“ORANGE TENNIS” tennis program designed for 6 – 10 year old kids and enables them to learn the basics of tennis through a series of fun activities, based on the fundamental areas of balance, co-ordination, agility, movement and racket and ball skills.
There is 3 stages in this program: “FUNdamentals stream”, “Developing stream” and “Performance stream”
“FUNdamentals stream”. Kids learn basics of tennis such as forehand, backhand, volleys, serve and footwork. Players play 2 hours a week in a group. Coaches use basic teaching tools like cones, vertical and horizontal targets.
“Developing stream”. Players play 4-6 hours a week in a group. Coaches use more advanced teaching aids like FitLight, skipping ropes, vertical and horizontal targets, medicine and swiss balls. Kids have more time to work on speed, agility, flexibility, balance, tactics and technique. Learning process is 3 times faster then in a recreational stream. Private lessons, house league and tournaments recommended.
“Performance stream” – Future professional and college players preparation stage. Players play 8-10 hours a week in a group. Coaches use more advanced teaching aids like FitLight, ball machines, agility ladders, skipping ropes, vertical and horizontal targets, medicine and swiss balls. Fitness classes introduced. Kids have more time to work on speed, agility, flexibility, balance, tactics and technique. Learning process is 3 times faster then in a recreational stream. Private lessons, house league and tournaments recommended.
In all streams players play on 3/4 orange courts, use orange balls and 21-25 inch rackets. The focus is about making it as much fun as possible during tennis lessons. Game-based approach is used.
The focus of this stage is building physical literacy through continued development of tennis skills moving from progressive tennis to full court during the latter part of the developing stage. This is the ideal time to learn, further develop and consolidate tennis skills. Participants continue to participate in a variety of sports to develop the versatility required for tennis. During this stage, the player will continually demonstrate competence in the identified physical, technical, tactical and psychological skills that will indicate whether he/she should participate in the competition or recreation stream.
The development of perception skills is fundamental to long term success in the sport.
General Objectives
• Further develop and consolidate all fundamental tennis competencies (technical, tactical) in match play.
• Develop basic psychological skills (ability to focus, emotional control, effort/determination, positive attitude).
• Develop basic competitive skills through learning to cope with basic competitive environments.
• Introduce general physical preparation and further develop fundamental motor skills through participation in other sports.
• Continue to develop decision making skills.