Junior Coaching Programme 2010
Mini Tennis Red (4 – 8 years)
Mini Tennis Red introduces the core skills of movement and coordination. The emphasis is on fun activities, playing short matches and team competition. Utilising a smaller courts, low compression MT Red Balls and small rackets. It is an excellent way to start playing tennis.
See mini tennis timetable for availability
Mini Tennis Orange (8 — 9 years)
In this second stage, children learn new shots and techniques to help rally on a bigger court. Matches are slightly longer but fun is still at the core of the activities. Played on a full court with a shorter baseline and MT orange tennis balls children really get the feeling of the real game.
See mini tennis timetable for availability
Mini Tennis Green (9 — 10 years)
This final stage of Mini Tennis, children will be bigger and able to cover the whole court. However utilising the Mini tennis Green ball means that they will have a much better opportunity to develop good technique as it’s is slightly slower and has a lower bounce that a standard tennis ball. Emphasis at this stage is on improving their techniques and tactics as well as fundamental athletic skills ready for progression to using the standard tennis ball.
See mini tennis timetable for availability
Under 10 / 12 / 14 / 16 / 18
Although age is a factor in setting class groupings it is only a rough guide to our group programmes. Greater emphasis is placed on each child’s abilities and their standard of play. Our aim is to be able to place each child in a class and environment that will challenge them and try to maximise their potential. The programmes on offer cater to all standards. We offer programmes orientated to those who take their tennis seriously and are looking to play competitively and those children looking for a class more orientated to recreational tennis.
See timetable for availability
Development Programme 2010
Purpose
The Development Squads were established in 2005 to provide an opportunity for our keen and improving player to have additional coaching focused more to playing competitive tennis. Whilst some focus is still placed on technique the sessions put a greater focus on basket drills, live ball drills and match play. These exercises focus on improving consistency, varying the patterns of play and developing tactical and strategic awareness.
Joining the Development Squads
Joining the Development Programme is by invitation only and is based on the ability, attitude and enthusiasm shown by players in their normal coaching classes. Occasionally we run trial days that are open to all players. These days provides us with an opportunity to compare playing standards of our players. Players and Parents wishing to play more tennis or for their children to play more tennis are more than welcome to speak to us about opportunities in the Development Programme.
Competitive Play
As part of the Development Squads we strongly encourage our players to play more competitive Tennis. This can include internal tournaments run by the Club or Tennis Extreme, but should also include league play for their respective Clubs and participation in external tournaments such as the Surrey Challenger and Mini Tennis Series (Summer and Winter), Ratings match play events and other local tournaments. Details of these events are usually posted on the notice boards in the Clubhouse, alternatively speak to Tim about the opportunities.
LTA Ratings & Mini Tennis Ratings
Our players are encouraged to sign up to the LTA Rating system. The rating allows you to compare your performance against other tennis player in Britain. Ratings also allow tournament organisers to match players of a comparable standard ensuring matches are fair and fun. To increase you rating you need to be consistently beating players at the same or higher rating. Information on applying for a rating can be obtained from Tim alternatively pick up a booklet from one of the Clubhouses.
Clothing / Attire
Whilst we do not believe in having an ‘All White’s Rule’ as far as clothing and attire are concerned, Players should wear clothing appropriate to playing the sport of tennis and have appropriate footwear. This is as much to make the child ‘feel’ like a tennis player and adopt an appropriate attitude as it does with comfort and safety. Compare this to football where children are always wearing the latest kit from Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea, they all want to be Rooney or Ronaldo – Why not Federer or Nadal?
Performance Programmes
More information to be added later