Progress does not happen by accident. It has to be designed.
The 359 Development System combines development phases, coach quality, parent role and Fit · Fun · Focus to make growth visible and repeatable.
At 359.tennis we believe development is never about perfection. Real progress comes from continuous learning, effort and reflection. That is the foundation of The 359 Method.
The 359 Development System is a holistic development methodology and the framework behind 359.tennis. It consists of four pillars: Development System (Fit · Fun · Focus™), Progress System, Coach System, and Parent System. This development model for children, juniors and adults was developed by founder Roland Laurense and is applied at NTC Amstelveen, near Amsterdam.
Looking for a holistic tennis methodology that goes beyond technique? The 359 Development System is practice-driven and continuously developing: a tennis development model for children, juniors and adults. With the Fit · Fun · Focus™ pillars we combine physical, mental and personal growth in one integrated framework — from the first lesson to competition level. This player development model for tennis is applied by all 359.tennis coaches at NTC Amstelveen, near Amsterdam.
The 359 Method is our overarching development method. Fit · Fun · Focus is the practical progress system coaches use to translate that method into every lesson and programme.
The method was developed on court — through thousands of lessons, players and real development journeys. Our goal is simple: help players grow as tennis players and as people.
Tennis is the means. Development is the goal. As a player and as a person.
Fit · Fun · Focus
All training at 359.tennis is built around three essential elements.
FIT
Body
Physical development, motor skills, coordination and energy. A strong and energetic body is the foundation for moving more freely, playing better and enjoying the game more.
FUN
Heart
Enjoyment, motivation, connection and teamwork. Sport only truly works when people feel safe, enjoy themselves and want to keep coming back.
FOCUS
Mind
Attention, concentration, decision-making, analysis and reflection. Mental skills that help you on court — and beyond.
Together these elements create the environment where real development can happen.
How a coach works within the 359 Method
Every lesson has two goals: one shared tennis goal and one human development goal. For example, rallying and working together, serving and dealing with mistakes, or footwork and concentration.
Within that shared lesson structure, the coach adapts the pace, challenge and feedback to what the player needs at that moment. Players are not sorted into fixed types; Fit, Fun and Focus are accents within the same lesson.
Why The 359 Method exists
Many sports programmes focus solely on technical training and match results. But real, lasting growth requires more.
Development is a long-term process. It is not just about improving strokes, but about building confidence, perseverance and the ability to learn.
The 359 Method focuses on the complete development environment around the player — training, guidance, progress and collaboration with parents.
The balance behind the method
Every exercise, every lesson and every training programme at 359.tennis is designed to balance Fit, Fun and Focus.
When one of these elements is missing, development slows down. Too much pressure without enjoyment leads to loss of motivation. Too much fun without structure limits growth.
The role of the coach is to continuously adjust this balance for every player. This is what makes The 359 Method dynamic and player-centred.
FIT
FUN
FOCUS
The coach adjusts the balance for every player.
Every player develops differently
Some players are driven by challenge. Others by enjoyment, improvement or connection. Great coaching means understanding the player and adapting the training environment accordingly.
The 359 Method therefore focuses not only on tennis skills, but also on the person behind the player.
The structure of The 359 Method
The 359 Method is implemented through four core components.
Development System
The methodology that explains how Fit · Fun · Focus is applied in the development of people through sport.
Learn more about the Development SystemProgress System
The system used to monitor development and make progress visible and discussable.
Learn more about the Progress SystemCoach System
Standards, training and quality assurance for 359 coaches.
Parent System
Working together with parents to support long-term development.
Learn more about Parent SystemWhat players and parents experience
The 359 Method is not just a philosophy. It is noticeable in daily practice.
Parents often notice
- More confidence
- Stronger motivation
- Improved focus
- Better learning behaviour
Players experience
- Training that challenges physically
- An environment that stimulates mentally
- Coaches who truly know them
- Growth that is celebrated
Where The 359 Method was developed
The 359 Method was developed through years of coaching experience at 359.tennis. Thousands of lessons, players and development journeys shaped the philosophy and structure of the method.
