Prtner with Schools Hndbook
Tble of Contents 3 4 8 18 22 FOREWORD: WELCOME SECTION 1: APPROACHING SCHOOLS SECTION 2: CREATING INTEREST SECTION 3: ORGANIZING PLAY SECTION 4: RESOURCES
FOREWORD This resource is designed to introduce tennis to kids in school nd connect m to follow-up progrms. By utilizing kid-friendly equipment, shorter courts, nd instnt ply gmes nd ctivities, kids will fll in love with gme t first stroke of bll. The USTA hs developed specific curriculum nd trining progrm for introducing tennis in physicl eduction clsses, which cn provide strong foundtion for connecting kids to dditionl ply opportunities. THE FOLLOWING HANDBOOK IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR SECTIONS FOR QUICK REFERENCE: Section 1: Approching Schools Breks down steps for dopting school nd tlking with school decision mkers to implement nd/or promote tennis progrm. Section 2: Creting Interest Provides bsic templtes for visiting schools nd getting kids excited bout tennis, wher it s through lunchtime demo, clss visit, ssembly, or school tennis festivl. Section 3: Orgnizing Ply Includes suggestions nd tips on how to orgnize, set up, nd conduct Student Tennis Clubs nd Ply Dys for lrge numbers of students. Section 4: Resources Overviews dditionl resources essentil for successful school tennis effort including trining opportunities, equipment, fcility ssistnce, nd more. 3 All tennis enthusists nd progrm providers should contct ir USTA Section nd District offices to coordinte outrech to schools. There my be existing reltionships nd progrms in plce tht need to be considered before communicting directly with school decision mkers.
SECTION 1: APPROACHING SCHOOLS FAST TRACK FOR TAKING TENNIS TO SCHOOLS HOW TO INFLUENCE DECISION MAKERS 4
Fst Trck for Tking Tennis to Schools 5 Identify schools tht will feed into your progrm. Crete flyer for distribution t schools. Get to know dministrtors, techers, nd personnel of schools nd promote benefits of progrm. Ask locl business to help sponsor progrm. Attend PTO/PTA meetings b. Conduct n ssembly or lunchtime demo c. Offer to ssist with P.E. clsses d. Help orgnize nd strt Kids Tennis Club t school e. Assist with School Tennis Workshop Orgnize Ply Event to kick off progrm. Host seson-ending Ply Dy for trgeted schools to link to your fcility or progrm. In conjunction with locl USTA office, steps bove cn be initited by tennis pros, prents, volunteers, Jr. Tem Tennis Coordintors, NJTL Leders, nd CTA progrm orgnizers.
How to Influence Decision Mkers 1. Work closely with your USTA Section nd/or District office to coordinte efforts for schools tht will be trgeted for tennis progrmming. 2. Determine if working reltionship lredy exists within district or individul schools. Possible plces include:. Bord of Eduction (BOE) b. District Curriculum Director c. Athletic Director d. Principls nd physicl eduction techers e. Locl Prks nd Recretion offices 3. Express your willingness to be good neighbor nd friend right off bt, s time with busy dministrtor my be limited. 4. Explin tht USTA hs resources nd progrmming tht cn ddress helth nd wellness needs of ir school/s.. Trining workshops b. School Tennis curriculum kit c. Kids Tennis Club Mterils d. Equipment ssistnce e. Progrm strt-up mterils nd grnts 6. Stress lifelong physicl nd emotionl helth benefits of tennis nd how tht will reflect positively on ir school district. 7. Highlight fct tht tennis cn be conducted on school grounds without tennis courts. It cn be offered in physicl eduction, t recess, s well s before nd fter school. 8. Explin how modified tennis equipment is student friendly nd ensures high level of success for ll students involved. Students with disbilities cn prticipte nd no one is left behind. 9. Fmilirize m with highqulity school equipment offered t incredible pricing through USTA prtnership. (Show smples of equipment nd hit blls in hll if necessry!). Finlly, listen crefully to ll questions, provide prcticl informtion on how much progrm will cost nd who will execute it, nd get commitment from decision mker before leving. f. Access to network of USTA triners nd stff 5. Explin tht curriculum kit ws written ccording to ntionl stndrds for physicl eductors by physicl eductors. Utilize nme nd reputtion of Dr. Robert Pngrzi nd refer to endorsements by Americn Hert Assocition nd Clevelnd Clinic. FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON USTA SCHOOL TENNIS AND FINDING YOUR SECTION SCHOOLS COORDINATOR, VISIT: USTA.COM/SCHOOLS 6
THINGS TO REMEMBER Developing mutully beneficil reltionships/prtnerships tkes time. Ech school is group of seprte personlities, ttitudes, opinions, nd policies. Orgnizing your mterils in dvnce nd being prepred to ddress vriety of responses is importnt when deling with resistnt stff. Highlighting ffordbility of tennis in schools is key: Equipment costs per school for or sports cn rnge from pproximtely $2,500 for rchery nd bowling to nerly $3,000 for golf. Compre tht to n estimted $375 tennis equipment pckge (24 s, 3 dozen blls, plus shipping/tx) which gives every kid in school chnce to experience tennis. Most systems require Superintendent s permission to distribute mterils; however, individul principls, PE techers, etc. cn mke some decisions. More importntly, one enthusistic dvocte my hve pull in cpturing ttention of key decision mkers. Hving direct, specific pproch llows key decision mkers to quickly ssess your progrms/offerings. Be sure tht