Tennis Hot Shots (THS) is the national starter tennis programme for New Zealand children.
With almost 200 venues nationwide, it’s easy to start playing! Tennis Hot Shots is just for kids. Smaller courts, shorter racquets and softer balls mean that kids can play a proper game of tennis from the moment they step on court.
Serving, rallying and scoring is made easy because of the smaller courts, slower balls and shorter racquets. THS sessions are made up of tactical, technical, fun and social elements which create developmental readiness in children.
Kids move through stages that suit their age and stage of development. As players improve, the balls get a bit bouncier, the racquets a bit longer and the court a bit bigger. With THS it’s not a race to the yellow ball and both new players and competent ones will develop all the tactical, technical, mental and physical skills required for tennis whilst progressing through the stages of the programme.
Red Stage (age 5-8+)
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 comfortably. The courts and nets used in the Red stage are much smaller making it easier for kids to move around and enjoy success. Red level players may
Court size: 3 m × 8.23 or 6 m × 10.97 m
Tennis ball: red ball (25% compression)
Recommended racquet size: 21 -23 inches
Pricing: $200.00 (10 weeks)
Monday – Friday: 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm
Saturday: 8.30am to 9.15am
Saturday: 11.15am to 12.00pm
Sunday: 8:45am to 9:30am
Orange Stage (age 8-10+)
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. Orange players play over the regular net on a three quarter length court.
Court size: 6.4 m × 18.29
Tennis ball: orange ball (25% compression)
Recommended racquet size: 23 – 25 inches
Pricing: $230.00 (10 weeks)
Monday – Friday: 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Saturday: 9.15am to 10.15am
Sunday: 9:30am to 10:30am
Green Stage (age 10+)
The ball used in the Green stage has a higher compression than the Red and Orange stages (75% of a yellow tennis ball) and children play on a full-size court. Green players may be older children who are new to tennis or players of a good standard who have progressed through the Blue, Red and Orange stages.
Court size: 10.97 m × 23.78 m (full court)
Tennis ball: green ball (75% compression)
Recommended racquet size: 25-27 inches
Pricing: $230.00 (10 weeks)
Monday – Friday: 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Saturday: 10.15am to 11.15am
Sunday: 10:30am to 11:30am