USTA Tournament Frustration (10 & Under)

[topspinrj]

So this was the first week of the mandatory 10 & Under Quickstart tournaments (Southern Region). My daughter just turned 9 and was registered in the 10 and under division for a Level 5 tournament (her 1st). Turns out they had no other Girls 10 and under sign up. In fact all 3 tournaments over the weekend in my area (2 Level 4, 1 Level 5) couldn't field a 10 and under girls draw. So she played in the 12 and under and even though she played fairly well, so lost both her matches. I talked to the other parents (Girls ranged from 8-11), who all said they refuse to put their kids on the quickstart courts. The boys had a 10 and under division made up mainly of 6-8 year olds.

Thumbs down to USTA who while maybe long term, will build the 10 and under quickstart tournaments, have caused short term problems by not phasing in these requirements or allowing the option for Green Ball Full Courts for 10 and under.

 

[jmdlaw]

I am quite sorry that your daughters first tournament was not a great experience.

I don't see this QS going anywhere.

If my kids were still in the 10's age group would not play QS either. I think your best bet may be to find other parents who are in the same situation and coordinate your own weekend tournaments. It can be alot of fun and great for match play. Another thread here noted that many parents and coaches were playing outside of the USTA in this manner.

Good Luck to your daughter.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I have been saying all along this would be a mess. My experience, and that of all coaches I know, is that kids will hang with a mini tennis/Quickstart type format in a practice setting for 1-12 months. It depends on the age and how fast they progress.

Kids have zero interest in actual tournaments in that format. Once again the USTA just does not get it. We all told them this as they were starting to push the plan. They see kids showing interest at the US Open kids day and think that is reality....its 10-20 minutes for those kids there. In real life Quickstart bores them within weeks or months.

Most kids coaches have ALWAYS used balloons, foam balls, small areas, low nets, fun games, etc. to get kids into the game and teach them the strokes. We progress them as their skills warrant it. When they were ready for the 10s, they want to play on full courts. The only concession they will make is to use the green balls. I have no problem with that.

Now we have some areas like Protour's with a good number of green ball on full court tournaments....other areas with none and only short courts/orange balls. We have parents training their kids on short courts with orange balls only to find out no kids will compete at QS tournies.

All us coaches want is for the USTA to grow the game. Provide funding so we can keep the game affordable. Hire spokespeople kids like to promote tennis and get them to try it. The little kids coaches will handle the teaching using mini tennis just fine. The academies and/or private coaches will handle high performance when talent shines.

Forget high performance facilities, forget Quickstart tournaments....just help fund the existing infrastructure.

 

[Lazerus]

The USTA is destroying tennis.

Who can we complain to?

 

[andfor]

The USTA is destroying tennis.

Who can we complain to?

Obama? He's had a big impact on changing the BCS as he promised. Changing Quickstart would be much easier for him.

 

[BMC9670]

The USTA is destroying tennis.

Who can we complain to?

Find your section's USTA website and click "contact us". Send a letter, email, or call them. I did. I don't know that it will do any good as this directive is from the top and has a ton of (tennis) politics and money behind it. I think the only way it is going to change is that they see no one shows up for QS events and intermediate 8-10 year olds get killed in the 12s. Maybe tournament directors have more power if they complain about redrawing courts and low turnout?

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Find your section's USTA website and click "contact us". Send a letter, email, or call them. I did. I don't know that it will do any good as this directive is from the top and has a ton of (tennis) politics and money behind it. I think the only way it is going to change is that they see no one shows up for QS events and intermediate 8-10 year olds get killed in the 12s. Maybe tournament directors have more power if they complain about redrawing courts and low turnout?

I think our goal now should be getting as many full court green ball tournaments as possible all across the US. That will let them save face and perhaps they will move quickly on doing it.

My hope is that in a few years Quickstart will be in its rightful place, a pure introduction to the game, and not in any way mixed up with competitive tournaments.

 

[CitationJet]

Hi,

Our (somewhat advanced - in a USTA Jr. Performance program) eight year old will be playing a B10s tournament this weekend in SW Virginia, and fortunately the tournament director has stated full court (great!), green ball (good), however only four game sets (silly), but obviously still preferable to full QS when all is said and done. These were quoted as Virginia rules moving forward. Suffice it to say, there is no way we would enter him in a 10 and Under tournament now if it were full QS, talk about de-evolution.

