Tuesday, August 18, 2009
USTA Promotes Quick-Start Tennis Programs Across America
USTA has rolled out a mass advertising campaign across America to promote Adult and Junior Tennis Programs in its Quick Start Tennis Format to reach out to the beginning adults and children who are trying out various sports. These programs offer some positive aspects for the game, but also have different drawbacks. USTA is using the promotion of these programs to reach out to youths at an earlier age. The use of smaller racquets and foam balls make the game easier for these youths. As these youths develop their tennis game, are these programs slowing the growth of a young tennis player by preventing him/her from using valuable time to graduate to a full court? Please offer your input as to the pros and cons of these Quick Start Tennis Programs!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
40 comments:
I witnessed a prominent junior tennis program in LA and noticed the small nets and small tennis paddles were not being used. The mini-nets were rusty and moldy from non-use sitting behind a fence. The tennis teaching pros were trying to develop the students skills towards a full court game. Instead of low-bouncing balls, the pros were teaching the pupils the correct footwork in handling a high-bouncing ball. I think the foam balls and racquets are a racket for the manufacturers in creating a new income stream.
I try to incorporate a little of the quick start into my beginner tennis programs both for an adult and a child. However, the child progresses into a full court game between 7/8 yrs of age if developed properly. The adults look retarded playing with foam balls. So I use the foam balls as a revolution ball to teach topspin only. Overall, the quick start program is worthless except as a tool to reach the 5/6yrs old child when they are searching for a sport to play.
Quick Start is just an advertising tool for the USTA. All the top jr programs across the country have dumped the program because time is of the essence when developing a tennis game in youth. Do you want to master the foam ball/mini-tennis game or a full court game? It is kind of ridiculous!!!!
I played tennis in Mississippi at the club were Devin Britton, the youngest NCAA champion and recent Davis Cup practice partner for the team, developed his tennis game as a youth, and noticed the quick start equipment rotting outside next to a shed near the courts. Britton must have not used the program to advance his game.
From personal experience I feel Quick Start Tennis(QST) slows down a junior player.
We have two very athletic children and recently moved to the central Ark area. QST was all the rave a few years ago. He was the club superstar QST player and beat all others at our large club. He is now 10y/o and better than all other kids in all other sports except tennis. He is used to a very low ball and the program he is now in uses regular balls. He is very frustrated as are we. We spent a great deal of money for our son to play tennis and hopefully he will work through it and overcome but playing on a standard court is a huge challenge. He hits balls too short and opponents take advantage of it. He can't handle the big spin and high bouncing balls among many other problems.
My daughter is thankfully just beginning tennis. We wasted over a thousand dollars minimum a month for her dance classes and paid a pretty price for cheap outfits. She got no exercise and never broke a sweat. It was a scam. She is in a well-run program and at age 8 very capable of playing "big tennis" and is doing extremely well. I wish my son had had the same experience. Little did we realize what a scam QST was as well. Needless to say, our former reknowned club no longer participates in QST (Quick Start Tennis.)
Much appreciation for bringing this problem to light. USTA needs to immediately remove such a useless program.
letter to the editor
i live near possum grape, arkansas and googled exercise/fitness in hope to reduce my medications since i am over 60 years old. i've been reading terms- 40 love, 30 love, 15 and in love, and about singles and doubles. i am over 60, single, and looking for love. i am hoping this quickie start tennis program could solve all these problems of mine. we have no tennis courts in the town of possum grape but have a few asphalt parking lots that have trees on them. Do you think that we could tie a net between the trees to form a court? Please let me know of other problems we might encounter as we try to get a quickie start program going here in possum grape!
To: Possum Grape Resident
Exercise has been proven to lower blood pressure and prevent other diseases. Tennis could definitely make you more fit and could possibly aid in reducing your meds. The lack of tennis courts can be solved using creative methods that you are looking into such as ones used in third world countries. I wish you well in starting a tennis program in your area! Good Luck!
The ATA(Arkansas Tennis Association) has been promoting the Quick Start Tennis programs across the state. They have been donating mini-nets and racquets to various tennis programs in hope to get enough children participating in the QST tournaments for ages 10 & under and 8 & under. The top junior programs across the state use the QST very little.
Check out the video clip of Serena & Venus Williams at 7/8 yrs old. They learned how to play full court tennis instead of quick start foam ball/mini-net tennis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckHICAhqkCQ
I agree that Quick Start Tennis is an advertising tool for USTA. It has some benefits for 5 & 6 yrs of age, but children need to transition to real tennis as soon as possible or the other children transitioning sooner will have an advantage. It is the same reason children play up an age division to get used to the level of play when they age up to the newer division.
