My Coach - February 2010 issue

A section dedicated for Tennis Australia coach membership

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Wave of enthusiasm: how coaches are capitalising on the hype of the Aussie summer

63 What do you see? Stroke analysis 64 Phil Shanahan: the best is yet to come 65 Building a better coaching business 66 Coaches’ corner 67 Coaching conference ... more than just drills 70 Coach drills

Tennis Australia Coach Membership T: 03 9914 4191 F: 03 9650 1040 Email: coachmembership@tennis.com.au Website: www.tennis.com.au/membership

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

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Wave of enthusiasm There’s nothing quite like the buzz of the Australian Open to set interest levels rising and as Daniela Toleski discovers, coaches are capitalising on the opportunity.

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ith the Australian Open falling during the school holidays, it’s the perfect chance for interstate coaches to travel to Melbourne on tennis tours with groups of children and adults.

The first few days of the first Grand Slam of the year are abuzz with players from the

Tennis Academy coach David Kerr. “We get them to watch the levels of concentration and intensity and the work ethic the professionals put into each session.”

This helps the students realise the depth of commitment that each player makes and gives them an insight of what is required to

Everyone wants to get out on court and have a hit after the Aussie Open … it’s a huge wave of enthusiasm that we definitely try to take advantage of.” top of the crops of the professional circuit as they finetune their skills.

Practice courts are booked one after the other and a ground pass gets you up close and personal with the stars of the game.

“We are big on taking our players not just to watch matches, but to the outside practice courts too,” says Albany

reach the elite level of the game.

The trips themselves also act as a huge learning curve for many of the juniors that attend.

“Some of our players have never been on a plane before and some have never left WA,” Kerr says.

A young fan performs his best Lleyton Hewitt impersonation.

MyCoach

spirit of Getting into the en.

Op an ali str the Au

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

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“We teach the kids about diet, warm-ups and recovery as well as being organised for tennis each day with draw times, water and sunscreen. We make the kids quite self sufficient having them do some cooking, cleaning up and packing.”

Brett Lennard, coach at the Rising Star Tennis Academy in Canberra has been bringing groups down for the last four years and he has seen how just being in the same atmosphere inspires people of all ages.

“We have a fairly diverse group of people coming along,” he says. “From an aspiring young player to the 65 retired social tennis player.”

“The fact that we get up and personal to a lot of the stars of the game inspires everyone in some respect – whether it is to aspire to be as good as they are and get on tour and make a profession out of it or just inspiring them to get out on court and have a hit with their mate.”

Colin Maher, too, is a strong believer in the benefit of rubbing shoulders with the professionals. This January marked the 15th year he has organised tennis tours to Melbourne Park for the Young Tennis Club.

Li Na shows how the use of modifi ed equipment can help kids start playing early.

MyCoach

We are big on taking our players not just to watch matches, but to the outside practice courts … we get them to watch the levels of concentration and the work ethic to professionals put into each session.

“We’ve been very fortunate that it’s been an ongoing event,” he says. “It’s another part of (our students’) development and what’s happening in our club on a yearly basis. It’s one of the highlights of our year.”

The Albany Tennis Club comes together and raises money through fundraisers during the year so more students have the opportunity to experience the big stage tennis in Melbourne in person.

“We try to make the trip as affordable as possible for all interested players,” Kerr says. “The last two years we raised over $20,000 and ensured we had the best buses, accommodation and night meals as well as team uniforms.”

The tour, though, is the initial step to help increase participation and interest at club level.

Free access to the courts for the month of January is offered by The Young Tennis Club, ensuring a dramatic increase in court use.

“This then leads into our night competitions,” Maher says. “So if they like the game we invite them to become registered players and members of the club and then go from there.”

Even if your students are unable to attend the event in person, with the Australian 62

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

Open beaming on television screens across Australia, you’re sure to notice the increased interest come Term 1.

“Everyone wants to get out on court and have a hit (after the Australian Open),” Lennard says.

“In fact a lot of the people that come along to the tour with us are coached in some respect by us or play competition with us and they’ll be calling us up as soon as they get back saying ‘I need a lesson, we need to get back out on court, when’s the next competition?’

“So it’s a huge wave of enthusiasm after the Aussie Open that we certainly try to take advantage of.”

Holding an Open Day soon after the Australian Open is the perfect way to showcase the services available at your club and for people to make enquires and develop their interest in tennis.

