| "Dad, I want to learn to play tennis," my fourth grader | | | | and down, and from side to side...tennis is great for |
| beamed, handing me a sheet of paper. She bounced | | | | mind and body. |
| from one foot to the other waiting for me to finish | | | | Social and Networking Outlet - Many players get |
| reading --A local parks and recreations tennis instructor | | | | together before and after matches for activities |
| visited her school during gym class to show the kids | | | | outside of tennis. Also, since the sport is universal, it |
| how to play tennis. The paper explained a new | | | | offers countless networking opportunities. And, you |
| program offered to beginners. | | | | can be almost be guaranteed that if you travel to any |
| Even though my daughter was excited, I had | | | | city, or up and move, you will find a tennis family upon |
| reservations. Tennis? Isn't that a game for rich folks | | | | your arrival. |
| played at country clubs on warm Sunday afternoons? | | | | Lifelong Sport - Tennis, like few sports out there is a |
| But my daughter's enthusiasm bolstered me into action. | | | | game you can play your entire life. |
| We signed up for the free clinic held before the start | | | | Today, eight years later, my daughter still plays tennis. |
| of the program, just to see if we liked it. | | | | And now, because of her, so do both her parents as |
| During the free clinic, a coach talked to parents while | | | | well as her boyfriend. 25.1 million people can't be wrong. |
| the children ran through drills on court. I watched my | | | | Pick up a racquet and get in the game. |
| daughter swing her racket and miss the ball. She | | | | Tennis Beginner Tips |
| threw a smile in my direction as she ran to the back of | | | | Beginners just learning to play tennis are going to face |
| the line. And there was that hop, from foot to foot | | | | a lot of frustration. It takes time and patience to start |
| again while she waited for her turn. | | | | getting the hang of things. The most importing thing, |
| It wasn't until several days later, after a phone | | | | however, is to avoid beginner mistakes so that you |
| conversation with one of the volunteer moms who | | | | can minimize the frustration to a minimal level. I am |
| helped out with the free clinic that I finally made up my | | | | going to share with you 5 tennis tips for beginners that |
| mind. Her words not only encouraged me, but she | | | | will help you get started the right way. |
| somehow, in a positive way, made me feel as though | | | | One. The first tennis tip for beginners is not to try too |
| I'd be lacking as a parent if I DIDN'T sign my daughter | | | | hard. Yes, do not try to hard at first even if your |
| up. | | | | coach tells you to. It is common to try too hard to get |
| What makes tennis such a great game? And why do | | | | a better result, but that is often not the case in tennis. If |
| 25.1 million people worldwide play it? Well, for starters, | | | | you find that you are having trouble with a stroke or |
| tennis is fun. But more than that, tennis is a universal | | | | technique, try softening your grip and muscles and |
| sport offering different opportunities to different | | | | don't worry about hitting the ball perfect at first until |
| players, among some of the following: | | | | you have the technique down. It takes time to get the |
| Competition - Picking up a quick friendly match at the | | | | required skills to play tennis. Start with normal soft hits |
| local courts, or entering into sanctioned USTA and | | | | at first. |
| World Team Tennis events, a competitive tract exists | | | | Two. The second tip is try not to have any |
| on almost all levels of play, from the novie player on up | | | | expectations. If you find that you are expecting a |
| to the professional. | | | | certain result every time you will find yourself getting |
| Character Building - Honesty is a huge one. On the | | | | more and more frustrated. You will develop at your |
| recreational level, instant replay doesn't exist. Line | | | | own pace so try not to stress over it. It will all come to |
| judges aren't present at most of the matches. It's up to | | | | you in time but if you start expecting certain results |
| the players themselves to call lines and follow the rules. | | | | you can set yourself back. |
| Many young players may start out making incorrect | | | | Three. Next I want you to realize that there are no |
| calls, but the quickly learn this isn't the right thing to do. | | | | mistakes, only feedback. If you shoot the ball into the |
| But other character building traits such as | | | | net hit the ball higher next time. You don't need to |
| determination, commitment, sportsmanship, and | | | | complicate things live follow through, with your knees, |
| teamwork can all be learned through playing the game. | | | | or other things as this will come naturally. |
| Family Sport- The entire family can learn to play and | | | | Four. This tip involves movement. No matter what is |
| develop their games, thus strengthening the bonds | | | | happening on the other side of the court I want you to |
| between parent and child, between siblings and even | | | | constantly be moving. You can jog, make small hops, |
| between both parents. | | | | dance, or whatever you must do to keep moving. |
| Individual or Team Sport - both tracks are available to | | | | Standing still will only make your movements more stiff |
| compete on. I recommend participating in both. The | | | | and you will have a harder time getting to the ball and |
| camaraderie of a team effort and the individual - | | | | making a good shot. Keep Moving! |
| nobody to blame but yourself - are both great | | | | Five. This last tip is my favorite. It is to wait. Wait and |
| environments for children (and adults) to learn different | | | | be patient because it will take time for all of this to |
| lessons. | | | | start making sense to your brain. It takes time for your |
| Stress Reliever - When you're out there hitting that little | | | | brain to adjust to all of the information that you are |
| yellow ball, nothing else matters. Not bills, not grades, no | | | | feeding it. When you get instruction to do a certain |
| emotional turmoil one might be going through outside of | | | | shot, do your best then wait. The result will come soon |
| tennis. | | | | enough, I promise! |
| Maintain Physical and Mental Fitness - Once you learn | | | | So, this concludes my 5 tennis tips for beginners. If you |
| how to stroke the ball, then you learn how to place it, | | | | are serious and want to learn how to play tennis the |
| and to anticipate where your opponent might place his | | | | right way, you need to have proper instruction and |
| ball. Tennis is a thinking game. Plus, you're running up | | | | training. |