Junior Tennis
PLEASE NOTE: See page 33 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 4/1
or 6/1 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
Program 1 (Orange Ball) 6/1 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
Program 3 (Green Dot Ball) 5/1 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
(Orange/Green Dot Ball) 5/1 Orange & Green Dot Balls will be used.
Intermediate players on full court Sustains medium-length rallies. Is expected to play in
weekly Junior Matchplay. Should play twice a week.
Tournament Prep 2*
(Green Dot Ball) 9-13 5/1 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 Matchplay. Should play twice a week.
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.
Advanced 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
(Orange/Green Dot Ball) 5/1 Advanced young players aspiring to
play at a high level as well as a future
high school player 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.
Junior Excellence*
9-13
(Green Dot/Yellow Ball) 5/1 Advanced young players
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 Boys or 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