Tennis Programming Descriptions

Description of Levels of Players

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Description of Programming:

Beginning Adults: (NTRP Rating: 1.5 - 3.5) This group is for adults and children (ages 13 - 18) who
are new to the sport of tennis, students who have taken some minimal private or group instruction, or
former players returning after some time away from the game (seeking a refresher course on the
fundamentals). Each session (8 weeks) provides a step-by-step introduction (or review) that focuses
on developing and maintaining excellent form and technique for the groundstrokes, serve, and volley.
It emphasizes the development of good stroke formation for the forehand and backhand
groundstrokes via repetitive drills that develop the brain and muscle memory necessary for
consistency, plus a series of running drills that teaches a student how to move properly on the tennis
court. In a relatively short period of time, each student should be able to execute groundstrokes with
good form, good technique and good consistency to the extent that they should be able to rally with
the instructor, and each other. The volley, and the serve are also introduced.

Intermediate Adults: (NTRP Rating: 3.5 - 4.5) This group is for graduates of the Beginning Adults
class, for players who have previously taken 1-2 years of private or group lessons, or former
competitive players with solid fundamental skills returning to the game after 3 or more years away from
it. This class will focus on the progressive development of the groundstrokes with an emphasis placed
on accuracy and control, and the development of more power and top spin. The volley will be worked
on in greater depth to include approach shots, multiple volleys, defensive volleys, high volleys, and
running volleys. The serve, (including return of serve, the return of the return, and overhead smashes)
will be developed to attain greater consistency, power, and accuracy. Singles and doubles match play
will also be introduced.

Advanced Adults: (NTRP Rating: 4.5 - 6.0) This group is for graduates of the Intermediate Adults
class, for players with substantial backgrounds in competitive tennis (high school, college, or organized
tournament play), or for students who have previously had more than 2 years of private lessons or 3-4
years of group lessons - at a minimum all students must have solid technical skills (good form and
footwork) and be able to demonstrate consistency in all shot-making. Each session (8 weeks) focuses
on specific drills associated with each of the three main strokes in the sport (groundstrokes, serve, and
volley), with an additional session for Doubles Strategy. The drills are game situational for singles or
doubles which demands a good level of fitness. It enables the student to master more complex shot
selection, and strategic play in a simulated competitive environment. At the conclusion of each lesson,
court space is available for 1-11/2 hours singles and doubles play. The final lesson of each session is
a doubles or singles tournament.

Beginning Children's: This group is for children ages 5 - 12 years old, with no tennis experience, or
some previous exposure to the sport through group, private or summer camp lessons. In this session
(8 weeks), the focus will be on developing a solid foundation in stroke formation to provide the child
with the requisite skills to progress rapidly. Through a variety of racquet and foot work drills for the
groundstrokes, serve, and volley, students will develop the positive habits necessary to hit the ball
correctly and consistently, with good form and good technique, in an active, yet disciplined progressive
learning method. This class will also include an introduction to the volley and the serve, plus stretching
and strengthening drills, some running drills, and hand-eye coordination games.

Intermediate Children's: This group is for children aged 7 and older, who are graduates of the
Beginning Children's group, or those who have taken private lessons to develop a comparable skill
level. This group continues their development of the fundamentals of the groundstrokes, volley and
serve, and introduces new and more challenging drills associated with each stroke. A substantial
amount of time is also dedicated to learning about match play, etiquette, and other protocols
associated with the game, both for singles and doubles. Each session mirrors the content of the
Intermediate and Advanced Adults session as preparation for advancement to those levels.