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The below provides a very simple guide designed to help you (the parent or adult player) match your expectations of progress with how much you need to commit (training days/type per week or per term).
Although just a simple guide which can be changeable for every player. It's possible that if a player is actively taking part in other sports to a good level, these sports can have a positive affect on a player reaching their tennis goals. If you would like to enquire further about what's needed for your yours or your child's development, please Contact Us
1 - Expectation = Enjoyment / Social / Learning - I want my child (or myself) to be able to enjoy playing tennis alongside learning the basic elements of the game. I also want my child (or myself) to develop socially by attending group classes with other players of a similar age and standard.
1 - Commitment = Once per week group classes for successive terms. Although attending 1 group class once per week is the minimum a player can do, we still commit to providing an environment where our 4 pillar strategy is delivered.
2 - Expectation = Enjoyment / Social / Learning / Development - As above with the added expectation that you'd like your child (or yourself) to develop 'their' game in order to be ready to play a match (A friendly match rather than within structured competition).
2 - Commitment = At least one group coaching class per week alongside either regular 1to1 lessons or multiple regular free play sessions with friends or family. The key element here is playing multiple times per week on a regular basis without any breaks. It's no secret that doing something more often will aid improvement as this allows the player to be able to practice what is being taught to them by the coaches.
3 - Expectation = Enjoyment / Social / Learning / Development / Compete - As above but the player would like to be at the level whereby they can enjoy competing within structured competitions and tournaments. This means that they have learnt all the main elements of the game and are able to perform them to an appropriate level.
3 - Commitment - A weekly schedule that comprises of playing at least 3/4 times per week that must include group AND 1to1 training sessions alongside regular match play practice and regular structured competition/tournaments. This is a training structure that generally needs to be in place year on year without any big breaks in order to meet expectation.
4 - Expectation = Enjoyment / Social / Learning / Development / Compete / Success - This level of expectation refers to a player being able to compete at a high level for their age group. This could mean county / regional / national / international and will take many years.
4 - Commitment - Due to the time it will take a player along with the much larger commitments (time, social, educational, family, financial etc) there is no standard formula to reach it. Pathways to achieving this are set out on an individual basis between player / coach / club / parent.