What Maintenance of an All-Weather Tennis Court Needs to Be Done?

Keep your court clean. Every month walk your court looking for mold and mildew growing in the shady areas. Any debris accumulating like, sand, dirt, leaves or pine needles also need to be cleaned off regularly.

Clean off any debris or sand from the court. If left this debris acts like sandpaper under people’s shoes as they move their feet. Fungus or mold growing on a court is not good for the colorcoating. If any is found, it needs to be removed by scrubbing it off with a mild combination of 2 parts bleach and one part water. Light pressure washing can also be done to remove the mold or fungus as well. Another option a mild detergent can be used to try to remove any stains. The detergent can be mixed together with one (1) part mild detergent and two parts TSP (Trisodiumphosphate), one part household bleach and four parts water to create a cleaning solution.

Remove standing water from your court the best you can. Long term standing water softens the coatings and results in premature wearing and softening of the color. When the puddles are gone they usually leaves debris and sand behind. The debris also need to be removed from the court as well. The debris can lead to premature wearing of the colorcoating.

Leaves and pine needles left on the courts are a breeding ground for mold, mildew and algae. Throughout the year any of this type of accumulation should be removed as soon as possible. Doing a final fall clean up is very important.

Drainage systems, if installed around the court should be inspected to make sure they are clear.         Any blockage should be removed . Look for any signs of damage to the drains or the pipe of the system regularly basis.

To prevent surface damage to the court. Be aware of the following things:

  1. No gum
  2. Tennis shoes only- no black soles they leave marks
  3. No chairs, unless pads are installed under them. In hot weather chairs will sink into the asphalt leaving dents.
  4. No bikes, skateboards or roller blades
  5. Do not drag equipment like ball machines, chairs or benches across the surface

Do not let landscaping take over the court- watch for tree roots that start to grow up through the court they will lead to humps and cracks. Trim back all of the overgrowth such as grass, bushes and trees. This will help prevent mold & algae from being present on the court. Try not to get fertilizers, insect repellants, weed killers or other chemicals on the court if possible. They may damage the coatings as well.

Do not over water around the court. Excess water on the surface may damage the coating  and cause mold & algae to grow. Excess water may also go under the court which may lead to subbase problems or bubbles in the colorcoating.

Keep walkways leading to the court free of debris as well. If they are not cleared, the debris can be tracked onto the court which may also lead to premature wearing of the coatings.

Repair cracks as soon as they appear. Water entering the courts subbase by way of the cracks will lead to more cracking and subbase failure.

Look for wearing spots in the colorcoating. This leads to a slicker playing surface and can be hazardous for playing on the court. The worn colorcoating also allows the ultra violet rays of the sun to oxidize your courts pavement. Oxidation leads to reduced flexibility of your asphalt which increases the chances of pavement cracking during the expansion and contraction of the freeze and thaw cycle. The typical coating on a tennis court usually lasts approximately 7 to 10 years  for homeowners, 5 to 7 years for public courts. This all depends on the amount of play and how well the courts are maintained regularly.

If constructed properly with proper drainage and a preventative maintenance program your tennis court could last 20 to 25 years.

Recreational Game Dimensions

Inline skating- sizes vary from 200’x85’ to 145’x65’

Shuffleboard- Overall dimensions are 10’ wide by 52’ long

Four Square- Overall dimensions are 16’x16’. Each of the Four Squares is 8’x8’.

Badminton- Dimensions are 20’x44’ and the net is 5’ tall in the center of the court.

Pickleball may be the answer for an unused court

Do you have an unused/falling apart tennis court at an apartment complex or condominium association? Or do you have limited space but want to build a sport court at an apartment or condominium association?

Pickleball maybe the answer you are looking for. The sport of pickleball itself is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong all into one sport. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports you may not yet heard of. The USA Pickleball Association says player ship has increased by 650% in the last 6 years! It is no longer a sport for just senior citizens, but a sport for all ages. The sport was founded in 1965 and It can be played with 2,3 or 4 players. Pickleball has become the latest rage in court sports in New England and the world. The USAPA Organization states there are over 15,000 indoor and outdoor pickleball courts in the United States alone! The sports and fitness industry association put the number of players in 2016 at 2.5 million in the United States alone.

