How to teach beginners?

[Newby]

I am a high school varsity player who hits with a lot of topspin. Since my brother is 7 years old and is really into sports, I really want to get him started with tennis early. I also have a cousin who wants to learn, and she is about 12 years old. What I'm wondering is...when I first start teaching them, should I teach them only to drive the ball flat, or teach them to hit topspin right away? From my personal instruction, I've learned that hitting the ball flat is more effective with a closed stance and an over-the-shoulder follow through. However, my coach teaches me to hit topspin with the windshield wiper motion, where I end below my left shoulder like Nadal. I want my brother and cousin to eventually hit with spin the way I do, but it seems strange to teach them topspin right away and I know they are not strong enough to generate that much topspin yet. The only problem I'm worried about is that when I start them off with the flatter stroke, they will get too comfortable with the closed stance lack of spin that it will be hard for them to switch to the more modern approach. Any help please?

 

[Exile]

Hmm
Teach the eastern grip, teach one handed backhand,
teach backhand first(a la charlie hollis)
Take it slow, don't get technical untill they get the BASIC SWING!
Don't even mention spin untill they can control a ball over the net.

They will find a style THEY are comfortable with, choose the eastern to start them with because it doesnt really requre wrist tortion, just being firm.

 

[montx]

I agree, help them keep it simple first, with a closed stance, and make sure they can find the ball comfortably.

 

[Ken]

Have them grip a racket by themselves, and attempt to hit basic forehands and backhands. After each, check what grip they're holding the racket with. Usually, this natural grip is what they'll be primarily using.

And...keep it SIMPLE. Maybe as much as "take the racket back and hit through the ball". You can check how much they're following/hitting through by seeing if their racket ends up on the opposite shoulder. It may be shorter though if they're using an Eastern grip.

Opposite of Exile, I'd start by teaching them a two-handed backhand. Tell them that there are one and two handed, though. You can explain both a little if you want. If they want to try the one-hander, go through the motion and have them try a couple balls with it. If they don't, just keep going with the two-hander. They can always change later if they have to, and the two hands are going to provide a lot more stability for younger players.

And yeah, I'm not sure if you want to force topspin on them. Teach them it one day if you can, and if they really like it, by all means help them with it. However, they should try developing their own natural style, which'll happen as they play more.

 

[Newby]

Thanks guys!

 

[Thomas]

One handed backhand is the way to go. Don't teach them that sissy two handed stuff, that's for weak players.

 

[Exile]

Amen Thomas, amen.

Rod laver once said that a child learning the game should learn the one handed backhand because of the versatility. They naturally want more control so they use two hands. If they naturally use two hands give them a lighter racket.

This was back in the wooden age so there shouldn't be too much trouble these days.

 

[Ken]

While it's added versatility, it's also much more successful for younger players. Generally, the one hander is harder to start out with. At young ages, kids will find a lack of control and sometimes difficulty managing it over long periods of time. While it doesn't matter nearly as much later on, you generally want the kids to have as much confidence as possible.

I'm not sure though, I use a 1HB myself. I started less than a year ago, and I'm 15 now. So I can't really say I was too young to be able to manage a 1HB successfully. I dunno.

Actually, it depends on the athleticism. Is your brother small and a a little frail? THen start him off with a 2HB. If he's sort of tall and athletic, just go right away with one handed. Same thing for the girl, if she can manage it, go for it. But if her body has slight problems handling it, don't bother.

 

[Thomas]

I'm having my problems with one handed, but I just heard that Federer and Hardenne strengthened their weak one handed backhands by the constant hitting to it from early on when people saw the weakness in it.

 

[Newby]

I think i'll start my brother off with the one-hander and my cousin with the two...

 

[joe sch]

Keep it simple for beginners so they are successful from the start and can thus enjoy the new experiences. Natural grips, strokes and follow thru's. Extreme strokes, grips and follow thru's take years of development and lots more strenght. Start close like mini-tennis or hitting volleys at the net. Tennis can be so simple and easy if taught and played correctly. The stuff you see on TV today is extremely complicated with the timing, power and control involved.

 

[anirut]

One handed backhand is actually very easy to teach and learn. I learned the trick 27 years ago and I use the same trick to teach my son.

Give the kids a frisby (spelling?) or a plate or whatever. It's a natural stroke to throw with a backhand. Let them get use to it. Tell them not to 'flick the wrist'. This teaches them the follow-through. As for the BH grip, that comes in later after they're used to the stroke.

And ... use to the right racket size for their height. Using incorrect racket size will force them to use 2HBH.