Junior Tennis
PLEASE NOTE: See page 37 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 Matchplay. 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 Matchplay. 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 & shot selection. Should play twice a week.
*Enrollment in Tournament Prep 1 and higher is subject to approval by the Junior Director. An evaluation may be required.
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
5/1
(Orange/Green Dot Ball)
Must play twice a week. Matchplay is required.
Can rally & 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 & a
hustle for every ball.
High School 1.5
14-18
5/1
Yellow Ball-use full court
Players that made freshman team or higher.
Should play twice a week.
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.
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Park District of Highland Park • 847.831.3810 • pdhp.org