I couldn’t believe this …

A family friend told me the following story this week:

Little Man was having tennis lesson with the local tennis pro. The Pro was a stickler and ran the group coaching sessions like a lot of old-fashioned teachers.

He stood at the front of the group and instructed them how to,

Hold the racket
Hit a forehand
Hit a backhand
Etc

He would walk along the line of kids and then show them the right way – moving their body so they achieved his ideal position.

Right off the bat I hate this kind of teaching. It’s too structured and there’s not enough emphasis on play. It also becomes boring, young kids want to hit the ball, not be forced to think too much about how they’re holding the racket or how to swing.

After the formal part of the lesson, The Pro then wanted them to play. But instead of letting the kids hit the ball and have some fun, he wanted (forced) them to keep score.

Little Man is only six years old. Counting isn’t his thing and by this stage his concentration was shot. He was over all the instruction and start belting balls into the fence.

The Pro informed Little Man’s parents that his behaviour was unacceptable and asked them not to bring him back for any tennis lessons. Little Man got expelled from tennis.

I couldn’t believe it. He simply gets rid of the kids that won’t/can’t conform. Typical of poor coaches.

Earlier this year I actually had a hit of tennis with the Little Man. He loves the game and we had a lot of fun, especially when I stood at the net and asked him to, “try and hit me with the ball”. His eyes lit up, gripped the racket and took a massive swipe at the ball. I was lucky to avoid some tennis missiles directed my way.

Little Man could become a great tennis player and I reckon he’s lucky that this instructor has fired him. He now has a chance.