Yonkers Tennis Center introduces “Quickstart” Tennis which is a new format to help kids 10 and under learn to play the game. To make it easier for them, we modified a few things. By modifying the court size, racquet size, balls, scoring system and the net height, combined with a play component, kids will develop better technical and tactical skills. Most junior sports adapt the sport to increase success for the player – now tennis is catching up!
Now any child between the ages of 5 and 10 can start ‘playing’ tennis almost immediately – even if he or she has never picked up a racquet before. Instead of hitting and waiting for your next turn, players are learning to play the game and develop many more athletic skills from day one.
Like other popular junior sports, Quickstart stresses the importance of play and team competition. Tennis spends years teaching before they learn to play and you lose the window of opportunity to get them hooked on the game. Players want to play the game as soon as possible and if you look at any other sport they all get juniors playing their game quickly – that is what motivates them to improve and strive to succeed.
*Please make sure to review our Club policies
Just as kids need a court that suits their size, they also need the right size equipment. That's why both the racquet and ball are different from the equipment adults use.
Balls
Kids need a ball that is equal to their playing abilities. A regulation ball moves too fast, bounces too high and is too heavy for the smaller racquet. This helps them use correct technique.
The 8 & under will use a very low compression ‘red’ ball while the 10 & under will use a low compression ‘orange’ ball. By using the correct ball technique will improve.
Racquets
For an adult player to succeed at tennis, racquet control is essential. Same goes for kids. Kids need a racquet that is proportionate to their height and hand size.
For 8 & under the racquet should be 19”, 21” or 23”, while 10 & under the racquet should be 23” or 25”.
Court Equipment
Quickstart tennis uses equipment that is scaled down to the size and ability level of young children. When kids start playing soccer, basketball and baseball they don’t play on regulation size fields. Once they master the scaled down game they graduate to the bigger playing fields.
*The 8 & under player will play on a 36’ court with a smaller net. Up to four mini courts can play at one time, enabling more point play and a better learning environment.
*The 10 & under player will play on a 60’ court with a regular net. Up to two mini courts can play at one time, enabling more point play and a better learning environment.
We have 4 levels within our pyramid of development:
QS 1 – Entry level, 36’ court with red very low compression ball. Emphasis is on general motor and athletic skill development.
QS 2 – 36’ court with red very low compression ball. Players are required to demonstrate an exchange using a full or abbreviated service motion.
QS 3 – 60’ court with red very low compression and orange transition balls. They will learn the basics of tactical play. The serve and return will become more important.
QS 4 – 60’ court with orange transition ball. Players will be required to demonstrate ball control and consistency in play situations.
How to get started!
QuickStart is the future of 10 and under tennis. Please contact our programmer Suzy Kerper at 914.968.6918 x 314 to get your child involved and playing the game as soon as possible.
USTA QuickStart Tournaments
YTC will be hosting USTA sanctioned QuickStart tournaments for two divisions, 8 & under and 10 & under. You must be a member of the USTA to participate. All tournaments will be designed to encourage participation through team play; no player will be eliminated during the event. The more the kids play matches the quicker they learn the strategy and tactics of playing the game.
QuickStart Tournaments [download flyer]
Visit our QuickStart Tournament page
QUICKSTART LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
(Please note scores are a running tally) |
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Flying Racquets |
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31 games |
28 games |
2 |
71 games |
50 games |
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TRIVIA QUESTION:
Roger Federer, the mens #1 ranked tennis player in the world is from what country?
