Kids: how many hours court-time a week?

[slice bh compliment]

Man, I'd be so good if I could just play 44 hours a week and work out 15 hrs a week. I'd be hurting, and just begging for my full-time job back and my nice daily routine.

But I'd be pretty fit.

And broke.

[jigglypuff]

Originally Posted by slice bh compliment

Man, I'd be so good if I could just play 44 hours a week and work out 15 hrs a week. I'd be hurting, and just begging for my full-time job back and my nice daily routine.

But I'd be pretty fit.

And broke.

All you need is HGH + anger mgmt CDs and you're ready for the big leagues.

[justinmadison]

Originally Posted by coaching32yrs

My player spends 4 hours a week on the court, 1 hour on fitness. He's not going pro. Will play in college, Ivies or equivalent. 4 star. Most juniors, particularly at academies, spend too much time on court. His 4 hours are all out. When he plays tornaments and goes to final, add another 7 hours of play for the week.

4 hours a week is just not going to get the job done. Frankly, I am shocked he has risen to 4 stars with such a light training schedule. How can he possible be fit enough to play tough in the third set. You just cannot have the fitness level necessary to compete without more training. I don’t even want to think about how he is going to play the second match of the day after a hard first match.

[NLBwell]

If he's like normal athletic kids used to be (before video games) he's playing other sports in the sandlot or the asphalt, running around, swimming in the summer, maybe hiking, etc. and doesn't need organized sports or specific training to be able to play 3 sets of tennis without getting tired.
I have no idea how many kids are like this these days.

[Towerofpower205]

Our academy has players doing 20 hours of on court as well as 5 hours of speed and strength training m-f and then 3 hours of match play on sat.

[man_untd11]

Me and my brother hit the courts for at least 3 hours a day when its not snowing/raining. This is recent, and we haven't played that much since we have other interests too and school of course. However like last summer and the one before that we use to play 6 to 7 hours a day. We had breakfast went to play, came home for lunch, went to play again then came home for dinner and relaxed (: so when we first started 3 years ago, 35+ hours now its more like 20 hours weather permitting of course

[PhotoBlue]

I play about 20 hrs a week

[BMC9670]

Originally Posted by Towerofpower205

Our academy has players doing 20 hours of on court as well as 5 hours of speed and strength training m-f and then 3 hours of match play on sat.

Originally Posted by man_untd11

Me and my brother hit the courts for at least 3 hours a day when its not snowing/raining. This is recent, and we haven't played that much since we have other interests too and school of course. However like last summer and the one before that we use to play 6 to 7 hours a day. We had breakfast went to play, came home for lunch, went to play again then came home for dinner and relaxed (: so when we first started 3 years ago, 35+ hours now its more like 20 hours weather permitting of course

Originally Posted by PhotoBlue

I play about 20 hrs a week

Just curious - when you say "play" 5,6,7 hours a day, what does that mean? What intensity? What kind of plan? What kind of regard is taken for the body, etc. I know this would vary from an "Academy" vs kids playing on their own, but more than 2-3 hours per day on court seems like it wouldn't be focused, intense, or leave time for off-court training. Not a criticism, just curious.

[Mitch Bridge]

My name is Mitch Bridge, and I have been coaching national-level juniors for over 20 years. If you are trying to train a future top level professional player, that player will need to be working on his game a minimum of 4 hours daily. The following areas of training need to be included in his/her regimen: one-on-one or two-on-one instruction, match or sets play, live ball training, strength training, speed and agility training, flexibility, massage/muscle work, serve/return, video/pro tennis viewing and analysis, and cardio training, with some relaxation exercises.

With this vast amount of potential training, it is easy to fill up available time to perfect your game. When you play less than 4 hours you have to skip too many of these variables to develop well enough to be a top player. This game is extremely demanding, and great players are completely entrenched in it. Also, using Federer, the most gifted player of all, is never a good measure for us humans.

Having said the above, every player has different demands on his/her time, and you need to do the best with the time and resources that you have. Some players can do a lot with 2 to 2 1/2 hours per day. With this schedule you can't take days off too often, and heavy monitored tournament play is a must.

[TheCanadian]

Sure, but you obviously can't do 4 hours with a 8-year-old. Maybe a 15. So age matters.

[Mitch Bridge]

You can spend up to 3 hours actively in athletic training with this age group of players, and some of it should be in other sports. Soccer, baseball, and basketball are excellent developmental sports for tennis as well as martial arts, dance and football. one of these daily hours should be in a private or semi-private with a world-class coach.

[TheCanadian]

one of these daily hours should be in a private or semi-private with a world-class coach.

We know that the best coaches tend to be parents, as long as they know what they're doing.

One anecdote, I grew up with Andrew Sznajder (46 in the world at one point); his dad was his unique coach. A mediocre player and not somebody who knew all that much about tennis. However, he would spend hours a day feeding Andrew tennis balls and establishing drills. What kids need is not tennis lessons but to hit lots of tennis balls (i.e., practice time and matches). It makes me sick to see parents spend a fortune on lessons by unethical, money-grubbing coaches.

