Junior Team Tennis. Bringing kids together to create a fun and active environment by playing tennis on a team.

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2 WELCOME We have made a guide to inform you on our junior programs. This guide is not meant to be exhaustive, so if you have any specific questions about your child s Youth Progression Pathway, Junior Team Tennis, Junior Tournaments, or Play Days please Megan Preusch at ltajrtennis@louisianatennis.com or (225)

3 Junior Team Tennis Bringing kids together to create a fun and active environment by playing tennis on a team. What is JTT? USTA Junior Team Tennis bring kids together by forming teams to play singles, doubles and mixed doubles against other coed teams. It promotes individual growth, social growth, and life skills through a competitive, level-based environment. JTT teaches players the importance of team unity, sportsmanship behavior, and how to work together to achieve success. How does it work? USTA Junior Team Tennis is designed for kids ages They are immediately placed on teams. All you need to start a league are two teams. Matches can be held anywhere from a local park or school to a commercial or private club. Teams are preferably co-ed but can also be single gender (boys only or girls only). Teams are divided by the following age and play levels: Age Groups: 18U, 14U, 12U, and 10U Play Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced To get involved contact Megan Preusch at ltajrtennis@louisianatennis.com or (225)

4 Junior Tournaments Focusing on singles and doubles match play, competing and advancing as players Louisiana Junior Tournaments offer many different formats of play. There is local competition for kids of all levels such as; entry level tournaments, intermediate and advanced tournaments. With the opportunity to advance in tennis, there are national level tournaments as well. Having these different playing formats gives kids the chance to be comfortable with tournaments because it can match their level of play and help them experience success. How do I get find a tournament? Login and create an account via TennisLink Visit the Louisiana Tennis Association website, under the Junior Tournament tab; click the 2017 Junior Tournament schedule to find a tournament that fits your level. Click Register Now on the tournament homepage

5 Junior Tournaments Focusing on singles and doubles match play, competing and advancing as players What level is my child? There are Junior Tournaments for all players whether they are entry-level, intermediate, or advanced. Use the chart below to find out what Junior Tournament Level is right for you.

6 What is the YPP? Youth Progression Pathway USTA has designed a best-in-class system to track the progress of junior players, ages 10 and Under from Orange Ball to Green Ball and Green Ball to Yellow Ball. The system will track a player s progress through participation in tournaments and Junior Team Tennis. Players earn participation credits for completing in Tournaments and Junior Team Tennis. Players earn achievement credits for match wins. Bonus points are awarded for select tournaments. Every child develops at their own rate, therefore there is no specific timeline for moving along the pathway.

7 Youth Progression Pathway The mission is to clear each level by collecting a combination of 20 virtual participation stars and/or trophies. The more they play, and the more they improve their skills and clear each level, the more stars and trophies they accumulate.

8 Youth Progression Pathway Explaining the Levels GREEN 1: The top level. Designed for very experienced and skilled 10U players. GREEN LEVEL 1 PLAYERS CAN PLAY IN THE FOLLOWING DIVISIONS: 12U GREEN 10U GREEN LEVEL 1 10U ORANGE LEVEL 1 ORANGE 1: The middle and largest group of players. Designed for those with some tournament experience and developing skills. ORANGE LEVEL 1 PLAYERS CAN PLAY IN THE FOLLOWING DIVISIONS: ORANGE LEVEL 1 ORANGE LEVEL 2 ORANGE 2: Designed for beginner players or those just entering the tournament system. ORANGE LEVEL 2 PLAYERS CAN PLAY IN THE FOLLOWING DIVISIONS: ORANGE LEVEL 2 ONLY

9 Youth Progression Pathway Where am I on the Pathway? Players and parents can easily track progress through the pathway by logging on to the Player Profile Page. To access the Player Profile Page go to and click on the My Tennis tab. Enter the players USTA number and password to be directed to the players welcome screen. This screen will allow the player to access various items including his or her Youth Progression Progress Report. Progress is displayed as trophies for achievement and stars for participation. This helps players, parents and coaches track progress and find upcoming play opportunities that fit a players age and skill level.

10 Youth Progression Pathway Sportsmanship Sportsmanship is defined as fair play, respect for opponents, and gracious behavior in winning or losing, and it is those qualities we look to promote and instill in players of all ages. We are dedicated to not only promoting a solid competitive atmosphere, but also committed to developing players into respectful and fair adults by continually raising awareness and promoting positive sportsmanship behaviors. Watch this short clip on Sportsmanship: EWEST.htm

11 Youth Progression Pathway Are there Youth Progression Tournaments? Youth Progression Tournaments will be offered in Orange 2, Orange 1, and Green levels. New players will be placed in Orange 2 and will only be allowed entry into those events. Green Level 1 has both singles and doubles. Green Level 1 doubles are only played in level 4 tournaments. To earn state and sectional standings points in doubles, you must play a level 4 tournament or above. In the Youth Progression Pathway, Green Level 1 players will receive both state and sectional standings points for singles in level 5 tournaments or above. How do I advance my child out of YPP and into 12U? If you would like your child to advance out of Youth Progression Pathway to be able to play in the 12 s yellow division, you can appeal your child s rating by contacting the Junior Tennis Coordinator, Megan Preusch, via at ltajrtennis@louisianatennis.com. Each appeal will take up to hours to process through the Tennislink, as no appeals are processed on the weekends. Players in 12 yellow who are age eligible for the 10 s may register for Green Level 1, singles and doubles, but they will not earn any Youth Progression Pathway stars or trophies.

12 Youth Progression Pathway FAQ s Why is there a YPP? The need to legislate where children participate in tournaments and the need to change our entry level tournament formats both for the same goal to retain more players in the game of tennis. To keep the well-being of the child in mind first and to allow children to have a positive and fun experience in our competitive tournament structure and to retain them as junior tennis players. What are the requirements for the YPP? Players can begin the pathway on the first day of the month of their 7th birthday. They will age out the first day of the month of their 11th birthday. Before the age of 7, players can play in unlimited practice matches, play days and Junior Team Tennis. Does my child have to be a USTA Member to participate in the YPP? Yes, USTA Membership is required for match information to be tracked.

13 Youth Progression Pathway FAQ s If I am a Green Level 1 player can I register for an Orange Level 2 Tournament? A Green player would only be able to play in an Orange Level 1 tournament because players are only allowed to play 1 level below their current level. What racquet does my child need? Orange ball up to 25 inches Green ball up to 29 inches