What is a Regional Training Centers?
Beginning in 2012, USTA Northern will have its first USTA Regional Training Center. We are proud to announce that the Rochester Athletic Club and Life Time Fitness will be hosting the 2012 training centers, taking place in April, May, August and September.
The establishment of Regional Training Centers (RTCs) will enable us to partner with the best Regional programs in the country, building relationships between our best coaches, and raising the level of training for our best 8-14 year-old juniors.
The partnerships will also make the transition of the very best juniors in the country into our National program more seamless. As we establish more and more RTCs, we will be able train hundreds of our juniors close to home, and facilitate relationships between their coaches and our National Coaches. We will be able to track the development and performance of these juniors, and build strong relationships with their coaches and parents.
More information on Regional Training Centers:
1. The establishment of RTCs will allow us to give juniors in the Section an opportunity to receive High Performance training near their homes, enabling them to attend school and live with their families. It also provides them with supplementary instruction in addition to their private coach.
2. RTCs also presents the Section with an opportunity to provide High Performance coaching and great competitive opportunities for talented juniors who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
3. The RTCs provide the Section with subsidized programming to enhance the recruitment of very young players (ages 8-10). Using the 10U Tennis format, and age-specific equipment, we have an opportunity to grow the talent pool with better athletes.
Why Regional Training Centers?
- A player’s foundation is built between the ages of 8 and 14.
- The most critical coaching phase is between ages 8 - 12 (girls) and 10 - 14 (boys).
- Maturity is a function of socialization as most kids need their family.
- It is a TEAM effort. RTCs will help us create hubs of collaboration and cooperation which will greatly increase the number of juniors we develop.
Talent Identification
A large component of the RTCs is talent identification. Through this effort, we will be able to create a pool of players that can be targeted for the USTA Northern RTCs. To help in the identification of players, we have created two options for parents, coaches and pros:
1. Video submission of players
2. Talent ID camp (in person/on court camps) for players who are not in the top 10 ranking in ages 12 or 14.
Our first Talent ID camp will be on February 25, 2012 from 3pm - 6pm at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis, MN (www.baselinetenniscentermn.com) Age range: Boys and girls, 8 - 14 years. To register for the Talent ID camp, please click here.
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Video Submission for Talent ID
Another option, and perhaps more widely used, is the use of video. Below is the protocol for taking and uploading video footage.
Filming
Intro and Strokes
Introduction (Name, age, DOB & where they are from)
3 Serves
3 Forehands
3 Backhands
3 Forehand Volleys
3 Backhand Volleys
3 Overheads
Live Ball & Play (Make sure there is as little dead time as possible and film behind the player.)
Crosscourt Forehands - 15-30 seconds
Crosscourt Backhands - 15-30 seconds
4-6 Serve Points
4-6 Return Points
Upload Process
1. Create a folder on your desktop named by the player's First name, Last name - (JOHNSMITH2012).
2. Copy the footage from the camera to this folder.
3. Zip the folder by right-clicking on the folder and selecting "Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder".
4. Upload the footage by clicking on:
https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=dropbox&dropbox=ustanorthern
Browse for the zipped folder and click send.
RECOMMENDED CRITERIA FOR PLAYER/TALENT ID:
1. Be able to serve with the continental gripor moving towards said grip.
2. Be able to return the serve to either side of the server.
3. Be able to rally with forehands and backhands to bounce between the service and baseline (60' or 78' court).
4. Be able to volley forehand and backhand and either have, or be moving towards, a volley grip.
5. Be able to score a full set while playing.
6. The player shows enthusiasm and enjoys the game.
7. The player always tries 100%.
8. Participating in other sports and physical activities.
9. Can be playing on either a 60' or 78' court using the orange or yellow ball.
Players who attend a Talent ID camp or submit videos will be notified if they are selected to participate in a Regional Training Center.
You must be 14 or younger as of September 30 (born on or after 10-1-97) to be eligible.