For parents of children aged 10 and under in Tennis Canada Progressive Tennis (red, orange and green ball), 2026. Covers the three ball stages, courts, racquets, scoring, timed matches, tournament schedules and parent conduct.
Progressive Tennis is Tennis Canada's set of modified stages for learning and playing tennis. It has three stages:
The stages are grouped as a package for programs and events. In 10 and under competition only these three balls may be used. Each stage has its own answer below.
Sources: Tennis Canada Progressive Tennis page (tenniscanada.com/play/tennis-101/progressive-tennis) and Rules of the Court 2026 (assets.tenniscanada.com/production/Rules-of-the-Court-2026.pdf).
According to Tennis Canada's Progressive Tennis page, red tennis uses:
In 10 and under competition, the Rules of the Court 2026 recommend the red ball for players aged up to 8 with a racquet up to 23 inches long.
According to Tennis Canada's Progressive Tennis page, orange tennis uses:
In 10 and under competition, the Rules of the Court 2026 recommend the orange ball for players aged 8 to 10 with a racquet between 23 and 25 inches.
According to Tennis Canada's Progressive Tennis page, green tennis uses:
In 10 and under competition, the Rules of the Court 2026 recommend the green ball for advanced players aged 9 to 10.
Tennis Canada's Rules of the Court 2026 (Appendix VIII) say that in addition to the full-size court, these may be used for 10 and under competition:
For comparison, Tennis Canada's Progressive Tennis page describes red as one-quarter of a full court and orange as three-quarters of a full court.
Only Stage 3 (Red), Stage 2 (Orange) and Stage 1 (Green) balls can be used in 10 and under tennis competition. Other ball types cannot. Tennis Canada's Rules of the Court 2026 (Appendix VIII) recommend:
Tennis Canada's Rules of the Court 2026 (Appendix VIII, 10 and Under Tennis Competition) allow, for red, orange and green ball matches:
The tournament committee may also set a specific time period for matches in the event.
The Progressive Tennis page adds that for red, games to 11 or 15 are recommended and events are typically run in timed rounds of 20 to 30 minutes, with the serve allowed underhand or overhead. For orange, shorter sets or timed rounds of 20 to 30 minutes are recommended.
No. Tennis Canada's Progressive Tennis page lists a kids version and a teen and adult version of each stage:
The page also says the modifications can be used at any age and ability, and that the stages are grouped as a package for programs and events. Progressive Tennis is the basis of Rogers First Set, Tennis Canada's kids development program.
Source: Tennis Canada, Progressive Tennis page.
Tennis Canada's scheduling guidelines (Tournament Regulations, Rules of the Court 2026) say:
The player is responsible for being dressed and ready when the match is called. Under Tennis Canada's Tournament Regulations (Rules of the Court 2026), the lateness penalty is:
A player is ready once they have checked in at the Tournament Desk, are properly clothed and equipped, and go to the court without delay. The Referee never assesses more than a 3-game penalty for lateness, except for a default.
Not during a match, unless the tournament has approved coaching. Under Tennis Canada's Rules of the Court 2026, players may not receive coaching during a tournament match except as the tournament allows, and communication of any kind between a player and a coach or support team member counts as coaching. The player is then penalized under the Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct also applies to parents and family members on site. Coaches, parents and other support team members are prohibited from:
In flagrant cases the Referee may order a coach or parent removed from the match site or tournament site. If they do not comply, the Referee may default the player. Any individual found to have harassed another person is required to leave the tournament immediately.
Source: Tennis Canada Rules of the Court 2026, Code of Conduct.