It is hard to tell if Quick Start Tennis or Cardio Tennis has the worse reputation. Both programs can entertain an individual for a short time. But once the new wears off, the only way to really enjoy the sport itself and the social aspect is to learn how to play a real game of tennis!
Last year I watched a group of women doing that cardiotennis. I fell out laughing. Watching women twirl in circles picking up balls? We thought it was some sort of synchronized swimming but made for tennis. It seemed to attract a few beginners for a month but our club hasn't done it since. I only wish I'd videod it. Made for a good laugh in the synchronized tennis category. New Olympic event?
DUDES,
YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS NOT PRODUCING QUALITY TENNIS PLAY. I WITNESSED A CARDIO TENNIS PROGRAM IN THE DISGUISE OF A FITNESS WORKOUT FOR A HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS TEAM. I WATCHED THE MOST HORRIBLE STROKES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH INSTEAD OF THE WAVING AND JUMPING AROUND WITH BACKGROUND MUSIC BLARING. THE DIFFICULT WORK OF PROPER STROKE AND MATCH PLAY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS SUCCESS! EXECUTING A PROPER SHOT IS THE TRUE FUN IN TENNIS, AND NOT RUNNING AROUND WASTING VALUABLE TIME JUKING TO THE MUSIC AND WAVING YOUR RACQUET.
I started a diet plan at the first of summer and saw a sign for cardio tennis at our club. I'm not a tennis player but was told I didn't need to be for CT. I go 2-3 times a week and that along with a strict diet has helped me lose 7.2 lbs. My figure will hopefully be found soon with 32lbs to goal but have no expectations as for a tennis game. From what the instructor says Cardio wasn't designed to help tennis. She teaches aerobics as well but doesn't play tennis herself either. I think the word tennis should be removed for clarification.
I spied on a cardio/fitness workout and it reminded me of a keystone cop episode, abbott & costello, three stooges episode etc. Twirling around, waving rackets, dancing to the music is not real progression of a tennis game. I agree with other posters that the true fun in tennis is executing the proper shot at the right moment!
I teach Cardio and Quick Start as a tool to introduce new students to tennis. If they are more interested in the game and have a desire to learn, I move them into lesson programs. Lessons can be designed to develop their game with fitness benefits. You are able to use USTA to help promote their programs, and you might get a chance to advance their game. Quality instruction is still a needed comodity with all the poor strokes out there in USTA Leagues. There are too many teaching pros overlooking these ugly & weak strokes. I saw this 4.5 player hit a western grip forehand that hung in the air that the opposing team crunched for a winner over and over. No wonder Bolletieri teaches the grip as far as the semi-western and stops.
QST is another example of America wanting the fast route to success. USTA is pulling at the purse-strings of a society that wants instant success and immediate gratification.
We wonder why so few young Americans are on the pro tour yet implement QST? WAKE UP!
Europe produces great soccer players right? When they begin as youngsters a small hacksack is used as a ball. Once they conquer that and use a standard sized soccer ball it's easy for them. USTA is doing the reverse of this for young tennis players and NOT doing our kids any favors! Sure encouragement is needed but if USTA followed Europe's guidelines, kids would begin playing tennis with a pingpong ball!
We are so afraid of kids losing or not excelling we give them the EZ route (as stated on the foam balls even!)Then they wonder why they aren't playing Wimbledon the next year.
Reality is success is nothing but lots of hard work! Toss the "EZ" method and let them realize life outside the fishbowl!
I saw a cardio/fitness class put on for a high school tennis training session. Total lack of control and focus with no perfection of skills or matchplay tactics. The program might entertain beginners for a while but no stroke progression along the way.
I enjoy the veteran tennis pros commenting on all the various programs that USTA has used thru the years promoted with its advertising dollars. I wish someone would comment on the club vs. public park tennis programs.
To: Club vs Public Park Program
I was at a meeting of the National Public Parks and the lengendary Stan Smith spoke on this topic. Very interesting and informative statistics by Stan. The figure of somewhere in the range of 90 or 95% of tennis is played in public parks.
I agree about the public parks comment. Some clubs limit there growth and have created divisions and prejudices towards various races.
A recent tennis industry rep told his customers about the trend in the decrease of use of club tennis and growth in park use.
Guys,
What is happening is the clubs are desperate for revenue and lower initial fees to just have anyone pay monthly dues.