“It’s just trying to make yourself available to all comers, whether it’s juniors picking up a racquet for the first time or seniors looking to have a social hit,” Lennard says. “If coaches can make their operations available, they’ll increase participation after the Australian Open for sure.”

Samantha Stosur inspires players of all ages.

What do you see?

By the Tennis Guru

Head is balanced and eyes are focused on the impact zone.

Arm is continuing to accelerate through the contact zone.

Racquet face is near vertical at impact.

Already renowned for her big serve, Samantha Stosur’s recent career-best form also highlighted other key features of her game. The forehand, in particular, drew many compliments and provides a great example from which your students can learn.

John Anthony

MyCoach

Weight is being transferred from back leg to front leg.

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

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The best is yet to come coaching after she said that to me and it was just quite incredible the instant success we have had.”

With more than 23 national champions from the Margaret n naha nnis Court Tennis l Sha ourt Te i h P C : e t Academy in Nam Margare y r Albury, New : u Club my, Alb Tennis al South : n e s o d Aca fication rofessi nt Wales, its P i e l b Qua alia Clu evelopm tion evidence a r D t c t s u n Au Tale lor of Ed tion enough , h c ca coa , Bache u d E that the f h coac iploma o revised approach D and works.

Teaching grade six during the day at St. Patrick’s Parish School in Albury and then coaching at night has been Shanahan’s routine for almost three decades, but it’s a passion that runs deep.

“There’s not a day I’ve never wanted to go When your aunt is one of to school,” he says. “The kids are great. To be able to help shape and model their lives Australia’s greatest ever is really special. Tennis coaching is just an tennis players, it’s no extension of my teaching.”

Being a former coach of Sam Groth and surprise she’ll have some Joey Swaysland, Shanahan says there’s impact on your life. nothing better than witnessing them do well with their game.

Swaysland was part of the winning hil Shanahan’s mum’s sister is none Australian junior Davis Cup team in 2009, other than Margaret Court, who just while Groth took the first set off American celebrated the 40th anniversary of her Mardy Fish at Australian Open 2009. historic Grand Slam win at Australian Open “Sam as a junior was not the best in his 2010. age group, but he had an incredible desire Shanahan has been a coach for 28 years,

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MyCoach

Marg said champions are individuals and they need to be treated as individuals … I changed my whole approach to coaching after she said that … it was just quite incredible the instant success we have had. but it wasn’t until 2000 when Court shared a coaching strategy with him that he started to see results.

“She has had a major influence on my coaching,” Shanahan says.

“Marg said champions are individuals and they need to be treated as individuals as sometimes kids get lost in squads.

“So I changed my whole approach to 64

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

and self belief to be the best. Anytime he was not on the coaching court he would be practising his serve on his own. Sam continues to inspire our country juniors,” Shanahan says.

“But I’m so proud of all of the kids and what they’ve achieved at different levels.”

Another part of Shanahan’s life is the work he does at Khon Kaen, Petchabun and Phrae

Sam Groth has benefited from the guidance of Phil Shanahan.

– orphanages in Thailand.

“I travel to Thailand every year in October to work with children with HIV in the orphanages there,” he says. “And that’s a real passion I have.”

He takes teams of adults and kids on the trip with him and they all work together to help the community with a variety of aspects including putting in storm water drains and painting.

“It’s an incredible life changing experience.

The kids really don’t have a lot and our kids go over there and see that and come back with a different attitude,” he says.

The Margaret Court Foundation was established almost two years ago and Shanahan hopes to raise enough funds through the foundation to bring talented juniors from developing nations to Australia for their tennis.

“We want to be able to bring kids out here and create opportunities for them,” he says.

Among the many important areas in developing your coaching business, maintaining professionalism is the one that can have the most long-lasting effects.

Whether you’re a one-person coaching business or leading a multi-coach team, appearances are important. That means dressing appropriately and keeping your coaching attire well-maintained.

Tennis Australia branded tracksuits are a worthwhile investment, and if there is more than one coach in the team, it’s worth considering uniforms. For larger businesses, these can be branded.

Remember that keeping up appearances extends to personal grooming – clients might not notice the extra touches, but they’ll certainly notice when your hair is unkempt or your shoes need cleaning.

Keeping up appearances extends to ensuring the equipment you use is clean and wellmaintained. If your vehicle is a part of the business visible to clients, that should be clean too.

