Oldschool family out on the courts. Photo by amandabhslater from flickr.
One of my favorite things about tennis is that everyone can play it. Tennis accomidates the rich, poor, young, kinda old, old, really old (I knew a player who was literally over 100), tall, short, fast, slow, and everything in between. One of the best things about this is that everyone in your (yes yours!) family is perfectly capable of playing together. here are some tips to make family tennis fun for all:
- Adapt as Necessary - If you are going to play basketball with a 5 year old, you wouldn’t play on a 10 foot hoop. Likewise, you shouldn’t expect a child that young to play on a full sized court. Instead, maybe use just a service box as a court and use a larger ball that is easier for them to hit. Also, if mobility for anyone is an issue, try to play doubles or triples instead of singles.
- Compete Minimally – This is especially important with younger boys. The worst thing that can happen is the family competes too hard and someone’s feelings get hurt. Try to make tennis initially just be about fun (rallying back and forth, not scoring) and let competition come later. If competition is a must, switch teams around frequently so everyone forgets quickly and wins some time.
- Exercise = Fun! – Parents, you can not instill this enough. Perhaps the greatest gift you can give to your children is to show them that exercise is something that is fun and not a chore. Show this through your own actions on the court and they will do the same for the rest of their lives.
So there it is, my tips on how to make tennis a family matter. Next time you get out on the court, get the whole household out there with you. Also, do me a favor; if you go out with the whole family, take some pictures of it! I’d love to show how much fun family tennis could be on the site. As always, voice in with your own thoughts!
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