Our Coaching Programmes

Junior After-School & Saturday Morning Squads

• Term-long courses of sessions, aim to have a player: coach ratio of 6:1, Ace Academy sessions 4:1. They typically involve warm-ups (improving a player's agility, balance, co-ordination and movement), technical and tactical learning, plus fun games to conclude.

• Fun, social and an excellent way to make friends.

• We use the LTA’s Mini Tennis framework as a guide and consider a player’s ability and not just their age when selecting the most suitable squad.

• Players progress together within their squad meaning there is sometimes no need to change groups as they get older. Our coaches discuss the progress of players and whether they should move groups (due to their age or if they are rapidly improving) in each school holiday. If players are improving at a faster rate than others in their group, they may move squads. Please do be in touch with one of our coaches if you feel your child is in the wrong group or would like to discuss their progress.

• Players who are doing especially well in their squads (in terms of keenness, commitment, parental support, potential and ability) are invited to join Ace Academy squads. If you would like your child to join an academy squad and you have not already been contacted, please come and speak to Steve A or one of the coaching team.

Private Lessons

• Provide one-on-one technical instruction where you can hone in on specific areas of development and normally see the fastest rate of improvement.

• Help establish close player-coach relationships, which are especially important for Ace Academy players.

• Weekly lessons, a series of lessons and periodical lessons can all be beneficial. Please discuss with us to see which is the most relevant to your child or you.

Adult Coaching Courses

• Term-long courses of sessions, they typically involve warm-ups (improving a player's agility, balance, co-ordination and movement), technical and tactical learning, plus fun games to conclude.

• With term long plans, adult courses are a comprehensive way to learn and improve.

• Fun, social and an excellent way to meet new friends and playing partners.

Pay-on-the-day Junior And Adult Sessions

• Throughout the week, in the daytime and evenings, these sessions tend to be less formal and more social. Sessions for complete beginners, "rusty players", intermediate and advanced club players.

• Usually involve coaching of the basics of the game followed by singles, doubles and fun games.

• Ideal way to begin to learn the game and meet new friends and playing partners.

Shared Lessons of 2-4 people

• Can be arranged as and when suits you, your friends or family members.

• Particularly popular with small groups of adults who want to play together when they are available.

Other Parts of the Programme

• Paid Hits: for Ace Academy players who need to practice what they have been learning in coaching sessions whilst playing against a higher standard of hitter.

• Mental Training: for Ace Academy players, our coaches incorporate subtle as well as structured mental training into their lessons. If additional mental training sessions are required, we can recommend sports psychologists.

• Competition Planning: we keep players informed of competitions held via slips emails and our Facebook page. More information about competitions held at heron and in the south-west are posted on our notice board. For Ace Academy players who would like help structuring a schedule to best fit their aspirations, please ask their individual coach.

• Personal Fitness Plans: for our Ace Academy players, plans designed by their individual coach and gym instructor, to be carried out within coaching sessions and in player’s own time, often in conjunction with their gym instructors.

• Video Coaching: filming coaching and matches are sometimes used by our coaches to aid the player’s and coach’s analysis of the player’s technique, movement, psychology and tactics.

• Tournament Trips: from time to time our coaches travel with academy players to tournaments around Cornwall, the UK and Germany to provide analysis and support.

• Serving & Wall Practice (at Heron, at school or on a wall at home): ideal for grooving shots, cementing techniques they are learning and for improving footwork and balance.

• Practices with Others: good option for enjoying your tennis in a social environment and at the same time getting to practice what you have been learning. It also helps younger pupils think for themselves and be creative on court. It is also where players really start to love the game! Can be with friends, visiting players or family members, or our coaching team can introduce you to other players who are of a suitable standard for you to play with.

• Mentoring: we try to take our leading academy players “under our wing” to coach, mentor, inspire and provide direction on their tennis journey.