Dear Parent,
Take a breath. If you're reading this, you're already doing something wonderful for your child, you're supporting their interest in tennis. And the best news is you don't need to know the difference between a forehand and a backhand to be an amazing tennis parent.
Maybe you've just signed up for lessons and you're wondering what comes next. Perhaps your child has been playing for a while, but you're not sure how to help them through the tough moments. Or you might be that parent standing at the side of the court, wanting to encourage but not quite knowing what to say.
We see you, and this handbook is for you.
The truth is, your child doesn't need you to be their coach. They need you to be their biggest fan, their safe place when things get frustrating, and their partner in keeping tennis fun. Young children who fall in love with tennis don't do so because they perfected their technique at age six. They do it because someone made the journey enjoyable, celebrated their small wins, and helped them bounce back from the tough days.
In these pages, you'll find practical ways to support your young player, from choosing the right equipment to turning your living room into a practice space. You'll learn how to navigate the emotional ups and downs, when to push gently forward, and when to simply offer a hug and a snack.
Most importantly, you'll discover that the goal isn't to raise the next tennis champion (though that's okay too!). It's to help your child develop a relationship with tennis that brings them joy, builds their character, and maybe, just maybe, gives them a lifelong passion.
Every professional player started exactly where your child is now: excited, a little unsure, and holding a racket that might feel too big. The difference between those who continue and those who quit often comes down to one factor: having a parent who knew how to make the journey positive.
You've got this. Let's begin.
Tennis is unique among sports because it is a conversation between the body and the mind. It challenges speed, agility, and balance while simultaneously demanding strategy, patience, and resilience.
On the physical side, tennis builds the athlete. It is a complete workout disguised as play, blending running, jumping, and striking into one dynamic game. The coordination developed here transfers to almost any other activity.
Mentally, tennis is a learning arena. Every rally is a fresh start. A mistake is not a failure; it is immediate feedback. Children naturally learn:
Youth sports (1990–2020) ruled via specialization and burnout, creating a crisis of dropout that gave rise to the need for a lifelong game.
Unlike many team sports that fade after high school, tennis offers a pathway that truly lasts. From the moment your child picks up a racket, they are stepping into a sport they can play into their 70s, 80s, and beyond.
Because it is a non-contact sport with a thriving social community, the investment you make today isn't just for their childhood development—it is setting them up with a practice that will provide fitness, stress relief, and connection forever.
A full-size tennis court is a vast ocean for a child. The net is a wall; the baseline is a horizon. To ask a five-year-old to cover that ground is to ask them to fail.
So we shrink the world to fit the player. This is not "mini" tennis; it is proportional tennis. By scaling the court, the racket, and the ball, we preserve the most important thing: the stroke.
When the ball bounces at hip height, a child can swing through it. When the court is smaller, they can learn to defend it. The game becomes playable, and because it is playable, it becomes lovable.
The Environment: A court roughly one-quarter the size. A ball that is 75% slower, drifting rather than darting.
The Goal: Connection. At this stage, we are not building a backhand; we are building a relationship with the ball. The child learns to track an object, to move their feet, and to make contact. It is about the joy of the "pop" on the strings.
The Environment: The court widens and lengthens. The ball speeds up (50% slower than yellow), bouncing higher but still sitting up for the strike.
The Goal: Intention. Now the child isn't just hitting the ball; they are sending it somewhere. They learn to direct play, to recover to the middle, and to understand the geometry of the court.
The Environment: A full-size court. A ball that is 25% slower—fast enough to punish a late reaction, slow enough to reward good footwork.
The Goal: Strategy. The physical game is now matched by the mental game. The player learns to construct a point, to use spin as a weapon, and to handle the pressure of a full match.
The Environment: The adult game.
The Goal: Mastery. The ball is heavy, fast, and unforgiving. But because the foundation was built on the right stages, the player is ready. They don't just survive the speed; they control it.
The amateur timeline prizes speed of ascent; the crisis is burnout; the response is patience.
Progress is not linear. It is a series of plateaus followed by sudden leaps. A child may spend two years mastering the Red stage, then fly through Orange. Another may struggle with coordination early on, only to find their rhythm later.
Trust the stage. Rushing a child to a yellow ball before they are ready is like asking a piano student to play Rachmaninoff before they know their scales. It doesn't speed them up; it breaks their technique.
Tennis is a lonely sport. Unlike soccer or basketball, there is no teammate to pass to when the pressure mounts. There is no clock to run out. You must win the last point.
But the player across the net is not the only opponent. There is a second, invisible opponent: the voice in the head.
This voice says, "Don't miss." It says, "Everyone is watching." It amplifies the geometry of the court until the service box looks like a postage stamp and the net looks like a wall.
As parents, we often focus on the visible battle—the score, the strokes, the calls. But the real development happens in the invisible battle. When your child double-faults and takes a deep breath before the next point, they are defeating the invisible opponent. When they lose a lead but keep swinging freely, they are winning a victory that no scoreboard records.