The sport started out as a social game, but as more and more people play the game (more than 3 million area currently playing the game according to the Sports & Fitness Industry) it is becoming more competitive. November of 2019 12-year-old Anna Leigh Waters and her mother won the USA Pickleball pairs Championships. So, it is growing as a sport overall and has their own championships even. Pickleball is now being played in Town Recreational programs, physical education programs in schools, and even in public parks. Pickleball may be the answer to your tennis/sport court dilemma.

Here in New England we are seeing a increased trend in the request for either adding pickleball lines to existing tennis courts, in condominiums, town parks, schools and even private courts. The popularity of Pickleball has grown vastly over the last 5 years. While it seems, there are not as many avid tennis players, pickleball is something everyone of all ages can not only play but play together. Spending time with grandparents, parents, children, siblings, and friends outside while we have the nice weather is something New Englanders are known for. By increasing playing time outside, with others being active is more and more essential to people of all ages. Condominiums and apartment complexes are a great place to start with a pickleball court because there are usually very diferent people in proximity with each other that tend to be active and curious about how a new sport is played. Whether it is a young child that sees people playing, a college student, or a senior citizen when people see others playing pickleball and do not know what the sport they are playing, they become curious. While they are curious, they typically want to learn what sport its, how to play it and what the rules are. Since Pickleball is for all ages and easy to learn, people pick it up very quickly. Because of the sports simplicity in rules and play, it allows more peoiple to learn to play and want to play quickly. Growing the useof the courts in a very short amount of time.

The best part of this increased trend with pickleball being played, isnt just that is a new sport and people are outside being active. Its that people of all ages can participate together. The sport itself is easy to learn, the equipment needed to play is inexpensive, and it provides people with hours of fun with friends, family and even strangers they just met. So, if you have or know of an old tennis or basketball court that could use some more play time, think about adding pickleball as a sport to the court and see the courts use grow! There is no better time than now, to make sure the old tennis courts are brought back to life and given another chance at another life if the court is not being used regularly.

The actual dimensions of the court are 20’x44’ for both singles and doubles. The preferred court size is approximately 34’x64’. One existing single tennis court can accommodate 2 pickleball courts. One court on each side of the tennis net with the existing net acting like a barrier between the two pickleball courts. Some people have chosen to leave the tennis court layout as is (so not to upset the tennis players) but just use portable pickleball posts and nets and stripe the lines using a different color than the tennis court itself. The court can then be used for both tennis and pickleball. Adding another sport to have the ability to be played on the same surface is giving the tennis courts more play time and keeping people of all ages active and outside. In some areas there is such a demand for pickleball, places are building courts only for pickleball by installing permanent pickleball posts, nets and completely color coating and line striping the existing courts for pickleball play only. Image result for Pickleball

The equipment needed to play Pickleball is very minimal. A Pickleball paddle is needed which is smaller than a tennis racquet. It was originally made from wood but are now made from lightweight composite materials like aluminum and graphite. You will also need a net and balls. The balls have holes in them like a whiffle ball and there are ones for inside and specific ones for outdoor use. The ball has to be all one color and can be white, yellow or green. There are International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) specifications. This organization was formed to ensure consistency of the rules and regulations wherever pickleball is played.

Pickleball players tend to wear anything that is comfortable for the weather conditions they are playing in. Shorts, te shirt or even a sweatshirt is comfortable to play in as long as it doesn’t restriction arm or leg movement. As far as footware, sneakers or running shoes do not give the support needed for the side to side motions of playing pickleball, but they will work. There are actual court shoes that more serious players invest in. These shoes are like court shoes designed fro badminton or volleyball. Eye protections is recommended but not required.

The Basic rules are on the USAPA Organization website, for more details visit their website at www.usapa.org

Is it important to wear court shoes while playing tennis?

If you’ve been shopping for tennis shoes lately, then you know – there are tons of options out there.

Often you see players wearing running shoes to play tennis instead of actual tennis shoes. If you’re one of those players who feels most comfortable playing tennis in running shoes, you should play in whatever shoe is the most comfortable and helps you play your best tennis.

