Youth Lessons and Camps

We offer 3 levels of Red Ball tennis classes for our youngest learners, age 4 1/2 to 7.  The Red Ball is a slow-moving, low-bounce foam training ball, perfect for children who are still learning gross motor skills. Red Ball tennis is played on 36 foot courts (width of a standard tennis court) with a short, 2'9" net. Register for: <ul> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Tiny%20Tots&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tiny Tots</a> (4 1/2-5 years). Focus is on the ABC's: Agility, Balance, and Coordination. Instruction also covers sending and receiving skills like contact and followthrough. The goal of the class is to have fun while learning to rally. No prerequisite.</li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Red%20Ball%201&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Red Ball 1</a> (6-7 years). Similar to Tiny Tots, Red Ball 1 focuses on the ABC's of Agility, Balance, and Coordination. Instruction also covers sending and receiving skills like contact and followthrough. The goal of the class is to have fun while learning to rally. No prerequisite.</li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Red%20Ball%202&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Red Ball 2</a> (6-7 years). This is a progression from Red Ball 1 for students who are building their rallying skills. To enter this class, students must be able to rally with the coach a minimum of 10 times in a row, including at least 2 backhands. Being able to demonstrate ready position, proper technique in forehand and backhand preparation and follow-through, and making line calls are needed. Students will play on 36’ tennis court. Lastly, students need to be able to drop and hit a tennis ball into an intended area. Coaches will continue to work on bettering the student’s serve and providing guidance for technical corrections on all strokes. Students can expect mini drills, points, and exciting games. Prerequisite: Red Ball 1 and instructor permission.</li> </ul> We offer 3 levels of Orange Ball tennis classes for elementary school kids ages 8-10, as well as some one-day clinics to focus on specific skills.  Orange felt balls bounce higher and move faster than the Red Balls but lower and slower than the Green ball. Orange Ball is played on shorter, narrower courts than standard tennis: 60 feet by 21 feet for singles and 60 feet by 27 feet for doubles. The net is 3 feet at the center and 3-foot-6 at the net posts. First-time students should register for Orange Ball 1.5 Beginner Group Lessons. Students usually remain at one level for longer than a single 6-week term, so Level 2.0 and 2.5 require instructor or manager approval. Register for: <ul> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Orange%20Ball%201.5&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orange Ball 1.5 Beginner</a>. This class is for players learning to rally for the first time. Players learn parts of the court and basic forehands, backhands, serves and volleys. Emphasis is on building a solid tennis foundation. First-time students should register for level 1.5 Group Lessons.</li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Orange%20Ball%202.0&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orange Ball 2.0 Advanced Beginner</a>. A progression from Beginner Orange Ball. Coaches help improve the student's serve and give technical stroke feedback. Students can expect mini drills, points, and exciting games.  <ul> <li>Prerequisite: Beginner Orange Ball, and can rally with the coach at least 10 times, including at least 2 backhands from the 60’ baseline. Requires basic forehand and backhand technique, ability to make line calls, and ability to drop and hit a tennis ball into an intended area.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Orange%20Ball%202.5&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orange Ball 2.5 Low Intermediate</a>. A progression from Advanced Beginner Orange Ball. This student should be starting to consider playing competitively in tournaments or match play. Coaches will continue to work on bettering the student’s serve and provide technical guidance on all strokes. Students can expect mini drills, points, and exciting games.  <ul> <li>Prerequisite: Advanced Beginner Orange Ball, and can rally with the coach at least 15 times, including at least 3 backhands from the 60' baseline. In addition to being able to drop and hit a tennis ball into an intended area, students should be able to cooperatively rally 8 balls in a row with a classmate. Lastly, students must be able to hit 4 out of 10 serves.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Orange%20Ball%20Clinic&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orange Ball Clinics</a>. Topics and skill levels vary, see course listings.</li> </ul> We offer 3 levels of tennis classes for youth in middle school (age 11-13) and high school (14-17) , as well as one-day clinics to focus on specific skills. Students with Orange Ball experience will continue at their same NTRP rating when they move up to Yellow Ball classes. Beginners age 11-13 use the Green Ball, which is very similar to the traditional yellow tennis ball but with a slightly lower compression so it rebounds lower off the court after a bounce. Beginners age 14-17, and all players at Level 2.0 or above, use the Yellow Ball, which is what most people know as traditional tennis. The balls, courts and racquets at this level are the same used in the majority of adult matches and at the professional level. Both Green Ball and Yellow Ball are played on the standard adult-size courts: 78 feet by 27 feet for singles and 78 feet by 36 feet for doubles, with a net that is 3 feet at the center and 3-foot-6 at the net posts. Most students stay at one level of tennis for longer than a single 6-week session.  Instructor or manager approval is required to advance to the next level. Register for: <ul> <li>1.5 Beginner.  First-time tennis players should start at 1.5 Beginner. This class is ideal for players learning to rally for the first time. Emphasis will be on building a solid foundation in tennis. Players will learn basic forehands, backhands, serves, and volleys.  No prerequisite.  <ul> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Green%20Ball&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1.5 Green Ball (age 11-13)</a> </li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Yellow%20Ball%201.5&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1.5 Yellow Ball (age 14-17)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>2.0 Advanced Beginner. A progression from Beginner Green or Yellow Ball. Coaches help improve the student's serve and give technical stroke feedback. Students can expect mini drills, points, and exciting games. Prerequisite: 1.5 Green Ball or 1.5 Yellow Ball, and can rally with the coach at least 10 times, including at least 2 backhands. Requires basic forehand and backhand technique, ability to make line calls, and ability to drop and hit a tennis ball into an intended area. <ul> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Yellow%20Ball%202.0%2011-13&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2.0 Yellow Ball (age 11-13)</a></li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Yellow%20Ball%202.0%2014-17&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2.0 Yellow Ball (age 14-17)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>2.5 Low Intermediate. A progression from 2.0 Yellow Ball. This student should consider playing competitively in tournaments or match play. Coaches continue to improve the student’s serve and provide technical guidance on all strokes. Students can expect mini drills, points, and exciting games. Prerequisite: 2.0 Yellow Ball, and can rally with the coach at least 15 times, including at least 3 backhands. In addition to being able to drop and hit a tennis ball into an intended area, students should be able to cooperatively rally 8 balls in a row with a classmate. Lastly, students must be able to hit 4 out of 10 serves. <ul> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Yellow%20Ball%202.5%2011-13&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2.5 Yellow Ball (age 11-13)</a></li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Yellow%20Ball%202.5%2014-17&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2.5 Yellow Ball (age 14-17)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>3.0+ Tennis Academy is intended for juniors ages 11-17 that are rated 3.0 and above, and are playing in tournaments or competitive play. Players should have consistent ground strokes, volley, and serve. Players should also demonstrate understanding of court positioning for singles and doubles play. All players must have an excellent work ethic, good class attendance and attitude. Not offered every term. <ul> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Tennis%20Academy&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3.0+ Tennis Academy (age 11-17)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Green%20Ball%20Clinic&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Green Ball Clinics</a></li> <li><a href="https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&center_ids=2&site_ids=3&activity_keyword=Yellow%20Ball%20Clinic&viewMode=list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yellow Ball Clinics</a></li> </ul>