USTA’s orange ball is sized right for 8-10 year olds. Lower bounce, slower speed. The bounce feed gives the kid a predictable ball to hit. They can focus on the swing without worrying about timing.
What you need: Orange tennis balls (USTA Stage 2), youth racquet (23-25 inches), 60-foot court (orange ball court).
Setup: Kid on the baseline. Coach across the net in the service box with a basket of balls.
How to run it:
- Cue: Turn, Drop, Lift, Follow.
- Coach bounces the ball gently into the kid’s strike zone.
- Kid steps forward, turns shoulders, drops the racquet, lifts through the ball.
- Ball clears the net into the open court.
- Do 10 forehands. Reset between each.
What to watch: Contact point. The ball should be hit in front of the body, not beside or behind. Step into the ball.
If they’re struggling: Slower bounces. Or use a red ball (foam) with even less bounce.
If they’ve got it: Move to a green ball (Stage 1, full court). Or hit 5 in a row to a target zone.