Welcome to Orange Ball at Five Star Tennis! Designed for beginners aged 8-9 transitioning from Red Ball classes, we emphasize stroke mechanics and match preparation. Get set for an exciting tennis journey with our expert coaches!
Competencies – What we teach our players
Agility
- Maintain balance while moving side to side and forwards/backwards
- Multi-directional movement with efficiency
Balance
- Jump side-to-side and forward/backward with balance
- Hop on one leg over a line with balance
Coordination
- Two ball juggling with variations
- Catch a ball one-handed overhand with no bounce with right and left hand
- Catch a ball one-handed with palm down off of one bounce
Speed
- Run with arms coordinated, posture, and land on the balls of the feet
- High skips while maintaining running form
Ready Position/Recovery
- Athletic stance with wide base, knees bent, shoulders back, eyes forward, and on balls of feet
- Racquet above wrist with elbows away from body
- Recovery after shot behind the baseline near center
Serve
- Serve with a coordinated, balanced, and rhythmical action
- Use a continental grip
- Be able to begin points with minimal double faults
Volley
- Volley with the racquet above the wrist while stepping across the body
Groundstrokes
- Initiate movement with a split step and unit turn
- Use of eastern or semi-western grip on forehand
- Use of continental (dominant hand) and eastern (non-dominant hand) grips on backhand
- Swing with a medium loop with contact in front and to the side of the body creating topspin
- Rotate body through swing and finish with an extended follow-through
- Be able to contact the ball in the strike zone off of varying depths
Game Play
- Initiate the point with an overhead serve or a drop and hit second serve
- Rally 3-5 shots consistently with a player of similar level
Score
- Call the ball in or out
- Demonstrate where to stand when serving and returning
- Understand the main rules of the games
- Know how to score (using 15, 30, 40, etc.)
Engagement
- Listening to the coach
- Trying to execute the drill the correct way
Effort and Energy
- Run for every ball
- Maintain effort throughout the entire duration of the practice
Attitude
- Use of positive emotions
- Being positive in challenging situations