YOUTH SPORTS: Ask Jack

Ask Jack: Hi Jack, I love tennis and I have a daughter. I would like to see whether she can become a tennis pro. Is it possible to detect talents for tennis in such an early age as two or three? It might be a dumb question but I appreciate any information.

Thanks. N.V. in Vietnam on 10/18/2000

Jack sez: As mature and conscientious adults, we need to be very cautious about imposing our favorite sport onto our children. Down the road, the results can cause a lot of family friction. In your case, it is far too early to determine if your daughter¹s current abilities will develop into the physical and mental abilities needed to become a high level professional player.

Michael Jordan, for instance, did not become a starter on his Wilmngton (NC) High School basketball team until his junior year, about age 16. There are also countless stories about youth league wonders who failed to measure up to expectations when they reached their teenage years. The point is that we cannot predict future star quality performance from the early years.

In fact, in the US sport system, a huge number of very good high school players do not become successful college level players. They same thing happens when jumping from college athletics to the pros.

I would recommend, as I do for all parents, that you provide opportunities for your children to learn two team and two individual sports by the time they are 12 or 13 years of age. In Vietnam, these sports might be tennis and golf or swimming. Add football (soccer) and basketball or volleyball on the team sport side. This will allow your child to learn a variety of skills.

A number of high level professional players have noted that, in tennis and ice hockey for instance, the better players have been involved in a number of sports as kids. They were not sport specialists and did not put all of their time and energy into one sport.

The Williams sisters may have been exceptions to this. However, it is obvious that they have a lot more physical abilities (i.e., size, strength, speed, power) than their opponents.

As for tennis and your daughter, you can certainly introduce her to the skills of the game. See Munchkin Tennis on my Books link. It is full of activities for children ages nine and under. But you should make sure it is fun, neither boring nor filled with intense drills.

Then, if and when she really takes an interest in tennis, get more focused on the basic skills and strategies. Which ever direction you decide to go, try very hard to keep it fun for her and yourself.

For a variety of resources involving all sports for volunteer and school coaches, teachers, parents, youth leaders, administrators, club staff, and youth work professionals, see the award winning www.NAYSI.com