Performance principles
As coaches we will seek to instil our top 10 Performance Coaching Principles in our players at every opportunity. There will be times when we will impose these beliefs on our players and there will be no compromise. Players and parents who seek to be involved with us do so on this understanding.
- Each player is talented, each is unique and different. We believe in training each player according to their own strengths and weaknesses, and helping each player develop a clear vision for how they want to play the game. Each player will develop his/her own style and approach to the game and will not be handcuffed by convention.
- Sound fundamentals, however, are a key element to long-term success. We believe in being fussy about the basics. We believe in technique being economical, efficient and able to facilitate long-term development and success.
- We believe in players taking PRIDE – Personal Responsibility in Developing Excellence. This means that players will take the initiative away from the recognised coaching environment to become better players. We will assist parents in creating an environment at home that prepares young players for the demands of competitive tennis.
- We believe that coaches and players together create the environment conducive to success. This includes the coach setting and maintaining high standards, pushing players both mentally and physically beyond their own self-imposed limits. This means players consistently training above their comfort zones in order to produce the right performance in competition.
- We believe in the philosophy of 'every ball'. This suggests that each ball you play is an opportunity for you to express yourself and your talent, to become a better player as you answer the challenge that particular ball presents. The philosophy of 'every ball' is not conditional on who has hit the ball to you.
- We believe in developing strong player-coach-parent relationships based on trust and respect and a clear understanding of the players' goals and aspirations and ensuring they are aligned to an appropriate competitive and training programme.
- We believe players can break the rules only when they consistently demonstrate they can keep them. Through consistently executing our 'Golden 10 Tactical Rules' our players will at the very least always be tough to beat.
- We believe in players developing a work ethic above their talent levels and that talent can only be measured against opportunities and hard work.
- We believe not only in training but in coaching. As coaches we are not hitters but offer our experience, knowledge and passion for the game in creating the environment in which younger players can rapidly improve.
- We believe in being the best prepared. We may not always win, but we will aim to always be better prepared than our opponents.
