Volleys 🎾
Volleys 🎾
🎯 🎾 Volleys – Tennis Tots/Titans Teaching Guide
Volleys are less important at the Tots/Titans stage, but it's good to introduce them early in tennis. The idea of a volley is to finish the point off at the net. The technique is very different from normal forehands and backhands.
Demonstrate: Children will learn from watching the coaches, so please demonstrate a forehand at every level
Technique: As players approach the net, they do not have time for big swings, so the technique involves keeping the racket head up, creating a V shape, and hitting from high to low. The same grip is used on both volleys (chopper grip), and the hand is turned for backhand. Footwork is crucial in volleying, enabling the body to turn for both forehand and backhand shots, and to attempt to impact the ball at shoulder height whenever possible. For a right-hander, when performing a forehand volley, the left foot wants to move towards the ball and turn the shoulders in the process; for a backhand volley, the right foot steps across. https://youtu.be/b2mHhUeeSvc?si=QIqHEoFzY2GAcfzu
🧸 Volley progressions
· High fives: pair the children up with parents/ other kids; put drop-down lines in front of the child to give them a starting point and get them to step forward and high-five. Encourage back-of-hand high-fives
· Cone hands. Use round cones (one of each colour) and put two fingers through the middle and hold the thumb on the outside. Get parents to have matching coloured cones, and the child matches the colour and high-fives parents' cones like cymbals. Encourage children to step forward across the body by holding the corresponding colour for the child to step across and tag the parent's cone.
· Lollipop volleys: Get children close to the net and to hold the racket up like a lollipop. Feed the ball a bit short so the child has to reach forward and hit down.
· Progress to kids standing further back by putting down lines for the child to recover to, then stepping forward with the correct leg and punching high to low down into the court
· Progress to hitting a groundstroke first, then moving forward and hitting a volley.
· Split step: introduce the idea of split step before volleying for balance
· Smashes: always good to throw in some smashes, which are essentially serves without the ball toss.
Tug of War 💪🎾
Tug of War
🎯 Objective:
To pull the opposing team across a center line using a rope. Great for teamwork, strength, coordination, and energy release.
🔧 Setup:
Use a long rope (soft grip if possible).
Mark a clear center line on the ground using cones, chalk, or tape.
Tie a scarf to the centre of the rope as a marker
Add two win lines about 1.5–2 meters each side of the center.
🕹️ How to Play:
Divide into two equal teams in numbers and strength.
Line them up holding the rope evenly on either side of the center line.
On the signal “3…2…1…GO!” both teams pull.
First team to pull the scarf past the win marker wins the round.
Can be played best of 3.
🛟 Safety Tips:
Ensure all players hold with two hands and never wrap the rope around hands or body.
Use shoes with grip.
Encourage a low stance and bent knees.
One coach should always supervise closely to pause if needed.
🐣 Easier Variants for Younger Children:
Use a lightweight rope or resistance band.
Play 1v1 or 2v2 using cones to mark a zone.
Introduce a Teddy Tug: tie a teddy or plush toy to the center of the rope for themed fun.
Try “Friendly Tug”: no winners, just teams pulling the rope back and forth across a midline to build coordination and laughter.
Tennis Obstacle Course Challenge! 🎾🏁⚽
🎾 Tennis Obstacle Course Challenge! 🏁⚽
A high-energy, skill-building circuit that brings tennis and movement together in the most exciting way!
Kids must dribble large footballs with control using their tennis rackets, manoeuvring through a series of fun and challenging stations before hitting the ball over the net. Perfect for developing coordination, balance, and racket skills!
🔶 Station 1: Double Cone Circles
Navigate around two tall traffic cones, dribbling the ball in a figure-of-eight pattern. Once both circles are complete, race to the net and hit the ball over with forehand/backhand or serve
🔶 Station 2: Slalom Weave
Dribble in and out through a classic cone slalom. Stay tight and controlled—then line up and strike the ball over the net when you reach the end with forehand/backhand or serve
🔶 Station 3: Wiggly Tunnel
Enter the cone tunnel! Stick carefully to the wiggly lines between the cones, making sure the ball stays within the path. Finish strong with a shot over the net with forehand/backhand or serve
👨🏫 Coach Tips:
Coaches stand on the opposite side of the net to collect and recycle footballs.
For younger players: allow hands or multiple touches to help with ball control.
For older players: at the end of the course, they must reach into the ball tub and hit a forehand, backhand, or serve over the net to score!
🏗️ Additional Station Ideas:
🔁 Hurdle Zone – Go over one, under the next! Great for agility.
🌲 Broken Forest – A wide spread of random cones the player must dribble through with quick reactions.
High rail – use two parallel hurdles to create a high rail to push footballs across
🎯 Target Zone – Place hoops, cones, or bins on the opposite side of the net for kids to aim at with their shot!
Make it competitive 🏁 -Award points for success and declare winners, or you can split the kids into teams.
Tennis Hockey 🏑🎾
🏒 Story / Theme:
Two teams face off in a fast-paced hockey-style game — but with 🎾 tennis rackets and ⚽ balls instead of sticks and pucks! Pass, block, and score goals while keeping it safe.