you re wre of (or "tht you follow" or "comply with") school, school district, or orgniztion's policies nd procedures regrding child sfety nd protection (i.e., bckground checks, insurnce, etc.). Why should school systems support tennis progrms for ir students? Tennis plyers score higher in vigor, optimism, nd selfesteem, nd lower in depression, nger, confusion, nxiety, nd tension thn or thletes nd nonthletes. Dr. Jon Finn, Sourn Connecticut Stte University Tennis is n idel physicl eduction ctivity for improving wellness nd fighting obesity in children. Clevelnd Clinic Plying tennis is n excellent wy to engge kids in regulr physicl ctivity to help m live longer, helthier lives. Americn Hert Assocition Youth who ply tennis get higher grdes in school, re better behved, nd re less prone to risky behviors. USTA Foundtion Reserch Survey The USTA hs creted n extensive pckge of resources to mke strting tennis progrm esy nd mngeble. For more informtion plese visit: ust.com/ schools In event tht you experience resistnce from School District: 1. Work with individul schools nd leverge support from PTOs/PTAs to implement progrmming. They re dedicted to promoting childrens' helth, well-being, nd eductionl success through strong prent, fmily, nd community involvement. 2. Contct surrounding Prks nd Recretion Deprtment Mngers nd youth orgniztions to estblish prtnership with m in pproching schools. 3. Offer to host fundrising event (tennis festivl) to help schools with relted costs. This will increse wreness of progrm nd generte needed funds. 7
SECTION 2: CREATING INTEREST LUNCHTIME DEMO CLASS VISITS SAMPLE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN (K-2) TENNIS ASSEMBLY TENNIS SKILLASTICS TENNIS FESTIVAL 8
Lunchtime Demo Generte excitement for tennis nd/or getting kids into progrm by using this formt. First, gin permission from school officils nd utilize kid-friendly equipment during lunchtime or recess periods. Typiclly, hundreds of kids hng round for chnce to ply ir friends or bet pro. KEY POINTS Set up couple of pop-up nets on plyground nd get kids plying tennis during recess or lunch period. Utilize short courts, smller s, slower moving blls, nd lower net crete opportunities for instnt success while gurnteeing RIGHT AWAY PLAY for kids. Mix things up try different gmes such s Bet Pro, Chmps of Court, or Longest Rlly Chllenge. Cultivte enthusism ply music nd demonstrte skillful or flshy shots for kids to see. (topspin shots, between legs, overhed smsh, etc. relly hotdog it!) Add excitement nd bring some stickers or inexpensive prizes to give wy for effort, sportsmnship, gretest shot, etc. Hnd out your flyers nd invite kids to fmily tennis festivl where prents cn sign up ir children up for USTA Jr. Tem Tennis, instruction nd ply progrms, junior mixers, nd non-elimintion tournments. Do not line kids up for drills or tech m technique during lunchtime/recess demos. SAMPLE ACTIVITIES ONE-POINT CHALLENGE Put four kids on mini court, ply one point, nd rotte everyone out. Winners nd losers rotte off nd go bck to end of lines until ir next turn. For even more fun, plyers/tems cn ern sticker or stmp for ech point y won. The gol is to ern s mny stickers/ stmps s possible during recess or lunch period. ONE-POINT TOURNAMENT Eliminte plyers until one tem remins. Formt thins plying fields quickly while generting excitement for gme. RAPID ROTATIONS Rotte plyers quickly out of gmes to give lrge numbers of kids chnce to get on court. For fewer kids witing to ply, llow m to sty in for more points before rotting. 9
CLASS VISITS Grde Levels: 3-6 (Adptble to or grde levels) Once school permission is obtined, conducting PE clss visits is very effective wy to introduce tennis to lrge numbers of students nd fmilirize m with locl tennis progrm nd/or fcility. The following routine is n effective wy to orgnize clss nd introduce bsic skills. EQUIPMENT TIPS Strt with skills/gmes tht involve bsic coordintion such s tossing nd ctching Consider equipment dpttions to ensure succes nd sfety such s ben bgs, Koosh blls, hnd pddles, lollipop pddles, etc. Modify number of repetitions required for ech ctivity bsed on bility level of students As rllying skills improve, ctivity zones cn be dpted for miniture gmes of tennis over lines nd mkeshift nets Music cn be used s signl to ply/prctice nd lso s signl to end ply Youth tennis s or pddles Fom tennis blls Ben bgs nd/or Koosh blls Courts re NOT required KEY POINTS Set up ctivity zones round perimeter of plying re Demonstrte how to use equipment properly nd utilize cue words such s soft swings, short swings nd bump it Ask students to prctice n ssigned skill from Tennis Chllenge Checklist Encourge students to work in sfe/responsible mnner Ech zone cn represent different ctivity, or With plm fcing Withkeeping plm fcing With plm fcing While keeping bll on While bll on While keeping bll on While keeping bll ondown, try tpping bll down, try tpping bll down, try tpping bll strings, studentcn must wlk 20 feet, strings, must wlkzone 20 feet, nd be strings, student must wlk feet,in row, wist strings, student must wlk 20 feet, students sty in student sme ssigned 20 times While keeping bll on times in row, wist times in row, wist touch ground with his opposite touch ground with his opposite touch ground with his opposite touch ground with hishigh. opposite Switch with strings, student high. Switch with must wlk 20 feet, high. Switch with nd skill return to hnd new