The Player Development Matrix – A Holistic Approach
There is no doubt that navigating the junior journey in tennis is one of the most complicated tasks for any parent and coach to understand. Obviously doing what is best for the player is the top consideration however we need to also understand that various ages and stages allow for a slightly different focus from all involved. Each player is an individual, which is another factor within the Matrix that we need to consider when making key choices.
We know that a quality training program with a strong technical foundation is the top priority if the player is to have a trajectory leading to high level college tennis or a chance at playing professionally. However, at which stages do we start to put more focus into the physical development or the mental skill development ahead of Technical? How many matches per year and which levels of competition should your child be playing? What are the key performance indicators to help us in making these decisions and do we have a strong experienced professional network to lean on when making these calls.
For the sake of simplicity, the Player Development Matrix (PDM) should help to break down the key stages and to understand the various growth complexities that go with each.
Key Consideration Stages
→EXPLORE (4 – 7 years): Crucial Foundational stages where quality experiences really matter. Ensuring kids fall in love with the game and are running into the courts with excitement. It’s also a time to expose children to other sports which assist greatly.
→DEVELOP (7 – 10 years): Technical fundamentals with strong athletic base is the priority. Ensuring Visual, Physical and a love for basic competition is critical. Outside of well-planned training, players also need to undertake own unstructured practice without coaching too, ensuring they are consolidating learning.
→ENCOURAGE (10 – 12 years): Players should start to own the journey a little more here and begin to have preferences for Styles of Coaching, Game Style and also including a lot of Doubles here is key. A more Game Based Approach is critical with new experiences and a lot of Practice Sets. Parent Support and development of Peer groups also are essential in this age.
→ENHANCE (12 – 15 years): Choice of competition and balance in program must be considered. Players need to begin looking at the efficiency of the time they are putting in and ensuring to close the Technical Stages. Emotional, mental and overall stress handling skills need to be included into training programs. A coach and program that also mentors players beyond the court becomes more important also.
→CULTIVATE (15 – 17 years): Working in a strong academy with peers and other players is key, and players starting to initiate and take more control of the journey is important. Competing in higher level and most critically is the number of overall matches players are playing a year. Including considerable Supervised match play and traveling with coaches becomes important. At this stage, top boys need to be around strong boys, and girls need strong boys also to practice with. Game styles should see more all court focus.
→PERFORM (17+ years): We should now be ready to pull it all together when needed. Players now are discovering the landscape of tennis and trying to find the form that will help them through the next stages of transition. Technical issues should be solved, and clear game style awareness is important. A well-balanced schedule with a well-rounded physical program is very important.
The key takeaway points here are:
•Know how to manipulate the various jigsaw puzzle pieces at which times.
•Coach needs to be in touch with Life Concepts of kids at various stages.
•Understand the Interaction between all Stages of the PDM
Eight Components of the Six stages of the Player Development Matrix:
→PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
→TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
→TACTICAL DEVELOPMENT
→MENTAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Brain vs Mind)
→SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
→PARENTAL ROLE & SUPPORT
→EDUCATION
→COMPETITION / TOURNAMENTS
Understanding The Why
It is beyond essential to know what the real goals for the various stages are. We must know the players very well and understand the drivers of both player and family to make the smartest decisions and assist with the journey in the most effective way as coaches and academies.
Purpose Reasons
Family: Resources available, quantity of time available; which sibling number is the player?
The Power of Observation: Take time to know all factors surrounding the players life.
Culture Drive: Major effects on learning style and motivation
The Back Story: How did the player come to your world and vice versa?
Goals: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timeframe (SMART)
Five Clear Tennis Development Circles or Environments To Consider
→Training Environment
→Practicing opportunities
→Competing and selection of the right events
→Home Factors
→School / Social / Peers
Overall Player Development Matrix
→Understand: Educated coach must understand where the student is at, and all factors are equally important but some more so at various stages
→Adjust and manipulate: Adjust and manipulate the variables to create a personalized developmental idea
→Remember: Remember that RELATIONSHIP is the basis of all successful tennis development
→Include: Include the parents as they have the greatest chance to assist your methodology if they understand it
