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Tennis Coaching Tips: New to Tennis? A Few Tips for Your 1st Lesson

Close-up of white lines on a clay tennis court at sunset.

Bring water

As you prepare for your tennis lessons, remember that you may get hot and thirsty. It's essential to bring enough water for an hour of (potentially) intense exercise, especially for those new to the game. These beginner tennis tips will help you stay hydrated and focused during your tennis coaching sessions.

Pre-existing injuries

Have you been injured before while playing tennis? Please tell me, not because I am nosey, but I want to ensure we don't aggravate it during our tennis lessons or cause a reoccurrence, especially as we go through these beginner tennis tips in our tennis coaching sessions.

Footwear

For beginner tennis tips, it's important to wear trainers that are suitable for sport. While you don't need tennis shoes for your first lesson, investing in them will enhance your stability if you plan on playing regularly. Keep in mind that using running shoes for frequent play can lead to quick wear and tear, so consider tennis coaching that emphasizes the right footwear for optimal performance during your tennis lessons.

Sun protection

As you prepare for your tennis lessons, remember to bring a cap and/or sunglasses if you have them. The sun can be bright in summer and low in winter, so these beginner tennis tips will help enhance your comfort and protect your eyes during tennis coaching sessions. And don’t forget to apply sun cream in summer!

Clothing

When preparing for your tennis lessons, it's essential to wear clothing suitable for the season and sport. Since we are outdoors with limited shelter, make sure to be ready for the heat, cold, rain, or whatever the unpredictable British weather brings. For beginner tennis tips, remember that long coats aren’t ideal for tennis, and avoid wearing all black during the summer. It's also important that your shorts, trousers, or dresses have pockets or some means of holding a spare ball. I often emphasize this point in my tennis coaching sessions; in fact, I nag my groups about pockets so much that Sarah Bailey even wrote an article in the Telegraph about it.

Rackets

Don't rush to buy a racket before your first tennis lesson. I can loan you one so we can discuss suitable options for your needs. If you really want to purchase a racket beforehand, keep in mind these beginner tennis tips: avoid oversize models (bigger than 100 square inches), regardless of what the shop salesperson claims about them being 'beginner rackets.' It's also important to ensure you have the correct grip size and that the racket's weight is suitable for you. For those starting out, I recommend the Dunlop Tristorm Elite 270, which is a great option for beginners and is budget-friendly—you can often find it for less than £50, and possibly as cheap as £30 if you're lucky. This advice is part of my tennis coaching approach to ensure you make the best choices as you begin your journey in tennis.

Loos

Before starting tennis lessons, make sure children have visited the toilet, as the only facilities available are public park loos that are not always open. This is especially important for those looking for beginner tennis tips during their tennis coaching sessions.

Balls

I will supply balls for your tennis lessons, and if you are a beginner, consider using low compression green balls when playing with friends. This beginner tennis tip can lead to more success on the court. Parents, it's important to ignore your child's requests to move up a ball color; generally, a lower ball color will help them achieve greater success. For tennis coaching recommendations, here’s a guideline: Under 8s should use red balls, 9-year-olds should use orange balls, 10-year-olds should use green balls, and those aged 11 and upwards should use yellow balls. Beginners often find it beneficial to play with a lower ball color.

Parents

If you want to watch your son or daughter's tennis lessons, please try to do it from an inconspicuous location. This way, you can avoid distracting them, as eyes often go to mum or dad instead of focusing on the ball. For those interested in beginner tennis tips or tennis coaching insights, observing from the sidelines can provide a great perspective.

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Parliament Hill, Parliament Hill, London, NW5 1QR, United Kingdom

07966727618

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