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THE PLAYBOOK BY COLIN BEECHER
Capturing a life on tour
Playbook is a deeply personal project by Colin Beecher, a former professional player and one of Britain’s most respected tennis coaches. Across a lifetime in the sport, Colin has worked at the highest level as both a player and coach, including being part of Great Britain’s historic Davis Cup victory and supporting some of the world’s leading players, including Andy Murray, Katie Boulter, Dan Evans and Kyle Edmund, as well as contributing to Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup teams.
Playbook was born from Colin’s desire to capture decades of experience, drills and insights that had previously lived only in his mind or personal notebooks. More than a coaching manual, the book represents Colin’s life on tour, his philosophy, and the lessons learned from working at the very top of the game.
CLIENT TYPE
Ex-Professional Athlete
WHAT WE DID
The Challenge
This was not a conventional publishing project. Colin wanted the book to feel like his life’s work, something genuinely useful for coaches and players seeking a competitive edge, while also serving as a personal legacy for his career and his family, who have supported him throughout his journey.
At the outset, there was no fixed format, title, structure or length. The challenge was to translate decades of instinctive knowledge into a book that felt authentic, practical and accessible, without overwhelming the reader. It needed to be detailed enough to educate and inspire, yet lean enough to live courtside — something coaches and players could return to repeatedly.
Our Work
We worked closely with Colin and memoirist Nick Shepley over the course of two years to shape Playbook from concept to completion. The early stages were deliberately open-ended, focused on tapping into Colin’s energy, passion and relentless curiosity for the game. Together, we explored hundreds of drills, countless stories and thousands of ideas, gradually refining what truly belonged in the book.
As the manuscript evolved, we worked collaboratively to interrogate each drill in detail, ensuring it delivered real value for the reader. As the sections became clearer, we refined the design further — tightening layout, selecting imagery carefully and ensuring the structure allowed the drills and case studies to take centre stage. The design was intentionally restrained, acting as a quiet foundation that let Colin’s voice and expertise shine.
In the final stages, we developed a distinct visual identity for Playbook itself. Using a monochromatic palette with impactful imagery, we created a simple, confident lock-up that feels familiar to the target audience while reflecting Colin’s warmth and personality. The identity helps the book stand out, while remaining timeless and focused on substance over style.
The Outcome
The Playbook has been extremely well received, with strong demand from its limited initial run and positive feedback from high-profile players and coaches across the sport. What began as a personal ambition has become a respected coaching resource, already finding its place on courts and in kit bags.
With its strong early reception, The Playbook has an exciting future ahead. The book now stands as both a practical coaching tool and a lasting legacy — capturing a lifetime of knowledge and sharing it with the next generation of players and coaches across the UK and beyond.
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