How to teach or train kids to hit consistently

[Lakers4Life]

When I watch my daughter taking a tennis lesson, the instructor is hitting a ball for her to hit. I tried to do the same when I'm practicing with her, but it take too much time. She still has not got the hang of hitting against a wall.

I'm looking for a stationary tool or equipment that she can hit consistently without have to stop and pick up balls every 15 mins. I remember thier was this yard game, Smackball???, that was like tetherball. It had a spiral guide at the top and had a tennis ball at the end. The racquets used were like those used in Paddle tennis. Is there a tool like what I'm describing?

I want her to feel hitting the ball in the sweet spot, before having to move her feet to hit the ball. Does this make sense?

 

[SLow]

I believe a tool called the practice hit may be what you are looking for.

 

[Lakers4Life]

I believe a tool called the practice hit may be what you are looking for.

Thanks, I'll try looking for it. Eagnas makes a thing called Trainer-E, but I'd like to see it in action. It looks like this:

Anyone use this?

 

[Lakers4Life]

Double post, Please delete.

 

[SethIMcClaine]

how old is she?

 

[Lakers4Life]

11 yrs old, 4'11".

 

[chris]

if you just want consistency tell them to just hit at eighty percent not hit the ball as hard as they can

 

[chris]

oops sorry didnt read the post your looking for a machine

 

[stanfordtennis alum]

let her hit against a wall or a ball machine.. the key is balance, footwork, timing and rhythm

 

[Lakers4Life]

She has to hit the ball first. Control is the next thing I want her to master. I'm trying to teach her good form too, which is missing in a lot of young players.

 

[Lakers4Life]

let her hit against a wall or a ball machine.. the key is balance, footwork, timing and rhythm

That's the thing, she has not gotten the hang of hitting against a wall. My coach always told me, "You can't beat the wall." The most consecutive hits I've seen her do is seven.

 

[10s talk]

She has to hit the ball first. Control is the next thing I want her to master. I'm trying to teach her good form too, which is missing in a lot of young players.

you could have her :

say bounce at the exact moment the ball bounces

say hit at the exact moment you hit the ball

an old tip that works

 

[Lakers4Life]

you could have her :

say bounce at the exact moment the ball bounces

say hit at the exact moment you hit the ball

an old tip that works

I never heard that tip, but I'll give it a try. I don't expect her to play in tournaments any time soon. I just preparing her for HS Tennis, which is 3 years away.

 

[SethIMcClaine]

is she having fun with it? that should be the main concern right now. If you want her to play in hs and are drilling her now shes going to be done playing with in the next year if shes not even a teen now!

 

[Lakers4Life]

I think she wants to learn, so she can play better. Her classmate and best friend is also learning how to play tennis at the same time. She is the one asking me to take her to the courts, but sometimes I don't have the time. At least with a trainer, she can practice in the backyard whenever she wants.

 

[CoachingMastery]

This question must be asked within two contexts:
1. Do I want this kid to be consistent NOW?
2. Do I want this kid to BECOME consistent at higher levels LATER?

This is critical. There are ways to have kids simply find the ball, time the swing, and hit high enough and hard enough to clear the net, but soft enough that gravity will bring the ball down in play. This type of consistency needs little training and can be discovered completely on their own through simple trial and error.

However, this type of learning or consistency, will not equate into the player developing and progressing to higher levels of skilled EFFECTIVE consistency; ie: defending more effective shots hit by more highly skilled opponents. Also, if a player hopes to become a skilled player, consistency should also apply to the ability to hit more EFFECTIVE shots more consistently.

Because this type of 'effective' consistency comes with learning patterns that are a) not usually very comfortable or familiar, and b) take time to master, most kids are taught the more rudementary means of 'keeping a ball in play'...which usually results in "winning" today, but stagnating well below their potential.

So, again, the student, their parent and the coach must look at the goal and the idea of potential, if they hope to help their student reach such potential.

As a professional for over 35 years, most players fail to reach their potential because of the LACK of understanding this relationship.

 

[v205]

At least 5 shots IN the court for each point before attacking?

 

[SethIMcClaine]

I think she wants to learn, so she can play better. Her classmate and best friend is also learning how to play tennis at the same time. She is the one asking me to take her to the courts, but sometimes I don't have the time. At least with a trainer, she can practice in the backyard whenever she wants.

Thats Awesome!

 

[10s talk]

I never heard that tip, but I'll give it a try. I don't expect her to play in tournaments any time soon. I just preparing her for HS Tennis, which is 3 years away.

it should force her to watch the ball...... make sure it is based on sight not rhythm

 

[Lakers4Life]

it should force her to watch the ball...... make sure it is based on sight not rhythm

OK note taken. Thanks!