mini tennis

Tennis is a sport loved worldwide by millions, and the standard is extremely high, which can be daunting for beginners and newcomers. So, what better way to become familiar with the sport than with mini tennis? In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the scaled-down sport.

Mini tennis is an approachable version of the standard sport. It has been designed to make things a little easier, encouraging fun and improvement.

Mini tennis is the ultimate starting point for anyone interested in the sport, so let's answer all your questions about this style of tennis.

Before you dive in, below is a selection of our must-have mini tennis products you need for your school, academy, or club. Get started with mini tennis today!

 

  1. Edwards Socketed Mini Tennis Post
    Socketed Mini Tennis Post
    £346.07 Incl. VAT
  2. Edwards Court Valet Tidy Bin
    Court Valet Tidy Bin
    £92.69 Incl. VAT
  3. Edwards Mini Tennis Net to suit 5198/M
    Mini Tennis Net to suit 5198/M
    From: £86.10 Incl. VAT

  1. Edwards Tennis Wooden Scoreboard
    Wooden Scoreboard
    £306.38 Incl. VAT
  2. Edwards Standard Umpires Chair
    Standard Umpire Chair
    £1,049.90 Incl. VAT
  3. Edwards Canopy Attachment for Umpires Chair
    Optional Canopy Attachment
    £POA Incl. VAT

What is Mini Tennis?

Mini tennis, also commonly known as 'short tennis', is a scaled-down version of regular tennis designed for beginners and children looking to build up their skills.

The rackets are smaller and lighter, the nets are lower, the court is smaller, and the balls are much softer and slower. Combine these elements, and you have the perfect game to build fitness and confidence, improve skills and coordination, and try something new without added pressure.

It's suitable for people of all abilities and ages (even pros play it to warm up sometimes) and is the ideal game to get more people up and out and enjoying tennis.

In structured tennis regimes, a red, orange, and green method is used to progress through. Each colour refers to a type of ball, which each performs differently and has different levels of impact. Red being the least bouncy, giving young children better control.

Are you a club, school, or sports facility looking to introduce mini tennis to your programs? Edwards Sports can provide you with top-quality mini tennis court equipment to help get your players excited about this fun and accessible sport.

From a complete net set up to just the tennis net, we’re the perfect place to start your mini tennis journey.

Shop our range below today, with UK-wide delivery and 140 years’ of industry experience backing all of our products.


Shop Mini Tennis Court Essentials


How to Play Mini Tennis

So, how do you play mini tennis? Actually, mini tennis and regular tennis aren't too dissimilar, but there are several differences to be aware of before heading out onto the court.

In this guide, we'll discuss rules, equipment used, court size, and extra playing tips you can use yourself or share with beginners.


Rules

Here are the basic rules for a mini tennis game:

• Serve overarm or underarm from the baseline.

• The ball has to land in the service box on the opponent's side.

• Players alternate serves every 2 points (or as agreed).

• The ball must bounce just once before behind hit, or it can be hit in the air.

• If the ball goes out of bounds or into the net, the point will go to the opposite opponent.

• Scoring is not traditional regular tennis scores (15, 30, 40, etc); it's much simpler. The scoring will go up in ones, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on.

• A sudden death point will be played if the game ends with a tie.


Equipment

As we mentioned before, the equipment is the same as regular tennis, with a couple of modifications.

A mini tennis net is much lower than nets used in regular tennis. This makes it much easier for children and beginners to hit the ball over the net without hitting it.

We at Edwards have a net specifically for mini tennis. It's made from 2.5mm twisted polyethylene, which is weather-resistant, UV-stabilised, and protected against fraying.

You can even get your logo and branding printed on the headband for a highly professional look.

You can customise the length of the net, but it's worth noting that to meet LTA mini tennis red regulations (red ball), the net needs to be 5.5 or 6 meters long.

You will need a 6.5-m-long net to meet LTA mini-tennis orange regulations (orange ball).

Green mini tennis (green ball) is played on a normal-sized tennis court.

Our steel mini tennis posts are extremely tough against weather and frequent use. They also have a brass winding mechanism and pulley for a tightly secured net.

