Dear William - CoachV,
 
Thank you for writing in with your comments regarding my article, Training an Eight Year Old. Believe me, there are more and more professionals realizing and recognizing this concept of giving kids an "Advanced Foundation" early on. As I'm sure you have discovered, proper tennis technique is seldom a strength issue...only those who use improper equipment or poor form find strength a necessity. Thus, young kids can execute advanced tennis technique (within certain parameters), and be given the greatest chance at reaching their potential.
 
I've seen more kids forfeit any chance at becoming a skilled tennis player, (obviously prohibiting any chance of playing what ever level they dream of playing at!), because they were taught inferior methods that MUST change at some point for the kid, (and adults for that matter), to reach higher levels.
 
I applaud your desire to create the opportunity for your students through this understanding. And, contrary to many ignorant pros, you can make learning advanced principles and patterns just as fun--if not more fun--than the typical 'hit and giggle' we so often see in junior tennis programs. On the contrary, your students will enjoy a lifetime of more highly skilled tennis, enjoying the many aspects of skilled tennis that makes tennis so much more fun than simply pushing balls over the net as we see millions of capable people (adults and kids) doing for life because they learned such ineffective methods early on.
 
Please keep me posted of your success!
 
Best Wishes,
 
Dave Smith
Senior Editor, TennisOne 8/1/2010