Mumsnet allplay tennis challenge feedback thread

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 5 MNers who have been selected to take up the challenge of playing tennis - they are having private lessons and family court time.

We have some questions for you to answer - see below - and we will add some more questions once you've had a couple of lessons. All feedback very welcome!

~ Tell us about your first Cardio/Beginners/Individual session (what did it involve, how long did it take, who else was there etc.)?
~ What do you think of it?
~ What was the most enjoyable aspect of your session / of playing tennis? Was there anything that wasn't so good?
~ How, if at all, has it made you think differently about tennis?

For more about the allplay promotion: visit //www.allplaytennis.com



Thanks

MNHQ

[goingtoplaytennis]

~ Tell us about your first Cardio/Beginners/Individual session (what did it involve, how long did it take, who else was there etc.)?

I met my lovely coach Francisco for a coffee just before my equipment arrived. He wanted to introduce me to and give me a tour of the sports club where I was going to have my lessons and to find out what I wanted to achieve in my lessons.
It was really good to speak to him as I was worried that being a total novice would make thing difficult but he really put me at ease.
We talked about the various sessions on offer including one to one lessons for me, toddler tennis with my three year old, a family tennis lesson with my coach and also trying a cardio tennis class.

I had my first individual lesson yesterday. The coach showed me how to hold the racket for forehand and backhand, how to swing the racket, how to stand. A the end of the lesson we had a little match to put everything into practise.


~ What do you think of it?

I loved it! I really didn?t think I would be able to hit the ball as many times as I did. Francisco was really patient and explained everything I needed to do to improve really clearly. I did think I may feel demotivated after my lesson but it wasn?t the case at all. Learning a few basics really filled me with confidence but most of all it was great fun!

~ What was the most enjoyable aspect of your session / of playing tennis? Was there anything that wasn't so good?

My sense of achievement after the lesson was great. I did a fair amount of running around and enjoyed it greatly, didn?t really notice how much until I stopped and realised I had aching calf muscles. I felt really pumped after the lessons so went to the gym which is in the sports centre, I was a gym member before the lessons started.
Having to stop the lesson because someone else had booked the court was the worse bit!
~ How, if at all, has it made you think differently about tennis?

I am already a member at the sports clubs but had never been to the tennis courts. I had always felt intimidated by the tennis courts and even though I had fancied having a go didn?t know where to begin. I thought that if I took group lessons I would feel out of my depth. I don?t feel that anymore as a little coaching really boosted my confidence and showed me some basic and very useful technique. Also I watched some other people play and realised some are very much beginners too, not everyone who books tennis court are amazing players!

[PosieIsSaggySacForLemaAndPigS]

~ Tell us about your first Cardio/Beginners/Individual session (what did it involve, how long did it take, who else was there etc.)?
I met my coach, Peter Bendall, two weeks ago and had my first lesson ALONE. I am very selfish and will be taking advantage of this one ot one. I was shocked that I could hit the ball over the net. We started with a little rally, a great confidence boost, and then looked at what I did okay well and what needed a massive tiny adjustment. We used orange balls which made everything a little easier. I was delighted to get my first lesson outside. Pete is a fabulous coach. By the end of the lesson (well at the beginning really) I fell in love with tennis.

~ What do you think of it?
Brilliant, a fabulous way to get fit.
~ What was the most enjoyable aspect of your session / of playing tennis? Was there anything that wasn't so good?
The best bit was realising that it's really accessible, ie I can do it, and not being able to place the ball for a serve the worst!! And I didn't feel stupid.
~ How, if at all, has it made you think differently about tennis?
I feel completely different, helped by the fact that my youngest is now at a pre school so I have time to do it during the day.

[EdnaKrabappel]

~ Tell us about your first Cardio/Beginners/Individual session (what did it involve, how long did it take, who else was there etc.)?

I met my coach Ben at the courts today. It was an individual session so just me there. We spoke about what I wanted from the session and overall, my current standard of tennis and fitness. The session was 1 hour.

~ What do you think of it?

Fabulous! Ben was a great coach, I felt like we were collaborating rather than it being him just telling me what to do. He made it interesting and fun
and was very encouraging and helpful.

~ What was the most enjoyable aspect of your session / of playing tennis?

I have always struggled with getting a consistent serve going and various lessons over the years have never cracked this. Ben made a great suggestion and suddenly it all fell into place and I was consistently getting the ball over the net, and even in quite a bit of the time! Even better, we looked at slice and topspin serve, something I have never learned before, so I felt like I was really advancing.

~ Was there anything that wasn't so good?

Alas the new trainers I was sent don't fit! (Right size, just too narrow). But the coaching session was brilliant, no complaints there!


~ How, if at all, has it made you think differently about tennis?

This has given me a renewed confidence and desire to play. I haven't played for years but now would like to really get back into it - Ben also had various ideas for future coaching, so we have a plan for individual lessons, followed by a couple of group sessions to give me confidence to join in social sessions so I can see there is a clear path to follow.