hnd nd return to hnd nd return to plm pointing up, bump hnd nd return to touch plm pointing up, ground bump with his opposite plm pointing up, bump strting point without dropping bll. strting point without dropping bll. TENNIS CHALLENGE strting point without dropping bll. Plce on ground nd pile ofon ground nd pile of Plce While keeping bll 3 tennis bllson 15 feet wy. 3Run ndblls grb15 feet wy. Run nd grb tennis 6 feet prt, successfully pss prt, 6 keeping feet pss 6 feet prt, successfully While successfully bll on feetpss strings, student feet, ech must tenniswlk bll 20 (one t time) nd plce ech tennis bll (one t time) plce bll (or ben bg) in irbll to (or prtner, strings, student must feet, ben bg) in irwlk tohis 20 prtner, bll (or ben bg) inprt, ir to nd prtner, drop hit touch ground with opposite m on strings until y m on re forehnds strings until using touch ground with his opposite using using re to y hnd nd return to ll collected. ll collected. tond lift return to to lift hnd to lift prtner. strting point without nd strting ctch Try to complete point without nd ctch Try to complete nd ctch The prtner dropping bll. bll. dropping Repet this withinbll. Repet bll. bll. Repet should be this within 6 times with 20 seconds. 6 times with 6 times with ble to ctch 20 seconds. prtner. prtner. bll prtner. to count s point. strting point without bll up in ir hnd nd return bll up in ir to dropping bll. times without missing, strting point without times without missing, eye high. dropping bll. eye high. W do hig p tim ey bll up in ir times without missing, eye high. Plce on ground nd pile of Plce on nd pile of With ground plm fcing try plm fcing 3 tennis bllswith 15 wy. Run nd down, tpping grb bll pss 3 tennis blls 15 feet wy. Run nd grb 6 feet feet prt, successfully feet feet feet Plce on ground down, tryttpping bll ech tennis bll (one t time) nd plcend pile of ech bll tennis bll nd plce (one times in time) row, wist (or ben bg) in ir to prtner, prt, drop hit prt, drop hit in 6row, prt, drop hit 3 tennis blls 15 feet wy. feet prt, pss times wist m on strings until y Run re nd grb fee m on strings until y re high. Switch with successfully using forehnds to forehnds to bll forehnds toech tennis bll (one t time) nd plce (or ben bg) in ir with ll collected. ll collected. high. plmswitch pointing up, bump to to liftprtner, re prtner. prt, drop hit prtner. plm pointing up, bump prtner. m on strings until y using forehnds to bll up in ir nd ctch Try to complete The prtner TryThe to complete prtner The to prtner lift ll collected. bll up in irbll. Repet this within should be prtner. this withinbe times without missing, should should be nd ctch times without missing, Try to complete The prtner eye high. 6 times with ble 20 to seconds. ble to ctch 20ble seconds. to ctch ctch Repet eye high. this within prtner. bll. bll to should be bll to 6 times bll withto 20 seconds. to ctch count s ble point. count s point. count s point. prtner. bll to count s poin Plce on ground nd pile of Plce wy, onfeet wy. ground nd pile of tennis blls 15 Run nd grb feet hit consecutive 6- feet wy, hit consecutive 6 feet prt, successfully pss6-3 6- feet wy, hit consecutive 6- feet wy, hit consecutive feet 3 ech tennis blls 15 feet wy. Run nd tennis bll (one t time) ndgrb plce 6 feet prt, successfully pss ground strokes ginst wll or bckbord ground strokes ginst wll or bckbord ground feet strokes ginst wll or bckbord bll (or ben bg) in ir to prtner, ground strokes ginst wll or bckbord prt, drop hit ech tennis bll (one t time) nd plce 6- feet prt, 6- feet prt,using forehnds 6- feet wy, hit consecutive 6- feet prt, m on using strings until y re bll (or ben bg) in ir to using prtner, forehnds or bckhnds. or bckhnds. prt, drop hit using feet forehnds or bckhnds. using forehnds or bckhnds. feet forehnds to bll times in feet feet m on strings until y re rlly ground strokes ginst wll orin bckbord rlly bll times in rlly bll times using to lift ll collected. forehnds to prt, return prt, return prtner. prt, return prt, return ll collected. row over line or feet row over line or using forehnds or bckhnds. row over line or to lift The prtner. nd ctch Try to bckhnds bckhnds directly bckhnds directly complete directly prtner bckhnds directly mkeshift net mkeshift net mkeshift net prt, return nd ctch Try towithin complete The prtner bll. Repet bck to prtner, bck to prtner, this should be bck to prtner, bck to prtner, with prtner. with prtner. with prtner. bckhnds directly bll. Repet should bectch 6 times with this from n underhnd from n underhnd 20 within seconds. ble to from n underhnd from n underhnd bck to prtner, 6 times with 20 seconds. ble to ctch prtner. toss. toss. bll to toss. toss. prtner. bll s to point. from n underhnd count toss. count s point. 20 feet, opposite feet feet prt, return prt, return directly bckhnds bckhnds directly bck to prtner, bck underhnd prtner, fromton from toss.n underhnd toss. 6- feet wy, hit consecutive 6- feet wy, hit consecutive ground strokes ginst wll or bckbord ground strokes ginst wll or bckbord using forehnds or bckhnds. using forehnds bckhnds. With plmor fcing down, try tpping bll times in row, wist high. Switch with plm pointing up, bump bll up in ir times without missing, eye high. S r 6- feet prt, feet prt, rlly 6- bll times in rlly over bll line times row or in row over mkeshift line or net mkeshift net with prtner. with prtner. Imges provided courtesy of Skillstics, Inc.
