Everybody who ever played any sport "never played before."
Just like anyone who ever wrote a sentence , drove a car, or walked a dog.
Now admittedly, tennis requires a few more skills and strategies than walking a dog, but it's a learning process like anything else. If you're a new player on the team, expect to start off slowly. Just gripping the racket correctly and standing in the right spot will be part of your early "education." Learning the rules, keeping score, serving and receiving—all these will be part of that education also.
I have two major tasks as a coach. One involves the returning players: they know how to play and my goal is to get them to play at their best in our matches.
The other task involves you—teaching you how to play so that you can participate in an actual match.
Now, about your major tasks. You have only two also: show up every day and try. You have a place on the team as long as you come to practice and give your best effort. When that stops, I stop, and so do you.
It doesn't matter to me how many skills you start with or lack; only your dedication and commitment will dictate your success.
We'll begin in the middle of March. You'll have many more details as the time comes closer, and all new players' names are now on the mailing list, so check your school email for updates.
You need a tennis racket. You can spend $400.00 on one or pick one up on line or in a local sporting goods store for twenty bucks. If you're just beginning, spend as little as possible, but buy a full-sized racket. Size and weight? Refer to this article.
You need some kind of athletic footwear. Tennis shoes differ from running shoes and basketball sneakers, but anything will do when you're starting out, as long as they're designed for court usage.
You will need to fill out all the school paperwork and make sure your physical is up to date. Without all that, you cannot step onto the court for any practice. Period.
You need to give me a parent's email address so that they will know what's happening on the team. Take care of that as soon as possible.
If you have any other questions, see below
My school email addresses: raddac@plainvilleschools.org. (Use this one when possible.)
Alternate email addresses: chuckr2@comcast.net, chuckradda@gmail.com
Cellphone: 860-614-7304. You may need to text or call at times during the season, but until then, use email.
Other sources of information:
Our Athletic Director is Mr. Farrell.
Our captains are Sam Conte, Maggie Cronkhite, and Liv Wazorko.