Kids Beginners Watching the US Open

The US Open is in full swing this week. Across the country, parents and children are found sitting at the edge of their seats watching sensations like Roddick, Williams,Davenport, play tennis. At this very moment, I'm witnessing LIndsay Davenport stage a comeback against Marion Bartoli. The underlying question that comes to my mind is what can children who are just starting to play tennis stand to gain from watching professionals. How can a kid learn about tennis from watching the game? One of the ways kids can learn about tennis is by watching the foot movement and shoulder movement of the professionals. The camera often focuses on the feet and shoulders. Kids should look at how the players turn their shoulders while preparing for shots. Kids should also notice the players moving their feet and leaning from one side to another side. Sound shoulder and turns and footwork can bolster even a beginners game

In addition, kids should listen for the umpires announcing the scores. Kids need to learn how to compete and one of the essential aspects of competing. Kids should also look at the scoreboards that flash on the screens.

Arthur Ashe Kids Day

I attended Arthur Ashe Kids Day. I'm trying to find the fountain of youth and stay a kid. I was pleasantly surprised by the excitement that the USTA created about tennis at Arthur Ashe kids Day.There were approximately 12 courts with sizzling games. Obstacle course, challenges, such as hitting targets an lifting heavy balls, drills such as hitting back and fourth abounded.Each of the courts worked on specific skills such as speed, agility, reaction, and defense. All of the courts seemed enticing. Prizes were given and the activities on each court were unique After the drills, kids were invited to a fabulous concert with Demi Lovato and Minuto, both sensations among kids. I hope that the kids day generates enthusiasm for tennis.

Tips for parents playing tennis with their kids

As a tennis teacher I feel I should give parents a few hints for how to enjoy tennis with their kids.

Take it slow and start small. Don’t be surprised if your child can’t play for a full hour. Start by playing for 15 minutes, then the next time aim for half an hour. After that try playing tennis for an hour. Purchase foam balls and lower nets. Foam balls can be bought at Sports Authority or Target. Portable nets can be purchased on rallytennis.com.

Slow down! Toss the ball with your hand, don’t hit the ball to your child with a racquet. Stand close to your kid when you throw the ball. Kids can’t always hit the ball when you are on the other side of the net, If your kid cannot connect, help them by simultaneously swinging the racquet with them and tossing the ball in front of them. Also practice shadowing where they copy you swinging the racquet.

Make it into a game. Here are some games that include fictional elements
- Fruit salad: Each kid is a fruit. As the game administrator you call out their fruit and then they hit the ball. Graduation: in this game a kid moves up a grade each time they hit the ball. Storylines keep kids excited about the game. If they want to play a real game- show them how to score the game and engage.


Stay tuned for news from Arthur Ashe Kids Day

Mixed Doubles Folly

The game of mixed doubles presents an interesting interplay of female male interactions. Mixed doubles is the rare occasion that women and men can go toe to toe with each other. Mixed doubles is also a time where men and women are forced to repress their sexual inklings. Many men find it difficult to focus on match play if they find the female on the court attractive. Men become sexualized and find it daunting to punish someone that they find vulnerable. Instead men will make countless mistakes. They may think that they can snare a date with a women if they let her win the match. In addition, many men are afraid to partake in mixed doubles. They say it will make their wives weary.
Women are energized by mixed doubles. They feel glorified by the fact that they are able to hang with the men. They like the challenge of pace not common to the women’s game.
To women, mixed doubles is a game of proving misconceptions about women. Maybe mixed doubles is about resolving ideas about the opposite sex.

I love tables

“I love tables.”A child remarked to me. I thought about it. Why would anyone love tables? There is nothing exceptional about tables. Tables are a dumping ground for us. We are able to place whatever we can’t hold in our own hands on tables. Tables create a space for what we are unprepared to deal with at the present moment. Tables are a place we can store our problems, our unresolved issues, our bills. Tables are also a connector. A connector of people. A device that enables meetings, dinners, lunches, breakfasts, classes, and all. If we didn’t have tables minds wouldn’t connect. Jokes wouldn’t be told. Recipes wouldn’t be consumed. Forks, knifes, spoons, and plates wouldn’t be needed. Our elbows would be sore from a lack of rest. And we wouldn’t be able to use our elbows for sports, for driving or for elbowing people who are in the wrong. So come to think of it tables are essential. And beneficial. And we should give an ode to tables every now and again.

Tennis isn’t about serves, volleys, ground strokes, overheads, or drop shots. Tennis is a game of pursuit and revenge. Tennis is about fighting for your life. About playing a match for the purpose of garnering the respect of your captain. About playing a match for a coveted spot in playoffs. About berating yourself for errors. About holding back scathing comments to your partner because you know they will cringe. And because you know that if you do berate your partner you will be the talk of the town. Everyone will remember you as the one who was rude to partner. Tennis is about blasting the ball even though you know it might whop your opponent. Tennis is about moral challenges. About always being tempted to call the ball out even though it was in because it is a critical point in the match. It is a moral test to see who will make honorable calls and who will fold and cheat. Tennis is about how much you want to win. Are you willing to make an injured person run around because you know that will win you a point? Or do you feel empathy for the presence of a brace and hit the ball directly to the person? Do you feel pity for a pregnant women and hit them slow paced balls? Or do you hit your normal fast paced shots? Do you deceive others and lie about your playing ability so that you can play at a lower level and automatically win? Do you spend hours on the internet trying to get other’s disqualified? Do you offer money to people for the purpose of acquiring them for your team? Do let a guy beat you because you know they will feel demoralized if they lose to a girl? Tennis is more than just an athletic skill it’s a moral tribute. Moral judgment in tennis is more than just an athletic skill it’s a moral tribute. Moral judgment in tennis is more challenging than moral judgment in the Supreme Court.

Faux engagement ring

Faux engagement ring. I thought she was wearing an engagement ring. I groaned inwardly. Was every young-in tying the knot? Then I congratulated her. She then informed me that it was sapphire ring. A beauty ring. An aesthetic ring. She reassured me that many people mistakenly thought she was engaged. She realized that it was probably not the best move for her to wear the ring out. That would repel the men. She said maybe that is the reason why my love life is so dull. I said that maybe some guys would be more attracted to her. But then, what kind of jerks are they if they beckon an engaged women? It is strange because one time I was in a setting where everyone was engaged and I thought of buying a faux engagement ring. One that resembled hers. Just to fit in. I guess the same mistake can help or hurt you