Sttion Activities for Younger Children (K-2) When working with younger children, be sure to use ctivities tht minimize use of tennis s initilly. Strt with skills nd gmes tht involve bsic coordintion such s tossing nd ctching or rolling blls bck nd forth. In ddition to lterntives (hnd pddles, lollipop pddles, etc.) tennis blls cn be substituted with koosh blls, benbgs, yrn blls, bech blls, or blloons to ensure success. 11 Blloon Bump Ups Bll Drop Bungee Jump Crsh Test Kids lern control by bumping blloon with ir hnds. Ech plyer tosses blloon up in ir nd, while stnding in ir self-spce, y keep blloon up in ir by continuously bumping blloon up. Plyers cn try to see how mny times y cn bump blloon up without blloon flling to ground. Equipment needed: One blloon per plyer. Tennis Hockey Kids lern to im ir shots by rolling bll towrds gol. Plce two cones s gol bout 4 feet prt. Position plyers t strting line locted severl feet wy from gol. Plyers begin to roll bll towrds gol guiding bll with ir. When y get close to gol, y stop bll on trget spot nd try to score gol by hitting bll from ground between two cones. To simplify this ctivity, use smll bech bll so tht kids re ble to control lrger object more esily. Equipment needed: One /pddle nd one bll per plyer, two cones, one trget spot. Working in pirs, kids lern to rect quickly. One plyer hs bll in both hnds with rms extended t shoulder height. The plyer drops one bll nd prtner ttempts to ctch bll fter one bounce. Move bck slightly fter ech successful ctch. Bll Drop cn lso be simplified for younger kids by only dropping from one hnd in close proximity. Equipment needed: Two blls per pir. Throw-Bll Tennis Plyers throw nd ctch fom bll over net simulting tennis. To begin, plyers re on eir side of line or portble net. One plyer throws fom bll underhnded while opposite plyer ctches it fter one bounce. Next, plyer who just cught becomes thrower. To mke gme esier, plyers cn use lrger bll nd multiple bounces. Also, y cn move closer to net before throwing. Equipment needed: One fom bll or plyground bll per gme. Kids lern /bll control by ctching tennis blls on fce. To begin, ech plyer blnces bll on strings. Next, bll is dropped off, letting it bounce on trget nd n ctching bll bck on. At first, students my need to use ir hnds to trp bll on strings. To simplify this ctivity, remove s nd hve kids use ir hnds insted long with multiple bounces if needed. Equipment needed: One / pddle, one bll, nd one trget per plyer. Toss to Trgets Kids work toger to ern points by lnding tosses on trgets. three-five feet wy from trget (doughnut, hul hoop, or flt rubber spots), kids tke turns with ir prtner tossing bll to trget using n underhnd motion nd stepping forwrd with opposite foot. As kids gin ccurcy, y cn move furr wy. Equipment needed: One bll per pir, one trget per pir. Kids lern to strike blls with control. Four plyers, ech with stnd digonlly opposite ech or in pirs. Ech pir hs one fom bll. On commnd, plyers roll bll with ir s to ir prtner opposite m, so two blls re going t sme time. If two blls collide in middle, plyers yell out, Crsh. A modifiction of this ctivity would be to llow kids to roll with hnds insted of s. Equipment needed: One /pddle nd one bll per plyer. Koosh Bll Pss Kids lern /bll control by pssing Koosh blls bck nd forth. Hve plyers begin by stnding close toger pssing Koosh bll bck nd forth from one to or. After severl successful trils, hve m move bck nd gently toss Koosh bll from one to or. Allow kids to be cretive by encourging cretive ctches such s stnding on one leg, between legs, etc. Equipment needed: One /pddle per plyer, one Koosh bll per pir.
Tennis Assembly The School Tennis Assembly is n entertining, yet informtive show done in front of clss or n entire school tht is intended to motivte students to ply tennis. Idelly, ssembly will be used to kick off n fter-school/kids' Tennis Club progrm. The key to success is to keep things fst pced nd exciting. Know your udience nd keep mteril ge pproprite. The formt is flexible enough to dpt to ny ge nd bility level, s well s personlity of presenter. Hve fun nd be energetic! KEY POINTS Hve fun, keep it moving (don t get bogged down!), nd follow time-tested script. Rlly, Rlly, Rlly Provide pointers s to how kids cn rlly with friends nd fmily t home in drivewy or t locl prk. Sell, Sell, Sell Remind kids frequently of fter school/kids' Tennis Club progrm y cn join. BEFORE ASSEMBLY Contct school nd confirm time nd loction. Where will ssembly be held, in gym or outside? Wht equipment does school lredy hve? Is re sound system? How mny students, which grdes? Are re ny students tht ply tennis or on tennis tem? EQUIPMENT DAY OF ASSEMBLY Tennis Rcquets 6-8 Tennis Blls A hopper of red fom nd red felt blls; one cn of trditionl blls Specil Rcquets Hve smll vriety of s. Exmples re: smll/tiny, old wooden, or gint promotionl. Mke sure you hve your pro too! Exploding Tennis Bll Prior to ssembly, cut bll in hlf (be creful!), fill with cornstrch or bking sod, nd glue bll bck toger with rubber cement. Bll will explode t impct. Trick Bll Suspend bll to by poking hole in felt bll with nil or wl, crete fishhook with end of pper clip nd insert into nil hole; loop or end of pper clip onto strings nd bll should be ble to suspend upside down without flling off. Net Use school volleybll net, or n 18 popup net. Prizes Wristbnds, stickers, pens/pencils, key chins, posters, etc... Music CD/MP3 plyer nd portble speker Microphone Cordless or with long cord (often cn be supplied by schools) USTA Bnner Bring bungee cords to hng Arrive t lest 45 minutes before scheduled strt time! Set up net, s, blls, prizes, hng bnner, etc. Check sound system. Test microphone nd music. Ask techer to point out severl students tht might be good non-tennis plying prticipnts for Rlly Demonstrtion nd or key portions of ssembly progrm. Also, find out if re will be ny tennis plyers in ttendnce for specil demonstrtions. Ask techers to set students on one side of gym/uditorium/cfeteri/blck top, whenever possible. 12
