Junior Levels
Your Child's Tennis Pathway
What your child is learning at every stage — and what it looks like when they're ready to move up.
Tots Tennis
Ages 3–5One group, no ability bands. All about movement, fun and a first love of sport.
- Running, jumping, balancing and changing direction
- Tracking, catching and throwing a soft ball
- Holding a racket and making first contact with a slow, soft ball
- Following instructions and taking turns in group games
- Trying new things and bouncing back from a miss
Ready for Blue Ball when…
- Can make consistent racket contact with the ball
- Follows group instructions and takes turns
- Moves confidently around the court
Blue Ball
Ages 4–6Mini-court, slow ball. First real technique — all taught through games.
- Correct grip and balanced ready position
- Forehand — swinging low to high, contact out in front
- Two-handed backhand with shoulder rotation
- Underarm serve landing in the service box
- Moving to the ball and recovering back to base
- Basic scoring — understanding in, out and how a game works
Ready for Red Ball when…
- Can rally 5+ times with a partner
- Underarm serve lands in the box reliably
- Can play a basic mini-match and keep score
Red Ball
Ages 6–8Players are grouped by ability, not just age. Four levels — choose a tab to see what each one looks like.
Starter — learning the basics with support
New to Red Ball. Building comfortable, consistent strokes with coach guidance.
- Rallying 3+ times with the coach feeding the ball
- Developing an overarm serve — underarm lands in the box
- Moves to the ball when reminded
- Understands basic scoring; needs help to manage a full set
- Engaged, eager and coachable
Ready for Improver when…
- Rallies 5+ times with a peer on both forehand and backhand
- Overarm serve with basic technique — in the box 3 out of 5
- Recovers to base position without a reminder
- Plays a full set with minimal guidance
- Resets positively after errors
Improver — building consistency and independence
Holding rallies with peers and starting to play with direction.
- 5+ rally with a peer on both sides — aiming cross-court and down the line
- Overarm serve with solid technique; targeting the service box
- Recovers to base after every shot automatically
- Plays a full set independently and keeps score correctly
- Spots the open court and aims there
Ready for Advanced when…
- 10+ rally under mild pressure; varies direction on both sides
- Serve targets a zone; basic second serve lands in
- Aims for open court in real match situations
- Competes in LTA Mini Red events with confidence
Advanced — developing stronger strokes and a tactical brain
Strong technique on both sides. Starting to control points, not just keep the ball in play.
- 10+ rally consistent — varies pace and direction intentionally
- Targets different zones with the serve; reliable second serve developing
- Starting to come forward and play at the net with control
- Begins to construct points deliberately; adapts to different opponents
- Competes in LTA Mini Red events with a competitive mindset
Ready for Team when…
- 15+ rally — uses pace and spin as deliberate tools
- First serve reliable to targets; second serve holds up under pressure
- Builds points with a plan, not just reacting
- Competing in LTA Mini Red events with a positive, competitive attitude
Team — competing and representing the programme
One of the most accomplished Red Ball players. Preparing to move to Orange Ball.
- 15+ rally under pressure — consistent shape with deliberate variation
- Serve targets zones with pace or spin; second serve reliable
- Comfortable playing at the net as well as from the baseline
- Reads the opponent and adapts in real time
- Competing in inter-club or LTA Mini Red events with consistency and composure
Ready for Orange Ball when…
- Consistently at Team level across all areas
- Competing in LTA Red Ball events and giving a strong account of themselves
- Ready for a larger court and a faster ball
Orange Ball
Ages 8–9Longer court, slightly lower net, more pace. Tactics and shot-making develop — topspin is introduced and will grow over time.
Starter — new to Orange Ball or just joining the group
Getting comfortable on a longer court with more pace. Building consistent groundstrokes and a reliable serve.
- Rallying with a peer on both sides — getting the ball back with shape and control
- Overarm serve landing in the box consistently; beginning to direct it
- Starting to move to the ball and recover to base position
- Understands match scoring and can keep score independently
- Willing to have a go; engaged and coachable in sessions
Ready for Improver when…
- Can sustain a rally with a peer and play with some direction
- Serve lands in the box reliably; starting to aim it
- Recovers to base position after most shots
- Manages a full match and keeps score without help
Improver — playing with direction and starting to compete
Holding rallies with peers and beginning to play with a plan. Topspin is being introduced and developing.
- Rallying with a peer on both sides — directing the ball cross-court and down the line
- First serve to a target zone; second serve developing
- Starting to play with a plan — uses direction and court positioning with intent
- Comfortable coming forward and playing at the net
- Beginning to think about entering LTA Orange Ball events; plays matches with growing confidence
Ready for Advanced when…
- Directs the ball with purpose on both sides under match pressure
- Serve lands to a target consistently; second serve reliable
- Plays with a plan — uses direction and positioning rather than just reacting
- Ready to start entering LTA Orange Ball events
Advanced — playing competitively with a developing game
Playing with real intent on both sides. Stronger shots used to build and finish points, and competing in LTA events.
- Uses stronger shots with great effect — builds and finishes points with them
- Serves to different zones with purpose; controls service games
- Comfortable playing from anywhere on the court — baseline and net
- Constructs points deliberately; reads and adapts to opponents
- Competes in LTA Orange Ball events with a positive, competitive attitude
Ready for Team when…
- Uses stronger shots with great effect to build and finish points regularly
- Comfortable playing at the net as well as from the baseline under pressure
- Constructs points with a plan; adapts tactics to different opponents
- Competing in LTA events with composure and consistency
Team — competing at the highest Orange Ball level
One of the strongest players at this stage. A well-rounded game, ready for the step up to Green Ball.
