Tennis provides not only a good workout

Looking for a good way to exercise, have fun and improve your hand/eye coordination? PCC’s tennis classes allow students the opportunity to expand their tennis skills while meeting new people.Coach Leon Henry, adjunct faculty instructor who teaches beginning tennis classes (and beginning basketball), said: “you learn the basics and etiquette of the game in the beginning classes.”

According to Henry, tennis is like playing an instrument: In order to master the instrument and play it well, practice is required. Tennis, he said, is “not [very] strenuous, and you get a good workout.”

“I like this class but because we [get] to play at the park, we have to play on only one court,” said Brittany Cabrera, a student in the class.

Currently, PCC does not have a tennis team for students to join. Henry said that he does, however, tell his students to join tournaments because competing will enable them to use and expand their skills.

“I really enjoy teaching the class,” he said. Beginners are challenging. “It is a sport where you can just go out to the court and they will [play] with you.”

Highlighting the main benefits of the game, Henry said that meeting people and getting a great workout transform the game into more than just a sport.

One of the drills the class practices includes Henry standing on one side of the court hitting the balls in a continuous cycle while each student hits once.

According to Cabrera, drills like these benefit the students. “Once you are done with the drill, you go to the other side and pick up the balls. It is a good way to keep everyone busy,” she said.

Tina Gupta, another student in the class, said that she had always wanted to play the sport. This class allowed her the ability to exercise, learn the rules and techniques, and have fun while doing so.

“It is what you put into it,” said Henry, speaking of tennis in general. The more practice and time one puts in, the better they will be, he said.

After taking the beginning classes, intermediate and advanced tennis are also offered, allowing students to really experience the game.