Hi Team Stony Tennis,
I regularly get asked by parents, “How can I help my child improve?” Tennis is a demanding sport that requires skill, dedication, and mental toughness. As a parent, you play a crucial role in your child’s tennis journey. Your support can make a significant difference in their development, both on and off the court. I would like to share with you some practical ways parents can help their kids thrive in tennis.
1. Encourage a Love for the Game
The most important thing is to foster a genuine love for tennis. Encourage your child to enjoy the game, whether they’re practicing, competing, or simply watching matches. Make tennis fun and avoid putting too much pressure on results. A positive attitude will help them stay motivated and passionate about the sport. Unfortunately, I have witnessed some terrible behaviors from parents, and it is inevitable that the child eventually stops playing, which is such shame.
2. Provide Emotional Support
Tennis can be mentally challenging, with its ups and downs. Be there to offer emotional support, whether your child wins or loses. Help them learn from their mistakes and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Your encouragement and reassurance can boost their confidence and resilience. Don’t think of yourself as a ‘Tennis Parent’, but as a ‘Parent’! No matter what happens to your children, just being there for them makes a world of difference.
3. Help with Goal Setting
Work with your child to set realistic and achievable goals. These can be related to specific skills, fitness, or competition. Setting goals helps keep them focused and motivated. Encourage them to track their progress and celebrate milestones along the way. Please don’t obsess about this either. There are so many reasons why goals aren’t met but I would also advise that you check the goals with the coach, so everyone is on the same hymn sheet.
4. Be Involved, But Not Overbearing.
Show interest in your child’s tennis activities by attending matches, practices, and events. However, avoid being overly critical or controlling. Allow the coach to handle the technical aspects of training. Your role is to be supportive and provide a positive environment. BTW – You don’t have to watch every minute of their tennis…actually, this is bad for the child. Feel free to drop them off at a tournament or practice and go shopping! Letting them have independence is so important and why many kids don’t like their parents watching.
5. Teach the Importance of Practice
Help your child understand that practice is essential for improvement. Encourage consistent practice routines, but also ensure they have time for rest and other interests. Balance is key to preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy relationship with the sport.
6. Promote Healthy Competition
Teach your child to compete with integrity and respect. Emphasize the importance of good sportsmanship, whether they win or lose. Encourage them to learn from every match and to appreciate the effort of their opponents.
7. Support Physical Fitness and Nutrition
Tennis requires physical endurance and strength. Ensure your child maintains a healthy lifestyle by promoting regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. This will enhance their performance on the court and contribute to their overall well-being.
8. Manage Expectations
Help your child manage expectations by focusing on personal improvement rather than just winning. Success in tennis is a journey, and progress can be gradual. Encourage them to be patient and persistent, understanding that setbacks are part of the learning process.
9. Communicate with Coaches
Maintain open communication with your child’s coach to stay informed about their progress and any areas needing improvement. Work together with the coach to support your child’s development and address any concerns. I experienced an incident where some parents were telling the child things that contradicted what I was saying, which was very confusing for the child. Once I was aware of this, I was able to explain why we were approaching something a certain way and the parents then understood. Asking questions of the coach is fine but contradicting them isn’t. Hopefully you have entrusted the professional to do the job…I would never tell my dentist which tooth needs taking out!
10. Encourage Balance and Perspective
While tennis is important, it’s crucial to maintain balance in your child’s life. Encourage them to explore other interests, spend time with friends and family, and focus on their education. This well-rounded approach helps them develop a healthy perspective and prevents tennis from becoming overwhelming.
We have so many amazing parents at the club who know that supporting their child in tennis is about more than just cheering from the sidelines. By fostering a love for the game, providing emotional support, and promoting a balanced lifestyle, you can help your child enjoy the sport and reach their full potential. Remember, your role is to be a supportive guide, helping them navigate the challenges and joys of their tennis journey.
With your encouragement, they can develop not only as players but also as confident, resilient individuals both on and off the court.
