By Doug O'Connell, LMT | 27 Years Experience, 25,000+ Sessions | Westchester County, NY
Every team has the guy. After the match, he's the one leaning on the fence, digging his thumb into his partner's shoulder, saying, "Here, let me get that."
Thirty seconds later, his thumb is done. The shoulder isn't.
I played NCAA Division 2 tennis and I still play USTA leagues, so I've seen this scene more times than I can count. Athletes are some of the most physical people around, and almost none of them know how to give each other a decent massage.
That's fixable. And it's a lot more interesting than people expect.
Why Athletes Are Good At This (Once Someone Shows Them)
Here's something I've noticed over 27 years. Athletes pick this up fast.
They already understand body mechanics. They know power comes from the legs and core, not the arm alone. Watch a good serve, a drive off the tee, a runner's stride. The energy starts at the ground and moves up.
Massage works the same way. Your hands, forearms, and elbows are tools. The power comes from your legs, core, posture, and gravity. Most people try to muscle through with their fingers and wear out in five minutes. Show an athlete the right stance, and you can see it click. Usually followed by, "Wait, that's it?"
The Part That Surprises Competitive People
Athletes are used to pushing. On the court, more effort usually means better results.
Massage doesn't work like that. Pressure that's too much, too fast, makes the person on the table tense up. Earning their trust takes steady pressure, full attention, and no surprises. You have to read how they respond: whether they're settling in or guarding, whether their breathing slows or catches.
For a lot of competitive people, that's the hardest skill to learn. Slowing down. Paying attention instead of pushing harder. It's also one of the most useful things they'll take away.
Everyone Starts In The Same Place
Every group starts with the same two-hour introductory lesson, teammates and training partners included. It's not a sports program, and it's not about treating anything. It's the foundation, and anything further builds from there.
I bring one table, demonstrate on each of you, and teach:
Types of lubrication and when to use each
Safe body mechanics for the person giving the massage
Table setup and adjustment
Basic strokes, and how to apply them — pressure, pace, and reading the person you're working on
Supervised practice
A full practice session at the end, followed by my critique
Two people is ideal, which makes a doubles partner or a training buddy a great fit. Up to four can join. With one table, everyone takes turns, so practice time and my critique run a little shorter for each person, but it's the same two hours and the same material.
Who This Works For
Tennis and platform tennis partners. Pickleball regulars. Running groups. Anyone who trains with the same people every week and is tired of the thirty-second shoulder squeeze after a match.
It's also a good team activity off the court. Something different from the usual post-match drinks.
What It Isn't
These lessons are purely recreational. They're about learning a skill with the people you play with. They don't replace professional massage, and they're not a substitute for care from a professional. Think of it as something you do between professional sessions, not instead of them.
Book A Massage Lesson For Your Team
If you play with the same people every week, this is worth trying. I teach in-home massage lessons throughout Westchester, NY, so you learn massage at home, with your partner or your group. Lessons are $500 on weekdays and $550 on weekends.
Call or text: (914) 523-0116 dougoconnelllmt.com
Serving Bronxville, Eastchester, Scarsdale, White Plains, Harrison, Chappaqua, Tarrytown, Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Ardsley, and throughout Westchester County, NY.