- Both sides used with purpose and effect — builds and finishes points with confidence
- First and second serve are distinct tools; controls service games
- Athletic movement — good first step, covers the court well
- Full tactical awareness; builds a match plan and adjusts in real time
- Competing in LTA Orange Ball events with confidence and a competitive mindset
Ready for Green Ball when…
- Consistently at Team level across all areas
- Competing in LTA Orange Ball events and performing with confidence
- Physically and technically ready for the full-size court
Green Ball
Ages 9–12Full court, near-full speed. Technique, tactics and match play all develop — whatever their starting point.
Starter — new to Green Ball or returning to the game
Getting comfortable on a full court with a faster ball. Focus is on building consistent groundstrokes, a reliable serve and an understanding of match play.
- Getting the ball over the net and in play consistently on both sides
- Developing a reliable serve — landing in the box with reasonable consistency
- Beginning to move to the ball and recover to a base position
- Understands match scoring and can follow a game
- Enthusiastic and willing to try — supported by the coach through drills and guided play
Ready for Improver when…
- Can sustain a rally and keep the ball in play with some consistency
- Serve lands in the box reliably; starting to aim it
- Moves to the ball and recovers to base after most shots
- Can play a full match and keep score independently
Improver — playing with direction and growing confidence
Holding rallies, playing with intent and starting to think tactically. Beginning to think about entering LTA events.
- Rallying with a peer on both sides — directing the ball cross-court and down the line
- Serve landing in consistently; starting to direct it with purpose
- Starting to play with a plan — uses direction and court positioning with intent
- Comfortable coming forward and playing at the net
- Playing matches with growing confidence; beginning to think about LTA Green Ball events
Ready for Advanced when…
- Directs the ball with purpose on both sides under match pressure
- Serve lands to a target consistently; second serve reliable
- Plays with a plan — uses direction and positioning rather than just reacting
- Ready to start entering LTA Green Ball events
Advanced — playing competitively with a developing game
Competing in LTA events and using stronger shots with real effect to build and finish points.
- Uses stronger shots with great effect — builds and finishes points with them
- First and second serve as distinct tools; controls service games
- Comfortable playing from anywhere on the court — baseline and net
- Constructs points deliberately; reads and adapts to opponents
- Competing in LTA Green Ball events with a positive, competitive attitude
Ready for Team when…
- Uses stronger shots with great effect — regularly builds or finishes points with them
- First and second serve used with purpose and reliability
- Reads and adapts to different playing styles in competition
- Competing in LTA Green Ball events with composure and consistency
Team — highest Green Ball level, Junior is next
Among the strongest players at this stage. Competing at a high level with an all-round game and individual development beginning.
- Complete game — all areas reliable, stronger shots used with great effect
- Good court coverage; reads play early and moves well
- Adapts to different opponent styles; adjusts tactics in real time
- Manages emotions under pressure; competes with resilience
- Competing at regional or national Green Ball level with confidence
Ready for Junior when…
- Consistently at Team level across every area
- Competing at regional or national Green Ball level with confidence and resilience
- Physically, technically and mentally ready for full-speed tennis
Junior
Ages 11+Full-speed tennis with a standard ball. Whatever their starting point, this is where players grow into the game at their own pace.
Starter — new to the game or returning to tennis
Getting comfortable with a standard ball on a full court. Building confidence through rally, serve and basic match play.
- Getting the ball over the net and in play consistently on both sides
- Developing a reliable serve — flat or underarm, landing in the box
- Beginning to understand scoring and how a match is structured
- Enjoying the game; willing to have a go and try new things
- Supported by the coach through drills and guided match play
Ready for Improver when…
- Can sustain a rally and keep the ball in play with some consistency
- Serve lands in the box with a reasonable degree of reliability
- Understands the basic rules and can follow a match
- Shows enthusiasm and engagement in sessions
Improver — able to play a match and hold their own
Comfortable playing a basic match against a player of similar age. Starting to use the forehand with more effect and playing with direction.
- Rallying with a peer on both sides — cross-court and down the line emerging
- Serve landing in consistently; starting to direct it with purpose
- Gets the return into play; beginning to aim cross-court
- Plays a full set independently and keeps score correctly
- Starting to use their stronger shots with more effect — building points with them
Ready for Advanced when…
- Can play a match against a peer with confidence and some tactical awareness
- Uses their stronger shots with good effect — building or finishing points with them
- Serve is reliable and landing to a target most of the time
- Competes in LTA junior events; stays composed whatever the score
Advanced — playing competitively with a developing game
Competing in LTA events and developing a well-rounded game. Uses the forehand with great effect to build and finish points.
- Uses the forehand with great effect — controls pace, spin and direction to build and finish points
- Varied first serve placement; second serve lands in under pressure
- Aggressive return on short or weak serves — creates opportunities from it
- Plays with a clear plan — uses direction, positioning and shot selection to control points
- Adjusts tactics when things aren't working; competes with composure
Ready for Team when…
- Uses forehand and backhand with real effect across a full match
- Serve controls service games; second serve holds up under pressure
- Competes in LTA junior events and performs consistently
- Tactical plan adapts in real time to different opponents
Team — competing at a high level with a complete game
One of the strongest players in the programme. Competing at county, regional or national level with an individual development plan in place.
- Complete game — both sides used with great effect to build and finish points
- Serve controls service games against strong opposition
- Formal S&C programme; periodised training; athletic and explosive movement
- Full tactical awareness — builds a match plan and adapts in real time
- Competing at county, regional or national level with confidence and resilience
What happens next?
- Individual development plan reviewed every term
- Performance squad training — higher volume, higher intensity
- County, regional and national competition calendar managed with your coach