The Red stage is for beginners. The red ball is larger than a yellow ball and doesn’t bounce as high (just 25 per cent compression), making it a breeze for even the youngest players to hit it comfortably. The courts and nets used in the Red stage are much smaller and easier for kids to move around.
Court size: 3 m × 8.23 or 6 m × 10.97 m
Tennis ball: red ball (25 per cent compression)
Recommended racquet size: 21–23 inches
Hot Shots Equipment
What is a low compression ball?
Red, orange and green low-compression balls don’t bounce as high as a yellow ball, making them easier for children to hit. Watch these animations to find out why the red, orange and green balls are perfect for developing players
Smaller Courts
The courts are smaller too, which makes them easier for kids to play on. It also helps them develop realistic footwork patterns and encourages them to use all parts of the court.
Smaller nets
Portable nets, which are used during the Red Stage on the red courts, come in sizes of 3 and 6 metres.
During the Orange and Green stages, the standard net is used, but it can be lowered depending on the players’ ability.
Choosing the correct size racquet for your child
Picking the right tennis racquet is crucial – if it’s too heavy or the wrong size the child will have trouble swinging the racquet and it could lead to injury. Your child should be able to hold the racquet comfortably when their arm is extended and be able to swing the racquet easily.
Also, make sure the grip is the right size for your child. Your child should be able to hold the racquet comfortably – if the grip is too big or too small, children will grip the racquet tighter. This can lead to injury and inhibit children from developing a fluent technique.
If in doubt, please ask one of our friendly coaches to assist you. Tennis racquets can be purchased at our pro shop located inside the Dingley Tennis Club