Contact: Tennis Director

Lisa Berg
lberg@rafaelracquetclub.com
415-456-1837

Contact: Head Professional

Laurent Lecellier
laurentlecellier@yahoo.com
415-847-1187

Contact: Teaching Pros

Tim O'Neal
tim.oneal88@gmail.com
510-847-2704

Carrie Zarraonandia
carrie@tenniskidz.com
415-717-5431

Registration

Spring Classes
Email Lisa to sign up for Jr. Tennis Classes.  You must specify which day of the week you'll be attending if you're only choosing one.  The classes are offered on a session-only basis, not drop-in by week.

TAUT
Saturday Afternoons 2:00pm-3:30pm Feb. 1st-Mar. 29th Orange and Green ball level (must be able to rally) Cost: $15.00 - members $18.00 -non-members

This is a great opportunity for your young player to meet new practice friends and develop their playing skills. Coaches Carrie or Laurent will supervise play with limited instruction. The format will be singles, doubles and group games. Please have your kids dress in layers. Sign up by Thurs. 12 noon for the following Saturday Playtime. Contact Carrie by email: carrie@tenniskidz.com

Description of Class Levels

Lobbers – ages 4 to 6 - TAUT teaching methods incorporated.  This class is for the child that is excited to give tennis a try; introducing the sport in a fun and relaxed manner.  The kids will learn the grips and strokes using racquets that are appropriately sized for them.  We use the mini nets and low compression balls.  The players begin with rolling the balls back and forth and progress to feeding balls to each other.  They learn to orient themselves to the side of the ball and to target down the line.

Slicers – ages 6+ to 10 - TAUT teaching methods incorporated.  This class is for the beginning tennis player that may or may not have had an introduction to the game before.  They learn the correct grips and stroke patterns and begin to try and rally with each other.  As a guideline, the kids at this level can hit the ball for the most part standing from between the service line to the 60' court line.  More movement is introduced into this group as well as maintaining balance and body rotation.

Topspinners – ages 9 to 13
This class is a combination of abilities as it is the spring board to our tiebreakers program.  We work on the mechanics of all the strokes and footwork, as well as focusing on rallying and consistency.  There will be coaches using hand and racquet feeding in conjunction with live ball drills where the kids work with each other.  Many of the kids in this group will be the players that are preparing to begin league play.  We will work on basic spins, both hitting them as well as receiving them.

Tiebreakers – ages 8 to 15
This class is geared toward the players that are currently participating in league play in Marin as well as venturing into challenger and open tournaments at the USTA level.  The player wants to play competitive tennis and is prepared to work very hard and commit to attending two practices per week.  Match strategy, mental toughness proper footwork, fitness and handling pressure will all be a part of this workout.  This group will need to have an RRC coach’s recommendation in order to participate.

 

 

 

RRC 2014 Spring Jr. Tennis Program 

Philosophy of the Junior Tennis Program:
Rafael Racquet Club is very committed to growing the game of tennis and starting with the juniors is a priority.  The program is designed to develop the player’s skills as well as teaching good sportsmanship in the hopes that they will foster a love for the sport.  Programs are offered for all ages and abilities so that each player will be slotted into the program that best suits their skill level.  The RRC tennis program coaches have the final decision on players advancing in levels.


 
 
AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES

Email Lisa to Sign Up: lberg@rafaelracquetclub.com
Weekly classes are a great way to keep your child on the right path towards improving their game.  Classes target kids by age and ability; focusing on techniques, game strategy and more in innovative and fun ways.  See "Description of Class Levels" below to learn more about each level's emphasis and learning experience.
Classes begin Monday, February 24, 2014
 9 week session
No classes the weeks of February 17th and April 14th.

Lobbers (4 to 6 yrs):
Monday and Wednesday 3:30-5:00
$310 for members, $385 for non-members for one day per week (must specify day)
$560 for members, $700 for non-members for two days per week

Slicers (6+ to 10 yrs):
Monday and Wednesday 3:30-5:00
$310 for members, $385 for non-members for one day per week (must specify day)
$560 for members, $700 for non-members for two days per week

Topspinners (9 to 13 yrs):
Monday and Wednesday 3:30-5:00
$310 for members, $385 for non-members for one day per week (must specify day)
$560 for members, $700 for non-members for two days per week

Tiebreakers (8 to 14 yrs):
Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-5:30
$405 for members, $505 for non-members for one day per week (must specify day)
$765 for members, $955 for non-members for two days per week

TAUT: Ten and Under Tennis

Jr. Playtime

TAUT:  It’s a whole new game for kids tennis! With equipment and courts tailored to suit their needs andabilities, kids will feel confident as soon as they pick up a racquet. The shorter racquets, slower and lighter balls, and smaller courts - all of which make up the TAUT Tennis format - allow kids to rally back and forth over the net right away and enjoy the game right from the start. You’d never send your 8-year-old out with adult-sized equipment to a full-sized baseball field or basketball court, so why do that on a tennis court?

The TAUT method of teaching is used in both the Lobbers and Slicers after school classes where there is a combination of learning the mechanics (instruction) as well as cooperative play amongst the kids. 

Jr. League (USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT)

The junior spring league is an interclub competition comprised of singles and doubles matches that are played weekdays after school.  The season runs from March through May, with matches at RRC and also other clubs and parks in Marin County.  There are three levels that make up the league.  The tennis staff at the club will place the kids that participate on the appropriate level team in order to ensure good competition.  The player must be able to serve and maintain a rally as well as be able to keep score and understand tennis rules and etiquette.  The Tiebreaker tennis workouts will run concurrently with the Spring League and the players that participate in the league are expected to attend either Tuesday, Thursday or both days for coaching. 

USTA JTT consists of 10U (orange ball) & 12U (green ball) & 14U (yellow ball). Click on the link below to learn more about the Jr. Pathway.

http://www.norcal.usta.com/juniors/TAUT_junior_development_pathway/