Lessons

[natasa]

hello all,

can you please tell me how to pick where to take a tennis lessons. I am beginner (34 years) old so I am not going to go PRO. It is just for my own pleasure. So I found two places...Tennis tip (more money only 6 one hour lessons but it looks like fun place) and ntc.usta (less money, more lessons 9 (1 1/2 hour lessons). What should be my basis to choose where to take lessons.
And also, in the group lessons how do you know that you can go to the level 1.5?

Any suggestions are welcome! thanks

 

[Jackie T. Stephens]

First take a look at forehand grips to see which suits you first and immidatley start hitting so you can get used and comfortable and pros forehands to get familiar on how to hit the stroke.

 

[Topaz]

hello all,

can you please tell me how to pick where to take a tennis lessons. I am beginner (34 years) old so I am not going to go PRO. It is just for my own pleasure. So I found two places...Tennis tip (more money only 6 one hour lessons but it looks like fun place) and ntc.usta (less money, more lessons 9 (1 1/2 hour lessons). What should be my basis to choose where to take lessons.
And also, in the group lessons how do you know that you can go to the level 1.5?

Any suggestions are welcome! thanks

Try calling any tennis clubs around your area, explain that you are a complete beginner. Find out if they have private lessons, group lessons, clinics, etc. If private lessons are really what you are interested in, try taking just one lesson with a pro to see if you like him/her...and be able to articulate your goals. Why are you playing tennis? Do you want to play in leagues? Singles? Doubles? Purely for exercise? A good pro should ask you those questions, and tailor your instruction to your goals. If you know any other people who play, ask them for some help as well.

 

[Jackie T. Stephens]

As Topaz says, I would rather get private if you have the money but small group lessons are good to.

 

[Geezer Guy]

hello all,

can you please tell me how to pick where to take a tennis lessons. I am beginner (34 years) old so I am not going to go PRO. It is just for my own pleasure. So I found two places...Tennis tip (more money only 6 one hour lessons but it looks like fun place) and ntc.usta (less money, more lessons 9 (1 1/2 hour lessons). What should be my basis to choose where to take lessons.
And also, in the group lessons how do you know that you can go to the level 1.5?

Any suggestions are welcome! thanks

First of all, I'll go out on a limb and say that pretty much anyone of average fitness and average athletic ability can get to a 1.5 level. Don't worry too much about that.

Obviosly, the nine 1.5 hour lessons sound better than the six 1 hour lessons. However, this can be influenced by the instructor and the others taking the lessons with you. If you can find an instructor you "click" with, that's worth a LOT. So is finding another student or two you have fun with and can practice with on your own time. Just starting out, the effort you put into practice on your own makes a big difference in how fast you improve.

If you're not in great shape, you may consider the 1 hour lessons. If you pooped after an hour, you're not going to pick up much in that last half hour anyway. And you don't want to start off your tennis career with an injury.

Good luck. You'll have a ball!

 

[natasa]

Whoa...fast responses...thank you so much!!!!

Well I did signed up trough tennistip for 6 1hr. but when I saw the rate trough ntc.usta I did not know what to do. On the other hand I am relatively fit and I think I can survive 1 1/2 hr. lessons but again...you never know.
But I think I will stay with tennistip to see what can I do and how conferrable I feel. They have 16 students (max) with 5 or 6 instructors, so far 11 has been signed up.
I called instructor for private lessons but never heard from her so I signed up for this group.

thanks again

 

[krz]

Whoa...fast responses...thank you so much!!!!

Well I did signed up trough tennistip for 6 1hr. but when I saw the rate trough ntc.usta I did not know what to do. On the other hand I am relatively fit and I think I can survive 1 1/2 hr. lessons but again...you never know.
But I think I will stay with tennistip to see what can I do and how conferrable I feel. They have 16 students (max) with 5 or 6 instructors, so far 11 has been signed up.
I called instructor for private lessons but never heard from her so I signed up for this group.

thanks again

That seems like a great student to instructor ratio all the group lessons I've seen are all like 10:1 or so. as for getting to a 1.5 level its much easier than you think. Probably 1 lesson haha

 

[natasa]

That seems like a great student to instructor ratio all the group lessons I've seen are all like 10:1 or so. as for getting to a 1.5 level its much easier than you think. Probably 1 lesson haha

That is what i thought about ratio as well. I'll keep you posted about my progress......thanks

 

[smoothtennis]

Getting to 1.5, I am serious...I think you can get there by buying a little foam ball, and boucing it against a wall, and catching it as it bounces back in your hitting hand. Then start hittigng it back with your hand, and have fun with it. It you can do this, you can hit a tennis ball once you have the right grip for your forehand and backhand.