But for the vast majority, it’s pretty important to wear court tennis shoes. That is, to wear shoes that are specifically designed for tennis. This is because these shoes are made to give you the support, the cushioning and the traction that you need on a tennis court. We all know that tennis requires, not just a lot of running around, but it requires that you make quick starts and stops as well. The sport also requires a lot of lateral movement, and so tennis shoes are made to provide you with exactly the type of support and cushioning that you need in these situations. And the traction that you need on a tennis court is certainly much different than you would need if you were running. Even if you’re out running on a road, especially because you are dealing with these short starts and stops, quick steps, small steps, longer lunging steps, and so a tennis shoe is really made to provide you with the best possible shoe for those special situations.

Parts of the Tennis Shoe- Now, tennis shoes, just like any fitness shoe, have a lot of parts to them. There is a lot of lingo that surrounds tennis shoe anatomy.

There are two things that you need to know, two terms you should know that you may not already be familiar with. Those are the out-sole of the tennis shoe and the mid-sole. Both the out-sole and the mid-sole are most visible if you look at the bottom of your shoe. The out-sole is the actual surface, the bottom surface of your shoe, the part that comes in direct contact with the court. And the mid-sole is the layer right underneath that.

So the purpose of the out-sole is to help provide you with that stability and traction that you need. While the mid-sole is usually where you’ll find some of the cushioning that you get on court to help make the shoe as comfortable as possible.

Different Tennis Shoes for Different Tennis Courts- As you may already know, there are different kinds of tennis shoes. The biggest difference between them is what kind of court they’re designed to be used for. There are actually different types of tennis shoes for different courts. Because there are many to choose from making your decision should not be just about the different colors and fancy designs unless you are not looking to use them for a specific purpose.

Three types of courts that the vast majority play on are all weather (hard courts), clay courts, har-tru courts and grass courts. Hard courts are usually paved asphalt to create the court with layers of colorcoating. Clay courts are just that, a court made up of clay in a field. Lastly we have grass courts. These are just as they sound to be, a tennis court of just grass and painted lines with the net. Some of you may play more frequently on clay courts. Some of you may even have access to grass courts. But those are the three types of courts that most tennis players are playing on. That’s why there are four different types of shoes that you can get for each of those surfaces. Choosing the right type of shoe for the style of court you play on can make a significant difference in your game play as well.

Hard Court Shoes-The first type of shoe is made for hard courts. If you look at the bottom of these shoes, they are covered in a variety of patterns and things on the bottom. There will probably be some herringbone texture on there. You may even see some other design-type things on the out-sole of those hard court shoes. The job of these hard court shoes is to give you traction. They are also made to be durable because hard courts can be very hard on your shoes. The mid-sole will be designed to give you some cushioning because playing on hard courts can be harder on our joints. It’s a little more jarring out there with all of the starting and stopping. So the sole of the shoe, the out-sole and the mid-sole, will be designed to absorb some of that shock. No sport shoe that has black out soles should be used on a hard court.

Clay Court/Har-Tru Shoes- A clay court/har-tru shoes on the other hand, usually have pattern going across the outsole and this is to help grip into the clay on the clay court without retaining a lot of that clay in the sole of the shoe. You don’t want the clay to stick to the shoe, although it will somewhat anyway. But you don’t want your shoe to be caked in clay because then it becomes too slippery and you will slide around too much and can even slide and fall. So you will see on a clay court shoe that the outsole is usually a full herringbone pattern. There is also normally more lateral support in the upper part of the shoe on a clay court shoe because so much more sliding is going on. And, believe it or not, the upper part of the shoe is usually a little bit tighter and normally is not a mesh type fabric because it helps keep the clay from getting inside the shoe.

Grass Court Shoes- Finally, there is the grass court shoe. This really is a specialized shoe. The bottom will have little nubs or rubbery cleats to help grip into the very slippery grass surface. And this shoe is only for using on grass courts. You can’t really use this on hard courts or clay courts.

Now of these three types of shoes, the hard court can pretty much be used on any of the three surfaces – on hard courts, clay courts or grass courts. It may not perform for you quite as well on a clay court or certainly it won’t perform as well on a grass court. But it will be more than adequate. So if you have a club where there are hard courts and clay courts available and you’re never quite sure what you’re going to be playing on, getting a hard court shoe is probably the best decision. That way whether you play on hard courts or clay courts, you’ll have a good shoe.

