Do we have to play all of the Gran Prix tourneys? Can we just play a few?
You can play as many, or as few, as you like. Each tournament you play gives you the opportunity to accumulate points towards being invited to the Masters, as well as Pathway Points for 10U or ranking points for USTA.
Does my child need to know how to play? How to keep score? How to serve?
Yes! They need to be able to serve, and be familiar with no-add scoring, sets, matches, etc.
At what age should my child play orange ball / green ball / yellow ball?
USTA advises….
- Orange: ages 7-9
- Green: ages 9-11
- Yellow age 11 & up
Are there court monitors/coaches on site to help?
The goal is to have court monitors, especially for the 10U, but that does not always happen at each tournament site.
What size racket should my child use?
Here is a chart recommended by Dave….
- 10U Orange – For Junior Circuit Tournaments they are required to use no more than a 25’ racket.
- 10U Green – Can use any size racket, but I recommend 26” or a very light adult (27”) racket; especially if they are smaller in stature.
How do we get Gran Prix points?
Play Gran Prix tournaments. You receive at least 1 point for participating and more as you win matches. A points chart is available on the Gran Prix portion for CATA’s website.
How does my child advance from Orange to Green to Yellow?
This is called “Play Tracker”. Players 7 and 8 years old that reach 1,000 play points in orange ball are eligible for green ball. You receive 100 points for playing in a tournament and 100 points for each win. A coach assessment is also available for players 7 or 8 years old who have the skills to advance to green ball early.
All players in green ball will be required to meet 1500 points on the PlayTracker in order to play in yellow ball events. At least 1000 of these points must come from win points. At age 11 players will age out of the PlayTracker.
How does the Coach Assessment work?
Coaches are able to control whether their players can compete in green ball competition. Coaches can change a player’s skill level in the Net Generation mobile app using the assessment tool. In order to use the assessment tool in the Net Generation mobile app coaches must be Safe Play approved and be USPTA or PTR approved in their usta.com coach profile.
Once a player (player must send the connection request) and their primary coach are connected on the mobile app then the coach can send a progress report with an assessment and skill level change. Coaches must watch a training video on how to complete the assessment. If a player aged 7 and over has been given Orange Level 1 or Green Level 2 or Green Level 1 by their coach it will be sent to USTA’s data platform and will convert the player’s competition level to green ball. Players aged 6 and under are not eligible to be given the green competition level.
To learn more on how to assess a player’s skill level on the Net Generation mobile app click here.
What is a Junior Circuit?
Junior Circuit is a term used for the 10 and Under Orange and Green ball tournaments.
L1’s, L7’s. What is the difference and where should we start?
All of the “L’s” denote 12U and older tournaments. L7 is the place to start and they progress in ability to L1 (national level).
What is the 10’s Pathway?
The USTA path to advance from Orange-Green-Yellow ball. Orange Ballers must accumulate 1000 points to advance to Green. You get 100 points for playing a tournament and 100 points for every match you win. Maximum of 500 points per tournament. Green ballers must accumulate 1500 points to advance to Yellow Ball.
Does 10’s Orange and Green advance to Masters? Newks?
Both advance to Masters (the city championship). The top 8 point earners in each age division that register for Masters will be selected. Unfortunately, that is the end goal for Orange Ballers. Green Ball players to compete at Newks. We select the top 2 Green Ball players from the Masters to represent Austin at Newks.
Do the Parents go to Newks?
We do need at least (2) host parents to go and stay with a set of kids in a bunkhouse setting. Most of the parents end up going and either secure a place of their own on site, or stay at a nearby hotel.
How does Junior Team Tennis fit into all of the process?
To participate in Junior Team Tennis, your player joins a team and plays weekend matches against other teams in the area. The line up consists of singles and doubles matches. Similar to adult USTA leagues. There are two JTT seasons in Austin. JTT teams are mostly formed around tennis facilities lead by a coach who has decided to organize a team(s). Check where you play tennis, a club close to you, or contact CATA for information about a team you may be able to join.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Email Dave Tibbetts at [email protected] for more information.
