What is Red Ball Tennis?

Red Ball Tennis is designed for kids aged 5-7, with a focus on using age-appropriate equipment to ensure that children can learn while having fun. With a smaller court, softer balls, and smaller racquets, Red Ball Tennis provides the ideal setting for kids to learn the basic tennis strokes and concepts without feeling overwhelmed.

The Red level is specifically created for players up to 8 years old, and it uses slightly larger and low-bouncing Red balls to help keep the ball where young players can hit it. In fact, you can fit four Red-level tennis courts on a full-sized tennis court, which maximises space and makes the game easier to learn for kids.
The program encourages children to develop essential skills in coordination, balance, and agility. These early lessons in fundamental perceptual motor skills (FMPS)—such as running, jumping, and hitting the ball—are vital in helping children build confidence and a love for the game. According to Tennis Australia, tennis helps children develop both fine and gross motor skills, which are crucial in other areas of physical and cognitive development.

Benefits of Red Ball Tennis
One of the most significant benefits of Red Ball Tennis is that it targets core developmental areas that are essential for young children. Tennis isn’t just about hitting a ball over a net—it’s about movement, hand-eye coordination, and social interaction. For kids, these FMPS play a critical role in their ability to develop motor control and physical confidence. These skills are foundational for both athletic performance and overall health.
For example, coordination in tennis helps children refine their ability to move their bodies in space while controlling the ball. By learning to balance, they are more likely to develop better posture and body awareness, which contributes to better coordination and agility. Moreover, as kids grow in the sport, the developmental benefits of tennis extend beyond physicality into social skills, as they begin to interact with others on the court, fostering teamwork, empathy, and sportsmanship.
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​Red Ball as the First Step in Tennis
Starting with Red Ball Tennis is about laying the groundwork for later success. Once kids grasp the fundamentals of Red Ball tennis, they’ll naturally progress to the next stages - Orange Ball and Green Ball tennis - where they continue to refine their skills in a larger space and with more complex rules.
But it all starts here, with Red Ball. As they gain confidence in handling the ball, rallying with a partner, and learning to serve, they develop the necessary skills to compete at higher levels. This gradual progression helps build their confidence and keeps them excited about the game, which is essential for fostering a lifelong love for tennis.

Why Red Ball Works
The secret to why Red Ball Tennis works is simple: it’s based on age-appropriate coaching methods and court size. Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn, but they also need guidance that meets their developmental needs. In Red Ball coaching, the focus is on making tennis fun and engaging so that kids are motivated to come back for more. This method of junior tennis coaching emphasises skills like balance, footwork, and coordination through fun, interactive drills and games, helping children develop important FMPS that serve them in tennis and in life.
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Additionally, Red Ball Tennis nurtures a child’s confidence. The physical activity involved builds stamina, and the social interaction with other kids helps them learn to communicate, cooperate, and compete in a supportive environment. By introducing kids to tennis at this stage, parents are setting them up for a future of active play and healthy habits.

If you're interested in giving your child a strong start in tennis, contact us at Ready for Tennis to learn more about our Red Ball Tennis program and how it can help develop their skills, coordination, and confidence!