Group Lessons

Meet Players, Up your Game, Have fun

The RCTA is pleased to offer a variety of group lessons.  These programs are a great way to work on your game in an organized, social way.  Please read the class descriptions to determine what is best for you.  If you are not already an RCTA member, you must become a member before registering.  Please look at event locations closely as we are also offering group lessons at 119th Street.

All group lessons are one hour, $45 per week with the exception of Junior Aces (2 hours, $90 per week).

Juniors - Fall 2024: REGISTER Now (BEGINS SEPTEMBER 3)

If you do not see an appropriate program at 96th Street, check the 119th Street Junior Groups!

  • Red Ball (Ages 5-6):  For young beginners playing tennis for the first time. The red ball is 75% slower than a standard yellow ball. This allows for the development of proper fundamentals and technique with agility, balance, coordination and fun. Up to 6 players per group, 6 classes, $270.
  • Orange Ball (Ages 7-8):  For beginners progressing from Red Ball, orange balls bounce higher and move faster than red, but lower and slower than green balls. Young players will continue to improve their technique in a fun and manageable way. Up to6 players per group, 6 classes, $270.
  • Green Dot Ball (Ages 9-12):  Progressing from Orange Ball, the green dot ball is 25% slower than a standard yellow ball. At this level, players will continue working on their grip, strokes and serve with more speed and bounce. Up to 6 players per group, 6 classes, $270.
  • Rising Rackets (Ages 12-17):  This group is for juniors who have prior tennis training but have not yet reached the level of consistent rallying, ball-feeding and point play. This is NOT a beginner group, and is intended to be in preparation for moving up to Junior Aces. Up to 6 players per group, 6 classes, $270.
  • Junior Aces (Ages 12-17):  Players registering for this class must be able to self-ball feed, consistently rally and play points. This is our highest level junior program and it is only intended for those who are fully on this level.  Junior Aces will complete two hours of fast-moving drills including varied competitive situations. Players will also learn the rules and strategies of formal match play. Up to 6 players per group, 6 two-hour classes, $540.

Adults - Fall 2024:  REGISTER Now (Begins September 3)

If you do not see an appropriate program at 96th Street, check the 119th Street Adults Groups!

  • Cardio Tennis: A high-energy group fitness activity that combines the best features of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, using tennis drills and games to deliver the ultimate full-body, calorie-burning aerobic workout. Up to 6 players per group, 6 classes, $270.
  • Adult Beginner: This classes is for beginner to advanced-beginner level players who are looking to learn and improve, or have little to no match play experience. Up to 6 players per group, 4 or 6 classes (depending on the group), $45/class.
  • Adult Intermediate: This drill-oriented class is for players who can sustain a ten-ball rally, control and direct the ball, and use topspin and slice.  Players who register for intermediate and do not meet the skill requirement may be asked to move to a beginner group, to maintain the integrity of the program. Up to 6 players per group, 6 players per group, 4 or 6 classes (depending on the group), $45/class.
  • Stroke of the Week:  Each week will focus a specific shot: Forehand, backhand, volley and overhead, serve, then put it all together in the last two weeks. Take all of your strokes to the next level with Coach Heyden this fall!  Players joining this group must already be comfortable with the basics of all of these shots. This is not a beginner group.  Up to 6 players per group, 6 players per group, 6 classes, $270.

There are no refunds for absences. You may email will@rcta.info to inquire about finding a time for a potential makeup. Makeups are not guaranteed. All makeups must be with the same coach in the same type of group.

If you’d like to register after a group begins, please join and then email will@rcta.info. You may be refunded for weeks that have already passed. You must be an RCTA member to register.

Rain Policy:  Please read the blurb on the registration page for the rain schedule for your specific group. Some groups will offer one or two rain dates as backup for rainouts, after the conclusion of the initially scheduled weeks. These will always be at the same date and time of the week. Other groups will not have any rain dates, and in this case all rainouts are refunded after the end of the session.

Makeup Policy:

There is no guarantee that absences will always get made up. However, the Riverside Tennis Association aims to provide players the opportunity to find alternate groups to join if they are absent. Absences will not be refunded. Here are the parameters for when a player may do a makeup:

-Makeups must be done at the same location (no moving between 96 and 119)

-Makeups must be done with the same type of group (no switching between Beginner, Intermediate, and Cardio).  Stroke of the Week may do makeups with Cardio or other Stroke of the Week groups.

-A makeup player can never be the seventh player on the court. If a group has 6 players registered and they all do arrive, the makeup player must allow them the court and may try again at another time.

-Makeups must be done in the same session (no making up spring absences in the summer).

-Players can do a makeup with another coach as long all the above are followed.

-There is no “reserving” a makeup slot based on seeing availability online and asking if the spot can be blocked off for the day.

Check the list of groups for options!

Download the TennisGroups app to take the RCTA on the go!