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Global Approach  Our training programs are designed to develop each athlete in four areas of training: Technically, Tactically, Physically, and Mentally, thus ensuring the player's complete development.
This systematic approach is accomplished through the implementation of an annual training and competitive plan. This planning process is essential to the player's success and is based on the principle of periodization. The primary objective of periodization is to ensure proper peaking of the athlete during the main competitions of the year.
It is the goal of our program to have all of our graduating players fulfill their potential through the solidification of a universal, dominating, and aggressive individual game style.
Technical and Tactical Training Emphasis is placed on developing the player's technical and tactical skills in the five situations of play: serving, returning, rallying, approaching and passing -- according to each player's own style. The integration of the development of technical and tactical skills is implemented through our comprehensive coaching methodology. It is our belief that one should not be taught independently from the other, but rather combined so that every technical instruction has a tactical component that goes along with it.
Emphasis is placed on providing the proper volume of training intensity and match play to create an ideal training environment, allowing each individual to perform at an optimum level during training and competitive play.
Physical Training The mission of the physical training program is to challenge each individual to reach his or her full physical potential, while paying particular attention to the basic principles of periodization as they apply to each athlete.
In order to achieve this, a comprehensive "Injury Assessment Evaluation (IAE)", and "Physical Testing Protocol (PTP)" are implemented at selected times throughout the year, to evaluate and determine the overall fitness level of each player. Visit our Sports Science section
Movement Training At the International Tennis Academy, movement training is separated from the core conditioning program to emphasize its importance. A specialized program has been developed to help each athlete learn how to move more efficiently on the court. By performing movement skills on the court, as opposed to off the court, we create a much better learning environment.
Athletes who are trained to be faster in the 40-yard dash, off the tennis court, are not necessarily quicker to the short ball on the tennis court. But by learning how to move with our "On-Court" movement training program, each athlete is armed with the specific movement skills necessary to reach that short ball in record time and with appropriate balance.
Mental Training The focus of the mental training program is to guide each student along a path of mental competitiveness, while teaching him/her to cope with the psychological demands of the competitive arena. As with the IAE & PTP testing, students will be tested to determine which mental skills they will need to help them achieve optimal performance. They will learn to compete by using such strategies as goal-setting, time management organization, body language control, centering and thought stopping, progressive relaxation, imagery, and video tape analysis to name a few. Visit our Mental Conditioning section
High Performance Training Manual At ITA, each player will receive a personalized training manual that provides useful information related to his/her annual training and competitive plan. It includes information such as: goal setting worksheetst, annual planning sheets, pre-match preparation sheets, post-match evaluation sheets, fitness test results, player reports, nutritional and other related information.
Competitive Training The competitive program is established at the beginning of the season for each athlete as part of the annual training and competitive plan process. It is our goal to develop players who love competing. As a result, players in the ITA program participate frequently in tournaments sanctioned by the Florida Tennis Association (FTA), the U.S.T.A. and the International Tennis Federation (I.T.F.) junior circuit. Furthermore, several ladder and challenge matches are organized for our ITA players throughout the school year.
Daily Training Schedule Tennis Training and the Academic school day are integrated to ensure optimal development of our players while providing enough rest for proper regeneration between classes and meals (Applies only to those attending our Full--Time Academic Propram).
The daily schedule is as follows (Monday - Friday):
| 7:15 - 7:45 a.m. |
Breakfast |
| 8:15 - 12:45 p.m |
Academic classes |
| 12:45 - 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch at American Heritage |
| 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
Tennis Training |
| 6:45- 7:30 p.m. |
Dinner |
| 7:30- 9:00 p.m. |
Homework in study-hall |
| 10:30 p.m. |
Curfew - Lights Out!! |
** Note: Times may vary depending on the time of the year and Day Light Savings Time.
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