So far, in January and February, this event is only one of THREE tournaments in Mid-Atlantic that is even offering B10s, the other two are SW Virginia and West Virginia, so I'd say the message is pretty clear: directors for the most part are not willing to put up QS 8s and 10s now with the rule changes moving into 2011 and 2012. Reasons? Monetary, purist, logical? Your choice.

As for who to complain to? I've got a brick wall out back that needs to be torn down, and with your heads all beating in unison against that structure, you'd have more luck taking it down than doing the same in trying to convince the USTA of the error of their ways regarding 10 and Under tennis in the United States.

Good luck!

 

[BMC9670]

I think our goal now should be getting as many full court green ball tournaments as possible all across the US. That will let them save face and perhaps they will move quickly on doing it.

Seeing as how EVERY tournament in our section that had 10s last year has dropped it altogether, I would think they would jump on board with this if it were pushed. No lining small courts, just different balls. I would be OK with this for my intermediate/advanced 8 year old as he's way beyond orange balls, but not quite there physically to hang in the 12s.

 

[jmdlaw]

Right - it was my understanding that QS was only for the very young and for very early training to make it fun and something that they could do successfully. Not a permanent fixture all the way thru the 10s. I was thinking 4-6 yrs tops and certainly not mandatory. Some 5 -6 year olds progress very quickly. It should be up to the coach/parent how long that the player should remain with the qs format.

 

[BMC9670]

Hi,

Our (somewhat advanced - in a USTA Jr. Performance program) eight year old will be playing a B10s tournament this weekend in SW Virginia, and fortunately the tournament director has stated full court (great!), green ball (good), however only four game sets (silly), but obviously still preferable to full QS when all is said and done. These were quoted as Virginia rules moving forward. Suffice it to say, there is no way we would enter him in a 10 and Under tournament now if it were full QS, talk about de-evolution.

So far, in January and February, this event is only one of THREE tournaments in Mid-Atlantic that is even offering B10s, the other two are SW Virginia and West Virginia, so I'd say the message is pretty clear: directors for the most part are not willing to put up QS 8s and 10s now with the rule changes moving into 2011 and 2012. Reasons? Monetary, purist, logical? Your choice.

I'm in the same boat (see post above). I'm sure tournament directors are choosing not to deal with it mainly because they would have to re-line courts. Think about all the shifting and scheduling that goes on at a tournament. You have 10s playing after/before 12s, 14s, etc. Matches run long, you have no-shows. Now imagine having to designate a court or courts to 10s because they have to be re-lined, especially on clay! Too much hassle for not enough interest.

I'm sure the tournaments would love to have the entry fees, which is why I think they would jump on 10s playing green ball on a full court. This doesn't change things for them like a 60' court does.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Right - it was my understanding that QS was only for the very young and for very early training to make it fun and something that they could do successfully. Not a permanent fixture all the way thru the 10s. I was thinking 4-6 yrs tops and certainly not mandatory. Some 5 -6 year olds progress very quickly. It should be up to the coach/parent how long that the player should remain with the qs format.

Yup. The very fact that the USTA thought that any 7-8 year old would play for several years with a foam ball on a 36 foot court, or a 9-10 year old would be content for several years using an orange ball shows how totally out of touch they are.

Here is the original QS press release from the USTA:

"The specifications for the revised system hold that all tournaments for those ages 9-10 be played on 60-foot courts using orange low-compression tennis balls and regulation nets (3 feet at the center) or, for those more experienced and more skilled players, on 78-foot courts with green lower-compression balls. Tournaments for those 8 and under are to be played on 36-foot courts using red foam balls and nets at a height of 2 feet, 9 inches. "

And to trot out Martina and Billie Jean to tell us how great Quickstart is an insult. I have been to events they come to. They fly in, pose, hit a few balls and leave. They are fantastic ladies who are very busy and important.....but they would have zero clue how long kids will stay in each stage before they get bored and want to move on.

No offense to them but any decent park coach or tennis parent would know more about the time frame and usefulness of QS than both of them combined.

 

[Larrysümmers]

I teach the ten year old group and we have to do the quickstart or we wont get any funding. i think it is messed up IMHO. 10 year olds should be doing full court green ball. i think it is okay for the 6 year olds, since the foam balls are slower and bigger, they are good if the kid is just starting to play, but after that they should move on. and also the drills for the 10 year olds are rather boring.

just my .02cents

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I teach the ten year old group and we have to do the quickstart or we wont get any funding. i think it is messed up IMHO. 10 year olds should be doing full court green ball. i think it is okay for the 6 year olds, since the foam balls are slower and bigger, they are good if the kid is just starting to play, but after that they should move on. and also the drills for the 10 year olds are rather boring.

just my .02cents

Your 2 cents would have been worth millions in saved money had the USTA asked you and all the rest of us first.

