Welcome to 2010 Mankato Area Team Tennis!
Seven years ago, I was approached by players and parents alike for a summer tennis program that was tailored to what tennis players like best: playing matches and having fun with their friends. About that same time Phil Brauer and I received some information from the USTA and their Junior Team Tennis program. The USTA's Team Tennis program was exactly what we were looking for:
Mankato Area Junior Team Tennis has a play centered approach. During the course of the summer, it is our goal for each of our players to play 100 matches. Sometimes these matches may only be one set, but what is important is the ability to be able to look back at each set, and learn something from it. The coaching staff will be able to help you do this, and with five sets of eyes on your match, we will help you. Think about this: A typical tennis season may only yield 15 matches. During the summer you can play 7 times that!
Our goal is to have a 5:1 player to coach ratio during drills. It is our priority to give every child individual attention. Having a small ratio also allows us to hit more tennis balls in a short period of time. Everyday, we will spend time drilling specific strokes in a small group format. After drilling, we will put those skills to use in modified games, and ultimately full sets and matches.
To make this happen, along with myself, I would like to welcome back Mankato East girls coach, Andy Krueger, former MSU #1 player and coach at East and West Ryan Frederickson, MSU player Heather Jensen, and MSU adjunct professor, and former teaching pro in Denver, Colorado, Tony Smith.
This summer we will continue our strength and conditioning program as well. You will be in great shape by the end of the summer!
Please give any of the coaches a call if you have any questions. We'll see you on the courts!
Eric Weisser
- A program competitive enough for top varsity players, and a beginning player
- A program that puts playing the game first, instead of drilling
- A program that girls and boys can participate in as equals
- A program that gave much needed match play experience to our top players
- A program that has been endorsed by the top coaches and players in the state
Mankato Area Junior Team Tennis has a play centered approach. During the course of the summer, it is our goal for each of our players to play 100 matches. Sometimes these matches may only be one set, but what is important is the ability to be able to look back at each set, and learn something from it. The coaching staff will be able to help you do this, and with five sets of eyes on your match, we will help you. Think about this: A typical tennis season may only yield 15 matches. During the summer you can play 7 times that!
Our goal is to have a 5:1 player to coach ratio during drills. It is our priority to give every child individual attention. Having a small ratio also allows us to hit more tennis balls in a short period of time. Everyday, we will spend time drilling specific strokes in a small group format. After drilling, we will put those skills to use in modified games, and ultimately full sets and matches.
To make this happen, along with myself, I would like to welcome back Mankato East girls coach, Andy Krueger, former MSU #1 player and coach at East and West Ryan Frederickson, MSU player Heather Jensen, and MSU adjunct professor, and former teaching pro in Denver, Colorado, Tony Smith.
This summer we will continue our strength and conditioning program as well. You will be in great shape by the end of the summer!
Please give any of the coaches a call if you have any questions. We'll see you on the courts!
Eric Weisser