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by Mitch Bridge

My name is Mitch Bridge, and I have been coaching national-level juniors for over 20 years. If you are trying to train a future top level professional player, that player will need to be working on his game a minimum of 4 hours daily. The following areas of training need to be included in his/her regimen: one-on-one or two-on-one instruction, match or sets play, live ball training, strength training, speed and agility training, flexibility, massage/muscle work, serve/return, video/pro tennis viewing and analysis, and cardio training, with some relaxation exercises.

With this vast amount of potential training, it is easy to fill up available time to perfect your game. When you play less than 4 hours you have to skip too many of these variables to develop well enough to be a top player. This game is extremely demanding, and great players are completely entrenched in it. Also, using Federer, the most gifted player of all, is never a good measure for us humans.

Having said the above, every player has different demands on his/her time, and you need to do the best with the time and resources that you have. Some players can do a lot with 2 to 2 1/2 hours per day. With this schedule you can't take days off too often, and heavy monitored tournament play is a must.

Hi Mitch,

Welcome to the board.

You provided lots of great information, thank you!

Unfortunately, in the cold climate areas of the country,
indoor court time is way too expensive, and also not available for a lot of what you are suggesting.

Looking forward to more of your posts

[Soianka]

Originally Posted by TheCanadian

one of these daily hours should be in a private or semi-private with a world-class coach.

We know that the best coaches tend to be parents, as long as they know what they're doing.

One anecdote, I grew up with Andrew Sznajder (46 in the world at one point); his dad was his unique coach. A mediocre player and not somebody who knew all that much about tennis. However, he would spend hours a day feeding Andrew tennis balls and establishing drills. What kids need is not tennis lessons but to hit lots of tennis balls (i.e., practice time and matches). It makes me sick to see parents spend a fortune on lessons by unethical, money-grubbing coaches.

I agree, but it is so important to develop technically sound strokes early on. If a parent knows what they are doing, then they should go for it.

Otherwise, I would be scared of the parent reinforcing bad habits.

And yes, there are lots of tennis coaches out there who are con artists. Who talk a great game but either do not really know what they are doing or really do not care to put the effort in for your kid.

[jcc309]

Myself, I practice 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. 15 hours a week. This works well with tournaments on weekends and all the school work during the week. The key is to go all out at practice. I know kids that get more out of an hour of practice than a kid who practices for 3 hours. The intensity is what matters, not the time (to a certain extent, obviously you can't only practice an hour a day and be 5 star material).

[Mitch Bridge]

In response to money-grubbing coaches, you need to do your homework on any professional that your kid is going to do extensive work with, be it a doctor, tutor, or coach. Richard Williams did a phenomenal job with his girls, but without Rick Macci's experience, training and knowledge, they wouldn't be where they are today. Good parental help is fantastic, and if that parent is a world-class coach then that is a great asset.

The work being put in needs to equal the goal. If you want to play D2, D3 or NAIA tennis, then being an after school player for 2-3 hours over several years will probably suffice with the right amount of tournament participation, coaching, etc. If you want a good D1 scholarship to a quality program you better jump in with both feet.

[Soianka]

Originally Posted by jcc309

Myself, I practice 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. 15 hours a week. This works well with tournaments on weekends and all the school work during the week. The key is to go all out at practice. I know kids that get more out of an hour of practice than a kid who practices for 3 hours. The intensity is what matters, not the time (to a certain extent, obviously you can't only practice an hour a day and be 5 star material).

Yes, deliberate intense practice is very important.

I do know one 5-star player who doesn't practice much at all. He is extremely extremely talented but his work ethic is very suspect.

[Soianka]

Originally Posted by Mitch Bridge

In response to money-grubbing coaches, you need to do your homework on any professional that your kid is going to do extensive work with, be it a doctor, tutor, or coach. Richard Williams did a phenomenal job with his girls, but without Rick Macci's experience, training and knowledge, they wouldn't be where they are today. Good parental help is fantastic, and if that parent is a world-class coach then that is a great asset.

The work being put in needs to equal the goal. If you want to play D2, D3 or NAIA tennis, then being an after school player for 2-3 hours over several years will probably suffice with the right amount of tournament participation, coaching, etc. If you want a good D1 scholarship to a quality program you better jump in with both feet.

I agree with everything you said. Finding the right coach is so important.

[TheCanadian]

Originally Posted by Mitch Bridge

In response to money-grubbing coaches, you need to do your homework on any professional that your kid is going to do extensive work with, be it a doctor, tutor, or coach. Richard Williams did a phenomenal job with his girls, but without Rick Macci's experience, training and knowledge, they wouldn't be where they are today. Good parental help is fantastic, and if that parent is a world-class coach then that is a great asset.

The work being put in needs to equal the goal. If you want to play D2, D3 or NAIA tennis, then being an after school player for 2-3 hours over several years will probably suffice with the right amount of tournament participation, coaching, etc. If you want a good D1 scholarship to a quality program you better jump in with both feet.

What you're recommending is a recipe for a quick burnout and/or injuries. Completely unsustainable.

[tball2day]

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