As the school year ramps up with projects, after-school activities and extracurriculars, tennis practice can quickly start to feel like just another item on the to-do list. So, to keep your child progressing in the sport and ultimately maximizing their enjoyment, we’ve put together three recommendations to prioritize with them this Fall!
1. Find Play Options They Enjoy
Competition, awards and recognition can play a big part in motivating your child’s will to succeed in a sport. Whether it’s a sanctioned USTA tournament or local UTR matches at the club, play options can prompt drive and quite simply, give your young athlete an opportunity to put the learnings of their lessons and clinics into practice in a competitive environment. If you are struggling to find the best play options for your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to their coach or your Director of Tennis to find convenient, level-appropriate competitions that align with your family’s schedule.
2. Mix in Outside Fitness Training
This step is entirely customizable to your child’s goals, though recommended for all young players. It can be as simple as an evening walk with the family or participating in other sports they enjoy, but building a well-rounded, healthy foundation inevitably translates to a stronger tennis player! As they become more advanced in their game, consider a strength training program that will also help stave off injury throughout their tennis career.
3. Don’t Forget to Socialize
Meeting new players will challenge, and ultimately inspire, your child to continue progressing in the sport. From warmup partners to doubles partners or hitting partners, it can never hurt to meet as many players as possible to build your child’s social connection to the sport. The tennis network is a strong one, and many friendships your junior fosters now can extend well into high school, college and beyond. If you are looking for opportunities to meet new players outside your child’s regular classes, consider the aforementioned USTA or UTR play options. Seasonal tennis camps can also be valuable for drawing in new faces that may not typically practice in the same clinics as your child, and can be an especially relaxed environment for them to make new friends in the area. Finally, encourage your athlete to try out for school teams or private clubs as they ramp up for the fall season. While tennis is largely an individual sport, playing alongside a team can help spur even more development as they compete for someone other than just themselves.
The Fall can be a busy and exciting time as a new school year gets underway, but prioritizing these three resources can help your child make the most of their tennis participation and keep them progressing and having fun for years to come!
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