DEER CREEK R ACQUET CLUB
Junior Tennis
Please see page 33 for no-class date listings
Junior Program Levels to Success
Class name
Age Child/Pro Description
ratio
Player abilities
Red Ball 1
4
Beginner - 10 and under format
using red balls on a 36' court
Just starting to play tennis.
Red Ball 2
5-6
6/1
Beginner - 10 and under format using
red balls on a 36' court
Little or no tennis experience;
cannot rally consistently.
Red Ball 3
6-7
6/1
Beginner - 10 and under format using
red balls on a 36' court
Little or no tennis experience,
cannot rally with other children
Junior Development 7-8
6/1
Program 1 (Orange Ball)
Advanced beginner - 10 and under
format using orange balls on a 60’ court
Can rally consistently.
Junior Development 8-11
5/1
Program 2 (Orange/Green Dot Ball)
Advanced Beginner - Using Orange
balls on a 60' court
Able to serve & play a game on a 60' court.
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
Tournament Prep 3*
11-14
5/1
Yellow Ball used - Advanced
(Yellow Ball)
Recreational player on a full court
Sustains long rallies; understands spins and incorporates
strategy. Serves with a continental grip. Able to play a
regulation game. Is expected to play in weekly Junior
match play. Should play twice a week.
Junior Excellence*
8-13
5/1
Advanced young players
(Yellow Ball)
aspiring to play at a high level
as well as a future high school play
Able to rally with an instructor from the service line,
(20 balls in a row). Wants to establish timeless
fundamentals. Matchplay participation required.
Should play twice a week. USTA Tournament
participation expected. A strong work ethic and a
hustle for every ball.
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.
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
36
Park District of Highland Park • 847.831.3810 • pdhp.org