Tennis coaching
What age can children start tennis? Mini tennis explained
A parent's guide to the LTA Youth colour stages and how to tell if your child is ready.
Published · 5 min read
Quick answer
Children can start tennis from around age three in soft-ball sessions focused on balance and coordination, and most are ready for red ball mini tennis from about five. The LTA Youth stages then move through orange (around 8 to 10) and green (around 10 to 12) to the full yellow ball. Ages are a guide, so children progress when ready.
If your child has started swinging anything that looks like a racket, you're probably wondering whether they're old enough for proper lessons. The good news is that tennis has been redesigned for young children. Smaller courts, slower balls and shorter rackets mean a four or five-year-old can actually rally, rather than spending the session chasing a fast ball around a huge court.
What is mini tennis?
Mini tennis is simply tennis scaled down to suit young children. Internationally, the ITF's Tennis Play and Stay campaign promotes the idea that starter players should be able to serve, rally and score from their first lesson, mainly by using slower balls. In the UK, the LTA runs this through its LTA Youth programme, which uses colour-coded stages.
Each stage changes three things: the ball, the court size and the net height. As children develop, they move up through the colours until they're playing on a full court with a standard yellow ball.
What are the LTA Youth stages?
The ages below are a guide. Clubs that publish LTA Youth information describe them as approximate, and children move up when they're ready rather than on their birthday.
| Stage | Typical age | Ball | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | About 3 to 5 | Games-based, set up by the coach | Varies; the focus is balance, agility and coordination |
| Red | About 5 to 8 | Around 75% slower than a yellow ball (foam or felt) | Small court, roughly 11 to 12.8 metres long |
| Orange | About 8 to 10 | Around 50% slower than a yellow ball | Roughly 18 metres long |
| Green | About 10 to 12 | Around 25% slower than a yellow ball | Full size court (23.77 metres) |
| Yellow | About 11 or 12 and over | Standard ball, as used by adults | Full size court |
Ball speed and court size figures come from the ITF's Tennis Play and Stay guidance, which gives the speed differences as estimates. A full size court is 23.77 metres long and 8.23 metres wide for singles.
So what age can children start tennis?
Children can start from around three in a blue stage or "tots" style session, where the focus is on movement, balance and coordination through games. Most children are ready for red ball tennis from about five, when they can follow simple instructions, take turns and stay engaged for a short session.
There isn't a wrong age to start. Plenty of children begin at eight, ten or older, and they'll simply join the stage that suits their size and ability. An older beginner might spend a few weeks on orange or green balls to build good habits before moving to a full yellow ball.
How do you know your child is ready?
A few simple signs suggest your child will enjoy a session:
- They can listen to a short instruction and have a go.
- They enjoy throwing, catching or kicking a ball.
- They can stay with a group activity for 20 to 30 minutes.
- They're comfortable being with a coach without you right next to them (or you're happy to stay nearby).
If two or three of those ring true, it's worth booking a taster. If not, there's no rush. A few months can make a big difference at that age.
What happens in a mini tennis session?
For the youngest players, sessions are built around games. Think target practice, catching and throwing, running between cones and short rallies with a soft ball. Children learn tennis skills almost without noticing.
By the red stage, the LTA's approach is for children to learn overarm serves, rallies and scoring, and to start competing as individuals or in teams. Orange introduces more tactics and problem-solving, and green is where children refine their technique on a full court.
How I coach mini tennis and juniors
I coach mini tennis for ages 3 to 7 and juniors aged 8 to 15, from mini red beginners upwards. I'm an LTA accredited Level 3 coach, DBS checked, first aid trained and fully insured, which matters when you're handing over your child for an hour.
My approach with younger children is simple: they should leave the court wanting to come back. That means lots of hitting, short instructions and plenty of praise for effort. Technique matters, but at five or six, enjoyment is what keeps them playing long enough to get good. You can find out more on my tennis coaching page.
What should your child bring?
- Trainers with a flat sole (not football boots or chunky running shoes).
- Comfortable clothes they can run in, layers in colder months.
- A water bottle.
- A racket if they have one. Ask the coach about size before buying, as rackets for young children are much shorter than adult ones.
Where can children play outside lessons?
Practising between sessions helps a lot, even if it's just catching and hitting a soft ball in the garden. Solihull's park courts at Bentley Heath, Elmdon Park, Knowle Park, Malvern Park and Shirley Park are free to book online. See where to play tennis in Solihull and Moseley for details.
For a wider look at lesson types and costs, read the complete guide to tennis lessons in Solihull and South Birmingham, and if you're choosing a coach, what LTA accredited means covers the checks to look for.
Thinking about mini tennis?
If your child is somewhere between three and fifteen and you'd like them to give tennis a go, send me a WhatsApp on 07914 046329. Tell me their age and whether they've played before, and I'll suggest the best starting point.
Questions people ask
Does my child need their own racket?
Not for a first session, as most coaches have rackets to lend. If your child keeps going, a racket of the right length makes a real difference, because an adult racket is far too long and heavy for a young child. Ask the coach to check the size before you buy.
Can my child skip the red and orange stages?
Older beginners often move through the stages quickly, but it's rarely worth skipping straight to a yellow ball. Slower balls give children time to get into position and swing properly, which builds better habits. A good coach will move your child up as soon as they're ready.
Is mini tennis competitive?
It can be, but it doesn't have to be. At the red stage, children start to play points and keep score, and some take part in team or individual competitions. Many children simply enjoy the games and the social side, and that's a perfectly good reason to play.
How long are mini tennis sessions?
It varies by club, coach and stage, so check before you book. In my experience the youngest children do best with sessions that are short, busy and built around games, so they finish wanting more. Older juniors can happily manage a full hour of coaching and match play.
About the author
Max Brazier
Max is a Level 3 personal trainer, LTA accredited Level 3 tennis coach and 3rd Dan karate black belt based in Olton, Solihull. He trains clients one-to-one at home, in local parks or in the gym, and coaches tennis at West Warwickshire, Moseley and Streetly tennis clubs.
More about Max →Sources