In the beginning of the summer I wrote a blog post about joining me in a journey to create an innovative tennis league.  Alot has happened since then.  We’ve had an amazing summer of tennis, almost 6 weekends of tennis carnivals, a block party and the launch of our Brooklyn, McCarren Park Tennis location and our Queens, Astoria Park Tennis Location (in addition to our new Greenwich, Gramercy, Chelsea and Harlem locations)!  In addition we have sort of quietly launched the version 1.0 of our tennis league called Mini Aces Rally classes.

What does the Rally Class Work on?

We will be focusing on rally skill improvement because that is what makes tennis fun and awesome!  In tennis to rally, after getting familiar with hitting technique, the next important thing is…reception & control.  Reception involves getting into position and adjusting your stroke so that you can return the ball how you want it.  This is usually truly the most challenging part.  Although it may seem like a child is excelling because they can hit shots from the base line while being fed by a coach, the true test is how they can handle varied shots or hitting with a similar aged friend.  As a child comes closer to experiencing rallying the more they will enjoy playing tennis!  So building up the various tennis skills related to rallying is the goal of this class.

How does the Rally Class Work on Reception and Technique?

Technique

Like in our group lessons we’ll teach tennis skill fundamentals, correct students and do tennis hitting drills to practice technique.

Examples of technique drills students will do:

• Hitting 2 forehand groundstrokes (swings) and then a volley and then returning to line
• Hitting 3 forehands and then picking up 3 balls and sidestepping back to the line

Reception & Rally Progression

Students can experience rallying on their first day!  How?  We have set up a rally progression series where they not only work on their reception skills (getting into position and learning how to control the return), they experience the feeling of a rally in exercises that ensure success, and therefore have loads of fun!

Examples of drills students will do in a rally progression are:

• Exercise: Students roll the ball on the ground back and forth trying to pass eachother.  They have to sidestep, get in position, & hit the ball.
  • Skill: Footwork and lateral/sidestep movement & Gauging the ball contact
• Exercise: 1 student tosses the ball and one students bumps/hits with the racquet the ball back.
  • Skill: Lateral movement and front and back movement, foot work, stroke technqiue
• Exercise: The goal is for each student to bump the ball once and then on the third hit for the student to catch it.
  • Skill: Lateral and front to back movement, footwork, stroke technique, recovery

These exercises are incredibly fun and rewarding for young tennis players because they ensure success at each skill level.

Team Oriented

Although tennis can be more of an individual sport, this rally class is focused on team work.  At this age 10 and under, it’s more fun to improve with your friends, this also makes the transition in learning to play for points fun instead of scary.

How is the Court Set Up?

To ensure success we use the quickstart tennis format, based on the Quickstart program developed by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Play and Stay by International Tennis Federation (ITF).  This means appropriate sized nets, youth racquets and a youth sized court of 36 feet.  See video.

Class Length & Student to Teacher Ratio

The class format is a longer class 75 minutes with a 6:1 student teacher ratio.  This allows us to have more time to work on rallying skills and to allow more rotation of players to experience playing with different partners.

Why create a Mini Aces Rally Tennis League/Class?

Most tennis competitions in nyc are set up as indvidual

Unfortunately the way tennis is, it is really hard for students to come close to ball-in-the-air rallying in the first few lessons.

Future Goals of The Rally Class

For now since we are just getting started, the competition is going to have to be within the class against other class mates.  As we build up the program, with the help of you and the community we hope to start the first intermixing youth tennis league to play other teams from other classes!

Who is the Rally Class for?

This rally class if for students 10 yrs and under who are beginner to intermediate players.  Advanced 7-10 year olds who practice tennis 2-3 times a week and their goal is to play tournaments, check out the Bronze level class.

What type of Competition is Involved?

The competition is fun and team based as touched upon above.   Although this season we will not have inter-area competition, we will have the students practice point play within the class.

