Important FAQ’s!
Q. How will my child know when to move up to the next level/group?
A. Little Stars (5-8) and Ultra Stars (9-12) classes are age-based and students move up when they are the appropriate age. Once a player ages out of Ultra Stars, they move to FW 2 (formerly High School 2). FW 2 & FW 3 (formerly High School 3) players can move up only when their class lead pro makes the recommendation.
Q. How does my child get into the “Invite Only” Tournament Group class?
A. The FW (formerly High School) classes are our primary progression for the majority of our players. A small percentage of our Ultra Star players may qualify for Tournament Group 3 (formerly Super Stars). As a teaching staff, we determine which of the Ultra Star players may participate in Tournament Group 3. In order for a player to participate in the Tournament Groups, they must be recommended by their class lead pro and Junior Tennis Director, Marc Stingley. Please refer to our Junior Program Handout for criteria on participation in the Tournament Groups. If you are new to the program at FWTEC, you will need to contact Marc Stingley at Marc@fwtec.org
Q. Why are your Little Star and Ultra Star classes using colored pressure-less tennis balls and smaller courts and rackets?
A. This is proven to be the most effective, fun and efficient way to teach beginning players. (See video: The Rules Have Changed) We strongly recommend that every parent view the videos we have posted on our website, under “Junior Program” to get more of a feel for our teaching methods/approaches.
Racket size for: (general guidelines that may vary per child)
Little Stars – 21” (5, 6 yr old) or 23” (7, 8 yr old)
Ultra Stars – 25” (9 – 11) or 26” (11, 12). Players in this group should generally not use an adult racket.
Q. Can I do a make-up class?
A. We will allow one make-up class per session. Your child can do one make-up on a “stand by” basis only by coming to the appropriate class/level and waiting to see if there is an opening. If after 10 minutes there is a spot open the pro will let them attend the class. You do not need to contact the Center before doing so. There is a chance that a class may be full and your child cannot play.
We try to maintain a certain pro/student ratio in all of our classes. This is why it is necessary to turn players away when the class is filled to capacity. It is not fair to the players or pros when the courts are overcrowded.
Q. Can I get a refund?
A. Refunds will be issued only if a student cancels prior to the first day of class or from a medical condition with a physician’s letter.
Q. My child is taking lessons, but not playing matches, how do I find opportunities for them to play matches?
A. We offer Friday Match Play for our FW 1, TG1, TG2 & TG 3 classes from 4 – 5:30 pm. (weekly sign-up at the Front Desk). We offer summer and winter Team Tennis for novice, intermediate and advanced players (advanced, summer only). Your child can participate in USTA sanctioned tournaments as well. Both can be found on the USTA website.
Q. What if your classes are full?
A. We will place your child on a wait-list and contact you when a spot becomes available.
Q. What should I do when my child is in class?
A. For the older kids, you can drop them off at the Center and pick up when done. If you stay to watch, feel free to sit in our interior building or remain on the bleachers while in the domes (no parents are allowed on the courts during lessons). We want the kids to have some “separation” from parents during class so they feel some independence while on the court.
Q. If my child is the strongest player in their current class, are they ready to be moved up to the next class?
A. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If a student does not have the technical foundation or reception skills to handle the next level up, then they should remain in their present class. Remember that if every top player in a class were to move up, there would be no more class! Only those noticeably stronger will be permitted to move up.
Q. Do you look at player records to determine class placement?
A. If a player has an established USTA record, then it may be considered for the general range of class placement. Players still need to be observed to determine the exact placement. USTA records, high school records, and practice sets may be taken into account, but results are not given as much weight as a strong technical and tactical foundation and attitude. In most cases, wins and losses are not true indicators of class placement.
Q. How do I know if my child is being challenged?
A. Challenge is often defined differently person to person. In regard to being challenged based on wins and losses, we urge both students and parents to avoid making comparisons based on record. Each class is designed to cater towards a particular technical and tactical skill set. It is not uncommon to see players who are technically deficient have a lot of success in beating peers who may be technically stronger. Ultimately the content of the class should be more important than who is in the class. The challenge should be defined through accomplishing technical milestones and/or physical attributes. Important criteria include: technically advanced grips and swing shapes, dynamic balance and footwork, emotional/mental strength, etc.
