8 Player Development Planning 112
GOAL SETTING TABLE Player: 8-10 Years Old Level: Aspirations of Playing High Level Tennis Long Term Goals (6-12 months) Medium Term Goals (1-6 months) Short Term Goals (1-4 weeks) HANDS (Technical) *f/h: increase length follow through (hitting through the ball) on down-the-line f/h *b/h: solidify top hand involvement on b/h cross-court *serve: develop slice wide serve to the deuce side *f/h: continue solidifying grip change and focus on nondominant arm use during the unit turn *b/h: learn the slice backhand keeping the wrist firm *serve: greater leg involvement (i.e. pushing into the ground) during loading stage of serve *f/h: grip change from full western to semiwestern *b/h: racket above the wrist *serve: focus on straight non-dominant arm *volleys: wrist firm on both f/h and b/h volleys FEET (Footwork & Balance) *on deep balls focus on loading the back leg to a greater extent (i.e. store energy and then release from that position) *f/h: maintain core and head balance during stroke *Movement: develop effective recovery cross-over from wide f/h position *f/h: develop semiopen stance forehand (back/outside leg load) *b/h: back hip involvement during follow through EYES & MIND (Tactical) *Recognize short balls and move forward sooner. *when hitting short crosscourt on f/h understand the movement and positioning need to hit the next ball inside out *Improve understanding of when to drive the ball down the line and when to use the rally cross-court ball *f/h: Develop inside out *Recognize when opponent is behind the baseline and when to use the drop shot Physical *Start to implement a structured age appropriate physical training program that is integrated with daily tennis *Start using some light medicine balls to play min-tennis working on rotation, sending and receiving and movement *Flexibility: implement a 10 minute per day stretching program *ABC: focus on improving ABCs and playing one or two other sports (basketball, soccer, volleyball etc.) Mental *Start using age appropriate rituals and routines during match play. *Start introducing basic rituals and routines (i.e. taking a deep breath after a tough point and changing the racket form the dominant to the non-dominant hand. *Discuss the difference between performance and outcome goals in language the athlete can understand 113
GOAL SETTING TABLE Player: Level: HANDS (Technical) Long Term Goals (6-12 months) Medium Term Goals (1-6 months) Short Term Goals (1-4 weeks) FEET (Footwork & Balance) EYES & MIND (Tactical) Physical Mental 114
Principles of Effective Goal Setting Performance and Outcome Goals 1. Goals should be player driven with coach guidance. 2. Put goals in writing. 3. Goals must be challenging but attainable, specific, measurable, realistic and manageable. 4. When two or more goals are established they must be compatible. 5. Goals should be flexible enough to allow for revision and change. 6. Goals should have structured time frames or specific target dates. 7. Priorities should be structured for Goals. 8. Goals should be stated to allow for evaluation of effort as well as performance. 9. Goals should always be linked to the overall aim of performance. 10. Goals should be continually evaluated against progress. 115
High Performance Developmental Plan Player Name: Birth Date: Personal Coach: Preparing A Developmental Plan Establish Developmental Team Leader: Establish Player s role: Establish Parents role: Establish frequency and mode of communication: Player writes essay outlining their long-term vision for their game. Player states their short, mid and longterm performance goals for their game. 116
LONG TERM VISION (Include Game Style/Strategy and Tactics): GENERAL PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW HANDS Technical Assessment: Serve: Return of Serve: Forehand: Backhand: Backhand Slice: Transition Shots (approach shot/drive/swing volley/slice) Forehand Volley: 117
Backhand Volley: Overhead: FEET (Footwork & Balance) Footwork Patterns (lateral/diagonal/forward): Balance (load/head movement): EYES & MIND (Tactical Development): Recognition: Shot Selection: Patterns of Play: 118
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT THREE MAIN AREAS OF NEEDED IMPROVEMENT Priority One: Plan: (Include daily drills) Priority Two: Plan: (Include daily drills) Priority Three: Plan: (Include daily drills) 119
GOAL SETTING Performance Goals (HANDS/FEET/EYES & MIND): 6 Months: 1 Year: 2 Years: Outcome Goals (RANKINGS/RESULTS): 6 Months: 1 Year: 2 Years: Tracking/ Evaluation Establish method for tracking performance (developmental) progress and outcome (ranking and results) progress. 120
Week No # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Date Local Tournament State Level Tournament Regional Tournament State Level Tournament State Level Tournament Regional Tournament & Competition Priority 1 2 3 1 2 3 2 2 3 Technical (Hands & Feet) 5 5 4 2 5 4 2 1 4 2 1 1 Serve: Palm down during the backswing Unit Turn: Focus on the turn and nondominant hand F/h: Emphasis on more circular path on backswing B/h: Grip change to stronger continental bottom hand Volleys: solidify continental grip Return of Serve: focus on consistent contact zone Serve: Greater hip rotation during the loading Unit-turn: focus on non-dominant hand F/h: Continue to work on spin B/h: solidify grip on stroke Volley: racket above the wrist on b/h side Return of Serve: court position on ad-side wide Tournament focused technique Implement technical changes over the past 8 weeks in competition Tactical (Eyes & Mind) 1 1 2 4 1 2 4 4 2 3 5 5 Taking mid-court balls on the rise When pushed deep behind the baseline develop more height When pushed wide on b/h, utilize slice effectively Recognition: based on last shot Continue to recognize short balls Minimize net errors with more shape on b/h Use the slice ball when the ball is below knee height on b/h Focus on court position during competition Physical 4 4 5 5 3 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 Medicine ball work on wide f/h address unit turn as well as load Develop flexibility in hip flexors/rotators to help on wide balls Continue to use medicine ball to work on f.h Increase rotational flexibility to help unit turn Power focused hip training Power and flexibility are the two major physical focus for this month Psychological (engagement) 3 4 4 5 5 3 3 3 5 4 3 3 Focus on performance goals for each practice rather than outcome Clear concise goals for each practice session 16sec cure focus this month Continue to write down performance goals for each practice Focus on match routines (pre, during and post) Write down performance goals for each match Coaches notes: Age: 13 Weight: 120lbs Height: 5ft 3in Gender: Female Regional Level Player Plan 121
Week No # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Date & Competition Priority 1 2 3 Technical (Hands & Feet) Tactical (Eyes & Mind) Physical Psychological (engagement) Coaches notes: Plan 122