[goingtoplaytennis]

Edna try taking the insoles out of the trainers, I did that as I found mine narrow. They are now really comfy!

[munstersmum]

First lesson will be Monday afternoon. 72 hour countdown to OMG what I have I done starts here

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

So I'm back in one piece.

First beginners session was great. Mike, my coach, decided I would follow the 'fast track' programme which starts at the very beginning. So we started without raquets! Just hitting an orange ball with our hands. However by an hour and 10 mins later I had actually got one or two proper serves in. (Not claiming with any style.)

The best bits were feeling I had made a huge amount of progress and Mike was very positive even when instructions needed repeating to sink in.

The not so good is now as my back aches - but what should I expect coming at it from only a dog-walking level of fitness.

[PosiesOfPoison]

Going to book family court time this weekend, may even throw in a coach too!!

My lesson was cancelled today, no problem what so ever.

[goingtoplaytennis]

I had my second lesson on Thursday. Worked more on what I had learnt the lesson before but concentrated on the direction of the ball. Lesson was enjoyable and can feel myself improving.

Today I took my son(3) to a mini tennis lesson. He enjoyed it, his concentration levels are not great but the lesson was fast paced so there was something new to try every few minutes.

[PosiesOfPoison]

Have a 2hr family court session on Sunday....all very excited!!

[goingtoplaytennis]

Had my third lesson today and it went well. I can feel that I have improved.

I learnt to serve today, at first I thought I just wasn't going to get it. After a couple of frustrating minutes and a couple of pointers from Fran I managed to hit the ball and soon after with direction! We then had a little relay and I manged to serve 7 out of 8 balls.

[EdnaKrabappel]

I used one of my court booking sessions at the weekend - 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 & 5. We adults had hoped to play a bit but only got to knock the ball about for a few minutes on another court before the children wanted more attention - they were thrilled with their racquets, and I bought some red balls for them to get started with. They really enjoyed chasing the balls around for a while, then we got them set up with a grip (the racquet handles are split into two colours, very helpful for them to see where to put each hand) and we fed them gentle balls to hit back. They did brilliantly for their first go and once they got the hang of actually watching the ball, managed to make contact pretty well.

I had another individual coaching session yesterday. Really pleased with the suggestions for my serve which have transformed my success rate and with it my confidence. Ben my coach made great suggestions and made the session really interesting. He was keen for me to say what I wanted to improve on so we worked on backhand drives, with top spin, ball placement and volleying. Can't go next week because of half term, so next lesson in a fortnight - can't wait!

[AnnMumsnet]

Glad you are all having a good time! Do keep posting to let us know how you and the DCs are getting on.

[goingtoplaytennis]

We had our family tennis lesson on Saturday.

We all really enjoyed it. DD1 wasn't looking forward to it as much as the rest of us but she felt differently once we got started. Fran did a few activities with us to prepare us for having a rally at the end of the lesson. It was a fun to all play together and enjoyable to see the girls progressing so quickly. They are going to have a trial tennis lesson after half term, I think DD2(7) will really enjoy it, for DD1(10) it will depend on the level of the other kids.

[PosiesOfPoison]

Grrrrr we are all falling like flies with flu like stuff.

Will repost again asap.

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

Well DS has just been dropped at his club for a 'performance player day'. Makes me smile because he's a mini-red however it is great to see the kids raring to go.

I've got lesson no.2 this afternoon - sneaky planning for half-term!

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

2nd lesson went well in my opinion. It was harder in that we went up a grade in ball & I learnt the basics of volleying. Did you know there are 6 different volley shots? With remembering all that the feet sometimes forgot to move quickly enough! However I was distinctly flushed of face by the time we were finished. Also discovered I may be a double-handed backhander.

DS really enjoyed his day of tennis. He won some matches which always helps. [hsmile] Has gone to bed absolutely shattered in a good way.

Hopeful of being able to arrange one of the family sessions for this week.

[PosiesOfPoison]

Sorry we're all very unwell here and so tennis is off for a few days

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

Passes Posies whatever helps.... Hope recovery is speedy for all.

[goingtoplaytennis]

Had another fab lesson today.
We went over everything I have learnt so far. Now I can control the ball he explained a few of the rules to me, unfortunatley we didn't have time to have a match as our hour was up and someone had booked the court.

Only one more lesson left

[LemonDifficult]

Had my first lesson yesterday. Fantastic. We'd had two family court sessions before we'd been able to book a lesson so we'd already had a chance to enjoy the racquets and to get excited about playing tennis.

I had an hour with the coach, Mhairi, who is very patient. (Not to mention very tactful. Turns out I am a little, ahem, rusty and perhaps not the 'Intermediate' I had been cheerfully telling myself.) The lesson was great: useful, specific, technical and encouraging. I've basically got to relearn my strokes and get rid of all learnt bad habits which will take time, yet I left feeling completely upbeat about it all and really keen to practise before the next lesson so I can make the most of them.

