LTA | Q&A

The LTA recommends 'tennis specific fitness' - 03/06/2009

Do you have any suggestions on what 'tennis specific fitness' my son should be doing?

Judy says: The more sports he can do the better.

My daughter’s coaches recommend different grips - 03/06/2009

Should we encourage the correct grip now or work on it later?

Judy says: Now is the age to establish sound technique.

How can I help my son stop making unforced errors? - 03/06/2009

Does my son need better technique, to play more tennis or simply to play more safely?

Judy says: When you know the cause you can ask his coach to work on the identified areas.

Getting sponsorship - 03/06/2009

How do I get local businesses to sponsor for my daughter?

Judy says: Keep your covering letter brief, your profile simple but eye catching.

Staying calm on court - 03/06/2009

Can you recommend ways to stay calm when under pressure on court?

Judy says: Once you recognise what’s causing it, you can then start to find a solution.

Pupil to coach ratios - 07/04/2009

Does the LTA offer guidelines on pupil to coach ratios?

Judy says: The suggested ratios are 1:8 for beginners and 1:4 for performance players.

Holiday resort and tennis camp abroad - 07/04/2009

Can you recommend a holiday resort for parents combined with a coaching tennis club for kids?

Judy says: There are several available including some in the USA and Italy.

Looking for a tennis camp in Spain or France - 07/04/2009

Can you recommend a summer tennis camp in Spain or France?

Judy says: Try Equelite near Alicante.

My daugher's coach is leaving our tennis club - 07/04/2009

Should I keep my daughter's coach on individually even though he is leaving our tennis club?

Judy says: If the relationship is strong - stick with the coach!

Is my son becoming a coaching manual clone? - 07/04/2009

Are my son's coaches turning him into a coaching manual clone rather than working with him?

Judy says: Repetition is important in order for techniques and skills to become automatic.

Stepping over the line - 26/02/2009

Are my son's competitors gaining an advantage by not being taught the rules of tennis properly?

Judy says: Children need to be made aware of the rules

Is strict coaching the best method - 26/02/2009

Am I being an over-protective mother, or is 8 too young for strict coaching methods?

Judy says: Feedback is essential, not punishment

I'm concerned about gamesmanship in junior tournaments - 26/02/2009

Recently, my son felt like abandoning a match when he came across a rather verbal opponent during a junior competition.

Judy says: Step up and report the problems

How can my daughter match her opponents strategies? - 26/02/2009

My daughter plays well, but I'm worried her tactics on court aren't matching those of her peers.

Judy says: Make her study the professionals on TV

How can my sister improve her rating? - 26/02/2009

My sister wants to increase her ranking, but she's stuck in the reserves, what can I do to help?

Judy says: Help her create match play opportunities

My child beats himself through loosing his temper - 14/01/2009

What can I do to get my son to concentrate on each point rather than getting frustrated he has lost one point?

Judy Says: This is a common problem but there are things you can do

What advise is there for dealing with bad language - 14/01/2009

My son has faced some bad language on court and I'm not sure what I can or should do about it

Judy Says: Develop a coping strategy with him

Is 30 minutes of coaching a week enough? - 14/01/2009

My daughter is coming on well and enjoying her tennis but I wonder if she should be doing more than 30 minutes of coaching a week.

Judy Says: It depends on other activityshe is doing

I'm worried my son is over coached - 14/01/2009

As my son is shy he has to be coaxed into competitions, meaning that I'm worried he is getting to much coaching and not enough competing.

Judy Says: Try arranging some non-official matches

I'm looking for clarification over moving from green to yellow ball tennis - 14/01/2009

Having seen my son develop well in green ball it seems strange he now needs to move onto yellow even though he was only 10 in November.

I asked your question to the Head of National Competition...

I'm concerned about my daughters serve - 16/10/2008

I'm concerned my daughters serve will be affected by her using the wrong hand.

Judy says: There are things you can do to get her to practise

How can my daughter be spotted for ID days? - 16/10/2008

I'm worried my daughter may be overlooked for ID days.

Judy says: Maybe contact your local TPC to have her assessed

Our son doesn't want our advise - 16/10/2008

How can we get our son to respond to us?

Judy says: Make practise fun and challenging at the same time

What is involved in a county talent ID day? - 16/10/2008

I would like to find out more about talent ID days and what will be involved.

Judy Says: There will be a number of things they test...

Should my son move clubs? - 25/09/2008

Should my son move clubs?

Judy says: This is something you could consider

My son has lost his confidence - 25/09/2008

My son has lost his confidence

Judy says: You need to find out the causes

Coaches disagree on where my daughter should play - 25/09/2008

Coaches disagree on where my daughter should play

Judy says: It's difficult for me to advise

My son beats everyone in his age group - 25/09/2008

My son beats everyone in his age group

Judy says: This is a tough situation

Which size racket should my son use? - 25/09/2008

Which size racket should my son use?

Judy says: You need to be careful as the wrong racket can lead to injury

Should my son be playing mini orange? - 14/07/2008

Should my son be playing mini orange?

Judy says: It depends on your son and his ability

Should my daughter play Tennis Europe events? - 14/07/2008

Should my daughter play Tennis Europe events?

Judy says: It depends on what you are trying to get out of it

It's difficult to find a good local coach - 14/07/2008

It's difficult to find a good local coach

Judy says: There are a number of things you can do

Can I find more about Tennis Scholarships? - 14/07/2008

Can I find more about Tennis Scholarships?

Judy says: There are a number you can look at

How much competition is too much? - 14/07/2008

How much competition is too much?

Judy says: It is good to take advantage of the summer competition

My son is being left out by his club - 25/06/2008

My son seems to be being treated unfairly at his club, what can be done about this?

Judy says: There are several things I think you can consider

My daughter is stuck between mini orange and green - 25/06/2008

How can my daughter move onto mini green although she is only eight.

Judy says: Perhaps she could play across Orange and Green...

Ratings seem to discourage competition - 25/06/2008

My son wants to stop competing incase his rating goes backwards

Judy says: This is a negative way of thinking

Can my son bridge the gap between knowing and doing? - 25/06/2008

There is a gap between my son's knowing and doing, can this be improved?

Judy says: There are some techniques which can help...

Can my son progress if not in Talent ID system? - 25/06/2008

Can my son progress if not in Talent ID system?

Judy says: There are lots of opportunities...

Early progression from mini tennis red - 28/05/2008

Should my son be moving up to Mini Orange?

Judy says: I think a lot depends on the level of the player...

Too late at 18? - 19/05/2008

Can I make it as a pro if I begin to train now at the age of 18?

Judy says: It's going to be tough but not impossible...

Too much training? - 19/05/2008

Training too hard?

Judy says: These questions are always difficult to answer...

Disability tennis vs. the local club - 19/05/2008

My son has learning disabilities can he join a regular club?

Judy says: It's a great idea...

One tough opponent - 19/05/2008

My child struggles mentally to beat an opponent, what can we do?

Judy says: Talking through how your son sees this player could help...

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