Taconic Sport & Racquet offers a fun junior tennis development program called Evolution Kids Tennis (EKT) for children between the ages of 4-18. They will be playing real tennis and having fun while they do it. Simon Gale directs our Junior Development Program. He is the “2014 Youth Tennis Provider of the Year.” Simon developed the program based on the philosophy X2 “Practice and Play,” when working in Westchester. The X2 concept follows the same logic as other youth sports that children play two times per week.
The X2 “Practice and Play” program is a great approach to introducing sports to children, because research shows that 75% of people who participate in a sport only once a week are more likely to drop out of that sport within two years.
Junior Pathway
The junior pathway begins with red balls, then progresses to the orange, green, and yellow ball programs, using kid size courts and equipment. Taconic Sport & Racquet is the only club in the area to offer the Evolution Kids Tennis (EKT) Program. In our program, the days of kids standing in line waiting for their turn to hit a ball are over. At Taconic Sport & Racquet, we teach children how to serve, rally, and score at a younger age with less frustration. As they progress and grow, the equipment and courts grow with them!
Red Ball 1
- 3-5 years old
- Foam Ball
- 1 Practice per week (45 minutes)
Red Ball 2 & 3
- 5-8 years old
- Red Felt Ball
- 1 Practice per week (1 hour)
- 1 Play Day per week (1 hour)
Orange Ball 1
- 8-10 year old
- 1-2 Practice per week (1 hour)
- 1 Play Day per week (1 hour)
Orange Ball 2
- 8-10 year old
- 1-2 Practice per week (1.5 hour)
- 1 Play Day per week (1 hour)
Green Ball 1
- 9-12 year old
- 1-2 Practice per week (1 hour)
- 1 Play Day per week (1 hour)
Green Ball 2
- 9-12 year old
- 1-2 Practice per week (1.5 hour)
- 1 Play Day per week (1 hour)
Yellow Ball 1
- 12+ year old
- 1-2 Practice per week (1 hour)
- 1 Play Day per week (1 hour)
Yellow Ball 2
- 12+ year old
- 1-2 Practice per week (1.5 hour)
- 1 Play Day per week (1 hour)
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Please click for a larger image – this explains the Junior Pathway.
Varsity Program
This group focuses on preparation for High School team play. Players must be age 12-16. The must also be an active JV team member, Varsity team member, or an outstanding freshman. Players will develop technical and tactical strategies to compete for both singles and doubles competition. A FREE 30-minute hitting session with a tennis professional is required before registering for this program. Call to schedule your hitting session today!
Tournament Training Program (TTP)
This program is by invitation only. It is for our players who are playing in USTA-sanctioned tournaments and are committed to developing skills required to compete in High School tournaments, USTA tournaments, etc. It is designed to prepare players to compete regularly. Players must be playing USTA-sanctioned tournaments and must commit to both training days per week.
How Do I Move Up a Level?
Players are required to meet certain competencies in order to move up a level. No child can be moved up without the Director’s approval. Your child is continually monitored and assessed throughout the season. We keep parents informed on their child’s progress via parent weeks, workshops, and skills reports. We are always available to answer questions. Remember that if you really want to see progress, twice per week (X2) is needed. Most children drop out of organized activities if they only play once a week.
In general, players and parents should consider the child’s overall results, not just their best win. Also pay close attention to whether the child is accepting the pro’s advice, particularly when it comes to technical changes, this holds a lot of players back.
Avoid comparing your child’s skill and progress to other kids, especially friends. Lastly, remember that the pro staff is very competent and has the best interest of each player, as well as the entire program, in mind when making these decisions.
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What Are Play Days?
Play Days are a great way for kids to play tennis in a fun, social, non-elimination, competitive environment. Point play is the main feature of Play Days. Players will get to play games and points in various situations. It is a wonderful way to get ready for the next step of playing formal competition, which is USTA Tournaments.
Players participate at their level with juniors of similar skills. The emphasis is placed on participation, effort, and sportsmanship. These low-key competitions are organized in formats that allow children to play again and again, whether they win or lose.