ITF PLAY TENNIS COURSE

GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING A COURSE

ITF Play Tennis Course

The ITF Play Tennis Course is one of a series of courses that the ITF has developed to offer coaches a
chance to develop knowledge and understanding in a range of specific topic areas.

The course aims to provide coaches with ideas on how to work effectively with starter players of all ages,
including Mini Tennis, using a game-based approach. It covers areas such as:
• Ideas on how to introduce the game to starter players in a stimulating and simple way.
• Use of different balls and court sizes to allow all starter players to play the game.
• Effective communication and organisation, including methods of organising groups of players.
• Simple competition formats.

The ITF Play Tennis Course is 3 days long and directed at those interested in working with starter players.
Participants on the course can be tennis coaches, school teachers, sport leaders, officials, etc.
Participants need a minimum level of play (ability to have a basic rally with a starter player using slower
balls). No previous qualification is required to attend the course. The course holds no qualification, but
participants will be given a certificate of attendance.

The recommended number of participants on an ITF Play Tennis Course is 32, in order to be able to cover
all the material and assist coaches adequately in the allocated time. However, a larger number could be
accommodated if more courts are available:

Number of Number of courts and Number of Tutors

participants ball baskets required required
> 32 4 1-2
32-48 6 2
48-64 8 2-3
64-80 10 2-4

To be provided by the National Association:

Accommodation, meal and transport costs:

• airfare and fee for ITF course expert
• accommodation for ITF course expert
• local transport for ITF course expert
• meals for ITF course expert
• meals and refreshments for participants during the 3-day course
• accommodation for participants during the 3-day course (if necessary)
• contribution towards travel expenses of participants if they have to travel a long distance to attend the
course.

Facilities and equipment:

• hiring of a lecture room for 32 people
• multi-system video recorder or DVD player
• television or big screen
• photocopying facilities
• overhead projector or LCD projector
• black or white board or flip chart for use in lecture room and on-court
• hiring of 4 tennis courts (adjacent if possible)
• 1 ball basket per court, nets, cones/markers
• 20 normal tennis balls per basket.

ITF Play Tennis Course - Guidelines for hosting a course (10).doc 1

 ITF PLAY TENNIS COURSE
GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING A COURSE

ITF Play Tennis Course syllabus:

Documents that the National Association / participants should download for the course from:
http://www.itftennis.com/coaching/education/coachescourses/english/playtenniscourse.asp

1. ITF Play Tennis Course – Participant Profile

2. ITF Play Tennis Course – Course Schedule for Participants
3. ITF Play Tennis Course – Participant Evaluation Checklist
4. ITF Play Tennis Course – Competition Formats
5. ITF Code of Ethics Certificate
6. ITF Coaches Education Brochure

Books and materials sent by the ITF to the National Association in advance of the course:
1. ITF Play Tennis Manual
2. ITF Certificates of Attendance
3. 10 dozen x red slower ball
4. 10 dozen x orange slower ball
5. 10 dozen x green slower ball
6. ITF baseball caps

Tutor’s materials:
1. Adult Tennis DVD (French Tennis Federation)
2. ITF Play Tennis Course – Course Schedule for Tutors
3. ITF Tutor’s Report form
4. Play and Stay presentation
5. Play and Stay leaflets

Any questions arising from this document or during the course should be directed to the ITF Development
Officer or to the ITF Coaching / Development Department Staff.

E-mail: coaching@itftennis.com
Tel / Fax: 34 96 348 6190

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