Tennis Strength Training For Kids

Tennis Strength training for kids is one area that we are always getting questions about.
“When should kids start lifting weights, what exercises should kids be doing, how much should kids be doing”? These are some common questions we receive about strength training for kids.

If you work with young players, it is important to get their off-court training right. Having a strong, flexible, and robust athlete is what is needed if you want to get the most out of any player.

Strength is the building block for every other aspect of physical development (speed, power, agility, etc). Junior tennis players need to get stronger to prevent injuries and boost performance. This is the first and most important fundamental for junior development.

Due to this fact, we saw the need for players to understand how to train the right way for strength gains. It can be challenging knowing what to do when to do it and how to progress Tennis strength training for kids.

Having a strong body is the foundation of physical development. If you want to prevent injuries, have more power, and recover quicker, then getting stronger is the best thing you can do. Having a strong, stable body is like building a house on a solid foundation, it is crucial for long term success!

Before junior players start training for strength gains, there are a few things we need to go over!

Learning the “6 Strength Fundamentals” is one of the most critical components of off-court training. At ‘Tennis Fitness’ we recommend all young players aged 16 and under start out by performing these 6 fundamental movement patterns:

1. Squat 
2. Lunge
3. Push
4. Pull 
5. Rotate
6. Bend

When young players can consistently complete all the 6 movement patterns, with good form, only then should their junior tennis strength program progress.

Performing these basic fundamental strength exercises on a regular basis will give young tennis players a great platform to build on in the future. It is the best way to educate them on good functional biomechanics and help prevent tennis injuries.  

Strengthening up these movements will enable athletes to move better, have more power, and recover more effectively. It is especially important for young athletes to understand and be consciously aware of these movement patterns. When they start to lift a load, if they do not have these fundamentals down, it can be detrimental to their long-term success and injury rate. As young athletes physically develop we need to ensure they are moving symmetrically and strengthening the right areas of their bodies.

Tennis Strength Training For Kids

Watch this free video and check out how to perform the “Fundamental Movements”

VIDEO - watch here

Read more - Junior Tennis Strength Training