*Juniors Session One (Eight Week Program 02/11-04/01)

*Maximum of six paticipants per Instructor

*Registration Opens Tuesday January 22, 2013

*Registration Deadline February 04, 2013

*Cost $175

Times:

3:30-4:30 (ages 5 & under) Tuesday Wednesday and Friday

4:30-5:30 (ages 6-8) Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

5:30-6:30 (ages 9-14) Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

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*Juniors Session Two (Eight Week Program 04/15-06/03)

*Maximum of six paticipants per Instructor

*Registration Deadline March 18, 2013

*Cost $175

Times:

3:30-4:30 (ages 5 & under) Tuesday Wednesday and Friday

4:30-5:30 (ages 6-8) Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

5:30-6:30 (ages 9-14) Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

For the Adults:

*Cardio Tennis (Eight Week Program 02/11-04/01)

*Minimum of six and maximum of ten participants per instructor

*Cost $175 for 8 week punch card (75 minute class)

*Offered Saturday at 8:00 and 9:15am (two classes)

Tennis Fit for Kids (New Program)

Tennis Fit for Kids is a group activity featuring action-based tennis drills and games for children ages 8 to 14 of all ability levels, emphasizing movement and fun using music and pedometers. Using age-appropriate equipment, TFfK will develop an environment filled with tennis specific athletic skills while improving health and fitness. This program is designed to invigorate children’s tennis programming and will provide an option to help fight childhood obesity.

8:1 student/pro ratio. (Must have a minimum of six participants to fly)

60 Minute program including warm-up, work-out and cool-down

Cost: $175 per eight week session

Offered Wednesday 5:30pm and Saturday 10:30am beginning week of February 11, 2013

Free Pedometer included with Registration

Tennis Fit for Kids is a group activity featuring action-based tennis drills and games for children ages 8 to 12 of all ability levels, emphasizing movement and fun using music and pedometers. Using age-appropriate equipment, TFfK will develop an environment filled with tennis specific athletic skills while improving health and fitness. This program is designed to invigorate children’s tennis programming and will provide an option to help fight childhood obesity.

Benefits of Tennis Fit for Kids

• Participants consistently elevate their heart rates into their aerobic training zone.
• It is much more fun than working out on a machine or other fitness activities.
• You get short cycles of high intensity workouts and periods of rest, almost like interval training.
• It is a fun, group activity where players of all abilities enjoy tennis together.
• While you are playing tennis, the focus is primarily on getting a great workout.
• You naturally improve your game because you hit so many balls and repeat various shots. 

8:1 student/pro ratio. (Must have a minimum of six participants to fly)

60 Minute program including warm-up, work-out and cool-down

Cost: $185 per eight week session

Program offered weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings beginning January 2013

You have a choice in tennis to play to improve or play to win.
Playing to improve means you go for your shots (no cautiousness)
when the situation presents itself and live with the results. Playing to win means that when the chips are down you turn into a pusher (just getting the ball back) and pray your opponent misses.
This type of player often wins on a lower level, but when the
competition improves his game falls apart.

I coach players to play to improve and let winning come to them.
Adopting this attitude takes mental toughness. You will have to
withstand some losses that you may have won if you had just pushed
the ball back. But in the long run there is no match for the game
that develops and the mental attitude you acquire. Also, pushers have a difficult time switching from pushing to the mental attitude
of going for their shots!

Here is a scenario that occurs often in junior tennis. In the 10-,
12- and 14-year-old juniors level there are many pushers who win.
This sends a message to many parents, coaches and juniors that
pushing is the way to play the game. That mental strategy becomes
the standard for what these kids are taught. Everyone is happy
because they win more. The problem occurs when these players hit
the 16- and 18-year-old level and pushing the ball back no longer
works. Now the pusher has to change to a “go for your shot”
attitude and adapt to a new game. Not easy! Consequently, they lose
often.

Do not get me wrong. When I say “play to improve,” this does not
mean you do not try to win. Of course you try to win, but you do
not sacrifice the quality of game to win. You stay on track with
the correct mental attitude of going for your shots.

I have seen coaches teach a pushing type of tennis to players for
years. Then when these players reach a tougher level of competition
and lose, the coach is mad at them because they would not go for
their shots!

Whether you’re a junior or an adult, you must immediately begin the
journey toward “going for your shots” tennis. Why? Because the
mental attitude needed to stay with this strategy takes months and
years to develop. Even if you think, “If I would have just pushed
the ball back I would have won,” you cannot crack under this
pressure. Stay focused, stay grounded in mental toughness, think
like a champion and you will rise above!

See you on the court,

Tony

7 Elementary Schools Paint QST Lines

USTA AWARDS “FACILITY ASSISTANCE GRANT” TO:

SANTA MONICA MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Tennis Patrons of Santa Monica, the not-for-profit Community Tennis Association and backbone of Santa Monica tennis since 1947, direct After-School Tennis classes on 7 elementary schools playgrounds under the umbrella of the SMMUSD.

Teaching After-School tennis on a playground with hundreds of  kids running around playing every other sport imaginable while trying to teach, is definitely no easy task.  No tennis court lines or nets; tennis balls flying everywhere, to say nothing of the possible injuries from getting hit.  Even the most experienced, patient teaching Pros can find this situation challenging.

So, when QuickStart Tennis was introduced across the country, the TPSM jumped all over the idea of using the format as the answer for injecting exciting competition into the lessons, promoting greater attention and success in learning.

So successful were registration results using the new QST format, that Bill Nissley, TPSM President, approached the SMMUSD as a partner in applying for a USTA Facility Assistant Grant.

Now, all 7 elementary schools enjoy an end-of-season RallyBall Tournament using the QuickStart Tennis format, with players representing each of their schools at their local Reed Park (aka Lincoln).

For more information on USTA’s Facility Assistance opportunities, visit www.growingtennis.com

A new just-for-kids athletic program developed by the USTA, 10 and Under Tennis  is tennis sized right for kids so they develop skills and enjoy themselves right from the start.  In 10 and Under Tennis, the courts, rackets, and balls are all age appropriate, ensuring kids can immediately begin to see their own progress and enjoy the game – so, y’know, no frustrated tantrums of mini-McEnroe proportions!

How 10 and Under Tennis Works For children 5-8 years old, courts are confined to the 36×18 endcourt quarter. The net is set at 2’9”, rackets are up to 23”, and players use red felt or foam reduced bounce balls.  Children 9-10 years of age use the entire court, except the back court and alleys. The net is set at 3’ (3’6” at net posts), rackets are 23”-25”, and reduced bounce orange balls are used.  How to Get Your Kids Playing Your school or a local athletic organization may already have a 10 and Under Tennis program. But if not, the USTA provides a comprehensive guide to founding or maintaining one, whether in your child’s school or otherwise.  The guide includes a suggested school curriculum written in conjunction with renowned physical education expert Dr. Robert Pangrazi.

Lesson plans, developed for third through sixth graders, focus on effectively teaching tennis in a gym or other activity area. No tennis courts required!  Teachers can receive free materials and recognition incentives by logging on to usta.com/schools.

The USTA also offers interactive workshops where teachers can learn how to manage large numbers of students, learn basic tennis skills and how to teach them, and organize games.

What’s more, the USTA is prepared to help schools with implementation and procuring equipment. Check out 10andUnderTennis.com/equipment.

Support Ten and Under Tennis in your community today! Check out 10andUnderTennis.com.