🎯 Equipment:
• 🥅 4 small goals (2 per team, placed at opposite ends or sides)
• ⚽ 1 football
• 🎾 1 racket per player
• 🟧 Cones to mark safe play areas and boundaries
🎮 How to Play:
🔵🔴 Split players into two teams (use bibs)
🥅 Set up two mini goals per team, spaced apart to encourage passing.
🏑 Players use tennis rackets to push or tap the ball hockey-style (no swinging).
⏱️ 3-second rule: Players must pass within 3 seconds of receiving — encourage quick decision-making and team play.
🛡️ Defenders may intercept or block shots but no tackling or physical contact.
🔁 Play starts from the centre after every goal.
🧑🤝🧑 Teams may assign positions (attackers, defenders, goalkeepers).
🚀 Progressions:
⏱ Timed Possession: Pass within 3 seconds.
🗺️ Zones: Mark attack, midfield, and defence zones — rotate roles.
🎯 Multiple Balls: Add a second ball to increase speed and chaos.
⚡ One-Touch Passing: Ball must be played instantly on contact.
🎲 Variations:
• 🔄 Score Anywhere: Any goal counts — encourages switching sides.
• 📏 Goal Size Change: Make goals smaller for older kids.
• ✨ Double Points: Bonus points for 3+ consecutive passes before scoring.
Tennis Golf 🏌️♂️
🎯 Tennis Golf
⏱️ Duration: 10–15 minutes
🏗️ Setup & Intro:
Organise children into lines or circles depending on space. Gather everyone together to explain the stations and demonstrate how swing path and racket trajectory change based on the type of shot.
Coach sets up three stations:
🏌️♂️ Drivers
• Use hitting tees to practise forehands.
• Aim to hit with control and distance along the full length of the hall.
• Emphasise low-to-high swing and follow-through.
🏹 Chippers
• For younger kids: hit off a tee or be drop-fed by parents.
• For confident children: self drop-feed.
• Goal: hit the ball high and land it into buckets placed at varying distances.
• Focus on arc, control, and soft hands.
⛳ Putters
• Use soft balls to roll along the ground into upturned plastic tubs.
• Children perform forward-and-backward racket movements, keeping the ball rolling smoothly (not bouncing).
• Emphasise racket face control and touch.
⚡ Progressions (Advanced):
• Introduce topspin technique at all three stations.
• Encourage confident players to control ball height and spin, especially at the Chipper and Putter stations.
🎾 Technical Focus:
• Swing path (low to high)
• Racket angle and face control
• Topspin development
• Control over power
Tennis Fairground 🎪
🟧 General Layout:
Divide the space into four activity zones using cones as boundaries.
Each zone runs horizontally across the court or hall.
Kids move station-to-station, ideally in a clockwise or zig-zag pattern.
Coaches/parents stationed to help with resetting targets and giving technical tips.
🔢 Stations:
1️⃣ Strong Man
Kids hit from a tee (or drop feed) toward the far wall, aiming for distance.
Older kids can hit with more power, younger ones can hit closer.
Use cones to mark out zones they reach for bonus challenges.
For older players, vary to backhands and serves
2️⃣ Chip the Bucket
Multiple small buckets/tubs grouped ahead.
Players chip the ball using a forehand motion (from tee or drop-feed).
Emphasis on height and accuracy to land balls in the tubs.
Label this as “Chipping Zone”
For older players, vary to backhands and serves
3️⃣ Carnival Putters
A straight putting lane with drop-down lines players must stay behind.
Kids gently roll the ball along the floor aiming into upturned tubs.
Focus on pace control, and keeping the ball on the ground and not too hard or the ball will bounce in and out again.
4️⃣ Coconut Shy
Players throw beanbags at balls placed on tees, aiming to knock them off.
Use cones to mark a throwing line they must stay behind.
Optional: Add silly targets like cone towers or “coconuts” for extra fun.
Sweet Spot
🎯 Sweet Spot – Aiming for the Middle
Objective:
To help children develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and racket awareness by focusing on hitting or catching in the sweet spot — the centre of the racket.
👨🏫 Coach Introduction
Sit the children down and introduce the concept of the sweet spot.
🗣️ “This is the middle of the racket — the place where the ball or beanbag feels best when it hits. If you miss the sweet spot, it feels wobbly or bouncy. So today we are going to practise using just the middle.”
🔄 Activity Breakdown
1️⃣ Flip the Pancake
Each child has a racket and a beanbag.
Stand in a wide stance (feet apart), knees slightly bent.
“Sizzle” the pancake (shake it gently), then flip it into the air and catch it — repeat 10x.
Focus: catch in the sweet spot, keep the racket still and balanced.
2️⃣ Catch the Pancake – Parent Involvement
Parents throw beanbags softly toward their child’s racket.
Kids try to catch them using their sweet spot (not hands).
Encourage wide stance and readiness.
Coach walks around helping with stance and control.
3️⃣ Balloon Control
Move to balloons (ideal indoors).
