SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory’s Post

8 Performance Coaches came out to Barcelona with me last weekend for a clay court workshop hosted by the brilliant Juanma Anton and the Full Experience Academy Team. 3 main objectives of the trip: 1. To upskill the coaches and improve how they prepare their players more effectively in the transition to clay. 2. To provoke reflection of their own day to day programmes and how they might adapt some of the clay court training on hard courts to enhance player development. 3. To spend 3 quality days talking tennis, sharing experiences and learning from each other.

A good opportunity

To all my global friends, the attached video shows you a clip from the fastest fields port in the world, the ancient Irish game of hurling. Played with a wooden hurly and tightly bound leather ball, this game is arguably the most exciting sport. Watch this clip to see just how much skill it takes to play this game!

There's a lot to unpack here, but an acknowledgement of injustices is a good start. Many sports do not make it to this step. I'd like to acknowledge first and foremost all of the athletes (past and present) who have endured unsafe environments in their sport. I'm grateful for their spoken and unspoken contributions to raising awareness of the culture of normalised violence and abuse. This should not be the reality for any athlete or sport participant. I do note this was, as many reviews are, a very targeted, historical focus. My challenge to everyone is to recognise that nothing magical changes without a strong investment in change and subsequent actions. Abuse in sport is not only a historical wrong to be acknowledged. Creating safe spaces in sport requires ongoing, intentional actions.

New to the sport of pickleball? What better way to start your journey into America’s fastest growing sport than now! April is National Pickleball Month, and we are celebrating the growing interest in this booming social sport not only in Florida, but across the nation. Click below to learn more about what pickleball is and how to pick up a paddle and play in this article from USA Pickleball. https://lnkd.in/d6Se7-p

Continuing the conversation on player development, we're excited to align our methods with Tennis Canada's Whole Player Development platform. This holistic approach ensures our athletes develop not only technically and physically, but also mentally and emotionally. By focusing on these four pillars, we can build more complete athletes who thrive both on and off the court. Expanding on Tennis Canada's Whole Player Development platform, one key aspect is the recommended on-court training hours tailored to each stage of development. For young athletes aiming for high-performance, the suggestion ranges from 10-15 hours a week on court, paired with an additional 3-5 hours of off-court conditioning and mental training. At SCORE Tennis Academy, we structure our programs to reflect these guidelines, ensuring players maximize their time through purposeful, intense sessions that focus on quality over quantity. The combination of on-court repetition, tactical work, and mental toughness drills fosters the growth needed to reach the next level. It’s not just about hitting more balls; it’s about making every hour count. #TennisCanada #PlayerDevelopment #TrainingHours #HighPerformanceTennis #PlayerDevelopment #HolisticTraining #FutureChampions #Tennis

Why volleyball is suitable for young kids? Volleyball is an extremely advantageous and beneficial sport for children and young people. It is a sport that can be done by individuals of all ages and genders, creating a social environment in addition to being fun and easy. Being a sport that can be played anywhere also makes volleyball a popular sport. Developmental Benefits of Volleyball for Children The goal of volleyball trainings for young children is to provide opportunities for the development of basic movement skills, movement abilities and conditioning characteristics in line with children's interest and needs levels. At the same time, it provides opportunities for children to develop their thinking skills, social skills, and personal skills. The goal is to raise individuals who understand, love and can practice volleyball with a conscious volleyball culture. Key Features of Our Youth Volleyball Training: • it is developmental and holistic in structure, • aiming for multifaceted development, • based on games and activities, • offers a learning atmosphere focused on fun and enjoyment, • provides an environment for children to socialize, • prioritizes developing creativity and problem-solving skills, • encourages fair play and competition in children, • promotes healthy and active lifestyle habits. The basic movement skills let children to use their bodies more efficiently in life and also support their overall health. They build the foundation for more complex movements they will use in their future lives. The learning of basic movement skills is important in the biological development of children starting from the age groups of 6-7. Body awareness, spatial awareness, effort awareness and understanding tactics in games play an important role in the development of the movement skills. Therefore, in the training sessions, each child is given sufficient time according to their capacity and activities or games that will allow for their individual development are planned. A smaller and lighter ball is used while the net is quite low. Simple rule-based games are included with the appropriate number of repetitions. In addition to ethics and sportsmanship, the fun aspects of volleyball are emphasized. Discover Volleyball with Us At 2Volley Academy, we are excited to welcome children from the age of 6 to experience the joy and benefits of volleyball. We believe in making the learning process enjoyable and enriching. Now, for every first class, kids can join for free trial session to discover the game! Join us and see why volleyball is a fantastic choice for your child's physical and social development. https://lnkd.in/eD7ZFZu9  

Do you like sportsball* but also a have a thing for bicycles? Bike Polo promises an exhilarating and entertaining experience. Whether you're up for participating or simply spectating, be prepared to witness an adrenaline-fueled event that will keep you on the edge of your seat. For a better understanding of this incredible sport, go to the first comment below. https://lnkd.in/gHqQ3_zk *sportsball = sports that involve a ball, i.e. football, basketball, baseball, etc.

Should Cue Sports be in the Olympics, check out this article from the current BCA Insider - 2024 Summer Sports edtition, and let me know your thoughts... https://lnkd.in/gJt_35tB

Reflection of Olympic Beach Volleyball & Team Collaboration 🏐🇱🇻 My appreciation for team sports, particularly beach volleyball, is profound. But it’s not just a game;it’s a showcase of strategic collaboration. Observing our Latvian women’s beach volleyball team, Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova, I was struck by their approach to teamwork. Their interaction, captured in a short video, revealed a level of mutual support and determination that’s often unseen. They rallied together with focus and trust, securing a win in the 3rd set by a narrow two-point lead. This episode is a practical illustration of effective team dynamics. It underscores the importance of a unified goal, the power of believing in your teammates, and the strength of rapport and trust in eachother and moment. These are the elements that can make or break success in any collaborative project. Video in latvian ☺️https://lnkd.in/dGEB_7J5 #OlympicGames #inspiring #teamwork #project