Week 1: Stroke Production in the Five Levels

June 2 - June 6, 2025

This foundational week introduces players to the core concept that tennis is a game of position. The focus is on mastering the fundamental stroke technique required for each of the key court "levels" or positions.

1

WEEK

Junior Excellence Program Navigation

Week 1 Overview

During this foundational week, players will be introduced to the core concept that tennis is a game of position. Developing consistent and effective strokes from each of the five court positions is a necessary prerequisite for chaining shots and constructing points from different areas of the court.

Each day focuses on mastering the strokes required at a specific court position, building the technical foundation that will be developed throughout the 10-week program. By the end of the week, players will understand how to execute appropriate shots from each court level.

The daily structure includes strength and conditioning, technical and tactical instruction, competitive drills, and live play - all focused on position-specific stroke production.

Daily Focus Areas:

Monday

Behind the Baseline

Defensive Groundstrokes

Tuesday

Inside the Baseline

Offensive Groundstrokes

Wednesday

Approach Shots

Mid-court Transition

Thursday

Net Play & Overheads

Front Court Skills

Friday

Mental Focus

Tournament Prep

Daily Schedule

Monday: Behind the Baseline

June 2, 2025
Coaches: Todd McPeak, Percy Chan Focus: Defensive Groundstrokes

Control the point with deep, spin-heavy shots and defensive play; emphasizing consistency, depth, and height to keep opponents on their heels.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Strength & Conditioning

Coach: Christine May

  • Lower body strength exercises focused on lateral movement and stability
  • Core stability targeting rotational power for groundstrokes
  • Agility ladder drills emphasizing quick defensive movements
  • Medicine ball exercises for kinetic chain reinforcement
  • Deceleration drills important for stopping quickly when recovering
  • Endurance development for extended baseline rallies

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM: On-Court Warm-up & Serve/Return Prep

  • Dynamic warm-up and movement preparation on court
  • Serves focusing on consistency and depth
  • Return practice emphasizing neutralizing aggressive serves
  • Deep return targets to push opponents back

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM: Technical Focus: Heavy Topspin & Depth

  • Drills concentrating on achieving high net clearance with heavy topspin
  • Coaching on swing mechanics and contact point for optimal topspin generation
  • Focus on deep court penetration while maintaining consistency
  • Differentiated drills for forehand and backhand based on player needs
  • Partner feeding drills with target zones at the deep corners

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Tactical Focus: Defensive Positioning & Neutralizing

  • Drills focused on recovering effectively to defensive positions
  • Practice hitting defensive "reset" shots (high, deep balls)
  • Training on proper court positioning when pulled wide or forward
  • Pattern-based drills emphasizing defensive shot selection
  • Neutralizing power with height, depth, and heavy spin

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM: Competitive Drills: Baseline Consistency & Point Building

  • Cross-court rallying with depth targets and consistency counting
  • King of the Court format focusing on defensive baseline play
  • Point-play drills starting from behind the baseline
  • Changing direction on coach's cue while maintaining defensive positioning
  • Competitive games rewarding depth and consistency

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Cool down & Prep for Live Play

  • Active stretching and recovery
  • Hydration break and nutritional guidance
  • Brief tactical discussion for upcoming live play
  • Key reminders on applying baseline defensive strategies

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Live Play Singles Tournament Practice

  • Coached match play with emphasis on executing baseline strategies
  • Scenario-based points (e.g., starting points 0-30 or from deep positions)
  • Coach feedback on court positioning and defensive shot selection
  • Video recording of matches for later analysis
  • Focus on consistent execution of defensive baseline skills

Key Learning Outcomes:

  1. Master the technical elements of spin production for baseline control
  2. Develop consistent deep groundstrokes with appropriate height and spin
  3. Understand optimal defensive positioning and recovery patterns
  4. Learn to effectively neutralize aggressive opponents
  5. Build physical endurance and stability for extended baseline play

Tuesday: Inside the Baseline

June 3, 2025
Coaches: Todd McPeak, Percy Chan Focus: Offensive Groundstrokes

Move forward and take control of the point with power; focus on extending through groundstrokes and setting up offensive opportunities by applying pressure.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Strength & Conditioning

Coach: Christine May

  • Explosive first-step exercises to improve time to ball
  • Power development for aggressive groundstrokes
  • Acceleration training for quick court coverage
  • Rotational core exercises for power transfer
  • Plyometric drills for explosive power in groundstrokes
  • Balance training for hitting on the rise

