Parks and tennis facility managers love QuickStart Tennis. That's because QuickStart gets more kids playing more frequently. QuickStart Tennis keeps kids coming back for more because it's easier to play and is more fun.
Incorporating the QuickStart Tennis format into existing 10-and-under programs is a simple and effective way to increase participation and player retention. Additionally QuickStart Tennis format allows you to put up to six 36-foot-courts on one 78-foot-court, allowing six-times the number of the players. That means better court utilization and more revenue per court.
When utilizing the QuickStart Tennis format, you will need to put down lines on your existing tennis courts to create the dimensions needed for the 8 & under (36' x 18') and the 10 & under (60' x 21') courts. There are three ways to create these courts: use temporary lines, lay down permanent lines or build new courts.
The decision on which method to use is based on programmatic needs.
Setting Up The Courts With Temporary Lines
The full tennis court can be used to create four, 36'x 18' courts or one, 60' x 21' court with either chalk, tape or throw down lines.
For the 36'court
The backcourt of the full tennis court is exactly the same size as the court specs for the 8 & under age group. It is 36' from doubles sideline to doubles sideline and 18' from service line to baseline. The use of both backcourts will give you two 36' x 18' courts. To mark these courts the following lines need to be added:
Center Service Line
Along each singles sideline, make a mark nine (9) feet inside the baseline towards the service line (half way up the backcourt). Then place a continuous length of tape, chalk or a number of throw down lines between the two marks. This line becomes the center service line of the 36' court. On clay courts the line could be marked with the line brush and then throw down lines used.
Center Service Mark
Mark and tape the center service mark on each doubles sideline (now the new baseline for the 36' court).
Alley Lines
For competition purposes the full sideline of the 36' court needs to be marked by placing additional lines across each alley as extensions of the full court service line (extending the new 36' sideline)
Nets
Place the net or tie tape across the 36' court between the center service mark and the junction of the full court service line and center service line
The service boxes of a full tennis court on either side of the net can be used as 36' courts but are too wide without additional lines being put down. To mark 36' courts in the service boxes the following lines need to be added:
Sideline
Place a mark three (3) feet from the net, on both singles sidelines, doubles sidelines and the center service line. Then place a continuous length of tape, chalk or a number of throw down lines to link all the marks and thus form one sideline . The service line of the full court is the other sideline
Center Service Line
Make a mark nine (9) feet towards the net from the full court service line that is halfway up the full court side lines and the center service line. Then place a continuous length of tape, chalk or a number of throw down lines between the 3 marks. This line becomes the center service line of the 36' court. On clay courts the line could be marked with the line brush and then throw down lines used.
Center Service Mark
Mark and tape the center service mark on each doubles sideline
Alley Lines
For competition purposes the full sideline of the 36' court needs to be marked by placing additional lines across each alley as extensions of the full court service line (creating the new 36' sideline)
Nets
Place the net or tie tape across the 36' court between the net and the junction of the full court service line and center service line
Note: There are no additional sidelines for doubles on the 36' court
For the 60' court
The singles court is 21' wide so 4 extra lines will need to be added (2 baselines and 2 sidelines). The doubles court is 27' wide and so only the 2 baselines need to be added.
Baseline
If 36' courts have been marked out in the full court back court, the center service line already marked becomes the baseline of the 60' court. If the 36' court has not been marked out, you should do the following:
Along each singles sideline, make a mark nine (9) feet inside the baseline (half way up the backcourt). Then place a continuous length of tape, chalk or a number of throw down lines between the two marks. This line becomes the center service line of the 36' court. On clay courts the line could be marked with the line brush and then throw down lines used.
Singles Sidelines
Place a series of marks 3' inside both singles sidelines. These marks should be on the 2 baselines of the 60' court, the 2 full court service lines and by the net. Then place a continuous length of tape, chalk or a number of throw down lines to link all these marks and thus form the singles sidelines of the 60' court. On clay courts all lines could first be marked with the line brush and then throw down lines used.
Note: The full court singles sidelines are used as the doubles sidelines on the 60' court and the net is the normal full court net.
You have 3 options for temporary lines, chalk, tape and "throw down" or "roll down" lines. Each are proven successful and safe to use on various court surfaces.
Type of Chalk
There are a variety of non-toxic wash away chalk products on the market that can be used. Over time, the chalk will wear off or wash away in the rain. Chalk products will not work on clay courts.
Type of Tape
The most commonly used tapes are the 1.5" "painter's" tape or "clean release" tape. These two products are readily available at most hardware and home improvement centers: Scotch Painter's Tape #2090; Duck Clean Release Tape
Throw down or roll down lines
These rubber lines are easy to use over and over again and the kids in your program can even help put these down with ease. The lines come in different lengths and widths and can be cut to the fit your court specs. Most retailers, who sell teaching aids and court equipment, offer this type of product.
The Rules of Tennis do allow USTA National/Sectional/District events or tournaments to be played on courts with additional lines, such as those used for the QuickStart Tennis format. However, the rules do prohibit play on courts with additional lines laid for ITF (International Tennis Federation) and ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) events and tournaments.
If you are interested in placing permanent lines on existing courts using these specifications, we recommend you contact a local court contractor or e-mail the USTA at technical@usta.com for further assistance.
If you are interested in building permanent, new tennis courts using these specifications, we recommend you contact a local court contractor or e-mail the USTA at technical@usta.com for further assistance. | 
