The ANZ Hot Shots Orange Stage is the next level up from the earlier Red Stage, on the ANZ development Hot Shots program. This stage is played on increased sized courts, the nets are higher and the ball is of higher compression.
The ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is the official children’s beginners program for ten year old and under, it is composed of three key elements: Learning through playing, by serving, rallying and scoring.
Coaches implement a system that includes definite learning chances, kids have plenty of fun and pick up fast and completely with no need to stop any activity and go back to old-style instruction-types coaching that entails children are standing cueing for long periods of time.
Although the kids are having fun as they are learning this does not mean that technique is not being taught. However, technical intervention assists children learn to perform their skills easier when they actually play the game. Technique has a reason and that is to assist kids to perform the nuances and tactics of the game better.
The Orange Stage
The Orange Stage is conducted on a three quarter sized court (8m x 18m) with a 50% compression orange ball. The net height is elevated to 80cm and the rackets used are between 23-25 inches.
The age group for the Orange Stage is from 7 to 10 years old, and normal lessons are for forty five minutes. The maximum size of the group is four persons. From the Orange Stage the children progress on to the Green Stage.
The Orange Stage Skills
- Locomotion – Kids learn to react quickly and adapt movement patterns, including forward, backward and sideways.
- Skills – Moving whilst retaining balance.
- Body – Performing multiple patterns and movements simultaneously.
- Control – Students learn to keep their head still, whilst coordinating the arms and legs and the whole time maintaining balance.
- Serve – To serve with balance and rhythmical action. And to direct the serve into different areas of the opponent’s service box by controlling the racket face.
- Return – How to modify the speed and direction of the return, and learn to return in a number of ways.
- Baseline – Kids learn how to judge the depth, direction, speed and spin of the ball and to arrive at the baseline to use a simple circular swing. Moving their opponent around the court using spin, and how to cross court rally.
- Net – How to approach the net and at what time, and how to control the racket face during volleying.
- Know The Game – Students are also encouraged to keep score in their heads, understand the full rules, learn the basic tactics and understand personal weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
- Love the Game – Enjoy playing, in all formats – socially and in competition. Understand the concept of fair play, and how to control emotions and to call lines fairly.
Reputable Australian tennis clubs such as Tennis World Rushcutters Bay, offer complete ANZ Hot Shots Courses which of course encompasses the Orange Stage as described in this blog. Contact your local club today to discuss the right course for your child.