Larry Stefanki demonstrates a professionalism that promotes respect from players like Andy Roddick.

relationships. Answering the phone the same way each time, maintaining an invoicing and payments schedule, and providing regular updates on key events are just some of the areas that can be systemised to not only provide you with more efficient modes of operation, but assure customers that youíre in control of every area of your business.

Time is an increasingly precious commodity, so ensure that you’re punctual with any appointments you make. It’s equally

important that lessons start and finish on time, especially for parents who are running on tight schedules.

Branding is too broad a topic to cover here but it’s an area that every coach should consider. Logos should be professionally designed where possible, and these become the template for your stationery, business cards and signage. Professional printing can seem expensive at first, but will save you money in the longer term and is invaluable in promoting your professional image.

It’s important to keep up-to-date with best practices and developments in the coaching world. Even if you’re not planning on using the latest innovations, it’s important to demonstrate your awareness – especially to the clients who have faith in the professionalism youíre providing.

Workshops bring coaches together, and often provide you with perspective and ideas on your business that you haven’t considered. A subscription to the ITF’s icoach website is another valuable resource. And, of course, MyCoach in Australian Tennis Magazine is a must-read each month.

From the message recorded on your voice mail, to the speed at which you return calls or emails, the little things will make a big difference to how a coach is perceived. Even if you can’t provide an answer or action a situation immediately, maintaining contact with a client will assure them that they have your attention, and you’re providing the best service possible.

There are times you’ll wonder whether the tedious details make any difference. They do.

Something that doesn’t pay off immediately, almost certainly pays off in the longer term.

Always keep the bigger picture in mind as you focus on the professionalism of your business – the efficiency of operation, respect it creates and long-term positivity will make it more than worth your while.

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

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ttentive, composed, well-studied and mostly impeccable. You could be talking With most people finding comfort in about the very visible coaches who routines, systems are important to building guided ATP or WTA Tour players through the client trust and developing long-term high-stakes Australian summer events – or you could be talking about the coach with a focus on developing juniors, teams and other groups at your local club or facility.

Regardless of the level of their players or the profile they hold in the tennis community, the importance of all coaches maintaining professionalism can’t be overstated – and that encompasses everything from appearance to organisational skills to the overall attitude to holding one of the most privileged positions in the game.

A focus on professionalism not only helps a coach create a better business in the longer term – providing clients with a memorable experience that leads to repeat-business and recommendations to others – but also ensures your business runs more efficiently. And by behaving in the most professional manner possible, a coach commands a natural respect from students, suppliers and other stakeholders in their business.

The following are some key points to building and maintaining professionalism as a coach.

Coaches’ corner

Regional Tennis Academy program

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his program is positioned immediately beneath the state institute/academy of sport and is part of the Australian Sports Commission pyramid structure. It has been conducted by the Hunter Academy of Sport (NSW) continuously from 1980– 2010.

Target audience: advanced 11–15 year old juniors for all individual Australian country regions.

Regional academies of sport have structured pathways/ programs catering for elite juniors and assist by: • Preparing the junior as a feed in program to state institute/ academy performance levels.

• Preparing the junior with strong character and social strengths through accredited off court training.

• Providing a tournament/match play program with match analysis.

• Providing correct court etiquette and player responsibility at a young age.

• Providing correct and Tennis Australia recommended parent education.

MyCoach

As the head tennis coach (15 years) and coordinator (17 years) of the Hunter Academy of Sport program in tennis, I saw it develop to become just one of 28 individual sporting programs.

Annually, 550 athletes from the 28 programs were presented on stage at the University of Newcastle Great Hall for the Annual Presentation of Awards.

This was the highlight of the year for each athlete.

Each of the 20 athletes are identified in their sport for what 66

they had already achieved in their tennis careers and were now being given the opportunity to progress further to the state level within the Australian Sports Commission national structure.

On graduation from the academy, most juniors who did not progress to the state academy level were maintained as assistant coaches. On all occasions, regional tennis was being presented effectively and provided the advanced player an adequate program to advance their pathway in “The Sport of a Lifetime.”

Peter Taylor, Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach

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How do I go about holding a ballkid trial for Australian Open 2011? What assistance is provided to me?

Stephanie Nielsen, Potts Point, NSW Hosting an MLC Ballkid Talent Identification event is a fantastic way to offer an additional benefit to your existing clients and profile your business and services to a wider audience. All Victorian qualified Tennis Australia coach members are eligible to hold a voluntary MLC Ballkid Talent Identification event.

