1. Prerequisites

When applying to take the final tutorial and exam for the Specialist in Little Tennis degree, USPTA members first must have accomplished each of the following:
1. A USPTA Professional or Master Professional rating
2. At least two years’ experience directing programs for children ages 3 to 10
3. Taught at least 200 children ages 3 to 10
4. Videotaped documentation of on-court competency
5. Working knowledge of the USPTA Little Tennis program
6. Attendance at a "Little Tennis" or "Teaching large groups of adults and children" specialty course
7. Current CPR/First Aid certification

For more information contact USPTA.

2. Required competencies

The curriculum directors have determined the following competency requirements.

1. Program administration and marketing
1. Steps to starting a program
2. Continuing publicity and evaluation
3. Finances
2. Lesson program design
1. Format
2. On-court assistants
3. Teaching young children
4. Equipment
3. Additional programming
1. Little Tennis for school children
2. Leagues
3. Others: Olympics, carnivals, parties, etc.
4. Child development - physical and psychological characteristics of children at age:
1. 3
2. 4 and 5
3. 6 and 7
4. 8 to 10
5. Lesson plan development
1. General elements of all lesson plans for children
2. Choosing games and drills
3. Using assistants
6. On-court competencies
1. Presentation of lesson plan
2. Use of age- and skill-appropriate drills
3. Use of assistants (parents)
4. Use of graduated equipment
5. Rapport with children
6. Motor skill and stroke progressions

Note: USPTA reserves the right to modify the prerequisites and competencies at any time.