Tennis Hot Shots
About Tennis Hot Shots
Tennis Hot Shots is THE name for kids’ tennis in New Zealand. The programme reinforces international best practice - promoting the game using a learning through play philosophy meaning kids learn TENNIS rather than just technique. There are plenty of opportunities for play through sessions based around fun, tactical play, skills and social development.
Serving, rallying, and scoring is made easy because of the smaller courts, slower balls, and shorter racquets, meaning kids can play a proper game of tennis from the moment they step on court! THS sessions are made up of tactical, technical, fun, and social elements which create developmental readiness in children.
With almost 200 venues nationwide, it's easy to start playing!
Tennis Hot Shots Stages
The Blue Stage introduces children to tennis through games and fun activities. Children learn the basics of tennis including how to rally using lots of adapted equipment such as balloons, big balls and beanbags. Often, blue sessions are held indoors in spaces more suited to small people.
The Red stage is for beginners. The red ball is larger than a yellow ball and doesn’t bounce as high, making it a breeze for even the youngest players to hit it comfortably. While the courts and nets used in the red stage are much smaller and easier for kids to move around.
After mastering the Red stage, children move on to the Orange stage where the ball bounces a little higher and faster and the court is a bit bigger.
The ball used in the Green stage bounces higher and faster than the orange ball and children play on a full-size court.
Finally, when they are ready, kids graduate to the yellow ball and play on a full-size court.
The Four Components of Tennis Hot Shots
Tennis Hot Shots is made up of four components of delivery that all share the same philosophy - learning through play; modified equipment; a progressive pathway. This allows kids to develop their skills right from the start and continue learning at a pace that suits them!
The four components are Coaching, Clubs, Tournaments and Schools:
Tennis Hot Shots Coaching is all about helping you do what you do best. Coach.
Small, focused groups, a progressive pathway through the blue, red, orange and green stages, modified equipment to help kids learn best, and user pay so you can grow your business at the same time as giving your participants the best experience. Hot Shots Coaching is for children aged 3-12, catering for those trying tennis for the first time, as well as advanced players who are committed to tennis as a main sport of choice.
Hot Shots is a great addition to your tennis coaching business, and it’s a great investment. The Tennis Hot Shots format allows for groups of children to play at once on the same court – no queues, no standing around. For just $200 you can join the programme and receive $1000 of benefits. What are you waiting for?!
Community Play is a quality club programme that offers kids (and their parents) a chance to see what Tennis Hot Shots is all about. Community Play is also brilliant for kids who already have lessons as a chance for them to put what they've learnt into action!
Tennis Hot Shots caters for clubs of all sizes and in all locations. Community Play is a programme designed especially for clubs and can be used very successfully in conjunction with your coaches Hot Shots coaching programme, or on its own if you don't have a coach!
Community Play can be run by club volunteers, parents or guardians or coaches. It is a play based programme which gives all children the opportunity to play in a fun, supportive environment.
Tournaments and Leagues make up the Competition Component, and give kids the opportunity to compete in a fun, friendly, welcoming environment that is family friendly.
Competing is at the heart of sport, including tennis. The vast majority of young players aspire to improve their game and compete in appropriate surroundings.
Tennis Hot Shots Tournaments align with the philosophy and development stages of the Hot Shots programme. Catering for children aged 5-12 in the red, orange and green stages of the programme, they use smaller courts, shorter racquets and super hittable balls which means kids can play and enjoy tennis from their first try.
A child having a great competitive experience relevant to their age and standard, at their local club or centre, is the cornerstone of having them fall in love with the sport and therefore become lifelong participants.
Already delivering tournaments? Register your event here with Tennis NZ to receive benefits for every tournament you hold!
Lots of children experience tennis for the very first time at school through the Tennis Hot Shots Schools component. Coaches, Tennis Regions and Associations all around the country offer fantastic introductory programmes to schools through Tennis Hot Shots.
To get tennis into your school, to find out more about the costs, scheduling and availability of the programme, simply contact the appropriate person in your region.
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