There are four groups in the mini tennis family:
Please see Junior Coaching Programme and Junior Tennis Camps for further information on coaching at AECC for 'Minis'
Tots is for children aged 3 - 5 years old and enables them to learn the basics and how to enjoy the game through a series of fun activities, based on the fundamental areas of balance, co-ordination, agility, movement and racket and ball skills.
There are no specific Rally Awards at this stage although players can receive stickers as reward and recognition for trying hard, achieving certain skills and working well with others in the group.
Tots play with sponge balls and 17 or 19 inch rackets and the focus is about making it as much fun as possible.
LTA Mini Tennis Tots exercises can be used to build a lesson for young children or can be used as a starting point for the Coach to then develop their own ideas.
They can help provide a structured yet flexible curriculum that can also help to standardise and provide direction to a coaching programme.
Mini Tennis Red is for players aged 8 and under. It is played on small courts with short rackets and soft balls. It’s just like the real game and gives players opportunities to have long rallies and play different types of shots.
There is also the chance to Earn Your Stripes through the LTA Mini Tennis Red Rally Awards.
Mini Tennis Red is for players aged 8 & under.
A foam or felt ball is used which is 75% slower than a yellow ball.
A court with dimensions of 11m x 5.5m or 12m x 6m. It's fine to use badminton court lines.
The net is at a height of 80cm (in the middle).
A shorter racket of 43cm – 58 cm (17” – 23”) is recommended depending on the size and strength of the player.
Please contact the contact the club's coaches for details of when we are running Mini Red courses.
Players are encouraged to play fun competitions in teams and as individuals, with short matches using tie-break scoring.
Mini Tennis Orange is a great way for players to continue their progress from Mini Tennis Red and is for players aged 8 and 9. It is played with shorter rackets, softer balls and courts are bigger and wider than the red stage but still smaller than full-size tennis courts allowing players to develop a rounded game whilst learning a range of techniques and tactics.
It is the next stage before playing on a full sized court and helps players develop different shots and tactics.
There is also the chance to Earn Your Stripes through the LTA Mini Tennis Orange Rally Awards.
Mini Tennis Orange is for players aged 8 and 9.
An orange ball is used which is 50% slower than a yellow ball, giving players better control at this important stage of development.
Mini Tennis Orange is played on a 18m x 6.5m court.
80cm at the middle of the net.
A racket of 58cm – 63 cm (23” – 25”) should be used depending on the size and strength of the player.
Please contact the contact the club's coaches for details of when we are running Mini Orange courses.
At Mini Tennis Orange there are team and individual competitions with matches using tie-break scoring - usually the best of three tie-breaks.
Mini Tennis Green is a great way for players to continue their progress from Mini Tennis Orange. It is played on a full size tennis court, with bigger rackets and balls which are a little softer than yellow balls.
It’s the next stage before moving on to full compression yellow balls on a full sized court and helps players develop and improve all aspects of their game.
There is also the chance to Earn Your Stripes through the LTA Mini Tennis Green Rally Awards.
Mini Tennis Green is for players aged 9 & 10.
A green ball is used, which is 25% slower than a yellow ball.
Mini Tennis Green is played on a normal size court. Doubles matches should also be played on a normal size court with singles sticks in place (if available).
The net is at full height.
A bigger racket of 63cm – 66cm (25” – 26”) should be used but not compulsory.
Please contact the contact the club's coaches for details of when we are running Mini Green courses.
At Mini Tennis Green there are individual and team competitions, with scoring extended to short sets.