LESSON PLANS, METHOD & PROCESSES
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On this page, you’ll find all lessons plans to assist you in providing consistent delivery of the We Are Tennis / The Tennis Institute Program.
From the overarching method and 10 week Term Structure, to weekly lessons plans tailored for our dual pathway program – Development and Performance.
Modelling in Technical (each shot), Tactical (situational), Physical (fitness) and Mental strength.
METHOD
Development (Hot Shots)
The Hot Shots development program introduces young players to tennis through fun, structured sessions that develop coordination, basic technique and early match play skills. The program progresses through Red, Orange and Green stages to gradually prepare players for full court tennis.
Term Structure
Session Structure Overview
Red Ball (Approx. 45 Minutes)
Warm up → Skill introduction → Skill practice → Game play → Wrap up.
Orange Ball (Approx. 45 Minutes)
Warm up → Technical block → Rally practice → Competitive game → Wrap up.
Green Ball (Approx. 60 Minutes)
Warm up → Technical development → Rally application → Competitive play → Wrap up.
Weekly Themes
Learn the modern forehand
- Eastern & Semi-Western grips
- Swing pattern and follow-through
- Footwork patterns for balance and recovery
- Introduction to topspin and rally control
Build your backhand foundation
- One and two-handed grip options
- Consistent swing path
- Weight transfer and recovery footwork
- Review of forehand technique
Learn the serve step-by-step
- Continental grip
- Ball toss consistency
- Throwing action and kinetic chain
- Basic serve technique and placement
Develop return confidence
- Reading the serve
- Split step and reaction timing
- Short backswing return technique
- Return routine: pick a target, move forward, head still and hit up (topspin)
- Integrate serve review
Master the net game and approach skills
- Continental grip
- Compact, controlled volley technique
- Alternating forehand/backhand volleys
- Approach shots & transition footwork
- Positioning and recovery at the net
Combine forehands and backhands
- Alternating groundstrokes
- Split step and ready position
- Grip changes between strokes
- Technical review and rhythm hitting
Combine key rallying elements
- Serve + first shot combinations
- Return + rally consistency
- Tactical patterns for point play
Learn to play real tennis
- Basic doubles positioning
- Communication and teamwork
- Serving and returning in doubles
- Mini-matches and fun competition
Coaching team determines.
Coaching team determines.
Performance (Squads)
Our performance coaching program is built on structured progression, consistent match exposure, and strong technical fundamentals. Players move through the pathway from Foundation to Performance to Elite, with each level increasing the complexity of technical, tactical, and competitive development.
Term Structure
Session Structure Overview
Foundation Squad (45 Minutes)
Warm up → Technical repetition → Live rally → Competitive game → Wrap up.
Advanced Squad (60 Minutes)
Dynamic warm up → Rhythm rally → Drilling → Serve/Return → Competitive points → Wrap up.
Elite Squad (90 – 120 Minutes)
Pre warm up → Rhythm hitting → Drilling → Serve/Return → Match play → Wrap up.
Weekly Themes
Forehand
- Creating opportunities to attack
- Spacing and intent
- Inside in, Inside out
- Curve ball
- First-ball aggression
Build your backhand foundation
- Heavy and reliable
- Aggressive backhands
- Slice and approach backhands
- Setting up opportunities
- Defending
Learn the serve step-by-step
- First serve placement & variety
- Second serve consistency & variety
- Serving under pressure
- Serving to the score
- Kick serve
Return of serve
- Return routine
- Returning to neutralise
- Returning to attack
- Chip & charge
- Returning concepts – across body
Master the net game and approach skills
- Volley footwork & technique
- Opportunities to transition
- Transition
- Targets
- Overheads
Combine forehands and backhands
- Change direction when & how
- Stepping inside the court
- Controlling court position
- Opening up your opponent’s weakness
Combine key rallying elements
- Turning defence into offence
- Neutralising
- Resilience under pressure
- Court awareness
Learn to play real tennis
- Building patterns to expose weakness
- Creating high percentage winners
- Using the serve
- Using the return
- Keeping pressure on
Coaching team determines.
- Pressure management
- Routines
- Playing under scoreboard stress
- Building scoreboard pressure
- Body language & self-talk
Coaching team determines.
- Integrate the previous 9 weeks into competitive matchplay
- Performance review
- Charting & statistics
- Goals for next term
WE ARE TENNIS > THE TENNIS INSTITUTE PATHWAY (Ages 8 - 18)
A structured development pathway showing progression from Hot Shots to Elite Performance squads.
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