Tennis

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Tennis

Should I try to play for a while before I take lessons?

By Jeff Cooper, About.com

Question: Should I try to play for a while before I take lessons?

Answer: It's much harder to break bad habits than to form good ones. If you take a few lessons before you start playing, you're more likely to use good stroke form right from the beginning. Many who play tennis for a while before taking lessons develop strokes that get the ball in somehow but are biomechanically unsound, which can create a low ceiling for their further improvement and also lead to arm injuries.

More Tennis Q&A

Explore Tennis

About.com Special Features

Learn to Pitch

Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

Tennis

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Tennis
  4. FAQ and Reference
  5. Beginners Get Started FAQ
  6. Lessons or Playing First - Beginners Get Started FAQ

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.