 

[jmdlaw]

Yup. The very fact that the USTA thought that any 7-8 year old would play for several years with a foam ball on a 36 foot court, or a 9-10 year old would be content for several years using an orange ball shows how totally out of touch they are.

Here is the original QS press release from the USTA:

"The specifications for the revised system hold that all tournaments for those ages 9-10 be played on 60-foot courts using orange low-compression tennis balls and regulation nets (3 feet at the center) or, for those more experienced and more skilled players, on 78-foot courts with green lower-compression balls. Tournaments for those 8 and under are to be played on 36-foot courts using red foam balls and nets at a height of 2 feet, 9 inches. "

And to trot out Martina and Billie Jean to tell us how great Quickstart is an insult. I have been to events they come to. They fly in, pose, hit a few balls and leave. They are fantastic ladies who are very busy and important.....but they would have zero clue how long kids will stay in each stage before they get bored and want to move on.

No offense to them but any decent park coach or tennis parent would know more about the time frame and usefulness of QS than both of them combined.

Exactly! They should get the opinions of those out in the trenches rather than those who played the game long ago! We need to predict the future not replay the past! 7 and 8 year old players hit the ball very well and this needs to be nurtured not repressed.

 

[chalkflewup]

I think our goal now should be getting as many full court green ball tournaments as possible all across the US. That will let them save face and perhaps they will move quickly on doing it.

My hope is that in a few years Quickstart will be in its rightful place, a pure introduction to the game, and not in any way mixed up with competitive tournaments.

It will fall on deaf ears if all we do is complain without proposing a solution to the perceived problem. Per usual, TCF proposes an idea/solution to the challenge. My recommendation is to continue to build off the idea and give it some more legs to stand on -- then go through the proper channels -- and have people from every section voice the same resolution.

My .$005

 

[topspinrj]

Thanks everyone. I am glad I am not the only one frustrated with this. My daughter does play at a tennis academy in a Quickstart Select Group. The group ages from 7-10 with the 60' ft court and orange balls for the less experienced and the 78' ft court with either green or regular balls for the more experienced. In Atlanta is gets more complex, because ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association), which a majority of Atlanta juniors play (Alternates seasons with USTA junior programs), uses regular balls and full courts for their 10 and under.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Now we have some areas like Protour's with a good number of green ball on full court tournaments.

It will fall on deaf ears if all we do is complain without proposing a solution to the perceived problem. Per usual, TCF proposes an idea/solution to the challenge. My recommendation is to continue to build off the idea and give it some more legs to stand on -- then go through the proper channels -- and have people from every section voice the same resolution

I was the first to propose green on full court for U10 on this forum as a consensus. We complained and got 138 tournaments in 2011. I still believe the rest of the sections will follow us sooner or later. They just did not want to commit and wanted to see how things play out.


THE USTA IS DOING A GREAT JOB IN OUR SECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[philosoraptor]

It's absolutely ridiculous that there are 10 year olds playing on quickstart courts, the system seems to click for younger kids like 5 or 6 year olds, but for ten year olds..really? When I was ten, I played in the court in my neighborhood with my friends with no slow balls or anything and all of us there played better (back then) than TONS of people that play u12's and u14's..how do they(the usta) honestly expect these quick-start players to progress and play tournaments on full courts in a year or two? These kids will get bashed by anyone playing ITF tennis. USA needs to toughen up.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I was the first to propose green on full court for U10 on this forum as a consensus. We complained and got 138 tournaments in 2011. I still believe the rest of the sections will follow us sooner or later. They just did not want to commit and wanted to see how things play out.


THE USTA IS DOING A GREAT JOB IN OUR SECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats fine Protour. But you got lucky....like the inner city school who had that Clark guy as principle while all the other schools were total messes.

This is what is going on in the rest of the country:

1. Coaches and programs being told no funding if they do not embrace Quickstart full bore....foam, orange, green, low nets, redrawn courts.

2. Tons of time and effort to set up QS tournaments with zero or few participants.

3. Orange ball tournaments in one area, green balls 200 miles away.

4. Tennis heavy areas like Atlanta with many local coaches and programs forced into Quickstart with orange balls for 10s....others down the road with green balls for 10s....the Atlanta association holding 10s with regulation balls.

Sorry but the USTA doing a "good job" is like saying a stopped clock is right twice a day.

