Sunday, September 21, 2014
10 Tennis Tips for Beginners
Tennis is a growing sport, especially in the United States. Over the past couple of years, it has increased in popularity and drawn in new players looking to get in on the action. More players are starting to see the benefits of the game and the enjoyment that comes from a strong volley back and forth across the net. For those just starting out, it can be overwhelming to consider the different rules, the necessary equipment and the right footwork. Here are ten tips for those new to the sport.
1. Consider Watching Tennis Matches
Whether tuning into a tennis match on TV or online or going to sit in the stands at a local tennis tournament, beginners can benefit from watching others play. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at different techniques and footwork that can be emulated when the time comes to practice. As with any other sport, watching others play the game tends to provide insight into the competition and ideas on what to try the next time out on the court.
2. Gather Up the Right Equipment
Everyone knows that a tennis racket is a must have. However, there is no need to spend a lot of money right away. Instead, find an affordable racket, possibly used, to try out. As a person improves their game, it will be possible to upgrade the racket. In addition to a racket, it is important to bring a lot of tennis balls out to the court. Beginners don’t want to spend most of their time running around gathering balls. Instead, bring enough for the same skill to be practiced over and over again without leaving one spot.
3. Find a Court Nearby
There are lots of different tennis courts to check out. Before paying a membership or signing up for anything, look around at local parks and subdivisions. These courts are often open to anyone. They may require a person to sign up for a certain time to guarantee the court is available. For those already members of a gym or country club, take time to visit the court and see what it takes to schedule in some time.
4. Take Time to Stretch and Warm Up
It can be tempting to get out there and start playing right away. Unfortunately, this often results in pulled muscles or other injuries. Save the excitement and take time to stretch before getting started. Just five to ten minutes of stretching can make a major difference in how things go on the court. Also, warming up, even if it means just jogging around the court a couple of times can be helpful.
5. Understand the Rules
Regardless of the number of drills that a person attempts, if a person does not know the rules of tennis, they might not be making any real progress. Consider reading up on the rules of tennis. Find out what is acceptable and what is not. Learn about what lines are considered out of bounds and how the net comes into play in a volley. It is possible to print out a list of tennis rules and use it as a resource while watching other players.
6. Find Someone to Work With
It is possible to practice tennis alone. There are lots of drills that help a person understand the basics of the game and make practicing things like serving and volleys easy. Playing up against a wall is just one way to practice alone. However, it often helps to have a real person around to practice with. This can be another beginner or someone experienced in the sport. For those interested in really learning more about the game, private lessons are often beneficial.
7. Know the Fundamentals of Serving
Getting the ball over the net with a serve is an important part of the game. Take the time to practice serving until it feels natural. For many beginners, this means throwing the ball up into the air over and over again until a consistent toss is maintained. Because of the scoring opportunities, this is a part of the game that is well worth understanding.
8. Don’t Get Discouraged
It’s easy to get discouraged when things aren’t going well. Beginners are especially susceptible to getting frustrated as they struggle with the game. They may find themselves making the same mistakes over and over again. Or, they may not see any real improvement from one outing on the court to the next. It takes time to get better. If things aren’t going well, beginners should take a break and come back to the court at another time.
Ask for Help
Just like any sport, tennis achievement is more easily attained with the help of others. By asking for lessons from an experienced player or even advice from an acquaintance that plays, beginners can learn a wealth of information and gain confidence in their game. If things seem to be at a standstill or improvement is no longer taking place, it is time to consult someone and get help.
Practice Makes Almost Perfect
In tennis, practice isn’t going to make perfect. No one on the planet plays a perfect game every time out on the court. Even the pros have good days and bad days. The difference is that professional players spend lots of time practicing. They hone their skills until they are able to compete at a high level. A beginner needs to understand that practicing tennis will result in improvement. It will take time but investing hours on the tennis court leads to an improved understanding of the game as well as improved performance.
