USTA Early Development Workshop with Mali Vai and Orange Ball kids
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In November and December my orange ball students and I were invited to attend an Early Development workshop directed by USTA's Rita Gladstone and Dede Allen. I was told to pick some of my outstanding students on Orange ball (60' court) to attend two 5 hour sessions located at Bolles School in Jacksonville. I learned more about the standards of teaching 10 & Under tennis and what we (as pros) want to see skill wise and strategy wise for the 60' court level and green ball 78' court level of tennis. Wow! This generation is going to rock at tennis as they get older. I really wish I had these types of training balls to enhance my shot tolerance and accuracy. I really would have hit twice as many balls in play and had the chance to practice my footwork and technique more as a tennis student myself. We were joined by two "famous tennis pro's", Brian Gottfried in November and Mali Vai Washington in December. Two outstanding pro's and sportsman I must say! Their hearts are gold for the local tennis players and tennis community of Jacksonville! I was absolutely thrilled and honored to teach beside them and my other fellow pros of Jacksonville from Atlantic Beach, Mali Vai and Bolles schools of tennis.
