WHEELCHAIR TENNIS INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP
COURSE FACILITATORS GUIDE
The purpose of this course:
The objective of the Tennis Canada Wheelchair Tennis Instructor Workshop is to provide volunteers and certified Tennis
Canada Instructors with tools to help organize dynamic, safe, fun, and active learning environments so introductory
wheelchair players can learn and play. It provides a working knowledge of wheelchair specific technical instruction and
equipment information. This is a ‘supplemental’ course designed to be used in conjunction with the Tennis Canada
Instructor Course information and materials.
Note CF stands for Course Facilitator
Course Competencies
The Wheelchair Tennis Instructor Workshop is organized around 3 main competencies:
1. Coaching Communication:
 Be able to use a cooperative coaching communication style to build rapport with players with a disability
 Be able to communicate in an enthusiastic, professional and caring manner.
2. Tactical/Technical knowledge:
 Understand wheelchair tennis equipment (chair, strapping, racquet, quad taping)
 Understand a “Game-based” development path for introductory players
 Understand basic tactics for singles & doubles
 Understand the Mobility Cycle
 Understand how to evaluate and correct effectiveness using the 5 Ball Controls
 Understand basic conformity principles
3. Implementation:
 Be able to introduce, set-up and run mobility drills
 Be able to evaluate, train, and progress basic effectiveness and conformity elements
 Be able to take introductory players through a basic development path
Course Structure
The course is organized into 6 Modules:
Module 0: Introduction
Module 1: Wheelchair Distinctives
Module 2: Game-based development
Module 3: Developing Mobility
Module 4: Developing Technique
Module 5: Tactical Lesson Planning
Module 6: Summary & Reflections
Notes to Course Facilitator Delivery of workshop
1.
2.
3.
4.
The course must be delivered using an interactive approach which promotes discussion, problem-solving, etc. (Note: The
intention is not to conduct a 6-hour lecture). Many of the sections include Practical Learning Activities (PLA). These are
interactive ways participants can learn through activity. It is recommended to have 1 wheelchair for every 2 participants.
The CF should refer to the Wheelchair Tennis Participants Manual throughout the course, using it as a reference to help in
their own delivery of the material and to help participants understand course materials. For each module, page references are
provided to assist with quicker identification of reference materials.
Throughout the course, the CF should outline what is happening in your Province as it relates to grass roots programming.
Help participants see the various initiatives and resources available to grow the game.
There is no evaluation process for this course. 100% attendance and Tennis Canada Instructor level Certification or above
are the only requirements to receive the certificate. Upon completing the Course, the CF will provide Tennis Canada with a
list of participants. Participants who have already achieved Tennis Canada Instructor or Coaching Certification will get this
workshop credited to their certification record and receive a certificate (Participants not previously certified do not receive
certification credit for this course).
Note:CF’s should adapt the course to the specific needs of each group of participants.
For example, a group of recently certified instructors would need less time on reviewing Instructor course elements.
TENNIS CANADA WHEELCHAIR TENNIS INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP
MODULE 0: INTRODUCTION
TIME
TOPICS &
REFERENCES
9:00 am
to
9:10 am
0-A:
INTRODUCTION
(10 min.)
9:10 am
to
9:40 am
0-B:
PARTICIPANT
ASSESMENT
(30 min.)
IMPLEMENTATION
1 Welcome participants
2. Introduce yourself: Provide some background on your tennis experience.
3. Have participants introduce themselves listing their:

Tennis Background

Interest in being in this course
4. Provide an overview of the course, and hand out Participant Manual:

