“RED TENNIS” program designed for 5 – 8 year old kids and enables them to learn the basics of tennis through a series of fun activities, based on the fundamental areas of balance, co-ordination, agility, movement and racket and ball skills.
There is 2 stages in this program: “FUNdamentals stream” and “Developing stream”.
“FUNdamentals stream”. Kids learn basics of tennis such as forehand, backhand, volleys, serve and footwork. Players play 1 hour a week in a group. Coaches use basic teaching tools like cones, vertical and horizontal targets.
“Developing stream”. Players play 2-3 hours a week in a group. Coaches use more advanced teaching aids like FitLight, skipping ropes, vertical and horizontal targets, medicine and swiss balls. Kids have more time to work on speed, agility, flexibility, balance, tactics and technique. Learning process is 3 times faster then in a recreational stream. Private lessons, house league and tournaments recommended.
In both streams players play on 1/2 red courts, use red balls and 19-23 inch rackets. The focus is about making it as much fun as possible during tennis lessons. Game-based approach is used.
The most important focus of this stage is to emphasize fun and enjoyment when playing tennis. While participating in other sports to develop fundamental motor skills, the child begins to show a preference for tennis as his/her sport of choice. The child enjoys and acquires basic tennis skills while playing progressive tennis. At the end of this stage, the child’s foundation and skill competencies achieved will be a good indicator in regards to the child’s likelihood of possessing the abilities to progress recreationally or competitively.
General Objectives:
• Further develop fundamental movement skills.
• Further develop fundamental motor skills.
• Explore the optimal windows of trainability for speed and suppleness (flexibility).
• Develop basic tennis skills (technical/tactical).
• Acquire psychological skills (ability to focus, emotional control, positive attitude,
commitment & effort).
• Introduce the rules of the game and tennis ethics.
• Introduce decision-making.