Team Challenges Offer Fun, Learning

USTA Team Challenge is a fun, low-pressure team environment for young novice players to develop their skills without worrying about the end result. Mike Saniuk, Director of Tennis at Miracle Hill Tennis Center in Omaha, said it’s an opportunity to learn how to rally and play out points.

“Players will learn how to win points, how to lose points and most importantly how to interact with each other on court,” he said. “This is the perfect bridge between clinic setting and tournament play.”

Saniuk said there is a lot of interest in Team Challenge, from the kids, parents and tennis staff. A typical session is one hour of court time, with 10-15 minutes of talking before and after. Cost is usually around $15-$20, with one or two Team Challenges a month at Miracle Hill. 

He said a typical Team Challenge starts out with a five-minute parent meeting while players are warming up, then meeting with the players to discuss a character-building theme, such as respect or appreciation.

“Players will then be shown how to play the Team Challenge, and spread out and play,” he explained. “After about seven to eight minutes, teams rotate to play other teams.  We reiterate our character-building theme and the players always thank their parents. Then it’s upstairs for some pizza!”

And who wouldn’t want pizza after tennis? For more information on local Team Challenge opportunities, click here. To find out more about how Team Challenges fit on the Net Generation Junior Pathway, click here.