TENNIS ASSEMBLY CHEAT SHEET Hot shot Demo: With music plying, rlly fom or low compression blls bck nd forth s students re wlking in nd getting seted. Keep bll going nd ply it up lobs, overheds, tweenies, groundstrokes, nd volleys will mke kids go crzy! 1. Introduction: Explin who you re nd why you 8. Pull techer or principl out from crowd (chosen re here...promote fter-school progrm nd/ by kids). Demonstrte difference between or tem tennis sign up dy! rllying bll out of ir nd off 2. Explin to kids tht y will be witnessing ground. Try nd set school record for longest severl fun tennis gmes tody nd re will consecutive volley rlly. Whtever techer be times to cheer loudly nd times to be quiet. or principl gets erns m prize. Encourge Demonstrte universl signl for cheering students to try nd set school record on ir (presenter rises hnds nd high in own s prt of upcoming progrm being ir) nd signl for being quiet (presenter promoted. hugs ginst chest with finger in front 9. Do quick demonstrtion of bsic serve nd of mouth). Prctice this few times before return. Pick volunteer from crowd nd mke progressing nd be consistent with holding comprison of service returner to shortstop kids to rules during ssembly. or ctcher. Hit few soft serves for plyer to 3. Pick volunteer from crowd who hs never return. Then hve PE techer come out to plyed tennis before nd hve m stnd fr show fst speed of his/her serve. Explin wy just like y do on TV". Offer tht y cn tht he/she cn hit bll so hrd tht it s like win your if y cn get bll bck in bolt of lightning. Use fun exploding tennis bll ply. (Kids go nuts!) filled with bking sod or cornstrch (mke sure 4. Bust open fresh cn nd hit three trditionl techer doesn t bounce bll before serving). tennis blls to student student is wkwrd. Orgnize quick gme of Student/Techer nd unsuccessful from full court. Explin no Doubles. Ply one gme to four points. Explin student hs ever been ble to get bll over tht kids cn ply this gme with ir friends t first time when strting so fr wy, so don t feel locl fter-school/kids' Tennis Club progrm bd, we cn fix tht! strting soon. 5. Explin best wy to lern is to strt close like 11. Finish with 4-6 volunteers to try nd roll best plyers lerning tennis tody. bll over nd onto or side of 6. Move up close nd get student to hit ten fom without it flling off. The ssembly leder should blls in row (crowd cheers, hnd out prize). demonstrte using trick bll pper-clipped to 7. Pull 6-8 volunteers from crowd for ups, downs, strings. When demonstrtors fil to do nd flip-flops (for older kids). Hve kids do trick successfully, ssembly leder shows ir best for 30 seconds - trying to bet gin how esy it is but n gives wy ntionl verge". (Crowd cheers for ech of secret by holding upside down. tems). 12. Thnk everyone for coming encourge kids NOTE: Volunteers must be sitting down nd to sty ctive nd to et helthy nd mke sure to politely rising ir hnd to be chosen for PROMOTE locl fter-school/kids' Tennis Club ctivities (use quiet signl). Techers cn be progrm! sked to pick out volunteers for ctivities.
Tennis Skillstics A Tennis Skillstics Kit is gret resource for conducting PE clss visits, fter-school progrms, nd specil events. The kit comes with 26 lminted ctivity crds, six gme mts, six lrge dice, six colored spots, one lrge ctivity mt, n instructor s mnul nd DVD. Tennis Skillstics cn ccommodte 1-0 students with no courts required. 14 EQUIPMENT Tennis Skillstics Kit Tennis Rcquets* Fom Blls *Not ll ctivities require s nd orgnizer cn choose ctivities tht will mximize vilble equipment. TIPS Utilize music nd offer quick turbo tips to keep prticipnts on trck. Chllenge groups with fewer or greter skill repetitions bsed on ir bility. Utilize equipment modifictions such s koosh blls, ben bgs, blloons, etc., to ensure success. Encourge nd rewrd effort, sportsmnship, nd coopertion. SAMPLE ACTIVITIES ANIMATED INSTRUCTOR S MANUAL Choose three to four ctivities from mnul nd hve students perform ctivities bsed on ir bility level (beginner, intermedite, dvnced). STATIONS WITH ACTIVITY CARDS Set up sttions round plying re bsed on number of students prticipting. Choose n ctivity crd for ech sttion. Students cn be rotted to new sttion every 3-5 minutes, or y cn sty in ir ssigned sttion nd be given new ctivity crd to perform. STATIONS WITH ACTIVITY MATS Set up sttions round plying re. Plce n ctivity mt nd colored spot t ech sttion. Plce lrge ctivity mt in center of plying re. Form tems by ssigning color nd sttion to ech tem. Tems will rce ginst ech or by completing ctivities shown on lrge ctivity mt. Refer to instructor s mnul nd DVD for more informtion. CONDUCTING LARGE EVENTS In order to ccommodte hundreds of children involved in Kids Dys, festivls, nd specil events, follow steps below: Plce individul ctivity mts in sttions throughout plying re (NOTE: The lrge ctivity mt is not utilized). Assign volunteer sttion leder to work with ech group of kids. Kids will be directed to n open sttion from witing re (up to six kids per sttion). Offer ech kid turn to roll dice nd move tem gme piece round individul mt. Once ech child hs completed ir turn nd tem hs performed six ctivities, new group of kids cn replce m from witing re. NOTE: In period of one hour, with new groups of kids rotting into sttions every five to seven minutes, severl hundred kids cn effectively be introduced to lifetime sport of tennis! FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN A TENNIS SKILLASTICS KIT, VISIT: SKILLASTICS.COM/TENNIS_SKILLASTICS.HTML OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL USTA OFFICE.
