Junior Tennis: Start when and How

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Permalink Reply by Jason Lampione on March 12, 2010 at 5:02pm

Dear Gary Sakuma,

In every child, the possibility of unlimited potential exist in us all, it is the guidance and support that we each receive that makes the beginning of learning the very core and essence in where the potential lies. The time-line to have a child start is completely dependent on several variables:

(1) Does the child show interest in the sport?
(2) The frequency in which you introduce the child to the game.
(3) How involved the parents and coach get "long-term-wise," and by making the it "fun" in the early years will increase the
childs desire to wanna learn.
(4) The coaching ability of the child and if he or she has any physical or mental barriers to over-come.

Many professoinal coaches will argue that the gage range is ever changing and varies from 3-5, however, in my opinion I think that this age range is quite young. I would assert that the good age of 6-8 would be a great place to start to see the athletic ability of a child. Nonetheless, the biggest aspect of tennis is the "mental," conditioning and education the child will have to learn and develop early on if he or she is going to have any long-term success. If you have additional questoins or comments, please let me know and I will get back to you immediately. Thank you Gary and be well.

Sincerely,

Jason Lampione.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Sakuma on March 23, 2010 at 8:31am

My old friend and I discussed this at length, our theory, combined, was that you introduce the child to five sports--we chose soccer (foot coordination/team work), basketball (hand eye/team work), martial arts, dance (if female), and tennis. martial arts for mental toughness and discipline. dance for flexibility and strength. the team sports because sometimes tennis players don't function well in groups. bball and soccer also give massive conditioning and stamina to tennis players whereas just tennis, too easy. then, you let the child chose matching their natural abilities with their desire.

case in point, michelle wie...great hitter...can't move to save her life...golf...

Jason Lampione said:

Dear Gary Sakuma,

In every child, the possibility of unlimited potential exist in us all, it is the guidance and support that we each receive that makes the beginning of learning the very core and essence in where the potential lies. The time-line to have a child start is completely dependent on several variables:

(1) Does the child show interest in the sport?
(2) The frequency in which you introduce the child to the game.
(3) How involved the parents and coach get "long-term-wise," and by making the it "fun" in the early years will increase the
childs desire to wanna learn.
(4) The coaching ability of the child and if he or she has any physical or mental barriers to over-come.

Many professoinal coaches will argue that the gage range is ever changing and varies from 3-5, however, in my opinion I think that this age range is quite young. I would assert that the good age of 6-8 would be a great place to start to see the athletic ability of a child. Nonetheless, the biggest aspect of tennis is the "mental," conditioning and education the child will have to learn and develop early on if he or she is going to have any long-term success. If you have additional questoins or comments, please let me know and I will get back to you immediately. Thank you Gary and be well.

Sincerely,

Jason Lampione.

• ▶ Reply