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

Kids Tennis

H has been attending tennis lessons for a while now. Initially we got him a coach for one-to-one lessons at our clubhouse. Although he seemed to enjoy his tennis lessons, we found it a little monotonous. For 1/2 hour each lesson, the coach just fed him balls to hit. Not much of coaching there I'd say, and the lessons weren't cheap.

Earlier this year, we (my sis and I) saw this Groupon deal for 8 tennis lessons by Gee Tennis Academy and jumped on it. So far, H and my niece C have been attending the lessons under coach Gee and they are having fun! The lessons are more interactive, and since it's a group lesson, the kids will also get to make new friends (hopefully).

I must say coach Gee is pretty good with kids. I mean, if H is happy to go for lessons it means the coach is doing something right cos he's not easy to please. The only qualm I have is the timing of the public group sessions. For H's age group, weekday sessions are at 6pm which won't work for us cos it's dinner time plus we'll be stuck in traffic trying to get home after the lesson, but location wise it's better (TTDI Community Complex).  Weekend sessions are held in Subang (3K Sports Complex) which is not an ideal location for us. The morning sessions at 9am can also be very very hot as the court is on the roof top - so the kids don't just get tired from the workout, but from the intense heat.

We'd really like for H to continue his lessons with coach Gee after our Groupon sessions end next month. I wonder if I can get enough kids to form a private group at our clubhouse. That way, we can pick a convenient time and also don't have to travel :-)