Beginning to put it all together
5 Stage 5
The participant has made a conscious decision to pursue a potential career as a “professional player”. All aspects of preparation will now focus on consistent quality performances in training and in competition. The player’s lifestyle demonstrates that of an individual who is a “24/7” athlete and is learning to manage the variables that will contribute to their overall performance. The development of perception skills is fundamental to long term success in the sport. Although the skill may not be mastered until a player reaches Stages #6 (Learning to Be a Pro) or #7 (Living as a Pro), players, parents and coaches can work on these skills both on and off the court.
Guiding Principles for Parents, Coaches and Players:
General Objectives:
• Become a responsible and autonomous athlete. • Refine all basic skills at competition intensity and to consolidate skills learned at the 11/12-15/16 stages. • Develop flexibility, speed, strength and aerobic endurance – in all the physical skills. • Refine the daily implementation of sport medicine and science knowledge, e.g. nutrition, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, exercise physiology. • Learn to cope with the challenges of different competitive situations such as different surfaces, altitude, game styles and wind. • Develop an ability to understand key principles related to training, competition, recovery and equipment. • Demonstrate good knowledge of the selection and care of equipment including racquets, shoes and strings. • Ensure pre-habilitation exercises for wrists, shoulders, hips and abdominals are managed effectively. • Use recovery techniques such as oxygenation stage, sport massage, relaxation, meditation and hydrotherapies.
• A consistent individualized quality training program which takes into account international standards, the athletes present abilities and the long term goals are essential • An individualized physical development program should be used cashing in on the windows of trainability and monitoring improvements through testing three times per year • The coaches role becomes even greater as he/she takes on increased leadership in the development of a player’s career and must lead and work with an integrated support team • Competitions should be selected based on an age appropriate number of matches per year with the emphasis on the athlete’s continued development, participating in 2-3 practice matches per week • With results becoming more important, it is essential that athletes continue to focus on performance goals in competition
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