The Right Start: Why Injury Prevention and Proper Tennis Foundations Matter for Your Child’s Long-Term Success

As a tennis professional and program director with over 15 years of experience teaching children, and a master's degree in Human Performance and Sport Science, I have seen firsthand how the right coaching approach can set young players up for long-term success—or lead them down a path of frustration, injury, and burnout.

Tennis is a lifelong sport, but only if it’s taught correctly from the start. Unfortunately, many coaches—often former professional players or those teaching “pro-style” techniques to children—overlook the biomechanics and developmental needs of young athletes. They prioritize quick results over proper movement mechanics, exposing children to unnecessary injury risks. If you are a parent considering a tennis program for your child, here’s what you need to know about why a solid foundation in tennis is critical for both performance and injury prevention.

Injury Prevention: The Science Behind a Strong Foundation

Research shows that improper technique and early exposure to advanced movement patterns significantly increase the risk of overuse injuries in young athletes. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that junior tennis players who specialized too early and trained with improper mechanics had a 50% higher risk of developing chronic injuries in the shoulder, wrist, and elbow (Pluim et al., 2016).

Children’s bodies are still developing, and their muscles, tendons, and ligaments are not yet prepared for the demands of high-impact, rotational movements such as an open-stance groundstroke or a looping backswing. The USTA and International Tennis Federation (ITF) both emphasize that closed-stance stroke fundamentals should be mastered first before introducing more dynamic techniques. This ensures that young players develop balance, stability, and core strength before engaging in movements that require greater explosive force and joint stress.

The Risks of Teaching “Pro” Techniques Too Soon

Many coaches rush young players into advanced techniques because they look impressive or mimic professional athletes. However, elite players spend years refining their technique, and their training regimens are designed for physically mature athletes, not children.

Consider the open stance forehand, which is widely used at the highest levels of the game. While it provides great power and adaptability, research from the Journal of Sports Sciences indicates that the open stance generates significantly more torque on the knee and hip joints, increasing the risk of overuse injuries when introduced too early (Elliott et al., 2010). Young players should first learn a neutral stance with proper weight transfer before transitioning to more advanced footwork patterns.

Similarly, the looping backswing, commonly used in modern tennis, can create issues if introduced before a player has established a solid fundamental stroke. Studies show that younger players with incomplete motor control who attempt a loop backswing too early often struggle with timing and consistency, leading to inefficient swings and excess stress on the shoulder and wrist (Kovacs & Ellenbecker, 2018). Instead, beginners should first learn a compact, controlled take-back, ensuring they can drive through the ball with proper mechanics before refining their swing path.

Beware of Inexperienced Coaches Who Ridicule the Fundamentals

An inexperienced "coach" may criticize or ridicule a proper developmental approach, falsely believing that all players should start with an open stance and full-loop takeback just because professional players use them. This is a sign of ignorance and a lack of education in sports science and biomechanics. A great coach understands that what works for a fully developed, elite adult athlete is not the same as what is safe and effective for a growing child.

Parents must be diligent when selecting a tennis program for their children. The long-term success of a young athlete depends on proper training that minimizes injury risk while maximizing skill retention and enjoyment. Many so-called “coaches” today have no real background in biomechanics, injury prevention, or child development. They may have played at a high level themselves, but playing and teaching are two entirely different skill sets. Without the proper knowledge, these instructors rush children into movements that they are not physically ready for, prioritizing flash over function. This reckless approach leads to injury, frustration, and an early exit from the sport.

If a coach dismisses the importance of a solid closed-stance base and a simplified take-back, that is a red flag that they do not understand how to properly develop young athletes for long-term success. A true professional knows that a structured progression—starting with strong fundamentals and gradually introducing complexity—is the key to developing skilled, injury-free players.

Long-Term Success vs. Short-Term Gains

A program that focuses on proper technique and injury prevention from the beginning will set children up for long-term success. Players who are taught based on sound biomechanics:

✅ Develop more efficient strokes that hold up under pressure
✅ Reduce their risk of chronic injuries that force early retirement from the sport
✅ Build confidence and enjoyment, leading to sustained participation in tennis

On the other hand, players who are rushed into complex techniques too early:

❌ Struggle with inconsistency due to poor mechanics
❌ Experience pain and discomfort from improper movements
❌ Often quit the sport early due to frustration or injury

In fact, 8% of young athletes discontinue sports entirely due to injury or fear of injury, and many others drop out due to burnout from ineffective coaching (McGuine et al., 2017).

The Right Choice for Your Child’s Tennis Future

When choosing a tennis program, look for a coach who prioritizes fundamental mechanics, injury prevention, and age-appropriate progression. A well-structured program should allow young athletes to develop confidence in their strokes without placing unnecessary stress on their bodies. Tennis should be a sport for life, not a short-lived endeavor cut short by poor coaching decisions.

✅ Start with a solid closed-stance base before introducing open-stance footwork
✅ Teach a simple, controlled take-back before progressing to a loop backswing

✅ Focus on technique over short-term results—no rushing to advanced movements before a child is physically ready

If your child is serious about playing tennis—and playing it for years to come—then investing in a qualified, knowledgeable instructor is the best decision you can make. A coach who understands biomechanics, injury prevention, and the developmental process will ensure your child not only improves but stays healthy, happy, and engaged in the sport for the long run.