JTT REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR 2024, TEAMS WILL BE FORMED SOON!
Why wait until high school to join a tennis team? USTA Junior Team Tennis brings together boys and girls, ages 8 to 18, to play singles, doubles and mixed doubles against other coed teams. Beyond being fun and a great form of exercise, Junior Team Tennis is a competitive, level-based environment that promotes individual growth, social growth and life skills.
Why Junior Team Tennis is Right For You With Junior Team Tennis, you’ll learn about unity, sportsmanship and how to work together to achieve success. You’ll also learn that success isn’t just about winning; it’s about how you play the game and respond to challenges.
The Colorado JTT program follows national guidelines with Orange Balls being used for 8-10 year olds, Green Balls for ages 11-12 year olds, and standard Yellow Balls for 13-18 year olds.
Age cutoff date for JTT is August 4th, 2024. For example, if your child turns 13 on August 4th they will be required to play in the 14 & Under Division.
IMPORTANT INFO, DATES, TIMES
ALL PLAYERS WILL NEED A USTA MEMBERSHIP, PLEASE GO TO USTA.COM TO JOIN!
JTT practices are set to begin Thursday, June 6th with the first match taking place on Monday, June 10. The last practice week of the season is July 23rd-26th.
2024 PRACTICE TIMES
Due to the DPS calendar we will begin our first practice on Thursday, June 6th.
10 & Under JTT Practices: Tuesday/Thursdays 11:15am-12:15pm 12 & Under JTT Practices: Tuesday/Thursdays 10-11:15am or 1:45-3pm 14 & Under JTT Practices: Tuesday/Thursday 8:30-10am or Wednesday/Friday 2-3:30pm** 18 & Under JTT Practices: Wednesday/Fridays 3:30-5pm
**please note for 14 & Under times, the JTT players that do not have swim participation will practice on Wednesday and Fridays.
COST
Price includes 14 practices, 3-4 guaranteed matches, USTA registration fee, and Eastmoor JTT shirt/party fee.
10 & Under/$350 (Hour long practices, 14 hours total practice time) 12 & Under/$420 (75 minute practices, 17.5 hours total practice time) 13-18 Year Olds $460 (90 minute practices, 21 hours total practice time)
MATCHES
Matches will always be played on Mondays with the exception of reschedules. First match of the season is Monday, June 10th, last match is July 22nd, match times are as follows:
8-9:30AM 10 & UNDER 9:30-11AM 12 & UNDER 11-12:30PM 14 & UNDER 12:30-2PM 18 & UNDER
The format is one singles match and one doubles match per week. Junior Team Tennis allows for players to sub in on a set in either singles or doubles for 2024! The minimum number of players to form a team is 4; however, most teams will consist of 5-6 players in order to give some flexibility with summer travel plans. Your child is guaranteed at least 3 matches with most players getting 4 matches.
If your child's team finishes first in their region then they will qualify for the State Championship Tournament. The 2024 State Championship will be held Friday, August 2nd-Saturday, August 3rd.
Finally, there are also several different levels of play. The chart below will help you identify which level to sign your child up for. PLEASE REACH OUT TO KEN TRONCO IF YOU NEED FURTHER HELP IDENTIFYING WHAT LEVEL TO SIGN UP FOR.
BEGINNER
General Experience - Entering competition for the first time.
Game Strategy - Just learning to play and primarily working on getting the ball into play.
Movement & Footwork - Understands correct positioning when returning or serving. Lacks court recognition after point has started.
Ball Control & Placement - Consistent hitting soft paced loopy balls. Does not have intended placement or direction.
Strokes - Comfortable hitting forehands, backhands and serves.
Net Play - Can make contact with the ball when at the net.
Serve - Able to serve some balls into the correct box from the baseline.
Consistency - Inconsistent but can sometimes sustain a slow-paced rally with someone of the same ability.
LOWER INTERMEDIATE
General Experience - Prior match experience including JTT & some challenger tournaments.
Game Strategy - Lacks shot anticipation on returns and therefore can only react.
Movement & Footwork - Lacks ability to anticipate and therefore has difficulty covering the court. Limited footwork.
Ball Control & Placement - Consistent when hitting medium paced shots but lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth or power.
Strokes - Not comfortable with all strokes including volleys, lobs, overheads and approach shots.
Net Play - Can volley slower paced balls on both forehand and backhand side.
Serve - (5 out of 10 times). Limited double-faults.
Consistency - Fairly consistent hitting medium paced shots within reach. Difficulty ending points.
HIGHER INTERMEDIATE
General Experience - Extensive match experience and some success with challenger tournaments.
Game Strategy - Has an idea of what game strategy to use but lacks ability to fully execute game plan.
Movement & Footwork - Can cover the court well but may make errors because of timing and footwork.
Ball Control & Placement - Improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots.
Strokes - Comfortable with all strokes. Player needs to improve control of height, depth, direction and speed.
Net Play - Can volley medium paced balls and return with directional intent.
Serve - Player is developing more spin and power on the first serve and seldom double-faults. (7 out of 10 times)
Consistency - Consistent hitting medium paced shots but may error when opponent uses varying pace, depth and spins.