Would group lessons at a club which has age-based classes up to tournies, and some private lessons give my under 8 yr old a chance at college tennis?

[Threegoats]

She's taking group lessons and it seems fun for her as she's made friends but the development has been slow and she's indicated the pace is a little boring for her. I'm thinking of mixing in some private or semi private lessons too.

I looked at USPTA coaches too and have taken lessons with one of them and thought the technique taught at the club was more modern but I am a bit concerned about not finding any of their coaches in the USPTA certified database though the club web site does say their coaches are certified.

What do you all think?

 

[Grafil Injection]

Everything that is not on an iPad will be boring to an 8 year-old. Stick with the group lessons and if she has serious potential the coaches will tell you.

 

[PRS]

Best thing at that age is to get her in multiple sports to help improve her overall athleticism. Might want to make sure the group lessons are fun and not just standing in hitting lines, but outside of that, if you really want her to play college, 2 main things are important: 1) overall athleticism, and 2) enjoying the sport.

If she doesn't enjoy it, she'll burn out. If she doesn't build overall athleticism with other sports, she'll be more susceptible to overuse injuries.

 

[sureshs]

She's taking group lessons and it seems fun for her as she's made friends but the development has been slow and she's indicated the pace is a little boring for her. I'm thinking of mixing in some private or semi private lessons too.

I looked at USPTA coaches too and have taken lessons with one of them and thought the technique taught at the club was more modern but I am a bit concerned about not finding any of their coaches in the USPTA certified database though the club web site does say their coaches are certified.

What do you all think?

The coaches may have not renewed their subscription or obtained PTR certification. Search in that database. Or the certified coaches may have quit and the website not updated.

 

[sureshs]

What the certification buys you is that the coach has liability insurance, is Safeplay certified (sexual harassment) and undergoes regular background checks, all important to someone with a daughter. Teaching skills wise, may or may not make a difference.

 

[eah123]

Any kid with reasonable athletic ability has a chance at college tennis. Do you know there are 1,100 womens college tennis programs among the 5 divisions? It’s mostly a matter of time, energy and money.

 

[slipgrip93]

Maybe you and your daughter could check out Meike Babel's yt channel ( link ), ( playlists ). She's got great, in my opinion, intro but good fundamentals videos in volume there to intermediate and 4.0+ plus plenty of drills , and the video presentations are very accessible. She's also reachable on email and probably can advise on coaching or instruction directions for your kid.

 

[10sbeast888]

you are thinking too far ahead.... let her have fun. my son got to pro level in a different sport... experience tells me that there is a drive, there is a way... you will know when/if she's ready for a serious push.