Residential and day camps for Summer 2024
“live the life of a tennis player!!!”
Welcome to Sherborne Tennis Academy, an action-packed 5 days of high quality tennis coaching held at the prestigious Sherborne Girls School. We are pleased to accept players of all abilities from ages 8-17, who will be placed into age and ability-appropriate groups for their tennis sessions throughout the week.
Camps are bookable on a residential or non-residential basis, with flexibility available over additional overnight stays and meal plans. Please contact us directly with any specific requests.
Players are welcome to borrow and try new rackets and there will be a stringing service overnight if needed.
We are obviously hoping for a lovely sunny week playing on the competition standard grass courts, but a full wet weather programme will be available if needed. Players should be prepared to play in light rain and all-weather conditions.
An example outline of the schedule for the week is detailed below, and all players will have opportunities for some individual feedback from coaches to help improve their game.
Throughout the week players will also have the opportunity to attend workshops on relevant subjects such as injury prevention; nutrition and hydration; strength and conditioning; yoga for tennis and the psychology of winning.
Example itinerary
Day 1
Session 1: Forehand workshop
This session will include dynamic, fun, game-based warm-ups to safely prepare players for an active on court practice. Our first clinic will look at the technical and tactical key ingredients of an effective forehand. We will look at developing the shot through spin, speed and accuracy with a view to applying this to tactical points and game-based scenarios.
This is a great opportunity for players to really improve one of the key shots in tennis whether they are relatively new to the game or seasoned competitors. Through technical isolation we will develop effective swing patterns and corresponding footwork requirements to achieve a greater pace and shot selection and ultimately confidence in the most frequently played shot in tennis!
Session 2
In the afternoon we will put to the test all we have learned in the morning through fun and competitive game play. There will be matches, prizes and an opportunity for players to compete against one another in a friendly environment. There will be team-based games for some of our younger players and some all-important match play for the older more experienced players. A busy and constructive day!
Day 2
Session 1: Backhand workshop
The backhand workshop will look at the technical development of one of the weaker shots in tennis. Grips, swing patterns, dynamic footwork and stance will all be included in this session to help build consistency and control. We will look at developing the shot into a weapon for the stronger players and how to dominate the points off the backhand side. We will also teach players how to attack the opponents backhand and control the rally.
Session 2
This session will investigate effective doubles! You will learn about the different double’s formations, tactics and how to be the most effective player in the fast-paced epic game of doubles. We will cover the “I” formation, the “Australian” formation and we will give you some top tips on how to read serves and poach cross court groundstrokes. It will be a high intensity session culminating in match play. Pairs of players get to test their skills against the opposition for a winner takes all final!
Day 3
Session 1: Smash and volley workshop
This is a popular clinic in all our camps and looks to develop the players ability to read the shorter, faster ball and execute quick and accurate volleys. It covers work on all the technical knowledge needed and how to cope with the lob and the exciting smash put away and is quite simply an imperative for players wanting to develop their doubles game. Drills and exercises all created to sharpen the players reaction time and keep them a threat at the net! We will look to integrate the net play in to matches as part of the morning’s session.
Session 2
This will be a fun, relaxed session involving a number of different team games to put into practice the skills learned so far. It is designed for players to take stock of the previous day’s work and to enjoy the amazing facilities on site.
Day 4
Session 1: Serving Clinic
This will involve technical analysis on the 2 most important shots in the game with an emphasis on spin, control, accuracy, and power. This is such an important session and will have quite a profound effect on the overall consistency of the game.
All the essentials such as grips, strike point and swing patterns will combine to help players learn the flat, slice and kick serve so they can start each point as confidently as possible. We will also utilize video analysis so that players can see their serves and understand better how to fix the technical issues.
Session 2: Returning Clinic
We will look at returns on the first serve and how to stay in the point and how to maximize the attacking potential when receiving the second serve. Players will learn tactical patterns of play for different types of serve and how to return confidently. This will be an engaging and informative session and will be a great launch pad into the final competition of the week.
Day 5
Tournament Day
This will be a chance for players to put to the test everything that they have learned throughout the week. Players will practise tactical patterns of play for both singles and doubles and play structured and free points in both to understand different scenarios before putting it all into practise.
A final tournament will be organized for all the players and there will be plenty of prizes up for grabs. There will even be a trophy for the overall winner!
How to book
Camps are bookable on a residential or non-residential basis, with flexibility available over additional overnight stays and meal plans. Please contact us directly with any specific requests.
2024 Dates
- Week 1 – Monday 8th to Friday 12th July (residential and non-residential)
- Week 2 – Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August (non-residential only)
Prices
- Non-residential option: £110 per day
- Full residential option including activities, board and accommodation: £795 per week
Visit our How to Book page to download the booking form and terms & conditions.