Guaranteed points for best answer! Tennis question.?

Question

I began tennis earlier this year. I began in about spring. I have developed quite a stroke and am surprised that I am better than people who have been playing for 5 years +. I have been told I am a level 4.5 player. I am planning to play everyday this summer. I feel like I can't improve my game beyond this point unless I have an instructor or a teacher. I have no one in my family that can help me and we are not well off. We can not purchase lessons of that. There are no nearby clubs that don't cost a ridiculous amount of money. Can someone please give me some suggestions? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Try getting a local High School tennis coach to help you improve your game.  If you are in High School or are about to be in High School, this would be especially beneficial because coaches love to better their teams.  Also, be sure to watch Wimbledon this summer.  Work on things that are easy to do on your own, like improving your quickness.  Run sprints and try to make yourself faster.  Shorten your reaction time.  Practice tossing a tennis ball up in the air to get the perfect toss for your serve.  Build endurance and stamina by doing long-distance running.  Hope all this helps, and good luck!

Answer 2

I had this too. I've bee playing for 2 years and am better than most players at my club. I can't afford lessons because my mom and dad are the only people in the family who aren't filthy rich. My grandmother pays for them now but anyways back to the question...

1) Earn a little bit of money. Maybe if you can (this would be really hard and could understand if you can't) try to pay for a lesson a month or so if they're that expensive.

2) My coach is more than another coach at the club. He takes his players (his prozed students only that is) out to dinner in a group for a job well done after summer. He gives really cheap lessons outside the club (he's not supposed to but his players are like his children, and he's a better coach than the owner of the club and the owner would go out of buissness if he fired him... so) he's nice and trues to arrange a lesson to fit our schedule. BUt the thing is not every one is like that but the players really benefit from a coach like this. SO if you find a coach and you can tell he doesnt sincerely care about you and your game don't waste your money. You'd think he hated us on the court because he is always throwing down his hat and gets so frustrated... its because he cares that he hates to see us do wrong.

3) If you really and seriously cannot get any lessons invest in a video recorder and tape your playing to critique yourself with self help books on tennis (My mom made me read a book by Vic Braden, it was great) and make a note of these in a little notebook to take on the court with you. This helps me alot so i dont psych myself out and to stya focused.

Answer 3

The first answer is pretty spot on.  When I started playing I didn't get lessons either, but I happened to have a friend who is good (played HS).  He made me absolutely tons better in a pretty short period of time.  

If you don't know anyone who plays the sport, then you might have some more trouble.  At worst, you can try and strike up a conversation with someone at a public court and try and make a new friendship both on and off the court.

Answer 4

just go and play at public courts.... go with players better then u..

Answer 5

try to get a friend that is a little better than you to play with you, or maybe there is a less expensive camp you can go to that your school sponsors?

Answer 6

Congrats on finding tennis, it is a wonderful lifelong sport!

A few ideas:

1) Go here http://www.usta.com/ImproveYourGame/Defa...

In the left hand corner there is a link to find a partner. This would be a good place to start. The USTA is all about spreading tennis.

2) Go to your local clubs and look at their bulletin boards. The clubs often have these and you may find listings for players who are looking for hitting partners. Just call them, let them know you are not a member and see if you can hit on a free outdoor court.

3) Call you local clubs and see if they have any social events. Demo nights, doubles socials, etc. Many of these are open to non members and are a inexpensive way to meet other tennis players.

4) Check out the guest fee structure at those clubs, you may be able to find a member to get you in for inexpensive court times.

5) Depending on the size of your community you live in there may be tennis website that have ladders, challenges, etc in your area.

Good Luck!

If you happen to be north of Seattle, I am a 4.0 and could hit with you!