Keep balloon in the air using the racket only.
Try to keep it up for as long as possible using the middle of the racket.
Coach Tip: Use commands like “Ready!” or “Freeze!” to regain focus mid-activity.
4️⃣ Sweet Spot Challenges
Parents throw cones like frisbees (flat traffic cones).
Kids must track them and catch them on the racket.
Adds variation in movement and tracking for kids.
Try left and right throws for lateral footwork.
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)
Use catching nets instead of rackets
Use scarfs instead of bean bags (to really slow down)
Let children use two hands to hold the racket for better control.
Parents stand closer and throw slower.
⚡ Progressions (Extensions)
Use smaller beanbags or foam balls for advanced groups.
Encourage gentle rallying with parents (hit balloon or ball back and forth, staying in sweet spot).
Try alternating forehand and backhand catches.
Introduce scoring: “Can you catch 3 in a row in the sweet spot?”
Star Wars Throwing Game 🌌
🌌 Star Wars Throwing Game – “Battle of the Asteroid Belt”
🎯 Objective: Develop aim, accuracy, and decision-making through an imaginative, fast-paced throwing challenge!
🌠 Story Script Intro
“Welcome, young Jedi! 🧑🚀🛰️ The galaxy is in chaos, and your mission is to launch stars into the asteroid belt and knock the comets and planets into your opponent’s solar system! Beware – the Dark Side cheats, so stay behind your lines and throw with focus. May the Force be with you!”
🧠 Skills Focus
• Overarm and underarm throwing
• Aim and target control
• Teamwork and decision-making
• Fun, energetic movement
🏗️ Set-Up:
Space Zone: Set up two parallel lines of traffic cones across the court to create the asteroid belt (centre zone).
Inside the belt:
Scatter balloons (comets)
Perch inflatable balls or foam balls on round cones (planets)
Create a team zone at either end of the hall.
Provide each team with soft balls (“stars”) to throw.
🎮 How to Play:
1. Divide children into 2–3 teams at opposite ends of the space.
2. On the coach’s signal, children throw soft balls into the asteroid belt.
3. Aim: Knock balloons and inflatable planets over the central line into the other team’s zone.
4. Each time a balloon or ball lands in the opponent’s solar system, your team scores!
5. Coaches may recycle stars back to keep the game flowing.
6. No stepping into the asteroid belt – if a player crosses the line, the other team gets a point!
🪶 Feathers – Simplifications for Younger Children:
Use larger balls or balloons only for easier targets.
Allow rolling or underarm throws only.
Let parents or assistants help place balls back on cones.
Use a smaller space and bring the targets closer.
Remove the “no-step” rule for walking-age children.
⚡ Progressions – For Older Kids:
1. Timed Rounds: 1-minute attacks! Who can knock down the most?
2. Precision Targets: Assign points to each object (e.g. 1 for balloon, 2 for big ball, 3 for cone).
3. One-Handed Jedi Throwing: Use non-dominant hand only.
4. Bounce Hit Challenge: Players must bounce the ball off the ground before hitting targets.
5. Team Roles: Attackers throw, Defenders place targets back upright.
🎭 Seasonal Variations:
🎃 Halloween – “Pumpkin Panic”
Use orange balloons as “floating pumpkins” and black cones as haunted trees. Kids become witch apprentices blasting spooky objects into the other zone.
🐣 Easter – “Eggsplosion!”
Use pastel balloons as “Easter Eggs” and challenge kids to knock them over to uncover hidden bunnies underneath the cones.
🎅 Christmas – “Snowball Strike”
Use white balloons as “snowballs” and inflatable baubles as “Christmas planets” — can they knock Santa’s sleigh safely to the other galaxy?
💘 Valentine’s Day – “Heart Attack!”
Use pink/red balloons with paper hearts inside – each heart has a compliment or silly dare!
🏁 End Game Idea:
Do a Galactic Blitz Round – everyone throws at once, chaos ensues, laughter guaranteed. Then settle with a Jedi meditation cooldown 😌🧘♂️
Smash the Wall 🧱🎾🏰
Smash the Wall 🧱🎾🏰
🎥https://youtu.be/h38KZ5lFg28?si=LF5BfbctcfVbI4DQ
📝 Setup & Explanation
Line the children up at a safe distance from the wall.
Sit them down and explain the rules clearly before starting.
Build a “wall” out of traffic cones:
Tallest cones at the back
Quickly build tall towers by using circular cones between tall cones
Smallest at the front
🏓 How to Play
Each child dribbles their big inflatable ball along the ground with their racket towards the wall.
When they reach the wall/ hitting line, they whack their ball to knock down as many cones as possible.
They leave their ball there, collect a new one, and repeat until attention starts to wander. Coach recycles balls to start
To finish: let kids kick or whack down the wall (with or without balls).
🔁 Progressions
Create a hitting line/ move the hitting line further back so children have further to aim
Encourage children pick ball up and let bounce before hitting forehand (in air rather than floor); switch to backhands/ serves
Add a time challenge: how many cones can they knock down in 30 seconds?