Wheelchair Tennis Instructor course manual
1. Assess participants coaching abilities
 Split participants into groups of 3-5 (for many participants on one court, you
may need to split court ‘sideways’ to make Mini-Tennis courts)
 PLA: Rotate each certified participant in to experience being an Instructor
(non-certified participants may ‘opt-out’ if they choose). Each Instructor
gives a 7-10 minute ‘Mini Lesson’ on groundstrokes. Remaining participants
act as students using their non-dominant hand. Use any tennis chairs you have
to let participants experience play in a wheelchair. Rotate players so everyone
can have a turn instructing, as well as being in a chair.
Note: CF uses this time to assess the strengths of each candidate. This may affect
the time spent on reviewing previous Instructor material (e.g. communication, Ball
control, drill structure, etc.)
2. Instructor course content review
 CF reviews positive communication principles (“praise & encourage”)
 CF reviews Drill structure (Introduce a Topic, Emphasize a Skill, Set-up a Drill,
Run the Drill).
9:40 am
to
9:55 am
(15 min.)
0-C:
SHOWING THE
‘FINAL
PRODUCT’
Wheelchair video
1. Demonstrate Top wheelchair tennis
 CF uses video or 1-2 advanced wheelchair players to give a picture of a
player(s) who has mastered the sport. This is an important process as some
participants may not have seen advanced wheelchair play.
 PLA: While viewing the advanced play, split participants into groups of 2-3.
Have them observe in order to give feedback on the following elements:
-Reflections on overall impressions on how seeing this example
affects what they need to do as Wheelchair Tennis Instructors (all
groups)
-Technical stroke similarities between wheelchair and ‘stand-up’
tennis
-Mobility
-Tactical: What are they trying to do?
MODULE 1: GAME-BASED DEVELOPMENT
TIME
TOPICS &
REFERENCES
9:55 am
to
10:35 am
IMPLEMENTATION
1.
MODULE 1:
WHEELCHAIR
DISTINCTIVES
(40 min.)
Tennis Canada
Wheelchair DVD
Wheelchair Tennis
Instructor Manual:
-Game Pg. 1,2
-Player: Pg. 3,4
-Equipment: Pg. 6-8
-Rules: Pg. 9,10
Show Tennis Canada Wheelchair DVD (Stop the DVD to highlight specific
messages): (15 min.)
 Internationally organized by ITF
 Tennis Canada brings Wheelchair Tennis under Its umbrella in 1998
 Divisions
 Equipment
 Transferable Instructor Skills
Note: CF conveys the message that Instructors do not need to be ‘experts’ in what injury
affects what. In the same way they do not need to screen the flexibility rating of their
stand-up students (as they will observe what they can or cannot do) they will observe their
wheelchair students and clarify with questions (e.g. “Can you make this movement?”)
Treat them as players rather than ‘special needs’ people.
2. CF talks about Equipment (8 min.)
 Facility needs (accessibility for washrooms, courts, etc.)
 Chair (wheel types, camber, seat adjustment)
 Strapping (use straps as ‘missing muscle’)
 Racquet (smaller grip, large head, more power recommended)
 Taping (how to tape Quad players)
Note: CF conveys the message that, for introductory players, special wheelchairs are not a
requirement. Lessons can be given with ‘everyday chairs’. Players who become dependant
on their program providing tennis chairs will have no means to practice on their own (and
will have no motivation to). This may hurt their development.
 PLA: Rotate participants so all have a chance to experience play with the
wheelchair (15 min.)
3. Rules (2 min.)
 Quiz the participants about the rules mentioned on the DVD. “What is the main
rule difference between Able-bodied tennis and wheelchair tennis?” (2 bounces)
 Ask about 2 additional unique rule differences (foot contact/1 push serve)
10:35 am
BREAK (10 MIN)
10:45 am
to
11:10 am
1.
MODULE 2:
GAME-BASED
DEVELOPMENT
(25 min.)
Wheelchair Tennis
Instructor Manual:
-Game-based: Pg.
13
-Development Path:
Pg. 15-17
-Levels: Pg. 5
-Feeding: Pg. 23
Introduce the Game-based Approach (10 min.)
 Tactical “what’ before technical “how”. Tennis is a game that needs to be played.
Instructors goal is to help players learn to play rather than just perform ‘proper’
strokes.
Note: it is important in this module that the cc ‘sells’ and gives the ‘vision’ of GBA
development in contrast to a ‘stroke model’ system.
2. The GBA development path (15 min.)
 Play Tennis Rating System (.5 wheelchair players)
 Progressive Tennis Process (scale the game to the player, not squeeze the player
into the game. Special equipment, balls, etc).
Note: CF gives example of the ‘final product’ for the micro, ½ Court, and ¾ Court stage of
development emphasizing the balls at each stage.
Two key aspects of wheelchair development:
-Strokes and mobility always linked in wheelchair development
-The concept of “integration” vs specialty wheelchair programs
MODULE 3: DEVELOPING MOBILITY & TECHNIQUE
TIME
TOPICS &
REFERENCES
11:10 am
to
12:30 pm
MODULE 3-A:
MOBILITY
CYCLE
(80 min.)
Wheelchair Tennis
Instructor Manual:
Mobility Cycle: Pg.
30-35
Continued
1:30 pm
to
2:30 pm
(60 min.)
1. Introduce the Mobility Cycle (5 min.)
Note: CF conveys the message that mobility is critical for wheelchair players and that
Instructors must have a working understanding and develop mobility and technique
together. CF goes over each stage of the Cycle and gives training suggestions.
 PLA: (75 min.) Rotate participants as Instructors and Wheelchair players.
Each exercise has the development length listed. After each element of the
mobility cycle is introduced, have Instructors take students through a drill
cycle on the element in a Rally Program for Groundstrokes. Instructor
should use the element to evaluate students and improve their performance.
The order of how the Mobility Cycle elements should be introduced is:
 Neutral Position (Micro-tennis) (Foam Ball)
- Contact points
- Ready Position/balancing the push
 Recovery (Micro-Tennis) (Foam Ball)
- Turns (push vs pull)/Circular mobility
- Turns/reverse mobility (intersect)

