From what age can a child play soft tennis
Lessons start at around six years of age, though sometimes younger children play too. There is no upper limit. A child, a parent and an adult player play on the same court and with the same ball.
Why soft tennis is easier for a child than tennis
Soft tennis is easier for a child to start than tennis. The racket weighs less and the ball is rubber and half the weight of a tennis ball, which makes the sport safer for a child. In tennis children start with soft, low-compression tennis balls on a smaller court. In soft tennis a child gets a soft tennis ball from day one and plays on the full court, the same one adults use.
The numbers look like this. A soft tennis ball weighs 30–31 g, a tennis ball about 57 g. Dropped from 150 cm it bounces to 70–80 cm, lower than a tennis ball. The Kenko KTR-24 racket weighs 210–225 g, a strung tennis racket usually over 300 g.
Which soft tennis racket for a child
The lighter of the two, the carbon Kenko KTR-24 at 210–225 g, with the G2 grip. G2 is the thinner grip, which we sell to juniors and women, G3 the thicker one, for men. The aluminium Kenko STR-88 weighs 275 g, costs less and has permanent strings, and it is enough for first lessons. Both come strung and with an overgrip in the box. Comparing the two is covered in how to choose a soft tennis racket.
Which soft tennis balls for children
Coloured Kenko Standard training balls, pink, blue and black. They are the same model as the white and yellow ones, only in a different colour, so a child plays with the same ball as adults. Coloured balls are easier to see, and with a group of children they are simply more fun. PSTA events are played with white balls.
Pressure holds for a few weeks, then you top the ball up with the Kenko needle pump, the way you inflate a volleyball. For two people a box of 12 is enough. Inflation and ball types are covered in soft tennis balls.
Soft tennis at school and at a club
A school or a club needs only rackets and balls to play soft tennis. The tennis court stays the same; the net just has to hang level along its whole length. The group set is four KTR-24 rackets, 24 training balls and two pumps, that is one doubles court ready to play. Clubs and schools buy on invoice at wholesale prices. The details are on the clubs and schools page.
What to buy a child to start
For one child, a racket, a box of coloured Standard balls and a pump. For a child and a parent, the starter set for two, cheaper than bought separately. Anyone unsure which racket to take can write to us with the child's age and whether they have played tennis, and the sales team answers within 24 hours on working days.
Gear for a young player in one set
See sets