Make it team-based: two teams try to knock down their half of the wall first.
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)
Let children carry the ball to the wall if dribbling is too hard.
Use smaller gaps between cones so they’re easier to hit.
Have parents or assistants help guide the ball with the child’s racket.
Let really little children just hit the cones over without using ball at all.
⚠️ Safety Notes
Remind children to keep a safe distance while others are hitting.
Tell parents to help monitor their child’s spacing.
Be careful of potential bumps from rackets or cones.
🎾 Smash the Wall – Seasonal Themes
🎄 Christmas – Smash the Christmas Chimney 🎅🎁
The wall becomes a chimney made of stacked presents (cones in red, green, gold).
🎯 Goal: Break the chimney so Santa can deliver the gifts!
Swap inflatable balls for "snowballs" (white balloons or foam balls).
Finish with a fun “snowball fight” by letting the kids knock over cones however they like.
🐣 Easter – Smash the Easter Egg Tower 🐰🥚
The wall becomes a tower of colourful Easter eggs (brightly coloured cones).
🎯 Goal: Crack the giant Easter egg wall to reveal the hidden chocolate inside!
Use egg-shaped beanbags or pastel-coloured foam balls.
Final round: kids roll giant eggs (balls) to knock down the "tower."
🎃 Halloween – Smash the Haunted House 👻🏚️
The wall is now a spooky haunted house built of ghostly cones (white + black + orange).
🎯 Goal: Break down the haunted house before the monsters escape!
Add Halloween music and decorate cones with eyes or cobwebs.
Coach can wear a witch or skeleton hat for extra effect!
💘 Valentine’s – Smash the Heart Wall 💘🏹
Make a heart-shaped wall or decorate cones with hearts/stickers.
🎯 Goal: Knock down the "Wall of Hearts" to release the trapped love messages inside!
Use pink and red balls or balloons.
Final round: shout “Love Attack!” and let all children charge and knock down the wall together.
👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Smash the Chore Tower 🧹🛠️
Each cone represents a silly "chore" (e.g., “Do the dishes,” “Make lunch,” etc.).
🎯 Goal: Help mum/dad by smashing through all the chores so they can rest!
Add a funny story intro: “Let’s clear all the jobs before Mum/Dad gets home!”
Encourage kids to yell out a chore before smashing each cone.
Sleeping Giants 😴🏰🏑
Sleeping Giants 😴🏰🏑
Story / Theme:
The giants are fast asleep in their lair, but if they wake up, they’ll try to steal your ball! Keep moving, keep control, and stay out of reach.
Equipment:
Large inflatable balls (one per child + extras)
Rackets (for adults and children)
Cones to mark the giants’ lair (circle in the middle)
How to Play:
1. Assistant coaches form a circle lying down inside the lair, pretending to be asleep — each with a racket.
2. Children move around the room dribbling large inflatable balls hockey-style with their rackets.
3. At random, the coach shouts: “Wake up, sleeping giants!”
4. The giants jump up and try to steal the children’s balls by reaching in with their rackets and tackling their ball and returning it to the lair.
5. If a child loses their ball, the child either sits out or finds another ball and continues playing.
Progressions: Role Swap: Children take turns being the sleeping giants (for those who want to).
Timed Wakes: Giants wake up every 30–40 seconds to keep children on their toes.
Double Trouble: Have two lairs so children must watch more than one area.
NOTE: Often, the children prefer being the giants themselves, so you can just play a quick game with them chasing, and then play the rest of the game with them as giants.
Variations:
Safe Zones: Create small cone “safe spots” where children can stop for 3 seconds before rejoining play.
Treasure Return: Children can try to sneak into the lair to steal back balls without being caught.
Seasonal variations for your Sleeping Giants 😴🏰🏑 game, perfect for weaving in a touch of imagination and celebration during different parts of the year:
·
· 🎄 Christmas – Sleeping Snowmen
· ☃️ The snowmen are snoozing in their snowy cave! But if they wake up, they'll roll after your snowballs (inflatable balls)!
🎅 Coaches = snowmen with red scarves and foam rackets
🧤 Optional twist: kids wear gloves/mittens to make dribbling trickier
🎁 Balls = snowballs or presents they must protect
·
· 🎃 Halloween – Haunted House of Mummies
· 🧟♂️ The spooky mummies are asleep in the haunted house... but when they wake, they lurch after your cursed pumpkins!
🎃 Balls = inflatable orange pumpkins
👻 Add cobwebs or Halloween music for theme
💀 Mummies = coaches wrapped in toilet paper or using “ghost rackets” (white foam)
·
· 🐣 Easter – Sleeping Chicks
· 🐥 The giant chicks are snoozing in their coop — but if woken, they’ll peck at your Easter eggs (balls)!
🥚 Decorate balls with pastel dots or stickers
🐰 Kids try to sneak past the coop (giant lair) without waking them
🍬 Wake-up cue: “Cock-a-doodle-doooo!”
·
· 💘 Valentine’s – Sleeping Cupids
· 💘 Cupids are resting in their heart-shaped clouds, but if disturbed, they try to snatch your love letters (balls)!
