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.”
Regular yellow ball on a full court, usually from about age 12 upward. The player builds a game style around their strengths and follows a structured plan of training, competition and recovery.
“We don't rush specialization. The broader the base, the higher the ceiling.”
The final phase of the pathway, after specialization. Work is planned around performance goals, load and competition schedule.
“At this stage the plan is built around the tournament calendar.”
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.”
Playing for a university team, often with scholarship support. A common route that combines high-level tennis with a degree.
“Grades and results both count for college.”
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.”