2024-2025 JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Tennis is the sport of a lifetime, with many benefits for younger players. STC offers a comprehensive program for developing junior players, starting at age 5 through high school. Players move through different levels in our program, gaining the skills they need to play tennis right from the beginning. We offer weekly practices, small group lessons, private instruction and organized Match Play and tournaments to help developing players become successful on and off the court. Our goal is to have junior players fall in love with the game!
School Year Program
Our program has 6 sessions. There are 2 sessions each in the fall, spring and summer. We offer special camps during Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break and during the summer.
For membership information, please click here. Players must be members of STC to enroll in our programs. Membership is FREE.
To sign up for our current session, please click here.
Our Coaching Philosophy
STC follows the European Coaching Model, which emphasizes progressive skill development at each age. Players are placed in groups and taught using modified courts, equipment and balls to insure they gain the skills they need to play right from the beginning. The program uses the principles from Evolution Kids, a leading junior program used at John McEnroe’s Academy and other programs throughout the world. We focus on getting kids to play right from the beginning. Players are taught how to play points and games. Skills focus on controlling and directing the ball to help win points.
Coaches work on developing the athletic skills, court movement, and basic tennis technique to help in match play at each level. Each level builds on the previous one, maximizing the potential of each player. Player advancement is based on moving up within each age group. We do not believe in moving players until they have mastered the skills required to move up. Without the right skills, players will not develop to their full potential.
Our Coaches
Our coaches are not just excellent players. While all of them played college tennis, we recognize that being an excellent player is just the start. Each of our staff members has completed extensive training programs in the European Coaching Model, junior development and are certified by the PTR, an international professional teaching organization. Coaches continue their training by attending additional workshops twice a year. In addition, each coach has been Safe Play certified in accordance with USTA and USOC guidelines for safe coaching.
MOVING UP THROUGH LEVELS
There are 4 levels in each age group. Players move up levels based on skill evaluations at the end of each session. Players may spend multiple sessions in one level as they gain skills. The higher the level, the more time it will take to move up.
Level 1 is for players who have not taken tennis lessons before or who are just starting to play. Players will be introduced to basic tennis skills in a smaller learning environment to accelerate their progress. The class is limited to 6 players per coach. Practices meet one day a week for 1 hour. Players must test out of this level to move up.
Level 2 is for players who have tested out of Level 1. Players will be introduced to more advanced skills and beginning match play. Practices meet one day a week for 1 hour. Players will be encouraged to start small group instruction in addition to classes. Players will be eligible for Match Days/Team Tennis and small group instruction. Players must test out of this level to move up.
Level 3 (Pre-Tournament) is for players who have tested out of Level 2. Players will be introduced to the skills they will need to start competitive play. Practices meet one day a week for 1 hour. Players should be attending small group instruction at this level. Players will be eligible for Match Days/Team Tennis and small group instruction. Players must attend at least 1/2 of the Match Days. Players must test out of this level to move up.
Level 4 (Tournament) is for players who have tested out of Level 3. Players will be introduced to advancing playing skills, and will spend more class time on competitive development. Practices meet once a week for 1.5 hours and attend small group instruction or a second day of class. Players at this level are required to attend instruction for 2 days a week, and play in a tennis tournament once a month. Players will be placed in their next level based on age/ability.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
Using the Evolution Kids process, players are introduced to new skills at each level. The ball and court size are matched to the skills being taught. We focus on tennis/athletic skill development, making sure that players have mastered the basic techniques needed at each level to move on. Players work cooperatively in class, freeing our coaches to make personal improvements. Our goal is not to hurry players to a certain competitive level, but to develop complete players who have all the skills they need as they get older, so they can compete at whatever level they choose. We are committed to helping each player find their full potential as individuals and as players.
We offer the following activities for players to help accelerate the learning process.
- Weekly group practices
- Weekly small group lessons*
- Individual lessons*
- Match Days to learn match play etiquette and competitive skills*
- Team Tennis*
- Tournaments (UTR and USTA)
*Players must be participating in a weekly group practice to attend these additional activities
