SPORT

Tennis

• At PLC Sydney we provide tennis coaching and development for all students, from  Kindergarten to Year 12. Our experienced staff create personalised programs and flexible training options for all level players, while ensuring that their on court experience is both enjoyable and challenging.  

PLC Sydney's Tennis programs include:

• Tennis Australia Hotshots - a modified skills and games program that caters for the developmental level of players of all ages. It uses low compression balls, smaller racquets, and modified courts and rules, and better prepares players for learning, playing, and enjoying our great game.

  • • Progressing through the technical aspects of tennis. There are 4 main stages that use different types of tennis balls to help players develop their tennis skills.

    • Kindy to Year 2 - Girls start with the "red" ball, a larger than normal sized tennis ball with low compression. During this stage of development, tennis coaches are focusing on developing handeye coordination, grip technique and footwork associated with each stroke. Girls progress to the "orange" ball once they consistantly show they can make regular contact and hit most balls over the net from inside the service line.

    • Years 1-4 - These girls who are learning to play tennis for the first time, will start with the "orange" ball. The orange ball is a normal sized tennis ball, with 50% compression of a yellow ball. Similarly to red ball training, girls will be taught grip technique, footwork for each stroke and continual work on hand eye coordination. Once a player demonstrates they can hit a majority of the their shots in from an area between the service line and base line, then the player will progress to "green" ball stage. The green ball is a normal sized ball with 75% compression of a yellow ball.

    • Years 3-6 - First time players will either start on the orange ball or green, depending on their strength. Girls in this age bracket who are playing tennis for the first time, will be taught the grips,  technique and footwork for each stroke, similarly to girls who start on the red or orange ball. Regardless of a player's age, if they are starting tennis for the first time, grip position, technique and footwork need to be taught.

    • Girls who have progressed from orange ball to green ball have demonstrated an ability to hit a majority of the balls in with solid technique. Green ball training places the girl back on the baseline. Once a girl can rally and serve from the baseline, with at least a 50% ball in ratio, she is of a level to play IPSHA tennis. Transitioning to the full compression "yellow" ball from the green ball had many factors involved. We want to make sure the player can physically handle the harder yellow ball, has the technique to control the faster ball and has a higher level of hand eye coordination and footwork to get into position quicker.

    • Once a player is on the yellow ball, tactical understanding and point construction can added.  Tactical work with continued development of technique,  footwork and focus, provide the main focus of the training session. Girls who have progressed to this level can register for IGSSA and Tildesley competitions. 

• Performance Squads - designed to service the needs of our leading and aspiring players. The program will incorporate technical, tactical, and physical preparation, and supplement private lessons with your coach.

Find out more about Tennis Coaching.

Students can also tryout for IPSHA and IGSA Tennis, see details below.