A new youth tennis league format that can challenge soccer, baseball, other team sports for children!

In his article titled "Lessons learned from team sports," Joe Dinoffer made some very good points in comparing team sports and their relative success among children with that of tennis. He listed several reasons why tennis lags behind team sports such as soccer and baseball: youth tennis lacks teams, uniforms, equipment, rule changes for younger kids, parent coaching, smaller fields and courts, immediate game play and we could go on, but wait! Now, USPTA members can have their own bread and butter, a new concept called Jungle Team Tennis. This unique team tennis format may help get children hooked in a similar way as little league baseball and soccer leagues do. Jungle Team Tennis may ignite energy and numbers in the gymnasiums, recreation courts, indoor clubs and tennis camps.

Jungle Team Tennis emphasizes good sportsmanship and safety habits, especially when on the sidelines. Tennis racquets should only be given to players on the court, not in the hands of players on the sideline. Only positive cheering for both teams is encouraged, with no negative words, sounds or booing allowed from players or parents. Team T-shirts are encouraged to promote team spirit and it is also a good idea for parents to bring snacks and drinks for both teams to socialize together after the match. Children ages 5 to 6, 7 to 8, 9 to10 and mixed ages are recommended for team formation and balance. Older age groups can be used with more advanced rules.

The basic setup of Jungle Team Tennis revolves around a league format of four to eight weeks with one match a week. Only one short tennis court is needed with small nets, in a gym or on open pavement. Space must be provided on each side of the tennis court for two teams of six to eight players, with substitutes who may be put in during any phase of the match, to line up. Four racquets, six targets of three different sizes and about 40 balls (14 cans of practice balls) are needed. A flip scorecard (to 8 points) is recommended for this event to give players the opportunity to keep track of their score during match play. Each phase or part of Jungle Team Tennis is scored by giving 1 point to the winning team per round or phase. The total points scored by each team at the end of the match determines the champion. A parent or coach and player captain is needed for each team and the rules should be reviewed before beginning play.

There are three phases to this format.

Phase I: Relay tennis skill competition
During this phase there are three games to be played, with a different task for each one. Each team will line up in a single-file formation behind one of the doubles alleys. This event is scored by points earned and which team finishes first.

The three skill activities I use are: ball on racquet string relay, dribble ball and racquet sandwich relay. Please feel free to choose your own activity to fill the three skill requirements.

Game 1: Ball on racquet string relay
Members from both teams race one another while balancing a tennis ball on their racquet. Each time a player drops the ball, he or she must pick it up, place it on the racquet and start where the ball was dropped. Both hands must be on the grip of the racquet during the relay and the first team to finish eight laps (down and back) wins. At the end of the first game, the winning team scores 1 point.

Game 2: Dribble ball
The first team to finish eight laps wins this relay, also. A player dribbles the ball down the alley, or his side of court, touches the net with his free hand and dribbles back to the next player on their team. If the ball stops bouncing, the player may pick it up and begin dribbling again from where he or she left off. At the end of the second game give 1 point to the winning team.

Game 3: Racquet sandwich relay
Two players begin with a ball sandwiched between their racquets, behind the baseline. The ball may not be touched during the relay. Both players go down the alley, touch the net with one of their hands and come back to the next pair of players in line. Each time the pair drops the ball, they may pick it up and re-sandwich the ball from the point of the drop. The first team to finish eight laps wins and earns another point.

At the end of this phase it will be important to have each team exchange a handshake to continue good sportsmanship. Make sure that one of the players or a parent from each team keeps the scorecard up to date so the teams can see their scores as the contest evolves and concludes.

Phase II: Team target contest
Each team lines up in a single-file formation behind the baseline close to their own doubles alley, one on the right side and one on the left side. The first players from each team go to an agreed upon position and receive a tossed ball from their coach, who is on the other side of the net, or they may drop-hit. Every player gets one swing then goes to the end of his or her line. Substitutes may be put in after each game, but not during the game.

The object is to hit the three to six targets placed on the opposite side of the court, with three on each half of the court identical in size and shape. The different zones (service box, back court, doubles alley) of the court may also be used as targets. Each target represents a point value determined by the size of target. For example, the smallest target may be worth 3 points, while the largest target is worth only 1 point. Each team has 20 balls to be used equally among its players and the team that reaches 8 points first, or is in the lead after the 20 balls are used up wins the game. A second and third round are optional while earning 1 point for each game won. All players must shake hands with opponents before playing the next phase of match.

Phase III: Rally tennis match
Both teams are positioned off court on their sideline, similar to a dugout in baseball, with a complete line-up from one to six or eight players. The first player from each team positions himself either behind the service box or the baseline, depending on level of skill and age of players. Boundaries are also explained at this time by using either the service box area or the regular court singles area. Only bumping and half strokes should be permitted, no overheads or hard strokes.

The parent or coach feeds up to three balls to his or her team’s player from the opposite side, or same side, of the court so a rally may be played out. A player may also serve or use a bounce hit as an option. Once each player touches the ball, the rally is official and the point is played out. Each player has three attempts to start a rally and score a point for his team. If a rally cannot be started by the third ball, no point is awarded.

The winner of the point gets to turn the scorecard, and the two players go to the end of the line. This continues with each player in the line-up and at a total of 4 points, the teams switch sides.

Doubles, triples, quad teams and up to six vs. six may also be played. When using more than two players, unlimited bounces are allowed, a player may pass the ball to a teammate and the ball is alive until it is rolling on the ground. After each point served, rotate clockwise in order to give each player a chance to serve. For safety reasons, the server should be in front and center to avoid errant serves from hitting other players on his or her side. The receiving team must let the ball bounce once before playing it to teammates.

Two out of three games can be played, ending when one team scores 8 points. Record each win as 1 point for the team. All players are encouraged to go to the net and shake hands at this time to conclude the end of the match.

Parents can volunteer to head neighborhood Jungle Team Tennis Leagues. The rules can be adjusted to fit the age and skill level of the group. This program should be free of charge, or offered at a minimum cost to cover T-shirts and some food expenses, to the community until numbers justify creating a formal league. USPTA professionals can serve as consultants and contacts for future skill development through lessons and clinics.

Good luck with your Jungle Team Tennis!