How Often Should You Replace Your Tennis Shoes?- How often should you be buying new shoes? How do you know when it’s time to replace your tennis shoes? Well, way you can tell is, is look at the bottom of your shoe. Look at that out-sole. If you notice that the out-sole is starting to wear away, so that you can now see the mid-sole, the layer under the out-sole, that tells you that the traction on your shoe is starting lose some of its depth. You are not going to get as good of a grip out on the court and it may be time to go get a new pair of tennis shoes.

There is a rule of thumb on this and it is that, if you play tennis 2 to 3 times a week in one pair of shoes, you probably need a new pair of shoes about every six months. But that is just a rule of thumb and your experience may differ. I think it’s better to look at the bottom of your shoes and judge what is going on to help you make the decision whether it’s time for a new pair of tennis shoes.

Works Cited: April 1, 2016 by Kim Selzman– www.tennisfixation.com

Junior Tennis

Junior tennis refers to tennis games where the participants are aged 18 and under. Eligibility to compete is not based on age, but year of birth: as a result, some players must move out of juniors soon after their 18th birthday, while others can play juniors until they are nearly 19. Some players who qualify as “junior tennis” players also play in main adult tours, though forms signed by their parent or guardian are required for this.

 Junior Tennis Circuit History- International Tennis  Federation (ITF)

From nine events in six countries in 1977 to 448 tournaments in 125 countries in 2016; that is how far the ITF Junior Circuit has progressed in its history.

The Junior World Ranking circuit was started by the ITF (International Tennis Federation) in 1977, linking nine of the major events for juniors. John McEnroe won all three tournaments he played in, but finished third on the overall standings behind fellow American Van Winitsky. Czech Hana Strachanova headed the girls’ year-end standings in 1977.

The following year the ITF started the Junior World Rankings and the Czech pairing of Ivan Lendl and Hana Mandlikova became the first Junior World Champions. Both players went on to achieve huge success in the senior game. Lendl, who held the world No. 1 ranking for 270 weeks, won eight Grand Slam titles, while Mandlikova went on to win the Australian, US and French Open crowns.

The next future Grand Slam champion to top the Junior World Rankings was Australian Pat Cash in 1981. Runner-up to Matt Anger in the 1981 Junior Wimbledon final, he went on to capture the senior event in 1987 with a memorable victory over Ivan Lendl.

Sweden’s Stefan Edberg created history in 1983 when he became the first and only player to date to complete a Junior Grand Slam. He went on to become world No. 1 in 1990, and enjoyed six senior Grand Slam successes. Only the French Open remained beyond his reach as a professional.

Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina became the youngest girls’ champion at 14 in 1984, with five tournament wins including the French Open and Orange Bowl. She went on to defeat Steffi Graf in the 1990 US Open final for her one senior Grand Slam success.

Chile’s Marcelo Rios showed signs of a bright future when he topped the end-of-year rankings in 1991, and seven years later he became senior world No 1.

Martina Hingis emerged as the youngest player to capture a junior Grand Slam title when she won the French Open at the age of 12 in 1993. The following year she regained her Paris title, won at Wimbledon and took over as the youngest World Junior Champion. The Swiss player won a total of five senior Grand Slam singles titles.

Heading the end-of-year rankings in recent years have been 14-year-old Anna Kournikova in 1995, Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo in 1996, and Wimbledon semi-finalist Jelena Dokic in 1998. Roger Federer became the boys’ singles World Champion in 1998 claiming the Wimbledon singles and doubles and the Orange Bowl titles en route to the crown and finishing runner-up to David Nalbandian at the US Open.

It took Andy Roddick just three years to make the step from year-end junior No.1 in 2000 to year-end No.1 in the professional game in 2003. The US Open title helped Roddick to the top in both the junior and professional game; in juniors the American also won the Australian Open and the Banana Bowl.

More recently, 2005 Victoria Azarenka made her mark on the professional circuit, with Azarenka having reached the world No. 1 ranking after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

The Top 10 Club was introduced onto the Junior Circuit in 2006 and has some of the most recognized names in tennis amongst its members who receive exclusive benefits as recognition of their achievements. Members include the likes of Bernard Tomic and Caroline Wozniacki.

