Is My Child Ready for More?
🚀 How to Recognize When It’s Time to Take the Next Step
As parents, we all want what’s best for our children, especially when we’re investing time, energy, and money into their activities. But in youth tennis, there’s a fine line between being a supportive parent and becoming an unintentional “tennis manager.”
At FOFTA, we’ve seen that the most confident, resilient players are those who feel ownership over their tennis journey, not those whose parents try to run every detail of it. Your role is incredibly important—but it’s most powerful when it complements the coach’s work and empowers your child to grow independently.
The following are a few things you can look for to gauge if your child is ready to move forward.
✅ 1. They’re Showing Genuine Interest
- They ask to play or practice more often
- They watch tennis on their own
- They start taking initiative, like packing their bag or asking questions after lessons
📌 Why it matters: Motivation from within, not pressure from parents, is one of the strongest indicators that a child is
ready to grow.
✅ 2. They’re Consistent With Effort
- They stay focused during lessons or matches
- They bounce back after mistakes without quitting or melting down
- They put in solid effort, even on “off” days
📌 Why it matters: Readiness for more training means your child can handle progress and plateaus positively.
✅ 3. They’re Outgrowing the Basics
- They’re consistently rallying with purpose
- They’re ready for more advanced ball types (e.g., transitioning from Orange to Green)
- Their footwork, balance, and control are improving
📌 Why it matters: As a player’s physical and technical foundation strengthens, more structured training and match
play becomes appropriate.
✅ 4. They Handle Wins and Losses With Maturity
- They shake hands, win or lose
- They reflect rather than complain
- They recover from tough matches and want to try again
📌 Why it matters: Competitive readiness includes emotional resilience, not just strokes and speed.
✅ 5. They’re Managing School and Tennis Well
- They have time for rest, schoolwork, and fun
- They aren’t overwhelmed by the idea of more training
- They’re beginning to develop routines
📌 Why it matters: Tennis development should enhance—not disrupt—a child’s overall well-being.
⚠️ Signs It Might Be Too Soon
- They show reluctance or dread toward practice
- They struggle to stay focused or recover from small failures
- They rely heavily on parent approval or fear disappointing you
- Their schedule feels crowded or rushed
If any of these show up consistently, staying the course and growing more gradually may be best.
🌱 What “More” Could Look Like
If your child is ready, “more” doesn’t mean burnout or overcommitment. It might include:
- Joining a developmental academy or training group
- Adding one more lesson per week
- Competing in a beginner tournament or match play event
- Beginning to train with intentional goals in mind
At FOFTA, we personalize the next step based on each player’s stage, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Progress in tennis is a marathon, not a sprint. When your child is ready for more, it should feel like a challenge, not a chore.”