The academy continues to serve as the environment where the methodology is tested, refined and improved.
359.tennis is the original development environment of The 359 Method.
The model
The 359 Method
Every lesson contains all three.
Every player develops differently.
Progress. Not Perfection.
Explore the method in more detail
The 359 Method is applied through different parts of the academy environment.
Development System
How Fit · Fun · Focus™ is applied in development
Learn moreProgress System
How we make development visible
Learn moreParent System
Collaboration with parents
Learn moreTennis Academy
Intensive training programme based on the method
Learn moreAll Programmes
View all lesson programmes
Learn moreVacancies
Work within The 359 Method
Learn moreWhat coaches and parents say
The 359 Method in practice — experiences from coaches, parents and players.
For over 10 years, we've been taking tennis lessons at 359.tennis and playing Saturday afternoon competition at TV De Kegel. We're a fun group of friends in the 50+ category. It's wonderful to be socially and athletically active together. The combination of lessons and competition truly keeps us together as a team.
Petra Versluys
Adults — competition team Saturday afternoon
Our whole family plays at 359. The kids train on Saturday morning, and my wife and I joined the adult group. It's become our shared hobby in the Netherlands. The coaches speak English and the international atmosphere makes us feel right at home.
Chen Wei & Lin
Expat family — kids + adult program
We organised a corporate sports day at 359 for 60 colleagues. The team handled everything from catering coordination to grouping people by skill level. Even colleagues who had never held a racket had a fantastic time. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Sophie Laurent
HR Manager — Booking.com
How it fits together
How method, system, coaches and practice connect
One method, one practical system, one proof environment. This is the canonical split — every term has one meaning and one page.
- 359 Method
- The overarching development method: the framework we use to design lessons and discuss progress.
- Fit · Fun · Focus
- The practical system coaches use in every session: movement, enjoyment and learning in balance.
- 359.tennis
- The tennis school at NTC in Amstelveen: where the method is used, tested and improved every day.
- Coach System
- How coaches are trained and supported, so the method stays explainable, trainable and repeatable.
Further reading
- The history of 359How the method developed over time.
- Roland LaurenseThe founder and developer of the method.
- Fit · Fun · FocusThe practical system behind every lesson.
- Our coachesThe team that works from the same method.
- Coach education & Coach SystemHow coaches are trained and supported.
- Research and dataWhat we measure and publish about progress.
Frequently asked questions about The 359 Method
The most common questions about our method, approach and programmes.
Always room for improvement.
359 Tennis
Develop your game. Develop yourself.
For Coaches
Want to coach inside The 359 Method?
Explore international coaching pathways and development opportunities at 359.tennis.
International Coaches →Dive into the 359 ecosystem
Discover our programmes, method, knowledge and events.
Tennis Lessons
Our complete range of lessons for kids, juniors and adults.
Explore359 Academy
The intensive talent programme for ambitious players.
ExploreEvents
Corporate events, clinics and tournaments at the NTC.
ExploreKnowledge Base
In-depth articles about development, coaching and the parent role.
ExploreParent System
Guide your child better with the 359 Parent System.
ExploreFor Organizations
Partner with 359: licensing, coaching and consultancy.
Explore
Developed and tested at the ABN AMRO OPEN
The 359 clinic concept was developed and refined at the ABN AMRO OPEN. 8 days, a new group every 30 minutes. From 10 to 120 participants per session. That demands structure, simplicity, and a system that always works.
Work with the 359® Method
The 359® Method is available for tennis coaches, tennis schools, sport centres and tennis clubs looking to professionalise their approach. Sport as a vehicle to develop people — Fit · Fun · Focus™.
Tennis Coaches
Become a certified 359.coach and work with a proven development methodology.
Explore pathwaysTennis Clubs
Professionalise your club's tennis offering with the 359® Method.
Explore optionsTennis Schools
Strengthen your tennis school with a uniform methodology and stronger positioning.
Learn moreSport Centres & Locations
Premium programming, operational support or become a recognised 359® location.
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