Optimal Training Schedule for a Junior Tennis Player
I spent a couple of hours researching dozens of sites of tennis programs for junior tennis players during the summer months. I was wondering what kind of programs they offer to junior tennis players. I was not surprised, unfortunately, that some of them try to sell full-day programs that consist of 4 to 6-hour practices a day.
A more rational and optimal approach is demonstrated through tennis camps that are organized by tennis clubs and the city’s programs. Most of them offer 1.5 – 2.5 hour tennis workouts. Those programs are better (and cheaper) for junior tennis players and their health.
In this post I want to talk about heavily advertised programs that offer 4-6 hour a day workouts in the summer.
Do you really think that 12-15-year-old kids can train for 4-6 hours a day efficiently? Why do some tennis programs offer professional training schedules for kids so young?
This schedule has very little in common with the scientific approach to training. If you remember, I wrote about the ITF recommendation for the organization of tennis training for junior tennis players in the article How much should a junior tennis player train? An average kid cannot play tennis and do fitness for 4-6 hours a day like some (not all) professionals do. Two hours of a good and balanced workout is more than enough for most kids who are under 15 years old.
I have talked to many sports specialists and I have read books that sports scientists wrote. I have never discovered evidence that an average junior athlete like a tennis player (under 15 years old) needs more than 2 -2.5 hours of right training a day.
For parents who want to use the time during the summer to improve their kid’s tennis skills. Find a good tennis coach (look at the article How to find a good tennis coach). Remember that 2 -2.5 hours a day of high-quality training is more than enough for most junior tennis players. Do not risk your kid’s health.
However, if a tennis coach or tennis specialist can come up with good reasons for the 4-6-hour practice, I will gladly post them here on my blog.
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