Red Ball Tennis Program

Red Ball Tennis is the perfect entry point for beginners and a fantastic, lower-impact alternative for experienced players looking for a gentler pace on a smaller court.   Red tennis balls were specifically designed to help players more quickly grasp the fundamentals of the game. Because the tennis balls are at a lower compression, they bounce lower to the ground, which makes it easier for players to swing and hit them back over the net. They are perfect for a little friendly competition among friends. Red ball tennis can be played on just about any court. We recommend 18-by-36 feet, but you can use the service boxes on a tennis court—or even on a pickleball court! 

Red Ball Tennis 2 and 4 - Explanation

Red Ball 2 is played with 4 players. The field of play is bound by the singles sidelines and the service line. 

Red Ball 4 is played using the entire court either singles or doubles lines with 8 players per court.

Red Ball can also be played as singles (2 players).

We use a low compression Red and Yellow Ball.

We use 23- and 25-inch tennis racquets for the game. No full-size racquets allowed.

Red Ball 2-2 players on each side

1. Game typically starts with a server on the South side to avoid looking directly into the sun. Players are positioned just behind the service line.
2. Serve must be hit underhand, either hit off of a bounce or taken in the air.  On a bounce serve the ball must be dropped and not thrown in any way.  
3. The ball must be served into the opposite side court.  (crosscourt)
4. Once the serve has be initiated both players may advance to the net and hit or volley the ball in any manner. 
5. A ball hitting any line is considered good. Any out ball shall be called verbally out. 
6. Any ball that makes contact with the net prior to passing to the opponents side is a live ball and should be played (serves and rallies). 
7. A game is won by the first team to earn 6 points. Must win by two points. 
8. Rally scoring is utilized meaning that either team can score a point (not just the serving team)  
9. The serving team shall alternate serves from one half of the court to the other. 
10. A point shall be scored when one side successfully hits a winning shot (ball not returned by the opposing team) or the opposing team makes an error (fails to hit it over the net or the ball contacts the net). 
11.  Upon the completion of a game players change sides on odd games.
12. The first team to win 4 games wins a set. 
13. A match consists is best two out of three sets.
14. Spin on the ball is allowed. 

Red Ball #4 - four players on each side.  

1. We play using the entire tennis court area, doubles lines included. 
2. Players in Red Ball #4, using four players per side must stand in the following locations to start a point: Two players must be behind the baseline; Two players must be behind the service line. Once the serve is initiated the players may move to any portion of the court, including advancing to the net. 
3. Game typically starts with a server on the South side to avoid looking directly into the sun. 
4. Serve must be hit as stated above for Red Ball 2. It must be hit from behind the baseline. 
5. The ball must be served into the opposite side court. 
6. Once the serve has be initiated players may advance the net and hit or volley the ball in any manner. 
7. A point shall be scored when one side successfully hits a winning shot, or the opposing team makes an error. 
8. Players change sides after odd-numbered games. 
9. The first team to win 4 games wins a set. 
10. A game is considered the first team to 6 points win by two points. 
11. The score shall be rally scoring which allow either player or team to score points. 
12. The serving team shall alternate serves from one half of the court to the other. 
13. Two of three sets consist of a match. 
14. Spin on the ball is allowed