This document provides an overview of development for U12 tennis players. It emphasizes long-term development over short-term results, developing fundamental skills through various drills, and creating an environment where individual goals can be pursued within group training. Key areas of focus include tactical skills like consistency and decision-making, technical skills for groundstrokes, net play, and serving, and recommended drills to develop these skills in a structured way. Resources for coaches are also listed.

1. 1
U12 Development Overview
• Continue to develop and consolidate all fundamental tactical and
technical skills in match play.
• Develop basic psychological skills such as focus, emotional control,
determination/effort, positive attitude etc.
• Develop basic competitive skills through learning to cope with
competitive environments.

2. 2
U12 Development Overview
• Introduce general physical preparation and further develop
fundamental motor skills through participation in other sports.
• Continue to develop decision making skills.

3. 3
U12 Development Guiding Principles
• Long term development takes precedence over short term results.
– How can we deal with this challenge?
• Individual athletes should continue to pursue individual goals in a
group training environment.
– How is this accomplished?
• Training sessions must be well planned and structured to ensure that
the preparatory period is long enough to develop solid foundations.

4. 4
U12 Development
Tactical Competencies
• High level of consistency. Quality rally ball to big targets.
• Learning to play % tennis by playing the “right shot at the right time”.
• Control of the middle by using the forehand to move opponent or hit
to weakness.

5. 5
U12 Development
Tactical Competencies (continued)
• Learning to stay in the point with good defensive skills. High and deep
to neutralize and buy time for recovery.
• Learning to create and recognize offensive opportunities.
• Understanding basic net play tactics such as positioning and when to
play with “touch/precision” or “put away”.
• Understanding of how to “start the point” on 1st
and 2nd
serves as well
as 1st
and 2nd
serve return.

6. 6
U12 Development
Technical Competencies
Ground strokes
• Impact point and long hitting zone.
• Techniques to impart different spins based on tactical intention.
• Adaptation of strokes for “emergency” situations (defence).

7. 7
U12 Development
Technical Competencies (continued)
Net Play & Overheads
• Continental grip.
• Impact point.
• Hand above wrist.
• Various feelings based on tactical intention.
• “Step out” and “step to” footwork.
• Set up and impact point on overhead.
• Throwing action and pronation on overhead.

8. 8
U12 Development
Technical Competencies (continued)
Serve
• Balance and toss with synchronization of the arms followed by a
proper throwing action.
• Proper pronation
• Use of legs if above skills are in place.
Return of serve
• Split step timing.
• Footwork.
• Racquet work for 1st
and 2nd
serve return.

9. 9
U12 Rexall National Training Program Drills
Ground strokes
• 2 cross courts, 1 down the line.
– Set up and impact point.
– Quality of ball (keeps partner/opponent out of singles court).
– Recovery position and footwork.
• Variations
– 1 cross court, 1 down the line.
– “x pattern”
– Cross court only, with decision of when to go down the line.

10. 10
U12 Rexall National Training Program Drills
Net Play
• 2 on 1. Net player volleys to 2 baseline players
– Set up and impact point.
– Footwork and positioning.
– Decision making. When to “punch” or “catch”.
• Variations
– 1 on 1. Net player moves baseliner side to side or baseliner moves net
player side to side.
– Same as above with lobs and smashes mixed in.

11. 11
U12 Rexall National Training Program Drills
Approaching the net
• Coach feeds short ball and player hits approach shot. Play out point.
– Set up and impact point. High bouncing feed = “drive”, low bouncing
feed = “spin”.
– Positioning at net. Follow the approach shot.
– Decision making. When to “punch” or “catch”.
• Variations
– Same as above with one player “counter punching” in coaches place.
– Same as above with lobs and smashes mixed in. Helps to develop
anticipation of lob or pass.

12. 12
U12 Rexall National Training Program Drills
Serve and Return
– Basket serving to specific targets
• Balance, toss, synchronization from arms.
• Proper throwing action.
• Impact point to achieve desired direction.
• Recovery after serve.
– One player returns the other players serve.
• Well timed split step.
• Set up and impact point.
• Proper racquet preparation based on desired intention.
– Open play with specific tactical goals for server and returner.

13. 13
U12 Rexall National Training Program Drills
Helpful Resources
• Under 12 Provincial Regrouping DVD (Tennis Canada)
• ¾ Court Curriculum and DVD (Tennis Canada)
• LTAD
• TPA Website
• ITF Tennis Psychology
• ITF Technique Development in Stroke Production

14. 14
Summary
• Select the most frequent and important games situations for your
group training and be relentless on the teaching points.
• Individualize your feedback in group training based on the player’s
needs.
• If possible, train the different game situations in each training session
so you can cover ground strokes, net play, serve and return.
• Be a great role model, teacher and mentor.
“Be the change you want to see in the world” – Gandhi
“Be the change you want to see in your players” – Tennis Coach