The ITF Tennis Play and Stay campaign was launched during 2007 and embraces many of the essential coaching techniques required for introducing tennis to young people and people with higher levels of physical disability. When slower red, orange and green balls are used on smaller courts this will help starter players to serve rally and score from the first lesson. The campaign also aims to promote different scoring and competition formats for starter players. The Play and Stay campaign has been central to the ITF Development and Junior programmes.

A coach’s ability to teach technique is not as important in introductory tennis as their ability to communicate, to entertain and to organise the lesson. Whilst teaching technique remains important, the ITF recommends that coaches focus first on getting players playing the game and then give the necessary and relevant technical and tactical instructions to help the players play the game (serve, rally and score) more effectively.

Using the right ball with the starter player is crucial. A number of slower balls are available which make the game easier and by using these balls the starter players have more time and more control over shots and the lower bounce enables young and beginner players to play shots at an appropriate height. Through our work we have seen best results using the orange ball where the bounce is most consistent with the sitting position of a wheelchair tennis player; however no formal research has been conducted to date.

 Used in conjunction with smaller courts and rackets slower balls are essential kit for introducing disabled people to wheelchair tennis. In the rehab centre or school setting slap down lines and make-shift nets can be used to effectively to introduce wheelchair tennis to large numbers of people. Where tennis courts are available, splitting the court up into 4 parallel playing areas or reducing the traditional court size as detailed on this website will provide an appropriate size court for the beginner player’s mobility.