Whether they signed up at their parent’s request or were born with a passion for sports, children can learn to love tennis, especially if they have a great first lesson. The problem is that this is far easier said than done. Luckily, here are three tips to answer the question, “What does it take to create a truly amazing tennis lesson?” A Coherent Lesson Plan It’s vital to start with this step to create a lesson plan that makes sense. A common issue is that the lesson is too easy for the child or it is too hard. Find the perfect balance of topics that introduce them to the world of fast-paced action without skipping crucial fundamentals or overwhelming them with insane expectations. Here are some skills that are perfect for the first tennis lesson.
- Correct posture
- Different racket grips
- Swing angles
- Serving the ball
- Moving around the court
Remember to integrate different topics. Children rarely have the patience to only focus on one thing, so try mixing in perfect tennis posture with serving practice to keep their attention and engagement. Using the Right Amount of Competition Sports inherently come with a lot of pressure, and the environment of competitiveness can impact children on a very deep level. It is crucial to create a lesson that encourages the child to keep trying and not get discouraged if they can’t quite get the hang of it. That’s not to say that competition shouldn’t be encouraged. Most children engage more when there is a defined end goal to each lesson and love interacting in a competition. The point is to be careful to make sure that not everything is a competition and that any competitions are fun and challenging, not stress-inducing nightmares. Good Rapport Whether there are multiple children in a lesson or just one, the student and teacher need to have a good rapport. After all, one of the best parts of sports is the interaction involved. Meeting other athletes and learning from them is an integral part of tennis lessons. The best teachers take the time to understand their students and how each one learns. With good communication, maintaining a strong rapport with the student makes lessons more fun, appealing, and educational.
