Tennis is the best first sport

H's first encounter with tennis was when we took him to a trial lesson at Monster Tennis. He was still very clingy then and refused to participate although I could sense that he longed to play those games they did. But he simply refused to get onto the court. Oh well, we never went back since I did not want to waste my money if he wasn't going to participate.

Fast forward to now, H is enjoying his tennis lessons. Why tennis? I read that tennis is a great first sport for kids. It helps develop the greatest number of skills required for the greatest number of other sports and activities (see chart below). So hopefully with a good grounding in these skills, he'll grow to love and enjoy an array of sporting activities!



A little description on how tennis develops the above skills:

1. Throwing. The service and overhead motion in tennis is identical to baseball and football
2. Catching. The soft-hand skills required for volleying, as well as dropshots, lobs, and other touch shots in tennis are terrific catching skill-builders for other sports
3. Striking. Anyone who has played tennis knows how much easier tennis makes learning all other racquet sports. Studies have proven significant carry-overs from one racquet sport to others, as well as to other striking activities like baseball and hockey
4. Running & Striking. This very specific skill is one of the most challenging features of tennis, and one of the most valuable skill-builders a developing athlete can master
5. Movement Rhythm. Sports educators are now broadly beginning to emphasize the importance of rhythm in sports, although dance teachers have long expounded its benefits. Because tennis is a continuous rhythm activity, it offers many timing and rhythm benefits not available from many other sports
6. 3-Step Movement Pattern. Almost all baseline movement can be covered in three steps
7. Aerobic. Although tennis is accepted as more anaerobic than aerobic, the aerobic benefits of playing tennis are very high as compared to other sports such as baseball or golf
8. Anaerobic. Competitive and moderate tennis scored near the top of the list when comparing calories burned by different activities over a 3-hour period. This makes tennis a wonderful first sport to build both stamina and strength in children
9. Team-building. Most junior tennis classes are organised in a group learning environment, encouraging a team atmosphere within an individual sport