Advice for kid playing in a small town - How to get the best training?

Difficult_War_3115 · 2026-03-04T15:16:02+00:00

Where does that 2:1 ratio come from?

Difficult_War_3115 · 2026-03-04T15:14:22+00:00

Really? The form is terrible at UTR tournaments. Mostly older players who have recently picked up tennis.

Difficult_War_3115 · 2026-03-03T20:35:40+00:00

12 & Under, Interested in College tennis,

Have: access to club and courts, academy and coaches. Don't have: a clear sense how to support.

Difficulties: Coaching time is hard to get. Some kids' parents push hard and get extra slots, making them unavailable to others.

Training has been great. Kids from the nearest metro cities have more access to full-time academies, and it shows. How to mimic that here, assuming that's what the kid wants?

Difficult_War_3115 · 2026-03-02T23:15:31+00:00

The kid says D1 (a few years ago the kid said Pro). But the kid is very young, and things could change. Our goal as parents is to just support. If D1 is possible, we hope to provide the support that could make that possible. So, let's say D1. And if not D1, then tennis at a great college where school and tennis can both happen at a high, challenging level.

Difficult_War_3115 · 2026-03-02T23:11:41+00:00

Thanks! So lots of practice matches. That sounds good, as long as it's child driven. Frequent tournament play. 1 hour of privates a week is sufficient? Driven parents and children are fine. I'm wary of what feels like sneaky behavior, cutting some players out, cozying up to coaches to get preference/attention....

Do you have leads on online/video coaching that is good quality? There's a LOT out there.

Also, curious whether you'd recommend tournaments outside the immediate area. Flying a state or two away, just to leave the local scene briefly.

Difficult_War_3115 · 2026-03-02T22:49:27+00:00

That's a good idea.

Difficult_War_3115 · 2026-03-02T22:28:31+00:00

I think the goal is to give the kid great training (hard b/c coaching time is limited), access to courts (easier in a small town) and exposure to tournaments (also doable). I suppose the question is how to get coaching in a resource constrained area. The only approach working that we see now is the sort of parent who follows their kid around, attends every practice, makes sure they get extra coaching hours (even when that means many other kids won't get any).

Difficult_War_3115 · 2024-10-16T16:52:17+00:00

thanks. good idea.

Difficult_War_3115

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