This page provides a guide on the different court sizes and ball types used for younger players in LTA junior tennis competitions and tournaments.
 

RED BALL (8U Age Groups)
Red Ball players play their matches on regular tennis courts with mini tennis nets using smaller smaller court dimensions. A court is usually laid out across the width of regular tennis court using the outside tram lines as baselines. The court dimension is 11m x 5.5m with a net height of 80 cms in the middle.

Red balls are larger and lower pressure than standard tennis balls which gives them a lower bounce and makes them easier to hit and control. They travel through the air approximately 75% slower than a regular tennis ball.

The scoring format for a Red ball match is usually one tie break, FIRST to 10 points (2 points clear or next point wins if 9-9). Serves can be over arm or under arm and need to land in a smaller service box that is marked on the adapted court as shown above.

ORANGE BALL (9U Age Groups)

Orange ball players play on a regular tennis court with the standard tennis net lowered to 80cms in the middle and baselines that are closer to the net than full size court baselines, i.e. 9m from the net instead of the standard 11.9m. 

Orange balls have a lower pressure than standard tennis balls but more pressure than a slower red ball so they bounce higher. They travel through the air approximately 50% slower than a regular tennis ball.

The scoring format for an Orange ball match is usually one tie break, FIRST to 10 points (2 points clear or next point wins if 9-9).

GREEN BALL (10U Age Groups)

Green ball tennis is played on a full size tennis court with the regular net height of 91cms. Green balls have a lower pressure than standard tennis balls but more pressure than a slower orange ball. They travel through the air approximately 25% slower than a regular tennis ball.

The scoring format for a Green ball match is usually one FAST4 set (first to 4 games, tie-break at 3-3). With this format there is a single deciding point if the game score gets to 40-40. In this instance the receiver chooses which side to receive from. Full details on the FAST4 scoring system can be viewed here.
 

YELLOW BALL (11U + Age Groups)

Yellow balls are standard tennis balls as used by adult players. The scoring format for junior yellow Ball matches is usually one or two FAST4 sets (first to 4 games, tie-break at 3-3). If the score is one set all in a two set match there is usually a 3rd set match tie break to decide the match winner (first to 10 points, 2 clear).

With the FAST4 format there is a single deciding point if the game score gets to 40-40. In this instance the receiver chooses which side to receive from. Full details on the FAST4 scoring system can be viewed here.