Red Ball Tennis Program

Red Ball Tennis 2 and 4 - Rules

Typical court is a tennis court played is inside singles lines and the Service box for Red Ball 2. It's played with four players on the court using the service court with four total players. Red Ball 4 is played using the entire court either singles or doubles lines with 8 players per court.

We use a low compression Red and Yellow Ball, or now just the optic-colored ball with a red dot.

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

Any ball that strikes the net is considered a point for the opposing team. In other words, if you hit a ball that touches the net you lose the point. (Optional) See below.

A team is any two or four players on one side. Singles is challenging and fun with only two players on the court.

Leave three balls at the net during play.

Practice

Short Hop Balls

Serving

Control and touch

A Game of Red Ball #1 and 2 - Consists of one or two players on each side. Singles or Doubles

1. We play using only the service area of the tennis court.

2. Game typically starts with a server on the South side to avoid looking directly into the sun.

3. Serve must be hit underhand, either drop serve (bounce) or a volley serve (in the air) as with pickleball from behind the service or mid court line. On a bounce serve the ball may be dropped anywhere before struck. The ball must be dropped and not thrown in any way. 

4. The ball must be served into the opposite side court. As in tennis, Deuce and Add Courts, or left and right court, as with traditional tennis.

5. Once the serve has be initiated players may advance the net and hit or volley the ball in any manner.

6. A ball striking the net, carrying over the net, into the court on the opposite side, shall be deemed the loss of point. This includes the initial serve. This rule, depending on the skill level may be suspended. This is only a safety issue rule.

7. A ball hitting any line is considered good. Any out ball shall be called verbally out. Tennis rules shall apply.

8. A game is considered the first team to 6 points win by two points.

9. The score shall be rally scoring which allow either player or team to score points.

10. The serving team shall alternate serves from one half of the court to the other.

11. A point shall be scored when one side successfully hits a winning shot, or the opposing team makes an error.

12. Upon the completion of a game players change sides on odd games.11. The first team to win 4 games wins a set. Variation of sets is allowed.

13. Two of three sets consists of a match.

14. Spin on the ball is allowed.

15. At the completion of a game, opponent or opponents will come to the net and congratulate successful play. The game is a game of competition and sportsmanship.  

A Game of Red Ball #4 - Consists of one, two, or four players on each side. Originally planned to be four players on each side but other variations can take place.

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 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 #1 and #2. It must be hit from behind the baseline.

5. The ball must be served into the opposite side court. As in tennis, Deuce and Add Courts, or left and right court, as with traditional tennis.

6. Once the serve has be initiated players may advance the net and hit or volley the ball in any manner.

7. A ball striking the net, carrying over the net, into the court on the opposite side, shall be deemed the loss of point. This includes the initial serve. This rule, depending on the skill level may be suspended. This is only a safety issue rule.

8. A point shall be scored when one side successfully hits a winning shot, or the opposing team makes an error.

9. Upon the completion of a game players change sides on odd games.11. The first team to win 4 games wins a set. Variation of sets is allowed.

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. A point shall be scored when one side successfully hits a winning shot, or the opposing team makes an error.

14. Upon the completion of a game players change sides on odd games.

15. The first team to win 4 games wins a set. Variation of sets is allowed.

16. Two of three sets consist of a match.

17. Spin on the ball is allowed.

  Tennis can be a bit of a challenge for beginners to pick up immediately. And while a racquet sport like pickleball might be easier to learn, some may find pickleball to be too loud, especially when it's played next to tennis courts. A great alternative for adults is red ball tennis, which blends the ease of playing pickleball with the fun of competing in the sport of tennis. 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, family and/or colleagues. 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! The format is tailor-made for team-building outings at work, programs in the park, fun community events at tennis clubs and more. Unlike other games, Red Ball can be played in less than 10 Minutes.

COURT SIZE/EQUIPMENT/SCORING

• The Ball - Red Felt 
• The Racquet - 23” tennis      racquet
• The Court
  • 44’ Court (Pickleball Court)
  • 42’ Court (Service Box of a  Tennis Court)
  • ANYWHERE - Use a pop up net, get some chalk or tape, and make you own court on any flat service
• The Net  - 18’-27’ (27’ is standard tennis net using service boxes)
• The Serve - Underarm
• The Scoring
  • First to four points (1, 2, 3, 6) = 1 game
  • First to four games = Set or       Match! 
  • Win as many games as you can       in a timed match
• Optional Rules
  • Any player can serve next point
  • Serve can go to either player
  • Use kitchen on pickleball court as No Volley Zone or a 5’ mark from net in service boxes