You'll also need lightweight, short rackets and low-compression balls, and you're good to go for a game of mini tennis.

  1. Edwards Socketed Mini Tennis Post
    Socketed Mini Tennis Post
    £346.07 Incl. VAT
  2. Edwards Mini Tennis Net to suit 5198/M
    Mini Tennis Net to suit 5198/M
    From: £86.10 Incl. VAT

Court Size

The size of mini tennis courts depends on whether you're playing a red, orange, or green mini tennis.

Generally, a mini tennis court should be 11 x 5.5m for a red ball court and 18m x 6.5m for an orange ball court.

As we mentioned earlier, a green mini tennis game is played on a normal-sized tennis court.

The Ultimate Guide to Tennis Court Sizes


Playing Tips

To get you started with mini tennis, here are a few player tips you should use during your next game:

• Use Short Swings: Focus on control rather than power.

• Aim for Consistency: Try to keep the ball in play by aiming for the middle of the court.

• Placement Over Power: Direct shots to corners or areas difficult for your opponent to reach.

• Practice Serves: Getting a good serve is crucial for starting the point.


Benefits of Mini Tennis

Mini tennis has many benefits for both players, as well as clubs, academies, and schools, etc.

The game is often played as an introduction to normal tennis, helping players get used to the sport's fundamentals so they can eventually progress to standard tennis if that's their goal.

Here are the other benefits of mini tennis:

  1. Accessibility. Mini tennis allows beginners to enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed by the size of the court, the speed of the ball, or the players before them.
  2. Fun! Mini tennis focuses on engagement and enjoyment, which is highly important for young players who need to build confidence before all else.
  3. Develops skills. Mini tennis provides an effective way to build skills and improve basic techniques before transitioning to full-court tennis.
  4. Gives everyone a chance to play tennis. Mini tennis is the perfect way to get into a sport if you're disabled, elderly, or recovering from an injury because it's less physically challenging.


Why is Mini Tennis Important for Clubs & Communities?

So why is mini tennis such an important sport to invest in? There are five big reasons that might make you think twice about mini tennis. Let us discuss:

  1. Great at attracting younger players. By introducing younger children to your academy or club and nurturing their development, you can maintain a steady membership base, hopefully creating life-long members.
  2. Revenue opportunities. Introducing something like mini tennis to your business will attract newcomers interested in the sport. As this is mainly a children's sport, you could create summer camps and half-term courses.
  3. Enhances community engagement. Mini tennis encourages parents and siblings to get involved, creating a fun-filled family atmosphere. Schools can also collaborate on tournaments.
  4. Increases club visibility. A club that caters to all ages and abilities is much more welcoming and attractive.
  5. Supports broader tennis initiatives. Many tennis federations and governing bodies promote mini tennis as a key element of their grassroots development strategy. By introducing more people to the sport, you contribute to its sustainability.


Summary: Invest in Mini Tennis Today

We hope you've gained some valuable information about mini tennis and you're ready to introduce it in your sports centres, clubs, or schools.

It's a fantastic way to get youngsters into the sport without added pressure. You never know; it could be the difference between a young tennis fanatic going pro or not. Imagine if they began their career at your facility!


FAQs

What is the Point of Mini Tennis?

Mini tennis is a great way to introduce children and beginners to the world of tennis by helping them learn the fundamentals, improve their knowledge, skills, technical ability, and coordination, and build up their confidence.

Mini tennis is also more accessible for people with disabilities than regular tennis.

What is the Difference Between Tennis & Mini Tennis?

Everything in mini tennis is scaled down, including the nets, rackets, and court, making them lighter and easier to use for beginners, children, and people with disabilities.

The balls are also much softer and slower, reducing the risk of injury.

Can Adults Play Mini Tennis?

Of course! Anyone who wants to start in tennis, build up their fitness, or simply have fun with friends.

Do Pros Warm Up With Mini Tennis?

Some pros actually warm up with mini tennis before a match, focusing on their coordination and control while building up their positive mentality.

Mini tennis is a great way to get your head in the game before a match.