Long Term Player Pathway

The Tennis Ireland model for Long-Term Player Development has been written based on consultation with a number of professional bodies. AMong those bodies were, Tennis Ireland registered coaches, Coaching Ireland, The Sports Science Department, DCu. The ITF and the Professional Staff & Management Committee of Tennis Ireland. The Model has six phases and an outline of each phase is explained in this introduction with a more detailed description of what is to be achieved at each phase in the document which can be downloaded below.

Phase 1 - The Fundamental Phase

Age: Males 6-9/Females 6-8 years

The main objective of this phase is to learn all the fundamental movement skills using a well-structured, positive and fun approach. Tennis skills should be introduced, with an emphasis on fun, skill development and modified games through mini and midi tennis. Appropriate and correct running, jumping and throwing techniques are taught using the ABC's of athletics.

Speed, power, strength and endurance are also developed.

Participation in as many sports as possible is encourage. The development of fundamental movement skills will contribute significantly to future player achievements.

Phase 2 - The Learning to play & Practice

Age: Males 9-12/Females 8-11 years

The main objective of this phase is to learn the specific tennis skills in conjunction with the fundamental sports skills, from a range of other sports. These skills form the cornerstones of all player development. Players move onto the full court and fundamental movement skills should also continue to be developed during this phase. If fundamental motor skil training is not developed between the ages of eight to eleven and nine to twelve for females and males respectively, a significant window of opportunity has been lost, compromising the ability of the young player to reach his/her full potential.

Technically, strokes are grooved at a higher rythym.

Children should continue to participate in multi-sports and sports that compliment tennis.

Phase 3 - The Training to Train Phase

Age: Males 12-16/Females 11-15 years

 The main objectives of this phase are to further develop and consolidate all techniques, tactics and to address the two critical periods of physical development, namely the aerobic base and strength of the players. It should be noted that both aerobic and strength trainability is dependent on maturation levels, not chronological age. Players who miss this phase of training will not reach their full potential.

Phase 4 - The Training to Compete Phase

Age: Males 16-18/Females 15-17 years

The main objective of this phase is to optimize fitness preperation, individual skills and performance. During this phase, high intensity individual and event-specific training is provided to players. Tennis skills are performed under a variety of competitive conditions during training. Special emphasis is placed on optimum preparation, by modelling training and competition.

Phase 5 - The Training to Win Phase

Age: Males 18+/Females 17+ years

This final phase of players preparation aims to maximise fitness preparation and individual skills as well as performance. All of the player's capacities are now fully established and players are trained to peak for major compeitions. Training is characterized by high intensity and relatively high volumewith frequent periods of rest.

Phase 6 - The Retirement/Retention Phase

This phase refers to the activities performed after a player has retired from competition permanently. The aim of this phase is to retain players for coaching, sport administration, officiating or any other sport-related career.