At how young an age can my child start tennis?
It depends on what you prefer your child to learn. For kids three to eight, a U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) program teaches motor skills, balance and footwork on a small court. With modified equipment (mini-racquets, softer tennis balls), little ones feel like they're playing the game of tennis. However, to the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), until a child can catch and throw adeptly, it isn't real tennis. USTA youth programs start around eight, the typical age for being able to track and hit a ball accurately.
back to top How common are tennis injuries among children?
The Virginia Institute of Medicine finds very young tennis players are not injured often. Their bodies are more flexible and children tend to play briefly, working mostly on fundamentals. Once a child has the strength to get a ball over the net, playing time, as well as potential for injury, is apt to increase. After age 12 or 13, youngsters preparing for a tournament may practice three or four hours a day.
back to top How should my child train for a tennis tournament?
By easing into it. Early each summer, sports physicians at Hospital For Special Surgery in New York see a slew of injured tennis campers who abruptly switched from "couch-potato-hood" to several hours of tennis daily. Sufficient preparation time reduces the chance of injury. Adolescents should cross-train and cross-condition before getting more involved in tennis. Encourage running and biking for aerobic conditioning, light weights to build strength and flexibility training for hips and shoulders. Be sure your child eats properly when increasing their exercise regimen.
back to top My child has all-purpose sneakers. Are specialized tennis shoes important for children?
It's essential for your child to wear shoes constructed specifically for tennis. Improper footwear is a major cause of injuries to feet, knees and ankles. Be sure your child's shoe fits, checking often because children may grow rapidly. Don't be tempted by hand-me-downs, likely to have worn treads and fit poorly. Avoid a brand-new pair, also; children shouldn't play tennis in shoes that haven't been broken in.
back to top What are the most common tennis injuries among children?
Muscle soreness is the most common, a result of doing too much, too soon. Ankle sprains are frequent; the child who doesn't allow an injury to heal fully before returning to the court risks chronic ankle instability, according to Sports Parents Magazine (9/95). A teen with bones growing faster than strength can develop tendonitis or rotator cuff problems in a shoulder, or a strained elbow, especially while training for competitive play in schools or leagues. Year-round organized tennis gives children years to overuse a joint or muscle. Overuse injuries are increasing among athletes who specialized in one sport at a young age.
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