Player Development
Development is a crucial aspect of any sports program, focusing on nurturing and enhancing the skills and potential of athletes. It involves structured training, mentorship, and feedback to help players grow both on and off the court.
1
Red Ball (Player Development Phase I)
Larger and softer than traditional tennis balls, red balls provide slower movement and a lower bounce. These balls are ideal for new and developing players to allow for more time to react on the court, making it easier to focus on proper stroke techniques.
2
Orange Ball (Player Development Phase II)
Designed to be 50% slower than traditional yellow tennis balls and also slightly larger, orange balls allow for the development of rally skills as the ball stays in play longer. This ball is ideal for transitioning to a larger court size and preparing players for the next level
of competitive play.
3
Green Ball or Green Dot Ball (Player Development Phase III)
Designed to be 25% slower than traditional yellow tennis balls, green balls encourage more competitive play while giving players more time to focus on shot selection and tactics. Green balls ensure a smooth transition for developing players to begin using
standard yellow tennis balls.
4
Yellow Ball (Player Development Phase IV)
This is the standard tennis ball used in both professional and recreational play. Yellow balls contribute to the fast-paced nature of the game. Developing players are encouraged to begin with slower-paced balls to maximize enjoyment of the sport and the
proper development of footwork and stroke techniques.
Mind & Body
Tennis is the number one sport for the mind and body.
Playing tennis just 3 hours a week can reduce an individuals risk of cardiovascular disease by 56%.​
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Tennis players add 9.7 years to their lives over sedentary individuals.
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Playing tennis for 150 minutes a week meets global exercise recommendations and
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increases fitness levels.
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81% of youth tennis players say they will attend college.
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48% of youth tennis players have an “A” average and spend more time studying.
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Youth tennis players report less drinking and cigarette smoking than their peers.
Self-esteem Boost!
Tennis players exhibit higher self-esteem and optimism than other athletes or non-athletes.
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Tennis players show lower tension, anger, and depression.
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Playing tennis during teenage years might play an important role in osteoporosis
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prevention and decreasing the risk of hip fractures later in life. 2
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Research shows that tennis players have stronger bones than people who don’t play
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racket sports. The impact of hitting the ball, stopping, and bouncing improves bone density–which can prevent osteoporosis later in life. 3
Key statistics
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17.0% are Women
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13.9% are Men
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22.2% are Black or African American
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15.6% are White
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15.4% are Hispanic
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17.6% are 45-54 Years Old
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19% are 65 and Older
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54.% of adults in Pinellas County are inactive or insufficiently active. 5
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24.5% of adults in Pinellas County are sedentary.
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50.6% of adults in Pinellas County meet aerobic recommendations.
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38.6% of Pinellas County meets muscle strength training recommendations.
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79.7% of middle school and 81.7% of high school students do not engage in vigorous
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physical activity.
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35.8% of Pinellas County adults are overweight and 28.1% are considered obese.
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