Our job is not to fight this battle for them. We cannot silence the voice in their head. But we can ensure that our voice—the one they hear on the car ride home—doesn't join forces with it.
The primary goal of junior tennis is not to defeat the player across the net. It is to learn how to manage the player inside the head.
A racket is not just a piece of graphite; it is a lever. It amplifies what the arm does. If the lever is too heavy, the arm struggles. If it is too long, the swing becomes clumsy.
When a child holds a racket that fits, they stop fighting the equipment and start playing the game. The head should not touch the ground when held at their side. It should feel like an extension of their hand, not a weight dragging them down.
The ball dictates the game. A yellow ball on a full court bounces over a six-year-old's head. To hit it, they must swing awkwardly, compromising their technique forever.
By using Red, Orange, and Green balls, we lower the bounce zone. We bring the contact point down to the child's strike zone—waist height—where they are strongest. This isn't "easy mode"; it is "correct mode."
Tennis is played from the ground up. Shoes are the brakes and the accelerator. Running shoes are designed to go forward; tennis shoes are designed to stop, slide, and pivot. The right shoe prevents the roll of an ankle and gives a child the confidence to change direction instantly.
Most children begin their tennis journey in group lessons, and for good reason. Group coaching is fun, social, and affordable. It introduces kids to tennis in a playful environment while teaching the basics of movement, rallying, and teamwork. For many families, this is the perfect starting point.
But at some point, parents often wonder: "Should my child also have private coaching?"
For beginners, group lessons are usually enough. At this stage, the priority is keeping the game fun and building a love for tennis.
Private coaching can be a great addition if your child:
In one-to-one sessions, a coach can give tailored feedback, break down technique in detail, and design drills specifically for your child's needs. Just one private session every week or two, combined with group play, can make a big difference.
The best approach is often a blend: Group lessons for fun and social play, plus the occasional private lesson for focused improvement. For many families, this combination keeps costs manageable while giving children the best of both worlds.
There is a line on the court. On one side is the player; on the other is the coach. Your place is not on either side. Your place is the foundation.
The coach's job is technical: grip, swing, footwork. Your job is emotional: safety, consistency, perspective. When a child looks to the sidelines after a mistake, they are not looking for a correction. They are looking for an anchor. They need to know that their worth is not tied to their forehand.
If you try to be the coach, you lose the ability to be the parent. And right now, they need the parent more.
The most critical ten minutes of a tennis player's week is the car ride home after a loss.
The instinct is to analyze. "Why did you double fault?" "You looked tired." "We need to practice serves."
Resist this. In that moment, the child is raw. They know they missed. They know they lost. Filling the silence with analysis feels like an attack.
Instead, ask: "Did you have fun?" or "What would you like for dinner?"
By refusing to dissect the match, you send a powerful message: Tennis is something you do, not who you are. We love you regardless of the score.
Tennis is lonely. Unlike team sports, there is no bench, no halftime talk, no substitution. It is just the child and the arena.
When you watch, be a source of calm. Avoid the "flinch"—the gasp when they miss, the head in hands, the pacing. Children have radar for parental anxiety. If you are anxious, they will be terrified.
Sit still. Clap for good shots (from both players). Look relaxed. Your body language should say: This is a game. You are safe. I am here.
Tennis does not need to be a separate, serious world. Bring it into the home, but keep it light.
The word "drill" sounds like work. It implies repetition, boredom, and military precision. But children do not learn through drilling; they learn through play.
When a child tries to keep a balloon off the floor, they are learning footwork. When they try to roll a ball through a "caterpillar's" legs, they are learning agility. They are working hard, but because it is a game, it feels like fun.
We have compiled a separate "Drills & Games Supplement". It includes:
Use these tools not to "train" your child, but to play with them. The goal is connection, not perfection.
Competitions are an exciting milestone in your child's tennis journey. They provide opportunities to test skills, make new friends, and build resilience. However, they can also feel overwhelming for both children and parents if you don't know what to expect. This section breaks down the essentials so you can support your child every step of the way.
Children are ready for competition when they can rally consistently, understand basic scoring, and show signs of enjoying structured play. Readiness isn't about being perfect, it's about being able to participate without frustration. If your child can rally a few balls in a row and stay positive during games, they're ready to try their first competition, no matter their age. For younger players, mini tennis events (Red, Orange, Green) are designed to introduce matches in a fun, age-appropriate way.
Mini tennis competitions are shorter, friendlier, and specifically tailored to children's needs. Courts are smaller, matches are quick, and scoring is simplified. Expect lots of games, rotation between courts, and a big focus on fun and participation.
Children learn how to call lines fairly, keep score themselves, and shake hands at the end. These events are about developing social and emotional skills as much as tennis ability.
Being prepared helps your child feel confident. Pack together the night before to avoid stress.
Junior tennis is as much about character as competition. Teach your child that respect is non-negotiable:
When parents model respect, applauding both sides and speaking positively about opponents, children learn to value integrity above results.
