ALFO Little Tennis Academy

The challenges with tennis has alway been, how do you quickly and effectively teach children how to play the game and love it at the same time?

Tennis is one of those sports that requires a moderate level of skill before one can play it. With traditional teaching methods, it could take months or years before a child acquires the skills needed to play a match. The number of children who have quit tennis in frustration is astronomical. ALFO Little Tennis Academy’s Mini Tennis Program is here to change this and revolutionize the teaching of tennis to young players.

ALFO Little Tennis Academy is headed by Weber Oh and Ang Hock Chai. We are the first in Singapore to use ITF’s Play & Stay (Progressive Tennis method) as a developmental tool to allow young children to improve their overall tennis skills faster, so they can progress quickly and easily to the regular court with the correct basic tactics and techniques.

Principal Coaches

Weber Oh ITF Level 3 Certified Coach Head Coach Raffles Institution (since 1998) Raffles Institution Junior College (since 1992)

Ang Hock Chai Head Coach Methodist Girls’ School(since 1996) Anglo Chinese School (Independent) (since 2000)

TENNIS IS EASY AND FUN…

IF YOU SERVE, RALLY & SCORE FROM THE FIRST LESSON

The ITF Tennis Play and Stay Campaign centres around “serve, rally and score” and the recommendation that starter players play the game from the first lesson. The campaign is supported by the top ITF nations, the tennis manufacturers and the major coaching organizations. It aims to retain more starter players in the sport by improving the way in which coaches worldwide introduce tennis and by ensuring that the starter player’s first experience is both positive and enjoyable.

A coach’s ability to communicate, entertain and organize the lesson is important in introductory tennis. Whilst teaching technique remains important, the ITF recommends that coaches focus first on getting players playing the game and then give the necessary and relevant technical and tactical instructions to help players play (serve, rally and score) more effectively.

It is important that from the first lesson the coach sets up activities and practices that are both active and fun and which ensure players get a taste of what is great about tennis: serving, rallying and scoring. In most cases this will involve coaches introducing tennis using one of the slower red, orange and green balls on a reduced court, and with smaller rackets for young children.

IF YOU USE THE RIGHT BALL

Using the right ball with the starter player is crucial. A number of slower balls are available which make the game easier. By using these balls the starter players have more time and more control. This makes the game more fun for them at the introductory stage.

The ITF Task Force recommends the red, orange and green progression for starter players. This progression focuses on a range of slower balls and court sizes to introduce the game effectively to both adults and children. If starter players cannot serve, rally and score with a normal bal

l on a full sized court then it is strongly recommended that coaches use one of the red,orange or green balls on the appropriate sized court to help them learn the game more easily.

IF YOU USE THE RIGHT COURT

TENNIS IS HEALTHY…

IF YOU SERVE, RALLY, SCORE!

Tennis is healthy and good for fitness. Research conducted by the ITF has shown that when recreational players of a similar level play tennis for one hour they cover close to 2.5 kilometres and maintain an average heart rate of between 140 and 170 beats per minute. No wonder it is the best sport for helping people of all ages stay fit and healthy.

Research has shown that playing tennis regularly:

• Improves general health and well-being
• Improves aerobic fitness, flexibility and suppleness
• Reduced the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes
• Improves decision making and problem-solving skills

SIGN-UP FOR THE LITTLE TENNIS PROGRAM AND LET YOUR KIDS START ENJOYING TENNIS TODAY

ALFO Sports Management Pte Ltd
Blk 1091 Lower Delta Road #04-04
Singapore 169202

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