Mini Tennis is a special version of tennis, which is designed for children or younger and for the inexperienced players. By this game one can learn all the skills and methods of the actual game with fun and excitement.
Although it also provides vigorous exercise yet the main idea behind this mini tennis is to find out budding talents in the game of tennis. It can be played throughout the year in all kinds of venues, including indoor and outdoor clubs, schools, sports and leisure centres and parks.
Popularity of Mini Tennis
There are child protection policy and health and safety guidelines in every location. It gives an exhilarating and colourful introduction to the game that will create interest in young mind for tennis, which may give them the craving to play and make career in Indian tennis.
Methods of Mini Tennis
There are three stages, which are colour coded in the sequence of traffic lights-red, orange and green. In red course, movement developing, co-ordination and ball skills are introduced. Sponge balls and small rackets are used. As players progress to orange course, the length of the court is increased. As the players move through the last stage they can play on full-length court. In this level the players are encouraged to play competition and they progress towards full game.
Regular group lessons taught by qualified LTA-licensed coaches allow young players to learn the skills and tactics of tennis through these stages. Every colour- coded stage consists of 3 levels. Level 3 is easier than level 2 and level 2 is easier than level 1.Each level is divided into 5 parts. These are physical skill, technical skill, tactical achievement, sportsmanship and off court commitment.
Importance of Angle in Mini Tennis
Angle is most crucial factor in mini tennis. In any sport where racket and net is involved the general is by getting closer to the net one can hit shaper angles. But in mini tennis one gets every ball short, for that one can frequently draw his rival well into and even beyond the doubles ally. In mini tennis the intermission between strokes is shorter and therefore the player has to run constantly. A player can control speed and depth of the ball and keep it low by using slice ground-strokes.
Playing topspins is difficult in mini tennis because the court is short but it can be a very effective weapon for those who can manage it. For players who don`t feel easy to send topspin the best alternative is to hit low and deep because the competitor will play high and short shot easily. Drop shots can be played but it may cause danger as the opponent is closer to the net in this type of tennis so extreme short drop shot will be a reward for a player. From time to time one can pull one`s rival forward and then can hit, as volley is not allowed. Serve is again not very effective as it is in the full court tennis.
Mini Tennis is extremely entertaining for the advanced level players but young players find it difficult to reach the accuracy level.