Tennis Festivl A Tennis Festivl formt includes vriety of skill nd gme chllenges tht cn be done individully or in tems. It cn lso be effectively incorported for School Tennis Field Dys nd for rllies involving severl schools. Similr to swim meet or trck nd field meet, plyers prticipte in vrious ctivities rrnged for ir skill level nd ir individul scores contribute to overll tem score. Emphsis is plced on prticiption, effort, nd sportsmnship, s opposed to highlighting chievements of certin plyers. The Tennis Festivl formt cn be used to rise money for schools by orgnizing it s PTO/PTA fundriser. Orgnizers hve opportunity to ttrct sponsors, sell tickets to event, offer different tennis gmes nd ctivities, provide prizes, sell refreshments, nd collect dontions for school s tennis progrm. SET UP Tennis gmes nd ctivities re orgnized in sttions throughout court or ctivity re. Ech group strts t designted sttion nd moves to next sttion in timed rottion. Anor option is to hve students go to sttion of ir choice. The number of sttions set up, time spent t ech sttion, nd size of ech group/tem cn be djusted bsed on number nd skill of prticipnts. Sttions cn be set up in ny fcility: blcktop, gymnsium, prking lot, dirt field or tennis courts. 15
TENNIS FESTIVAL 16 FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES 1. Select gmes which re pproprite for your students nd your fcilities. 2. Mke sign for ech sttion (lminte for future use) nming ctivity nd include simple explntion. 3. Hve relible sttion or group leder to keep ctivity running smoothly. 4. Ech group could hve score crd listing events nd nmes of people in group. The sttion or group leder will record individul nd/or group scores, depending upon ctivity. 5. Awrds cn be given for completion nd chievement. EQUIPMENT Signs for ech ctivity Tennis s Fom/low compression blls Stop wtches Scorebords/ scorecrds Chlk/floor tpe/ rubber lines Trgets/rubber spots The most importnt elements in Pop-up nets, lowered volleybll nets Cution tpe (for instnt nets) Music Microphone or megphone Prizes Tennis Festivl re good plnning nd orgniztion, lots of ction, music nd...fun!
TENNIS FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES SAMPLE GAMES Bull s-eye Hng hoops nd/or bnners t different heights ginst bck fence nd hve plyers serve or drop-hit blls t trgets. Smller nd more chllenging trgets cn be given greter point vlues. Bucket Hed Ctch Crete tems of 4-6 plyers. One plyer from ech tem is plced on opposite side of net holding bucket in position over ir hed (if bucket is not vilble, use lundry bsket or crdbord box). Tems re given 60 seconds to hit blls, one plyer t time, to designted bucket hed who must position mselves to ctch blls. The tem with most blls cptured in bucket wins. Sfety tip: Be sure to tell "bucket heds" to sty low nd keep ir knees flexed to void flling bckwrds. Anor sfe nd esy wy to ply this gme is for plyers to hold buckets in front of ir chest. Inchworm Rely Plyers line up shoulder to shoulder with ir temmtes behind strting line. The plyer frst from strting line plces bll on top of ir strings. When tem leder clls go, bll is pssed from to. After pssing bll, ech plyer runs behind his/her temmtes to front of line to wit for bll. A ben bg or Koosh bll cn be used for younger children. Plyers keep pssing bll until y rech finish line. Nvigtor (Obstcle Course) Set up 1-2 lnes of cones, hoops, empty bll cns, etc., s n obstcle course. Require plyers to nvigte through course while blncing bll on ir, dribbling bll down, or bouncing bll up. A combintion of skills nd movement cn mke ctivity more chllenging. Plyers or tems cn compete for fstest time. Longest Rlly Mrthon (cn be done off court with mkeshift nets): Short court ground strokes One bll or two blls: Two plyers work toger to chieve longest rlly. More dvnced plyers cn be required to rlly two blls t sme time. Volleys One bll or two blls: Sme s groundstroke rlly, but done with volleys. Rcquet Quickness Circle Crete lrge circle with prticipnts nd hve ech plyer stnd ir upside down on tip. When leder clls out eir right or left, prticipnts let go of ir, move in direction clled, nd try nd ctch next to m before it flls to ground! If everyone hs successful ctch, move bck step. If everyone is not successful move in step. Try nd see how lrge circle cn get with everyone being successful. This is gret ctivity to strt off your festivl. Serve to Trgets Tems re divided in hlf, with two lines of servers on opposite sides of net. The first plyer ttempts to lnd serve in designted zone. If serve lnds in ply, point is erned for tem. If serve hits specil trget within designted zone, five bonus points re wrded. The plyer who received serve now serves it bck to desingted zone on or side. Plyers serve once n lternte turns with ir temmtes. Shooting Gllery Aiming in direction of bck fence nd using fom blls only, plyers re given 20 seconds to hit moving trget tht is wlking or shuffling between two cones spced pproximtely five yrds prt. Ech direct hit is worth point. Hitters tke turns s moving trget! Tennis Bowling Set up ten empty tennis bll cns like bowling bll pins. Prticipnts begin on strting line nd try nd knock down pins by rolling or drophitting tennis bll. Plyers cn ply three or more frmes depending on number of plyers witing in line. Distnce wy from pins is bsed on ge nd bility. TENNIS FESTIVAL 17
SECTION 3: ORGANIZING PLAY KIDS TENNIS CLUBS PLAY DAYS 18