💌 Dribble the “letters” safely without being tapped by the cupids' rackets
❤️ Add pink/red cones and heart decorations to the lair
·
· 👩👧👦 Mother’s/Father’s Day – Snoozing Parents Game
· 😴 Mum and Dad are trying to nap, but noisy kids are playing with bouncy breakfast items (eggs, toast = balls).
🥱 If parents wake up, they try to “scoop” the breakfast and go back to sleep!
🥐 Make balls food-themed with stickers or call-outs like “Don’t drop the toast!”
Siege the Castle 🏰
SERVES AND SHIELDS 🛡️
Focus: Split-step, anticipation, blocking, serving and returning
Ages: Titans or Troopers
Duration: 6–10 mins
🎤 Coach Script / Setup
“Today you are defenders — you’re using your rackets as shields to block incoming balls. Can you protect yourself like a superhero or a knight?”
Space out children across the playing area.
Each child holds a racket in front of them (two hands if possible), standing in split-step position (knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, alert).
Coaches, parents, or older children act as “servers” (or attackers).
Use foam balls and serve gently toward the children’s bodies (belly height or legs).
Children must react quickly and block the ball using the sweet spot of their racket — no swinging, just controlled blocks.
Encourage a mini jump or hop (split-step) just as the server makes contact with the ball.
🪶 Feathers (for younger / less confident children):
Let children catch the ball with their hands first to practice tracking.
Use larger softballs or balloons for slower movement.
Parents can kneel beside them and help guide racket to ball.
Have them stand closer to the server to reduce ball speed.
⚡️ Progressions (for older / confident children):
Get some of the kids to serve
Decrease the distance between servers and the blockers.
Encourage quicker split-step reactions and back to the ready position.
Add directional blocking — bring servers 360 degrees from all directions
Try team version: Line of blockers vs. 1–2 servers, then rotate.
Last man standing! Last person to get hit wins
Introduce scoring: 1 point for each successful block; swap roles after 1 minute.
IMPORTANT: IF KIDS ARE HITTING, YOU MUST USE SOFT BALLS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY SPACED OUT TO MINIMISE RISK OF IMPACT.
SERVING PROGRESSIONS 🎾🎯
Serving progressions 🎾🎯
🧠 Overview
The serve is arguably the most important shot in tennis—and often the most difficult. It’s vital to introduce fundamentals early to build confidence and long-term technique.
Children learn best by imitation, so coaches should demonstrate a forehand or serve at every stage of development, even if simplified.
Good serving technique video: https://youtu.be/0tP2pmXd9Gk?si=iKxPKIPcBQAV3sDu
🧸 Throwing = Serving Foundation
Before a child can serve, they need to learn to throw.
Basic Technique: Start sideways on, with the throwing hand behind the ear.
Progression 1: Introduce hip and shoulder rotation as they throw—use the whole body, not just the arm.
Progression 2: Add targets to encourage distance and accuracy.
💡 Serving Progressions (Starting from Tots)
1. Kiss-Kiss
Children stand sideways, racket in one hand, ball in the other.
They gently "kiss" the ball onto the strings twice:
At knee height
Above the head
This teaches timing and synchronised arm movement.
2. Hammer the Sky
Encourage proper grip: chopper grip, not frying pan.
Children imagine the edge of the racket is a hammer, and they’re hammering a nail into the sky.
Reinforces serving "on edge" to promote correct spin later.
3. Balloons (Indoor Alternative)
Use balloons to slow the action down.
Pop the balloon upward with the non-dominant hand, then “hammer” it with the racket.
Great for developing hand-eye coordination and arm synchronisation.
4. Two Beanbags
Hold one beanbag in each hand.
Toss the first (non-dominant hand) straight up.
Launch the second (dominant hand) from throwing position behind the ear and try to collide them in the air.
Progress to using tennis balls.
5. Slingshot serve
Hold the ball onto the racket and pull back behind your ear.
Release the ball and throw the racket at the same time, projecting the ball
6. Back Scratch & Reach
Child stands sideways on, in “back scratch” position (racket behind their back).
Step 1: Coach holds the racket and guides the swing while tossing the ball.
Step 2: Coach tosses, child swings from back scratch position.
Step 3: Child performs ball toss + swing for a full serving motion.
Note: Focus on technique, not result.
7. Directional Serving
Introduce the concept of serving diagonally from a baseline into a service box.
8. Introduce Chopper Grip
Essential for spin and control.
Introduce early in Titans and Troopers groups.
Reinforces the “on-edge” hammer motion.
9. Lengthen the Action
Start from “back scratch and reach” → progress to full arm extension.
Let the hitting arm dangle, then swing in a throwing motion with a ball toss.
10. Lengthen further: Tossing arm raises straight up, Hitting arm swings back in a smooth pendulum, Contact ball at full reach; focus on rhythm and body coordination, not power.
