AVCA Group Tennis Lesson Information Page

TENNIS 101 - specializing in high quality private and group tennis instruction for adults and children in Orange County, California

Overview:
The Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) Tennis Program was introduced in 1995 as one of the first
recreation programs offered by the new city of Aliso Viejo. Since then, every Saturday, year-round, it has
provided high quality group tennis programming offering Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced lessons for
adults and children. The lessons are held every Saturday at Ridgecrest Park in Aliso Viejo, and conducted by
USPTA certified tennis professional, Greg Langdon

Fast Facts:

Where: Ridgecrest Park, Aliso Viejo
When: Saturday mornings, year-round

     8:00 AM: Intermediate Children's Group
     9:00 AM: Advanced Adult's Group
   10:00 AM: Intermediate Adult's Group
   11:00 AM: Beginning Adult's Group
    12 Noon: Beginning Children's Group (for 5 - 8 years old only)
     1:30 PM: Beginning Children's Group (for 9 - 14 years old only)
NEW! 2:30 PM: Advanced Children's Group (for 7 - 11 years old only)

Session Length: 8 weeks
Lesson Length: 1 hour
Schedule:

Click here to view 2010 Schedule of Classes

Cost: (must be paid in full prior to first class)

    Aliso Viejo Residents: $140*
    Non-residents: $145*
           * Price increase effective 4/5/10

Registration and Payment:

Online - Click Here
Note: All returning students must re-register online prior to new session.

Deadline: Sign-up deadline is 12 hours prior to first lesson of new session
Liability Waiver: must be signed and submitted on-line prior to payment
What to bring: All students must bring one unopened can of Penn tennis balls to the first lesson

New!!! Purchase your tennis balls online - save the hassle of going to the store - Click Here

What to wear: Proper tennis attire is preferred, however, cool, comfortable casual clothing is acceptable.

Tennis specific (court) shoes with non-marking soles are mandatory. No jeans allowed.

Racquet Recommendations: Click Here to view and purchase recommended equipment.
Weather/Cancellation Policy: Click Here to view weather and cancellation policy. Current Weather.
Gift Certificates: Click Here to give the gift of tennis to a friend, relative, or co-worker.

Description of Programming: (What level player am I? Click here for description of NTRP ratings)

Beginning Adult's - 11:00 AM: (NTRP Rating: 1.5 - 3.5) This group is for adults, and children (ages 13 -
18), who are new to the sport of tennis, students who have taken some minimal private or group
instruction, or former players returning after some time away from the game (seeking a refresher course on
the fundamentals). Each session (8 weeks) provides a step-by-step introduction (or review) that focuses on
developing and maintaining excellent form and technique for the groundstrokes, serve, and volley. It
emphasizes the development of good stroke formation for the forehand and backhand groundstrokes via
repetitive drills that develop the brain and muscle memory necessary for consistency, plus a series of
running drills that teaches a student how to move properly on the tennis court. In a relatively short period of
time, each student should be able to execute groundstrokes with good form, good technique and good
consistency to the extent that they should be able to rally with the instructor, and each other. The volley,
and the serve are also introduced.

Intermediate Adult's - 10:00 AM: (NTRP Rating: 3.5 - 4.5) This group is for graduates of the Beginning
Adults and Children's classes, for players who have previously taken 1-2 years of private or group lessons,
or former competitive players with solid fundamental skills returning to the game after 3 or more years away
from it. This class will focus on the progressive development of the groundstrokes with an emphasis placed
on accuracy and control, and the development of more power and top spin. The volley will be worked on in
greater depth to include approach shots, multiple volleys, defensive volleys, high volleys, and running
volleys. The serve, (including return of serve, the return of the return, and overhead smashes) will be
developed to attain greater consistency, power, and accuracy. Singles and doubles match play will also be
introduced.

Advanced Adult's - 9:00 AM: (NTRP Rating: 4.5 - 6.0) This group is for graduates of the Intermediate
Adults class, for players with substantial backgrounds in competitive tennis (high school, college, or
organized tournament play), or for students who have previously had more than 2 years of private lessons
or 3-4 years of group lessons - at a minimum all students must have solid technical skills (good form and
footwork) and be able to demonstrate consistency in all shot-making. Each session (8 weeks) focuses on
specific drills associated with each of the three main strokes in the sport (groundstrokes, serve, and volley),
with an additional session for Doubles Strategy. The drills are game situational for singles or doubles which
demands a good level of fitness. It enables the student to master more complex shot selection, and
strategic play in a simulated competitive environment. At the conclusion of each lesson, court space is
available for 1-11/2 hours singles and doubles play. The final lesson of each session is a doubles or
singles tournament.

Beginning Children's - 12 Noon: This group is for children ages 5 - 12 years old, with no tennis
experience, or some previous exposure to the sport through group, private or summer camp lessons. In
this session (8 weeks), the focus will be on developing a solid foundation in stroke formation to provide the
child with the requisite skills to progress rapidly. Through a variety of racquet and foot work drills for the
groundstrokes, serve, and volley, students will develop the positive habits necessary to hit the ball correctly
and consistently, with good form and good technique, in an active, yet disciplined progressive learning
method. This class will also include an introduction to the volley and the serve, plus stretching and
strengthening drills, some running drills, and hand-eye coordination games.

Intermediate Children's - 8:00 AM: This group is for children aged 7 and older, who are graduates of the
Beginning Children's group, or those who have taken private lessons to develop a comparable skill level.
This group continues their development of the fundamentals of the groundstrokes, volley and serve, and
introduces new and more challenging drills associated with each stroke. A substantial amount of time is also
dedicated to learning about match play, etiquette, and other protocols associated with the game, both for
singles and doubles. Each session mirrors the content of the Intermediate and Advanced Adults session as
preparation for advancement to those levels.