Tennis Lessons for kids in NoVA...and what's a good age to start (Arlington: YMCA) - City-Data Forum

still_waiting · 08-31-2011, 03:56 PM

Perhaps I'm putting the cart before the horse here, but I was wondering what is the best options for tennis lessons for children and where in the Northern Virginia area would I find them?

I have a 10 month old daughter who is very active (started walking at the end of 7 months) and I want to start her early in the "country club" sports/activities. Of course 10 months is too early, but when do they usually start?

Thanks for the input in advance.

Pandoras · 08-31-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by still_waiting

Perhaps I'm putting the cart before the horse here, but I was wondering what is the best options for tennis lessons for children and where in the Northern Virginia area would I find them?

I have a 10 month old daughter who is very active (started walking at the end of 7 months) and I want to start her early in the "country club" sports/activities. Of course 10 months is too early, but when do they usually start?

Thanks for the input in advance.

I worked at a recreation center where they taught really basic tennis skills to children 6 and up. I don't know if they start earlier. I haven't taken tennis lessons locally so I can't advise on that. I think tennis is a great sport. Hope you both have a great time.

still_waiting · 08-31-2011, 05:59 PM

Thank you Pandoras. So basically it might be better to start her off with Rec Center lessons then if she shows promise then semi-private pro lessons? Yes I think tennis is a great sport also.

Pandoras · 08-31-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by still_waiting

Thank you Pandoras. So basically it might be better to start her off with Rec Center lessons then if she shows promise then semi-private pro lessons? Yes I think tennis is a great sport also.

Well, rec center lessons are typically cheaper then semi-private pro lessons. It is a good place to start and learn the basics. The little kids basically learned how to hold the racket and hit the ball...as best they could over the net. They seemed to have a lot of fun.

You don't have to have semi-private lessons to learn how to play. It is helpful to have private or semi private pro lessons if you want to compete.

tgbwc · 08-31-2011, 08:42 PM

Do you belong to a pool/tennis club? You could check there. Our club has courts and the tennis pro provides lessons. I don't think they are very expensive ($50 for 6 group lessons) and they are done in groups of about 6-8 people. I'd say the youngest I've seen are probably about 6 years old or so.

still_waiting · 09-01-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgbwc

Do you belong to a pool/tennis club? You could check there. Our club has courts and the tennis pro provides lessons. I don't think they are very expensive ($50 for 6 group lessons) and they are done in groups of about 6-8 people. I'd say the youngest I've seen are probably about 6 years old or so.

Not as of yet I'm not a member of any clubs. In January we are moving from Manassas to Alexandria, so I will definitely be looking into some clubs after then. $50 for 6 lessons is not bad at all. Guess we have some time before the tot reaches 6. Until then I guess I can expose her to tennis as far as watching it when televised.

SallyField · 09-01-2011, 12:57 PM

If you live close in, YMCA Arlington Tennis & Squash Center has programs beginning at age 4, and around age 4-5 is about as early as you should start. At the Arlington facility, they do a better job with the kids than I've seen anyone do. They make it fun and it is very active, not a lot of standing around for them and nobody gets bored. It's a nice facility, too. All the courts are indoors, and parents are totally physically separated from the kids. Parents go into a lounge up above, with coffee and TV, and watch through the glass.

Catamounts · 09-01-2011, 07:33 PM

I started "playing" tennis when I was 3, in sort of a tennis kindergarten in a local club. As long as the training is kept fun it's definitely not too young to start. Do you play?

arabellava · 09-01-2011, 08:03 PM

10 months old ? way too young.. this area will offer any kind of class at any age to make money- but at 10 months? I know with my youngest now age 5 I wanted more- but 1) throwing away money at this age 2) a sport at this age can actually turn them off..

still_waiting · 09-02-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catamounts

I started "playing" tennis when I was 3, in sort of a tennis kindergarten in a local club. As long as the training is kept fun it's definitely not too young to start. Do you play?

Ok, general consensus I'm getting is an age range of 4-6 years old. Guess that depends on the child and how they take to it. Dad doesn't play tennis, and I think what may be smart for me to do is get some lessons in before she's ready to start.

Arabellava, my first post pretty much explains that 10 months is too young. I am just doing my homework so I'll be prepared. Time flies, these kids grow right before your eyes.