Bishop Sutton Junior Tennis
specialises in optimising your junior's tennis experience. We offer programmes for all ability levels from beginner to advanced.
Our coaching programmes are designed for 4-12 yr. old students who want to have fun and learn to play tennis. This includes beginners who have never hit the ball and intermediates who have had some prior instruction.
Recreational players are grouped by ability with a sensitivity to age, and children are taught how to hit all strokes, keep score and rally. We work on tennis skills and play fun games using their new skills. the focus is on FUN games that teach tennis skills.
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Bishop Sutton Tennis Club has adopted The LTA’s Mini Tennis system in order to simplify the game of tennis. A range of different court sizes and equipment have been identified which will enable children to participate and progress. Kids can then play the GAME. A simple colour coding makes it easy to progress.
Mini Tennis Options
Red
is the 1st stage of Mini Tennis and is aimed at children between the ages of 4 – 8 years. The emphasis at this stage is on developing movement, co-ordination and ball skills and above all else, fun! Mini Tennis red can be played on a modified badminton court or a modified area of a tennis court and uses a large slow moving ball.
EQUIPMENT / RULES
RACKET
Depending on the size and strength of a player the racket size should be between 19” – 23”
BALL
There are 2 different balls that should be used. For indoors an 8cm sponge ball
For outdoors an 8cm low bounce ball
SCORING
The tiebreak should be used. 1st player to reach 7 points. This can be flexible and could be according to age and time available
MOVING ON
At all stages within Mini Tennis players should move to the next stage when they can:
- Hit the ball at a consistent height
- Maintain a long rally (between 10-20 shots)
- Use a variety of strokes
- Use tactics
- Be able to PLAY THE GAME OF MINI TENNIS
Orange
introduces children to playing on a full size tennis court that is shorter in length. This stage of Mini Tennis is aimed at children aged 7 upwards, but younger children can play at this level dependent upon their ability. The low bounce Mini Tennis Orange ball slows the game down to a speed that will bring out the best in the children allowing them to have maximum fun! The emphasis is on the children playing the game, enjoying competition and hitting all the shots that the stars hit on TV!
EQUIPMENT / RULES
RACKET
Depending on the size and strength of a player the racket size should be between 23 ” – 25”
BALL
A mini tennis orange (low compression ball) should be used
SCORING
The tiebreak should be used. 1st player to reach 7 points. This can be flexible and could be according to age and time available
Green
is the final progression before children move to tennis. A full size tennis court is used but to keep the game at a speed that children can cope with, the Mini Tennis green balls are slightly softer than normal tennis balls and bounce at an appropriate height. Again the emphasis is on the children playing the game. Competition plays a more important role at this level as children are encouraged to play more matches as they progress towards the full size game.
EQUIPMENT / RULES
RACKET
Depending on the size and strength of a player the racket size should be between 23" - 26"
BALL
A mini tennis green (mid ball) should be used
SCORING
The tiebreak style or proper tennis scoring with abbreviated format should be used e.g one abbreviated set with tie-break at 4-4
