Snow Canyon Men's Tennis is a USTA recognized No Cut tennis program. This means that anyone who registers, meets school and team requirements will have a spot on our team. The skill level on the team typically ranges from competitive club players all the way to beginners.
VARSITY
Varsity will consist of the top 8-10 players as decided by the coaches. Coaches will announce who will start on varsity at the conclusion of the first week of practice. These players are considered varsity contributors, they can earn the opportunity to play at the varsity level against another school. Players may move in and out of varsity depending on in season development, injuries, etc. No varsity position is guaranteed, coaches will adjust lineups to give our team the best chance for success. Varsity players are expected to be live by our GRIT moto and always put the team first.
VARSITY PRACTICE
Monday-Friday
3:15PM-5:15PM
JUNIOR VARSITY
Junior varsity will consist of the next 12-14 players who aren't on varsity. Coaches will announce who made the JV team at the conclusion of the first week of practice. These players are seen as players who can develop into future varsity players. JV players will play in most matches and tournaments with players at similar skill levels. JV players will be given the opportunity throughout the season to work their way onto the varsity team based off of their improvement, dedication to the team, GRIT and team need.
JV PRACTICE
Monday-Friday
3:15PM-5:15PM
PRACTICE SQUAD
The practice Squad is made up of any players who aren't on Varsity or JV. These players will practice for an hour after our Varsity and JV practice. These players are an important part of our team and are included in all team activities. Depending on the size of teams we are playing and our player availability these players may have opportunities to play matches but it's not guaranteed. We will have a couple Practice Squad tournaments in season for players to develop match experience. Practices will be fast paced and focused on skill development, athleticism and gaining confidence. As practice squad players develop they can earn the opportunity to join our JV team based off of team need.
PRACTICE SQUAD
Monday-Friday
5PM-6PM
Below are the attributes coaches are looking for while deciding whether a player fits best on the Varsity, Junior Varsity or Practice Squad. Coaches will use a number of factors in deciding our player placement including a ladder, skills sheet, previous results/experience, dedication and team chemistry.
Court Skills:
Do you have all of the basic shots down? Groundstrokes, net play, serves, returns? Do you understand how and when to hit shots and how to attack your opponents weakness? Do the mechanics of your strokes allow you to hit the ball consistently in and to where you want it? Can you defeat someone of lesser skill than you in a tight situation? Coaches will be looking at all of these aspects for all players. We want players that can do it all and have all the necessary skills.
Dedication:
This concept requires ZERO skill, only effort and attitude. We will be looking at all girls to gauge their level of commitment towards the sport and the team. Being punctual (on-time) is a must to show dedication to the sport and your teammates, you can't cheat the game by not taking it serious. An effort of 100% is required at all times no matter what is happening on the outside of the court. We know you might not feel comfortable or capable at times on the court or in life but max effort is a constant that never should dwindle. We want players who are dedicated to the sport.
Athleticism:
How good of an athlete are you? How high can you jump? How fast can you run? What kind of shape are you in? How's your reactions? While many people are born athletic there are those who work hard at becoming athletic by effective training and correct practice. Being an athlete on the tennis court is one of the biggest advantages for high school players, use that to your advantage. If you're less athletic than you'd like to be, play other sports to become more comfortable and athletic on the court. We love players who play multiple sports. We want our tennis players to be athletic.
Coachability:
Being coachable is a life skill that requires ZERO talent. Taking advice or direction from a coach and putting it into practice is vital, it helps achieve the vision of the team and enrich the playing experience. Athletes who aren't coachable miss the big picture of team success and how it affects others. We look for athletes who are looking to be coached knowing that there's always a chance to improve.
Attitude:
Once again, this is something that requires ZERO skill. Having a positive attitude will allow you to be humble and grow at the same time. Making things pleasant on the court has everything to do with attitude and that takes preparation on and off the court. While being athletic is a huge determining factor for success on the tennis court, one's attitude will put them over the top and help them achieve ultimate success. Humility goes along way in sports as you acknowledge there's more to do and improve upon. Whether you're involved in a drill, exercise, workout, or match, a positive attitude will only help you perform better. We are looking for players who have a positive attitude.
Growth, Resilience, Integrity, Teamwork
All Snow Canyon Men's Tennis players are expected to live by our team moto. G.R.I.T.
Growth:
Growth is about adopting a growth mindset. This means seeing every challenge, every loss, and every mistake not as a failure, but as a chance to learn and get better.
Learning from every match: Win or lose, analyze what went well and what could be improved.
Embracing tough opponents: Playing against a strong opponent is an opportunity to push your limits and discover areas for improvement.
Improving practice habits: Always be looking for ways to improve your serves, volleys, and groundstrokes during practice.
Resilience:
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Tennis is a sport of momentum swings and mental battles. Being resilient means you can stay strong even when things don’t go your way. It’s about not letting a bad call, a missed shot, or a frustrating point get in your head.
Shaking off mistakes: Don't dwell on a double fault or an unforced error. Focus on the next point.
Recovering from losses: A loss can be a major setback, but a resilient player uses it as motivation to train harder.
Overcoming fatigue: In long, grueling matches, resilience is what keeps you fighting even when you’re tired.
Integrity:
Integrity is the commitment to doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. In tennis, this is especially important because many matches are self-officiated. It’s about being honest with line calls and always showing good sportsmanship.
Honesty on the court: Making fair and honest line calls, even if it costs you a point.
Respect for opponents: Treating everyone with respect, regardless of the score.
Following the rules: Adhering to the rules of tennis and the code of conduct.
Teamwork:
While tennis is often seen as an individual sport, teamwork is crucial for high school tennis. The success of the team depends on the support and camaraderie of every single player.
Supporting your teammates: Cheering on players during their matches and being a positive presence on the sidelines.
Practicing as a unit: Working together during drills and helping each other improve.
Building a strong bond: Getting to know your teammates and fostering a supportive, family-like environment.
