The Pre-Initiation Stage is the first stage of development at Sánchez-Casal Academy. Prior to this, the students generally play Afterschool Tennis. The Pre-Initiation stage usually goes from 8 to 9 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct developmental group.
ASC Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid.
The players in the pre-initiation stage work on grasping technical concepts. The general aim is to polish their back swing technique from preparation to finishing the shot, and improve the waiting position after performing the split step.
Footwork, balance and coordination are essential at this stage. As the exercises become more advanced and the players begin rallying with each other without the participation of the coach.
Players begin to participate in basic competitions, with age-appropriate rules.
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes:
The Initiation Stage usually goes from 10 to 12 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct developmental group.
ASC Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid.
Prior to arriving at this stage, our players have been polishing their strokes, agility, balance and coordination. Now, they learn how to place the ball intentionally and position themselves properly on the court.
Players are ready to develop more dynamic movements, and drills become more challenging.
They start cooperating and rallying with a partner, and they are encouraged to play at least 1 tournament per month.
They should know how to keep track of the score and know the basic rules of tennis.
In the second part of this stage, they are able to execute different shots and they are forced to play on all different areas of the court. Players will learn to play points with a purpose, building and finishing the point.
First part of the stage:
Second part of the stage:
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes:
The Pre-Formation Stage usually goes from 12 to 13 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct development stage.
Our Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid©.
At this stage, players work to become more consistent, develop good technique, and know how to place the ball successfully in all areas
of the court.
This stage includes a significant amount of competition and players will learn how to incorporate tactics and strategies
into their game.
Players will learn the importance of mental toughness and the need to set their own goals in order to enhance performance on the tennis court.
At the end of this stage, they should play at least 2 tournaments per month. ASC will recommend local and regional tournaments to attend and assign coaches to accompany the players.
First part of the stage:
Second part of the stage:
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes:
The Formation Stage usually goes from 13 to 14 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct development stage.
Our Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid©.
During this stage, players should be able to have total control of their body, high accuracy of their shots, and be able to correctly adjust the appropriate height, depth
and distance of their shots. Therefore, they are training mainly the tactical, physical and mental aspects of competition.
Players will learn how to play in offensive and defensive situations, improve decision making skills, find solutions on their own, set up goals for daily training and matches, manage emotions, and analyze matches to identify what worked well and what didn’t.
Players should participate in tournaments regularly, including ITF tournaments. ASC will recommend local, regional and international tournaments to attend, and assign coaches to accompany the players.
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes:
The Pre-Advance Stage usually goes from 14 to 16 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct developmental group. In fact, this stage can start at 14 and go to the 'senior' years of 18-19, depending on each player’s circumstances.
ASC Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid.
In this stage players continue working on the tactical aspects of their game, with many repetitions of match situations, starting with drills, continuing with rallies and trying to apply them both in matches.
We start to focus on the physical and mental pillars, given that the players’ growth in the past stages has been significant. Now, the competition reaches a level where the physical and mental development of the players is becoming more consistent.
At this stage, players can start competing against oponents of any level. We work on developing the play pattern that will allow the players to compete using their tools effectively.
Emphasis is being placed on the mental side of the game, on how to control emotions, overcome dificulties and deal with adversity during a match.
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes:
The Advanced Stage usually goes from 16 to 17 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct developmental group. In fact, this stage can start at 16 and go to the 'senior' years of over 21, depending on each player’s circumstances.
ASC Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid.
These years are very special to many players, especially the ones that have been developing more slowly. Suddenly, they start to see their potential and feel more confident about challenging opponents of any level.
As mentioned in Pre-Advanced, we continue working on the tactical pillar, with lots of match situations, starting with drills, continuing with rallies and trying to use them both in matches.
The physical and mental pillars remain crucial to leveling the 'mind and body' playing field.
The players continue competing against opponents from any level.
They continue developing their pattern and their most succesful shots, and they also try to compensate their weakneses to avoid vulnerable areas.
On the mental side, we focus on how to deal with adversity and control high-pressure situations.
Usually, at this stage players determine if they want to pursue college tennis and/or compete on the professional tour. Players should keep in mind that many top college players do become tennis professionals after their collegiate career. This important decision must be made at this stage, because college coaches start recruiting top prospects early.
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes:
The Pre-Transition Stage usually goes from 18 to 19 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct developmental group.
ASC Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid.
It is in the Pre-Transition stage where the real battle begins. The players are now able to truly recognize if they can successfully compete at a high level or not.
At this point, it becomes crucial for the player and coach to start building a pattern of training and competing that is steady and effective. Strong communication is also key when the common goal of both the player and the coach is to take the player's game to the next level of performance.
In this stage, players make a habit out of organizing and using their best tools to compete. In the Physical aspect, the players must try to become athletes. On the Mental side, they must become strong competitive players.
Usually, at this stage players have already determined if they want to pursue college tennis and/or compete on the professional tour. Players should keep in mind that many top college players become tennis professionals after their collegiate career. This important decision should be made before the Transition stage, because college coaches start recruiting top prospects early.
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes:
The Transition Stage usually goes from 19 to 20 years old; however, we use age merely as a tentative guideline to place students in the correct development stage.
ASC Weekly Programs are little extracts of the Annual programs the Academy offers, which are based on the ASC Pyramid ©.
This stage is the most difficult of the Pyramid. Players compete against top players, but lack consistency and make far too many mistakes. They experience times
of high level performance, but are still far from achieving steady success.
The Top 500 in the world may be reachable, but the truth is only a
select number will ever make it to the top 100. For that, a player needs to be almost perfect in the 4 tennis pillars, both in practice and in competition.
To avoid making too many mistakes, players need to work hard on static control rallies, control rallies in motion, shot drills and mental concentration. The support of the personal coach is key to the continual improvement of players, especially as they move up and down in the world ranking.
Financial needs can become demanding in this stage. Players start depending on family resources and help from their federations and/or sponsors.
Players can boost their tennis level even further with the Push Program.
The Push program includes: