Tennis Tip

Presented by Mike Gardner, Camp Director
Nike Tennis Camp (Amherst) at Mount Holyoke College - All Skills Program

Tennis Tip: Choosing the Right Tennis Camp

Choosing the RIGHT program… At this time of year, we always get questions regarding what program is best to optimize their child’s improvement and what the difference is amongst the various program options at Nike/ Mt Holyoke.

At Nike/Mt Holyoke, we offer a GENERAL SKILLS program, a TOURNAMENT TRAINING PROGRAM at 2 specific levels, a 2 week CHALLENGE CAMP and HIGH SCHOOL ONLY option. We also offer an exclusive College exposure camp for girls.

• General Skills… This program is designed for players from the novice level up to and including advanced beginner range. A strong focus on basic stroke development, correct grips and proper footwork are stressed and reinforced. Players improve dramatically at this level with the repetition drills we provide. Rules, basic strategies and tennis etiquette are an integral part of this program.
• Tournament Training “A” and “B… This unique program is geared toward seasoned tournament competitors and those entering the world of competitive play, including high school and/or club teams.

Tournament “A” caters to the more experienced tournament players with an emphasis on movement training, advanced skills and both singles/doubles strategy and tactics. Learning to develop more power and different spins is emphasized. Mental toughness training is introduced emphasizing patience, shot selection and match preparation.

Tournament “B” suits players that are entering the tournament realm and are working to build up their USTA ranking, Universal Tennis Rating or even move up a spot on the High School tennis team. Training is similar to Tournament A, but with more work on skill development, consistency and basic strategy.

• 2 week Tournament “Challenge Camp” participants train in the regular tournament training program, but they compete in a levelled UTR Tennis Event on the weekend in between sessions. In the second week, campers will work on skiills they had issues with during the event.
• The Girls College exposure camp… This weekend long event is co-directed by Mike Gardner and Jackie Bagwell, coach of Amherst College Women’s Tennis Team. Jackie will be assisted by Caitlyn Lawrence, Head coach of Smith College Women’s Tennis and Aldo Santiago, Head Coach of Mt Holyoke College Women’s Tennis. Campers will get a feel for college tennis through specific college drills, advanced doubles training, lectures and admissions suggestions and information.

Finally, two of our weeks are dedicated to “High School” only participants. During those weeks, we will offer both “General Skill”, Tournament Training “A and “B” as well as “Tournament Challenge” camp. I hope this clarifies and helps you select which program would be the most appropriate for your developing young player.

If you have any questions regarding our RESIDENT or DAY program, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or by calling my cell phone at (978) 618-9254.

Join us on Instagram @Holyokentc.

About US Sports Camps

US Sports Camps (USSC), headquartered in San Rafael, California, is America's largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps. The company has offered summer camps since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high quality sports education and skill enhancement.