The latest group of players looking to make the transition from the junior to pro circuit include Laura Robson, Ashleigh Barty, Eugenie Bouchard, Jiri Vesely and Tayor Fritz all of whom have impressed in winning junior Grand Slams and look set to be stars of the future.

 Tournament grades

Tournaments are divided into 8 different grades. The following list presents them in descending order of importance towards the junior ranking.[1]

  • Grade A (including four Grand Slams)
  • Grade B (Regional Championships)
  • Grade C (International Team Competitions)
  • Grades 1-5

Rules & Regulations

The ITF updates the Juniors Circuit Rules and Regulations on an annual basis.

Within these all the key information regarding the circuit and tournaments can be found and all players are strongly advised to read the Rules and Regulations prior to playing.

The 2017 ITF Juniors Circuit Regulations and Organizational Requirements and a summary of the rule changes can be found below.

Please note that the 2017 Junior Circuit Regulations and Rule Changes 2017 pdf’s were updated on 1 February 2017 and replace any previous versions you may have.

Junior Circuit- 2017 Regulations updated 1 February 2017

http://www.itftennis.com/media/255585/255585.pdf

Juniors Circuit- Rule Changes 2017- updated 1 February 2017

http://www.itftennis.com/media/251458/251458.pdf

Procedural Rules- ITF Independent Tribunal 2017

http://www.itftennis.com/media/250890/250890.pdf

Procedural Rules- ITF Internal Adjudication Panel 2017

http://www.itftennis.com/media/250889/250889.pdf

2017 ITF Junior Circuit Organizational Requirements

http://www.itftennis.com/media/248476/248476.pdf

Sited:

http://www.itftennis.com/juniors

https://www.usta.com/en/search.html?q=Junior%20Tennis

Importance of Playground & Schoolyard Games

There are so many games that children play on the school playground or at the Neighborhood park, many of which have been played for generations and some that are new for this generation of youngsters. Kids love playing, whether it’s at recess, afterschool, on the weekend or all summer long. There are games kids play on the playground equipment, whether it’s making believe they’re in a castle or mountain climbing. Kids have such active imaginations, though, that they can play games even when there’s nothing but asphalt blacktop or a sidewalk to play on. Games help kids stay in shape, develop their creative abilities and build social skills—what could be better?

 Top Kids Games in the United States

It would be impossible to list all the different games that kids play on the school or park playground, especially when you consider all the children’s games from around the world. The following list, however, includes many of the most popular games that children currently play in the United States:

○  Dodge Ball                                                ○  Four Square ( King & Regular)

○  Double Dutch                                            ○  Hopscotch- from all over the world and US Maps

○  Red Light, Green Light                              ○  Counting objects

○  Hopscotch                                                 ○  Tyke Race Tracks

○  I Spy                                                         ○  Number Square

○  Jump Rope                                               ○  Drop Ball

○  Kick Ball                                                    ○  Wiffleball

○  Tag                                                           ○  Alphabet Serpant or Eel

○  Red Rover                                                 ○  Mother, May I

○  Red Light, Green Light

 The Benefits of Kids Games

With the obesity problem in America, active games that utilize playground equipment, jump ropes and/or body movement are particularly important for kids to play. Following the increasing number of obese children it is very important to give them things they can enjoy and not consider to be just excersize but fun. Having playground and schoolyard games help kids burn off calories and move their bodies around, which is so necessary after spending most of their day sitting in a class room. When kids are inactive during their recesses at school and spend their free time at home playing video games and watching TV instead of going outside, they are developing behaviors that could hold them back for the rest of their lives. Games that rely on children’s brains and encourage teamwork are equally beneficial because they help to strengthen mental and social skills that will come in handy as they enter middle school, high school, college and the job market. Playground games also help children be more social and their interactions with other kids their age is as equally important as stimulation, problem solving and physical exersize.

The games that kids play on the school and park playground offer many benefits, whether they’re creative games that use the child’s imagination or active games that work out the child’s body. Children should be encouraged to play these games as much as possible.

