USTA Southwest Section is providing more opportunities for supplemental training and player/parent education where we can bring talented young tennis players together at not only a local/District level more often, but at a Section level.
These camps - which are targeted towards different age groups and ability levels - will occur multiple times throughout the year across the four major markets of the Southwest (Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque and El Paso).
The idea is to get the best players in our local areas playing against and training with each other more frequently to raise their level of play and to develop a true TEAM SOUTHWEST concept.
These opportunities will be created through our structure of TEAM SOUTHWEST with Early Development Camps (EDC's), Regional Training Camps (RTC's) and Team Southwest Training Camps (STC's).
TEAM SOUTHWEST aims:
- Identify young players in local areas
- Talent ID to bring the players together for the next level of development (RTCs)
- Provide a pathway and structure for junior players to follow
- Help in Goal setting
- Provide resources to local coaches in Districts
- Parent and player education
- Create an inclusive structure
- Earned advancement
Regional Training Center camps have been a part of the overall USTA Junior Development plan to target and identify the country's best 9-13 year olds for quite awhile now, and Southwest players and coaches have been a part of this effort, participating in training groups and workshops in Carson, Calif. and had USTA Player Development (national) visit on several occasions to assist with talent identification camps.
The Southwest is now trying to extend this same plan down to an even further, local level in our own markets, incorporating more Early Development Camps and a Southwest Training Center into this process.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT CAMPS (EDC)
With USTA National's assistance, the Southwest Section will be able to implement more of these Early Development Camps (EDC) to identify more 8-12 year olds in our local markets. The four initial EDCs will be one-day or weekend camps.
The EDCs will make use of the 10 and Under format on a 60' court with orange balls as well as the Southwest Section's 12 and Under green ball format. This is step one, the first level of player identification and training at the youngest ages. Eight more additional EDCs (two in each major market) will be held at various times throughout the year.
These camps will typically have between 20-24 players per weekend.
EDC Selection: Players will be selected by the Sections Player Development Manager in conjunction with the Coaches Commission and Local Coaches in each District area.
Criteria for selection are:
1. A Love and Passion for the game. This includes enjoyment and a hard work ethic.
2. A Good Attitude. This includes ability to listen and learn from coaches
3. Training and Competing on the appropriate court is consistent.
4. Participation in Local Level 6 tournaments and participation in Southwest events.
5. Available for selection to Participate at the initial 2-day EDC’s
6. Participation consistency at the additional EDC’s
Number of Early Development Camps
4 Initial EDCs - one in each major market
8 additional EDCs - two in each major market
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER CAMPS (RTC)
Regional Training Center (RTC's) camps are the next level of player development. There will be three RTC events (Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3). Up to 24 total players in the 9-13 age groups from the pool of local EDC events as well as from Southwest and national tournament participation.
These three camps (Level 1, 2 & 3) are all three days, with two being held in the Section, and one outside the Section at the USTA National Training Center in Carson. Calif. Level 1 & 2 Players will be selected by USTA Southwest Junior Player Development Manager, USTA Southwest Coaches Commission and coaches of the Early Development Camps.
RTC Selection (Level 1 & 2): Players will be selected by the Sections Player Development Manager, Coaches Commission and Coaches of the EDC Camps. Level 2 is a two-part RTC and Team Event.
Criteria for selection are:
1. Participation at the EDC’s
2. A Love and Passion for the game. This includes enjoyment and a hard work ethic.
3. A Good Attitude. This includes ability to listen and learn from coaches.
4. Training and Competing on the appropriate court.
5. Participation in Local and Sectional Tournaments (National tournaments also)
RTC Selection (Level 3) - Invited players from USTA Southwest selected by National Player Development Staff will train in Carson, Calif
SOUTHWEST TRAINING CENTER CAMPS (STC)
These training camps will occur eight times throughout the year. The camps are designed to help eight of the Southwest's best boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 15.
The program will also include some of the best boys and girls from the 16s and 18s age groups for structured training and match play. These core groups of 13-15 year olds are predominantly the players that play ALL the Level 1 Super National events.
STC Selection: Players will be selected by the USTA Southwest Junior Player Development Manager and USTA Southwest Coaches Commission.
Criteria for selection are:
1. A Love and Passion for the game. This includes enjoyment and a hard work ethic.
2. A Good Attitude. This includes ability to listen and learn from coaches.
3. Level 1 National Participation and Success
4. Level 2 National Open and Level 3 Regional Segment Participation and Later Rounds Success.
5. Previous Participation in Regional Training Camps (RTC’s)
OVERALL STRATEGY
It is very evident that great players train in environments with other high achievers, and players who have the same goals and aspirations. Outstanding players train and play against other outstanding players day in and day out. The environment that the Team Southwest training center will create is a mentality that you practice for yourself AND your teammate.
The encouragement of "make your opponent play one more ball" improves the players on both sides of the net. This group of players will work to create a collective positive synergy that will result in each individual’s personal development. Competition is expected to be fierce while occurring in an atmosphere where growth is conducive for all.
Each athlete will generate a developmental plan listing progression targets. That plan will be developed with the guidance of the personal teaching pro and the coaching staff with the ultimate goals being player driven.
A calendar of periodization will be established with areas of focus for each quarter of the year. As those areas change so do the parameters of what is defined as success.
WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
Player Development is helping the Southwest Section provide more opportunities to its players starting at the base with 10 and Under, and help develop through to the older age divisions.
The structure aims at strengthening the relationship between National and Section Player Development and the respective Section's Coaches Commission.
It also aims at being more inclusive to the participating players’ private coaches.
We are hoping by providing more opportunities and resources that we help strengthen the quality of coaching that all the players receive in the section so that we can increase the amount of players participating in events... which will hopefully lead to more Southwest players developing into top-ranked American juniors and world-class athletes and professionals.
USTA SOUTHWEST 2012 JUNIOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP CALENDAR
For more information on USTA Southwest Junior Development Camps, please contact juniorcomp@southwest.usta.com.