Tennis Clinic Etiquette

Most tennis clubs have clinics where a teaching pro runs a group of players through various drills and games for 1.5 hours. Some facilities with public clinics sort the players by skill level while others balance out the talent.  Some facilities have clinics with 3-6 people per court while others have 6-16 players on each court.  In general, the teaching pro running the clinic is the biggest factor in terms of how fun it is.  Prices range from $20 to $41 for clinics in my experience.  I have attended clinics at various facilities over the past 25 years. 

Here’s my list of best practices for clinics or what I consider “tennis clinic etiquette.”

#1  No winners off the feed.  When it’s your turn to start the point, hit a medium stroke to the person on the other side of the net to get the point going.  Some clinics have a rule, “no winners off the feed.”  This means that you’re not trying to win the point, instead you’re trying to get the point started.  So many players hit the ball as hard as they can in an effort to win the individual drill and as a result they are inconsistent.  Doing this is a lose – lose scenario.  If they hit a winner on the first point by overhitting then nobody returns the ball.  If they lose the point by hitting it out, nobody plays the point. 

#2  Safety first.  Always be clearing the balls.  Also, don’t hit hard shots at players in compromising positions like hitting a high ball at a player at the net.  It’s reckless and dangerous. Also, never hit balls not fed by the teaching pro. It’s potentially dangerous and delays the rest of the group from playing.

#4  Don’t crowd the net.  There is no scenario in a tennis match where you stand right at the net.  You are always a few feet back from the net as you’re not allowed to break the plane before you hit the ball and if you hit the net with your racket or body you lose the point.  At clinics, some players crowd the net and then easily hit balls that are often unreturnable when their opponents are at the baseline.  This is no way to start the drill by scoring an easy point.  I can understand the desire to win a point but this is not a way to ingratiate yourself with the other players. As Allen Iverson reminds us – it’s practice.

#5  Make generous line calls.  When you’re in a clinic your only objective should be to practice your strokes, focus on movement and footwork and improve your decision making.  Always give the benefit of the doubt with any line call which is no different than a match but especially so in clinic.  It’s silly to make questionable calls when your only goal is practice.  If there’s a ball going long and you hit it out of the air and start the point – the person who hit the ball will certainly appreciate it.

#6  Be quick to rotate.  Don’t stay in after your turn is over.  If you have any doubt if you’re still in, rotate.  It’s easy to forget if you should still be in but don’t be the person that stays in until the next person comes in.

#7 Keep it fun.  There are happy players and there are grumpy players.  I lean to the quiet side myself when playing but when in a clinic always keep it light and be helpful.  Most rec players lead busy lives so when playing tennis for a short respite from your week – have fun, make jokes, enjoy yourself and the others in your drill.  If you new to the area, clinics are a great way to meet people.

A special shout out to Ben Zink at RCW in Lancaster.  I did a drill led by Ben with 16 people including a few 5.0s and several 4.5s.  It was as fast paced and fun as any other smaller clinic.  Sensational and what clinics should be.

Personally, I like smaller clinics where the players are sorted by skill level.  It’s exponentially more fun this way. Balancing the players maybe good for weaker players trying to improve but it’s not fun for the better players.  When I play in clinics my only goal is steps (exercise).  Don’t take yourself too seriously and on the other side – don’t have an inferiority complex.  Players in public clinics should be good with all levels of participants.  I hope these best practices helps to make your time on court enjoyable for all!