Plenty of adults pick up a racket for the first time in their thirties, forties or later, and many more come back after a long break. A first group lesson is designed for exactly that: nobody expects you to rally on day one.
What to bring
- Shoes: flat-soled sports shoes. Most clubs ask for court shoes or trainers without deep treads, so the surface is not damaged.
- Clothes: anything you can move in. A layer for cool evenings helps.
- Water: a refillable bottle.
- A racket: only if you already have one. Clubs usually lend rackets for trial sessions.
How the hour usually goes
- A short warm-up with easy movement and catching games.
- Feeding: the coach sends balls from a basket so you can practise one stroke at a time, usually the forehand first.
- Short rallies close to the net, with a partner from the group.
- A small game at the end, so you leave having played points.
Tips for the first few weeks
Arrive ten minutes early so you can check in and borrow a racket without rushing. Tell the coach about any old injuries before you start. And expect to feel a bit uncoordinated at first: timing comes with repetition, and most groups move at the pace of the people in them.
If you enjoy it, ask about the next block of sessions or a social doubles evening where newer players are welcome.