2012 USTA/Midwest Section Year In Review - 2012 | Page 78

Pathway 2013 Junior Tennis Pathway The USTA/Midwest Section implemented a new Junior Tennis Pathway in 2011. The QuickStart Tennis play format is a key component of the progression for 10 and under players. The Junior Tennis Pathway provides developmental stages featuring age appropriate balls, racquets, and court sizes. In the past, children have tried the game of tennis using a yellow ball, and an adult-sized racquet on a full (78’) court. As a result, many of these children lose interest due to lack of success because the equipment does not correlate with the size of the player. The QuickStart Tennis play format scales the game down to the size of the child through the use of age appropriate balls, racquets and courts. Utilizing these specifications, the QuickStart Tennis play format allows the child to learn the game faster and have greater success. For many years, countries around the world have been training their 10 and under players using program formats similar to QuickStart Tennis. These program formats have produced some of the world’s top professionals including Roger Federer, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and others. The success of these programs demonstrates why QuickStart Tennis is such a vital part of the USTA/Midwest Section Junior Tennis Pathway. Through the Junior Tennis Pathway, a club, school, park and recreation department and other public facility can host a QuickStart Tennis play format junior tennis event. Your participation is vital to the future of the game in the USTA/Midwest Section. The following is information pertaining to the USTA/Midwest Section Junior Tennis Pathway for 10 and Under players. If you have any questions, comments or need additional information, please contact the USTA/Midwest Section: USTA/Midwest Section 1310 East 96th Street, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46240 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.midwest.usta.com III. Boys and Girls 10 Divisions (New): (GREEN)  All USTA/Midwest Section sanctioned 10 and under tournaments that are designated in the USTA/Midwest Section Points Per Round Ranking Program as a Level 1,2,3,4,5,6 will be held using the following requirements: a. Court: The court shall be a 78-foot court; b. Ball: The ball shall be stage 1 (green) ball; c. Racket: The racket shall not exceed 29.0 inches (73.7 cm) in overall length, including the handle; d. Scoring: The following scoring will be used: two out of three sets with match tie-break for the third; e. Draw Format: The draw format will remain as indicated in the USTA Friend At Court; f. Results will be used for USTA/Midwest Section Points per Round  Ranking Program. In addition to tournament play, it is recommended that players participate in the USTA Jr. Team Tennis Program (www.midwestteamtennis.com) IV. Boys and Girls 12, 14, 16, 18 Level 7 Events (New): (GREEN/YELLOW)  USTA/Midwest Section Points Per Round Level 7 tournaments are aimed to provide an appropriate level of play for junior players that are just getting started into the game. Players in the 12,14,16 and 18 under age divisions are only eligible to participate in USTA/Midwest Section Points Per Round Level 7 tournaments if they have USTA/Midwest Section Standing List points of 100 or less in the age division of the tournament. Seeding and Selection Criteria for Level 7 tournaments in the 12, 14, 16 and 18 under age divisions will be based on the most current USTA/ Midwest Section Standing List as of the entry deadline to the tournament. USTA/Midwest Section 12 and Under Level 7 Tournaments (NEW) All USTA/Midwest Section sanctioned 12 and under tournaments that are designated in the USTA/Midwest Section Points Per Round Ranking Program as a Level 7 will be held using the following requirements: a. Court: The court shall be a 78-foot court; b. Ball: The ball shall be stage 1 (green) ball; c. Racket: The racket shall not exceed 29.0 inches (73.7 cm) in overall length, including the handle. d. Scoring: The scoring format will remain as indicated in the USTA Friend At Court. e. Draw Format: The draw format will remain as indicated in the USTA Friend At Court; f. Results will be used for USTA/Midwest Section Points per Round  Ranking Program. If you have any questions about the Midwest Junior Tennis Pathway, please contact: Chad Doktor USTA/Midwest Section, Director of Junior Tennis 1310 East 96th Street, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46240 Tel: [phone] [email protected] JUNIOR 2012 Junior Tennis Pathway Update: In an effort to create a true Junior Tennis Pathway, the following has been implemented for 2012: I.  oys’ and Girls’ 8 Division: Midwest PPR Level 7 (RED) B All USTA/Midwest Section sanctioned 8 and under tournaments must use the QuickStart Tennis format. Please refer to the Junior Tennis Pathway, the 2013 Friend At Court, and the USTA/Midwest Section website for more information (www. midwest.usta.com). In addition to tournament play, it is recommended that players participate in the Midwest Youth Team Tennis Program (www.midwestteamtennis. com). II.  oys’ and Girls’ 10 Division QuickStart Tournaments: B Midwest PPR Level 7: (ORANGE) All USTA/Midwest Section sanctioned 10 and under tournaments that use the QuickStart Tennis format will be used for Midwest PPR Level 7 events. Please refer to the Junior Tennis Pathway, the 2013 Friend At Court, and the USTA/Midwest Section website for more information (www.midwest.usta.com). In addition to tournament play, it is recommended that players participate in the Midwest Youth Team Tennis Program (www.midwestteamtennis.com). 78 USTA MIDWEST › 2012 year in review 79