The tennis program at Westtown is founded upon a commitment to fostering an environment that reflects the core Quaker values of integrity, community, equality, and a competitive spirit. Our coaching philosophy is centered around the holistic development of our student-athletes, emphasizing their skills on the tennis court and their personal growth as individuals and contributors to the community.

How We Train

Our typical practice begins with dynamic warm-up and stretching, followed by a brief cardio/fitness routine. We often devote time to focused hand-eye and reflex development drills, which are meant to improve players’ fine motor skills. We then move on to an extended period of working on specific aspects of the game, such as serving, groundstroke consistency, or doubles exercises. We typically conclude practices with something fun that incorporates fitness with team-building. We emphasize the importance of communication, teamwork, and individual improvement throughout practices.

Player-Focused Philosophy

Our approach to player development for the tennis team is founded on the belief that each athlete is unique, with specific needs, goals, and potential for growth. The novice player may set goals to build consistency and learn elementary strategies for competitive play. More advanced players may set more specific goals for themselves each time they step onto the court. Recognizing the diversity of skill levels and playing styles among our athletes, we aim to meet the individual needs of each player. We prioritize the development of sound tennis fundamentals.

The Westtown Cross Country coaching philosophy puts the health and development of our athletes’ physical, mental, and spiritual well-being before all else. We also prioritize fun, teamwork, sportsmanship, and integrity in every practice and race. This focus leads not only to a joy in running that can be lifelong but also has led the team to consistent success over the years. We believe competition is only one part of what inspires our runners to spend the effort in training necessary to achieve excellence. Equally important are the intrinsic values of building fitness, discovering the world outdoors, and the support, camaraderie, and mentorship teammates provide each other. Throughout Westtown’s three-season distance running program, we strive to create a nurturing environment that empowers our student-athletes to become well-rounded individuals who positively contribute to their teams and communities.

How We Train

A typical day with the cross country team begins under our cool shade tree, where we may briefly share personal records and scores from the recent meet. Then, the captains take the team on a warmup run and follow it with dynamic stretches. After that, we often do a long aerobic run on campus or in nearby neighborhoods; other days, the runners are challenged with speed work on the track, hills, or fields. With two full 5K courses on campus, there is no shortage of trails available for distance runs. Varsity and JV runners might cover 4-6 miles on a typical day at various paces while developing athletes are encouraged to build up their volume gradually to discourage injuries. Occasionally, the team can be found playing an aerobically challenging game with a ball or Frisbee. At the close of practice, the team gathers for debriefing, static stretches, and core work before dismissing with a team cheer.

Player-Focused Philosophy

Health and fitness are our priorities. We understand that distance running is a long game and that many athletes will encounter injury at some time in their careers. Running is also a mentally difficult activity to learn to enjoy. For new runners, the priority is building up the aerobic and mental strength to engage in the full workouts gradually; often, new runners see a dramatic improvement in competition as their fitness rapidly grows. For varsity runners, the focus is on finding the right mixture of distance, speed, and rest to increase speed throughout the season and run their best at culminating championship meets. We also cultivate a team focus by running in “packs” during practice and meets and relying on teammates for pacing, drafting, and encouragement. Captains and other student team leaders are crucial in developing team culture, identifying individuals needing mentorship and navigating routes. An important aspect of the team is recognizing personal achievements—every athlete who earns a “PR” (personal record) in a meet is celebrated vocally as the group—and the accomplishments earned by the Varsity and JV teams.

Westtown girls soccer coach Scott Bissett believes that the key to players’ long-term growth and development is to set high standards for players while fostering fun. The coaching staff emphasizes hard work, a competitive spirit, and enjoying the sport and the experience. This environment allows players to hone athletic and technical skills and work on various skills that apply to all aspects of their lives.

How We Train

The team trains in a number of ways: on the field, in the Fitness Center/weight room, in the classroom setting (video analysis and tactical sessions), and in personal development. The team practices daily and uses progressive cycling of workloads throughout the season. Each training session is specifically designed for the team’s needs, from dynamic activations to technical repetition, game situations, and more.

Player-Focused Philosophy

Player development – athletically and personally – is the foundation of our soccer program. We challenge each player to improve technically, deepen their tactical understanding, and create an environment in which players can strive for excellence individually and collectively. Westtown School’s values permeate our team culture, and we expect players to act with integrity and positively impact our community. We foster these values in team meetings, on the field, in goal setting, at team dinners, and whenever we are together. We encourage players to strive to be their best on and off the field.