This Fall, McCarren Park, Brooklyn will offer group tennis lessons for kids and adults! Conveniently located near the G train to Nassau Avenue, these affordable group lessons will enable kids 2-14 years old and adults of all levels to take tennis lessons on a hard outdoor tennis court in Brooklyn. The McCarren Park tennis lessons will also offer private tennis lessons. Call or email for more info!

Address: The McCarren Park, Brooklyn tennis courts are located between Berry Street & Bedford Avenue, and Nassau Avenue & N. 12 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222

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View our Astoria youth tennis lessons schedule here!

View our Astoria adult tennis lessons schedule here!

Beginning Saturday September 11, 2010, Astoria Park has group tennis lessons for kids and adults! Conveniently located near the N and W trains to Astoria Boulevard, these affordable group lessons will enable kids 2-14 years old and adults of all levels to take tennis lessons on a hard outdoor tennis court in Queens. The Astoria tennis courts will also have private tennis lessons available. Call or email for more info!

Address: Astoria Park South & 21st Street, Astoria, NY 11102, between the Robert. F. Kennedy and Hell Gate bridges

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View our Astoria youth tennis lessons schedule here!

View our Astoria adult tennis lessons schedule here!

Never fear, BumbleBee Tennis WILL have fall tennis lessons for youth and adults starting September 16!

BumbleBee Tennis is in the process of finalizing several NEW locations, but will begin youth registration next Monday, August 16.

Interested in lessons at our SoHo location? Registration for youth lessons at this locations is currently OPEN! View the full schedule and sign up here.

To find out more information about our fall schedule and lesson offerings, as well as when registration opens, be sure to join our newsletter list! Simply use the yellow box at the right to receive email updates and notifications concerning our youth and adult lessons as well as special offers.

Here is an overview on what will be offered:

Youth Tennis Classes

Tennis Weekday Morning Classes

• SoHo (St. Patrick’s Youth Center) – Purple classes only Thursday or Friday morning, TBD.
• McCarren Park, Brooklyn – Purple classes only
• Astoria Park, Queens – Purple classes only

Tennis Weekday afternoons

• SoHo – Monday through Friday 3:25pm-5/6:25pm – Registration NOW OPEN
• 125th St – Monday through Friday Afterschool – Registration Opens 8/19
• McCarren Park, Brooklyn – Monday through Friday Afterschool  - Registration Opens 8/16 @ 4pm
• Astoria Park, Queens – Monday through Friday Afterschool – Registration Opens 8/16 @ 4pm

Weekend Mornings

• Greenwich Village (PS 41 on Greenwich Ave.) – Registration Opens 8/16 @ 4pm
• Chelsea (PS 11 on 21st St.) – Registration Opens 8/16 @ 4pm
• West Side (PS 111 on 52nd St.) – Registration Opens 8/16 @ 4pm
• 125th St. (PS 125)* – Registration Opens 8/19
• Gramercy (PS 40) – Registration Opens 8/16 @ 1pm
• Astoria Park, Queens – Registration Opens 8/16 @ 4pm
• McCarren Park, Brooklyn – Registration Opens 8/16 @ 4pm

In addition we are adding a new and exciting competition/rally focused program for Saturday mornings!  It’s a new class setup based on the QuickStart tennis methodology that will get the kids into the feeling of rallying.

Adult Tennis Classes

Scheduled to be added by 8/18, Wed.

Weekends

• West Side (PS 111 on 52nd St.)
• 125th St. (PS 125)
• Gramercy (PS 40)
• Astoria Park, Queens
• McCarren Park, Brooklyn
• Greenwich Village (PS 41 on Greenwich Ave.)

With the sun setting earlier and locations without light we don’t believe we’ll have weekday evening classes for the fall.  We are working on it though and are definitely open to suggestions!

If you have any questions, be sure to let us know! See you on the courts in a few weeks!

With all of the changes occurring at our Columbus Circle location in recent weeks, we did what we could to speed up the process of getting our Greenwich Village court ready…and classes are now scheduled for both adults and youth!

