Junior Tennis
PLEASE NOTE: See page 39 for no-class date listings.
Junior Program Levels to Success
Learning & Development Program
Class name
Age Child/Pro Description
Ratio Player abilities
Red Ball 1
4-5
Beginner - 10 and under format
using red balls on a 36' court Just starting to play tennis.
Red Ball 2
6-7
6/1
Beginner/Advanced Beginner -
10 and under format using red balls
on a 36' court Little or no tennis experience;
cannot rally consistently.
Junior Development 7-8
6/1
Program 1 (Orange Ball) Advanced beginner - Using orange
balls on a 60’ court Learning to rally.
Junior Development 8-11
5/1
Program 2 (Orange/Green Dot Ball) Advanced Beginner - Using Orange
balls on a 60' court Beginning to rally and serve. Capable of rallying with a
pro from service line 10 times or baseline 5 times.
Junior Development 11-14
5/1
Program 3 (Green Dot Ball) Advanced Beginner - Using green dot
balls on a 78' court Sustains medium-length rallies (5 shots).
Able to serve & play a game on a 78' court.
Tournament Prep 1*
8-11
5/1
(Orange/Green Dot Ball) Orange & Green Dot Balls will be used.
Intermediate players on full court Sustains medium-length rallies. Is expected to play in
weekly Junior match play. Should play twice a week.
Tournament Prep 2*
9-13
5/1
(Green Dot Ball)
Green Dot Balls will be used -
Intermediate/Advanced players -
use of full court Starting to understand spins & grip change to continental.
Able to serve & play a regulation game. Is expected to play
in weekly Junior match play. Should play twice a week.
4/1
or 6/1
High School 1*
14-18
5/1
Yellow Ball - use of full court
Sustains medium-length rallies (5 shots).
Starting to incorporate & understand grip
changes and shot selection. Should play twice a week.
Learning & Development Program | Must be tested or approved by Junior Director or 10 & Under Director
Class name
Age Child/Pro Description
Ratio Player abilities
Mini Excellence*
6-9
5/1
(Orange/Green Dot Ball)
Must play twice a week. Matchplay is required.
Can rally and play on the 60' court with orange ball.
Player is transitioning to full court with green dot balls.
Advanced young players aspiring to
play at a high level as well as a future
high school player
Junior Excellence*
9-13
5/1
Advanced young players
(Green Dot/Yellow Ball)
aspiring to play at a high level
as well as a future high school player
Able to rally with an instructor from the service line,
(20 balls in a row). Wants to establish timeless
fundamentals. Matchplay participation required.
Must play twice a week. USTA Tournament
participation expected. A strong work ethic and a
hustle for every ball.
High School 2*
14-18
5/1
Yellow Ball – use full court
Players that made High School Boys JV team for HP or
played on Girls High School JV team. Should already be
playing USTA tournaments. Should play twice a week.
High School 3*
14-18
5/1
Yellow Ball – use full court
Players that made their High School Varsity team or
are capable of making the Varsity team. Should already
be playing USTA tournaments. Should play twice a week.
*Must have Head Pro/Junior Development Director approval
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Park District of Highland Park • 847.831.3810 • pdhp.org