Balls... Part II
The role of the ball in a childs technical and tactical development
Simon Grieve PCA & procompare co-founder
If you have ever gone to an under 10 girls event and watched the quality of the match you will undoubtedly see lots of high loopy shots with the girls near the back fence trying desperately to get the ball back. The matches' look so far removed from the professional game and normally the only time the girls come to the net is to pick up a ball or shake hands at the end of the match. They tend to develop techniques that are limiting and game styles that are very one dimensional.
In this video clip I have recorded the
problems Florence Abbott has with playing hardball tennis at
her stage in the development process. At the time of recording
Florence had just turned 9 years old and had been playing for
two years.
You will notice how she has adapted her technique (grip) to
cope with the difficulties a high boucing ball gives her.