Location & Upgrades

The newest BumbleBee Tennis court is located at 116 West 11 Street, in PS 41′s outdoor area. The entrance to the court is on Greenwich Avenue. It is conveniently near the F, L, and V trains to 6th Avenue- 14th Street.

This outdoor paved tennis court will undergo updating and painting in the next 2 weeks, but is a great, private space to take tennis lessons. The lines will be repainted, as will the tennis court area to make it have the feel and cushion of a traditional tennis court.

Summer Schedule- Convenient Weekday & Weekend Hours

Adult lessons start June 10, with lessons conveniently offered weekday evenings 6-8pm and weekend afternoons 12-2pm. Lessons are available for all levels! View the Adults Schedule here.

Youth lessons for Tiny Tennis and Mini Aces Tennis will also take place weekends from June 26- August 29.  You can view the full schedule and sign up here.

Private lessons are also available for youth or adults, in a one-to-one setting or with as many as 5 people for a private group! Contact us for available times and to schedule your private lessons.

Future Plans

BumbleBee Tennis will continue to offer youth and adult lessons on weekends during the Fall. Be sure to check back for updates on fall registration.

Finally, we are in the process of organizing a Quickstart Tennis competitive league on weekend mornings. We’ll be sure to let you know the details as they become finalized.

We look forward to seeing you on our NEW Greenwich Village court soon!

Update: Although we submitted and won the concession with the NYC Parks Dept., we have been informed that due to an existing agreement with the CTA at the Riverside- 96 Street court, BumbleBee Tennis will not be able to offer lessons or camps at this location. We are currently pursuing other options and will keep you updated should we acquire another location in this vicinity. Thank you for your support!

We won the open bid with the parks department to teach tennis at Riverside Park, in addition to McCarren Park and Astoria Park.

We are thrilled of course.  We are excited to bring our innovative program and customer service chops to the tennis players at Riverside Park.  We envision creating a youth tennis league there, offer camps and have a wide variety of group tennis lessons available!

However there is a unique situation where although we were the winning bidders and the process is an open bid, there is a small but real chance that we may not end up coming to Riverside Park.  Since there is a long time tennis pro there,  seniority may override the bid process.  In the end it will be up to the community and the Riverside Clay Tennis Association.   If you are excited about us offering tennis lessons at Riverside, please let the RCTA know!

They can be contacted at Mark@RCTA.info.

Let us know too and we can pass along the message.   We appreciate any feedback that you may have.  We know that we could really offer some great tennis programs at Riverside Tennis Park on the west side.

Dear Tennis Parents & Players,

We have just been informed that due to criticial roof repair needed to the John Jay College building, the rooftop tennis court will be unavailable for the summer as of June 9, 2010. This is incredibly inconvenient news, as we know you all look forward to the summer tennis camps and lessons we provide at this location.

The good news is that we will still offer camps and tennis lessons in the same building at Columbus Circle, INDOORS, in the gymnasium tennis court on the 4th floor.

Additionally, we have expanded our locations, to now include:

• McCarren Park, Brooklyn
• Astoria Park, Astoria
• Riverside Park, 96 Street
• Greenwich Village, PS 41
• Upper West Side, PS 199
• Camps: Chelsea & Gramercy

What does this mean for you and classes @ Columbus Circle?

• Spring Youth Classes: Any rain make up classes that were added to the end of the session and take place between June 9 to June 15 will take place in the indoor court at the same time.  More info will be emailed out shortly to you.
• Youth Camps: This will NOT affect the youth tennis camp times and days because we will use the indoor gymnasium tennis court.
• Youth Lessons: We still offer them!  Sat 10am-12pm, Tues 3:10-4:30pm, Wed 3:30pm (additional classes may be added).
• Adult Lessons: Adult lessons will take place in the gymnasium tennis court Monday-Thursday 5:30-6:30pm, Fridays 5-8pm, Saturdays 12-2pm and Sundays 11am-2pm. Weekend times will expand or contract according to demand.
• Private Lessons: Contact us to reschedule your lesson according to the altered schedule above. Yes, we will still offer private lessons! Contact us for available times.
• Lesson Prices: Despite classes taking place indoors and the raised cost that goes with this change, we will not increase any of our prices. Prices will remain the same!