SERVES AND SHIELDS 🛡️
SERVES AND SHIELDS 🛡️
Focus: Split-step, anticipation, blocking, serving and returning
Ages: Titans or Troopers
Duration: 6–10 mins
🎤 Coach Script / Setup
“Today you are defenders — you’re using your rackets as shields to block incoming balls. Can you protect yourself like a superhero or a knight?”
Space out children across the playing area.
Each child holds a racket in front of them (two hands if possible), standing in split-step position (knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, alert).
Coaches, parents, or older children act as “servers” (or attackers).
Use foam balls and serve gently toward the children’s bodies (belly height or legs).
Children must react quickly and block the ball using the sweet spot of their racket — no swinging, just controlled blocks.
Encourage a mini jump or hop (split-step) just as the server makes contact with the ball.
🪶 Feathers (for younger / less confident children):
Let children catch the ball with their hands first to practice tracking.
Use larger softballs or balloons for slower movement.
Parents can kneel beside them and help guide racket to ball.
Have them stand closer to the server to reduce ball speed.
⚡️ Progressions (for older / confident children):
Get some of the kids to serve
Decrease the distance between servers and the blockers.
Encourage quicker split-step reactions and back to the ready position.
Add directional blocking — bring servers 360 degrees from all directions
Try team version: Line of blockers vs. 1–2 servers, then rotate.
Last man standing! Last person to get hit wins
Introduce scoring: 1 point for each successful block; swap roles after 1 minute.
IMPORTANT: IF KIDS ARE HITTING, YOU MUST USE SOFT BALLS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY SPACED OUT TO MINIMISE RISK OF IMPACT.
Sandwich Shop 🥪
🥪 Sandwich Shop
🎯 A creative game focused on balance, control, coordination, colour matching, and fun!
⏱️ Duration: 8–12 minutes
🎤 Coach Script / Introduction
“Who’s hungry? 🍞 Welcome to the Tennis Tots Sandwich Shop! Today you’re not just tennis players — you're chefs!
Your job is to make a sandwich, carry it carefully to the customer, and drop it into the right delivery bag!”
Sit the children down at one end of the hall near the “ingredients” area and demonstrate.
🧺 Game Setup
Scatter soft balls and beanbags in a long line (the “ingredients”).
Ingredients are grouped or colour-coded:
🟡 Cheese = yellow
🔴 Tomato = red
🔵 Blueberry jam = blue
🟢 Salad = green
🟣 Grapes = purple (optional)
Children use two rackets to clamp together 1–3 “ingredients” (beanbags/balls).
Set out “delivery bags” (buckets, cones, hoops, etc.) at the opposite end of the space, each colour-coded to match the sandwich fillings.
🚚 How to Play
1. Build your sandwich using two rackets to scoop and hold the filling(s).
2. Carry the sandwich across the hall to the serving area (large cones/line).
3. Drop the filling into the correctly coloured delivery bag — try to keep the sandwich together until you reach the bag!
4. Return to the start and repeat.
🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Under 3s / Beginners)
Use beanbags only (easier to balance and colour-code).
Allow them to carry with hands or just one racket.
Try making a burrito with a folded drop-down dot over a beanbag if the rackets are difficult to control
Set the delivery bags much closer.
Use cones on their side instead of upright bags to drop into.
Let adults/assistants help “build” the sandwich.
⚡️ Progressions (Older / Confident Children)
Introduce foam balls as sandwich fillings (harder to balance).
Encourage building sandwiches with multiple ingredients.
Add a challenge zone:
Move the bags further away so children must fling the sandwich contents (not the rackets!) by opening their rackets in a coordinated movement.
Introduce a relay format or team competition:
How many sandwiches can you deliver in 2 minutes?
Use racket hand only, or alternate hands each round.
🎾 Coaching Tips
Emphasise control: soft, steady hands on the rackets.
Demonstrate how to clamp and release evenly — both rackets open together.
Reinforce matching skills: talk through colours, food names, and what makes a “complete” sandwich.
For older players, challenge them to balance while walking heel-to-toe or on lines for added focus.
Seasonal variations for the 🥪 Sandwich Shop game — each version adds a themed twist while preserving the original structure of carrying and delivering “sandwiches” using rackets or alternatives:
🎄 Christmas – Christmas Dinner Dash
Children are delivering Christmas dinners to Santa’s elves! Replace fillings with festive items like turkey (brown ball), sprouts (green beanbag), cranberry sauce (red cone), and roasties (yellow ball). Sandwiches are still held between rackets, and delivery cones are labelled with elf names or "North Pole Mail." Kids must carry their Christmas sandwich to the matching colour cone or “chimney.”
🐣 Easter – Easter Picnic Drop-Off
Children are delivering picnic snacks to baby bunnies! Fill sandwiches with chocolate eggs (foil balls or beanbags), carrots (orange cones), or lettuce (green cones), and walk them to baskets (upturned cones or tubs). Add “bunny hops” before delivering to make it fun! Use burritos (drop-down dots with beanbags inside) for younger ones.
🎃 Halloween – Monster Meal Delivery
Children are chefs delivering spooky sandwiches to hungry monsters! Fill with monster eyeballs (white balls), slime (green beanbags), or bat wings (black cones). Carry your sandwich across the haunted hall and drop it into monster mouths (cones with faces drawn on). You can decorate the rackets with cobweb stickers too.
