FAQs

Our classes develop tennis skills and abilities based on the age, size, and athletic ability of juniors. Below is a quick chart you can use to help target the right class for your child. Quick Links: Jr Red Starters, Jr. Red -1, Jr. Red-Orange 2, Jr. Red-Orange, Jr. Orange-Green, Jr. Green-Yellow

Age of junior: | 4-6 Years | | 6-8 Years | | 8-11 Years | | 10-14 Years | | 12-18 Years |

Class to choose if your junior is beginner: | Jr. Red Starters | | Jr. Red-1 | | Jr. Red Orange-2 | | Jr. Red Orange | | Jr. Orange | | Jr. Green

Intermediate: | | Jr. Red-1 | | Jr. Orange | | Jr. Green | | Jr. Yellow | |

Advance: Jr. | | Red Orange-2 | | Jr. Orange | | Jr. Green | | Jr. Yellow | |

These are tennis guidelines Feel free to talk to any of our tennis pros to make sure you find the right spot for your junior. We want kids to be appropriately challenged in a positive environment while having fun.

SJSRC fully supports and teaches tennis in the USTA format using different color and sizes of balls and court sizes depending on the age and ability of the kids.

Ball Color: | Red | | Orange | | Green | | Yellow |

Court Size: | 36' x 18' | | 60′ x 21′ (singles) 60′ x 27′ (doubles) | | 78′ x 27′ (singles) 78′ x 36′ (doubles) | | 78′ x 27′ (singles) 78′ x 36′ (doubles) |

Our Class Name: | | Jr. Red Starters | | Jr. Red-1 | | Jr. Red Orange-2 | | Jr. Orange | | Jr. Green | | Jr. Yellow |

The Red, Orange, Green, and Yellow balls are all official tennis balls, and we sell them in the Pro Shop. Red, Orange, and Green meet USTA standards for teaching and competition for players ages 4 and up.

Red Ball is junior tennis for players ages 4-8. The players play on a 36’ x 18’ court using a Red ball that is slightly larger than a yellow tennis ball that bounces to the appropriate height of the child. Players use tennis racquets appropriate to their skill level. Racquet sizes are 19” and 21”, and we sell them in our Pro Shop.

Beginner Red Ball players learn the four basic strokes of tennis:

Forehand

Backhand

Volley

Serve

Focus is on hand-eye coordination, sending and receiving skills, racquet handling, and making contact with the ball. Learn how to play the game.

Intermediate Red Orange-2 ball players begin to rally with each other. They develop more consistency with their strokes, aim their shots, and play matches against each other, and participate in Benchmark Tennis Match Play events.

Orange Ball is junior tennis for players ages 8-14. They will play and compete on a 60’ x 21’ court using an Orange ball that is appropriate for their skill level. Players use tennis racquets appropriate to their height and skill level. Racquet sizes are 23″ and 25″, and we sell them in our Pro Shop.

Juniors in this age range who have never played tennis before may want to start by taking a few Red Orange-2 clinics to learn the basics before moving to the Orange Ball clinics. In this class, players are expected to know how to perform the proper technical parameters with the forehand, backhand, volley, and serve although they may still be developing the ability to use power, spin, and placement consistently.

The Orange Ball court is longer than Red Ball, so the focus is on technical and tactical parameters, shape of shot, contact point, ball height, accuracy and consistency, while learning when to transition from baseline to net during points. Players play both singles and doubles, learning how to cooperate and develop teamwork. Tiebreaker format is introduced.

Green Ball is junior tennis for players aged 10-16. They will play and compete on a 78′ x 27′ court (full size) with a Green ball. In this clinic, players are expected to know how to use the forehand, backhand, volley, and serve properly, keep score, and maintain good footwork. Consistency and accuracy will be taught so players become better players.

Green Ball uses the full-size tennis court, so the focus is on shot selection and placement, anticipating the ball coming to them, court coverage, and offensive/defensive skills. Players play both singles and doubles, learning strategies and techniques for success. Juniors in this class are often preparing to move up to the yellow ball clinics so they can try out and play on their middle-school or high-school tennis teams.

Players who develop proficiency in Green Ball can enter Green Ball tournaments or join a Green Ball Junior Team Tennis league. We also offer Benchmark Tennis match play events at the club.

Yellow Ball is junior tennis for players ages 12-18. They will play and compete on a 78′ x 27′ court (full size) with a Yellow tennis ball.

In this class, players are expected to know how to execute all the shots with various spins, depth, height, and pace, serve consistently, and play full sets of tennis.

Yellow Ball uses the full-size tennis court, and clinics cover all the techniques necessary to play a vigorous tennis game against a variety of opponents. Juniors in this class often play on their high-school tennis teams.

Players who develop proficiency in Yellow Ball can enter Yellow Ball tournaments, match play events, or leagues.

Junior Red Starters: ages 4-6. This is a beginner’s class using Red Balls on 36’ court. Players develop hand-eye coordination, basic ball- and racquet-handling skills, and learn how to send and receive the ball.

Junior Red-1: ages 6-8. This is a beginner clinic that uses Red Balls on a 36′ court. The focus of this clinic is on learning the ground stroke technical parameters by sending and receiving skills along with beginning to learn the whole serve. Players will engage in various game-based activities to future their tennis skills. Goals are to have fun, control the racquet and ball, and establish a basic rally.

Junior Red Orange-2: ages 8-11. This is an intermediate/advanced clinic using Red Balls on 36′ court. This class covers beginner skills for the older age group, who are able to learn them quickly, plus intermediate and advanced skills. Players learn to rally and play right away. Focus is on the basic skills, consistency, rally ball heights, and rules of the game. Goals are to develop proper skills, physical movement, and have fun.

Junior Orange: ages 8-14. This is an intermediate class using Orange Balls on 60′ courts. This clinic focuses on the players transitioning to a faster orange ball, bigger courts, and higher net.

Junior Green: ages 10-16. This is an intermediate and advanced class using Green Balls on 78′ courts. Low intermediates to intermediate players preparing or match play and tournaments. Learn tactics and strategies, using a positive attitude and dealing with wins, losses and taking risks.

Junior Yellow: ages 12-18. This is an intermediate and advanced class using Yellow balls on 78′ courts. Strong Middle School, Jr. High, and High School players focused on match play, strategies, conditioning, and tactics for singles and doubles.

Still confused? Ask any of our coaches or the front desk and we’ll be happy to help!

Classes are held on courts 4-6 at the club. We have covered bleachers outside of Court 4 for family members and friends to relax and watch.

Classes are held on courts 4-7 at the club. We have covered bleachers outside of Court 4 for family members and friends to relax and watch.

For more information, go to the USTA website at NetGeneration.USTA.COM.

There is a tennis pro shop in the SJSRC office featuring Wilson racquets and balls for all levels of play – junior to tournament level competitors. We also carry a full line of Wilson grips, socks, and over-grips. We will special order any Wilson equipment we do not have in stock for you. You can select from our Wilson catalog in the pro shop.

At SJSRC, we also offer Match Play opportunities through Benchmark Tennis. See www.benchmarktennis.org for more information.

SJSRC supports after-school programs at elementary schools in the South Bay. To see about setting one up at your school, contact Coach Leslie.