What does the gymnasium tennis court look like?

• I strongly feel these indoor tennis lessons are just as wonderful as outdoor lessons, with some of it’s own unique advantages.  We have been doing tennis indoors at SoHo for 3 years and students love it!
• I’ve played indoors and really enjoyed it.  One thing to remember is that in tennis courts surfaces vary from grass to clay!  The indoor court is most similar to clay.

Are there any other weekday evening adult class options?

• PS 199, Indoor Gym Tennis Court (70th St. & West End Ave.): Tuesdays 6-9pm & Wednesdays 5-7pm
  
• Greenwich Village, Outdoor Court (6th Ave. & 11th St.): M-F 6-8pm & Weekends Sat & Sun 12-2pm (could be expanded)

Most Sincerely,

Kristy Oshita, Program Director

Dear Tennis Parents and Players,

The Mission & Goals of BumbleBee Tennis

I’m on a mission this outdoor season, to create the best tennis school in New York City and I need your help to do this.  Will you help me?

What do I mean by the best tennis school in the city?  I want to create a tennis school that makes tennis easily accessible through:

• convenient locations,
• reasonably priced programs,
• conveniently scheduled to fit your busy schedule
• Awesome customer service
• integrated program of classes and competition that makes it easy to enjoy the game on many levels (socially, improvement focused, exercise focused, competition)!

This is not an easy feat, which you might already know if you are a tennis player who has researched the tennis options in the city.  I myself don’t play as much tennis as I wish I could for a myriad of reasons that you could probably relate to such as hard to find tennis partners, long lines for courts, permit confusion, and well as a busy schedule.

In Search of Tennis Courts

I started BumbleBee Tennis with these bright ideas and goals brimming.  I created a website, taught classes, answered the phone (sometimes while I was teaching), responded to emails and continued to look for new locations.  The adventure of this little startup is another story for another post.  As years went by (it’s been more than 3 years now!) we got smarter and our services kept improving (but we are still trying to improve even more!) such as with our automated voice message system for rain cancellations.  But one problem remained elusive to solve, the reality that tennis courts in the city are very hard to come by.  Hmm…I would sit and think, on the subway, walking to the John Jay courts, at the gym, in the kitchen, for an answer to the court situation.

I was beginning to feel pessimistic that I could find an answer…drum roll please…but the good news is we have found not one but two solutions!

1. First as you might have heard, we won the lease to teach at McCarren Park, Riverside Park and Astoria Park!  This is big news for our small school, but we have honed our management chops and believe we will be able to expand and continue to improve our tennis services to you.  So help us create tennis programs that fit what you are looking for by talking to me on twitter, facebook and commenting.  Please help by responding with your input, thoughts, suggestions, and spreading the word.  I would greatly appreciate it.
2. Second is Quickstart tennis.  Quickstart tennis is about getting people to the most fun part of tennis quickly, which is rallying.  Tennis drills are great, but tennis ralleying is even better!  The exciting thing about Quickstart tennis is that you do not need a official surfaced tennis court.  Most hard surfaces will do, along with a pop up net.  Sure it’s great to do on an official paved tennis court, and we do offer that, but at the same time it is not neccessary.  Implementing Quickstart Tennis correctly means more tennis in more places and more affordability for New Yorkers.

I’m so excited because with being in 3 boroughs, I feel like BumbleBee Tennis is finally able to reach it’s goals!  And with the development of our own Quickstart Tennis program, we can offer even more locations and instant tennis playing enjoyment.

Adding Adult Competition

We are looking into adding adult tournaments, parties and round robins on friday nights and weekends.  What do you think about this?