Q. Who decides class placement?
A. The Junior Program Director and Tennis Center Director will make a decision on class placement based on personal evaluation and/or coach feedback. Students approved to move to another class will be notified by us. We ask that parents not make this request. The coaching staff is constantly monitoring each class to make sure that every student is in the appropriate program.
This is a typical question we get from well-meaning parents. Please read as we hope it will help inform you of our teaching staffs’ philosophy on player development:
“Parent”:
I am still a little concerned about “Tim” not being challenged enough in the Ultra Star group. With so many lessons during the week, there will be kids of all different abilities at each class. There will only be a few kids at his level with others that are not very good. “Tim” will not get much out of the lesson and will get bored easily. Also this is his main sport, and he is not going to get much out this drill with kids that come and go. I have seen him do very well in Tournament Group 3, and he easily keeps up with the rest of the kids. “Tim” is really learning and having a lot of fun. Is it possible to stay in his current group. I was hoping for him to continue to improve his game, not get stalled at his current level because of age issues. Lastly it’s a long drive for us so we want to get the most of out of it.
“Response”:
Please know that I consider “Tim” to be a very talented young player with quite a bit ofpotential. I am not sending this letter out of the need to be right or to prove you wrong. It is because I want “Tim” to be as successful as he can be on court. In order for this to happen, there are a number of milestones he has to master. Milestones he cannot address in Tournament Group 3 given “Tim’s” age and size. At this time:
“Tim” is taking private lessons while using orange balls and playing on a 60’ court (the Ultra Stars format). Tournament Group 3 is played with green balls on a 78’ court. There is no room for transition, mastery of the orange ball and the 60’ court is paramount. No other student in TG3 is training with the orange ball.
“Tim” chokes up on his junior sized racquet. This is a sign that a student cannot handle both the size and torque from a racquet. He has yet to demonstrate the ability to hit while holding his racquet in a normal fashion. This is also a sign of not being able to handle the incoming pace of a ball. His ability to receive shots more effectively will develop quicker in an Ultra Stars setting.
Using a continental grip, “Tim” is not yet able to do 10 “ups” in a row. He will be able to obtain this simple racquet skill quicker if he were in Ultra Stars.
At his age and size, USTA and ITF (International Tennis Federation) standards put “Tim” on a 36’ court with a red ball! It is important to reiterate that balls and court size are not about level as much as they are about size and proportion. Having him use orange balls presents enough of a challenge. The average professional takes 4.3 steps on average from when the opponent hits the ball to when they make contact. This 4.3 step average is also the same for the average 8 & under on a 36’ court. Even on a 60’ court “Tim” will be able to obtain the correct footwork patterns quicker than he would if he were on a full sized court.
I understand the need to challenge students, but there are efficient ways to do so and detrimental ways to challenge students. Being in a class where there is clear age, size and level difference is detrimental as “Tim” will be unable to perform the tasks to develop a full game style. If he is constantly on the defensive, where will his offensive skills develop? Playing those that a student is able to control/move around on the court is equally as important as playing players that control them (and those they are equal). In TG3, “Tim” is in an environment where he is incapable of controlling enough points to develop his offensive skills. His ability to attack, hit aggressive shots and come to net will be delayed substantially.
My question to you is, “What in particular regarding “Tim’s” development will be impeded by being in Ultra Stars”? I’ve laid out what I believe to be very objective “evidence” on how “Tim’s” ability to develop racquet handling skills, shot reception skills, and sound footworktechniques will develop quicker in an Ultra Stars environment. These skills will either be delayed or improperly developed if “Tim” continues to rush through milestones without mastering them. If it is a competitive challenge you seek, then I offer up this past weekend’s tournament as an example of “Tim” being challenged by Ultra Stars players.
Again, I’m sending this to you because I believe that we can develop “Tim’s” game to reach its full potential. If I didn’t care then I would let him go to whatever class you wanted him to go to. Our classes for Ultra Stars consistently fill, so it’s not an issue of securing more participants. I hope you will reconsider “Tim’s” class placement. I can assure you our intentions are the same as yours. We want what’s best for him; we want “Tim” to be challenged, develop, and have fun.
For other questions or concerns about registration contact our Junior Program Coordinator, Molly Peterson at molly@fwtec.org. For questions pertaining to class placement etc. contact our Junior Tennis Director, Marc Stingley at marc@fwtec.org.