I am glad you have such a responsive section....sadly the total opposite is true elsewhere, others get met with arrogance that if you do not like QS in all its glory, lump it.

So we will try to push for consistent green ball full courts for all 10s tournaments, and QS only being used for training at the discretion of the coaches and parents.....thats about the only way to try to unravel this mess created by the USTA.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Thats fine Protour. But you got lucky....like the inner city school who had that Clark guy as principle while all the other schools were total messes.


This is what is going on in the rest of the country:

1. Coaches and programs being told no funding if they do not embrace Quickstart full bore....foam, orange, green, low nets, redrawn courts.

Nothing wrong with that. Sometimes a little tough love is in order, you should know that as a coach. Besides we got funding, we did not have to redraw courts etc.... you do not need to redraw lines for 60 just lay them (rubber pieces) on the floor and pick them up at the end of the session

2. Tons of time and effort to set up QS tournaments with zero or few participants.

Setting up QS is part of the fun and exercise, no setup requires for green courts just like regulation, we shall see how many participant in our section. It could be a total disaster and failure,

3. Orange ball tournaments in one area, green balls 200 miles away.

True but that will change in time as the rest of the sections come on board.

4. Tennis heavy areas like Atlanta with many local coaches and programs forced into Quickstart with orange balls for 10s....others down the road with green balls for 10s....the Atlanta association holding 10s with regulation balls.

Now it is down the road and not 200 miles away Nothing wrong with that, if you feel your 9 year old can not play green on full court, there is an option going orange on 60, not every kid is going to be elite or exceptional like your kid or mine

Sorry but the USTA doing a "good job" is like saying a stopped clock is right twice a day.

As far as my section goes yes they are doing a good job, they listened an delivered one year in advance. when you want to reform it takes time, it does not happen overnight, time is on our side

I am glad you have such a responsive section....sadly the total opposite is true elsewhere, others get met with arrogance that if you do not like QS in all its glory, lump it.

Again, it takes time........ the rest of the sections are slow to embrace partially because of non believers and nay sayers or fence sitters like what I think is happening in most sections, it is like this with everything (for example internet/ facebook etc...) , there are trend setters and trailblazers........ then there are the followers.


So we will try to push for consistent green ball full courts for all 10s tournaments, and QS only being used for training at the discretion of the coaches and parents.....thats about the only way to try to unravel this mess created by the USTA.

^^^^I agree in general but read my reply in red

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

It's absolutely ridiculous that there are 10 year olds playing on quickstart courts, the system seems to click for younger kids like 5 or 6 year olds, but for ten year olds..really? When I was ten, I played in the court in my neighborhood with my friends with no slow balls or anything and all of us there played better (back then) than TONS of people that play u12's and u14's..how do they(the usta) honestly expect these quick-start players to progress and play tournaments on full courts in a year or two? These kids will get bashed by anyone playing ITF tennis. USA needs to toughen up.

if you are tough 10 year old (most aren't) then play U12, if you are not then there is green on full (most will fit in this area), if you can not hack it (some) there is orange on 60..............very simple

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

^^^^I agree in general but read my reply in red

ProTour we are making this way too complicated in my opinion. There was never a need for trailblazing and embracing. And now the only reason we need to wait for sections to come around is because of the USTA created mess.

None of this was ever needed. All they had to do is survey 100 coaches for kids aged 5-10 around the country. They would have been told that we already use a Quickstart type system for beginners. The vast majority of coaches for young kids already used lower nets and foam balls and low compression balls. They have for decades.

We would have told the USTA that kids want to progress fast and will not play QS tournaments with foam balls at age 8. They will not play orange balls at age 9-10.

They won't do it no matter how long we wait nor if every naysayer told them it was the greatest thing in the world. They never have had interest in it and never will.

All the USTA had to do was spend the same money they did for this QS nonsense and support the existing coaches and programs, allowing us to support and get more kids into tennis.

Going to green balls for the 10s was the only 'mandated' change they should have ever even considered.

They made 1000 mistakes and spun their wheels for a long time, sorry, I ain't gonna reward them for coming around in one section.

They created the problem in the first place.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

if you are tough 10 year old (most aren't) then play U12, if you are not then there is green on full (most will fit in this area), if you can not hack it (some) there is orange on 60..............very simple

But it is not that simple except in your section. Thats the point. In other places coaches and parents face a mess of different balls and court sizes. And uncertainty about what the structure will be in 6 months or a year.

Again, none of this was ever needed. Green balls for 10s was all they should have done.

