Monday, June 24, 2013

How To Let Your Child Enjoy Playing Competitive Tennis

By Davis Pete


It is every father's dream come true to have a champion in the family. However, the reality is that there will always be only one or two who will dominate at the top in every age group. Nevertheless, do not despair as there are ways to have a competitive tennis-playing child and yet be not overly stressed out by their on-court performances.

Tip No 1: Try out your child by playing light balls or balloons with him or her. If he displays an ability to hit the balloons at a very young age, he shows the potential to have good hands for tennis. The ability to have good coordination is key as well.

Tip#2: Your child has a natural athletic ability i.e. he is able to move with good agility, without tripping over himself. Swiftness in feet is a plus when it comes to tennis as the game is played with much more power and speed these days. In tennis, it is the quickness over short distances which is crucial as opposed to long distance running.

Tip#3: Tennis is all about co-ordination within split seconds with your eyes, hands, legs and body. It is quite amazing that so many senses are used just to hit that yellow ball. If your child can show he can catch or hit a ball when he is three years old, enrol him for tennis.

Tip#4: As the old saying goes, its 80% mental and 20% skill. This always holds true for tennis at the competitive level. A child who has been through the rigors of competitive tennis will have a stronger mind as he has been able to withstand and experience the onslaught and pressure of tennis matchplay.

Tip#5: No matter how strong your mind is, if your physical conditioning is not up to mark, you will still end up at the losing end. This is so because, a strong and fit body will ensure a strong mind as well. Fitness is also crucial. The ability to take punishing heat and the strong sun are crucial to a sports person playing tennis.

Tip#6: The choice of a sound tennis coaching facility and coach are equally important. A good start to the game will ensure the child gets the proper technical and tactical guidance at an early age. This is important as he is able to develop faster than the rest. Do ask around the tennis fraternity as to where good coaching is. There is a certain to chart for your child should you wish to use tennis as a means of getting to Secondary One in Singapore via the DSA route.

Tip#7: A general rule, is to let your child develop his tennis on his own abilities. You can provide the right environment but you should not push and punish the kid. The parent is there to provide support and not criticise.




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