QuickStart Tennis

USTA's new "play to learn" QuickStart Tennis format is revolutionizing how kids, ages 5 to 10, can learn how to play tennis.  Using a smaller court, lower net, smaller racquet and low compression and/or foam balls. QuickStart is designed specifically for kids 10 and under and includes drills that improve hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, footwork and reaction times.  Playing in a team environment is also emphasized.  It's fun and so much easier for small kids to hit the ball, rally almost immediately and see some exciting results.

A wide range of Quick Start related programs is now being managed by a group focused solely on broadening this new teaching method, with school-based programs in the entire Central Virginia area.  For more information, please visit http://www.quickstartcentral.org

Quick Start in our area began during 2008, when CATA organized a number of programs to use this method to teach young kids the sport for a lifetime:

• We used the QuickStart Tennis format for the Red Hill Elementary After-School Tennis Program. The Sutherland Middle School (SMS) Tennis Club also adopted the low compression and foam balls for its program to help kids keep the ball in play and learn how to use spin.  Check the Junior Programs page for more details.
• We also worked with the USTA to bring a QuickStart demo to Charlottesville for all elementary school PE teachers in the County schools (another demo for City schools is planned).  Ask your school about how it plans to bring QuickStart Tennis into the PE curriculum.
• CATA partnered with Albemarle County Parks & Rec to set up a QuickStart Summer Program at Darden Towe Park.  The 40 spots were quickly filled and there was a long waitlist.  We plan to offer future programs too - stay tuned.
• We conducted QuickStart Tennis Days at Darden Towe Park and at Greer Elementary School (Summer School) to introduce kids in the community to tennis using this new format.  Greer slide show: www.photoshow.com/watch/fS7fC4qU

QuickStart involves lots of drills to improve agility, balance, footwork, hand-eye coordination and reaction time. 

CATA has QuickStart Tennis Loaner Kits to lend to schools and other organizations.  Kits include racquets, foam balls and a set of lesson plan books.  To reserve a Kit, please contact Patrick Kearns at pkearns@fccva.com

QuickStart Day at Darden Towe Park