❤️ Valentine’s Day – Love Letter Lunches
Kids deliver “heart sandwiches” full of love to their secret admirers 💌. Fillings might be hearts (red/pink cones or beanbags), and the delivery zones are mailboxes or cones with Valentine messages. Encourage whispering a kind message before dropping their sandwich. Bonus: Let them decorate their rackets with heart stickers.
👩👧 Mother’s Day – Mum’s Breakfast in Bed
Kids build Mum a lovely breakfast sandwich with toast (yellow cones), jam (red), and tea bags (brown beanbags). Gently walk the sandwich to “Mum’s bed” (pink delivery cone) without dropping it. Use burritos as an easier alternative for younger players.
👨👦 Father’s Day – Dad’s Mega Sandwich
Kids make a supersized sandwich with strong fillings like sausages (brown balls), mustard (yellow beanbags), or tools (grey cones!) and deliver to the “Dad Zone.” Use cones with ties or moustaches drawn on. For older kids, move the delivery zones further back and challenge them to throw the filling — not the rackets!
Run The Gauntlet 🎯👑🎾
Run The Gauntlet
https://youtu.be/wAqA4ptPoxw?si=j18RtjVKxpA3ftbV
🎯 Purpose:Fun game to burn energy and keep kids engaged at the end of a session.
🧠 Set-up
🏟️ Use a hall, court or open indoor space
🎯 Mark out a channel or corridor down the middle using cones, lines or throw-down markers
🎾 Scatter a pile of soft balls or foam balls to one side
🚀 How to Play
🧒 Children line up at one end of the corridor
👨👩👧👦 Parents kneel or stand along both sides of the corridor, holding soft balls
On “Go!” 👉 children run, skip or jump through the gauntlet
👨👩👦 Parents gently roll balls across the corridor, aiming to “tag” kids below the knees
⛔ If a child is hit — they freeze for 3 seconds or do a silly dance, then continue!
🔁 Progressions & Variations
🔄 Swap roles: Parents run, kids roll
👟 Coaches run while kids roll and cheer!
🏃♂️ Add movement types: hopping, crab walk, skipping
⏱️ Add a “timer” challenge — can the group beat the clock?
👶 Feathers (Adaptations for Younger Kids)
🧸 Allow kids to walk slowly at first
🙋 Use only 1–2 balls at a time to avoid chaos
🪄 Let them hold hands with a parent or assistant the first time
💡 Coach Tips
🎉 Keep the energy fun — make it dramatic! 📣 Get kids to shout out silly chants as they run (e.g. “Can’t catch me!”) 👏 Big round of applause at the end for bravery!
Royal Rumble 🥊👑🎾
Adaptations & Feathers:
For Younger Kids (ages 4–6):
Each child has 3 lives.
Give “shields” (rackets held out front) to help defend.
Allow throwing the ball back in if striking is too hard.
Use a tee to drop-feed if struggling with timing.
For Older Kids (ages 7+):
Must hit using backhands only, or serve-only challenges.
Coaches or eliminated kids can hit from a greater distance. From the ring to increase difficultly
Set time limits per round for intensity.
Bonus Feathers:
Let eliminated players earn a “life” back with a challenge (e.g., rally 5 shots with a coach).
🏆 Winning Moment:
Crown the last child “King or Queen of the Court” – give them a fun token like a toy crown or wristband.
Seasonal themed variations for your game “👑 King or Queen of the Court”, designed to keep the gameplay fresh and festive while retaining the structure and key coaching goals:
🎄 **Christmas – “Santa’s Sleigh Dodge” 🛷🎅🎁
🎯 Setup: Kids are elves in Santa’s sleigh loading zone, dodging incoming falling presents (soft balls) from mischievous snowmen (coaches outside the ring).
🎅 Out? You become a helper elf, feeding more “presents” from outside the ring.
🧝♂️ Last elf standing becomes Chief Elf and gets a jingle bell prize!
🐣 **Easter – “Egg Arena!” 🐰🥚
🎯 Setup: Players are dodging falling chocolate eggs (foam balls) launched by the Easter Bunny's helpers.
🥚 Out? They become egg-launchers!
🌟 Bonus: Catch a golden egg (yellow foam ball) to earn an extra life!
🎃 **Halloween – “Pumpkin Panic!” 🎃👻
🎯 Setup: The ring becomes a haunted graveyard!
Kids dodge haunted pumpkins (orange balls) thrown by ghosts outside the ring.
👻 If you’re “haunted,” you become a ghost too!
🧙♀️ Last survivor becomes the Pumpkin Prince/Princess and earns a spooky sticker!
💘 **Valentine’s – “Cupid’s Ring” 💘🏹
🎯 Setup: Kids are in the “Heart Arena,” dodging Cupid’s arrows (soft balls in pink/red).
💝 If hit, they become Cupid’s helpers on the outside.
