When you decide it’s time to start tennis lessons with your child, you have lots of options: summer camps, group lessons, and private tennis lessons. Selecting the right one is absolutely vital to helping your child develop a love for the sport, but how can you know which type might be right for you? Take a closer look at the difference before you make a decision. 

Understanding the Real Differences

Private tennis lessons mean one-on-one instruction for your child. They typically focus on what your child is good at and what he or she is struggling with. Often they make use of various drills during practice to help sharpen problematic skills, but there aren’t a lot of opportunities for match play should you select this option. You may also find that it’s a bit pricier than group lessons. 

Group lessons still make use of various drills to help give your child the skills he or she needs, but there may be many more opportunities for match play during each session so your child gets a better sense of what the game is actually like on the court. While your child will still get some one-on-one attention if he or she is struggling, much of the work in a class like this is focused on every member of the group. 

What’s Right for My Child?

So, which type of lesson is actually right for your child? It depends a bit on your goals. If you’re just trying to introduce your child to the sport, group tennis classes may be the best way to go. If, though, your child really wants to improve, private tennis lessons may make far more sense in your situation. Many players use a combination of the two throughout the year to build a well-rounded tennis profile.