Eagle Tennis Academy

A community academy rising from a changing tennis landscape

When a prominent indoor club in the Treasure Valley closed in late 2024, the ripple effect was immediate. Hundreds of juniors and adults needed a new training home, coaches scrambled to preserve momentum, and families wondered if they would have to drive long distances just to keep a weekly routine alive. Eagle Tennis Academy formed in that vacuum, not as a polished resort but as a clear plan for keeping the sport local. The program took shape on the outdoor hard courts at Eagle High School, guided by coaches who already knew the area’s players, teams, and rhythms. From day one, the pitch was straightforward: consistent coaching, a position based training language, and schedules that fit school calendars and family life.

The academy’s early seasons focused on fundamentals that travel well from practice to match play. Instead of promising quick fixes, the staff leaned on structure, repetition with purpose, and an environment that rewards attention to detail. That approach has helped the academy grow while staying true to its community roots. Players do not walk past fountains or a pro shop on the way to the baseline. They walk past the same school facilities where they will compete in the spring, which reinforces that the work they do here connects directly to the goals they care about.

Location and climate, and why they matter

Eagle sits just northwest of Boise in Idaho’s high desert. Summers are hot and dry, evenings cool down quickly, and rainouts are less frequent than in many other tennis regions. That climate shapes the schedule. Morning blocks keep younger athletes out of the worst heat, mid day is reserved for players who can manage higher temperatures, and late afternoon becomes tactical time when the sun begins to dip. The outdoor setting is not a limitation when the calendar is used intelligently. Coaches plan hydration breaks, shade rotations, and ball cycles to maintain quality as the day warms. Parents quickly learn that a wide brim hat, sunscreen, and a chilled water jug are as essential as a fresh grip.

The setting also brings a motivational edge. Training on public school courts keeps the mission visible. It reminds players that they are part of a local pipeline, not just a private program, and it makes tennis feel accessible to newcomers who might be intimidated by a traditional club. For families driving from Eagle, Meridian, or Boise, the commute is short, the parking is easy, and the atmosphere is familiar.

Facilities and on court tools

Eagle Tennis Academy trains on six outdoor hard courts at Eagle High School. The surfaces favor the modern baseline game, with true bounces that reward good spacing and height control. Court usage is organized by level to keep live ball tempo appropriate for each group. Because this is a court first environment, you will not find boarding or a dedicated on site recovery center. What you will find is a well run practice block where time and staff attention go to footwork, ball quality, and decision making.

Technology is present in practical ways. Coaches use simple video clips for before and after comparisons on serve shape, contact height, or a player’s ability to keep posture through the hit. Weekly progress tracking turns general feedback into specific milestones. Parents do not receive a vague report that their child is improving. They hear that the player is now holding contact around shoulder height on the forehand in neutral exchanges, that the second serve is landing deeper more consistently, or that recovery steps are cleaner on approach patterns. Those details create accountability without overcomplicating the session.

Coaching staff and philosophy

The program is led by Eagle High School head coach Percy Chan, with seasonal leadership from Summer Academy Director Todd McPeak. Guest coaches rotate in from regional college programs during the summer break, which adds fresh hitting styles and voices while maintaining a consistent core message. The staff’s tone is professional and direct. Corrections are specific, the court culture is positive without being sugary, and the standard is clear for effort, footwork, and focus.

Methodologically, the academy teaches a position based approach to point construction. Rather than isolating strokes in a vacuum, players learn to organize choices by where they stand and what the incoming ball allows. The curriculum cycles through five key contexts: behind the baseline, neutral zone, attack position, finishing at net, and point integration. Each context includes the technical shapes that support it, the footwork patterns that enable it, and the scoring formats that reinforce it. The result is a shared language. When a coach says neutralize high and heavy to the deep cross, everyone knows the targets, the height window, and the recovery map.

Programs and schedules

Eagle Tennis Academy offers three summer tracks for juniors, a fall after school block, a range of adult options, and private lessons.

