Limerick Lawn Tennis Club

Limerick Lawn Tennis Club Coaching Programme:

The coaching program in Limerick Lawn is divided into 5 stages. Depending on the child's age and abilities each child will be placed into blue, red, orange, green or yellow stage. The game is adapted to the child's abilities with the court, racket, ball and net height changed to allow the child to play the game and develop an all round skill base. To move up to the next stage a child will have to complete three tasks;

1)     Play in an appropriate number of events

2)     Pass skill awards for that ball/stage

3)     Pass the ITN Player test for that stage

Limerick Lawn Coaching Program Stages of Development

The coaching program is divided into 5 stages of development according to the child's abilities. Children will progress at their own rate through each stage allowing them to learn the skills of the game as they progress. For the average club player it will take two years to progress through each stage.

Blue Tennis

Children aged 5-8 years

Equipment: Red Ball and 19 inch racket

Court: 8 meters x 4 meters

Net: 80cm

Red Ball Mini Tennis

Children aged 5-8 years

Equipment: Red Ball and 19'' or 21'' inch racket

Court: 11 meters x 5.5 meters court (service boxes)

Net: 80cm

Orange Ball Midi Tennis

Children aged 9-12 years

Equipment: Orange Ball and 23 inch racket

Court: 18 meters x 6.5 meters court (3/4's of the full court)

Net: 80cm

Green Ball Tennis 10's

Children aged 10-15 years

Equipment: Green Ball and 26 or 27 inch racket

Court: Played on the full court

Net: 91cm

Yellow Ball Full Court Tennis

Children aged 11 years and over

Equipment and Court: Yellow ball and 27 inch racket

Court: Played on the full court

Net: 91cm

LLTC Coaching Ratings System

LLTC tennis ratings are designed to help young players get the most out of tennis. The ratings are designed to reward you for playing and competing, inspire you to develop your game and offer the opportunity to compete more regularly and to be the best you can be.

Player Rating System

How do the ratings work?

• You will automatically move from level 4 to level 3 and level 3 to level 2 once you have completed the appropriate number of events whether you win or lose
• You will move from level 2 to level 1 once you pass the LLTC skill awards for that ball
• If you reach red level 1, you will move to orange level 4 when you pass the ITN player test. If you reach red level 1 a year early you will move to orange level 4 at the correct age in line with Tennis Ireland Player passport policy for players under 10
• If you reach orange level 1, you will move to green level 4 once you pass the ITN player test
• If you reach green level 1, you will move to the yellow ball stage when ITN player test has been passed.

What are the benefits of LLTC tennis ratings?

LLTC tennis ratings will encourage attract and retain more young players in competition.  Players will be rewarded for playing and competing, whether they win or lose. LLTC ratings supports the national competition framework and key tennis people, including players, parents, coaches and competition organizers have been involved in developing the system.

What is an event?

Events can include;

>     Completing a term of coaching

>     Playing in weekly fun event

>     Playing in Monthly Tour competition

>     Participate in Munster Branch and Tennis Ireland sanctioned events

Do all players start on the same LLTC tennis rating?

Players start on a level 4 rating within the right age group categories red, orange or green. This can change during the term or after an assessment has been completed.

How will players know when their rating increases?

Players will be able to see their results on the notice board in the club. They will also be given a progress sheet that when it is completed can be given to one of our coaches. Once a player has met the criteria to increase in rating, they will let know about the change. Players should bring in their progress sheet (green sheet) to get their rating changed.