Expression of interest must be submitted to Tennis Australia by 26th February 2010. Please visit tennis.com.au/ membership or email coachmembershp@tennis.com.au for further details.

All MLC Ballkid Talent ID hosts receive an event guide and DVD outlining the drills and skills which Australian Open officials look for in potential MLC Ballkid candidates. You will also receive a range of marketing collateral to promote your association with the program.

Send us your questions to editor@tennismag.com.au and our panel of experts will provide you with some advice.

Touch

arget audience: older athletes or beginner adults.

Details of program: This is a fun activity to finish off a lesson or can be used as an adult workout session. It can be played on a full court or half a court for 10–20 minutes.

Split up the group so that three or more players are at each end. All players start on the service line and spread across it. Players play friendly hits and can progress based on skill of athletes to how the ball is hit and where the ball is hit.

A player feeds the ball into play and the player who hit the ball, runs up to net and touches the net with his/her racquet and

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

cannot hit the ball again until he/she touches the net. Then he/she must run backwards back into the court area, while the other players continue the rally, but when they hit the ball, they too must run up and touch the net.

The running action should be forward and backward unless chasing the ball. The forward and back running action is a good leg workout and helps with court awareness. The smaller amount of players, the harder the players have to work.

To increase intensity, players can start on the baseline instead of the service line.

Nicky Mayer Tennis Australia Junior Development Coach

Coaching ... more than just drills 2010 Australian Grand Slam Coaches’ Conference

Conference speakers included: • Mike Barrell – Director of evolve9, UK • Miguel Crespo – Research Officer Tennis Development Department, ITF, Spain • Ken DeHart – PTR and USPTA Master Professional Coach, USA • Wayne Elderton – Head of Coaching Certification for Tennis Canada in British Columbia, Canada • Bruce Elliott – Professor of Biomechanics, University of Western Australia • Damian Farrow – Skill Acquisition Specialist, Australian Institute of Sport • Machar Reid – Sport Science and Medicine Manager, Tennis Australia

The coaches said ....

“I can ’t wait to get back on the court and try out everythi ng I have learnt; I a m cho mpi ng at the bit” – Dav id Gra inge r (SA) “Fun, info rmative and a great oppo rtun ity to network with peers.

Great way to revit alise, ene rgise and get idea s for 2010.” – Julie F idle r (Vic) “It has created more excitem ent and mot ivat ion in my que st to be a great coach” – Dav id Dee p (NSW)

Narelle Sibte: “Warm up with a purpose.”

Glenn Hamilton: “Grow me so I can play.”

• Ray Ruffels – National Men’s Coach, Tennis Australia • Dan Santorum – CEO, PTR, USA • Narelle Sibte – National Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Tennis Australia

Delegates enjoying a networking break.

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ore than 280 participants attended the 2010 Australian Grand Slam Coaches’ Conference held at Hisense Arena, Melbourne, from 14–16th January.

Coaches heard from a selection of world class speakers who expanded on the conference theme: “Coaching...more than just drills.” Coaches from all over Australia attended the event with all states and territories represented. Delegates from Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Portugal, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain and Thailand also attended.

Delegates participated in three days of professional development facilitated by world class presenters, who provided a myriad of practical applications and presentations on key elements of successful coaching practices.

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

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TA High Performance Coach Graduates

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Peter Le Surf (right) and Fed Cup captain David Taylor (below) are presented with their High Performance qualification certificates by Travis Atkinson, Manager Coach Development during the Australian Open.

ongratulations to Sean Fyfe (Qld), Peter Le Surf (NSW) and David Taylor (Fed Cup Captain) who have recently successfully completed the Tennis Australia High Performance Coaching qualification.

The High Performance Coaching qualification is conducted over two years, with the next intake for coaches being in March 2011.

Application forms will be available in December 2010.

Learning Facilitators’ workshop

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or the first time, a workshop for Learning Facilitators was held in conjunction with the Australian Grand Slam Coaches’ Conference.

Thirty-four learning facilitators who assist in the delivery of the Junior Development and Club Professional qualifications were brought in from across the country as part of their on-going professional development, which ensures Tennis Australia continues to deliver cutting edge, high quality educational environments for coaches in 2010.

The workshop provided participants with updates from each Tennis department on recent developments to national programs and looked at their ability to facilitate learning on the process of biomechanical analysis with Bruce Elliott and the integration of modified equipment to enhance player development with Mike Barrell.

