With the everyday chaos of being a parent, finding a tennis instructor shouldn’t be one of those time consuming decisions. Even though tennis may not be considered priority number one, every parent wants what’s best for their child, and that includes finding the perfect tennis instructor. With that being said, there are a few things that every parent should consider before choosing an instructor for their child. Most importantly, you and your child should both decide what you wish to gain from taking tennis lessons.
Does your kid show great potential and enthusiasm for getting better? Or maybe, they simply want to get out on the court with their friends and have a bit of fun over all else. Either way, there are factors to consider.
My child is a very ambitious and driven tennis child. What should I look for in an instructor?
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Setting a groundwork for your childs game is key in their development. An instructor who is able to engrain solid fundamentals will ensure progress. The proper technique is the foundation to a great tennis player.
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You want an instructor who is enthusiastic, energetic and challenging for your child. A consistent challenge will keep your child interested in the lessons and more likely to keep up with the sport. There certainly is a fine balance between challenge and fun, but the best instructors are able to find that happy medium.
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Ideally your instructor is in the physical condition required to keep up with your children’s performance. If the junior sees that the instructor himself is not able to keep up with them on the court then you certainly have a problem. Not to say there aren’t 60 year old plus instructors who won’t get the most out of your child, just don’t be discouraged when they aren’t conducting a hitting lesson.
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Make sure your child and instructor have compatible personalities. You can have the most qualified instructor in the world but if he can’t relate or get through to your child then there is no way they will get the most out of their lessons.
My child has shown an interest but is looking to play casually. What should I look for in an instructor?
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You don’t need the most expensive instructor out there. It is important that your instructor is able to teach fundamentals and be engaging but it’s more important that they feel comfortable on the court and with other children.
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Decide if they are more comfortable in a group or private setting. Some children see being among their friends as the most important aspect of the lesson while others can be self conscious around others when they are just starting out. There are instructors who thrive in both settings while others specialize in one or the other.
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Kids love games on the court. You’ll want a coach who has extensive experience with children who are looking to just get their first exposure to the sport. To be honest, the most important thing for anyone on the court is to enjoy what you are doing and it’s most important for a child who is just beginning.
I’ve determined the tennis needs of my child (aspiring tennis pro! or casual tennis kid!). What should I keep in mind no matter their needs?:
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Pick an instructor that has been prescreened. There are plenty of instructors who advertise for themselves but it’s nearly impossible to tell who is reliable, certified, or preapproved. With MTL we prescreen all of our instructor to ensure that they will be a good fit with players with all ages and skill levels. Better yet, the majority of our instructors have gone through PTR and USPTA certification process ensuring a next level lesson experience.
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Think about how often you should take lessons. No matter a casual or serious player, lessons every day will burn anyone out. Find that happy medium for your child and the lessons will go much smoother.
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Communication is key. The instructor communicating with you off the court, and with you on the court. It is always important for everyone to be at ease and aware of the set schedule, specific skills and goals of each lesson.
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Last but not least, try to find out if other parents are satisfied with the work of the instructor and the progress their youngsters are making. Previous experiences go a long way in deciding if a particular instructor fits in with your childs needs.
With MyTennisLessons we keep all of these points in mind when getting anyone set up with tennis lessons. We hope that you’ll be able to now make a more educated decision when it comes to your child’s tennis game. Whether they are looking to become the next Roger Federer or they are trying to hang out with some buddies and smack the ball around a bit, MyTennisLessons has someone who fits the bill.
