In this experience, I tried to learn a new tennis skill called ‘slice’. I have been playing tennis for a long time and this skill is something I have wanted to learn for a long time but never could. So for this experience I practiced the backhand slice everyday (except Sunday) by doing about 3 drills for it. I also did strength training to increase my arm strength for the same. I started this in January and continued till April. Learning the backhand slice also helped me improve my overall game while adding a skill to it! I will continue practicing this in the future as well since there is a long way to go before I can perfect my backhand slice.

The learning outcomes I achieved were: LO1, LO2, LO4
LO1: Identify their own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.
LO2: Demonstrate that they have undertaken challenges, developing new skills in the process.
LO4: Show commitment and perseverance in their CAS experience.

The CAS strand catered was: A (activity)

LO1: I identified that I am good at drop shots and hitting a backhand. I also identified that I am good at these two shots but I have to develop strength in my backhand and also learn the backhand slice (I can hit the forehand slice). After identifying the issue, I started working on learning and practicing the slice and doing strength training to be able to hit powerful shots. By learning about my area of growth, I can further improve my game.

LO2: I haven’t learned the slice for so long because I have lacked the strength for it. So for this experience I decided to challenge myself and learn a new skill which will help me a lot. To overcome this challenge I did a lot of drills and took my coach’s advice to learn the skill without injuring myself and understanding what I am doing. However, even after months worth of practice I couldn’t hit perfect slices in a row, I could hit at most 3 or 4 together. So I have decided to practice even more than I am right now and not be in a hurry to do things. I hope I can perfect this new skill.

LO4: Learning a new skill is always very difficult because most times we do not do everything perfectly. I lost my motivation a lot of times because I wasn’t able to hit the slice properly and I kept making mistakes. This frustrated me a lot and many times I just wanted to stop, or quit. However, I knew if I stopped I would never be able to learn this shot and so I stayed committed and persevered. My coach helped me a lot through this to reach where I am now.

FINAL TAKEAWAY:

• Learner profile: communicator – talking about what I don’t understand and how I am doing with my coach, Risk-taker – I had the confidence to try and learn this new skill despite my lack of strength.
• This experience’s highlight was when I hit my first perfect slice and my friends and coach got happy with me!
• I would not say that I achieved success because I still believe I have a long way to go before I hit the backhand slice properly but I’m not demotivated!

Evidence: