How Many Years Of Training Before Surgery?

Tennis off season training?

• Hey (: So right now, I'm a freshman in highschool. And next year, I am thinking about joining the tennis team. I really want to. It starts in July. Tennis has always been a main sport my family has done, but I really want to get into sports during highschool and I'm thinking of trying tennis now. I haven't really done sports in the past. Well, except I did basketball and soccer from 4th to 6th grade. I quit after I had my major stomach surgery. It's been 3 years and I really want to get into sports again. I haven't been training at all and I need some help on training for the off season. What types of workouts should I do? I haven't been athletic for awhile, but I'm very healthy, I'm at a very good weight for my age and height, and I eat healthy. My rec center is connected to my highschool so after school I can go over there for training. They have full tennis courts and workout areas. So I'm going to get a membership for sure, but likeee I need ideas for workout, conditioning, and practicing skilllls. (: Any ideas? Please and thank you!<3 PS, as a beginner, would it be easier to play doubles or singles? I kinda rather do singles but I would still like suggestions(:

• Answer:

  If you want to be a tennis player, then you should begin taking lessons [private, group, or both] from a good teacher. Here are links to two U.S. tennis-teaching organizations: http://www.uspta.com/ http://www.ptrtennis.org/ The web sites above have a function where you can enter your zip code or local area, so that you can find out how to contact any teaching professionals near you. Your teacher will have lots of ideas on how you can get into better shape and also build up your skill level. Most important, IMHO, is to hit tennis balls 5 or 6 days a week, in order to improve your racket-handling ability. ***PS, as a beginner, would it be easier to play doubles or singles? I kinda rather do singles but I would still like suggestions(:*** Doubles is good for you because it teaches you how to play the *net.* Too many of today's singles players play almost entirely from the baseline, and so their net play is often not as good as it should be. I suggest that you play *both* singles and doubles. Here is a good book on conditioning. It has tons of good things for you to learn: Peterson, Carl, and Nittinger, Nina. "Fit to Play Tennis," Racquet Tech Publishing, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0-9722-759-5-8, ISBN-10: 0-9722759-5-9. Subtitle: "High Performance Training Tips." Sportsmanship might not be #1, but it's way ahead of whatever is in 2nd place. Best of luck, hope you have some fun with it :-)