Our Junior Programs are based on the principles of Progressive Tennis and run during the school months (with a one week morning Junior Camp offered during Spring Break and a couple of one week morning Junior camps offered during the summer holidays).

To enroll in a program, a player should achieve appropriate competencies as assessed by the Salmon Arm Tennis Club coaches. The programs are based on Tennis Canada’s “Long Term Athletic Development”.  We also cohere to Tennis Canada's Quality Standards for Kids Tennis, which aims to raise the quality and consistency of children's tennis programs to provide safe environments and positive experiences that promote life-long participation.

For further information contact Coach Bill at satcreception@gmail.com

PROGRESSIVE TENNIS

RED BALL PROGRAM

As a rule of thumb, this program is recommended for players five- to eight-years old. With different levels of play we typically try to divide the program into two levels.

1/2 court – Pre-rally (completely new to Red Ball)
1/2 court - Out rally opponent (have experienced Red Ball and achieve a level of success)

For each level, we have objectives and goals that need to be mastered before advancing:

• Be physically active, introduce tennis with the appropriate size balls, racquet, court;
• Develop the five fundamentals of tennis;
• Introduce hand eye coordination skills;
• Promote confidence and self-esteem in a caring environment;
• Introduce fundamental movement: walking, running, jumping, catching, throwing;
• Introduce fundamental motor skills: agility, balance, coordination, reaction, dexterity.

It will generally take approximately 1 - 2 years to acquire the skills in order to move up to the Orange Ball Program - depending on how often the player is on court learning and practicing.

ORANGE BALL PROGRAM

For the next level of development, the players move to 3/4 court which is called Orange Ball Development. We typically recommend this level for eight- to 10-year olds who have completed the Red Ball Program.

The tactical focus of the Orange Ball Program is pressure through consistency - out rally your opponent by receiving the ball with good contact.

Like the Red Ball Program, we have objectives and goals that need to be mastered before advancing to full court tennis:

• Develop motor skills;
• Conformity of the five fundamentals:
• Develop players tactically and technically;
• Acquire mental skills, focus, commitment, passion, attitude and effort;
• Develop competitive skills;
• Have fun!

Players who have developed the proper skills at this level will be able to have confidence moving to full court. The average player will again need 1 - 2 years to acquire these skills.

GREEN DOT PROGRAM

The next level of development is the Green Dot Program, which is typically recommended for 10- to 12-year olds who have completed the Orange ball Program.
 

The objectives for this level are;

• Consolidate all fundamental tennis competencies (tactical ,technical) in match play;
• Develop basic psychological skills; focus, emotional control, effort level, positive attitude;
• Develop competitive skills;
• Participation in other sports (diversification);
• Develop decision making skills;
• Learn to give more effort;
• Understanding how to beat opponents.

The average player will need about two years to acquire the skills in order to move into a regular ball level.

FULL COURT JUNIORS*

       *For more information, please contact Bill at satcreception@gmail.com