Getting started

Kids' tennis lessons: group or private, how often, how to choose

Updated 5 November 2026 · By Will, founder and tennis dad

For most children aged 5 to 10, a weekly group lesson of 30 to 60 minutes on a red or orange court is the right start. A good lesson is built on games, uses the right ball and court size, and gets every child hitting and playing points. Choose a qualified coach with up to date safeguarding checks, and add short play at home between lessons.

Should my child have group or private lessons?

For most young beginners, a small group is the better place to start. The ITF's manual for under 10s builds lessons around children working in twos, and says every drill from the red stage up should have at least two players, because tennis needs someone at the other end. It also lists being with friends as a reason beginners keep playing.

Private lessons can be a useful extra later, when your child is keen and wants help with one part of the game. Ask the coach to keep them game based, with your child moving and rallying. The ITF warns that coaches who spend too much time feeding balls from a basket can send the message that tennis only happens when the coach is there.

How often, and how long should lessons be?

How often. The ITF describes children at the "playing the game" stage as usually committing once a week, often alongside four or five other sports or activities. That is normal: the ITF wants under 10s to keep playing other sports to build a good athletic base.

If your child loves it, the ITF's suggestions for playing more are a second lesson a week, play outside lessons, and tennis homework such as hitting with friends or against a wall. For how much total tennis suits a young child, see how much should a young child practise tennis?

How long. Tennis Australia says its Hot Shots sessions typically run for 30 to 60 minutes, usually in terms of 8 to 10 weeks. The LTA's Youth Start course for new players aged 4 to 11 is six sessions long. For orange and green ball players, the ITF notes that many clubs offer a longer combined session: an hour of coaching followed by an hour or more of match play.

What does a good lesson look like?

The ITF's message to coaches is to get children to serve, rally and score from the first lesson, and warns that an overly technical approach can get in the way of playing. Tennis Australia describes its red stage as building skills through fun, game based activities. Signs of a good lesson for a 5 to 10 year old:

The right ball and court. Red balls on a small court for most younger children, orange on a bigger court later. See red, orange and green ball tennis.
Lots of hits. In a study of beginners by Farrow and Reid, players on a full size court with a standard ball got fewer forehand and backhand chances and hit less successfully than players on scaled courts, and enjoyed their sessions less.
Children moving, not queueing. Players work in pairs and move to the ball, rather than standing in a long line to hit one fed ball each.
From cooperating to competing. The ITF suggests practices move from cooperative to competitive, and that every lesson ends with points or a game as close to real tennis as possible.

How do I choose a coach and a club?

Start with your national federation's programme for young children:

UK: LTA Youth, including LTA Youth Start for new players.
USA: USTA Net Generation.
Australia: Tennis Australia's Hot Shots, with Blue, Red, Orange and Green stages.
Canada: Tennis Canada's youth programmes, run with provincial tennis associations and their clubs.

Then look at the coach. Check they hold a recognised qualification, ask to watch part of a session, and look for the signs of a good lesson above and a coach your child warms to: the ITF notes that people do not take lessons from people they do not like or who do not care about them. The ITF also recommends clubs that run friendly match play alongside lessons, to give learning a purpose.

What safety checks should a coach have?

Each country has its own system:

Country	What to look for	What it covers
UK	LTA Accredited coach	A recognised qualification, safeguarding training, first aid training and a criminal record check (DBS, or PVG in Scotland)
USA	USTA Safe Play approved	Background check and education on preventing misconduct; required for all Net Generation providers
Australia	Working With Children Check	Tennis Australia requires it for all staff and volunteers in child related roles, including coaches
Canada	Safeguarding Tennis screening	Background check, code of conduct, declaration of character and Respect in Sport training

The LTA's Find a coach tool and the USTA's Safe Play search let you look a coach up. In Canada, clubs are also encouraged to follow the Rule of Two: two screened coaches present when working with players in an enclosed space. If anything worries you, talk to the club or use your federation's reporting form.

How much do kids' tennis lessons cost?

Prices vary a lot by country, city and club, so check locally. Two federations publish a figure for their beginner programmes (both checked in October 2026):

Australia: Tennis Australia lists Hot Shots at $120 to $300 (Australian dollars) per term, on average for an 8 to 10 week term, and says the final price comes from your coach.
UK: the LTA lists Youth Start at £29.99 plus £5 postage, for six sessions, a racket, balls, a T shirt, activity cards and a certificate.

When you compare prices, check what each includes: group or private, session length, weeks per term, indoor or outdoor courts, and whether a racket and balls are part of it. The ITF lists limited cost and commitment as things that help new players stay in the game, so a low cost group course is a sensible first step.

What should my child bring?

Tennis Australia's list for Hot Shots is a good starting point:

A racket. If you do not have one yet, ask if one can be provided. See what size tennis racket does my child need?
Trainers and sportswear.
A hat, sun cream and water for outdoor sessions.

For a fuller list, see the tennis kit list for kids.

How do lessons and home practice fit together?

The ITF sees lessons and play as linked: it encourages coaches to set tennis homework and to teach children to set up a court themselves, so they can play with parents or friends outside lessons.

Ask what they worked on. After each lesson, ask your child to show you one game or skill from the session.
Keep it short and regular. A few short sessions in the week are plenty. Try tennis drills at home or wall practice.
Leave technique to the coach. Your job at home is to make it fun and keep the ball in play. See how to teach your child tennis at home.
Talk to the coach. Tell them what your child enjoys at home, and ask what to practise next.

More guides

Sources

This guide is general information for parents, not medical advice. Check with your child's coach or doctor about their own situation.