Youth Tennis

Note: There must be at least 3 players registered to run a junior tennis class. If there are 2 players, the length of the lesson may be reduced.

Class make ups: Make ups may be done within the current session if there is space available. Please contact Sabine Tetzloff  in order to guarantee space for your child.

Progress Notes and Levels: Players will be evaluated on the skills introduced in their classes. Based on this evaluation, your child will receive a form with individualized progress notes along with a special prize on the last day of class.

Please keep in mind that a student does not always advance a level each session. Many factors such as attendance, coordination, growth, development (physical, mental, emotional and behavioral) and maturity level affect the student’s progression through levels.

Racquets: Players should provide their own age appropriate racquets for classes. Please label the racquet with your child’s name and phone number. Racquets are available for purchase at Thrive (507) 287-9330.

Tennis (Ages 3-8)

Children ages 3-8 learn the basic tennis strokes on a 36-foot court with a Stage 1 Red ball, which bounces lower, allowing smaller kids to make proper contact with the ball. The goal of these classes is to let children explore the fun of movement, while developing their motor skills and learning the early stroke mechanics of volleys, ground strokes, and serves.

Mini RACquets Parent/Child Tennis
Children ages 3-4 work with their parents to develop fundamental motor skills necessary for tennis and other sports in this fun & creative weekly class. Balance, coordination, and sending/receiving skills are mastered and applied in a pre-rally tennis setting.

RED Explorers/Pre-Rally
(Ages 4-7). Our beginners are grouped together to learn basic athletic and tennis skills in a group format. The focus will be on movement, sending/receiving skills, and tennis etiquette.

RED Rally
(Appropriate for 5-8 year-olds who have basic rally skills or have advanced through RED Pre-Rally). Players will be divided between several courts based on age, social and athletic development, and rally skills. Individuals may be moved between groups during a given class time upon mastering specific skills.

Tennis (Ages 7.5-10)

As the children grow they are moved to a larger 60-foot tennis court and a Stage 2 Orange tennis ball. Lessons for our 7.5-10 year olds will consist of a combination of instruction, games, and non-elimination competitive play. The emphasis is still fun and learning through positive feedback. 

ORANGE Explorers/Pre-Rally
(Appropriate for 7.5-10 year-olds who have aged out of our Red Ball classes). Our beginning mid-elementary aged kids are taught in a team setting working together to achieve specific goals. More complex motor skills are introduced at this age. Basic tennis strokes and rules are introduced.

ORANGE Rally
(Appropriate for 7.5-10 year-olds who have basic rally skills or have advanced through ORANGE Pre-Rally). Basic rally skills are incorporated along with serves and beginning strategies. Kids will be divided into groups based on their experience. Competitive level orange ball players will be integrated into our RAC Academy program by tennis professional’s recommendation and tryout.

ORANGE Ball Drills & Games Galore
Orange Rally level kids are encouraged to join us for a fun game-based drill session, where all of their skills can be put together during this weekly GAME DAY opportunity.
25% discount for this class if players are also enrolled in a weekly Orange Rally class

Pre-Teen/Teen Tennis (Ages 11-16)

GREEN/TEEN
Class is catered to younger players who are ready for full court play using a Stage 3 Green-dot ball. Basic strokes, rules, and strategies will be stressed in a fun game-based format. More advanced players may graduate into our RAC Academy program (Futures) by the tennis professional’s recommendation.

YELLOW TEEN Beginner
Class is catered to older beginner players who are ready for full court play with a yellow ball. Basic strokes, rules, and strategies will be stressed in a fun game-based format. Competitive level green-dot/yellow ball players will be integrated into our RAC Academy program by tennis professional’s recommendation and tryout.

YELLOW TEEN Intermediate
Once the basics have been learned, players will learn more skills needed to play a full court match. Skills will include serves and returns, scoring, and both singles and doubles basics. Competitive level yellow ball players will be integrated into our RAC Academy program (High School Prep) by the tennis professional’s recommendation.

RAC Tennis Academy Mission Statement

We strive to provide a clear, well-rounded and inclusive tennis pathway for players of all abilities and ages. Our focus is to build skills that help players achieve success on and off the court.

“RAC” – Our Core Values:

Respect – Treat others the way you want to be treated. Act with honesty and integrity and be grateful for each opportunity you have.

Accountability – Take ownership for the quality of your individual work but also take pride in what you do in a team setting; focus should be on a successful outcome for all.

Competitiveness – Work with unwavering energy and enthusiasm. Compete with determination, humility and stay tough. Leave everything you have on the court.

Non-Negotiables:

Punctuality – Make it habitual to be on time and to be physically and mentally ready to perform.

Engagement – Immerse yourself in your craft. Train your mind to be truly present each time out on court and focus on the details. Always have goals which you can easily define and be coachable.

Effort – Always work your hardest and embrace challenges and even failure. Focus on a “growth mindset” and pushing through to be the best you can be.

Sign up: Players in the program will be emailed a link to use for sign up. Players can sign up for the individual days of class that they can attend.

MEMBERS: Fees will be based on the number of days your player attends RAC Academy per month:

Tournament Pathway

Orange/Green Futures
(Age 7-11)
Players in Futures have advanced out of ROGY Orange/Green ball group and have identified tennis as their Fundamentals with technique regarding hands and feet as well as basic tactical strategies will be introduced. Athletic Development will also be highly emphasized. The focus is still on building enjoyment for the game while getting players to understand the hard work and commitment needed to be great.

Green Challengers
(Age 9-12)
Players in this group have often progressed out of USTA Stars and Trophies 10U tournaments and are showing desire to hop on a “high performance” pathway by competing in 12U USTA tournaments. Focus is on technical improvement with hands and feet, fundamental strategies for competition and learning to love the journey of competitive tennis!

Junior Tour
(Age 11-15)
Players in Junior Tour should be playing National point USTA tournaments year-round, a quality foundation of tactical and technical fundamentals, and have a strong desire to compete. Practices will focus on sharpening and specifying those fundamentals, along with the beginnings of a pursuit of mental toughness training.

Masters
(Age 12-18)
These players are playing at the top of their high school teams and are competing in USTA tournaments year-round (playing Sectional L4 and L3 tournaments is mandatory). Players will have the opportunity to do fitness in small groups and will build on skills through some technical learning, but primarily through competition, tactical learning, and developing a winning mindset through mental skills. These players should have strong desire to play college tennis.

Grand Slam
(Age 13-18)
This group is for the true High-Performance player. National level tournament play, adhering strongly to RAC Tennis core values, daily fitness plans and group/individual mental training are all parts of weekly practices. Groups will focus on improvement through intense competition, tactical/strategic competency and mental toughness. Players are ALL looking to play tennis past high school.

High School Pathway

High School Prep
(Age 11-15)
Players should have a desire to work towards playing high school tennis at the Varsity level. Technique will be emphasized, but most important is the understanding of singles and doubles concepts, preparing players to compete at the high school level.

High School Elite
(Age 13-18)
Players in this group should be playing high school varsity tennis at a competitive level. Singles and Doubles strategies will be heavily emphasized and learning will be both game-based and live-ball based to help prepare players for high school competition.

Private and small group instruction for juniors and adults can be arranged individually by contacting your tennis professional. Fees cover both the court time and pro’s fee. Contact Ben Maes at (507) 287-9323 for questions or more information.

Cancellation Policy: Lessons that are not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance will be charged in full unless the tennis professional responsible for the lesson chooses otherwise.

Inclement Weather Policy: If the Rochester Public Schools close for inclement weather, Tennis Private and Group Lessons may be offered at the discretion of the tennis professional.