What was so wrong about the old system? Kids never quit tennis because it was too hard. They quit because it was not cool or one of many other reasons.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

ProTour we are making this way too complicated in my opinion. There was never a need for trailblazing and embracing. And now the only reason we need to wait for sections to come around is because of the USTA created mess.

None of this was ever needed. All they had to do is survey 100 coaches for kids aged 5-10 around the country. They would have been told that we already use a Quickstart type system for beginners. The vast majority of coaches for young kids already used lower nets and foam balls and low compression balls. They have for decades.

We would have told the USTA that kids want to progress fast and will not play QS tournaments with foam balls at age 8. They will not play orange balls at age 9-10.

They won't do it no matter how long we wait nor if every naysayer told them it was the greatest thing in the world. They never have had interest in it and never will.

All the USTA had to do was spend the same money they did for this QS nonsense and support the existing coaches and programs, allowing us to support and get more kids into tennis.

Going to green balls for the 10s was the only 'mandated' change they should have ever even considered.

They made 1000 mistakes and spun their wheels for a long time, sorry, I ain't gonna reward them for coming around in one section.

They created the problem in the first place.

The only reason we though it was a mess because we did not understand the system, it was new and not clear ( you I and everyone else were clueless 6 months ago). It is not a mess in our section, things are clear now,,,,,,,,,,,,until we have low participation then we shall see. Wether it will produce champions or not is a whole other issue/topic.

They mandated green on full in our section and rightfully so and you agreed to it, they will with the rest of the sections in due time.

Making mistakes and learning from them is part of the progress, you should know that as a coach. USTA made mistakes and they are correcting them starting with my section and on to the rest of the country.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

But it is not that simple except in your section. Thats the point. In other places coaches and parents face a mess of different balls and court sizes. And uncertainty about what the structure will be in 6 months or a year.

Again, none of this was ever needed. Green balls for 10s was all they should have done.

What was so wrong about the old system? Kids never quit tennis because it was too hard. They quit because it was not cool or one of many other reasons.

I also have an advanced 5 year old on red and loves it (plays 4 times a week). I am thinking of signing him up for QS red or orange tournament because he wants to be like his 8 year old brother, nothing wrong with that,,,,,,,,,, why is it so cruel TCF?????? I think it is cruel to give a Jr an adult stiff frame with poly but you chose both and did not completely embrace my warning.......and left it up to your kid. Same thing here, if my 5 year old wants to play in a tournament and be like his older brother, he should have his right providing it is fun and fitting for his ability.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

The only reason we though it was a mess because we did not understand the system, it was new and not clear ( you I and everyone else were clueless 6 months ago). It is not a mess in our section, things are clear now,,,,,,,,,,,,until we have low participation then we shall see. Wether it will produce champions or not is a whole other issue/topic.

They mandated green on full in our section and rightfully so and you agreed to it, they will with the rest of the sections in due time.

Making mistakes and learning from them is part of the progress, you should know that as a coach. USTA made mistakes and they are correcting them starting with my section and on to the rest of the country.

Making mistakes is part of life....when you are young and won't ask for help from someone who knows. Or when you are older and try something totally new.

What the USTA did is not a mistake by a normal definition. They had access to coaches who have done this stuff for decades. They never asked. That is arrogance, not a mistake.

How about accountability? If Quickstart tournaments never take off does anyone have to answer for that?

You bring out a product that flops in the business world....especially when you do not do your research first, you get fired.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I have a 5 year old on red and loves it (plays 4 times a week). I am thinking of signing him up for QS red or orange tournament because he wants to be like his 8 year old brother, nothing wrong with that,,,,,,,,,, why is it so cruel TCF?????? I think it is cruel to give a Jr an adult stiff frame with poly but you chose both and did not completely embrace my warning.......and left it up to your kid. Same thing here, if my kid want to play in a tournament and be like his brother, he should have his right providing it is fun and fitting for his ability.

Okay....let us know how many opponents he has at the next red ball tournament. and the one after that and the one after that.

Then let us know how many opponents he has at the next orange ball tournament and the one after that and the one after that.

Then let us know what type of ball he wants to use at age 7. And what type at age 9.

You go through the motions and we can all predict it anyway. There will be hardly anyone for him to play against at the red or orange tournies. He will get bored and you will have him on green balls by age 6 and regular balls by age 8.

He will never play numerous red or orange tournaments. He will be good enough by age 7-8 to use regular balls for drills and will demand such.

