WTEF's West Campus
5220 16th St NW Washington, DC 20011
Junior Programs
WTEF’s Junior Programming offers an extensive and inclusive tennis pathway for youth of all ages, abilities and levels. Sessions take place Monday through Friday in the evenings and Saturday mornings. Our classes are designed to build player competency along a pathway through red, orange, green and yellow ball levels. Our priority is the technical and athletic development of players to ensure player competency. To that end, class entry is dependent on both age and skill level and all new players will be assessed by a coach to determine session placement. Our coaching uses a competency based approach to ensure that at every level our players are equipped with the technical, physical and mental skills they need to succeed on the court.
Our classes are tier based beginning with our Red Ball I for beginner players and progressing through to our Performance level. To reach the second tier of a class a coaching assessment is required to make sure that players have obtained the necessary skills to progress. Classes are either “open” to players in the age range or restricted pending coaching assessment during their first practice. If assessment is required you will be able to register for the class, but to remain in the session, a coach must approve the player’s entry. If a player needs to be shifted to another group, WTEF will assist in rescheduling them to the appropriate class. Below is an overview of our pathway:
Session 2
Red Ball I – (Ages 4-6 Open) An introduction to the sport for our youngest tennis players. In this class, we will focus on the FUNdamentals. Players will develop their ABCs (Agility, Balance, and Coordination) while learning basic racquet and ball control. There will be an introduction to serving, rallying, and scoring. This class is team based and players are encouraged to develop character traits such as listening skills, responsibility and honesty.
Monday – 4-5 pm – Click Here
Tuesday- 4-5pm – Click Here
Wednesday- 4-5 pm – Click Here
Wednesday 5-6 pm- Click Here
Thursday- 4-5 pm- Click Here
Friday- 4-5 pm- Click Here
Friday- 5-6 pm- Click Here
Saturday – 9-10 am – Click Here
Saturday- 10-11am – Click Here
Red Ball II – (Ages 6-8 and/or by assessment) A continuation of Red I for players who have already developed and passed a coaches assessment in Red I AND/OR players new to the sport who are 6-9 years of age. In this class, we will focus on the FUNdamentals . Players will develop their ABCs (Agility, Balance, and Coordination) while learning basic racquet and ball control. There will be an introduction to serving, rallying, and scoring. This class is team based and players are encouraged to develop character traits such as listening skills, responsibility and honesty.
Monday – 4-5 pm – Click Here
Tuesday- 4-5pm – Click Here
Wednesday- 4-5 pm – Click Here
Wednesday 5-6 pm- Click Here
Thursday- 4-5 pm- Click Here
Friday- 4-5 pm- Click Here
Friday- 5-6 pm- Click Here
Saturday – 9-10 am – Click Here
Saturday- 10-11am – Click Here
Orange Ball I – (Ages 9-11 Open) Beginner Orange Ball Foundational Drilling. In this class, players will continue to build on their foundational skills by drilling technique and mechanics. Players will begin to take ownership of their tennis development and are encouraged to compete in team and tournament formats of play! We will foster an environment where players are encouraged to develop character traits such as responsibility, leadership and resilience.
Monday – 4-5:30 pm – Click Here
Wednesday- 4-5:30 pm- Click Here
Friday- 4-5:30 pm- Click Here
Saturday – 9-10:30 am- Click Here
Orange Ball II – Intermediate (Ages 9-11 pending assessment) Orange Live Ball. In this class, players will continue to build on their foundational skills but will transition to live ball play with orange balls. Players should be able to hit consistently with an orange ball from the service line, baseline, and net, as well as serve and compete in match play. Players will begin to take ownership of their tennis development and are encouraged to compete in team and tournament formats of play! We will foster an environment where players are encouraged to develop character traits such as responsibility, leadership and resilience.
Monday – 4-5:30 pm – Click Here
Wednesday- 4-5:30 pm- Click Here
Friday- 4-5:30 pm- Click Here
Saturday – 10:30 am-12 pm- Click Here
Junior Beginner – Junior Beginner Orange/Green Ball Foundational Drilling (Ages 11-18 Open) In this class, players will develop their foundational skills by drilling technique and mechanics. Players will begin to take ownership of their tennis development and are encouraged to compete in team and tournament formats of play! We will foster an environment where players are encouraged to develop character traits such as responsibility, leadership and resilience.
Tuesday- 4-5:30 pm- Click Here
Thursday- 4-5:30 pm- Click Here
Saturday – 10:30am -12 pm- Click Here
Green/ Yellow – (Ages 11 – 18 pending assessment) Players will be challenged to learn and improve their stroke mechanics, movement, balance and coordination. This group will be introduced to competition and tactics. We will encourage players to develop their technique and consistency across their game. Players will be encouraged to experiment with different tactics and strategies, understand areas of strength in individual games and the development of game style. Designed for players who are developing their games and are competing in local events, high school team matches and USTA Section tournaments.
Monday – 5:30-7 pm- Click Here
Wednesday- 4-5:30 pm- Click Here
Wednesday- 5:30- 7 pm- Click Here
Friday- 5:30-7 pm- Click Here
Saturday – 9-10:30 am- Click Here
Intermediate / Advanced – (Ages 12-18 pending assessment) This program is designed for intermediate level players . Clinics are designed to help every participant reach their full potential by bringing together the most skilled and hard-working players in the area to compete against and support one another. Coaches will encourage proper footwork, shot selection, situational point-play, focus and maximum effort at all times. Players are grouped on court based on effort, focus, commitment and skills as well WTN/UTR. This clinic structure follows: Dynamic warm up, live ball warm up, drills and situational point play.
Performance – (Invite Only) Must be approved by the Tennis Director. This program is designed to cultivate players’ passion for the game of tennis, define their athletic goals, increase confidence and resilience. The goal of our performance program is to develop players’ weapons, situational awareness, shot selection and quality decision making. Additionally, we will aim to increase players’ power, variety and quality movement. Tactically, we will emphasize the importance of knowing themselves, using their strengths and understanding their opponents. Additionally, we aim to increase the level and consistency of players’ quality in training and competition.
Monday – 4-7 pm – Click Here
Tuesday- 4-7 pm – Click Here
Thursday- 4-7 pm – Click Here
Friday- 4-7 pm – Click Here
For more information and to register, please contact our Director of Tennis, Alex Shek ([email protected]) or our Program Coordinator, Safeeyah Iverson ([email protected]).
