Tennis for Children: Frozen
The last game we play with preschoolers each lesson is called Frozen. This game is like desert after a meal for kids. You can’t show the kid ice cream before they have eaten their dinner or the ice cream is all they will want. Here is how it works: While listening to Let it Go, […]
Tennis for Children: Teaching Preschoolers to “Throw Up”
“Bonk” might be one of my favorite games to play simply because it’s wonderful to see the enjoyment the young children get from playing it. It’s one of those coordination games where the kids spend so much time giggling and thinking about how hysterical it is, that they never even think about its utility. Ankle […]
Tennis for Children: “Smash the Bug”
Do you remember when you were young and having the coordination to ‘pat your head and rub your belly’ was a wonderful achievement? Well, learning the service motion, for a young child still building their coordination, is much like asking them to ‘pat their head and rub their belly.’ One of the most popular training […]
Tennis for Children: The Game Formerly Known as Smash the Bug
Since the name “Smash the Bug” was receiving some negative feedback based on an assumption of violence directed toward insects, we have renamed our 8 & Under focused serving game to Catchy Bug (thanks to Cillian T of Dacula, GA). Once a child is to a point in their abilities where they can accomplish two […]
Tennis for Children: Bump Ups
After a child is able to balance a tennis ball on the strings of their racquet, they should begin to learn to move the ball and still remain in control. Rolling the ball around on the strings is typically the first step towards controlled movement which is often followed by the child moving while still […]
Tennis for Children: Bump Backs
As you all know, most children have a seemingly incessant need to play. However, many tasks we ask them to complete seem more like work to them. With this in mind we have to remember to keep our little tennis players entertained. Positive reinforcement is obviously the best option at this age (2-6 years) as making a 4 […]
Tennis for Children: Basketball
He shoots! He scores! You don’t have to be Michael Jordan to be great at basketball. You simply have to change the rules at bit. With a few slight rule changes, basketball becomes a game which can be mastered by young children or even an adult tennis player attempting to improve their game. Well, maybe […]
Tennis for Children: Balance the Ball. Don’t Let it Fall!
A wonderful way to teach a young tennis player the relationship between the racquet and a tennis ball is to have them balance the ball on the racquet strings. This builds strength, coordination and understanding of the “ball and stick” relationship. Many young children can grasp this concept quickly but others will need significant assistance. […]
Tennis for Children: School’s back, serve’s up, kids!
If you don’t read, then listen. Parents are often more excited and apprehensive than their children about this time of year. We ask ourselves the truly important questions: Are they going to make friends? Will they like their new teachers? How is the two handed backhand developing? At Tennis for Children we meet a lot of […]
New Year’s Resolution: Spend more time with the kids with tennis!
New Year’s Resolutions are a wonderful way to set new goals and remind ourselves of our true priorities. Many plan to lose weight or pay down debt, which is always a priority after the holiday spending. And while only 12% of people actually achieve their goals, we all set them and we all expect to […]