Kids Tennis Clubs Kids' Tennis Clubs re designed to give children opportunity to try tennis in sfe, supportive, extrcurriculr setting. With tennis sized right for ge nd bility, it is esier nd more fun thn ever for kids to ply even if y hve never picked up! Orgnizing Kids Tennis Clubs is n excellent wy for kids to experience cmrderie, coopertion, nd individul self-growth. By using smller courts, kid-friendly equipment, nd simplified scoring, children cn experience success immeditely. Trditionl tennis courts re not required nd Kids Tennis Clubs cn be orgnized in ny school or recretionl setting. KEY POINTS Check school system student ctivity hndbook for pproprite rules nd regultions. Get required school clernce for ll volunteers. Decide if proposed club/legue cn be school sponsored nd funded event. Assess plying re tennis cn be plyed in lmost ny vilble ctivity spce such s blcktops, gym floors, multipurpose rooms, nd even on school fields. Obtin insurnce to conduct progrm s required by school/district. Determine seson consider wer, school terms, nd conflicts with or extrcurriculr ctivities nd sports. EQUIPMENT Fom nd/or low compression tennis blls. Fom blls re best for beginning plyers on smller courts nd indoor spces. b. Low compression/low bounce felt blls re best for intermedite plyers on 60 court. Junior tennis s c. Suggested lengths rnge from 21 23 for 36 courts nd 23 25 for 60 courts. Lightweight nets nd portble stndrds; or mkeshift nets or brriers d. A lowered bdminton net cn be used. e. Consider using plstic brrier tpe, yellow cution tpe, or rope with stremers. An indoor or outdoor ply re f. Most ny ctivity spce will do. Existing mrkings on floors (bdminton nd volleybll lines) cn be utilized. g. Flt rubber lines, chlk or tpe cn be used for plying surfces tht re not mrked. For more informtion on nd to receive free resources for Kids Tennis Clubs, visit: ust.com/kidstennisclubs 19
Ply Dys Orgnizing Ply Dy is gret wy to wrp up end of Kids Tennis Club seson. The Ply Dy cn include multiple Kids Tennis Club loctions nd serve s lunching pd for strt of Junior Tem Tennis seson. 20 The gmes nd ctivities used for Ply Dy need to be ge- nd skill-pproprite bsed on bilities of students. In most situtions, kids tht hve experienced tennis for only hndful of sessions will be t novice level but cn still ttempt to serve, rlly nd ply over net. NOTE: The suggested Ply Dy recipe bove will likely tke 1 2 hours with time llotted for wrm-up, orgnizing tems, wter/refreshment breks, scorekeeping, nd wrding prizes. TIPS Prizes nd wrds cn be distributed t end of Ply Dy for prticiption, sportsmnship, best effort, best shot, etc. This is perfect time to distribute tennis nd sportsmnship chievement wrds tht re provided to Kids Tennis Club orgnizers. EQUIPMENT Scoresheets for ech tem, pens, stickers, music, prizes! Rcquets (four per court), pop-up/mkeshift nets, cution tpe for nets, fom blls (one bll per person), rubber spots, buckets to store blls, hlf cones, throw-down lines. Adpttions for mtch ply my still be needed, such s stnding closer to net to serve, modifying how point is strted, mking court smller, etc. Additionlly, rrnging kids in tems nd doing skill chllenges cn be nice complement to plying gmes over net. Be sure to register your Ply Dy t YOUTHTENNIS.COM nd receive resources to help you run successful event.
PLAY DAYS 21 KEY POINTS 1. Spce Preprtion. Estblish plying re wy from registrtion re. Tpe down some Four Squre courts nd set up severl portble nets for kids to use when y show up. 2. Volunteer Preprtion. Go over ctivities for dy. Remind volunteers tht ir role is cheerleder nd techer. Since mny of children re new to tennis, y my need help with rules, scoring nd clling blls in or out. 3. Rlly Wrm-Up. As soon s kids rrive, instruct m to go to open courts nd rlly nd ply with friend. This will void creting congestion in registrtion re nd crete less distrction for event orgnizer/s. 4. Crete Tems. After everyone hs rrived, rrnge tems of 4-8 plyers with one prent cptin. Provide scoresheet nd pencil for cptins nd hve kids pick tem nme. Tems cn be creted in dvnce or on spot! 5. Strt Ply. Below re some smple tem gmes (2-3 minutes of ctivity, one minute to record score per ctivity). SAMPLE ACTIVITIES TEAM TOSS-HIT- CATCH Tems divide in hlf, with one tem on tossing side nd one tem on hitting side. The first plyer from tossing line tosses bll to first plyer in hitting line. If tosser is ble to ctch bll from hitter, tem erns point. After ech turn, hitters nd tossers switch over to opposite lines. Ply for two minutes nd record totl ctches. TEAM SINGLES Tems of 2-3 plyers re plced on opposite sides of net from ech or nd use tem singles rottion mentioned in Kids Tennis Club Plybook. Mtches re minutes ech. Using numericl ping-pong scoring, record totl number of points won for ech tem. If time permits, chnge up tems nd ply nor round. INCHWORM RELAY Plyers line up shoulder to shoulder with ir temmtes behind strting line. The plyer frst from strting line plces bll on top of his/her strings. When tem leder clls go, bll is pssed from to. After pssing bll, ech plyer runs behind his/her temmtes to front of line to wit for bll. Ech tem tht completes tsk erns 50 points. SERVE TO TARGETS Tems re divided in hlf cross net from ech or. One side begins with plyer ttempting to serve bll over net nd into court. If serve lnds in, point is erned for tem. If serve hits designted trget within court (such s hulu hoop or rubber spot) five bonus points re wrded. Servers get one ttempt nd rotte to end of ir line. Ech person should get chnce to serve three to four times overll. Record totl number of successful serves. FUN PLAY ROTATIONS Multiple plyers cn be ssigned to court nd ply mini-round robin. Ech plyer would ply one gme ginst or plyers within his/her group. Consider orgnizing one of suggested fun ply rottions s described in Kids Tennis Club Plybook. Suggested options include Str Ctcher, Up nd Down River, or Musicl Courts The fun ply rottions llow for multiple mini-mtches to be plyed with vriety of prtners nd opponents.ply nor round. NOTE: The ctivities bove re only recommendtions nd cn be substituted with or kid-friendly gmes s orgnizer sees pproprite. The time spent on se gmes will lso give you good ide of experience level of plyers. To mximize spce, hlf of group cn prticipte in tem gmes bove while or hlf of group prticiptes in rlly gmes over net.
