Junior Programs
Kansas City's top juniors train here.
Indoor junior tennis in Blue Springs, from a first lesson to high performance training. Groups are set by level, and the coaches who develop some of the top juniors in the city, the state and the country run every one of them.
The standard
Top players in the city, the state and the nation train here.
Junior development at Match Point KC is not a way to fill an afternoon. It is a program that has put players at the top of this county, near the top of Missouri, and into national level competition, and they train on these courts every week.
That matters even if your child has never held a racquet. It means the coaching is built by people who know what the top of the sport actually looks like, and it means the player your child is chasing in two years is already in the building.
- Some of the top junior players in the Kansas City area
- Players competing at state level in Missouri
- Players training here for national level competition
The programs
Where your child starts
Most children begin in development and move along as they get more confident. There is no rush, and nobody skips a step to keep up with anyone else.
- 01
Junior Development
Beginner, intermediate and competitive groups, so nobody is the only new kid on court.
Times: Ask us, these move with the season.
- 02
High Performance Program
Where the serious juniors train. Some of the best players in the city, the state and the country come through this program.
Times: Ask us, these move with the season.
- 03
Junior Match Play
Supervised matches. The part that actually turns practice into a player.
Times: Ask us, these move with the season.
The junior development pathway runs through seven levels. See what each level means.
Levels and competencies
What each level means
Seven levels take a child from a first red ball class to high performance training. Here is what they work on at each one, what we expect of them, and where it leads. New players start in the class for their age, and they move up when a coach sees they are ready.
Level 01
Red Ball
Ages 4 to 6
Red dot balls, 36-foot court
- What they work on
- An introduction to the fundamentals through age-appropriate instruction: coordination, movement, basic strokes and a love for the game. Players begin learning the basics of singles and doubles play on a smaller court with a slower ball, so tennis is fun, accessible and the right size for them.
- What we expect
- Good sportsmanship, character and respect for others, on and off the court.
- Where it leads
- Red Ball for ages 7 to 8, then Orange Ball.
Level 02
Red Ball
Ages 7 to 8
Red dot balls, 36-foot court
- What they work on
- Fundamental strokes and technique, plus an introduction to tactical awareness for both singles and doubles play. The smaller court and slower ball speed development up in a fun, age-appropriate environment.
- What we expect
- A love for the game and a desire to learn and improve. Good sportsmanship, character and respect for others, on and off the court.
- Where it leads
- Orange Ball.
Level 03
Orange Ball
Ages 9 to 11
Orange dot balls, 60-foot court
- What they work on
- Proper grips, strokes, technique and tactical awareness for both singles and doubles play. The 60-foot court and orange dot ball speed development up and help players build confidence and consistency.
- What we expect
- A love for the game and a desire to improve. Good sportsmanship, character and high ethical standards, on and off the court.
- Where it leads
- Green Ball.
- Faster progress
- More classes, private lessons and Orange Ball tournaments.
Level 04
Green Ball
Ages 12 and up
Green dot balls
- What they work on
- Continuing to develop proper grips, strokes, technique and tactical awareness for both singles and doubles play. The green dot ball speeds development up while players build proper technique and confidence.
- What we expect
- A love for the game and a desire to improve. Good sportsmanship, character and high ethical standards, on and off the court.
- Where it leads
- Yellow Ball.
- Faster progress
- More classes, private lessons and Green Ball tournaments.
Level 05
Yellow Ball Intermediate
Regular yellow balls
- What they work on
- Proper grips, consistent strokes, sound technique and a foundational understanding of court positioning and strategy. The emphasis is on grips, stroke mechanics, footwork, consistency and the ability to control a rally in both cooperative and competitive situations. Players are introduced to singles and doubles match play and encouraged to enter beginner-level tournaments.
- What we expect
- A love for the game, a desire to improve, and a willingness to compete and learn. Good sportsmanship, character, respect for others and a positive attitude, on and off the court.
- Where it leads
- The skills and confidence to compete at junior varsity level across the Kansas City metro, in singles and doubles.
- Faster progress
- More classes, private lessons and tournaments.
Level 06
Yellow Ball Advanced
Regular yellow balls
- What they work on
- Players arrive with advanced strokes and technique and work on advanced tactical awareness and match strategy. They should show proper grips and execute every stroke effectively in competitive situations, and they are expected to play tournaments and competitive singles and doubles regularly while building confidence, consistency and their overall game.
- What we expect
- A strong love for the game, a desire to compete, and a commitment to keep developing their skills. Good sportsmanship, character and high ethical standards, on and off the court.
- Where it leads
- Competing successfully at varsity level across the Kansas City metro, in singles and doubles.
- Faster progress
- Multiple classes a week, private lessons and practice on their own.
Level 07
Yellow Ball High Performance
Regular yellow balls
- What they work on
- A high level of technique, tactics and point development for both singles and doubles play. Players execute consistently and aggressively in competitive situations, compete regularly and successfully in tournaments, and hold rankings at district, sectional and national level.
- What we expect
- A strong love for the game, a desire to compete, and a commitment to keep developing their skills. Good sportsmanship, character and high ethical standards, on and off the court.
- Where it leads
- The highest level of varsity competition in the state, and the ability to contribute at college level.
- Faster progress
- Multiple classes a week, private lessons and practice on their own.
Tell us their age and whether they have played, and a coach will place them.
For parents
The practical bits
The part nobody advertises but every parent actually plans around.
Safe Play approved coaches
Every coach is USTA Safe Play approved: SafeSport training and a criminal background screen, the USTA's standard for anyone coaching juniors.
A lounge worth waiting in
Comfortable seating and TVs, with the courts in view, so you can watch your junior play instead of sitting in the car.
Locker rooms and showers
On site for the whole family, so a lesson does not mean riding home in kit.
Indoors, all year
Heated and cooled courts. Sessions are not called off for rain, heat or a January cold snap.
Easy drop off
Secure, ample parking right at the building, so the handover takes a minute.
Plenty of parents use the time to play themselves. Adult lessons and open play run in the same building, so you do not have to just watch.
Straight answers
What parents ask first
- Are the coaches background checked?
- Yes. Every coach at Match Point KC is USTA Safe Play approved. That is the USTA's athlete safety program, and it means every coach has completed SafeSport training and a criminal background screen.
- My child has never played. Is that a problem?
- No. The beginner group exists for exactly that, and starting with other first timers is much easier than being dropped in with players who already rally.
- Do they need their own racquet?
- Bring one if you have one. If you are not sure what size or where to start, ask us before you spend anything.
- How do you decide which group they join?
- A coach watches them play and puts them where they will get the most out of the hour. Kids move up when they are ready, not on a fixed timetable.
- Do they have to compete?
- Not at all. Plenty of juniors stay in development groups because they enjoy playing. High performance and match play are there when a child wants them, not before.
Let's find your child a group.
Tell us their age and whether they have played before. We will tell you which group to come to and what to bring.