12:30 pm
to
1:30 pm
IMPLEMENTATION
Court should be available for participants to experience wheelchair play
LUNCH (60 MIN)
MODULE 3-B:
MOBILITY
CYCLE
Wheelchair Tennis
Instructor Manual:
Mobility Drills: Pg.
36-37
Note: Introduce more ‘momentum’ by constant movement
1. Reception Program for Groundstrokes: (40 min.)
 Maneuvering (Mini-Tennis)
- Turns/momentum/cross-hand
- Pushing
- Braking
 Preparation (Mini-Tennis)
2. General Mobility Drills (20 min.)
Note: CF goes over additional basic tactical situations and related mobility.
 Initiating the point mobility: Serving
 Initiating the Point mobility: Returning
2:30 pm
to
3:30 pm
MODULE 4:
DEVELOPING
TECHNIQUE
(60 min.)
Wheelchair Tennis
Instructor Manual
-Technical Chart:
Pg. 26
1. Importance of the Impact Point (10 min.)
 Impact Point training (groundstrokes, serves, volleys). CF must link Impact
Point training to mobility.
2. Effectiveness: The 5 Ball Controls (40 min.)
Note: Participants must have a good working knowledge of ball control to help student
be more effective and to assist planning topics for drills.
 Height, Direction, Distance Characteristics for problem-solving.
 P.A.S. Principles
 PLA: Participants rotate giving ball control lessons
3. Efficiency: (10 min.)
Note: CF informs participants of Efficiency elements and demonstrates balance issues.
MODULE 4: TACTICAL LESSON PLANNING
TIME
TOPICS &
REFERENCES
3:30 pm
to
3:45 pm
(15 min.)
MODULE 5:
TACTICAL
LESSON
PLANNING
Wheelchair Tennis
Instructor Manual
GBA Development
Pg. 21-22
3:45 pm
to
4:00 pm
(15 min.)
MODULE 6:
SUMMARY &
REFLECTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
1. Tactical situations (15 min.)
 Singles situations
-Rally
-Initiate the point off serve & return
 Doubles starting positions & common situations
-Initial positions: Serving team
-Initial positions: Returning team
Note: The goal is for the CF to help Wheelchair Coaches to plan units and lessons
around situations and use the ball controls or mobility as highlights in drills to
accomplish the problems those situations present. Reinforce the concept of
“integration” vs specialty wheelchair programs




CF briefly reviews module content
Opportunities for wheelchair coaching (e.g. TC Grant program)
CF encourages participants to grow the game of wheelchair tennis and informs
participants certificates will be mailed within 2 weeks.
Reflections (biggest impact of the course)