There are so many opportunities available for beginning tennis players. They can choose to learn from televised matches or a couple of people playing on a local court. They can start out with inexpensive equipment and upgrade as they begin to improve. The sky’s the limit with a racket, a tennis ball and a wide open court.
1. Consider Watching Tennis Matches
Whether tuning into a tennis match on TV or online or going to sit in the stands at a local tennis tournament, beginners can benefit from watching others play. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at different techniques and footwork that can be emulated when the time comes to practice. As with any other sport, watching others play the game tends to provide insight into the competition and ideas on what to try the next time out on the court.
2. Gather Up the Right Equipment
Everyone knows that a tennis racket is a must have. However, there is no need to spend a lot of money right away. Instead, find an affordable racket, possibly used, to try out. As a person improves their game, it will be possible to upgrade the racket. In addition to a racket, it is important to bring a lot of tennis balls out to the court. Beginners don’t want to spend most of their time running around gathering balls. Instead, bring enough for the same skill to be practiced over and over again without leaving one spot.
3. Find a Court Nearby
There are lots of different tennis courts to check out. Before paying a membership or signing up for anything, look around at local parks and subdivisions. These courts are often open to anyone. They may require a person to sign up for a certain time to guarantee the court is available. For those already members of a gym or country club, take time to visit the court and see what it takes to schedule in some time.
4. Take Time to Stretch and Warm Up
It can be tempting to get out there and start playing right away. Unfortunately, this often results in pulled muscles or other injuries. Save the excitement and take time to stretch before getting started. Just five to ten minutes of stretching can make a major difference in how things go on the court. Also, warming up, even if it means just jogging around the court a couple of times can be helpful.
5. Understand the Rules
Regardless of the number of drills that a person attempts, if a person does not know the rules of tennis, they might not be making any real progress. Consider reading up on the rules of tennis. Find out what is acceptable and what is not. Learn about what lines are considered out of bounds and how the net comes into play in a volley. It is possible to print out a list of tennis rules and use it as a resource while watching other players.
6. Find Someone to Work With
It is possible to practice tennis alone. There are lots of drills that help a person understand the basics of the game and make practicing things like serving and volleys easy. Playing up against a wall is just one way to practice alone. However, it often helps to have a real person around to practice with. This can be another beginner or someone experienced in the sport. For those interested in really learning more about the game, private lessons are often beneficial.
7. Know the Fundamentals of Serving
Getting the ball over the net with a serve is an important part of the game. Take the time to practice serving until it feels natural. For many beginners, this means throwing the ball up into the air over and over again until a consistent toss is maintained. Because of the scoring opportunities, this is a part of the game that is well worth understanding.
8. Don’t Get Discouraged
It’s easy to get discouraged when things aren’t going well. Beginners are especially susceptible to getting frustrated as they struggle with the game. They may find themselves making the same mistakes over and over again. Or, they may not see any real improvement from one outing on the court to the next. It takes time to get better. If things aren’t going well, beginners should take a break and come back to the court at another time.
Ask for Help
Just like any sport, tennis achievement is more easily attained with the help of others. By asking for lessons from an experienced player or even advice from an acquaintance that plays, beginners can learn a wealth of information and gain confidence in their game. If things seem to be at a standstill or improvement is no longer taking place, it is time to consult someone and get help.
Practice Makes Almost Perfect
In tennis, practice isn’t going to make perfect. No one on the planet plays a perfect game every time out on the court. Even the pros have good days and bad days. The difference is that professional players spend lots of time practicing. They hone their skills until they are able to compete at a high level. A beginner needs to understand that practicing tennis will result in improvement. It will take time but investing hours on the tennis court leads to an improved understanding of the game as well as improved performance.
There are so many opportunities available for beginning tennis players. They can choose to learn from televised matches or a couple of people playing on a local court. They can start out with inexpensive equipment and upgrade as they begin to improve. The sky’s the limit with a racket, a tennis ball and a wide open court.
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