LTA Senior Tennis Coach and Senior Performance Tennis Coach

The Senior Coach (SC) qualification is aimed at those who wish to advance their on-court coaching practice, as well as developing the skills needed to fulfil the role of a head coach.  

On successful completion, coaches will be trained to: 

• Be highly competent on-court coaches, able to provide impactful coaching to improve players of all ages, stages, and abilities. 
• Fully understand and practically apply the Performance Coaching Principles and the key performance coaching frameworks and know how they apply in a grassroots and development framework. 
• Understand the fundamentals of personal leadership and coaching styles 
• Gain age and gender specific knowledge of learning and skill acquisition. 
• Nurture the players holistically through creating transformative training environments putting the person before the player. 
• To be able to effectively plan the long-term development of players. 
• Run a successful coaching programme in any coaching environment. 
• Manage a team of coaches and provide internal coach development opportunities. 
• Implement more expert coaching behaviours that drive inclusive and welcoming environments for tennis participants.  

The Senior Performance Coach (SPC) qualification is aimed at coaches who are working in, and have genuine aspirations to progress in performance coaching, who wish to gain the required competencies and knowledge to develop international level 14U junior players.  

In addition to the skills developed in the Senior Coach course, on successful completion of the Senior Performance Coach qualification, coaches will additionally be trained to: 

• Fully understand the aspirations of the Performance Coaching Principles and the Player Pathway. 
• Support the physical development of players including prevention and management of injuries. 
• Be an effective teacher, trainer and match-play coach using different modes of training in singles and doubles. 
• Have a clear awareness of 14U world junior standards. 

Senior Coach 

• Four modules of three days for core training. 
• Virtual session prior to each core module. 
• Four days of electives (from a list of Senior Coach level approved CPD options). More information will be provided on these electives when a place is confirmed on the course - they will link directly to your role as a Senior Coach and may include topics such as developing your coaching team & online content creation. 

Senior Performance Coach (SPC) 

• Four modules of three days for core training.
• Three two-day intensive performance modules.
• Virtual session prior to each module. 
• A three-day awareness of standards tournament experience visit.

The detailed qualification learning outcomes and curriculum is provided upon acceptance on either strand of the course.

Senior Performance Coach Overview

The SPC course consists of eight modules in total, including a three-day Awareness of Standards tournament experience visit. Each face-to-face module is preceded by a virtual session.

The virtual modules will be interactive and predominately serve as a space for the main information share, enabling the face-to-face modules to focus on practical implementation.

SPC candidates will learn the key coaching frameworks, along with the knowledge and skills required in performance player development.

The key frameworks covered include:

• Integrated Approach
• Game-based Approach
• Tactical Framework
• Technical Framework
• Footwork Framework
• Squad Training Principles and Drilling Frameworks
  

The course will also explore:

• Kinaesthetic approach to developing skill
• Constraints-based coaching
• Gamestyle development
• Match charting
• Player profiling
• Psychology
• Strength and conditioning
• Nutrition

Candidates will be assessed continually throughout the course via written and video assignments, including a player portfolio, which will be set at the end of every module, usually to be completed by the next. Candidates will also be expected to reflect on their experience after every module (all through LTA Learn). In order to complete these tasks and assignments, coaches will need access to:

• The same player (where possible) for duration of the course
• Laptop/tablet
• Camera/good quality camera phone
• Tripod
• Wireless mic

Recommendations for equipment will be provided upon course acceptance.

Candidates must attend all modules of the course and pass all assignments within the course duration to be successful.

• Hold either the Level 3 Coach qualification, LTA Club Coach qualification, DCA or equivalent. 
• Be an Accredited+ coach at time of application and for the duration of the course. 
• Have (or have had) a rating of 5.1 (4.1 for SPC) or better or successfully complete a Senior Coach Readiness Test (Senior Coach applicants with a historical play test grade 2 will not need to do the Senior Coach Readiness Test). 
• Appropriate coaching experience to enable you to progress through a curriculum. 
• Currently involved in a performance environment with current access to players who compete regularly in Grade 3 tournaments or above (green/yellow ball).* 

*SPC applicants only 

Please note for the SPC, priority will be given to coaches who: 

• Are currently working and living in Britain. 
• Need the qualification in order to meet Player Pathway programme requirements. 
• Have been Level 3 qualified for 3+ years. 
• Are currently coaching players competing in Grade 2 tournaments or above. 

Senior Coach 

Venue: Nottingham Tennis Centre & Nottingham Trent University (Module 4) 

Times: Virtual 09:30 - 12:30. Practical modules 08:00 - 16:00

Elective days will be held on the 8th & 9th of July 

Senior Performance Coach 

Venue: Nottingham Tennis Centre

Times: Virtual modules 09.30 - 12.30. Practical modules 08:00 - 16:00

The cost of the core and elective modules combined is £1,500. 

The LTA is committed to ensuring that our qualifications are accessible for all, which is why it is vital that all candidates where possible outline any reasonable adjustments/or special considerations you may require prior to attending the course.  Please use this link to outline to the LTA and Course Tutor the additional support needs that you will require on this course in order to maximise your learning.

The final decision made by the LTA Reasonable Adjustment & Special Consideration Requests panel cannot be challenged. 

There are very limited spaces on the Senior Coach and Senior Performance Coach Qualifications.

Senior Coach

Coaches can sign up for the Senior Coach course on the Course Search Tool when a course is live. 

Senior Performance Coach

Applications for 2024 SPC course are now closed.

Applicants will be notified if they have been successful by the end of November 2023.

An Expression of Interest form will go live in the new year for the 2025 course.