Prejudices against minorities and classes have caused many people to shun club tennis. We would not have Venus or Serena if not for public courts.
You guys are right about the tennis in the parks. Stan Smith himself started in the parks too. I hope others log-on this comment thread because many famous people have begun their tennis career in the parks.
I ran a junior program at a club which discriminated against minorities. It was a hidden agenda by the management and board of directors of the club.
Recently I encountered a situation similar at the Conway Country Club in Conway, Arkansas off of Salem and Prince Street. They blatantly discriminated against various races and minorities. This is the 21st century and I didn't know such an old deteriorating facility and declining membership such as the one of the Conway Country Club would operate with racial biases.
I remember when the Country of Club of Little Rock got their first black because the Little Rock community was daring them to turn down a prominent black businessman.The little Conway Country Club discriminates in the same way but on a much smaller scale. The management of the club is desperate for revenue since golf is its major income source and new clubs with more amenities such as a fitness center and better designed golf course are taking their members.
I am appalled. How in the world did this topic even come about? Not allowing African-Americans at a club in this century?? You all must be joking! Furthermore, it's not funny.
The "clubs" are definitely not the route to go as far as being a pro these days. I have numerous friends who are tennis and golf pros and everyone of them has told me of the many financial woes each club is in. With the economy in the shape it's in people aren't going to dish out the dough and don't have it to dish. Two friends told me their clubs were split up and sold as lots!
I'm completely for the parks or where all are able to go. Thankfully we are back in the days where being frugal is popular and the days of "showing off" and making oneself appear exclusive or better are gone.
Welcome to the new century those who've not yet joined. Ms. Parks made her statement on the bus long ago. Get with it.
The Club tennis scene vs. tennis thru the parks is a funny topic. I am a black male who can only enjoy golf and tennis in my area by joining a club. It is true about prejudices because I have no true friends there but management is extremely nice so that they collect the monthly dues from me.
Ya'll hit the nail on the head! In Northwest Arkansas we had a club file bankruptcy recently to lower revenue of monthly dues not covering the facilities overhead. I am Asian American and at the club there were no real friendships made for me except mgmt was kissing my a** to receiving its monthly dues from me.
Thanks for the reminder. I went to college in Conway and last time I neared Conway Country Club I got the worst case of food poisoning and the next day had to participate in a big sorority event. I was on my deathbead the whole night before sick as a dead dog. I've not ventured near since. If the food is that bad what's the rest like? Wasn't my only bad experience there but was the worst.
Who thinks they have a tennis program? With puddled courts and cracks all over who would be able to play? Too dangerous. My children won't be nearing there unless they've replaced them.
rumor is circulating that those cracks in the old tennis courts at the old country club in conway are the result of woody juels, father of paula juels jones, being the tennis court repair contractor for the country club. anyone else hearing this same rumor?
Guys,
The NW ARK club upside down is the Fayetteville Athletic Club and Tennis Center. Not enough people paying dues to support the facility!
The situation with private clubs is sad but is what comes with the economic crisis we're in. I predict very well run facilities like LRAC and the very old and well-run establishments will feel the pain but will find a way to make it through. Small town independent clubs are tanking fast however. It's sad but nothing ever stays the same. Life.
Newer golf courses are definitely the older clubs competition. The older clubs might keep some original members but the growth of any new people to an area tend to join the newer/finer clubs with more extras.
Hey Guys,
Rumors about cracks in conway tennis courts are correct. A maintenance man named Derek said Juels left the club hanging with a poor resurfacing job. Great investigative reporting!
The main source of revenue is golf at most clubs and it is true that newer better designed courses are drawing in new members as the older clubs suffer.
That tennis court contractor, Woody Juel, you guys are talking about is the same NLR cop who was in trouble using the N-word when talking about blacks at a skating rink. Check out link-
http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/801/801.F2d.316.85-2060.html
Private clubs having trouble? Yeah, I'd agree with that one! Last week I was enjoying an afternoon of golf with the guys when we got the shock of our lives! We saw a latino chick on a mower and didn't think much about it initially. There are a couple of other gals that help landscape and maintain the golf course and such. This one had gotten pretty filthy hauling sod it appeared. We got to the hole by the tennis courts and to our surprise she darted to the cartshed and ran out in a pair of nappy shorts, t-shirt, and ballcap with a tennis racket. We looked at each other and thought what the h***?? Talk about a club desperate to save money but using the Lawncare Crew to teach tennis is going a bit to the extreme in pinching pennies!!!
Post a Comment