Updated 19 June 2002, 14.01

The balls are red, orange and green, and the rackets range in length.

The red ball is almost like sponge and is used by beginners. Because it's so spongey it doesn't bounce very high, so making it easier for young children to control.

The orange ball has more pressure in it, but can still be easily squashed in your hand.

The green ball is harder and contains more pressure, which makes it travel faster and bounce higher on court.

Training sessions

During a typical training session children will not just be learning tennis skills.

The court is split up into sections and every child does an activity that develops different areas of their athleticism.

According to Steve Amos, who's the County Mini Tennis coach for the Lawn Tennis Association in Nottinghamshire, a child can develop co-ordination up to the age of 12, but after that it becomes a lot harder.

Awards and competiitons
From September 2002 mini tennis will have its own awards system.

Children will be able to gain stickers for completing various sections of the course which they can then stick on an award card.

Once each card is complete they can move up a level in the programme.

The children also have many opportunities to play against other kids in local teams.

These competitions are seen by the children as fun events where they can meet new people and make friends, as opposed to being highly competitive.

More Info

Guide to tennis

Chat about sport

Try our Tim and Greg quiz

Try our tricky Tennis quiz

Past Stories
	Kids festival boosts Britain's tennis hopes
	Wimbledon seedings
	Play tennis for free

Web Links
	Official mini tennis site
	Lawn Tennis Association
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