Children Lesson Schedule
The Naperville Tennis Club has a complete lesson program from 4 year old 'Sprouts' to High School Varsity tournament players.
Sprouts
Recommended age: Mature 4 through 7
Pre-requisite: None.
Description: An introduction to the sport via the tennis court structured to utilize your child’s developing motor skills, eye-hand coordination, balance, timing and patience. Basic running, chasing, balancing, transferring of weight, jumping and landing are transitioned into the basic strokes. Class ratio is 5 students to 1 coach on 1 court for one half hour to ensure not surpassing your child’s interest span.
Advanced Sprouts
Recommended age range: Mature 6 and 7
Pre-requisite: Sprouts or equivalent. Should be able to toss and catch the ball and have some success with bouncing a tennis ball with a racquet: both off the floor and into the air. At this stage players should be able to cooperate and remain attentive in a group setting.
Description: Same as Sprouts above. This class further develops the motor skills and eye-hand coordination skills used in tennis. Foot-work and coordination with basic strokes gains emphasis.
Beginner
Recommended age: 8 & up
Pre-requisite: None. This class is for those who have never picked up a racquet to those with limited experience.
Description: This class focuses on stoke production and footwork, students work on getting the ball in play while demonstrating an understanding of the basics of form. Players are acquainted with the rules of tennis, scoring, and singles and doubles play. Students should be able to rally across the net several times by course ending.
Advanced Beginner
Recommended age: 8 & up
Pre-requisite: Beginner or equivalent. The Advanced Beginner registrant should have had some tennis instruction and playing experience. The player should be able to perform a short rally from service line to service line and know the basics of ground strokes, volleys and serves.
Description: This class addresses form, a complete swing, control and grips and introduces lobs, overheads and some specialty shots. Basic singles and doubles strategy is introduced. Game situations are integrated, making lots of fun! Placement and positioning are presented. Students in advanced beginners are able to serve with some consistency, rally (5 shots) from the baseline, volley in the general direction of a target, and are starting to understand court positioning. They begin experimenting with spin shots and begin playing some matches.
Low Intermediate
Recommended age: 8 & up
Pre-requisite: Adv. Beginner or equivalent. Basic strokes’ form has been achieved.
Description: Stroke form is reinforced and becomes consistent. More advanced stroke selection is made available for hitting with more depth and a more consistent return. Positioning, shot placement, footwork, serve consistency and strengthening the second serve are emphasized. Rhythm of ground strokes is achieved to accomplish rallies of 8 balls from the baseline. Follow through and spin becomes apparent on strokes. More play groups and opportunities become available to the student at this level.
Intermediate
Recommended age: 10 & up
Pre-requisite: Low Intermediate.
Description: Consistency, moving ground strokes, placement and service return are worked on. Intermediate students should become very comfortable coming to the net during match play and playing with depth and angle. Doubles strategies should be acted out. Spin serves and rallies of duration (ten strokes with both forehand and backhand) can be seen. Many match weapons are being developed and players should be able to control placement of shots.