Yay!! My first lesson!!!

[energy-101]

I have wanted to try tennis for the longest time and today I finally took my first lesson!!! It was so much fun!!!! And I wasn't half as bad as I thought I would be either!!! My instructor said that it wasn't often people picked up so quickly (maybe he was stroking me ego, but let him, lol) and I really want to improve before I go back on Friday. I have access to a court but no person to play with, is it wise to try and repeat my swings against a backboard if someone isn't there to make sure I am doing it right? Or should I not risk programming myself pooly? I would appreciate any advice you could give me, Thanks!!!!:-D

[Budgerigar]

do you have idea what kind of style you want emulate? but no worries hitting with self.

[energy-101]

I never really thought of it, I just wanted to learn to play so I could play the game with other people. I just don't want to teach myself poor technique! Should I be trying to emulate a certain style?

[raiden031]

I never really thought of it, I just wanted to learn to play so I could play the game with other people. I just don't want to teach myself poor technique! Should I be trying to emulate a certain style?

Do things the way your instructor says to do them, even if they are uncomfortable. Eventually you will overcome it and be much better in the long run.

A few tips for beginners:

- ALWAYS use a continental grip for serving or volleying
- Practice hitting the ball cleanly and consistently BEFORE trying for power. Too much power without the right technique will only slow down your improvement.
- Follow through on your groundstrokes.

[energy-101]

Thanks for the tips! I know this sounds weird but I don't think I understand completely how to hit the ball without a lot of force. I know I have to but one thing I noticed today was my instructor kept telling me to hit softer and to not worry about the force yet and when I thought I was hitting it softly he was saying it was still to forceful. How do you know when you are hitting to hard and how do I train myself to hit as soft as I am supposed to? Are there any special tricks?

[4brotherdrive]

Just do the technique slowly and without effort of doing anything except making solid contact. Just get that technique down. You can hit against a wall but try to hit with the same technique you do on the court, if the wall does not allow you to do that then dont hit with it as it can seriously screw up your technique early on. I played with a wall but since it was really small it really rushed me and it ruined my preparation for shots when i went on the court.

[energy-101]

Thanks everyone!!! Great advice!!!