DEFINING 'PERFORMANCE'

In this context the word 'Performance' is used in two different ways

1. As a description of a young player i.e. Performance Player.

2. As the type of programme this player requires to improve, i.e. Performance Programme.

The players participating in the Performance Programme are strongly motivated to improve, play 3 to 4 times a week and compete consistently in matches and tournaments and the programme itself is structured to develop the ability of the player.

• Qualified and licensed coaches who are motivated and ambitious.

• Maximum ratio of 1 coach to 4 players on a court.

• Regular weekly training sessions during the school term.

• Individual coaching for selected players as well as squad coaching.

• Technical, tactical, mental and fitness goal setting for selected players with some sports science.

• A strong competitive element of matchplay including internal and external competition.

• Assessment and selection of players to be done in an open, professional and caring way.

• A good club link with the county and regional office and centres.

• Selected players to be available to play for their county and enter the Regional academy if selected.

• Parents encouraged to be supportive.

• Adequate facilities are available at the appropriate times in relation to school timetables and commitments.

Defining a Performance Player:

A Performance Player can be as young as approximately 9 years of age and the aspiration and potential to become a county, national or international player.

Some of the qualities of a Performance Player include:

• Natural talent for the game.

• Keenness and a love of the game.

• Athletic ability.

• An appetite and potential to improve the basic technique.

• To be prepared to play 3 to 4 times a week.

• To have a desire and ability to compete in matches and tournaments on a regular basis (see criteria on number of matches).

The LTA Club Performance Programme will be linked to the County Futures and National Futures Performance Programmes so we would like to feel clubs who will be accredited will call their 13 & Under Performance players Club Futures Players.

Any club wanting LTA Performance accreditation Will need to agree to some basic criteria for the eventual benefit of raising the player's standards.

The above figures obviously depend on physical development and other individual factors, which the coach will take into consideration. They are offered as guidelines.

Quality and experience of coaches involved in a Performance Programme is vital. Minimum qualifications should be CCA or preferably PCA or Registered Professional.

For players who are on the County or National Futures programme or above the coaches should be, or aim to be fully licensed in 6 months. This ensures the coaches are up to date with the latest information and have attended tournaments and seminars. There should be consistency of coaching personnel.

Minimum Number of Coaching Lessons and Squad Sessions

Obviously depends on standards/finance/facilities but if a player is a Club Futures Performance Player or nearing a potential County or National Futures player, ideally 2 individual technical coaching sessions a week.

These would be supplemented by 2 squad sessions a week, with no more than a maximum ratio of 1 coach to 4 players per court and ideally less.

A vital element of any Performance Programme and one often overlooked. It is important that the players are given the opportunities to play the number of matches already previously mentioned. Options for increasing matchplay include:

• Box league challenge matches/creative club competition.

• Inter-squad matches V other clubs/centres.

• Entering the NJCL.

• County matchplay events.

• Weekend tournaments.

• LTA sanctioned tournaments.

 

The minimum suggested number of matches per year are:-

It is vital coaches see the Performance Players regularly in competitive matchplay situations. The coach must also be prepared to organise competitive matchplay events. These areas of coach involvement must be seen as a cost and budgeted accordingly.

Each Performance Programme must have a strong element of fitness included for the players. The qualifications of the fitness advice must be recognised and it must be fully integrated into the tennis coaching sessions.

This document is meant as an introduction to the LTA plans to support and encourage clubs who show they have a commitment to Performance. It is appreciated that each club and coach has different local circumstances i.e. facilities, number and standards of players, financial restrictions of players and parents and views on the ways to improve players' standards. Ml aspects of the potential Performance Programme will be discussed with the appropriate personnel at the club in order to try to support and encourage clubs to become more 'Performance orientated' so that standards of our young players can be raised.