• Silver Group, generally ages 8 to 12, runs weekday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The focus is topspin, footwork basics, and the first steps into live play. Shorter sessions keep energy high and heat exposure low.
• Gold Group targets teens and developing competitors, weekday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Emphasis shifts to stroke production under pressure, serve plus one patterns, and decision making in neutral exchanges. Light video and progress tracking support these players as mechanics become more stable.
• Junior Excellence is the four hour tournament prep window, Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Players stack live points, situational games, conditioning, and mental routines in a single block. Hydration plans and shade breaks are built into the design for midsummer afternoons.

The fall after school program runs three afternoons per week from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. over roughly ten weeks from mid August into October. The academy groups by level rather than age, which keeps courts efficient and ensures that a focused 14 year old does not spend a session feeding balls to a beginner or vice versa. Registration and communication are centralized through the academy’s channels, and each block includes a clear outline of themes, targets, and match play dates.

Adult offerings mirror the junior structure. League Practice sharpens patterns for USTA and local league players, Cardio Tennis provides upbeat fitness with stroke reps, Mixed Doubles blends social play and tactics, and a Beginner Clinic brings in new adults with fundamentals that progress toward rally competence and serve consistency. Weekend Warrior options give busy parents a reliable touchpoint, and Family Tennis lets kids and adults share the court in a guided format that keeps the energy light and the instruction on point.

Private lessons are available across levels. Many families pair a weekly lesson with a group block, which allows targeted technical work on a specific priority, then immediate transfer into live ball situations during a group session. That pairing is often the most cost effective path for measurable, sustained change.

Training approach and player development

A position based system only matters if it links to the real demands of match play. Eagle’s daily plans build that bridge. Here is how a typical week might unfold:

• Monday, behind the baseline: height windows to clear the net by a comfortable margin, depth targets to push opponents back, and rally tolerance measured by a simple scoring game that rewards heavy crosscourt depth.
• Tuesday, neutral zone: mid court recognition, timing of the split step on short balls, and approach selection with a bias toward high percentage patterns like approach cross, volley deep middle, recover tight to the center line.
• Wednesday, attack position: stepping inside the baseline on shorter replies, committing to contact on the rise, and playing first strike points to a shot quota rather than to endless rallies.
• Thursday, finishing at net: volley posture, overhead spacing, and doubles specific formations that teach players to protect the middle and close with conviction.
• Friday, integration and match play: situational sets with constraints, scoreboard pressure, and reflective notes that capture what held up under stress.

Technical coaching meets players where they are. Grip changes are introduced only when they unlock a necessary ball shape. Footwork is taught as a library of patterns rather than a single set of steps. Players learn when to use a drop step versus a crossover, how to sequence a load and transfer without losing posture, and why recovery routes differ when pulling a crosscourt backhand versus driving it down the line. On serve, Eagles emphasizes a simple toss window, a relaxed arm path, and a clear contact picture long before chasing extra miles per hour. The result is speed that shows up inside the court where it matters.

The physical strand blends coordination, mobility, and energy system work appropriate for age. Silver and Gold groups build jump rope rhythm, ladder patterns, basic strength using bodyweight, and core stability that supports a strong posture through contact. Junior Excellence layers in sprint mechanics, repeat sprint ability, and court specific conditioning that translates to third set resilience. Off court, athletes receive guidance on sleep, hydration, and simple recovery habits they can sustain at home.

Mental skills are taught in practical terms. Players learn a between points routine that includes a release breath, a quick cue for the previous point, and a clear plan for the next ball. They practice scoreboard awareness, knowing the difference between a green light point and a hold pattern. They set short, controllable goals for the week and review them with a coach on Fridays. Nothing is framed as magic. Everything is framed as a habit that can be practiced.

Education in the academic sense matters too, especially in the fall. Coaches coordinate with families around school workloads so players can keep their grades strong while maintaining a consistent training presence. For college bound athletes, the staff helps with film, schedules, and realistic targeting of programs that fit both tennis level and academics.

Alumni and outcomes

Eagle Tennis Academy is young, so the alumni board is in its early chapters. The staff’s direct connection to Eagle High School tennis gives players a near term target that is concrete and motivating, from making varsity to competing well at district tournaments. For competitive juniors, the academy’s tournament prep block supports goals like improving a Universal Tennis Rating or earning results at sectional events. As seasonal guest coaches cycle in from college programs, players gain perspective on what daily standards look like at the next level, which helps families calibrate expectations.

