ACE System
long-term development
ace system
What is the Ace System?
The Ace System is the outcome of developing an affordable, consistent, scientific approach to player management, training and coaching. This process provides standardized methods and curriculum for group coaching and training programs.
The Ace System is based on analytics, specific intentions, long-term athlete development and sound educational principles, while providing consistent curriculum and program delivery in different locations by various coaches.
Developed by a team of certified coaches, the ACE System’s approach fosters a greater understanding for the coaches, the players and their parents which results in optimizing all resources in a player’s development.
The ACE System maximizes the long-term development and performance level of players aged 5- 15 through a comprehensive, integrated, progressive, systematic and scientifically based approach:
Long-term development
Respecting athlete growth and development principles as outlined in the Tennis Canada guidelines.
Comprehensive
An approach which maximizes the development of the player through a coordinated athlete-centered team through:
- Long term planning
- Annual group training planning
- Annual individual planning
A training program which addresses all required components of the player’s development:
- Management
- On court training
- Off court training
- Support services
- Competitive planning
Integrated
An approach through annual planning cycles which regroups required skills development in a way to maximize the player’s development.
Progressive
The content of the five annual plans in the Pathway is based on the evolution of required skills from one program to the next.
Systematic
An approach in which the coach duplicate in different locations while providing information to the player and education to the parents
Scientific-based approach
The ten-year Pathway develops the eventual player profile based on analytics, results in no red flags and provides the basis for the implementation of the player’s game style through the player management approach.
efficient approach to development
goals
What are the goals of the Ace System?
- To develop a more efficient approach for pipeline development, players aged 5 to 15.
- To provide coaches with a standardized approach in player development using best practices.
- To make the system dynamic, which results in an ongoing participation of all coaches to upgrade the system.
- To provide players with information and a greater understanding of what they are learning.
- To inform and educate parents and get support in the implementation of the program.
annual plan subdivided into cycles
How is the ACE System achieved?
- Through developing software which provides specific information on player management and training components.
- The software's training component for each Pathway program is an annual plan subdivided into cycles.
- Cycles contain directives, goals, on-court and off-court content and other required information.
- All directives and content are provided in the form of a supportive video, leading to the consistency of implementation.
- This approach provides the players and parents access to review and understand the logic of their child's development.
- Through a complementary Player Management System based on a team approach for an athlete-centred focus for an individualized approach.
- Through an on-court group training approach for cost efficiency and required volume.
Complementary information
Scientific principles
What is the Ace System based on?
Scientific principles
- Analytics
- Long Term Athlete Development- LTAD
- Safe Sport Principles
- Educational principles
- Child development principles
- Long-term training principles
- Long-term and annual plan concept
- Sport-specific studies (movement-mental)
Complementary information
- The Ace System Mantra
- Tennis Canada program resources
- International information
- 40 years of practical experience
- Previous TC club training programs
- Ace Pathway
- Operational constraints
- The need to foster a competitive mindset
- Improving "The How to Play" and "How to Move"
- Fostering better communication with parents
Player Management System
What is the Player Management System?
The Approach: Complementing a group training approach with a player management team. This Team supports a “Player centered approach” for competitive players fully committed to their development.
- An individual annual plan is developed for the player.
- The entire development of the player is supported by a team approach where a player will benefit from the insight and support of various team members.
- Parents are an integral part of the Team but are, first and foremost, supportive, objective members of the Team.
- National coaches are part of the Team and should provide further insight into the player's development.
- The approach provides for a head coach responsible for the actual development of the player. The Head Coach assumes the responsibility for all ongoing player development components.
- The management team must be led by a manager, which can be the head coach, the parents, the national coach or simply a team manager. This individual is responsible for the overall vision of the player’s development and provides guidance to the overall management of the player’s career including training priorities, competitive schedule and career opportunities (sponsorship).
- A long-term plan complemented by an annual plan signed by all parties is the basis for management.
- Important to note this management system will become increasingly more prevalent and important as the player progresses- At the little aces level it is not a major priority.
The path
The Ace System Pathway
The High Performance Pathway below is related to skill level rather than age. Clubs and Academies can adjust their own Pathway by using the preferred program designation:
- Development of technical tools in function of future tactical intentions
- Introduction of basic tactics
Futures
- Apprenticeship of required tactical situations with development of required technical toolbox
- Introduction of tactics part 2
CHAMPIONS
- Retaining tactical intentions with maintenance of technical toolbox in competitive situations
- Understanding at implementation of tactics and introduction to basic straegy
Provincial
- Full court tennis transition with solidifying implementation of core tactical situations with technical requirements
- Introduce usage of new strategies in competitive situations
NATIONALS
- Core tactical training with emphasis on different strategical priorties
- Development of individual game style