It's normal for kids to feel nervous before matches, even pros do! Nerves show that they care. Help your child manage pressure by teaching simple calming strategies:
Remind them that winning isn't the only goal, effort, attitude, and learning are just as important.
It's easy to get caught up in results, but at junior level, the priority should always be fun and development. Avoid entering too many tournaments in a row; mix match play with social hits, skills challenges, and fun events.
Encourage your child to celebrate both competitive and non-competitive milestones: making new friends, playing a longer rally, or trying out a new skill under pressure. By balancing competition with enjoyment, you keep tennis exciting and sustainable for the long run.
Every child goes through ups and downs in tennis, and every parent will hear doubts or frustrations along the way. These moments are completely normal, they're part of learning a challenging sport. What matters most is how you respond. A calm, supportive approach can help your child bounce back stronger and keep their love for tennis alive.
If your child wants to quit, it's common for children to feel like giving up, especially after a tough match, a bad lesson, or when progress feels slow. Instead of pushing harder, step back from competition and focus on fun, low-pressure play. Let them enjoy tennis as a game again. Rallying, targets, or even silly family challenges. Sometimes a short break or a change of environment rekindles their enthusiasm.
If they're not improving, tennis progress is rarely a straight line. Children may plateau for weeks before suddenly making a big leap. Remind them that improvement comes in layers and celebrate small wins, like rallying one shot longer, hitting a new target, or staying positive after a mistake. These micro-successes are the building blocks of long-term growth.
When other kids are better, comparison is one of the fastest ways for children to lose confidence. Encourage your child to focus on their own journey, their personal bests, their effort, and their progress over time. Remind them that every player develops at a different pace, and today's "stronger" player may not always stay ahead.
Struggles aren't a sign that tennis "isn't working", they're opportunities for growth. By responding with patience, perspective, and encouragement, you help your child learn not just how to play tennis, but how to handle challenges in life.
Children thrive when progress feels visible, meaningful, and acknowledged. Tennis can sometimes feel like a slow sport to improve in, so it's vital to highlight achievements, big or small, to keep motivation high. The more your child sees that their effort is paying off, the more confident and excited they'll be to keep learning.
Tennis is a sport that demands both body and mind. For children, protecting their physical health is just as important as developing technical skills. With the right support, young players can stay healthy, avoid injuries, and grow the confidence needed to enjoy the game for life.
Proper preparation and recovery are vital, even for children. A 5–10 minute warm-up before play increases circulation, wakes up muscles, and reduces the risk of injury. For kids, this can be as simple as fun movements, skipping, side-steps, or jumping games, followed by dynamic stretches.
Cool-downs help the body transition after activity. Encourage gentle jogging, walking, and light stretching at the end of a session. At this age, it doesn't need to be complicated, the goal is to build healthy habits early so they'll carry them into later stages of tennis.
Children are still developing, so their joints and muscles are more vulnerable than adults'. Common junior tennis issues include:
Prevention comes down to correct equipment, age-appropriate training loads, and balanced movement. Make sure your child has the right-sized racket, proper tennis shoes, and plenty of rest between sessions. Mixing in other sports like swimming, football, or gymnastics also builds all-round strength and reduces overuse injuries.
Fueling correctly helps children enjoy the game and perform at their best. Encourage:
Avoid heavy meals right before tennis, as this can make kids sluggish. Teach them to listen to their bodies, fueling properly is a skill they'll use for life.
Children grow and repair during sleep. Lack of rest doesn't just affect energy levels, it impacts learning, memory, and even injury risk. School-age children typically need 9–11 hours per night, especially if they're active in sports. Build a bedtime routine that encourages winding down and remind your child that rest is just as important as training.
It's common for children to say they want to quit, often after a tough practice, a string of losses, or simply when the novelty wears off. Before making any decisions, try to understand why. Is it frustration with progress, pressure, or just wanting a break? Sometimes a small change reignites their interest. If they're truly tired of competition, focus on the social and fun side of tennis instead of structured lessons.
Every child experiences ups and downs in tennis. Progress often comes in bursts, with plateaus in between. These "stuck" phases are actually when kids consolidate skills, even if it feels like nothing is changing. Frustration is also part of learning a challenging sport. Teach your child simple reset strategies like taking a breath, saying a positive "reset word," or setting mini-goals.
Tennis can seem expensive, but there are ways to make it affordable:
Rainy days or extreme heat don't have to stop progress. Bring tennis indoors with creative alternatives.
Tennis has its own language. But for the tennis parent, the words mean something different.
Not a mistake. A calibration. Evidence that the player is pushing the limits of their range. A necessary step toward finding the line.
In tennis, it means zero. In the journey, it means everything. It is the starting point of every match, and the only reason to keep playing.
A conversation between two players. A shared rhythm. To sustain it requires cooperation, not just aggression.
The act of starting the point. But also, what we do as parents. We serve the environment, the opportunity, and the emotional safety. The rest is up to them.
A moment of high drama. But in the long view, there is no match point. The game continues tomorrow, next week, next year. The journey doesn't end with a handshake.
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