We are not reinventing the wheel here....folks have been teaching tennis forever to kids.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Making mistakes is part of life....when you are young and won't ask for help from someone who knows. Or when you are older and try something totally new.

What the USTA did is not a mistake by a normal definition. They had access to coaches who have done this stuff for decades. They never asked. That is arrogance, not a mistake.

How about accountability? If Quickstart tournaments never take off does anyone have to answer for that?

You bring out a product that flops in the business world....especially when you do not do your research first, you get fired.

If QS tournaments do not take off, heads will roll!!!!!!! come on TCF lighten up

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Okay....let us know how many opponents he has at the next red ball tournament. and the one after that and the one after that.

Then let us know how many opponents he has at the next orange ball tournament and the one after that and the one after that.

Then let us know what type of ball he wants to use at age 7. And what type at age 9.

You go through the motions and we can all predict it anyway. There will be hardly anyone for him to play against at the red or orange tournies. He will get bored and you will have him on green balls by age 6 and regular balls by age 8.

He will never play numerous red or orange tournaments. He will be good enough by age 7-8 to use regular balls for drills and will demand such.

We are not reinventing the wheel here....folks have been teaching tennis forever to kids.

maybe.......... he might quit tennis all together...........we shall see

if there are organized games for U8 soccer players why not tennis

 

[topspinrj]

I agree it would have been great if USTA Southern Georgia tournaments allowed the choice of Orange 60 / Green 78 but every tournament I have seen listed, are 10 and under Orange 60. Really bad move.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

If QS tournaments do not take off, heads will roll!!!!!!! come on TCF lighten up

But heads won't roll. It is not easy for coaches lighten up on this topic. I have 2 close friends who are amazing instructors but can't find jobs. Everyone is pulling tennis funding.

So when the governing body is arrogant and throws money away when the mistakes they make are easily avoidable....sorry, its hard not to get angry.

Every $50,000 they waste making preventable mistakes is money that could have gone to support a great coach get more kids into tennis.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I agree it would have been great if USTA Southern Georgia tournaments allowed the choice of Orange 60 / Green 78 but every tournament I have seen listed, are 10 and under Orange 60. Really bad move.

It could have been even easier than that. Southern GA is a tennis hotbed. The orange balls could be used at a coaches discretion for training, like they always were. Very few kids need or want to compete in tournaments when they are still only using orange balls. That changes when they are good enough to handle green balls.

So the USTA should have simply said green balls for 10s.

You are right, mandating orange for 10s in Southern GA is beyond stupid.

 

[seminoleG]

I sent an email to USTA Florida and got a response. My question was will the QS format be forced upon 10s in 2012, or will it only apply to 10s Rookie as it does in 2011? Since I do not think it is fair to post someones personal email I will paraphrase the response:

QS is not a format for new or weak players. It is a place to develop their game. USTA found out that there are more 10 and Under soccer players in most small cities than in total that play 10 and under tennis. 41% of 10s are already playing up to the 12s

I did not respond but will say this:
Europe uses Green Ball Tennis for 10s, you need to play up for Regulation. You cannot play up more than 2 years so the earliest you can play regulation is 10.
41% of 10s Play up - We'll is that a Symptom or Disease. In South Florida if you are a 10 playing up and doing well you are a Well Above Average 10! If you Play up in North Florida not a good pool of GOOD 10s. This statistic is more about the ammount and quality of good players not that 10 year olds can't play regulation tennis.

Lastly I was told that a girl from florida (north) in the top 10 still gets hit balls deep and that bounce to high. Well my little girl is taught to hit on the rise and in the last few months of Tournaments hasn't had one go over her head. High Bouncing balls and how they are played are points for coaching and not related to the size of the player.


Green Ball Tennis teaches one to hit a waist high slow moving ball, I got it. Having seen the G10s Play a Super Series the past few weeks I also see that a good percentage can play regulation tennis with good technique.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

But heads won't roll. It is not easy for coaches lighten up on this topic. I have 2 close friends who are amazing instructors but can't find jobs. Everyone is pulling tennis funding.

So when the governing body is arrogant and throws money away when the mistakes they make are easily avoidable....sorry, its hard not to get angry.

Every $50,000 they waste making preventable mistakes is money that could have gone to support a great coach get more kids into tennis.

so your friends are out of a job because of the USTA???? common TCF there is a recession,,,,,,,,,, tennis is not a high priority. not too many people can afford $75 an hour


TCF one last question, honestly do you think tournament play using Green ball on full court is cruel for 8-9 olds?

