CCTENNIS PERFORMANCE · COACHING
Player development matrix.
From the first experience of tennis to high-performance competition. A guide for parents and players to understand what we work on at each stage and how the priorities change over time.
AT EVERY STAGE
The values and habits we build on.
Values
- Respect and education
- Taking on challenges
- Commitment
- Willingness to make sacrifices
- Team spirit
- Humility
Consistent work
- Emotional balance and motivation
- Injury prevention
- Nutrition and hydration suited to age and level
- Mental training suited to the player’s level
- Sustaining training intensity
- Planning the competition calendar
The stages by age.
The age bands and training figures are planning references. Coaches adapt them to each player’s maturity, training history, school commitments and recovery.
PHASE 1
Foundation
Up to age 7
Fun through learning
Key objectives
- Enjoy tennis and the practice environment
- Develop skills through play
- Build coordination for future learning
- Learn to judge distance, bounce and rhythm
- Practise throwing, catching and tossing
- Learn basic footwork and movement patterns
- Use both sides of the body, including the non-dominant hand
- Develop racket and ball control and feel
- Learn sound stroke fundamentals
- Practise staying focused, working in a group and following tennis rules
Training structure
- Individualised training
- 0%
- Weekly volume
- 2–5 hours
- Racket size
- 23 in
PHASE 2
Fundamentals
Ages 7–9
Learning with fun
Key objectives
- Learn through play and friendly competition
- Improve racket control and awareness of spin
- Develop fundamental stroke mechanics
- Use appropriate grips and prepare efficiently
- Explore leg drive and energy transfer
- Develop an effective contact point and swing direction
- Practise the split step, movement, stroke and recovery sequence
- Balance in an open stance and develop throwing mechanics
- Learn basic tactical concepts
- Develop focus, respond to coaching and work well with other players
Training structure
- Individualised training
- 20%
- Weekly volume
- 5–8 hours
- Racket size
- 25 in
PHASE 3
Development
Ages 9–11
Strong technical foundations
Key objectives
- Combine technical skills with tactical awareness
- Select shots based on court position
- Control direction across all court zones
- Control spin, depth and height
- Adapt the contact point to different surfaces
- Develop secondary strokes
- Introduce emotional regulation and match routines
- Build the foundations of advanced footwork
- Take the ball on the rise with stable technique
- Understand how effort and the training process shape results
Training structure
- Individualised training
- 40%
- Weekly volume
- 8–12 hours
- Racket size
- 26 in
PHASE 4
Consolidation · Stage 1
Ages 11–12
Tactics and match situations
Key objectives
- Consolidate advanced footwork
- Use elastic energy efficiently when producing strokes
- Develop tactical patterns for different game situations
- Vary spin, depth and height
- Change the pattern of play and respond when an opponent does so
- Adapt to different playing styles and surfaces
- Manage risk when choosing shots and tactics
- Develop structured match preparation routines
- Vary serves and place them accurately
- Build confidence and belief
PHASE 4
Consolidation · Stage 2
Ages 13–14
Tactics and match situations
Key objectives
- Build tactical combinations around the player’s style
- Analyse matches before and after play
- Scout opponents and develop game plans
- Focus on the serve and return phases
- Develop advanced return-of-serve footwork
- Move effectively from the baseline to the net
- Master transitions between game situations
- Develop independence on and off court
- Share decisions among player, coach and parent
- Build nutrition and hydration habits suited to tennis
Training structure
- Individualised training
- 40%
- Weekly volume
- 10–16 hours
- Racket size
- 27 in (adult)
PHASE 5
Specialisation
Ages 14–17
Developing the player’s strengths
Key objectives
- Build strength progressively to support future power
- Define an individual playing style
- Personalise the tactical model and patterns of play
- Develop reliable weapons and build confidence
- Prioritise the first serve and return at performance level
- Make advanced technical and tactical decisions
- Manipulate pace, spin, depth and height
- Develop adaptable game plans with a Plan A and Plan B
- Build sustained concentration and mental endurance
- Coordinate a multidisciplinary performance team
Training structure
- Individualised training
- 60%
- Weekly volume
- 15–25 hours
- Racket weight
- 290–320 g
PHASE 6
Performance
Ages 17+
Individualisation and strategy
Key objectives
- Individualise performance training
- Integrate technical, tactical, physical and mental preparation
- Adapt physical preparation to the player’s style
- Schedule competitions strategically
- Organise training into medium-term blocks
- Refine match preparation
- Manage tactics and emotions under pressure
- Balance tennis with personal life
- Make informed professional decisions
- Manage public image, communication and career development
Training structure
- Weekly volume
- 20+ hours
