March, 2004

A Common Question Parents Ask:
Question: "Why should I get my kid involved in tennis?"
Answer: "Tennis is a lifetime sport. You can't pick a better sport for your kids THAN tennis. Once they learn, your kids can play this game their entire life. Tennis doesn't end when they finish high school or college. You can't say that about a lot of sports. But when they get older, tennis is just one of those sports people can continue to play." - John McEnroe

Tiger Cubs (Beginners, ages 5-9)
The Tiger Cub Program is a fun introduction to the sport of tennis for kids ages 5-9. We put emphasis on the word "FUN". As we all know, this age has a limited attention span. So we play a lot of games, and give individual attention. Our approach is for your kids to have a blast and learn about tennis without even knowing they are learning! Activities are always timed, and rewards are given to the kids throughout the program. Parents may run errands during the clinic, or stay to watch and encourage. Tiger Cubs will run in three-week segments on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30PM to 5:30PM, or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30PM to 6:30PM. This program runs heavily during the summer months, however it also runs at set times between September and May. Please see the annual calendar, or contact the Green Tennis Center Front Desk (573-882-7200) to find out when these are in session and register your child.

Tiger Stripes (Beginners, ages 9 and up)
The Tiger Stripes Program is again a fun introduction to tennis for the beginners that are a little older. The kids have a lot of fun in this group, and each day serves a purpose as we have a plan of progress for each gathering. Improvement is charted, and your kids come out of this clinic understanding the rules of the game, as well as stroke production. Tiger Stripes also runs in three-week segments. This group meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30PM to 6:30PM, or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30PM to 5:30PM. Please see the annual calendar, or contact the Green Tennis Center Front Desk (573-882-7200) to find out when these are in session and register your child.

Competitive Edge (Advanced, all ages)
Competitive Edge is just that . . . designed to give the competitive young tennis player a competitive edge. These workouts are designed for the high school player who wants to get better. Shy of sending your kid off to an academy, this is as close to an academy, or collegiate workout, as possible in the mid-Missouri area. Emphasis is placed on understanding strengths and weaknesses, and building a solid game around the strengths. Each day begins with fitness. Following fitness, we discuss key points for the day. The group is then put through drills so everyone works through the key points. After drills, we play, or we go through simulated game situations. And we sweat! While the "Edgers" play, the staff observes and chimes in with observations. By competing with each other, we make each other better. The Edgers leave our program understanding critical concepts such as ball direction, center court control, and "how to get the most out of 2 hours on a court." And EVERYONE leaves better than when they first came! Competitive Edge Additional Bonuses: Videotape Analysis - Participants will "see" themselves on tape to understand what they are doing when they strike the ball. This is important, as each person teaches himself or herself by "seeing" what they are doing. Evaluation - each participant will leave with an evaluation from one of our great pros. This is something for you to keep to reflect back on - what you're already doing well, and what you should focus on improving. Camaraderie with like minds - by going through this, you will make friends with others who want to improve. Hopefully, you will have hitting partners when the program ends. Competitive Edge runs in two-week segments and meets daily when in session. This program runs heavily during the summer months, however it also runs at set times between September and May. Please see the annual calendar, or contact the Green Tennis Center Front Desk (573-882-7200) to find out when Competitive Edge is in session to register.

Junior Tennis Ladder:
The ladder runs three times throughout the year - summer, fall, and spring. You must be a Green Tennis Center Club Member to participate. There are two separate ladders: the boy's singles ladder and the girl's singles ladder. The following rules apply to the Club Ladder:
1. The GTC tennis ladder is organized by age group. However, anyone can challenge anywhere on the ladder regardless of their age. If you challenge someone in a higher age group and win, you will be moved up to that age group and must remain in that age group for the rest of that term.
2. Trophies will be awarded to first-place and second-place winners in each of the age groups based on the ladder standings on the final day competition is possible. The age groups are: 17 years and under. 14 years and under. 10 years and under. Additional trophies will be awarded to the most active player in each age group, if there are more than 5 players in that group.
3. Since there are no previous ladder standings, the standings will be based on the match results played between June 1st, 2002 and 5:00 PM on August 15th. The standings will be established by the match results in the order they are received by email. Players who have not played during this period will be placed on the bottom of the ladder.
4. The times of the matches are to be determined by both players. The ladder standings will be published biweekly. The method of publication will be specified at a latter date.
5. If challenged by an opponent, you must schedule your match within two weeks or be dropped one position on the ladder.
6. The challenger will supply the tennis balls. The winner is to report the scores by email.
7. The ladder format will be the best of three sets, regular scoring.
8. New players must start on the bottom of the ladder. However, they get one time to challenge anyone on the ladder up to the number four position.
9. Good sportsmanship MUST be followed at all times.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Director or Assistant Director regarding these rules or practices.

Private Tennis Instruction:
Private Instruction at the Green Tennis Center is an excellent method of improving every aspect of your game. We like to think that lessons (or work-outs as we call them) are a little different with us. Keep in mind that ALL of our pros really know their stuff and are very good players - they have all played and coached at the top collegiate level. Typically, a lesson goes for an hour, although our pros have been known to keep you longer if there is available time and you're up to it. Our philosophy when it comes to instruction is that you improve when you hit a lot of balls, sweat, and work. We're not very big on "feeding balls". We also don't clog you down with a lot of talk. You are probably here because you want to learn. Well, when it comes to tennis, muscles learn through repetition. We'll talk about what we need to, and then you get to literally hit a ton of balls so your muscles learn. Great workout! Each lesson will always be different, and you will always have the biggest say in what you learn. If you want to work on your forehand, we can work on that. If you need to work on closing off the net, we can handle that. Whatever you need, we can work you through it. And we promise you this . . . you will improve! So just bring comfortable clothes, your racket, and a good sense of humor, and we'll handle the rest. And we'll have a blast!

Videotape Analysis:
It's a fact that one of the best teachers . . . is you! It's one thing if your pro says, "Hey, you're dropping your racket head when you hit your forehand volleys!" It's something different when you can actually SEE what you are doing. Well, that's where videotape analysis comes into play. During our get-together, we'll actually tape you, and then show you what you are doing in slow motion. It is a very effective (and a very modern) method of teaching. A lot of the top players modeled themselves after this pro or that pro. They say they "pictured" what they were emulating. Pictures can be very beneficial. It's an "opinion" if someone tells you something. It's something completely different when you actually SEE what they are talking about.

Group Clinics:
Juniors (or their parents) who are interested in tennis clinics should contact the front desk or speak with one of the pros. Clinics can consist of as few as two individuals up to as many as six. We focus on strategy or specific strokes, and then reinforce key points by working you through drills. Tennis clinics can be set up for a one-time meeting, or we can set up a schedule for your group. Clinics run for one hour.