10 Top Tennis Tips for Coaching Junior Players
Mini Tennis, Pee Wee Tennis, Tiny Tots Tennis, Little Mozzies! Coaching Junior Beginners has been called everything. The bottom line for tennis coaches is that having a strong beginner tennis coaching program is the key to a long term sustainable business operation.
Putting together an exciting and challenging tennis coaching program for the young player should be a priority for any serious coach. These young beginners also need some special coaching methods to teach them to love tennis and stay in the game.
Tip 1 – Sucess equals Confidence equals Fun! Tennis is in the recreation business and coaches are fighting to attract young athletes to the sport so that grass roots programs flourish and we produce players at the elite level. Be constantly positive; play fun games which all players can succeed; create an atmosphere at your club that parents and children can enjoy. Do your best to keep children in tennis for life.
Tip 2 – Use modified tennis equipment. This relates to tip number one because by using lower nets, softer tennis balls, lighter tennis racquets and fun equipment we can help our students succeed and therefore enjoy tennis.
Tip 3 – Use cones to position players. Use cones or spots to position students for games and activities. This will give them a reference point and prevent them from wondering off.
Tip 4 – Refer to the names of lines and areas of the court. Use the names of lines and parts of the court when giving directions. This will provide a "full" tennis education and help when playing matches later on.
Tip 5 – Demonstrate before you explain the drill. Young children are fantastic learners. They learn best from observing and copying; as well as experimenting and feeling how something works. In your tennis lessons give the players lots of visual coaching and have them shadow swing so they can feel the correct stroke. This will be far more effective than explaining to a child with a very short attention span who may not fully understand the meaning of your words.
Tip 6 – Don't get too technical! This relates to tip number five. Technical instruction is wasted on young children but they do understand simple distinctions. For instance using higher or lower; softer or harder; to the left or right are effective words to guide a young player. This is one reason why the use of targets and cones can be a very valuable coaching tool.
Tip 7 – Use targets for students to aim at. The reason for using targets is to compel the players to use control over power. Many young players will associate success with how fast and far they can hit the ball. Studies have shown that in sports that require both speed and precision (like tennis) it is far better to learn slow, controlled moves and then make them faster; than learn fast uncontrolled moves and them slow them down. By hitting accurate controlled shots our players will become better at rallying (which should be foremost goal of any program.)
Tip 8 – Don't take private lessons too early. While some parents will expect us to dress up in a clown suit and entertain a 4 or 5 year old in a private lesson it is inappropriate at this age. The children at this age enjoy the excitement of playing with their friends and social interaction – the coach will soon become weary and lose passion for their job.
Tip 9 – Progress the program. Keep giving the students a reason to come back to the game. Progress from a mini court to full court; a mini racquet to a graduate racquet; low compression balls to championship balls; a 30 minute lesson to a 45 minute lesson. Keep challenging the students or they will feel they are not improving and find another sports which offers a pathway.
Tip 10 – Let them play the game. As coaches we are trying to teach players the game of tennis. Once the fundamentals have been taught modified game play should become an emphasis. While at a young age hitting the ball over the net seems miraculous, and returning an impossible dream; let the students experiment with a modified rally. The coach can help or make special rules so it remains enjoyable and the students can experience some success.
Follow these tennis tips to success in your own junior tennis program!
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Mini Tennis ? Know What it is
Mini Tennis, as the name suggests, is the game of tennis designed especially for children, aged in between 4 years to 11 years. Mini tennis is the modified version of tennis for younger or inexperienced players, in which all the skills and tactics of the real game is learned and used. It offers an exciting and colourful introduction to the game that helps in sustaining a young player's interest in the game and gives them a desire to play tennis for life.
Mini Tennis is an early introduction to tennis, with emphasis on developing agility, balance and coordination which are fundamental skills to have in place when moving onto Mini-Tennis Red. There are special training sessions for the children interested in mini tennis. These sessions involves various exercises in the form of a circuit that prepares the child for the game, whilst getting them used to working with others around them.
Based on the player’s age, three courses have been designed which is followed globally. They are Red course, Orange Course and Green Course.
Mini Tennis Red Courses: This course has been specially designed for the beginners. Children aged between 4 to 7 years needs to get started from this course. This course helps in learning and developing movements, co-ordination and ball skills. The children get an introduction to the game and above all, fun! Sponge balls and small rackets are used during the Red Course.
Mini Tennis Orange Courses: This course has particularly been designed for children between 7 years to 9 years. After successfully completing the red course and learning the basics of the game, a child enters the orange course. Here they play on a larger court with low compression tennis balls. The emphasis is on playing the game, enjoying competition and learning all the shots.
Mini Tennis Green Courses: After the orange course, a child needs to undergo Green course training programme. This course is for children aging in between 9 years to 11 years. Here they play on a full size court with a ball that is slightly lighter and softer than a full tennis ball. This course promotes longer rallies. Children are encouraged to play matches and be competitive as they progress towards the full game.
Now comes the most interested part of mini tennis: Awards. Each colour stage has 3 levels. Level 3 is the most basic and level 1 is the most advanced. Each level has 5 sections covering physical skill, technical skill, tactical achievement, sportsmanship and off court commitment.
There are three tasks in each section. Once all 15 tasks of that level have been completed the child receives a certificate and a medal. At the 'red' stage, stickers are awarded for each task completed. They are then ready for the next level. There is no set time limit for each level award to be achieved.
Level 3 of each of the stages are generally easier to get and may be achieved in 1 or 2 sets of courses. Levels 1 and 2 will take longer to achieve.
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Aviva Tennis Hot Shots is Tennis Australia's Official Kids Starter Tennis Program.
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Two players play crosscourt and can use only forehand. (on the deuce side for righthanders) You also cannot come to the net, the ball must bounce once. This tennis drill is very good for footwork and precision play. Tactics also comes into play. Play to 7 and then swith to backhand crosscourt.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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