When your child starts playing tennis at a young age there are some decisions to be made along their tennis journey. Is tennis going to act as an outlet to keep your child active or will they show an interest in eventually taking part in tournaments and team tennis? Of course you know your child and their competitive drive better than anyone else, but there are common challenges any new tournament player encounters that you should be aware of. Over the next four days we’ll let you know what to expect when you first introduce your child to match play.
STEP 1: Find Out If Your Child Is Ready
A good rule of thumb is that kids shouldn’t be playing competitive tennis until at least the age of 8. In their first years of playing tennis the focus should be on having fun, getting to play different sports (develop footwork playing soccer, hand eye coordination playing baseball, etc.), and developing a good attitude towards sportsmanship.
A tough lesson to learn for any young player is accepting that sometimes you can’t avoid losing even though you try your best. You never know how your child will react to a tough defeat until that time actually occurs. It is important that your youngster is able to handle both winning and losing in a responsible manner. This can only be learned with experience.
If your kid exhibits signs of self-discipline, fair play, and maturity in defeat, don’t hesitate to get their feet wet with a bit of tournament play. Simply being mature enough to listen and respect an opponent (and certainly a coach) is the first step in becoming a competitive athlete.
Though mental strength and a sense of passion for tennis are important to possess before playing matches there are other factors to consider. If you recognize that your child is not quite at the same level as some of the other children don’t force them into competitive play. They may become discouraged and reluctant to continue with tennis if they are completely outmatched their first few times out. Be aware of their limitations.
Either way, as a parent, have to reconsider your own attitude towards your kids involvement in competitive play. You don’t ever want your child to feel like they are under pressure to perform. It is important to reiterate that playing matches isn’t all about winning but rather to enjoy and grow into this new environment.
STEP 2: Arrange Matches With Friends and Family
STEP 3: Sign Up Your Child for USTA Play Days
STEP 4: Get The Family Involved in Jr. Team Tennis
