THE RIGHT COMPETITIONS FOR YOUNG PLAYERS.
Peter Farrell – Development Officer.
I attended the European Coaches Conference in Rotterdam
recently, to hear of the latest developments specifically in terms
of player’s aged 10 and under. The ITF will shortly launch a
major campaign called `Tennis 10s` aimed at this age group. The
key ideas that came out of the Conference were:
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It is absolutely vital that young players use the red,
orange and green balls and court system. Otherwise,
many will find the game too difficult and boring, and will
quickly drop out.
Mike Barrell
Coaches should use the `Game Based Approach` in their
teaching. The Game Based Approach was defined as “a play/goal oriented coaching approach
where players learn by playing the game and/or via match-like training situations”.
To keep children motivated, interested and involved, there needs to be regular competition
of the right kind. But what is the right kind of competition for under 10 players? Mike Barrell,
an experienced coach from the UK, laid down the following guidelines in his presentation on
`CREATING AN OPTIMAL COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT`:
The FAIR environment - children should compete in events that consider:
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Equality – appropriate level
Experience – treats a child as a child
Education – children should know what to expect
Energy – duration to match child’s `small batteries`
Equipped – they should possess the necessary skills to take part in the event.
What is it that generates fun for under 10s?
1 Making progress/being competent
2. Belonging, being with friends, teammates
3. Being active and involved – not sitting around
4. Playing – competing without being judged
5. Being recognized – for achievements, efforts and improvements
6. Playing in a FAIR environment (see above)
7. Playing without fear.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: If you are on the committee of your tennis club, or your under 10 plays
at a club, programmes with principles like those above should be in place. If not, it may be time to
start asking `why not`!