Junior Program


The Missouri Athletic Club's Junior Tennis Program is designed to promote a fun, learning environment that helps youth grow as a player and a person.

The MAC's junior tennis program is based on the USTA's Quick Start Tennis program, which is a progression-based tennis plan training youth as early as age five. Many players coached by MAC staff have earned tennis scholarships to prestigious colleges and universities. The MAC also offers Friday Night Tennis Pizza Parties, hosts Gateway Junior Tennis Tournaments geared for novice and intermediate players, organizes several Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Teams, and has happily put together and hosted many tennis birthday parties for members' children and their friends.

For more information, contact Director of Junior Tennis, Conner Stevenson.

Red Ball One (Ages 6-8) –Players learn how to rally, move and judge a ball, control the racket and the height, direction, depth of the ball. Players will also learn to serve and keep score.

Red Ball Two (Ages 4-6) – Children develop their general motor and athletic skills. The program focuses on training coordination, movement, and balance skills as well as sending and receiving skills that develop ability to rally. The children are exposed to games that are fun and tennis related on a mini court.

These tennis classes are designed to give young children an enthusiasm for the game and develop their tennis skills. The USTA Quick Start Tennis method recommends child-size rackets, nets and courts, along with specially designed low-pressure tennis balls to give youngsters the swing, net height and ball bounce they need to be successful and learn to rally back and forth early in their tennis careers. The MAC's experienced, energetic, and knowledgeable tennis professionals, ensure the children HAVE FUN while learning to play. They are committed to imparting knowledge and improving children's skills, abilities, and self-esteem.


GUEST PARTICIPATION

This tennis level is a members-only program. If interested in trying the program, guests are permitted to participate in one, eight-week session trial period. Guests must apply online (in the form at the bottom of this page), be sponsored by a member, and will be contacted if room is available. Guest rates apply. If interested in guest participation, complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Orange Ball 1 (8-11) – Players should be confident and comfortable competing on 60 ft court. Players will work on using specific patterns, adapting movement and quick reactions. Use of spin, changing directions and hitting with depth will be emphasized.

Orange Ball 2 (8-11)– Players make the transition from 36 to 60 ft court. Players will focus on swing shapes, spin, rallying and serving on balance with a consistent action and higher contact.

This program is for beginner and intermediate level children; courts are divided according to age and ability. At this age, children are likely to have dramatic elevations in their tennis games. Teaching them the proper techniques and advancing those techniques based on their level of play will improve their tennis and increase their interest. The goal of the MAC's tennis professionals is to build upon each child's tennis abilities to advance them to the next echelon of their game. This age group will learn how to develop their shots, hit balls in varying situations, work on core stability and gain a better understanding of tactics. Quick Start orange balls are used to develop these skills more effectively. Once participants are ready, they will be introduced to competitive play outside of the Club.


GUEST PARTICIPATION

This tennis level is a members-only program. If interested in trying the program, guests are permitted to participate in one, eight-week session trial period. Guests must apply online, be sponsored by a member, and will be contacted if room is available. Guest rates apply. If interested in guest participation, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Green Ball (8-11) – Players will use the full-size court. Focus will be placed on refining serve techniques and use of spin on the serve, as well as developing a tactical game plan around attacking and defending. Players from this class will feed into the performance program.
*must have completed orange ball USTA or be evaluated by an MAC tennis pro*


GUEST PARTICIPATION

This tennis level is a members-only program. If interested in trying the program, guests are permitted to participate in one, eight-week session trial period. Guests must apply online, be sponsored by a member, and will be contacted if room is available. Guest rates apply. If interested in guest participation, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Intermediate (ages 11-14) – Age 11 to 14 is a great time to begin tennis or spend more time on the courts. A child at this age is more mentally and physically ready to understand and execute the various strokes. Beginners in this class can start the game and develop into great players and already experienced kids will find themselves learning new skills. Players will see themselves making improvements from week to week. Have your child join this class so they can see how much fun tennis can be and begin a sport for a lifetime!

GUEST PARTICIPATION

This tennis level is a members-only program. If interested in trying the program, guests are permitted to participate in one, eight-week session trial period. Guests must apply online, be sponsored by a member, and will be contacted if room is available. Guest rates apply. If interested in guest participation, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

High Performance (10-14) (Beginning tournament player)  
Peak Performance (11-18) (UTR 1-3 starting to play district tournaments)
Elite Team Training (11-18) UTR 4+ Excelling at local level and playing some sectional tournaments
Elite Performance (UTR 6 or higher or pro approval)

Competitive and Tournament Players

In the Performance Level classes, each participant's tactical and technical skills are developed by working on both offensive and defensive game styles, practicing specialty shots and creating different spins. Physical conditioning and developing strong mental skills is also an important part of this tennis program. Committed tournament players ready to take their game to the next level are encouraged to join this class for hours of drilling, footwork and instruction in the most positive of environments! These classes are divided into levels based on skill/age and all players must be approved for these groups by the Director of Junior Tennis, Max Shapiro.

Junior Tennis Guest Enrollment Form

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