To think that if I am paying for them to have tennis lessons, I actually want them to learn how to play tennis?!

[phoenixflower]

It's only one 30 min lesson per week and I don't think it's acceptable that they only learn how to play tennis for about 5 mins of the lesson. DDs 3 has recently started and has told me they play games for most of the session. I have watched two of the lessons from the cafe area and does seem like they spend most of the lessons playing games.

I am not paying for the coach to teach the class how to 'strum' on their rackets like a guitar or run around the court playing tag and collecting balls. There is no other place for lessons locally so don't want to cause a fuss but AIBU to complain?

Any ideas on how I can do it nicely without sounding like a pushy bitch mum?

How old is your DD?

If she is youngish (under 5/6) your description of the lesson is the same as the ones my dd has. It isn't exactly hitting the balls over the net, but more learning to control their actions

Well - I know absolutely nothing about teaching tennis to children, but it's possible that the things that the coach is getting them to do will help their tennis in some way. Running round picking up balls may be teaching them to keep their eye on the ball, and to get to it fast and bend or stretch to pick it up, perhaps.

If you are worried, it would be a good idea to have a word with the coach and ask them about how the course progresses. Say that you are intrigued by the exercises they are doing, and want to know more about how they work and help the game, so you can do them with your dd at home.

Hopefully you'd get answers that reassured you.

Age has an awful lot to do with this, can't really make a judgment until we know how old your DD is :).

If your DD is 5 this sounds about right, if she is 10 then it doesn't. It really does depend how old she is

I know a bit about how the children's lessons work, both my DC are in lessons at the moment.
From the age of 3 or 4 a lot of the class will be about ball skills, co-ordination, catching/throwing etc - a lot of this leads into play later on.

eg the throwing skills help develop a better serve action when the time comes

Then there are the different ball types and court size to use.

What age is your DD?

She's 6 and my first DC to show any interest in tennis, DD1 and 2 were never interested.

Sounds like exercises to help hand-eye, footwork and grip. Do they get turns to hit at all ? Is it short tennis ?

Skills, lady. Like pre-literacy skills. No point trying to hit balls over a net if they can't track the ball or control the racket. Patience.

DS is 6 and his tennis lessons appear to mostly be getting him to be able to hit the ball on purpose.

The group have vastly improved since they Was very funny watching them on the first day.

Thanks for all the replies! As it appears to be the norm, I shall stop worrying and let her get on with it

You do realise how long it is since Britain has had a wimbledon champion, phoenix. No pressure!