I wouldn't describe myself as at 'peak fitness' (more a sort of 'foothills unfit': I didn't own trainers until Allplay sent me some [grovelling gratitude emoticon]) so I was concerned that I would be too distracted by general breathlessness to take much of the lesson in, but that wasn't the case. It definitely wasn't a stroll, though, and I left feeling exhilarated by the exercise.

DH, DS1 and DS2 were also there, although the session was mainly for me. Mhairi did a couple of quick things with the boys (balance balls on racquets like egg-and-spoon, and bouncing the balls on the racquets) which they went off and did on the next court with DH while I did my lesson. They really enjoyed it. When DS2 fell over and hurt himself Mhairi was great - I swapped with DH and DH got a ten minute lesson. (DH has not stopped talking about how much he enjoyed it and for his birthday next week he has asked for some of his own coaching sessions which is perfect as I had no idea what he wanted and I'll be really pleased to get him these!)

I thought Mhairi was very good at taking us all as a family, and my lesson stayed focused despite my young children getting in the way wandering over to talk to us at random moments. Although I will find childcare next time (or at least find them a court where they can't see me!), I do think that the Whole Family learning together thing is keeping them very enthused as they can see how much DH and I are enjoying it.

Can't wait for next week's lesson!

(Get well soon, Posie! )

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

We really enjoyed a family session yesterday. Just had the court to ourselves which was a good thing as DS fancied himself as expert. "We'll play some matches and I'll give you points." !!!

Matches sounded like a good idea after a general knock up and dismally failing to provide him with a decent volley rally. He was impressed though that I had learnt how to serve properly. We mixed up playing 2 against 1 only scoring to 10 and guess who had nil points a the end? Oh well, back to class on Monday.

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

See if this conjures an image for you:
'Your serving is very precise. A bit like Eric Morecombe hitting all the right notes but not making a tune.'

So the feedback from lesson no.3 is that I've reached a level of consistent competence - which was meant as a good thing. Girly throwing style means that serving and smashing (today's new shot) need better shoulder movement. Backhand needs more work. I think I have flexi-length arms (like a Dr Seuss character) specially for backhand. I either don't reach the ball or end up contorted hitting it somewhere near my tummy!

Mike was as ever very positive. Next week we're going to use green balls - like proper players. It will be November. Who thought tennis was only a summer sport?

[EdnaKrabappel]

Having a gap because of half term but my fab coach runs children's tennis camps over half term and offered a session for ds. He's only 4.5 so we went for a short session on Monday and he really enjoyed it - got the idea about the racquet, ball etc, made contact with the ball and liked running around the court and getting a feel for the tennis balls (red ones). All going so well and I'm looking forward to my own next lesson later this week.

[goingtoplaytennis]

Hi all,

Just had my last lesson. I have had so much fun in the past few weeks. Fran has been a fantastic coach, my whole family have enjoyed his sessions so much - he really has so much patience!

I entered the competition as I thought it would be a really good opportunity to do something new and out of my comfort zone, also tennis is a great family activity. Didn't think I would be lucky enough to win! When I received my winners email I nearly declined as I was really worried that I was too hopeless to teach. I am so happy that I didn't. As soon as I met Fran I felt at ease and he pitched the lessons perfectly, I had to try hard but could feel myself progressing so it was a real confidence boost.

Today I met the tennis club manager and discussed the fact I had thought the tennis club seemed quite intimidating. I have noticed on their website they are offering free tennis taster sessions, it?s a great idea and I hope some others like me give it a go.
The price of booking a court makes it feel quite exclusive too, £18.50 for an indoor court for a non-member! I also wasn?t sure whether that was per person or per court as the pricing structure is quite unclear ? it?s per court thankfully. I did however discover today that as I am a member of the sports park I qualify for a discount, it?s £11 or £13 per court which is more reasonable. At £18.50 I don?t think I would book a court but at the lower price I will and go with one or two of my girls on weekends. When my son is a bit older we will definitely all go as a family.

We are going to carry on with mini tennis for my 3 year old. He really enjoyed the two sessions he attended. I was going to see what courses the sports clubs had for his age and I?m not sure tennis would have crossed my mind so am really glad he tried and liked it.
My girls are going to try tennis on Thursday after school. DD2 has already had some tennis lesson at school and enjoyed so I know she will want to carry on. I hope DD1 will too.

I was going to try cardio tennis, unfortunately none of the times were suitable due to childcare issues. Hopefully they will still be running next September when DS starts school as I really would like to give it a go.

I am so grateful to Mumsnet, Allplay, Gosling Sports Park and Fran for giving me and my family the opportunity to have some fantastic tennis sessions. We have had a lot of fun in the past few weeks and hope we can continue to have fun with tennis in the future. Tennis is a wonderful activity to take part in with a young family and I hope we can continue to enjoy it together as the kids get older. THANK YOU!!!

[goingtoplaytennis]

MN can you cahnge my name on all the posts on this thread to goingtoplaytennis as I think the sports club are going to link it to thier website - thanks!