Tennis
Tennis Instruction
Improve your tennis game with Frank Sacks and his handpicked instructional staff. Frank Sacks Tennis Camps, Inc. has provided quality professional tennis programs for Chicago suburban communities for over 30 years. Join the thousands of tennis players each year who improve their tennis strokes and skills and have a great time in Frank Sacks Tennis Camps!
Click here to register for tennis lessons.
Class Descriptions
Quick Start Tennis Programs
(Youth and Adult): Quick Start tennis is a new program that is provided in cooperation with the United States Tennis Association (USTA). This program was originally designed for ages 4 – 10 years to help develop the skills utilizing smaller sized rackets, low compression tennis balls and smaller court sizes. This program develops proper skills and is great for all ages. The Frank Sacks Tennis Camps, Inc. has adapted this program to be extended to all ability and age groups including adults.
Jr. Tennis Camp: This popular program offers professional instruction and gives students the opportunity to progress in tennis at a much faster rate than in the regular lesson setting. All aspects of the game are covered: stroke production, sing/doubles strategy, conditioning and sportsmanship.
Ability Levels - Youth
Pee Wee Tennis (NTRP 1.0): Introduction to tennis for ages 5 to 7. Emphasis is on fun and development of coordination and motor skills in a supportive environment.
Beginner (NTRP 1.1 - 1.9): Ideal for those first taking up the game. Instruction includes hand-eye coordination, racquet skills, stroke production with emphasis on ground strokes, serve, return and volleys. Court position, scoring and singles and doubles strategy are introduced.
Advanced Beginner (NTRP 2.0 - 2.4): For those who have basic instruction but need further review of fundamentals. Stroke development, footwork, strategy and match play are included in the instruction.
Intermediate (NTRP 2.5 - 2.9): You've developed more dependable strokes but are still working to keep the ball in play with others of the same ability. You need to develop court coverage and judgment of the ball, speed and direction. Classes include stroke development, footwork, cooperative consistency drills, strategy, play action drills and match play.
Tournament Training (NTRP 3.0 - 3.9): For Juniors who are becoming serious about their game. This program is for those who are able to maintain rallies of slow pace and have improved ability to direct shots away from opponents. Players should be beginning to develop a consistent serve and volley with consistency if the ball is within reach. Classes include a unique blend of stroke development, cooperative and competitive drills and match play.
Tournament Training 2 (NTRP 4.0 and above): For players who want to play tennis on teams and in tournaments. Program is for those who have dependable ground strokes and have the ability to use a variety of shots including lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys and can place the first serve and force some errors. Class emphasis is on shot selection, strategy footwork, court position and coverage and the transition game through play action drills and controlled match play.
Ability Levels - Adult
Beginner (NTRP 1.0 - 1.9): You have no (or quite limited) tennis experience and are still working on getting the ball over the net. You may be familiar with scoring, but not with basic positions and procedures of singles and doubles play. Instruction includes stroke production, basic court position and singles and doubles strategy.
Advanced Beginner (NTRP 2.0 - 2.5): You have had some lessons but need on-court experience. You have obvious stroke weaknesses, but are beginning to feel comfortable with singles and doubles play. Classes include stroke development, footwork, court position, strategy, cooperative consistency drills and match play.
Intermediate 1 (NTRP 2.6 - 3.0): You have more dependable strokes but can't judge where the ball is going. You have weak court coverage and are still working to keep the bass in play with others of the same ability level. Classes include stroke development, footwork, court position, strategy, cooperative consistency drills and match play.
Intermediate 2 (NTRP 3.1 - 3.5): You can place shots with moderate success and can sustain a rally of slow pace but are not comfortable with all strokes and lack consistency in serving. Classes include advanced stroke development, footwork, court position, strategy, consistency drills, competitive play action drills and match play.
Intermediate 3 (NTRP 3.6 - 4.0 ): You still lack stroke dependability, depth and variety, but have improved ability to direct shots away from opponent. You rarely double fault, but cannot force errors on the serve. You hit forehand and backhand volleys with consistency if the ball is within reach. Classes include advanced stroke development, cooperative and competitive play actions drills and match play.
Intermediate 4 (NTRP 4.1 - 4.5): You have dependable strokes on both forehand and backhand sides, have the ability to use a variety of shots including lobs, overheads and volleys, can place the first serve and force some errors. You are rarely out of place in a doubles game. Class emphasis is on approach shots, footwork shot selection, and the transition game through play action drills and controlled match play.
Advanced (NTRP 4.6 and above): You can overcome some stroke deficiencies with either outstanding shots or exceptional consistency. You can hit the first serve with power and hit with placement on the second serve. You can approach the net at opportune times to force an error with some success and can hit drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes with above average success.
Court Sites
M - McCollum (67th & Main)
D - Doerhoefer (41st & Venard)
R- Randall (Randall Street & Park Ave.)
Tennis Courts
Park district tennis facilities are available at McCollum, Doerhoefer and Randall parks. Park district summer tennis programs are also offered at Downers Grove North High School. Please be a courteous tennis enthusiast! Learn the rules of tennis to better enjoy this lifelong leisure activity.
Tennis Permits
Adult Park District residents requesting tennis courts for group outings may obtain a permit at the Recreation Center, 4500 Belmont Road. Permits are not available during prime time hours. Call the Recreation Center at (630) 960-7250 for further information.
