We need to rethink Red Stage Tennis

Last Sunday, I had the honor of speaking at the PTR UK’s annual national conference in London, where I addressed how ecological practices can aid players in transitioning from red to orange stages more effectively. Through my presentation, I explored the deep-rooted issues within the typical red stage environments at clubs and why they often hinder players’ development.

Isolated and Static Stroke Development

One major flaw is the isolated, static development of specific strokes—forehands one week, backhands the next. Not only are these lessons confined to specific shots that players might not use for weeks, but they’re often block-fed to stationary players with a heavy emphasis on technical prowess. Tennis is an open, dynamic, and unpredictable game. To truly prepare players, we need to encourage them to experience and explore multiple shots in every lesson, incorporating movement to reflect the game’s inherent nature.

Misunderstood Fundamentals

The belief that we must teach traditional “fundamentals” persists, despite a lack of supporting research. Each player brings intrinsic dynamics; they have unique coordination patterns shaped over their formative years. Teaching a model-based movement might actually inhibit players from finding more effective, personalized movement solutions.

Overcrowding Courts

The red stage is often seen as a cash cow—cramming 16 or more players onto a court with the capability of setting up four mini nets. However, tennis isn’t played on half courts. The red court is supposed to offer the optimal space for U8 players, but we restrict them by squeezing too many into a small area for profit. This limits their field of perception, reduces opportunities to take action (affordances), and curtails potential movement solutions in footwork, bodywork, and racket work.

Inexperienced Coaches

Globally, red stage tennis is frequently assigned to new, inexperienced, or young coaches. This stage is perceived as easier because the players are also new, inexperienced, or young. However, this is a critical developmental stage—one of the furthest removed from professional or even club-level play. New coaches often replicate what they see in professional games or apply their own coaching methods without understanding the physical and mental capabilities of young children.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

These insights highlight the need for a radical rethinking of how red stage tennis is approached. To learn more about developing successful U10 players and to access exclusive resources, including my U10 player development roadmap and 11 exclusive webinars, join My Tennis Coach Academy. Here, you’ll find a thriving community and tools to nurture national-level players effectively.

By fostering an environment that truly understands and caters to young players’ needs, we can start making significant improvements in how tennis is taught at the foundational levels.