SECTION 4: RESOURCES SCHOOL TENNIS WORKSHOPS EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TENNIS SKILLASTICS COACH EDUCATION AND MORE! 22
School Tennis Resources The USTA hs resources nd mterils to help orgniztions nd individuls offer qulity school bsed progrms. SCHOOL TENNIS WORKSHOPS These three-hour workshops demonstrte how to quickly trnsform school gym or plyground into dynmic tennisplying environment llowing students to experience instnt success in fun nd sfe mnner. No previous tennis experience is necessry for techers nd USTA will provide qulified triner to conduct workshop t time tht is convenient for prticipting schools. At lest 12 prticipnts re required nd must be rrnged through locl USTA Section or District office. Workshop orgnizers re eligible for free equipment pckge. Contct your Section Schools Coordintor for more informtion on hosting workshop for schools in your re. EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE Rcquets, blls, nets nd scoring hve ll been modified to mke gme fun, sfe, nd engging for kids. With purchse of USTA Orgniztionl Members (Schools, Prks, CTAs, NJTLs) hve ccess to discounted equipment through prtnership with Tennis Industry Assocition. Visit: ust.com/equipmentdiscounts for equipment discount forms from prticipting mnufcturers. SCHOOL TENNIS CURRICULUM KIT Creting positive first-time tennis experience is focus of USTA curriculum kit, A Physicl Eductor s Guide for Teching Tennis in Schools". The curriculum kit includes simple eightlesson techer s mnul, quick-reference pocket guide, nd n instructionl DVD nd CD-ROM of tennis nd fitness ctivity signs. Ech of eight lessons fits into 30-minute clss period nd is designed to be verstile nd flexible for vrying clss sizes. The fun nd ction-pcked curriculum cn be tught nywhere on court, in gym, on plyground, or or ctivity res. TENNIS SKILLASTICS Through n exciting mix of tennis nd fitness ctivities, children of ll bilities cn develop skills quickly, gin confidence, nd cquire love of gme tht cn lst lifetime. Tennis Skillstics kits come with n instructionl DVD, techer mnul, 26 nimted tsk crds, lrge group ctivity mt, nd six sttion mts. Idel for PE clsses, fter-school progrms, bck-to-school nights, nd ply events, Tennis Skillstics cn be purchsed t discount by USTA members. For more informtion, visit: skillstics.com/tennis_ skillstics.html. 23
COURT/FACILITY ASSISTANCE The USTA provides technicl ssistnce nd funding opportunities for lining, constructing, nd refurbishing school tennis courts. This includes permnent line grnts for 36 nd 60 courts. For more informtion visit: ust.com/technicl. COACH EDUCATION In prtnership with Professionl Tennis Registry (PTR) nd United Sttes Professionl Tennis Assocition (USPTA) USTA offers coch eduction workshops nd on-line trining courses to furr eduction nd development of youth tennis coches nd tennis progrm orgnizers. For informtion on coch eduction opportunities, log onto: cochyouthtennis.com. For informtion on tennis certifiction opportunities nd resources for tennis teching professionls, contct ptrtennis.org or uspt.com. USTA PLAY DAYS Ply Dys re events designed to introduce kids to competition in low-pressure setting where results re not documented. These events provide kids with opportunity to continue to develop nd enhnce ir skills. Free resources re vilble to ssist Ply Dy orgnizers in hosting n event (youthtennis.com). USTA JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS USTA Junior Tem Tennis brings kids toger in tems to ply singles, doubles nd mixed doubles ginst or tems. It promotes socil skills nd importnt vlues by fostering spirit of coopertion nd unity s well s individul self-growth. Also, it s fun environment for kids in which y lern tht succeeding is relly more bout how y ply gme win or lose. COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATIONS (CTAs) A Community Tennis Assocition is n orgnized group of volunteers nd professionls who come toger to support community tennis progrms. As n ssocition, group works to coordinte nd mintin tennis progrms nd services, gurnteeing tht y re open nd ccessible to ll. Fueled by locl volunteers, CTAs exist to promote nd develop gme of tennis in community. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON USTA PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS, VISIT USTA.COM. NATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS & LEARNING PROGRAMS (NJTLs) The NJTL network is ntionwide group of more thn 600 nonprofit youth development orgniztions tht provide free or low-cost tennis, eduction nd life-skills progrmming to more thn 250,000 children ech yer. While NJTLs vry in size nd progrmming, this growing network shres commitment to positive youth development, importnce of eduction nd tennis s lifetime sport. SCHOOL TENNIS RESOURCES 24
For more informtion on... Schools Curriculum & Trining, Registrtion Incentives, Equipment Discounts, nd more... VISIT: www.ust.com/schools