Group lessons can be very helpful. They will show you the grips day one, and then you are in business to start hitting balls.

 

[natasa]

Getting to 1.5, I am serious...I think you can get there by buying a little foam ball, and boucing it against a wall, and catching it as it bounces back in your hitting hand. Then start hittigng it back with your hand, and have fun with it. It you can do this, you can hit a tennis ball once you have the right grip for your forehand and backhand.

Group lessons can be very helpful. They will show you the grips day one, and then you are in business to start hitting balls.

It is hard to imagine that there are people that cannot do something like that...But I am sure they exist...
I think I made a good choice with this group. First lesson is this Sunday and I am ready.

 

[goober]

It is hard to imagine that there are people that cannot do something like that...But I am sure they exist...
I think I made a good choice with this group. First lesson is this Sunday and I am ready.

I wouldn't worry at all about ratings at the beginning stages. 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 are really not that meaningful in a way to judge your improvement. People can often go from 1.0 to 2.5 in a very short time. When and if you ever get to the stage where you want to play competitive tennis i.e. leagues or tournaments than you can start worrying about your rating.

Have fun- tennis can be a challenging in the beginning because it is harder than it looks to many people who have never played. It is more a skill than a sport especially at the lower levels of play. So don't get too frustrated if you can't even hit a ball into the court the first day

 

[Geezer Guy]

... I think I made a good choice with this group. First lesson is this Sunday and I am ready.

Let us know how it goes!

Two important things are your racquet and your shoes. For a beginner, you can get a perfectly fine racquet for $20 - $40 at your local Target, K-mart or Walmart. Find one that's already strung. You may see frames without strings - those are usually higher-end racquets. You'll "graduate" to those eventually, but for now just find one that feels good. The grip size and the weight should feel comfortable in your hand.

Shoes are very important as well. You want TENNIS shoes (shoes designed for tennis). Not running shoes or cross training shoes or whatever. It's the end of summer, so you should be able to find some good deals. Eventually, as with racquets, you may move up bigger name shoes. For now, go for comfort. If you play a lot, they wear out pretty quickly anyway.

Tennis is a great sport that you'll hopefully enjoy playing the rest of your life. Until you know for sure it's the sport for you, no need to throw down big bucks. I'd say the MOST IMPORTANT place to spend your tennis dollars now is on good quality instruction. That'll pay off the most right now.

 

[natasa]

goober@
For ratings...just could not understand how it works. No where I could find something like...if you can do this you are at level 2.0. Just for my own understanding. But as you all said it is easy to get to level 1.5 and you guys explained what is needed to do that.

I hope I can hit the ball over the court....:sad:


Geezer Guy@
Thanks...Got cheap Wilson $24.00. I read how to measure (grip and see that thumb or index fits comfy in between). I do not have it at the from of me but I think is 4 3/4 in size. It has strings already.
For sues..I have Adidas (original ones) and I'll use that for the first lessons (not enough time to do shopping) but for the next one I will be ready. And for the money....That is why I was asking what is better...It is not problem in $50 but I want to spend my money wisely.
Thanks

 

[natasa]

So I had my first lesson. It was 4 ppl on 1 instructor. We learned the grip, how to hit the FH (to finish the hit over the shoulder). we also played "rabbit" game. I hope it is the same terminology for all....

I have to say I reallllyyy enjoyed and had so much fun. I cannot weight for next Sunday....

 

[natasa]

Ohh ...thanks for all your help.....

 

[fuzz nation]

Sounds like so far, so good. Keep up the good work!

Remember that the instructors are working for you and you should always feel like your time with them is well spent. If you ever have a problem with someone's system, speak up and get a handle on it. If a teacher isn't meeting you half way and maintaining a good dialogue, etc., don't waste your time on them. A good relationship is obviously terrific, but a bad one is seriously counterproductive.

***Have a blast***

 

[Geezer Guy]

And, if you get along well with someone else in the class, try to get in a hit or two mid-week and work on what you learned in class. If you only work on your game once a week, you won't learn nearly as fast.

 

[natasa]

fuzz nation@ I found instructor to be very good..He made me kind of twist to make great FH...I compared that to "golf swing" (u know turn my body towards right when I ma ready or getting ready to hit the slow ball and then make that finish on the top left).


Geezer Guy@ I found open court time in Queens College (NY) and I will practice there. We have park in our area with couple of courts there but season is over so I'll try to snick in without permit...If I can...

Thanks to all.....