Hot Shots Course Overview
A World Class Starter Programme for Kids
Tennis Hot Shots is the national starter tennis programme for New Zealand children. With hundreds of 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.
The Four Components
Tennis Hot Shots is made up of four components 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!
Using modified equipment means kids can play an adult version of the game from the very start, developing technical, tactical, physical and mental skills without being put off by huge courts, heavy racquets and balls that bounce too high.
The four components of Tennis Hot Shots are...
Schools: Coaches, Tennis Regions and Associations all around the country offer fantastic introductory programmes to schools through Tennis Hot Shots.
Coaching: Hot Shots Coaching is all about player development and is offered by professionally qualified and registered tennis coaches. Find a coach near you.
Community: 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! Find a venue near you.
Competitions: 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. Learn about Tournaments.
Serve, Rally and Score!
Tennis is all about serving, rallying and scoring. Tennis Hot Shots helps make this easier for kids because of the smaller courts, slower balls and shorter racquets. Sessions are made up of tactical, technical, fun and social elements which create developmental readiness in children.
Using modified equipment in childrens sport is not a new idea. Many sports have been using smaller pitches, lighter balls, shorter bats, lower hoops and other learning aids for many years.
Watch this video to see how tennis greats Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf support modified equipment.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF)
Tennis for kids has changed a lot over the past decade or two. Over 120 nations have adopted a modified tennis programme, including the four Grand Slam nations.
In January 2012 the ITF introduced a rule change for kids tennis. It was only the fifth rule change in the ITF's history! The rule supports the use of modified equipment for 10 and unders, with the ITF recommending that all 10 and under competitions and tournaments worldwide use low-compression balls and smaller courts. The same balls and courts that are used in Tennis Hot Shots!