Wheelchair Tennis Whole Player Development Pathway

The purpose of the Discovery stage is to inform the general public and prospective participants of the wheelchair tennis opportunities available. This stage shares information on how to build partnerships and raise awareness of wheelchair tennis and help ease the transition into sport for people with physical disabilities. 

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The Active Start stage is focused on ensuring participants have a positive first experience and remain engaged in the sport. Given there is only ONE chance at a first impression, it is important to create an environment that is welcoming, safe, encouraging, and inclusive.

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The focus of the Fundamentals stage is to build a foundation of basic tactical, technical, physical, mobility, and psychological skills. Players are introduced to the rules of the game and tennis etiquette in a safe, inclusive, positive environment to promote life-long participation. This stage uses the progressive tennis approach (red, orange, and green) to play, develop, and compete with the appropriate racquet and balls on the right size court. 

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The focus in the Development stage is on building a solid technical foundation, allowing players to develop their potential. Sound technique is essential to adapt and thrive in all tactical scenarios. The player understands and can apply efficient wheelchair mobility to cover the court in all phases of play including baseline, transition, and the net.   

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The focus of the Consolidating stage is to build on sound technique to focus on applying tactical strategies and expand technical skills. Competition becomes more prominent and the player will learn and implement best practices in travel, build autonomy, support recovery, and develop their competitive mindset. In matches, the player will begin to execute on game plans and develop their style. 

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In the Performance stage, the player is pursuing high-performance wheelchair tennis and learning to manage the increasing demands and quality of their preparation and performance. Key focus areas include physical development, mental performance, sport science, and the coach taking on a greater leadership role in collaborating with an integrated support team (IST). “The Winning Style of Play” remains the focus of tactical development. 

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In the Life as a Pro stage, the player is focused on high-performance in training and competition while maintaining an emphasis on physical and mental health and wellness. The player has the opportunity to be an ambassador for the sport by giving back and being a mentor for the next generation of players.   

To learn more about this stage, click here.