Remember that the whole idea of large group beginner tennis classes is to introduce players to this wonderful sport, and help them have fun. As a general rule, you should avoid elimination games, that's an important tip to remember.
Of course, you should create challenges for the individuals within the group to keep their interest high, but avoid competition where they are actually winners or losers. A very accurate indicator of fun is to watch your students' faces, if they are having fun, you will see it, no doubt about it.
Face watching is very important. When you get players down here and they are having fun, and I mean real fun, you'll be able to see it on their faces. If they are not having fun, you'll see it on their faces as well. Face watching is critical, when we are doing the large drills earlier and the Simon says games and having fun, all of your faces were bit up. It was exciting to be with you. Like you students have happy faces, it's what it takes.
One of the final challenges faced by every single tennis coach is how to make ball pick up, fun as well. We all know that, that sometimes can be a challenge, at least for children. Here are two examples that actually make picking up balls entertaining. Now, note that we've used adults, but for kids they will fall in love with it.
Two ways to pick a ball: number one, as I call out a number, whatever number I call out after number of balls go and pick up and put in the pot. Are you guys ready?
Are you really ready? Bring out happy feet. Two, go. Now, keep in mind, now you got counting skills going on, if you are working with 30 young children, they are doing counting skills. Now I like this one the best. What we are going to do is we are going duck some balls. Let's just -- let's throw some balls over here, let's throw them around that corner. Against the wall, okay. Now balls are all over. You got to pick them up. What is the most watched movie in recent years? Star Wars, okay? If you get small R2-D2, you betcha, all of a sudden I am R2-D2 and I am going to get ahead of you, but this is the Star Wars ball pick up, so I am going to make a sound like beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep and you won't believe, this kids go nuts, they just go nuts. If you are like, I am going to go for beep, beep, beep, Star Wars pick up, R2-D2, I am getting ahead of you. Come on, I am getting ahead, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, I am getting ahead and you guys you better hurry up, and with the kids it works the same way. It's awesome, let's give them a hand, alright.
This brings us to the end of another volume in our series entitled Creative Tennis. I hope you enjoyed watching this video as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Remember, fun is critical, build self-esteem and accomplishment at the same time and every one comes out a winner.
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