At Victor Harbor Tennis Club it is important for us to make sure that every player gets a fair go at tennis and we have been working on various programs for our youngsters to join in.
For years most sports have taught children the basics through the use of smaller or modified equipment and a reduced playing area. This approach helps children learn new skills faster and easier. It also means kids experience success early, which means there is a better chance that they will enjoy themselves and want to play again.
But tennis has lagged behind. In the past, children were taught on a full-size court with a yellow ball. For small children, the court is too big to cover and the ball bounces too high for them. This can cause problems with stroke development and it’s frustrating for kids.
Using slower red, orange or green balls and smaller courts will help put an end to these problems and give kids the chance to serve, rally and score right from their first time on court.
The low-compression red, orange and green balls are slower and don’t bounce as high, which gives kids more time to hit the ball and it encourages correct stroke technique.
The smaller courts are great for young players who progress to larger playing areas when they are ready.
Add to this racquets that are the correct size for kids and chances are their first tennis experience will be a great one.
Red ball tennis is for the very young players, between 5 - 8 years old and this is considered to be a starting point for parents with young players. The balls are a little bigger, the court smaller and the nets much lower to encourage play and not just one hit wonders. For more information on this program, please see our RED BALLERS page.
This program has be developed for players between 7 - 10 years old who is just starting their tennis career or who have been playing Red Ball and has mastered all the skills and are now able to play on a bigger court with a quicker, smaller ball. For more information on this program, please see our ORANGE BALLERS page.
This program has be developed for players between 7 - 10 years old who is just starting their tennis career or who have been playing Red Ball and has mastered all the skills and are now able to play on a bigger court with a quicker, smaller ball. For more information on this program, please see our GREEN BALLERS page.