Frequently asked questions

What is Soar?

A personal tennis video review. You upload one clip (up to three minutes), explain what feels off, and set a price. Once a Soar-approved coach claims your question, they have 48 hours to send back a personal video answer — up to ten minutes of video made for your question, plus optional notes.

What does it cost?

You set the price — suggested: $20–40 — and Soar adds a 10% service fee. The exact total is shown before you post, and you're only ever charged after your answer is delivered.

Founding pilot:payments aren't switched on yet. Questions posted during the pilot are never charged, even when answered.

When would I be charged?

Never before delivery. Posting is free; when payments launch, a temporary hold is placed when a coach claims your question and the charge happens only when the answer arrives. A question nobody claims within 72 hours expires — you pay nothing.

How long until I get an answer?

The 48-hour countdown starts when a coach claims your question, not when you post it. If the deadline passes without an answer, the claim is released and your question returns to the board. Unclaimed questions expire after 72 hours at no cost.

Who can see my video?

Your footage is never public and never indexed. Open questions are visible only to approved coaches in good standing and to Soar administration, through expiring access links that are logged. After a coach answers, their access ends when the review closes — no later than 30 days after delivery. Full detail in the Privacy Policy.

How are coaches vetted?

A person reviews every application: the credential proof (UTR or NTRP rating — current or lapsed — USPTA/PTR certification, or a college roster page), a required sample answer video, and a name check against the U.S. Department of Justice's National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). Each coach's first answer is also held for human review before it reaches the player. NSOPW screening is not a criminal background check.

What if I'm not happy with the answer?

Email admin@coachsoar.orgwithin the flag window — at least 48 hours from delivery — and a person reviews every case: refund, credit, or a clear explanation. (During the founding pilot nothing is charged, so there's nothing to refund — but we still want to hear it.)

Can my kid use Soar?

Accounts are adult-only. Parents and guardians post on behalf of junior players and run all activity on the account; the coach's advice is written for you to share. Videos that include minors get the strictest access limits on the platform.

What video should I send?

Any phone video works — MP4, MOV, or another common format, up to 200 MB and three minutes. A few swings filmed from behind and from the side beat a full practice. For a match question, send the two or three minutes that show the pattern — a few service games back to back, for example.

Do I need a UTR or NTRP rating?

No. USTA/NTRP and UTR are standard tennis rating scales, but they're optional context — if you don't know yours, pick the closest playing-level description and the coach takes it from there.

Can I ask about pain or an injury?

No — Soar is coaching, not medical care. Questions seeking advice about pain, injury, rehabilitation, or return-to-play can't be taken; see a physician for those.

How do I become a coach?

Apply with your credential proof and one short sample answer video on the coach application page. On paid questions — once payouts launch — you keep 80% of the question price. A person reviews applications within two business days.