The information provided here is an overall guide to Long Term Player Development and is not
exhaustive.

It is still essential, as a coach, that you are skilled in all aspects of player training and development.
Many of these areas are covered at the main website - under - Advanced Training - Become a Better
Player.

It must be recognised that many of us, as coaches, will not have the opportunity to take a junior and see
them through to the senior ranks. In many instances, we must feel lucky and privileged if we find a tennis
player that we can make into a champion.

In many instances, this is a matter of being in the right place at the right time, and it may be that we are
fortunate to receive a promising junior who has already been coached to a good standard.

The other scenario is recognising a promising junior who will be prepared to put in the necessary hard
work and dedication to reach their potential. It is also not necessarily the initial person that you think
will make it to the top, but rather someone all of a sudden decides that tennis will be his or her destiny.

To quote an example - As a young player, Tim Henman was not the best player in the squad, but
he far surpassed the rest as he developed.

It is therefore, most important, that the points made in this article are taken to heart and put into
operation for the benefit of all of your students.

The aim of athletic preparation is to achieve peak performance at the desired time, and this is
dependent upon the coach's ability to implement an effective long-term training plan.

In order to achieve this, the player's training must be developed in a number of important areas, these
include technical, tactical, physical, mental and nutritional aspects.

The coach must not overlook the importance of training as against competitive play, there must be a
balance in both areas and training should not be forfeited in favour of competition and winning.
It is most important to ensure the acquisition of the fundamental skills and fitness. The success in any
sport can only be achieved through the long-term approach to correct training.

In the early stages of a player's career, the emphasis must be on mastering, physical skills and fitness,
and the competitive calendar should be integrated around these requirements.
Calender planning is of equal importance at all levels of player development.

For the purpose of this programme, we are looking at those who have decided that they want to develop
their tennis to the next level (i.e. at the early formative stage) to those who then decide that they wish to
make tennis a full time career.

It has to be appreciated, that when a junior starts to play tennis, they will not necessarily decide to go on
to a full time tennis career, however, it is the coaches responsibility, in the early stages to recognise
potential talent but also to train all the students to achieve their best potential, the students will then
gradually self divide into those who are serious and those who just wish to develop their tennis as an
additional sport. It is often difficult to define the route that they will take from the outset. There will also
be many who just want to have fun and will not necessarily go on to play tennis, even at club level, they
may have their first interests in another sport.

As a coach, these students are equally as important to look after; they all provide your living.

It is therefore essential to have a training programme in place that will cater for all students and it is
necessary to train them all ; in the early stages; irrespective of their long-term eventualities.

Bayli (1995) pointed out that if fundamental motor skills are not acquired at an early chronological and
training age, they cannot be developed fully at a later training age. This is a most important point to be
taken into consideration when a coach is preparing their long-term training programme.

During the initiation stage the coach should provide a supportive and fun environment and should give
positive feedback and encouragement, rewarding effort rather than achievement.

There are differing views concerning at what age you should start to put youngsters into competitive
tennis, whether this be playing points; a short set etc., I do not intend getting into the for and against of
this.

I believe your way forward should be dependent on the pupils stage in tennis and whether they want to
play competitively. I have found from experience, that a few do not even want to compete even if it is just
a squad point;s tournament within the lesson. This has to be done in the best interests of each student;
there is a ready time for each. This does not mean that they should not be competitive and this is often
best done in a team situation.

The following is a guide to the various stages of development.

The following factors are important in the planning:

1/. The developmental age of the player - physiologically & psychologically.

2/. The level of motivation of the player

3. The development of co-ordination

4/. The periods during a player's life which are most favourable for training particular aspects.

Area most favourable to work on......... Range of years for this phase

Co-ordination ...................................................... From 4 -11/13 years

Tennis Technique ................................................. From 6 -12/13 years

Flexibility ..............................................................From 4 -12 years

Reaction Speed, frequency speed ....................... From 6 -14/15 years

Power/Strength .................................................... From 13/14 years up

Aerobic/Anaerobic Endurance ............................ From 13/14 years up

What factors to be taken into account and are important in long term planning? (Unierzyski 1994)

The period of training necessary to achieve high performance in tennis is between 7 and 10 years of
systematic training.

The average age at which top level performance is achieved in tennis is
approximately 16-19 for women and 18-21 for men.

Once the initial ability level of the prospective player has been identified it is important to establish clear
player profiles of what should be accomplished at each stage of development.
The optimum age at which specialised training should commence is 12-14 years for women
and 13-14 years for men.

Richard Schonborn indicated that a player's improvement does not go in a straight line. No two players
will improve at the same time. Since players do not mature at the same rate, their skills will also develop
at different stages In order that a player develops their skills and abilities, these should be introduced at
the appropriate stage. To ensure they achieve their maximum potential.

Technical training is a most important factor up to the age of 13, it then becomes less important, although
still necessary.

Mentality becomes a most important factor from the age of l4 and conditioning and physical fitness is the
second most important factor on a player's performance from age 14.

Footnote: I am a firm believer that cross training is an important aspect in the overall development of a
player, at all stages. Basket ball, as an example, goes excellently with tennis.

                               As a guide, the following was issued by the L.T.A. and is

                   Long Term Player Development Guidlines For Weekly Programme.

The following provides an overview of a minimum programme in hours, both on court and off court for a
particular player. The programme and it's contents change as the player gets older and develops.

Please note the type of fitness work that can be done on court and that that can be done best off court.
OFF COURT - includes STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, ENDURANCE and OTHER

I have produced  an annual training programme and it can be downloaded from HERE