Image: iStock.com/IPGGutenbergUKLtd
Progressive tennis for kids is a methodology that acknowledges the skill level children are at and then works with them through gradually activities to help them develop into master players. When choosing a camp for your child to learn tennis, be sure to ask if they use progressive tennis techniques. Here’s what you need to know about the theory, and why your child will benefit from camps that provide this type of training.
What Is Progressive Tennis?
Progressive tennis is a way of teaching the sport to accommodate young children. The methodology was developed by the United States Tennis Association (UTSA), and later adapted by Tennis Canada. It is based on the theory that since young children are not strong or skilled enough to begin learning with adult equipment and in adult-sized courts, they should be taught with equipment and in an environment that is more suitable to them. It even comes down to the compression level of the tennis balls—the methodology suggests younger players should use balls that don’t bounce as much, enabling students to learn the basics and gain confidence instead of getting frustrated and overwhelmed.
What Are the Guidelines?
Here are some features of the Tennis Canada Long Terms Athlete Development (LTAD) beginning stages:
- Practice and training is done in a combination of group, private, and semi-private lessons, with supervised and unsupervised practice matches to develop physical skills.
- The individualized player approach ensures a player can complete proper training to achieve maximum athletic development.
- Participation in secondary sports is necessary for tennis students to gain overall athletic development and support physical development. By limiting a child to tennis, or any single sport alone, it will hinder their long-term development. For the development of young athletes, physical literacy and coordination are also essential.
- Competition and matches help students learn aspects of the game that cannot be learned in training. Tournaments allow students to develop even more by challenging their problem-solving skills and teaching them good sportsmanship.
Stages of Progressive Tennis
- 1/2 Court Tennis: Racquets are 17 to 21 inches and players use a low compression or sponge ball (red court); the advanced stream is for ages five to seven years old.
- 3/4 Court Tennis: Racquets are 23-25 inches and players use a ball that is 50% slower (orange court); the advanced stream is for ages seven to nine years old.
- Full Court Transition: Racquets are 25-26 inches and players use a ball that is 25% slower (green court); the advanced stream is for ages nine to 10 years old.
Advantages of Progressive Tennis for Young Players
By adjusting court size, ball compression, and racquet size, kids can have more fun and develop tennis skills faster. Progressive tennis is important to help young players learn, gain confidence, and have fun. Practices like the ball toss, hockey rally, cone to cone toss, and cone to racquet will help beginners succeed faster and have a good time. As a child moves up each level, the activities get gradually more challenging. This allows kids to learn new skills and apply them to the next level. This methodology allows kids to develop a strong tennis foundation to succeed as they get older. The team environment also allows them to develop communication, teamwork, and social skills, which are all essential in their development as young adults.
Why Should You Choose Our Junior Tennis Programs?
Our junior tennis program helps young tennis players develop skills in terms of physical activity, self-respect, social comfort, independence, leadership, environmental awareness, friendship, decision making, sharing, and more. At our tennis camps in North York and Toronto, your child can make new friends and learn from our certified and trained instructors while gradually developing into talented and skilled tennis players. Bayview Village Tennis Camp provides the best tennis lessons for beginners in the GTA. Our Tennis Canada-certified instructors work to teach kids not only how to have fun with tennis, but also how to play smart and safe. More information about the junior, intermediate, and advanced summer tennis programs can be found by calling us at (905) 889-7293 or e-mailing pnielsen889@rogers.com