“We were very pleased with the engagement and interaction the facilitators showed during the workshop and are very confident it will help them to enhance the development of coaches in 2010,” says Tennis Australia’s Coach Education Manager Patrick McInerney.

Tennis Australia branded merchandise Announced at the conference: coach members can order NEW Tennis Australia branded tracksuits, water bottles, bags and caps from 1 March 2010. Go to tennis.com.au/membership for more details.

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MLC Ballkids

hanks to all the MLC Ballkids who played an integral role in Australian Open 2010. MLC Ballkids are aged between 12 and 15 years (during the tournament) and are carefully selected from thousands of applicants from Australia and overseas each year. Tennis Australia coach members can apply to host Level 1 MLC Ballkid Talent Identification events. Expression of interest must be submitted to Tennis Australia by 26th February 2010. Please visit tennis.com.au/membership for further details.

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Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

MLC Tennis Hot Shots

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t the recent Australian Grand Slam Coaches’ Conference held in Melbourne (14–16th January), world renowned expert on children’s tennis, Mike Barrell from the UK, reinforced the worldwide trend of the use of red, orange and green low compression balls to help children enjoy the game and develop their tactical skills. Further details on MLC Tennis Hot Shots are available at tennis.com. au/mlctennishotshots. All coaches can purchase mini nets, red, orange and green tennis balls to use in their coaching lessons and competitions from australianopenshop.com.

Talent Development coaches’ workshop

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Talent Development Coaches’ workshop was held prior to the Australian Grand Slam Coaches’ Conference. It was an opportunity to engage the private coaches who help develop Australia’s young talented athletes.

The workshop bought together 55 of the 71 Talent Development coaches from across Australia with various aspects of talent development discussed and presentations from Mike Barrell (UK), Wayne Elderton (Canada) and Talent Development coach mentor Ian Barclay. “It was time well spent and I learned something every day,” says West Australian coach John Roberts.

“I think having the event coincide with qualifying enhances the experience by giving us the opportunity to do something meaningful when the subject matter was something we knew, or something outside our area of interest. Attending the main draw was a bonus.”

Go to www.tennis.com.au/talentsearch to find out more about the Talent Search and Development program and details on the recognised Talent Development coaches.

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Stage: encourage (10–12 years), enhance (12–15 years) Transition to netplay Tennis Gurutactical Focus:

Stepping up

TA Talent Development Equipment: drop down linesCoach Time: 20–30 mins Jodie Logan Stage: encourage (10–12 years), enhance (12–15 years) TA Club Professional Stepping up Objective Tennis Guru Focus: tactical Stage: encourage (10–12 years), enhance (12–15 years) To take the ball on the rise.

By TA Talent Development Coach TA Talent Equipment: dropyears), down enhance linesCoach Time: 20–30 mins Focus: Development tactical Stage: encourage (10–12 (12–15 years) A Stage: (10–12 years), enhance (12–15 Activity years) 1 Focus: tactical Equipment: spotencourage markers Time: 20–30 mins Objective • Players A and B stand inside the service line on Equipment: drop down lines Focus: tactical To take the ballends on the Objective opposite of rise. the court.

Time: 20–30 mins B Players learn how to move up to a short ball and Equipment: drop down lines Time: 20–30 mins • Each player must hit the ball as ithow bounces.

essential• fastCompression movement is to get are intogood a goodfor position at Activity 1 balls this drill. the net to volley.

Players A and standdrop inside the markers service line Objective • • Objective The coach canBplace down juston behind ToTotake the ball on the rise. take the ball on the rise. opposite ends of the court. the base line as a boundary.

A

B A

A

B

D

C

B

A

A B

A

B

C

A

D

B

Activity • 1 - Spanish feed moving forward Each player must hit the ball as it bounces.

• Coach Activity Spanish feeds to forehand and backhand side.

1 Activity 1 • Compression balls are good for this drill.

• Players•are to hit an approach shot the line Players A and B stand inside theup service line and on • Players A and B stand inside the service • The coach can place drop down markers juston behin move through approach to help gain effective netline oppositethe ends of the court. opposite ends the court. the base line asof a boundary. poistion.

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• • CCompression balls are good for this drill. on marker and exit off court and run back to the ompression balls are good for this drill. alternate side.

• • TThe coach can place drop downjust markers he coach can place drop down markers behind just behin Activity 2 the service line as a boundary. the base line as a boundary.

• Players Aand B stand inside the baseline line on opposite ends of the court.

Each player hit the ball inside the baseline.

