Junior Tennis

PROGRESS WITH PURPOSE

Building skills through our junior development pathway

This pathway offers a clear, progressive approach to tennis development. Players start with modified equipment and court sizes and gradually transition to the full game. Each stage focuses on age-appropriate skills, tactics and physical development needed to advance to the next level. Our certified staff support every junior player along the way, helping them build the skills and confidence.

Programming

Age
Designed for players ages 4-7, with some players up to age 8.

Focus
Introduces tennis through fun, theme-based activities and games while developing fundamental athletic skills, including agility, balance and coordination (ABCs).

Skills
Players learn the basics of serving, rallying and scoring, building a strong foundation for future development.

Equipment
Players use a red foam or low-compression felt ball on a 36-foot court with a shorter net.

Age
Primarily for ages 8-9, with some players up to age 10.

Focus
Builds on the red ball foundation by introducing more advanced techniques and tactical concepts. Activities remain game-based, with an increased emphasis on strategy and decision-making.

Skills
Players develop more consistent serves, groundstrokes and volleys while learning to control ball direction and depth. Players also begin to understand basic shot selection.

Equipment
Players use an orange low-compression felt ball on a 60-foot court with a regulation-height net.

Age
Generally for ages 11-15, with some players up to age 16.

Focus
Transitions players to a full-sized court while continuing to refine technical skills and develop more advanced tactical awareness.

Skills
Players improve serve consistency and power, enhance groundstroke depth and spin, and develop stronger court coverage and strategic play. Players also begin learning more specialized shots, including overheads and drop shots.

Equipment
Players use a green low-compression felt ball on a full-sized 78-foot court with a regulation-height net.

Questions?

Contact Brian Dean, Managing Director of Tennis, at brian.dean@midwest.usta.com.