Focusing on the QuickStart Instructional Youth Tennis League

There are a lot of things I would love to accomplish, such as a tennis match up service, but with being a small organization, and well with just 24 hours in a day, I have my heart set on one main goal for the next 4 months; an integrated Quickstart youth tennis league for kids.  This is big.  This is going to take a lot of time, thinking and trial and error.  I could probably sit on the subway from Jamaica, Queens to Coney Island back and forth a couple times everyday and still barely have an idea the best way of implementation.

So far I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I’ve passionately spent late nights reading through many of the Quickstart related tennis sites such as: www.tennisplayandstay.com, quickstarttennis.com, www.acecoach.com and others.  Quickstart is really exciting for tennis, but it does have to be done correctly.  I’ll be posting another post about the exciting reasons Quickstart is a great innovative benefit turn for youth tennis.

Adults don’t worry. I’m thinking about you too!  When the league is on version 2.0, we can start developing Quickstart programs and other competitions for you all.

My Plan to Get this Youth Tennis League Off of the Ground

I am completely dedicating myself; all my time, thoughts and energy to getting this league off the ground.  I wake up everyday with my thoughts speeding around looking for answers.  Besides when I was at the courts, I’ve spent the last few weekends almost in entirety, except for washing dishes and showering of course, brainstorming, drawing, reading all about this league.

This is what I have planned so far as of May 11, 2010.

May & June: We will have Quickstart tennis practices for kids 10 and under at our John Jay college/ Columbus Circle location on the West Side Sunday afternoons.  It’s going to be about $99 for 5 sessions!  If you are interested in having your child join that, contact the office at 347-684-6061.  Dates are May 16, 23, 30 (TBD), June 6, and 13.  These will be practice sessions focused on ralleying with a partner exercises and games, with a 6:1 student ratio.  I know it will be awesome, but I will put it out there that this is the beta launch of the exciting Quickstart youth tennis league.

Also FREE tennis carnivals with FREE tennis instruction, games and activities being held on weekend afternoons at various locations including Greenwhich Village area at PS 41 on 6th Ave. and 11th st., Peter’s field in the Gramercy/Stuyvesant Town area on 20th St. and 2nd Ave., and maybe another place if we can find one .  Any other location ideas?

At the FREE tennis carnivals, we’ll even have free skill level assessments if you would like to sign up your child for the summer or fall league.  Sign up HERE.

July & August: I would like to offer the first fuller version of the instructional youth tennis league via weekly practice sessions with a few practice matches.  This might be hard because it’s the summer, so let me know what you think.

September: First launch of the QuickStart Youth Instructional League 1.0.  Weekly practice and match sessions.

Let’s get started!

I will pull out of my little shell of just thinking in my head, and openly share with you my thoughts, revelations, and developments so we can go on this adventure together.  I’m excited.  Are you?  Help me make tennis more accessible.  Follow me on Twitter (KristyOshita), Facebook & the BumbleBee Tennis Facebook page.  More updates to come!

Sincerely,

Kristy Oshita

BumbleBee Tennis Founder/Director

This past Saturday, BumbleBee Tennis had the pleasure of participating in the Tribeca Film Festival’s Family Fair, in which we provided free tennis lessons and activities to kids and adults! It was fun for everyone who came out and our instructors had a great time as well. Therefore, we’d like to send special thanks to those involved with the fair in contacting us to participate and ensuring the day went smoothly.

Or Click here to view a brief video of the day’s events!

*Video’s Music Credit: http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/pir/free_music_loops.shtml*

And in the spirit of spring and warmer weather, BumbleBee Tennis will be offering FREE Tennis Carnivals weekend afternoons from 2-5pm starting Sunday May 23 at PS 41 in Greenwich Village. Other dates will be as follows:

• Saturday, May 29
• Saturday, June 5
• Sunday, June 13
• Saturday, June 19

Be sure to join us for FREE tennis activities and lessons, FREE prizes, and a guaranteed fun family time.

For the most up to date information on BumbleBee Tennis’ Tennis Carnivals and other programs, be sure to join our mailing list using the yellow box at right!