ANZ Hot Shots
The Hot Shots program has been developed to help kids regardless of their age and ability, jump in and start playing tennis.
ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is played on smaller courts with modified equipment, including lighter and smaller racquets, lower nets and low compression balls that don’t bounce too high meaning children as young as 5 will be able to begin to develop sound technical and tactical skills that will have them ready for competition by the age of 9 or earlier.
It also means that children will have more success with their tennis, allowing them to rally with their peers, have fun, learn important social skills and make lots of friends along the way.
Blue Stage (Ages 3–5)
The Blue stage introduces children to tennis through games and fun activities. Children learn the basics of tennis including how to rally. This stage really helps children develop their fundamental motor skills; throw, run, catch, jump and most importantly, tracking. This is a great way for kids to start tennis and have fun.
Court size: variable
Tennis ball: red ball (25% compression of a regular yellow ball)
Recommended racquet size: 19–23 inches
Red Stage (Ages 5–7)
The Red stage is for beginners. The red ball is larger than a yellow ball and doesn’t bounce as high (just 25% 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.
Tennis Ball: red ball (25% compression of a regular yellow ball)
Recommended Racquet Size: 21–23 inches
Orange Stage (Ages 7-9)
After mastering the Red stage, children move on to the Orange stage where the ball bounces a little higher (50% compression) and the court is a bit bigger.
Tennis Ball: orange ball (50% compression of a regular yellow ball)
Recommended Racquet Size: 23–25 inches
Green Stage (Ages 8+)
The ball used in the Green stage has a higher compression (75%) and children play on a full-size court.
Tennis Ball: green ball (75% compression of a regular yellow ball)
Recommended Racquet Size: 25–27 inches
