MLC HOTSHOTS

MLC Hot Shots program is revolutionising tennis by using modified equipment. The use of modified balls and courts offers a unique stepping stone into tennis and skill development pathway, allowing every player to obtain maximum enjoyment!
From the first moment players participate in the Hot Shots program, they will ‘play the game’ of tennis. This means players are able to serve, rally and score in an exciting ITF endorsed competition format.
Smaller courts, nets, racquets and low-compression balls make learning easy and gives younger players the chance to serve, rally and score right from the first time they play

Below are the different stages explained.


Tennis Australia MLC Hot Shots Program

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Red Beginner Stage

At a very young age players start to develop fundamental movement, balance skills and hand eye coordination plus basic hitting and rallying skills, in a limited size court. Players start to count and score and understand some basic rules of the game. Coaches focus on helping players develop key athletic skills like agility, balance and coordination. This stage is generally a short stage depending on the age and skills of players.

  • Competition is through skills based tasks in teams

  • Classes run for 30 - 45 minutes

  • Players used a modified Foam/Red ball 75% slower than a yellow ball

  • Players are 3 to 6 years old

  • Players use 19 – 21 inch racket

  • Players are coached on a 6 meter mini net

Aim in this stage is to create a friendly fun environment for kid starting the game of tennis.

Red Intermediate Stage

In this stage players are developing all the skills needed to serve, rally and score in a smaller and friendlier environment. The modified softer red ball has a friendlier bounce making it less overwhelming for young players and they quickly gain the confidence to rally. This enables players to start playing competitive tennis at a much younger age. 

  • Sessions run for 30 - 60 minutes

  • Players used a modified Foam/Red ball 75% slower than a yellow ball

  • Players are typically 6 to 10 years old

  • Players use 21-23 inch racket

  • Players compete on a 6 meter mini net

The aim in the red ball stage is to allow players to find their own authentic style of play and slowly incorporate subtle fundamental changes where needed through specialised drills and coaching.

Red Advance Stage

In this stage players are encourage to use topspin for better control and placement, which opens up a pathway to implement tactics. This will enable players to move their opponents around the court more effectively, placing the emphasis the importance movement. Players games will start to evolve as they learn to use the whole court which leads to the development of new strokes, these include approach shots, volleys, passing shots, drop shots,  lobs, overheads etc.

  • Sessions run for 30 - 60 minutes

  • Players used a modified Foam/Red ball 75% slower than a yellow ball

  • Players are typically 6 to 10 years old

  • Players use 21-23 inch racket

  • Players compete on a 6 meter mini net

The aim in this stage is to encourage players to start thinking more tactically by using the full court through depth, angle and placement. 

 Not convinced that smaller courts work please click on link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA5X1DnEUNQ these 7 year old boys are displaying similar skills used on a full court.

 
Orange Transition Stage 


This stage will be used as a transition from red to green stage, players will take all the skills they learnt and use them on a 3/4 court. The orange ball has more bounce and speed which is needed to compensate for the larger court. This larger court will create more options for players to develop the overall game.

  • Sessions run for 60 minutes

  • Players used a modified Orange Ball 50% slower than a yellow ball

  • Players are typically 9 to 10 years old

  • Players use 25 - 26  inch racket

  • Players compete on ¾ size court

The aim in this stage is to progress the skills learnt on the red ball to the larger orange ball court.

Level 3 Green Stage – Encourage
Program Used: Tennis Australia MLC Hot Shots Program

In the Green stage players’ transition from the Orange court to the full court. Players are only moved to this court when they are physically, technically and tactically ready. Focus is placed on developing more tactical skills and refining technical ones, building upon the quality foundations from previous stages, including attacking, defending and using strengths and weaknesses.

  • Competition is presented through singles and doubles matches using shortened scoring system of best of 4 games or first to 10 points.

  • Sessions run for 60 - 90minutes

  • Players used a modified Green Ball 75% slower than a yellow ball

  • Players are typically 10 to 12 years old

  • Players use 26 - 27 inch full size racket

  • Players compete on full size tennis court

The aim in this stage is to progress the skills learnt on the red and orange ball to the larger green ball court and beyond...

Except for the exceptionally talented, it is also recommended that players aged 10 and under should not train or play competition with a normal ball but should continue to train and compete using the appropriate Red, Orange or Green ball. Using these slower balls will help the players to develop the most efficient technique and to be able to implement tactical situations in matches that in most cases could not be performed using the normal ball on a full court.

Please checkout hotshots for mor details http://hotshots.tennis.com.au/