Groundstrokes
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Shots hit after the ball bounces: forehand and backhand.
Say it on court
“Groundstrokes are your rally shots.”
TechniqueCoachesPlayers
Stages:
Underarm serve
A simple drop-and-hit serve used by beginners so every point can start. It is replaced by the overhead serve as coordination develops.
Say it on court
“Drop it, hit it, start the point.”
Recommended for junior development: Red (Ages 5–8)ID: underarm-serve
Related Development Terms
4 connected entriesVolleys
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Shots hit before the ball bounces: forehand volley, backhand volley, serve and smash.
Say it on court
“No bounce. Catch it out of the air.”
Forehand
PlayersParents
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The groundstroke hit on the dominant-hand side of the body.
Say it on court
“Forehand side is your racquet-hand side.”
Two-handed backhand
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The backhand hit with both hands on the grip. Most orange-stage players use it because it gives more control and strength.
Say it on court
“Two hands give you more control right now.”
More in Technique for Red
Strokes, grips and the parts of a good swing.
Groundstrokes
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Shots hit after the ball bounces: forehand and backhand.
Say it on court
“Groundstrokes are your rally shots.”
Volleys
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Shots hit before the ball bounces: forehand volley, backhand volley, serve and smash.
Say it on court
“No bounce. Catch it out of the air.”
Forehand
PlayersParents
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The groundstroke hit on the dominant-hand side of the body.
Say it on court
“Forehand side is your racquet-hand side.”
Two-handed backhand
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The backhand hit with both hands on the grip. Most orange-stage players use it because it gives more control and strength.
Say it on court
“Two hands give you more control right now.”
Serve
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The shot that starts every point, hit from behind the baseline after a toss. In orange, players build a simple, repeatable toss and swing.
Say it on court
“Same toss, every time.”
Volley technique
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
A short, firm punch at the ball before it bounces, with little backswing and the racquet in front.
Say it on court
“Short and firm. No big swing at the net.”