Tennis not only teaches kids valuable life skills like teamwork, dedication, and self-confidence, it has a whole host of physical developmental benefits for them, too! Here’s just a few:
1. Bone Strength
Playing tennis regularly strengthens the bones of young players and has been proven to help prevent osteoporosis later on in life.
2. Hand-Eye Coordination
Kids who play tennis learn to constantly judge the timing between the approaching ball and the right point of contact, quickly accelerating their hand-eye coordination even when other activities and sports might have failed to do so.
3. Aerobic and Cardiovascular Exercise
Tennis gets kids moving! Without even realizing it, they’ll be running around for a good hour straight while maintaining a high energy level. That’s great for strengthening their heart, and also helping them (and by extension their parents!) get a good night’s rest.
4. Speed
Side-to-side and up-and-back sprints for the ball will have kids running like the wind in no time!
5. Flexibility
Not only will kids learn to get into the good habit of stretching before and after being active, but they will also be constantly stretching and maneuvering for the ball, drastically improving their flexibility.
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6. Gross Motor Coordination
Large muscle groups will get conditioned quickly through court movement and ball-striking skills.
7. Fine Motor Coordination
Learning the more specialized hits like angled volleys, drop shots and lobs conditions the smaller muscle groups and increases muscle precision.
8. Agility
During a single point kids may change direction as many as 5 times in 10 seconds!
9. Dynamic Balance
Learning to serve and the constant run-stop-run rhythm of the sport increases balance.
10. Immune System
The conditioning that comes with tennis means your kids will be growing up in the very best physical health possible, which increases their immune system and resistance to disease!
The developmental benefits of tennis are reason enough to get your child into the game, but the fun they will have makes it the perfect sport! Helping your child learn the right way will set them up for success in tennis, and a very healthy life physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. PlayYourCourt has certified instructors nationwide who specialize in working with kids and are standing by to help your child maximize their potential on the court. Click the link HERE to check out the amazing coaches in your area!
Such a good read and totally agree.