A New Direction For 10 And Under Tennis
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In 2011 USTA Southern will use the QuickStart Tennis Format in all 10 and under play. This will include sanctioned tournaments and league play. League play will start with the 2011 Championship Year which will be September of 2010. USTA Southern is strongly encouraging sanctioned tournaments and leagues to offer both formats in 2010. For 2011 anyone who chooses to play on the full size court will play in the 12s.
Changes in 10 and under play will go into effect in other sections in the 2012 Championship Year.
QuickStart Tennis format is a new way for kids 10 & under to learn and play the game. The court sizes, racquet sizes, balls, and the scoring system will be age specific. Even the net height has been adjusted to ease the young player’s entry into the sport. This new tennis format is tailor-made for kids. And when all these elements are used together, it truly works. Any child between ages five and ten can start playing tennis almost immediately, even if he or she has never picked up a racquet before. Plus, just like other popular sports with youth versions, the QuickStart format stresses the importance of play and team competition. And since most kids love team sports, this new format is now part of the USTA Jr. Team Tennis league. Kids will now have the opportunity to play with their friends while developing their skills. With age specific equipment, the growth and understanding of the game should be developed much quicker. It's the fast, fun way to get kids into tennis-- and keep them playing.
8 and under | |
| Age: | Same as regular USTA divisions. Cannot turn 9 years old the month of the tournament and cannot be 9 before August 31 for leagues. |
| Court Size: | 36x18’. Singles court only |
| Net Height: | 2’ 9" at center |
| Balls: | Stage 3 ITF, red low compression ball or the red foam ball. |
| Rackets: | 23" or less can be used. |
| Scoring: | Two out of three 7-pt. games. First to seven by one. |
10 and under | |
| Age: | Same as regular USTA divisions. Cannot turn 11 years old the month of the tournament and cannot be 9 before August 31 for leagues. |
| Court Size: | 60x21’ for singles. 60x27’ for doubles. |
| Net Height: | 3’ at center (regulation net) |
| Balls: | Stage 2 ITF, orange low compression ball |
| Rackets: | 25" or less can be used. |
| Scoring: | Our current scoring formats will be accepted for 10 and under standings. |
Bill Ozaki, Director of Player Development – USTA Southern, states ,"For the first time, tennis programming for children 10 and under will be moved to more appropriate sized courts and equipment, just as other sports have been doing for many, many years. These changes will enable children to begin and enjoy tennis at much younger ages than ever before---ages 4 and up like other sports. New generations of tennis players in the hundreds of thousands, then millions, will be the net result."
"Being part of a team is usually the first youth sport experience 4-8 year olds have. Quickstart Tennis offers a team based play and practice which keeps their interest at younger ages. The USTA Jr Team Tennis Program is the perfect opportunity for all youth to experience tennis in a team format. Like other youth sports they are immediately part of a team." -- Mary Hatfield – Director of Jr Team Tennis – USTA Southern
FAQ
10 & Under
10 & Under
· Will there be standings and rankings for the 10 & Under? Yes, 10 and under standings will remain. They will be based on a player’s best six results in singles and doubles (15%)
· What scoring formats will be accepted for standings and rankings? Our current scoring formats will be accepted for 10 and under standings.
· Will there be Southern Closed Championships? Yes, there will be a Southern Closed Championship. The actual format is still being discussed
· Can you play on clay courts? Yes, sanctioned events may be played on clay.
· Will the standings be used in selections for Southern tournaments? Yes, as in all divisions standings will be used for selection into Southern Championships.
· Will the 10 & Under Divisions be included with other divisions in a tournament? The 10 and under division may be held separately, although some tournaments will host the 10 and under division with other age divisions.
· Will there be Championships in the USTA Jr Team Tennis? Each state determines the divisions held in the State Championships. The Section Championships will include 12s, 14s and 18s. The National Championships includes 14s and 18s.
· Will the equipment guidelines be mandatory? Yes. One of the main factors in this new direction, is for players to be using age specific equipment that will enhance their tennis growth and development.
8 & Under
- Will there be standings and rankings for the 8 & Under? There are no plans to initiate Section standings, as we see them in other divisions, at this time. State standing divisions are determined by the State.
- What scoring formats will be accepted for standings and rankings? No standings at this time, but the scoring format will be 2 out of 3 seven point games
- Will there be Southern Closed Championships? There are none planned at this time
- Can you play on clay courts? Yes
- Will these tournaments be separate from other tournaments? The 8 and under division may be held separately, although some tournaments will host the 8 and under division with other age divisions..
- Will there be USTA Jr Team Tennis Championships for this division? Each State determines the divisions held in the State Championships. The Section Championships will include 12s, 14s and 18s. The National Championships includes 14s and 18s.
- Will the equipment guidelines be mandatory? Yes. One of the main factors in this new direction is for players to be using age specific equipment that will enable their tennis growth to be more fun and faster.
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