Tennis isn’t just for the country club. It’s also part of the city scene. Our guest poster, Esther, is a tennis enthusiast based in New York City. She firmly believes that “getting your child interested in activities will help them manage their time better, make more friends and succeed in school.” We firmly believe that some day your little budding tennis star will be able to score you Wimbeldon tickets! So consider the investment a good one, all the way around.
Do you live in NYC? Did you watch the US Open? Are your children eager to learn tennis? Do they play with a racquet even in your cramped apartment every chance that they get? If so, you may want to consider giving your child tennis lessons.
The bad news is that in NYC tennis options are scarce. The good news is that I am here to your rescue. I realized the need for tennis classes for young children and started a tennis program. I rent space at a facility in Murray Hill and I also give classes at Ys, JCCs, and schools. I am able to do this because my business is portable. I have portable nets that I set up within minutes. We use lightweight racquets and nerf balls.
Here are some activities that kids can look forward to in my class. We teach kids the fundamentals of tennis: forehands, backhands, volleys, and overheads. To keep the tennis class lively we often play games. We often partake in the game Graduation, where kids get to move up a grade each time they are able to connect with the ball. We play in which kids are able to run and dodge balls when they hit a certain number of balls, Does this sound like fun to you? If so you should check out Elf Tennis!
Set reasonable expectations. Don’t try to get your children to play for an hour. Try 15 minutes initially. Don’t try to hit the ball to them with a racquet. Instead throw the ball to them. Try to stand close to them rather than far away. If they are not successful this way, guide them through the swing and toss the ball in front of them. Always be supportive of your child. Try to applaud even the smallest accomplishment. This will keep your kids interested in the game rather than giving up in discouragement. Put a ball on a string and then hold ball on string, hold it in front of your child and have them hit it. You can also try placing the ball on a tea ball bat and have the kids hit the ball off of the bat. Having a ball in a stationary place makes it easier for the kids to connect with the ball. You can even vary the ball you use. Consider using a balloon. Be a good role model for your kids. Learn the correct technique for stroking the ball if you don’t’ already know about tennis. You can accomplish this by either taking lessons for yourself, purchasing Tennis Magazine at a bookstore or watching tennis matches. You don’t need to become an expert in tennis but being able to demonstrate how to hit a tennis ball comes in handy. I am considering running a class for parents.
