How To Select A Tennis Program For Your Child

While participating in youth sports can be a healthy and beneficial activity for the development of children, it is important to select the “right” program for your kid. In order to select a program that is a good fit for your child, several aspects must be taken into consideration. The list below can help you to navigate the search in a way that minimizes “program hopping” and allows children to have a stable program in which they can develop as they age and progress.

While the list below is not in order of importance, as that can vary depending on the situation, it hopes to depict the topics that should be taken into consideration as one navigates the search for a quality tennis program in your area.

1. Logistics: especially early in the developmental process, the Program/Club should be at a location that is convenient for you and your child and that it provides a safe and pleasant environment.  This should include availability of parking and/or public transportation.

2. Costs: while tennis can be expensive at certain locations, it should not always be the case. Research options in your area and see the per-hour cost of the different programs in order to have a real comparison; as some programs are structured in 10-14 weeks sessions while others have shorter or longer durations. Also worth considering is, what is the ratio of player to Pro on a regular basis?

3. Player’s objective:  finding a program that fits with your child’s interest is crucial. In other words, if your child has competitive aspirations then they should be in a program that provides such opportunities as they develop. Alternatively, if they want to play recreationally, the program should also fit that vision as well.

4. Player’s age: depending on the player’s age, more significant training and sacrifices will be required (if they have more aggressive goals). Therefore, it’s important to consider “how much time” they have so that the resources can be allocated at the appropriate times. For example: a promising eight-year-old has a more limited training ability, in terms of volume and total hours per week. Consequently, balancing the player’s training schedule with their age is also important. While overdoing it at an early age can be detrimental, underdoing at a later age can also be significantly limiting to one’s ability to develop.

5. Level of coaching: regardless of the aspiration of the player, having experienced Lead Coaches in the programs is very important. Additionally, for those who have higher aspirations with their tennis, having access to coaches with significant experience in developing players is also a must.

6. Coaching engagement: another crucial aspect is to evaluate the engagement of the Pros who are leading the groups to ensure that they are present and paying attention to your children and his/her needs. Regardless of the Pro’s experience, it is imperative that they are connecting with the player in real time and trying to assist him/her as needed. While that does not necessarily mean “correcting” the player on every single shot (as that can lead to overthinking and other issues) there should be a clear connection between the players and Pros while on-court.

Finding the balance of all these aspects can be difficult, and at times, players/parents may do some trial and error in order to find the best fit. At the USTA BJK National Tennis Center we strive to provide robust programs, for juniors and adults, that allow players to develop in a progressive manner, and find an environment that suits his/her needs, regardless if that means playing recreational or competitive tennis.