Although the official term by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) is 10 & Under Tennis, the program also includes those 11 and up. The 10 & Under Tennis initiative is a fantastic way to introduce children to the game of tennis. Kids have an opportunity to succeed early on and—most importantly—they can have fun playing tennis!

This is accomplished through the ROGY tennis system.

As a Certified Net Generation Safe Play Coach, I often hear questions about the benefits of 10 and Under Tennis and how teaching methods have evolved compared to 10–15 years ago, before modified equipment and court dimensions were introduced.

Equipment is key. Smaller courts, kid-sized racquets starting from 19” (instead of 27” full-size racquets), and low-pressure balls ( Red, Orange, Green) allow kids to play at a much younger age. These adjustments let them enjoy the sport without the frustration of handling full-size courts, heavy racquets, or the high bounce of regular yellow balls.

While the Red, Orange, Green, Yellow (ROGY) system is a wonderful progression for building skills, it’s important to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all. If an 8- or 10-year-old can handle a full-size racquet and standard court with regular yellow balls—go for it!

Kids of any age should learn to set goals because it helps them stay focused , take responsibility , and build
perseverance . Clear goals give children direction , boost their confidence as they achieve milestones, and teach lifelong skills for overcoming challenges .  You can find goal-setting worksheets under the Player’s section, Goal Setting.
Here is a goal-setting worksheet for those 8 & Under.