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Questions about Quick Start
JTT QuickStart will begin Spring,
2009
1. What is Quick Start?
Quick Start
Tennis is a new format for young tennis players ages 10 and
under. There are two different variations, one for children ages
6-8, and another for children ages 9-10.
USTA is
committing to a new way to introduce young children to the sport
of tennis. European and South American countries have been using
a “short court” for years to introduce players to the game,
modifying not only the court size but also the size of the
racquets and type of balls used to fit the player’s
developmental type. Just as baseball (or soccer or football or
softball or practically any other youth sport you can think of)
transitions from one stage to another (from t-ball to
coach-pitch to kid-pitch to Little League), so too will tennis
transition in an age appropriate manner. In the past, we’ve
asked our beginner 8 year old players to use the same ball and
racquet and to play on the same court using the same scoring and
formats of play as …. Roger Federer or Serena Williams! Crazy!
If you’d like
to learn more about Quick Start, follow this link to the USTA’s
page about the program:
http://consumers.quickstarttennis.com/.
The following
humorous link shows Martina Navratilova and Mary Joe Fernandez
demonstrating the logic for the kid-sized courts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_-rAEHQmbc&feature=related.
Carl Hodge,
Director of Tennis for the City of Macon, is starting QuickStart
instruction and play formats in thirty-eight elementary schools
in the fall, 2008. If your child is interested and hasn’t yet
seen this demonstration at school, feel free to contact Carl at
carlhodge1@aol.com - or refer to the
www.MaconTennisConnect.org website.
2. What’s the format for 8-under
players?
These youngest
players, who have completed a basic instructional program
already, will use a 36-foot court with a lower net, a
smaller racquet (no more than 23 inches) and a foam ball. The
court is formed by setting up four new courts sideways on one
regulation court. Really. It works beautifully, and sets up in
just moments.
 
3. What about 10-under players?
Nine and ten
year olds will use a 60-foot court with the regulation net, a
smaller racquet (no more than 25 inches), and a low compression
ball. The baseline is moved in 9 feet, and the sidelines are
also moved in several feet, creating a smaller court. The lines
are done with painters tape and take about 15 minutes to prepare
for play.
4. How young can my child start?
Six year olds are ready for Quick Start. If
your child is only five but is well-coordinated for his/her age,
contact the JTT Coordinator, Bonnie Smith, to discuss your
individual situation.
5. How can
I get instruction for my child?
The
professionals at JDS and Healy Point are already offering
classes for children ages 10-under on the 36-foot courts.
Contact them directly at
www.macontennisconnect.org (for JDS) or at 478-746-2394
(Healy Point).
6. Why
change the court size?
Players are able to control the equipment
and to enjoy playing tennis almost immediately. Very young
players with little experience can quickly learn to serve, to
rally, to volley, to construct points – instead of chasing balls
that they’ve hit out of the court all lesson long. No longer do
we LEARN TO PLAY tennis – we PLAY TO LEARN the game! Fun!!
7. What do
we need from parents?
When we set up Junior Team Tennis teams in
the spring, we will need parents to serve as captains and others
to help keep score, to help set up the courts (lines), and to
keep them focused. Imagine running a t-ball game without a 3rd
base coach, a 1st base coach, a dugout coach, at
least one coach in the outfield – it would be chaos and no one
would learn. Same for this new game – they’re playing (not
taking instruction), so they need some parental supervision on
court.
You will be amazed by how quickly these
very young players are able to rally and play real tennis –
you’ll want a short court for your driveway, your neighborhood
or school soon!
8. Will
these QuickStart competitors play at State, too?
The 10-unders who are playing on the
60-foot courts WILL be able to compete at the State tournament
in 2009. The youngsters on the 36-foot courts will play locally
in the spring and fall.
9. I’ve
heard about Quick Start tournaments – is this true?
Yes! USTA is sanctioning one-day
tournaments throughout the state of Georgia for 8-under and
10-under players on these modified courts. |