 

[seminoleG]

As for what to do about the frustration. Visist your USTA Regions/States website. Email the Junior Tennis folks (Development Committee/Organizer/Rules Person/Operations...) I sent to 4 folks in florida. Voice your points and ask for a quesiton. They will determine in the next few weeks what Florida will do for 2012 (answer I received). I also asked what will determine which way they go (not addressed). This is about $$$$$$, and more players = more $$$$$ for all involved. As I said on another thread a Coach from the ******* is starting a Club Circuit for 10s to avoid the QS format. His daughters botth 10, play very well. For those coaches not needing the USTAs money this will be the obvious solution.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I sent an email to USTA Florida and got a response. My question was will the QS format be forced upon 10s in 2012, or will it only apply to 10s Rookie as it does in 2011? Since I do not think it is fair to post someones personal email I will paraphrase the response:

QS is not a format for new or weak players. It is a place to develop their game. USTA found out that there are more 10 and Under soccer players in most small cities than in total that play 10 and under tennis. 41% of 10s are already playing up to the 12s

I did not respond but will say this:
Europe uses Green Ball Tennis for 10s, you need to play up for Regulation. You cannot play up more than 2 years so the earliest you can play regulation is 10.
41% of 10s Play up - We'll is that a Symptom or Disease. In South Florida if you are a 10 playing up and doing well you are a Well Above Average 10! If you Play up in North Florida not a good pool of GOOD 10s. This statistic is more about the ammount and quality of good players not that 10 year olds can't play regulation tennis.

Lastly I was told that a girl from florida (north) in the top 10 still gets hit balls deep and that bounce to high. Well my little girl is taught to hit on the rise and in the last few months of Tournaments hasn't had one go over her head. High Bouncing balls and how they are played are points for coaching and not related to the size of the player.


Green Ball Tennis teaches one to hit a waist high slow moving ball, I got it. Having seen the G10s Play a Super Series the past few weeks I also see that a good percentage can play regulation tennis with good technique.

See...they are totally out of touch. They relate soccer to tennis when soccer is a social outlet for parents to drop the kids off and tire them out. Soccer is cheap to play for most parents. The 2 sports for kids are not related at all. Soccer will always have millions more players, its cheap and easy access.

The ball at the waist thing or high bouncing balls cracks me up. Maybe they should talk to John Fitzgerald of Australia or Rick Macci or any good coach who will tell them not only what you said....balls height is related to coaching to position the players....and the fact that the game of tennis is heading towards more hitting above the waist and on the rise with each passing year.

Balls don;t bounce over kids heads when they are trained properly to take the balls on the rise. Simple concept.

Welcome to the USTA where we plan for a tennis future that happened 15 years ago!

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

if there are organized games for U8 soccer players why not tennis

QS is not a format for new or weak players. It is a place to develop their game. USTA found out that there are more 10 and Under soccer players in most small cities than in total that play 10 and under tennis. 41% of 10s are already playing up to the 12s.

thank you good response i is more like U8, I should know I also coach U8 soccer in my state

 

[seminoleG]

Last point I made in my email was:

In most florida counties you can play flag or tackle pee wee football. Parents/Players choose but they have a choice. Either way you have kids that quit, play in HS, or College or beyond but none of this is based on how they started. Key is we have a choice.

They said I did have a choice Play 12s.

So I am going to PAY Tennis Academy Prices for my Daughter to play Green Ball!

NOW if the USTA gave a dam they would fund the cost of the academy and yes then it would be like SOCCER!

I paid $600 for my daughters travel soccer team for one year.

How much Green Ball tennis would that cover USTA?

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Europe uses Green Ball Tennis for 10s, you need to play up for Regulation. You cannot play up more than 2 years so the earliest you can play regulation is 10.

we have a 9 year old who is #20 in the 12's in our section, he is ELITE

if your kid is not elite he should be play green, simple

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

so your friends are out of a job because of the USTA???? common TCF there is a recession,,,,,,,,,, tennis is not a high priority. not too many people can afford $75 an hour


TCF one last question, honestly do you think tournament play using Green ball on full court is cruel for 8-9 olds?

Protour....common sense says if they blow $3 mil on Quickstart that flops due to arrogance and not asking people what works, that money could have been used to support existing programming and help during the recession. Less coaches would have lost their jobs.

I fully support green balls for the 10s. If kids are too good for that than they can play up.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

So because 40% of 10s play up that means we need orange balls in the 10s?

Now that is some logic!

