Group lessons are probably the most common format in which kids learn tennis. The structure of group lessons ranges from groups of three or four taught by an experienced pro to groups as large as ten taught by a local high-school player. The amount of hitting time and instruction is inversely proportional to the group size, so smaller is almost always better. Generally speaking, kids will learn faster and more soundly with an experienced and credentialed pro, but younger kids sometimes feel that a high-school age instructor is more fun. In general, kids learn gradually and have a lot of fun in group lessons.
Advantages:
- Fairly low cost: usually $5 to $10 per hour.
- Comfortable number of companions.
- Smaller groups (3-4) offer some individualized attention.
- A well organized group will keep all of the kids active most of the time.
- Singles and doubles instruction can be part of the lesson.
- Low pressure, group games are often lively and very enjoyable.
- Instructor time and attention per student decreases with group size.
- Drills that are best for one group member may not emphasize the most urgent needs of another.
- The intensive focus needed to correct one student's major stroke problem can be hard to attain.
- One-on-one hitting with the instructor is very limited.
- Kids who feel most comfortable with a few friends around.
- Players who are looking more to have fun and learn gradually than to improve as fast as possible.
- Players who are not heavily involved in tournaments or team competition.
- Families who can't afford more expensive instruction.