• Activity 2 - Attacking andmust defending Activity 2 • feeds The short coachapproach can place drop downC.markers just behind • Coach shot to player • C the Players B astand inside • Player mustbaseline hit Aand an offas forehand or forehand down line on boundary. the baseline the line and approach theofnet. opposite ends the court.

• Player C must move quickly and hit the onthe the baseline.

• Each player must hit the ballvolley inside full. • Activity 22 can place drop down markers just behin The coach Activity • Player A starts on Aand the side the court and starts • • Pthe Players stand inside the baseline line on baseline asB aof boundary. layers and B stand inside the baseline line running for theAapproach which they need to tryonand opposite ends of the court. ofout the court. pass theopposite volleyer.ends Play the point .

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ach player must hit thehit ball from a position inside Athe swaps with player • Once point is completed player • the The coachwith canplayer placeD.drop down markers just behin and player Cbaseline. swaps • Tthe he coach can place down markers just behind baseline as drop a boundary. the baseline as a boundary.

B

A

Activity 3 Activity• 3 - Attack short and volleyout of the hand.

Players nowball play points • Players rally down the line.

On an appropriate shortwin that poin • A player can only score a point if they ball players mustthe move into thePoints net. won when the player is within baseline.

• Players win 2 3 points if they approch the net, volley on Activity behind the baseline do not count. the full and win point.

Activity • Players3the now play points out of the hand.

• First player to win points the • Players now11 play pointswins out of thegame. hand.

B

A

• A player can only score a point if they win that poin

A D

• A player can only score a point if it is won from a within the baseline. Points won when the player is position that is inside the baseline. Points won when Activity 3 the behind baseline do not count. the player is behind the baseline do not count.

B

• Players now play points out of the hand.

• A player can only score a point if they win that poin

MyCoach

C

A

Key Key 70

A

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Coach Coach

Buckets Buckets

Spot markers Spot markers

Ball directionBall direction

Player

Hoops

Drop down lines Drop down lines B

Player movement

Player

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2010

Key

within the baseline. Points won when the player is behind the baseline do not count.

B

Coach

Hoops

2 Buckets

1

Spot markers

Player movement

Ball direction

Hit Hit and and recover recover

By TA Talent Development Coach Tennis Guru Stage: enhance (12–15 years) Talent Development Coach Focus:TA physical Equipment: spot markers enhance (12–15 years) Stage: Time: 20–30 mins

Focus: Equipment:

physical

Time:

spot markers

20–30 mins

Objective Objective

To work on footwork, movement and direction.

Is to work on foot work, movement and direction

Activity 1

A B

Activity 1 • Coach feeds two balls to Player A on the forehand • Coach feeds 2 balls to Player A on the forehand side. side.

• First shot andthe thesecond second a short • First shotisisa adeep deep shot shot and is aisshort ball ball D

towards thecourt. court. towardsthe thecentre centre of of the

Player shots coach to Player PlayerB.B. • After • After PlayerAAhits hits 2 two shots coachfeeds feeds to

Player A Aisisreplaced byPlayer PlayerD.C. Player replaced by Player theirtwo 2 shots be • After • After PlayerBBfinishes finishes their shotsthey they will will be replaced by Player D. replaced by Player C. • At• Aeach shouldensure ensure they hit from t eachrotation, rotation, players players should they hit from both the andbackhand backhand side. both theforehand forehand and side.

C

Activity 2 • Player A and B start a rally down the line with players

B

C and D respectively.

A

Activity 2 shot down the line each player must touch • After every

D

• Player A and B startina front rally down the line with players1m in the marker placed of the player (approx and D respectively. theC court).

• A

fter every shot downmarker the linewill eachdepend player must • The distance of each on the touch the marker placed in front of the player player. (approx. 1m in the court).

• The distance of each marker will depend on the player’s standard.

C

B A

D C

Key

A

3 CActivity and D respectively.

• P

layer A B start a rally the line with must players • After everyand shot down thedown line each player C and D respectively. touch the marker which is placed in front of the player • After every down the line each player must towards the shot centre of the court (approx 1m in the touch the marker which is placed in front of the court). player towards the centre of the court (approx.

• The distance of each marker will depend on 1m thein the court). player.

• The distance of each marker will depend on the player’s standard.

Coach

Buckets

Spot markers

BallAustralian direction Tennis Magazine | February 2010

Player

Hoops

Drop down lines

Player movement

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MyCoach

Activity 3 • Player A and B start a rally down the line with players