Culture and community

The court culture is competitive, friendly, and orderly. Expectations are posted and revisited. Water breaks are planned, not chaotic, and the simple habits that make a court run smoothly are non negotiable: balls off the baseline during points, clear score calls, and quick transitions between drills. Because the setting is a school campus, younger players often share the space with motivated high schoolers. When managed well, that mix is powerful. Younger athletes see what is possible up close, and older players learn to model leadership without losing training intensity.

The academy’s pricing structure and sibling discounts match its community mission. Families can schedule around travel, other sports, or jobs without committing to long, inflexible blocks. Proceeds tied to school tennis reinforce the idea that participation supports something bigger than an individual lesson.

Costs and accessibility

Eagle Tennis Academy is transparent about fees, which helps families plan. For summer blocks, Silver Group has been listed at 150 dollars per week, Gold Group at 180 dollars per week, and Junior Excellence at 300 dollars per week. Adult League Practice has been offered at 240 dollars for the summer, Mixed Doubles at 200 dollars for the summer, Cardio Tennis at 20 dollars per session, the Beginner Clinic at 95 dollars per month, Weekend Warrior at 75 dollars per month, and Family Tennis at 85 dollars per family. Private lesson rates are provided on request. Families should confirm current details during registration, since session dates and prices can change with demand and staffing.

Because there is no boarding, cost drivers are simple: the number of weeks selected, any private lesson add ons, and tournament travel. The weekly format lets families work around vacations and other obligations, often lowering total spend compared with fixed multi week residential camps.

What sets Eagle apart

• A clear, teachable system. The position based curriculum organizes choices by court location and ball characteristics, which shortens the path from drill to match day impact.
• Accessible structure and pricing. Weekly sign ups, posted fees, and sibling discounts reduce friction and make tennis a realistic option for multi sport households.
• Community connection. Training on school courts keeps the program close to the teams it feeds and lowers the barrier for new players who might hesitate to join a private club.
• Honest scope. There is no boarding and no on site recovery suite. Families choose Eagle for focused coaching and a reliable plan, not for amenities that inflate costs.

How it compares and complements

If you are weighing options, it helps to understand fit. Eagle’s seasonal, community centered model pairs well with year round or travel experiences. Families seeking an indoor winter base can look at an indoor high performance option. Players who want a short residential block in summer might compare a boarding powerhouse at IMG. Those who value sport plus education in a nonprofit setting can explore community tennis and education. Thinking in complements rather than either or often yields the best development plan.

Future outlook

Two local dynamics will shape Eagle’s evolution. First, the reduction of nearby indoor courts after the 2024 closure increased demand on public facilities. The academy’s ability to maximize shared spaces, schedule smartly, and collaborate with school teams is now a competitive advantage. Second, regional athletic planning that includes additional tennis courts would expand capacity for training blocks, match play, and local events. Eagle’s flexible scheduling and community ties position it well to adapt if new courts come online or if partnerships open opportunities for winterized surfaces.

On the program side, expect the curriculum to deepen rather than balloon. The staff is more likely to add a situational doubles lab or a targeted serve block than to chase trendy bells and whistles. That restraint is a strength. It keeps the academy focused on the thin slice of work that moves the needle for most juniors and adults: cleaner contacts, better spacing, smarter decisions, and a mental routine that holds under pressure.

Is it for you

Choose Eagle Tennis Academy if you want a no nonsense training base on outdoor hard courts, a curriculum that teaches shot choices through court position, and schedules that respect school and family life. It is a strong fit for beginners who need structure, developing teens who want more live play and feedback without committing to a boarding academy, and competitive juniors who benefit from a four hour tournament block. It is less suitable if you require year round indoor courts, on site housing, or a campus style sports science setup.

The most telling endorsement comes from the day to day feel on court. Players arrive with a plan, coaches coach, and small wins accumulate into real change. If that is the environment you want, Eagle Tennis Academy is worth your calendar and your commitment.