Zen Tennis is great for kids because it teaches them key life skills in an activity format they can relate to -running around hitting a ball.

They learn 3 life skills they don’t get taught at school, but which will help them in any endeavor in their later life. These skills are:

- Concentration
- Awareness
- Responsibility

Another benefit of this style of learning is that the child is never put out of his depth, or made to feel he has to do something right or is failing in any way. He does it his/her way, it takes responsibility for the results and then decides to change it or not change it at his/her own pace.

This approach builds deep self-confidence and since there is no pressure from an external authority, the child takes responsibility for the results he/she creates. Outside pressure often leads to children opposing their coach or parents, losing the joy of the game, and ultimately quitting the sport.

NOTE: There is nothing dogmatic or theological about this approach. For me, Zen is the word that best describes the state of calm awareness and concentration that leads to “the Zone” in tennis. Perhaps I should have called it “Zone Tennis”!