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM: On-Court Warm-up & Serve/Return Prep

  • Dynamic warm-up with focus on quick directional changes
  • Serves targeting corners to set up offensive opportunities
  • Aggressive return practice, taking time away from opponents
  • Serve +1 patterns introduction and practice

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM: Technical Focus: Taking the Ball Early

  • Drills designed to practice meeting the ball earlier in its bounce
  • Technique focus on compact swings and proper contact point
  • Footwork patterns for quick adjustments inside the baseline
  • Balance and weight transfer drills for on-the-rise hitting
  • Hand-fed drills emphasizing early ball recognition

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Tactical Focus: Setting Up Offensive Patterns

  • Serve +1 pattern development and practice
  • Recognition drills for identifying and attacking shorter balls
  • Opening the court with directional control
  • Transitioning from neutral to offensive positions
  • Tactical progression from defensive to offensive play

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM: Competitive Drills: Inside the Baseline Attack

  • Short ball attack games with scoring for winners
  • King of the Court format rewarding aggressive play
  • Control-to-offense progression drills
  • Competitive games starting with a short ball feed
  • Points initiated from aggressive baseline positions

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Cool down & Prep for Live Play

  • Active stretching focusing on hip flexors and shoulders
  • Hydration and energy replenishment
  • Brief tactical discussion for upcoming match play
  • Key reminders on aggressive positioning and taking time away

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Live Play Singles Tournament Practice

  • Coached match play emphasizing offensive baseline positioning
  • Constraints requiring attack on balls landing within specific zones
  • Coach feedback on aggressive court positioning
  • Video recording for technique and tactical analysis
  • Focus on recognizing and capitalizing on offensive opportunities

Key Learning Outcomes:

  1. Master the technique for taking the ball on the rise inside the baseline
  2. Develop compact, powerful strokes for offensive groundstrokes
  3. Learn to recognize and attack short balls effectively
  4. Understand offensive court positioning and patterns
  5. Build explosive speed and power for aggressive baseline play

Wednesday: Approach Shots & Volleys

June 4, 2025
Coaches: Todd McPeak, Percy Chan Focus: Mid-court Transition

Master the art of moving forward using control and angles; develop precision with approach shots and midcourt positioning to attack the net with confidence.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Strength & Conditioning

Coach: Christine May

  • Deceleration drills for controlled stops before approach shots
  • Direction-change exercises simulating approach patterns
  • Balance and stability training for transitional movements
  • Split-step timing and reaction drills
  • Upper body strengthening for volley firmness and control
  • Band work focusing on shoulder stability for volleys

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM: On-Court Warm-up & Serve/Return Prep

  • Dynamic warm-up emphasizing front-to-back court movement
  • Serves aimed to set up approach opportunities
  • Returns designed to facilitate approach shots
  • Short slice serves and aggressive chip returns practice

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM: Technical Focus: Approach Shots & Transition Footwork

  • Slice and topspin approach shot technique drills
  • Proper footwork patterns for approaching the net
  • Transition split-step timing exercises
  • Approach shot direction and depth practice
  • Drawing weak replies through effective approach placement

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Tactical Focus: Volley Technique & Placement

  • First volley technique and positioning drills
  • Grip adaptations for different volley situations
  • Volley direction control - hitting behind opponent vs open court
  • High, mid, and low volley technique differences
  • Handling different speeds of passing attempts

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM: Competitive Drills: Approach & Volley Point Play

  • Approach and volley sequence games
  • Transition volley competitions with scoring zones
  • Points starting with an approach opportunity
  • Mini-tennis games emphasizing approach and volley sequence
  • Team competitions involving approach and volley patterns

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Cool down & Prep for Live Play

  • Active stretching focusing on hip flexors and shoulders
  • Hydration and energy replenishment
  • Brief tactical discussion for approaching effectively
  • Key reminders on transition positioning and volley fundamentals

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Live Play Singles Tournament Practice

  • Coached match play emphasizing approach shots and net play
  • Constraints requiring approaches after specific shots
  • Coach feedback on transition technique and volley execution
  • Video recording focusing on approach and volley sequences
  • Emphasis on decision-making for when to approach

Key Learning Outcomes:

  1. Master effective approach shot technique (both slice and topspin)
  2. Develop proper transition footwork from baseline to net
  3. Learn first volley positioning and technique
  4. Understand tactical patterns for approach shots and volleys
  5. Build confidence in the mid-court transition zone