Please feel free to reply on any thoughts you have from this email. I love these discussions with engaged parents, and I am happy to help in any way I can.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis
I regularly get asked by parents, “How can I help my child improve?” Tennis is a demanding sport that requires skill, dedication, and mental toughness. As a parent, you play a crucial role in your child’s tennis journey. Your support can make a significant difference in their development, both on and off the court. I would like to share with you some practical ways parents can help their kids thrive in tennis.
1. Encourage a Love for the Game
The most important thing is to foster a genuine love for tennis. Encourage your child to enjoy the game, whether they’re practicing, competing, or simply watching matches. Make tennis fun and avoid putting too much pressure on results. A positive attitude will help them stay motivated and passionate about the sport. Unfortunately, I have witnessed some terrible behaviors from parents, and it is inevitable that the child eventually stops playing, which is such shame.
2. Provide Emotional Support
Tennis can be mentally challenging, with its ups and downs. Be there to offer emotional support, whether your child wins or loses. Help them learn from their mistakes and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Your encouragement and reassurance can boost their confidence and resilience. Don’t think of yourself as a ‘Tennis Parent’, but as a ‘Parent’! No matter what happens to your children, just being there for them makes a world of difference.
3. Help with Goal Setting
Work with your child to set realistic and achievable goals. These can be related to specific skills, fitness, or competition. Setting goals helps keep them focused and motivated. Encourage them to track their progress and celebrate milestones along the way. Please don’t obsess about this either. There are so many reasons why goals aren’t met but I would also advise that you check the goals with the coach, so everyone is on the same hymn sheet.
4. Be Involved, But Not Overbearing.
Show interest in your child’s tennis activities by attending matches, practices, and events. However, avoid being overly critical or controlling. Allow the coach to handle the technical aspects of training. Your role is to be supportive and provide a positive environment. BTW – You don’t have to watch every minute of their tennis…actually, this is bad for the child. Feel free to drop them off at a tournament or practice and go shopping! Letting them have independence is so important and why many kids don’t like their parents watching.
5. Teach the Importance of Practice
Help your child understand that practice is essential for improvement. Encourage consistent practice routines, but also ensure they have time for rest and other interests. Balance is key to preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy relationship with the sport.
6. Promote Healthy Competition
Teach your child to compete with integrity and respect. Emphasize the importance of good sportsmanship, whether they win or lose. Encourage them to learn from every match and to appreciate the effort of their opponents.
7. Support Physical Fitness and Nutrition
Tennis requires physical endurance and strength. Ensure your child maintains a healthy lifestyle by promoting regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. This will enhance their performance on the court and contribute to their overall well-being.
8. Manage Expectations
Help your child manage expectations by focusing on personal improvement rather than just winning. Success in tennis is a journey, and progress can be gradual. Encourage them to be patient and persistent, understanding that setbacks are part of the learning process.
9. Communicate with Coaches
Maintain open communication with your child’s coach to stay informed about their progress and any areas needing improvement. Work together with the coach to support your child’s development and address any concerns. I experienced an incident where some parents were telling the child things that contradicted what I was saying, which was very confusing for the child. Once I was aware of this, I was able to explain why we were approaching something a certain way and the parents then understood. Asking questions of the coach is fine but contradicting them isn’t. Hopefully you have entrusted the professional to do the job…I would never tell my dentist which tooth needs taking out!
10. Encourage Balance and Perspective
While tennis is important, it’s crucial to maintain balance in your child’s life. Encourage them to explore other interests, spend time with friends and family, and focus on their education. This well-rounded approach helps them develop a healthy perspective and prevents tennis from becoming overwhelming.
We have so many amazing parents at the club who know that supporting their child in tennis is about more than just cheering from the sidelines. By fostering a love for the game, providing emotional support, and promoting a balanced lifestyle, you can help your child enjoy the sport and reach their full potential. Remember, your role is to be a supportive guide, helping them navigate the challenges and joys of their tennis journey.
With your encouragement, they can develop not only as players but also as confident, resilient individuals both on and off the court.
Please feel free to reply on any thoughts you have from this email. I love these discussions with engaged parents, and I am happy to help in any way I can.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis