Plain-English definitions and on-court coaching cues for players, parents, and coaches across all development stages.
The stages a junior moves through, and how we decide when they're ready.
The sequence of stages a junior moves through, from first contact with a racquet to high-performance training. A child moves up when they have mastered the goals of their current stage, not because of a birthday.
“She's ready for the next stage because she's met the goals, not because she turned nine.”
The refinement stage, roughly ages 9–12. Full-size court with green balls, which bounce lower and slower than regular balls. Players add spin, a real second serve, transition to the net and deliberate point patterns.
“Green is where we sharpen what was built in orange.”
Whether a child is prepared for the next stage, judged on skills, movement, understanding and emotional maturity together. Age is only a rough guide.
“Two kids the same age can be at very different levels of readiness, and that's normal.”
Narrowing a young child's training to one sport or one result too early. It raises the risk of burnout and injury and usually lowers the long-term ceiling.
“Playing other sports now is an investment in his tennis later.”
Balancing serious tennis with school or work so the athlete has options whatever happens in the sport.
“School stays a priority. It keeps doors open.”