QuickStart Tennis is a new play format to help kids 10 and under learn and play the game. To make it easier for them, we changed a few things. The court sizes. The racquet sizes. The balls. The scoring system. Even the net height.
Now any child between ages five and 10 can start playing tennis almost immediately -- even if he or she has never picked up a racquet before.
Like other popular youth sports, QuickStart stresses the importance of play and team competition. It's also now part of the USTA Jr. Team Tennis league and can be part of your existing programs, as well, which means that even more kids will have the opportunity to experience this new play format, have fun playing with their friends and develop skills that will become the foundation of their game.
More information is available at http://partners.quickstarttennis.com.
In USTA Jr. Team Tennis, the team concept emphasizes fun, fitness and friends. The focus in this kind of play is on enjoying the exhilaration of exercise and refining the skills that make tennis fun for players at all ages and levels of competition. USTA Jr. Team Tennis is a multi-week program of team practice and match play for boys and girls, ages 6 to 18, who want to play tennis on teams. Teams are comprised of players of similar age and skill, and they compete against other teams from the same geographic region in one of five league divisions: 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under or 18 & under. The QuickStart Tennis play format is now part of the 8-&-under and 10-&-under divisions of play. More information is available at http://jrteamtennis.usta.com.
A Recreational Coach Workshop (RCW) is an interactive, on-court training program designed for tennis teachers and coaches working with players at the recreational level. Taught by a specially trained, certified teaching professional, this active six-hour session covers:
· Teaching large groups
· The games-based approach to coaching
· The QuickStart Tennis play format (new in 2008!)
· Running effective team practices
· The Top 10 Games Every Coach Should Know
These workshops are an excellent primer for new coaches, as well as a valuable refresher course for those with teaching experience but who seek more current methods and effective tools. Faculty are all certified by the Professional Tennis Registry and/or U.S. Professional Tennis Association and have received special training from the USTA. Workshops must have a minimum of 20 participants. You don't have 20 participants in your community? Consider inviting coaches from surrounding communities, or co-host the RCW with another agency. If your Park & Recreation Agency, club, NJTL, community tennis association or other organization is interested in hosting one of these workshops, please visit www.usta.com/rcw.
USTA League Tennis is the country’s largest recreational adult league, helping more than 295,000 players nationwide get on the court and have a good time. The USTA also sanctions national tournaments each year for junior and adult/senior players who strive for a national ranking. See the Tournaments & Leagues section of the USTA website for details and to get involved. Learn how at www.usta.com/leagues.
NJTL is a nationwide network of community organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, NJTL reaches out to those who would not have the opportunity to play, instilling the values of leadership and academic excellence and giving all kids the opportunity to develop skills for a lifetime of enjoyment for the sport. To learn more about NJTL, visit www.usta.com/njtl.
USTA NJTL:
USTA League Tennis:
Recreational Coach Workshops:
USTA Jr. Team Tennis:
QuickStart Tennis