These players should enjoy every moment on court, improve basic physical skills (agility, balance and co-ordination) and also receive the necessary exposure to match play.

Everything these players do should be performance based, while competing in low-key competitions at the school. During this stage the child starts developing a preference towards tennis even though he/she enjoys participating in other sports.

It is still too early to tell whether the player will become competitive and should pursue tennis as a possible career seeing that many factors have to be taken into consideration:

• Fundamental movement and motor skills will be a good indicator

• Does the player understand basic tactical game-play?

• Is the player focused on his/her task or do they become distracted easily?

• Has the player acquired certain decision making skills?

• Does he/she show the necessary commitment to do that little extra?!

It is of the utmost importance that players compete with confidence on an Orange court before migrating to the next stage.

Many players have lost interest due to lack of success on the full court seeing that they were not emotionally mature and confident enough to make the leap. It is the coaches’ responsibility to ensure that the player is managed correctly while progress is monitored closely.

If the above areas are addressed accordingly players will have the ability to compete with confidence knowing that their technique is sound, tactical decision making instilled and most of all they do not fear competition – instead they look forward to competing without the fear of losing.

Read more about MAXI Tennis here