The Little Moments in Tennis That Kids Remember

Not every important moment on a tennis court happens while hitting a ball.

Ask most kids if they want to pick up tennis balls and you'll probably hear, “No!” But I've learned something from years of coaching.

The best conversations happen between the points

Some of my best conversations with young players happen while we're picking up balls. There's no instruction. No correcting technique. We're just walking around the court together and talking.

Parents can have those moments too. Take the target to the court together. Set it up. Hit some balls. Pick them up together. Laugh about the shot that completely missed. Celebrate the one that finally lands on the target.

These moments build something else

These little moments don't necessarily make a better forehand. They build something else. Kids have enough structure already: school, lessons, team practices, and schedules. Sometimes they just need to play.

Years from now

Years from now, your child probably won't remember how many forehands they hit that afternoon. But they might remember that you were there.