These are some examples of schoolyard and playground games. At New England Sealcoating we offer many kinds of play graphic options and are more than happy to help you come up with something new for your school yard. Contact us today for a FREE estimate on how to freshen up your boring blacktop in your schoolyard.

Sited: http://www.miracle-recreation.com/the-most-popular-school-playground-games/

General Tennis Court Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dimensions of a tennis court?
The playing area of a tennis court measures 60’ x 120’ which is the sanctioned size of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). The total site size required for installing a tennis court varies, but generally a minimum of 70’ x 130’ is preferable but, the actual playing area is 36’ x 78’.

What are the most popular tennis court surfaces?
The two most popular choices are all-weather hard courts and Har-Tru® courts. Har-Tru is the clay court of choice on the east coast, although natural red clay courts are still being played on at many clubs. Hard courts consist of an asphalt base with acrylic coating system that serves as the playing surface. These courts are durable and easy to maintain, making them a popular choice for private residences, apartments and condominiums, schools and municipalities. Hard court surfaces may also be used for other purposes such as basketball and in-line hockey. A cushioned acrylic coating system is available, which is easier on the body and plays slower than a typical hard court. See below for details about Har-Tru courts.

What is Har-Tru?
Har-Tru (above ground irrigation) or Hydrocourts (Har-Tru courts with sub-surface irrigation), consist of a 3/4” modified stone base with a layer of stone dust followed by a 1″ final surface layer of crushed green stone called Har-Tru. Har-Tru has several different blends which are used based on the type of irrigation system (Har-Tru with Binder, Contractor Blend, American Red, Hydroblend and Colorado Blend). Har-Tru is the leading name brand on the market and exclusively used by Sport Builders. The green surface color of Ha-Tru is produced from a natural green stone found in Virginia called Pre-cambrian Metabasalt.

Natural red clay courts, typically found in Europe and South America, have a playing surface of ground brick dust with a natural clay base. Sport Builders uses Har-Tru American Red Clay and Beam Clay for natural red clay courts. A European Red Clay Blend is also now available.

Har-Tru courts have steadily gained in popularity due to their superb playing characteristics and joint health benefits. These courts provide a more flexible, shock-absorbing surface, which eases stress on the feet, knees, back and legs during play. The softer surface also slows the play speed, resulting in longer rallies, more varied strokes and a more controlled game. It’s also a great surface for learning to play tennis. These courts require daily maintenance to sustain consistent playing conditions. In northern climates these courts generally require annual reconditioning in the spring months to make the court playable again in the summer. Nonetheless, the advantages they offer have increasingly made them the tennis court of choice for country clubs, tennis clubs, and private residences.

What kind of maintenance does a tennis court require?
The type and frequency of tennis court maintenance depends upon the court’s surface. Hard courts typically require annual cleaning and attention to surface problems such as cracking. Many customers also choose to color coat their hard courts every couple of years to keep them looking fresh and to maintain play speed. Complete resurfacing is required approximately every five to seven years depending on damage and overall use.

Har-Tru or clay courts require daily maintenance to maintain optimum playability. This includes daily brushing, rolling, and watering (using an above-ground or underground sub-surface irrigation system). During dry conditions, the application of calcium or magnesium chloride may be required to sustain moisture. Annual reconditioning or resurfacing is also required to establish playability. Typically Har-Tru or clay courts are reconditioned every spring in the Northeast prior to the outdoor playing season.

What is involved in installing a new tennis court?
The first step to constructing a new tennis court is a meeting to discuss court location, size, orientation, surface, budget, fence design and amenities such as lighting and hitting walls. After approval of the proposal and pulling a construction permit, the construction process will begin with clearing and excavating the court site. The next phase involves construction of a drainage system, laying down the court base, installing fencing and lighting, and construction of the court’s surface (asphalt or clay). The final step includes finishing the playing surface and installing the playing lines, net and any court accessories. Total construction time for a single court is approximately six weeks, weather permitting.

How much does it cost to build a tennis court?
The cost of building a tennis court varies depending on the site conditions, surface selection and extra amenities (i.e. lighting, hitting walls, basketball systems, etc.) An average installation for a single court begins around $50,000. Contact us for a Free Estimate today!

Can tennis court cracks in hard courts be repaired?
Absolutely! It’s not simple, but cracks in tennis courts can be corrected with various procedures. There are long-term and short-term repair options to consider. The condition of your courts and the amount of money budgeted for the repairs will factor into how long the repairs will last.

What is the difference between resurfacing and reconditioning?
Resurfacing is the process of restoring the surface of worn and/or cracked hard courts. This is achieved through a four-step process that includes surface preparation (cleaning); court repairs (addressing uneven areas, cracks and delamination); applying an acrylic coating system and playing lines; and finally, painting net posts, servicing the net crank and reinstalling the net and center strap.

Reconditioning is the annual process to prepare the surface of a Har-Tru or clay court. This process includes compacting the court’s base, cleaning the playing surface, applying two tons of new surface material and installing the playing lines. After line installation, the courts are continually rolled and brushed to attain playability.

WORK CITED: www.Sportbuilders.com FAQ’S

Why Under 10 Tennis

Why 10 and Under Tennis?

 

Under Ten tennis was developed so kids could enjoy the game of tennis. This is similar in the games of basketball with adjustable backboards. In both instances the game can actually be played by young and older people and they can have fun playing it together. 10 and Under Tennis is also ideal for individuals with disabilities or with differing abilities and circumstances. For seniors, it’s a perfect alternative to the game of Pickleball.

10 and Under Tennis is divided into two different levels — ages 8 and under and ages 10 and under — though it can be used for kids and players of all ages. It’s the fast, fun way to get kids into tennis — and to keep them playing for life.

The USTA’s 10 and Under Tennis recreational on-court training videos showcase practice plans for age groups 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10. Increase your knowledge and personal skills/drills library by engaging with these informative videos that showcase activities to get kids having fun and playing tennis right away.

Also, it’s easy to add blended lines to your facility. the process of striping 36- and 60-foot lines on a 78-foot courts

10 and Under Tennis – A Community Effort

Painting permanent lines for youth tennis 36-foot and 60-foot courts at your facility is a big step toward building and supporting a format that will change the face of youth tennis in America. These lines do not affect play for players using the traditional 78-foot court.

Converting existing courts into 10 and Under Tennis courts also creates demand for more adult courts as kids are moved onto the courts sized right for them.

Kids’ Tennis Equipment

Determining your equipment needs is an essential part of developing a successful 10 and Under Tennis program. Ideally, every child should come to class with his or her own kids tennis racquet.

Kids’ Racquets

A mix of 21-, 23- and 25-inch kids’ tennis racquets will help ensure that the appropriate racquets are being utilized for 10 and Under Tennis play. Since 23-inch racquets can be utilized for both 36-foot courts (red ball) and 60-foot courts (orange ball).

If you are working with very young children (5 and under), it is recommended to include 19-inch racquets.

Tennis Balls

Kids need a ball that is sized and paced to their playing abilities. A yellow tennis ball moves too fast, bounces too high and is too heavy for smaller racquets. Each age group uses specific kids’ tennis balls best suited to their size and playing ability.

For kids 8 and under, a red foam or low-compression red felt ball moves slower, bounces lower and travels less distance.

For 9-10-year-olds, a low-compression orange felt ball moves a little faster and travels farther than the red ball used with the younger group, but it still has a lower bounce than the yellow tennis ball.

Tennis Courts and Nets

Portable nets and throw-down lines allow organizers to create multiple 36- or 60-foot tennis courts, on a variety of surfaces, for 10 and Under Tennis play. It is recommended that you use one set of throw-down lines for every four players in your program.

You can also use tennis tape or pennant flags as an alternative to a net, as well as chalk or painter’s tape to create the lines for the court.

10 and Under Tennis

Our 10 and Under Tennis Programs (TAUT) introduce tennis to children based on age, physical size and ability. By modifying the court dimensions (36’or 60’ in length), equipment (appropriately sized tennis racquets and red, orange or green balls), net height and scoring system, coupled with a play component, children develop better technical and point playing skills. Please visit www.YouthTennis.com for more information about how we fit tennis to kids.

RED BALL

Red 1 (Ages 4-5 years; NTC rating QSTFT): Activities are focused on developing the ABCs (agility, balance, and coordination), all while forming the skills necessary to serve, rally, and score. Use of Red Foam and Felt Balls on 36’ Red Court. Offered as 1-hour or 1½-hour programs.

Red 2 (Ages 6-8 years; NTC rating QS1): Introduction to various spins on both Forehand and Backhand strokes and the different grips used. Ability to intentionally place the ball in open spaces is crucial before graduating to the next level. Typically, this is the developmental stage with the greatest duration. Red Felt Balls on 36’ Red Court. Offered as 1½-hour programs.

ORANGE BALL

Orange 1 (Ages 8-10 years; NTC rating QS2): Players utilize control, spin, and positioning to their advantage while also being able to consistently rally and cooperate with a partner. The ability to maintain proper technique during points and proficiency on serve is a necessity before graduating to the next level. Orange Balls on 60’ Orange Court.Offered as 1½-hour programs.

Orange 2 (Ages 8-10 years; NTC rating QS3): This next Orange level includes a large element of competition and point play focus. Orange Balls on 60’ Orange Court. Offered as 1½-hour programs.

GREEN BALL

Green 1 (Ages 8-10 years; NTC rating QSMO): Players are beginning to determine their style of play and how it matches up with other styles. This class will incorporate both singles and doubles strategy and play. Players should be introduced to 10U Tournaments. Orange Balls on 60’ Orange Court and Green Balls on 78’ Green Court. Offered as 1½-hour programs.

Green 2—10 U Academy and Feed the Feeder (Ages 8-10 years; NTC rating QSTP): At this stage of the development pathway, players have chosen tennis as a primary sport and are actively and regularly participating in 10U tournaments. Players are now working on developing weapons in their game and implementing more advanced patterns of play. Green Balls on 78’ Green Court. Recommended at least 2 days a week at this level. Offered as a 2-hour class with ½ hour of built-in strength and conditioning. Feed the Feeder – working in conjunction with the USTA Player Development Feeder Program, this program is an invitation-only development Pathway for those 10 and Under players hoping to become a part of the Feeder program.

 

Below are the layouts of all three under ten courts.

Sited:

http://www.10andundertennis.com/

https://ustanew2.gotennissource.com/page.lasso?p=10andunderLanding&pd=6&l=3

Cleaning your Tennis Court

We are constantly asked about how to clean the tennis court.  Keeping your tennis court playable is not really a hard task.  There are some simple things you can do to keep your court well maintained and doing so will make your court last longer. It will also provide you with a better playing experience.  Maintaining your tennis courts generally depends on the kind of court surface you have.

When it comes to the most basic method of cleaning your tennis courts : using a drag broom to sweep off debris, dust and dirt after playing will do.  Rainwater removal can be done using rubber mops ( squeegee ) or foam rollers.  Still, a lot of minor problems become a major problem simply because they are neglected.  To remedy that, here are some of the does that you should remember in caring for your tennis courts.  Do remove the stains using a cleaning solution of mild soap and water.  If this doesn’t work use a special stain removal solution instead.  However, you might damage your courts even more by using the wrong kind of product so it’s better to leave the task to the professionals if your first attempt of removing the stains fails.

Do wear tennis shoes; they are specifically made for tennis court surfaces so they don’t leave any scuff marks on the surface.  Pressure wash your hard courts for the best way to clean them.  Pressure washing buys you time before you will need a new coat of paint for your tennis courts and they are like polishers too.  Pressure washing makes your tennis court look freshly painted like brand new.  HOWEVER, don’t use pressure washing unless you know how to properly do it. It is important you do not use full pressure or it may mark up your court or ruin the coatings on it. It is better to wash multiple times using a low pressure.

Paint your courts when needed, especially when the acrylic surface is starting to wear out.  Once a month watch for evidence of mold or mildew in the shaded areas and corners where organic debris tend to accumulate.  Acrylic coatings do not support fungus growth, so growth of fungus or mold is a result from food and drink spills, decaying matter, or other foreign materials on the surface feeding these organisms.  Rain showers help clean your court.  However, dirt accumulates in standing water, leaving stains and piles of debris.  Remove any standing water.  The accumulated debris acts like sandpaper under the players’ feet and creates abrasion on the surface.  Remove water from birdbaths as often as possible. So, some simple steps help keep that beautiful surface stay in play.