Come join us for SPUT's dynamic 6-week summer youth tennis program! Held Monday through Thursday from June 23 to July 31, our daytime and evening sessions cater to budding players aged 5-18, whether they're beginners or at an intermediate level.
Experience a supportive community atmosphere where players not only enhance their tennis skills but also develop valuable life skills. Our engaging curriculum is infused with the core values of SPUT S.P.I.R.I.T. (service, perseverance, integrity, responsibility, imagination, teamwork).
RED
Red ball teaches the fundamentals of tennis, developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Named after the red felt balls that are used at this stage, players enjoy a slower bounce, making it easier to connect with the ball. Smaller court sizes provide the optimal space for young players to thrive and engage with their partners. Recommended for ages 5-8.
ORANGE
Orange balls bounce higher and move faster than the Red balls but lower and slower than the Green ball. Children focus on swing speed, serve, returns, and movement around the court. The court size takes a step toward traditional tennis ball while still remaining fun and manageable for players learning the game. Recommended for ages 8-10.
GREEN
The Green ball is very similar to a traditional tennis ball but with a slightly lower compression so it rebounds lower off the court after a bounce. Children learn to maintain a consistent rally on a full court while continuing to refine the technical, tactical and physical aspects of the game. Recommended for ages 10-12.
YELLOW
Yellow ball tennis is what most people know as traditional tennis. The balls, courts and racquets at this level are used in the majority of adult matches and at the professional level. Lessons here are geared toward older players who are new to the game. Experienced youth should try our Junior Team Tennis. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Schedule
June 23 - July 31, Monday - Thursday
(No lessons on July 22-24 for the JTT Sectional Tournament.
Students are welcome to join sites marked with * on these days.)
Classes
8:30am-9:30am - Red Ball (recommended ages 5-8)
9:30am-10:30am - Orange Ball (recommended ages 8-10)
10:30am-11:30am - Green Ball (recommended ages 10-12)
11:30am-12:30pm - Yellow Ball (recommended for beginner teens)
Site Locations
Central High School *
College Park
Edgcumbe Rec Center
Groveland Rec Center
Harding High School
Highland Park High School
Humboldt High School *
Langford Park *
Linwood Rec Center
Mattocks Park
North Dale Rec Center *
Phalen/Johnson Pkwy Courts *
St. Kate's (All girls site)
Registration
Cost $200 (Scholarships available, no application necessary)
Register ASAP to secure your spot!
If sites do not meet minimum capacity requirements,
SPUT reserves the right to consolidate site locations.
Schedule
June 23 - July 31, Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs
(No lessons on July 22-24 for the JTT Sectional Tournament. Students are welcome to join sites marked with
* on these days.)
Registration
Cost $100 (Scholarships available, no application necessary)
Register ASAP to secure your spot!
If sites do not meet minimum capacity requirements,
SPUT reserves the right to consolidate site locations.
Classes
4:30pm-5:30pm - Red Ball (recommended ages 5-8)
5:30pm-6:30pm - Orange Ball (recommended ages 8-10)
6:30pm-7:30pm - Green Ball (recommended ages 10-12)
Evening Location Sites
Eastview Rec Center (Mon/Wed)
Hayden Heights Rec Center (Mon/Wed) *
MLK Rec Center (Mon/Wed)
Mattocks Park (Mon/Wed * or Tues/Thurs)
Battle Creek Rec Center (Tues/Thurs)
*
Edgcumbe Rec Center (Tues/Thurs)
North Dale Rec Center (Tues/Thurs) *
Red Ball Tennis:
Tailored for ages 5-8, our Red Ball program introduces tennis to young children, focusing on fundamental techniques. Emphasizing the Serve-Rally-Score progression, the program builds psychological, physical, tactical, and technical foundations.
Acknowledging tennis as an open skill, success lies in adaptability, not robotic strokes. A Game-Based Approach adds depth, connecting tactics with techniques for a holistic learning experience.
Our Practice and Play Plan starts with dynamic activities, boosting confidence and tennis skills. Character check-ins, skill outcomes, and game-based application create a well-rounded lesson, concluding with reflection.
Orange Ball Tennis:
Geared towards ages 8-10 with prior tennis experience, our Orange Ball program refines technique and builds on the Red Ball Program foundations. Focused on the 4 Performance Factors—psychological, physical, tactical, and technical—it enhances Serve-Rally-Score skills.
Recognizing tennis as an Open Skill, players learn to incorporate Spin, Height, and Depth into their techniques, improving overall effectiveness.
The Practice and Play Plan begins with engaging activities, fostering confidence and tennis skills. Including dynamic warmups, skill outcomes, and game-based application, the lesson concludes with character check-ins and reflection.
Green Ball Tennis:
Tailored for ages 10-13 with tennis experience, our Green Ball program advances skills in applying Spin, Height, and Depth. Focused on the 4 Performance Factors—psychological, physical, tactical, and technical—it prepares youth for Beginner-Intermediate Competitive Play.
Acknowledging tennis as an Open Skill, players develop an advanced understanding of techniques and tactics while adapting to Spin, Height, and Depth. Using these, they create a unique playing style and are ready for competitive play.
The Practice and Play Plan starts with an engaging activity, fostering confidence and tennis skills. Including dynamic warm-ups, skill outcomes, and game-based application, the lesson concludes with character check-ins and reflection.
Players who have taken lessons in previous years may be looking to test their skills against other metro area youth. We have tennis team in 12+Under, 14+Under, and 18+Under divisions. Young players can vary greatly in skill and ability, but if they are interested in competing we suggest trying out for our Junior Team Tennis squad to anyone 10 and older.
Please send your child to summer lessons with a water bottle and tennis shoes. It may also be a good idea to provide them with a hat to protect them from the sun.
If you would like to buy your child a racket, feel free to do so. However, SPUT will provide rackets onsite for each child.
We recommend that parents of children ages 5-8 years old stay on site throughout the lesson period.
Yes. Please plan to notify your child's coach of the absence ahead of time.
High Performance Lessons are for tennis players who have participated in our regular lessons for a few years and have a more advanced skill set than a beginner. These classes are ideal for players who are able to maintain a rally and are seeking opportunities to improve in a more competitive atmosphere. In all of our summer youth lessons, kids are grouped by ability, so if the coaches feel that your child is playing at a higher level, they will give them the attention and support they need.
Saint Paul Urban Tennis is a 501(c)3 non-profit and relies strictly upon grants, donations, and lesson fees to keep our programming accessible to all. With that being said, SPUT will stop processing refunds for summer lessons on July 1st.
Rain: Any rain cancellations will be posted on our Weather Updates page and sent to parents via the Remind app.
Heat: If the heat index is predicted to reach 104 degrees, all classes will be canceled for the day. Cancellations will be made the day before if possible and posted on the Remind app.
Lightning: If thunderstorms occur during lessons, classes will be postponed, and coaches will take kids to the closest sheltered area. Play will resume if the storm clears and it is no longer raining.
Cold: If the temperature drops below 38 degrees with a poor wind chill and/or conditions (snowing), classes will be canceled, and communications sent via the Remind app.
Learn about all that is going on with Saint Paul Urban Tennis with regular newsletters and updates.
Saint Paul Urban Tennis
1675 5th Street E
St. Paul, MN 55106
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Phone: (651) 222-2879
Email: admin@urbantennis.org
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Our offices are located at the Eastview
Rec Center. Office hours are:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
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Eastview Rec Center’s open gym hours:
Monday to Friday: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
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We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Tax ID: 41-1725010