Tennis

Junior Tennis Coaching

The junior tennis coaching programme at Edinburgh Leisure is recognised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) as being second to none! Our structured pathway allows children to develop their skills in groups with players of similar age and ability and progress from beginner stage to regional and national standard. It’s not all about juniors. We also offer expert coaching for adults of all ages and abilities.

Our Junior Tennis programme follows a pathway ranging from pre-school to older teens. Junior classes are booked in blocks and managed via our coaching home portal. Each colour group reflects the ball type and court size appropriate for the age and skill level. Players progress through five stages:

• Stages 1–2: Build stroke fundamentals and movement patterns. = Recreational players
• Stages 3–4: Develop rallying, tactical awareness, and matchplay. = Development Players
• Stage 5: Advanced players with tactical intentions, typically county-level, training 3x/week plus weekend matches.

You can find descriptors of each of our junior coaching classes below.

Tots Tennis (3-4.5 years)

Ball: Sponge and red | Court: Mini Red

• Stage 1: Introduction to tennis through movement games, racket handling, and basic coordination.
• Stage 2: Players begin hitting sponge balls with hand-feeding, learning simple forehand/backhand shapes and movement.
• Stage 3: Develops rallying with a coach, using compact swings and follow-through. Introduces net play and scoring basics.
• Stage 4: Combines forehands, backhands, and volleys with purposeful movement and game-based learning.
• Stage 5: Confident movers and hitters, able to rally, serve, and compete in short games. Ready for Red ball tennis.

Red (4.5 – 8 years)

Ball: Red | Court: 8.5m–11.5m x 6m

• Stage 1: Players learn stroke shapes and movement using sponge/red balls. Focus on hand-fed rallying and basic serve technique.
• Stage 2: Builds consistency in hitting and introduces scoring and net play. Players begin to serve and return with control.
• Stage 3: Structured rallying with directional control, serve +1, and approach play. Players begin tactical decision-making.
• Stage 4: Players execute rally sequences (e.g., crosscourt to down-the-line), net play combinations, and matchplay with scoring.
• Stage 5: Advanced players compete internally/externally, reflect on matches, and demonstrate tactical variety and mental resilience.

Orange (9-10 years)

Ball: Red (1-2) & Orange (3-5) | Court: Orange (18m x 6.5m)

• Stage 1: Players adapt to a larger court using red balls. Focus on stroke fundamentals, movement, and basic serve/volley skills.
• Stage 2: Builds directional hitting and introduces rallying patterns and scoring. Movement drills support court coverage.
• Stage 3: Players rally with control, use serve +1, and begin constructing points. Net play and return accuracy are introduced.
• Stage 4: Matchplay includes tactical combinations, lob defense, and mental skills like breathing and resetting.
• Stage 5: County-level players with advanced rallying, tactical execution, and match experience. Compete regularly and train with intensity.

Green (11-12 years)

Ball: Orange (1 & 2) & Green (3-5) | Court: Green (21m x 8m)

• Stage 1: Transition to green court with orange balls. Focus on adapting technique and movement to increased space and pace.
• Stage 2: Builds rally length, serve/return patterns, and net play sequences. Players begin tactical exploration.
• Stage 3: Players use spin, depth, and angles in rallies. Serve +1 and approach play become more consistent.
• Stage 4: Matchplay includes strategic point construction, lob defense, and reflection on match dynamics.
• Stage 5: Advanced players with strong technical and tactical skills, competing regularly and showing mental resilience.

Under 15 (13-15 years)

Ball: Green (1 &2) & yellow (3-5) | Court: Full

• Stage 1: Full court play with green balls. Focus on stroke fundamentals, directional hitting, and basic serve/volley sequences.
• Stage 2: Builds consistency and introduces tactical elements like serve +1 and approach play. Players begin matchplay.
• Stage 3: Rallying includes crosscourt/down-the-line sequences, return accuracy, and net play combinations.
• Stage 4: Players compete in tie-breaks or timed matches, reflect on performance, and show tactical depth.
• Stage 5: County-level players with advanced matchplay, tactical variety, and mental preparation. Compete regularly and train 3x/week.

Under 18 (16-18 years)

Ball: Green (1 &2) & yellow (3-5) | Court: Full

• Stage 1: Recreational or late-start players using green balls to build confidence and control. Focus on stroke fundamentals and movement.
• Stage 2: Builds technical consistency and introduces competitive elements in a supportive setting.
• Stage 3: Players show tactical understanding and compete with confidence. Serve +1, net play, and return accuracy are key.
• Stage 4: High-level matchplay with strategic depth, mental toughness, and physical readiness. Players reflect on match dynamics.
• Stage 5: County-level players with advanced skills, competing regularly and training with intensity. Match charting and feedback loops are standard.

Adult Tennis Classes

Our sessions for adults aim to develop the player’s tennis skills through a combination of informal coaching and matchplay.

These classes are organised on a weekly basis and are bookable through our website or app on a casual basis, week-to-week.

We run indoor and outdoor sessions at either Craiglockhart Tennis Centre or the Meadows.

Please Note: All Adult Coaching Courses can be found on the Edinburgh Leisure App under Craiglockhart (for sessions at either Craiglockhart or the Meadows)  – click the Adult Coached Tennis Sessions tile