of service and success in the racquet sports industry. A RSPA (Racquet Sports Professionals Association  , Formerly USPTA) Master Professional, and a decorated industry veteran that is also certified by RSPA Padel, Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), Registro Profesional de Tenis (RPT), Global Professional Tennis Coaches Association (GPTCA) and the United States Center For Coaching Excellence (USCCE). Kyle has spent the past 25+ years as one of the foremost experts and leaders in coach development. Having worked with players of all levels, across numerous racquet sports as well as coaches, Kylebrings with him a wealth of knowledge through work at clubs and academies. Kyle has served the racquet sportsindustry in a multitude of capacities including being a RSPA Florida Division Tester/Coach Developer for 17  years and a member of the RSPA National College Curriculum Committee, The RSPA National Membership Committee, The RSPA Strategic Planning Committee as well as other board appointments. Kyle has tested, certified and mentored over 1700 individual tennis coaches from around the world. 

 In 2014, Kyle became the youngest recipient of the RSPA National Tester/Coach Developer of The Year Award.  

Kyle is The Chief Education Officer of SETS. He holds a B.S. Degree from Ferris State University in Professional Tennis Management. A B.S. Degree in Marketing as well as an MBA from The University of Michigan. He also has an M.Ed. from Stanford University.

To get in touch with Kyle, you can email him at kyle.lacroix@setsconsulting.org. You can also follow him on Twitter @SETS_Consulting and Instagram @sets_consulting.

For our podcast with Kyle's wife, Lisa, go to https://parentingaces.com/podcasts/love-serving-autism-ft-lisa-pugliese-lacroix/.

As always, I am available for one-to-one consults to work with you as you find your way through the college recruiting process. You can purchase and book online through our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://parentingaces.com/shop/category/consult-with-lisa-stone/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

CREDITS

Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE

Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone


For anyone navigating the complex journey of youth tennis, ParentingAces-The Junior Tennis and College Tennis Podcast serves as an essential weekly conversation. Host Lisa Stone guides these discussions, moving beyond just forehands and backhands to explore the entire pathway a young athlete travels. The focus here is on development, from a child's first swings all the way through the high-stakes juniors circuit and into the nuanced world of college recruiting. Each episode brings a different voice to the table. You'll hear from seasoned coaches, sports psychologists discussing mental resilience, and specialists in fitness and nutrition tailored for athletic growth. Practical topics like navigating technology and equipment or understanding the ever-changing recruiting landscape are broken down with clarity. This isn't just theory; it's actionable insight drawn directly from experts in the field. Whether you're a parent trying to support your child, a player aiming for the next level, or a coach shaping future talent, this podcast offers a trusted resource for the questions that aren't always answered on the court. Lisa's approach creates a space where the challenges and triumphs of building a tennis player are met with experience and genuine understanding.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

ParentingAces - The Junior Tennis and College Tennis Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Little Mo Pathway ft Lynn & Michael Arage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:10
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 8 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Lisa is joined by the parents of 2025 Little Mo International Champion Olivia Arage - Lynn and Michael Arange.It's always interesting to hear about…
Beyond X's and O's ft Tony Minnis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:40
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 7 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Lisa is joined by former LSU Women's Tennis Coach, Tony Minnis.Tony grew up in a tennis family. His father coached college tennis and both his broth…
A Unique Tennis Pathway ft Reese Brantmeier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 6 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week's guest, Reese Brantmeier, is one I've wanted to have on the pod for a few years, ever since watching her play at National Hardcourts in San Diego fo…
Gain Access to the World's Top Coaches ft Peter Clark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 5 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Peter Clarke of CoachLife shares the latest developments in this unique online coaching platform.In Season 13, we featured several coaches who offer…
Fast Track Tennis Development ft John Davey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:49
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 4 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, we'll be looking at a new piece of equipment that allows players to practice at home or anywhere, really, when court time is not an option.John Dave…
What You Need to Know to be Recruitable ft Shaquana Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:47
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 3 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this week's episode, junior tennis players and their parents will learn what it takes academically to be eligible to play college tennis.Shaquana Miller is…
Take Your Tennis to Europe ft Martin Vinokur & Michael LeVan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 2 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, we take another look at an incredible tennis travel experience for junior players - Tennis:Europe.Martin Vinokur is a former high school teacher and…
The Joy of the Journey ft Lisa Stone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 1 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, you get me, Lisa Stone, for a brief chat about what you can expect from this podcast over the next year.ParentingAces is here for YOU, and I want to…
The Secret to Better Coaching ft Duey Evans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:44
Welcome to the final episode of Season 14 of the ParentingAces Podcast! We close the season with a thought-provoking discussion with coach Duey Evans centered around the secrets to better coaching.As in the majority of o…