Thursday: Net Play & Overhead Smashes

June 5, 2025
Coaches: Todd McPeak, Percy Chan Focus: Front Court Skills

Perfect your aggressive net game with volleys, overhead smashes, and quick reflexes to dominate the front court and finish points decisively.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Strength & Conditioning

Coach: Christine May

  • Quick reflexes and reaction time drills
  • Lateral agility exercises for net positioning
  • Explosive power development for overhead smashes
  • Upper body strength training for powerful volleys
  • Shoulder stability exercises for overhead technique
  • Short burst movement patterns mimicking net play

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM: On-Court Warm-up & Serve/Return Prep

  • Dynamic warm-up with emphasis on quick movements
  • Serve-and-volley pattern practice
  • Chip-and-charge return practice
  • Serves designed to elicit weak replies or lobs

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM: Technical Focus: Aggressive Volleys & Poaching

  • Putting away volleys with pace and authority
  • Volley angle creation and directional control
  • Drop volley technique and touch development
  • Poaching footwork and timing (adapted for singles net coverage)
  • Quick reaction volley drills at the net

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Tactical Focus: Overhead Technique & Footwork

  • Overhead smash technique and mechanics
  • Footwork for positioning under lobs
  • Directional overhead practice - down the line vs crosscourt
  • Handling different types of lobs (defensive vs offensive)
  • Backing up vs staying in for overhead decisions

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM: Competitive Drills: Front Court Domination

  • Net rush games with players starting at the net
  • Overhead challenge competitions
  • Volley-to-volley games focusing on control and placement
  • Quick finish point play from net positions
  • Doubles-style volley games adapted for singles strategy

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Cool down & Prep for Live Play

  • Active stretching focusing on shoulders and upper body
  • Hydration and energy replenishment
  • Brief tactical discussion on net play strategy
  • Key reminders on volley positioning and overhead technique

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Live Play Singles Tournament Practice

  • Coached match play emphasizing front court dominance
  • Constraints requiring players to finish points inside service line
  • Coach feedback on net positioning and volley/overhead execution
  • Video recording focusing on front court skill application
  • Emphasis on decisive point finishing from the net

Key Learning Outcomes:

  1. Master aggressive volley technique and directional control
  2. Develop proper overhead mechanics and footwork
  3. Learn effective net positioning and movement patterns
  4. Build confidence in finishing points at the net
  5. Improve reaction time and decision making in the front court

Friday: Mental Focus & Tournament Prep

June 6, 2025
Coaches: Todd McPeak, Percy Chan, Marianne Paventy Focus: Mental Performance & Tournament Play

Put it all together in intense match simulations with focus on strategy, mental toughness, and adapting to your opponent's game while developing tournament resilience.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Mental Focus Session

Coach: Marianne Paventy

  • Introduction to mindfulness tools and mental performance
  • Guided meditation and breathing exercises for focus
  • Strategies for managing competitive emotions
  • Developing pre-point and between-point routines
  • Learning to reset after mistakes and maintain confidence
  • Match strategy from a psychological perspective

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM: On-Court Warm-up

  • Dynamic warm-up preparing for intense match play
  • Groundstroke, volley, and overhead warm-up progressions
  • Serve and return practice
  • Implementing mental routines during warm-up

2:15 PM - 4:45 PM: High-Intensity Tournament Practice / Live Match Play

  • Supervised singles matches in tournament format
  • Application of skills learned throughout the week
  • Transitioning between court positions based on point flow
  • Implementing mental skills under competitive pressure
  • Coaches providing real-time feedback between games
  • Scenario-based constraints (e.g., starting points 0-30)
  • Video recording of matches for later analysis
Tournament Structure:
  • Round-robin format with timed matches
  • Players grouped by skill level
  • Focus on applying position-based strokes in match situations
  • Coaches observing and taking notes for individual feedback
  • Points awarded for executing specific stroke techniques from appropriate positions

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM: Cool down & Post-Match Review

  • Thorough stretching and recovery
  • Hydration and nutrition guidance
  • Brief group debrief on match experiences
  • Discussion of technical/tactical skills application
  • Mental skills implementation review
  • Preview of Week 2 focus and expectations

Key Learning Outcomes:

  1. Develop fundamental mental skills for competition
  2. Learn to integrate position-based strokes into match play
  3. Build resilience and focus under competitive pressure
  4. Understand how to adapt strategy based on match situations
  5. Experience implementing all court positions in competitive play