New initiatives in Danish Tennis (1): Tennis10s Mark Tennant inspire2coach ltd

Agassi story time video

Tennis10s Tennis10s is focussed on increasing levels of participation in tennis and providing a more appropriate development pathway for young players, including appropriate competition. Tennis10s is the way tennis training and competition can best be presented for all players aged 10 years and under.

Key principles 1. Create the best playing environment for 10 and under players appropriate sized court slower balls, including the new rule change shorter rackets 2. Present appropriate competition for 10 and under players shorter, multi-match formats and events team and individual matches simple scoring systems

The rules have changed! In January 2012 the rules of tennis changed. It is now mandatory for all competition for players aged 10-and-under to be played with slower red, orange and green balls on the appropriate sized courts. The traditional yellow ball is no longer permitted in matchplay for this age.

New initiatives in Danish Tennis (2): Tennis Xpress Mark Tennant inspire2coach ltd

The starter adult challenge Whilst tennis is good at attracting players, it faces challenges in retaining them. More needs to be done by clubs and coaches to make tennis more attractive and accessible for all potential players Many of the sports showing greatest increases in participation in recent years have little or no learning curve and can be done any time, anywhere

The starter adult challenge Tennis has to adapt to suit the needs of players, both in terms of how it is introduced and in how new players are retained.

The starter adult challenge (IRDS, 2008)

Why adults? We have a duty to serve the whole of the sport and not just juniors Tennis is a lifelong sport Adults have disposable income Adult memberships are the lifeblood of many club programmes Adults have children Adults open up possibilities not available to children Obesity, blood pressure and heart disease are international concerns

The ultimate aim and measure of success The ultimate aim and measure of success of a starter programme is that players are able to enjoy playing together, without reliance on the coach. When starter players achieve they are more likely to: arrange to play with others at times to suit them play friendly matches and join in organised competition and other events commit to tennis as a regular activity or sport and stay in the game.

Perspectives on coaches education: adults tennis Few tennis federations have succeeded in establishing effective national programmes for adults FFT Programme adultes USTA Tennis Welcome Centers Cardio Tennis

Perspectives on adults in tennis In a study by the TIA in the US, 40% of adults said they got worse after coaching! The key is to understand what adults want from their tennis and to teach according to their capabilities and their wishes Coaching adults takes a different approach and different coaching skills to juniors A tennis programme is more than just coaching Coaches and clubs have to do better with adults

Why do starter adults play tennis? A game to play at any time Many of the growth sports in last 10 years are those which can be done at any time, and with little or no learning curve Game improvement Adult education and ‘me time’ spent learning something new To rediscover the game Many starter adults are termed ‘lapsers’, meaning they played in school or college, then stopped

Why do starter adults play tennis? Exercise and fitness Playing with slower balls is a proven aerobic workout – playing with yellow balls may not be! ITF Research shows that tennis is one of the healthiest sports there is Social activity, meeting new friends, belonging Members introduced to 10 other members within a year are more likely to stay in the game

Using slower balls with adults The ball is key Promote the benefits of a better game There are health benefits to using a slower ball Let them experiment and choose Set goals to be achieved before the players move ‘up’ to a faster ball Use other sports as examples

ITF Tennis Xpress A new worldwide adults programme Part of the ITF Tennis…Play and Stay campaign Aim is to provide a standard ‘off the shelf’ template to be used by any coach anywhere Designed for complete beginners Due to be launched in early

ITF Tennis Xpress 71 courses pilot courses delivered in 2011 in USTA, PTR (US), LTA, Tennis Canada, Tennis Australia, Denmark, Ukraine, Chile, Colombia, Argentina 50 of the courses were in Denmark!

ITF Tennis Xpress Full branding and marketing campaign and support resources being developed by each participating federation

ITF Tennis Xpress – key principles 6 x 90’ lessons with option of 30’ free play Designed for complete starters Uses slower red, orange and green balls Supported by resources for coaches and clubs

ITF Tennis Xpress – programme content by the end of the first lesson, all adults can serve, rally, and score (play the game) by the end of the second lesson, all adults can play the game outside of lessons with their children or friends by the end of the course, all adults can play practice and fun matches with confidence, using an orange or green ball participants know the rules and basic tactics of the game

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