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Last point I made in my email was:

In most florida counties you can play flag or tackle pee wee football. Parents/Players choose but they have a choice. Either way you have kids that quit, play in HS, or College or beyond but none of this is based on how they started. Key is we have a choice.

They said I did have a choice Play 12s.

So I am going to PAY Tennis Academy Prices for my Daughter to play Green Ball!

NOW if the USTA gave a dam they would fund the cost of the academy and yes then it would be like SOCCER!

I paid $600 for my daughters travel soccer team for one year.

How much Green Ball tennis would that cover USTA?

your kid is not elite,

if you were in my section that will be one tournament a month, and who said tennis was a cheap sport

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

I fully support green balls for the 10s. If kids are too good for that than they can play up.

thank you now I do not feel I am being cruel to my 8 year old. I shall wait and see for my 5 year old

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

So because 40% of 10s play up that means we need orange balls in the 10s?

Now that is some logic!

no it means we need green, yes very logical

 

[seminoleG]

we have a 9 year old who is #20 in the 12's in our section, he is ELITE

if your kid is not elite he should be play green, simple

Elite - Tough to define. I would say this I had no intention of playing tournaments at all. Her Coach said get her in some. OK so we enter 10s Rookie. Not even close, waste of time. BUT those girls practice 1-2 times a week every other week. OK what do you expect playing a girl that goes 4 days a week. So then we enter Locals/Super Series and some girls have good technique and win/lose some are pushers and moonballers and win/lose.

Should they all play green ball then? YES, I do believe so.

OK if they all should play green ball when is the natural progression to regulation take place? That is the question I can't seem to get from the USTA.

In Eurpoe after so many good results or at the option of the parent after 10 they move up.

So my point is if 10 is the point to play regulation why make those 10s play up to 12s instead of fellow 10s on regulation courts.

 

[BMC9670]

we have a 9 year old who is #20 in the 12's in our section, he is ELITE

if your kid is not elite he should be play green, simple

Again, your section seems to be an exception. There is no green ball anywhere else. It seemed to be an option in the USTA roll out, so why aren't most sections doing it? No small courts, no hassles. Gotta supply balls anyway. So...

 

[seminoleG]

Again, your section seems to be an exception. There is no green ball anywhere else. It seemed to be an option in the USTA roll out, so why aren't most sections doing it? No small courts, no hassles. Gotta supply balls anyway. So...

I can tell you why South Florida isn't. NO COACH will go on record opposing Green Ball, but they also won't teach it.

With Parents spending $$$$$$ they are not going to pay for Green Ball PERIOD DOT!

I know that Macci supports QS then why if you go up there NO ONE is teaching it!

ALL LIP SERVICE, and Florida USTA knows that folks with lots of $$$$$ going to these academies are just not going to pay for Green Ball (JV Tennis)

 

[BMC9670]

OK if they all should play green ball when is the natural progression to regulation take place? That is the question I can't seem to get from the USTA.

Good point and I don't think they know. Each kid is different which is why there should be a CHOICE. My son went through orange balls from 5-6 and green balls from 7-8. We used them in training extensively, but not exclusively. We also used regular balls for toss and feeds. Now he is late 8 and plays regulation just fine. The problem with moving him to 12s for competition isn't that he can't play well enough, but the physical difference those 2-3 years make. It is huge in most cases and I don't think the USTA takes that into account.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Relating tennis to U8 soccer or basketball or baseball is the type of wrong headed thinking that caused this mess.

Tennis is not those sports. Just like winning a gold medal in cross country rifle shooting is not those sports. There are no U8 teams of cross country rifle shooters.

Soccer lends itself to parents dropping off the 5-6 year olds. Or 7-8 year olds. 2 volunteer coaches can handle 10-12 kids. They can then play a schedule of games against other teams all within a few miles. They keep the rules simple at that age, the kids like to run off their energy.

The USTA is trying to emulate soccer and that is dumb. Apples and oranges. It takes tons more time and effort to get a 5-6 year old ready to stand there by themselves and play tennis. Same with 7-8 year olds.

Then when the kids are ready you would have to drive many miles for the kids to play the same 8 matches a soccer parent drives 5 miles for.

The time and effort needed to play little QS tournaments is so much more than soccer or basketball. Thus most parents will not do it or can not do it.

This is why Quickstart type training has always existed only at specific facilities and not in a tournament format.

Once kids get good enough to play 'real' tennis, some parents will then invest the time to take them to tournaments. They will not do it for red or orange ball tournies. Will they do it for green balls? Maybe.

U8 soccer and QS could not be any further apart in terms of their dynamics.