The most important focus of this stage is to emphasize fun and enjoyment when playing tennis. While participating in other sports to develop fundamental motor skills, thechild begins to show a preference for tennis as his/her sport of choice. The child enjoys and acquires basic tennis skills while playing progressive tennis. At the end of this stage, the child is playing with the proper racquet, the right ball and on the appropriate sized court executing the game with proper fundamentals. While this is still an early stage to be solely focused on the competitive stream, the foundation and skill competencies achieved will be a good indicator in regards to the child’s likelihood of possessing the abilities to progress recreationally or competitively. 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. Learning the FUNdamentals and having fun through Progressive Tennis and other sports
5 Stage 2
Guiding Principles for parents & Coaches:
General Objectives:
• Participation should be fun and enjoyable. • A safe and stimulating learning environment must be established. • Basic tennis skills should be acquired through quality group and private lessons. • Practices should be structured using modified equipment for progressive tennis. • Game-based play using progressive tennis should be included regularly. • The development of fundamental movement, motor and basic tennis skills should be integrated motor skills as a part of all group lessons. • Competition and match play shall be meaningful with the use of progressive tennis. • Coaches/instructors should be certified with knowledge of growth and development of children.
• Further develop fundamental movement skills. • Further develop fundamental motor skills. • Explore the optimal windows of trainability for speed and suppleness (flexibility). • Develop basic tennis skills (technical/tactical). • Acquire psychological skills (ability to focus, emotional control, positive attitude,commitment & effort). • Introduce the rules of the game and tennis ethics. • Introduce decision-making.
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