Red | FIT Tenis

Red level

Red level is for kids of age 6-8. It is played on small courts with short rackets and red low pressured balls. This level has two sub-levels called Red 1 and Red 2.

Program in numbers

6-8

That's the recommended age for this stage.

4

4 main parts:

Warm-up, FUNdamental skills, Racket skills, and games.

6

A coach should be able to handle up to 6 kids.

Example: Group of 18 kids should have at least 3 coaches.

45-60

The class duration should be 45-60 minutes.

RED 1

FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS

The objective for this level is to focus on developing the fundamental movement skills of the player. Unlike in the Active Start program, this level, includes racket skills, as ball receiving and ball tracking. The children are also introduced to basic abilities as grip, footwork, underarm, serve, and more. We also present basic rules of tennis, counting, and names of the lines on the court. Familiarization with these concepts from an early age is necessary to enjoy the game of tennis. All these exercises are performed in small groups on different stations, so the players can stay focused on one thing at a time while having FUN.

Criteria

good behavior - respect for the coach and the other players, appreciation for own material stuff and material provided by the tennis club

tennis equipment - tennis shoes, tennis clothing, racket, beverage

Material

Children at age of 6-8 years have very often multiple interests and sports activities. Therefore, it is crucial to compile the lesson as interesting and enjoyable as possible, in order for the child to continue with tennis. We still recommend setting up the court as a playground, the same as in the Active Start program. The best way is to use as much material as possible, to keep it varied and interesting, such as low pressured red balls, mini nets, blocking gloves, goals, catching rackets, agility ladder, cones.

Structure of the lesson

Each lesson consists of 4 main parts:

All kids start with a warm-up together. Afterward, we recommend splitting the group into 2 or 3 smaller groups, depending on the number of players and coaches. FUNdamental and racket skills have their own station and the groups rotate the stations after a certain amount of time. In the last part of the lesson, games, we can regroup all kids together, so they can learn how to work in a team, socialize, and have FUN.

WARM-UP - active and passive movements with the involvement of all body parts, in order to prevent injury
FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS - footwork, agility, balance, and speed exercises
RACKET SKILLS AND DRILLS - Ball eye coordination exercises, racket and ball exercises, mini tennis
TENNIS AND GAMES - Variations of games using all kinds of skills while having FUN

Reccomended time split of the lesson:

What will kids learn in RED 1?

How to position the body, hands, and feet to receive - tracking
Increase of range and consistency of developed skills
Increase of control and accuracy
Techniques to pass a ball
Continental grip
Basic rules of tennis
Underarm serve
Ability to participate in social tournament of their age level

RED 2

FUNDAMENTAL SPORT SKILLS

By mastering fundamental movement skills, children find it easier to learn fundamental sport skills. The combination of these two types of skills forms the basis of physical literacy and opens the door to new sports and physical activities and helps build a better, more confident athlete and person. The objective for this level is to follow up on fundamental movement skills and convert them into sports skills. The focus is put on the development of the correct tennis-playing technique, while still improving motor and coordination skills. The players also learn the complete rules of the game and basic strategies. They are led to become more independent and comfortable on the court.

Criteria

sufficient level of fundamental movement skills - If children are introduced to sport skills before movement skills, they often struggle to learn the sports skills and can risk injury

shows interest in tennis

basic knowledge of forehand, backhand and volley

understanding of 2 different grips – continental, forehand

be able to rally with the coach up to 15 times over the mini-net

participation in club or local mini tennis tournaments

good behavior - respect for the coach and the other players, appreciation for own material stuff and material provided by the tennis club

tennis equipment - tennis shoes, tennis clothing, racket, beverage

Material

Same as in programs Active start and Red level 1, we still recommend using as varied equipment as possible. The material should include equipment used for the development of technique and tennis skills but also of coordination, agility, speed, strength, and flexibility. The pressure should not be put too much on competition, rather on fun and games. Since at this level the children might have different tennis skills, it is important to adapt the size of the material to the player’s abilities.

We recommend using low pressured red balls, mini nets, goals, agility ladder, cones, targets, and more.

Structure of the lesson

Each lesson should consist of 4 main parts:

All kids start with a warm-up together. Afterward, we recommend splitting the group into 2 or 3 smaller groups, depending on the number of players and coaches. FUNdamental and racket skills have their own station, and the groups rotate the stations after a certain amount of time. In the last part of the lesson, games, we can regroup all kids together, so they can learn how to work in a team, socialize, and have FUN.

WARM-UP - active and passive movements with the involvement of all body parts, in order to prevent injury
FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS
- Locomotor skills - running, jumping, hopping, galloping, rolling, leaping and dodging, horizontal jump, slide.
- Manipulative skills - throwing, catching, kicking, striking and trapping, dribble, overhand throw, and underhand roll
- Stability skills - balance, twisting, turning, and bending
RACKET SKILLS AND DRILLS
- Ball eye coordination exercises, racket and ball exercises
- Volley, forehand, and backhand drills
- Fundamentals of serve
TENNIS AND GAMES
- Tennis
- Variations of games using all kinds of skills while having FUN

Reccomended time split of the lesson:

What will kids learn?

Increase range, consistency, control and accuracy of sports skills
To use a range of skills with increasing control
Improvement of speed and direction changing
Overhead serve crosscourt
2 different grips
Simple tactics and strategies
Complete rules of tennis
Ability to participate in tournaments of their age category
To start understanding these values:

Our recommendation!

QUANTITY OVER QUALITY

Practice on your own outside of the organized training. Great improvement can also be achieved through private lessons, where the player receives individual attention so there is more time for a more detailed explanation of proper technique and correction of possible mistakes. In order to advance the mental strength and gain the needed experience, we suggest participating in under 8 local tournaments. In short, play as much as possible and do not put too much pressure on perfect technique.