Once known as a game for European nobles, tennis is now enjoyed around the world by players of all ages and backgrounds. Even for young kids, tennis offers a fast-paced game and the chance to compete individually, in pairs, or on a team. Kids who start with tennis may also branch out to other racquet sports. Does tennis appeal to your child? Here's how to get her started in this sport.
The basics: Tennis is played on a lined, rectangular court 78 feet long. Players use a racquet to volley a felt-covered rubber ball across a waist-high net placed at the center of the court. In singles tennis, two players face off on either side of the net. In doubles tennis, the wider boundary lines are used and two players compete against another pair. Doubles teams can be single sex or mixed. When a player is unable to return an opponent's serve or volley, or hits a ball out of bounds, his opponent scores a point. Here is a rundown of tennis scoring from About.com Tennis.
For younger children, the United States Tennis Association created 10 and Under Tennis. This form of kids' tennis uses smaller courts, slower-moving and lower-bouncing balls, and shorter and lighter racquets.
Age kids can start: Lessons can begin between three and seven years old, depending on the child's interest and attention span, says Jeff Cooper, About.com Guide to Tennis. Competitive play can begin at age 5 (see "Levels," below).
Skills needed/used: Ball and racquet handling, endurance, quick reaction time.
Best for kids who are: Energetic and have good hand-eye coordination.
Season/when played: Usually fall for interscholastic play; rec leagues and private clubs are often available year-round, indoors and out.
Team or individual? Both. Kids compete as individuals and can also be part of a school or community team. Players can also compete in pairs (doubles tennis).
Levels: The USTA hosts tournaments for junior players in these divisions: 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under, 18 and under. The USTA also has a Junior Team program, which groups singles, doubles, and mixed doubles players into teams to compete against other teams. Kids can join a team at 5 years old and progress up through these divisions: 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, 18 and under.
College and university teams are regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Both singles and doubles tennis are summer Olympic sports, and of course a small number of athletes play tennis professionally.
Appropriate for kids with special needs: Yes; tennis is a Special Olympics sport. The USTA has both an adaptive tennis program and a wheelchair tennis program (wheelchair tennis is a Paralympic sport).
Fitness factor: Can be high, especially in singles tennis, as players chase balls around the court and use upper body and core muscles to reach and swing the racquet.
Equipment: Your child will need athletic shoes, a racquet, and balls to practice with at home. Sun protection, such as a visor or hat and sunglasses (and sunscreen), is recommended for outdoor play. Advanced players buy strings separately from racquets.
Costs: Even good quality beginner racquets for kids are inexpensive (about $25), and lessons can start at about $20 an hour, if you hire a high schooler. Advanced coaching, tournament fees, and club memberships will cost considerably more. But you can find free municipal courts and players looking for partners at the USTA website.
Time commitment required: Weekly, 60-minute lessons for beginners; school teams and other tournament play will mean more time for both practice and competitions. If your child plays at an elite level, expect to travel to tournaments and spend lots of time and money on private coaching.
Potential for injury: Medium. About two-thirds of tennis injuries are due to repetitive stress (also called overuse) in the shoulder, elbow, or wrist. You can get a tip sheet on preventing tennis injuries from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
How to find a program:
- USTA Ten and Under Tennis
- USTA Junior Team Tennis
- YMCA (search for your local Y, then check to see if it has a program)
- Community Tennis Association Locator
- Your local parks and rec department
Governing bodies:
If your child likes tennis, also try: Other racquet sports, such as squash, racquetball, or badminton; lacrosse or field hockey; volleyball.
