Funny you say that. I did something similar, I worked at a school with a boy who is in a talent squad, his brother (15) just returned from playing on some form of junior tour in Spain I believe. The boy (8) was playing regulation ball and at a high level, I believe he went very deep in some strong U10's tournaments with reg ball. I, among others in a school group, put him on an orange court and he had no concept of spin, direction, pace, etc. He struggled to hit the ball in a good strike zone and he was used to the pace and bounce of a regulation ball, this meant he had no skills besides hitting a high bouncing ball. Slice, he was done.
We have several average kids at our clubs, train once a week for 1 hour, usually just mucking around as well, and they would have beaten him easily.
I believe in the quickstart system because I'm a part of a program that is developing fast and has dedicated staff and parents. Go find out about Mike Barrell and see some of his stuff
I know you did not mean to, but you have made my point for me with your post. I have said many times 8 year olds get rushed into tournaments and win U10s and are set up for failure. Your example is exactly that. It also makes my point that U10s tournies are worthless. When you say "strong U10s" I almost choke with laughter....sorry.
The problem with your 8 year old was not Quickstart or lack of it....it was horrible coaching and rushing into tournaments. You can teach kids spin, pace, direction, positioning with regulation balls. We have done it for decades using hand feeding etc.
Now...do not be offended....your comment on "good strike zone" made me cringe. That is so 10 years ago. Who taught you that?
Today's game involves the ability, especially with boys, of being able to handle high kicking top spin. The concept of hitting every ball in the waist strike zone is done, over, dead end. You teach a boy that with today's equipment and topspin and he will be destroyed by the top players by age 14.
That is the problem with Quickstart, the kids sit and wait and every ball is at just the right spot. Not translatable to the real world. Moving back to get into proper position when there is time is fine.....taking every ball in the "good strike zone" is horrible training.
I suggest you read this from a fellow Australian who I hope you have heard of as he is quite big in Australian tennis circles. He knows all about this...today's game is about taking balls up high and taking time away.
Here is a quote:
"JOHN FITZGERALD: I'm not sure about pampering. I think what you have to do is give your young players the best facilities, the best coaching to give them the right technique because the game is different now than when I played.
It's not played on surfaces that are low and fast. This is a slow surface and high bouncing game now worldwide. If you make it into the pros you never virtually play on a court surface that is low and fast. It's a different ball game now.
So you have to teach them the right technique"
http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/3064923.htm?site=perth
And I flat out guarantee you my 6 year old would blow any kid you have off the court with an orange ball, as would many of my students. She would get to balls sooner, set up faster, generate more pace and spin. She would take balls on the rise and your kids would not have a clue what to do as they would get very few in the "good strike zone". Your kids try to slice like you say and she would be on those before they even landed on a small court.
It is not rocket science, a well trained kid used to having to cover an entire court and react to regular balls would own a kid used to only a small court and slow balls.
The 8 year old you cited just was trained very poorly. But the funny thing is you say "his only skill is hitting high bouncing balls"....well my friend that is a skill all your kids better learn dang soon.
I have a funny feeling if you checked back in 7 years the 8 year old will get the last laugh on your Quickstarters.
