Some parents dream of raising a professional athlete, while others just want their child to be strong and healthy. Tennis helps to keep the child’s physical health in good shape: muscles are strengthened, muscle tissue develops, and overall endurance to physical activity increases.
There are cases when parents give their children to tennis at the age of 3 years, so that children get used to the ball and racket. In this case, the lessons are held in a game form. The trainer can offer several moving exercises, for example: rolling the ball with a racket along one line, then collecting balls on the racket; competition – who will catch or repel the balls more. Parents watch their child and decide whether this sport is suitable for the child, whether he likes it or not.
It is optimal to start practicing at the age of 4 – 5 years. At this age, children learn the technique: how to hold the racket correctly, perform various jumps, work out tactics. During these years, children still have insufficiently developed coordination, so in training special attention is paid to physical exercises aimed at developing agility, flexibility and attentiveness.
The brain of a 4, 5-year-old child best “absorbs” and remembers information. In addition, having started to practice at this age, the child will not only master the basic tennis techniques faster, but will also begin to better understand the rules, will be able to analyze game situations and think through strategies. All this affects the development of intelligence in general. The child develops logic and analytical thinking.
You should not overdo it with training. Training 2-3 times a week for 1 hour is enough for young tennis players. When the child is 7 – 8 years old, the load can be increased to classes 4 – 5 times a week.
Medical contraindications
Since this sport is mobile and involves active, sometimes sudden movements, tennis is contraindicated in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, after injuries, hernias, inflammation of the ligaments, problems with the spine or joints. There are restrictions in diseases of the heart and blood vessels. When deciding to give your child to sports, be sure to consult a pediatrician.
Pros
- Tennis is good for eyesight. During training, the child needs to focus on the moving ball. This perfectly develops the eye muscles.
- A splash of energy. Tennis is suitable for mobile and inquisitive children. During the game they direct their active energy in a useful direction.
- Formation of character. Players during the competition must independently analyze the situation and make quick decisions. The outcome of the game depends on their actions. In addition, playing tennis is ups and downs, competitions do not always end in victory. Thanks to this, the qualities that children will need not only in sports, but also in life – responsibility, independence, control of emotions – are brought up.
- Tennis is good for health. It increases flexibility, develops speed, reactions, improves blood circulation. During classes, the muscles of the back, arms, legs are actively working; the press is trained. The respiratory system and cardiovascular system are actively working.