Our Player Development System is divided into four levels. Here, you can get an overview of the different goals of every level.
In these videos, we explain the four different levels of our Player Development System on the court.
The categorisation into a level is important in order to understand the level of play for which the drills and tips are suitable.
It is also important to understand that the Player Development System has nothing to do with the age of the players. A level 4 player can be an adult, but also a teenager or even a Stage Green player at the age of 10. It’s all about the skills a player has – or doesn’t have yet.
You can filter the content not only by topic, but also by playing level.
No, if someone has already had previous experience in other sports – usually mainly adults – players may also start at level 2. As soon as players can keep the ball in play, they are level 2.
Kids start normally at level 1.
Drills at TennisGate progress with the levels by categorization and specific focus. In level one, drills focus on basic rallying and learning to move around the court. Level two drills are geared towards perfecting techniques and the movement cycle. Level three is where players start learning spin techniques and control. Finally, level four drills are designed for advanced players who want to perfect techniques and specialty shots. Tactical drills and footwork also progress with the levels. Some drills can be done by all levels, but with variations in shot quality.
This may or may not be the case. If someone starts out training almost only groundstrokes, they may quickly progress to the next level in this area. However, in our long coaching career, we have seen many players who are level 4 in baseline tennis but level 2 in net play.
We therefore recommend practising all strokes comprehensively and holistically so that the differences in the various areas are not so great. This also gives players much better opportunities to bounce tactically to level 3 or even 4.
The four levels of drills at Tennis Gate are:
Tactical drills progress with each level at TennisGate. In level one, players focus on basic movement around the court. In level two, the movement cycle is introduced, and in levels three and four, players perfect the movement cycle. Different drills are designed for each level’s objectives to help players develop their skills accordingly while considering their level of development.
The main objective of tactical drills in level two is to help players perfect their technique by focusing on developing the movement cycle, footwork, shot selection, court positioning, and overall tactical understanding of the game.
Tactical drills in level two enhance shot selection by refining technique and decision-making. These drills help players understand different match scenarios and choose the most effective shot based on the situation. By practicing these drills, players improve their ability to make smart and strategic shot selections, leading to improved performance.
Footwork progresses with the levels in tennis by focusing on basic footwork and learning to move around the court at Level one. At Level two, the movement cycle is introduced and at Levels three and four, players aim to perfect it. It is important to understand the player’s level of development and choose appropriate drills to improve footwork.
Yes, all levels can perform the same drills with variations. Although certain drills are suggested for specific levels based on required skills, many drills can be done by all levels. However, the quality of the shots may differ between levels. It’s important to choose drills that align with each level’s main objective for appropriate skill development in tennis.
Understanding the main objective of each level is important because it helps coaches and players choose the right drills and exercises for different skill levels. By aligning their practices with their goals and needs, players can progress systematically and improve specific areas like technique and advanced play, optimizing their training and overall performance in tennis.
Knowing their level of development in tennis is important for coaches (and also parents when standing with their children on the court) and players because it enables them to choose appropriate drills and training exercises that align with their skill level. This ensures efficient and targeted improvement, helping them optimize their training and enhance their overall performance on the court.
Understanding their level benefits coaches and players by helping them choose the most appropriate drills for their skill level. This allows for more effective practice sessions and targeted improvement in specific areas such as rallying, perfecting technique, learning spin, and advanced play. By understanding their level, coaches and players can optimize their training and enhance their overall performance.
