10 & Under Classes
Classes at BETC provide outstanding instruction in a fun, group setting. Our certified instructors teach the game to youngsters of all ability levels.
10 and Under (10U) tennis allows players to grasp the fundamentals of the sport. Participants learn about grips, preparation, swing path and ball placement. The equipment and courts are tailored to skill level, so kids can see their improvement and have fun right from the start.
Ages
5 and up (children older than 10 may continue with the program until they are ready for junior classes which use standard yellow balls.) Students must be able to listen, follow directions and participate without assistance from a parent or sibling. All abilities are welcome!
Levels
Red Ball:
The tennis journey starts here! Red balls are larger, bounce lower and travel slower, making it easier to learn and acquire skills. The court is smaller too, 36′ X 18′.
Skills Developed
Red Ball 1:
- Basic hand-eye coordination exercises with racquet and ball
- Ball tracking fundamentals
- Introduction to forehand, backhand, and forehand volley motions
- Introduction to fundamental footwork (ladder work, shuffles, etc.)
- Basic serve movement through ball-throwing progressions
- Self drop-feed forehands
Red Ball 2:
- Refinement of forehand, backhand, and forehand volley swings
- Increased comfort and coordination with ladder work and shuffles
- Introduction to hitting forehands and backhands while moving
- Introduction to the service motion
Orange Ball:
Orange balls are the same size as standard yellow balls, but have less compression. This allows the ball to travel a little faster and farther than a red ball. The court size increases to 60′.
Skills Developed
Orange Ball 1:
- Introduction to rallying, scorekeeping, and basic rules
- Introduction to continental grip and backhand volley
- Continued development of fundamental footwork and introduction to more advanced patterns
- Building comfort, consistency, and confidence in the service motion
Orange Ball 2:
- Continued development of rallying skills, scorekeeping, and basic match rules
- Refinement of the continental grip, with emphasis on serve and volley fundamentals
- Introduction to more complex movement patterns, including coordinated side-to-side and front-to-back movement
- Improved recovery and court positioning after shots
- Growing ability to sustain cooperative and competitive rallies
Green Dot Ball:
At this stage, the ball is similar to a yellow ball, but at about 75% of the compression. A standard full size court is used.
Skills Devloped:
- Refinement of rallying skills with the introduction of more nuanced rules and match situations (serving order, deuce/ad scoring, basic tactics)
- Continued development of fundamental footwork with increased emphasis on advanced movement patterns and balance
- Mastery of the continental grip for all necessary shots (serve, volley, overhead, slice)
- Building comfort, consistency, and confidence in the service motion, including direction and intent
- Increased independence during point play and match play situations
Racket length will depend on your child’s height and ability, but a good rule of thumb is the racket should reach about his or her ankle when holding it straight down.
Enrollment & Pricing
Online monthly class registration is available to past and current students. New students need to contact BETC directly for more information. Guests will see a lesson guest fee added to their cart after “shopping for” and selecting each class. (Note: Class registration is not confirmed until after payment is submitted.)
Drop-Ins
You may sign up for drop-ins the same day of class by contacting the Front Desk or your instructor.