🕊️ Optional twist: players inside have to hold a “love letter” (beanbag) and protect it from being knocked out of their hands!
👩👧👦 **Mother’s Day – “Breakfast Dash!” 🍳☕
🎯 Setup: Children are serving imaginary breakfast to mum – don’t spill it!
Balls = flying croissants or cups of tea thrown by “hungry family members.”
🍞 If you drop it, join the family and start lobbing more breakfast in!
👑 Last one = “Head Chef of the Court!”
👨👦👦 **Father’s Day – “Tool Shed Scramble!” 🔧🧰
🎯 Setup: Kids are dodging falling tools in dad’s messy garage (balls = hammers, spanners, etc.).
🧰 Once hit, they become helpers, tossing more tools in.
🏆 Winner becomes “Super Sidekick” and gets a pretend wrench (trophy)!
🏆 Finishing Ideas
• Play upbeat music to finish
• Let the last round be just for fun — mix up teams or combine everyone for a MEGA sandwich run!
• Award wristbands/stickers to all participants — focus on teamwork, not just winning
🎉 Seasonal Variations
🎄 Christmas Dash – "Santa's Delivery Race"
• Swap beanbags for small wrapped presents or stuffed stockings
• Use cones shaped like Christmas trees 🎄
• Story: “You’re Santa’s elves — deliver the presents without dropping them!”
• Add sleigh bell sound effects or play Christmas music
🎃 Halloween Havoc – "Pumpkin Panic Relay"
• Use orange cones and mini pumpkins (or orange balls)
• Story: “You’re racing through a spooky forest to deliver the magical pumpkins before the witch wakes up!”
• Add cobweb decorations or play spooky music 🎃👻
🥚 Easter Hop – "Egg Hunt Dash"
• Use colourful eggs (plastic or foam) balanced on rackets
• Set out “Easter nests” (hoops) for them to deliver eggs into
• Story: “The Easter Bunny needs your help hiding eggs all over the court!” 🐰
💘 Valentine's Race – "Heart to Heart"
• Replace beanbags with red foam hearts ❤️
• Players pair up for the sandwich race – “Spread the love as a team!”
• Add a “Cupid Challenge” — hit a foam arrow (cone) down the lane with the racket
🌷 Mother’s Day – "Flower Dash"
• Each child delivers a foam flower to a big cone marked “Mum”
• Use soft music and keep it gentle – “Let’s run carefully so we don’t squish the petals!” 💐
• Parents can join in and receive a “thank you flower” at the end
🛠 Father’s Day – "Tool Time Relay"
• Beanbags = “tools,” buckets = “toolboxes”
• Kids pretend they’re racing to fix something — bonus points for sound effects!
• Add a “high five Dad” station before tagging the next player 👋🔧
Tennis Relay Races🎾
Relay Races 🎽 – “The Great Tennis Dash!” 🏃♀️🏃♂️🎾💨
🎬 Story Script Intro:
“Welcome to the Great Tennis Dash! 🏁 The tennis track is open, and it’s time for the fastest, most skilful team to race to the summit! But beware — it’s not just about speed… you’ll need balance, teamwork, and racket control to complete each challenge. Are you ready? Let’s GO!”
🧠 Purpose:
• Build agility, balance, coordination
• Reinforce racket skills in motion
• Encourage teamwork and fun competition
🏗 Set-Up:
• Divide children into 2–4 teams lined up behind markers on one side of the court/hall
• Use cones to mark lanes and turning points at the far end
• Each variation uses a different piece of equipment
• Use music or a whistle to start each race
🟢 Relay Options:
🎈 1. Balloon Tapping Race (indoors)
• Each child taps a balloon up in the air using their racket while moving to the far cone and back
• Optional: If it hits the floor — freeze for 3 seconds before continuing!
• Great for light movement and concentration
🥄 2. Egg & Spoon (Beanbag Balance)
• Balance a beanbag on the racket and walk/run to the cone and back
• Emphasise slow, steady hands
• Try rally stance and soft hands
🏑 3. Hockey Dribble Race
• Use a football or foam ball and dribble with racket around a cone and back
• Players must keep the ball under control
• Use both sides of the racket for more challenge
🥪 4. Sandwich Race (Team Balance Challenge)
• Player 1 places beanbag/ball on their racket
• Player 2 sandwiches it by placing their racket on top
• They must run together holding the “sandwich” across the court and back
• Add more runners to the sandwich with each round — soon 4–5 children running together!
🪶 Feathers – Easier Variations (For Younger Tots):
• Shorten the running distance
• Allow walking only
• Let parents/assistants run alongside
• Use larger items (e.g. foam balls instead of beanbags) for easier balance
• Skip “return run” and tag next player directly
⚡ Progressions – For Older Kids:
• Add timed rounds — which team completes most laps in 2 minutes?
• Add a small jump or obstacle midway through the course
• Make them switch hands on the return run
• Silent Race – no talking allowed or you freeze for 5 seconds
🏆 Finishing Ideas
• Play upbeat music to finish
• Let the last round be just for fun — mix up teams or combine everyone for a MEGA sandwich run!
• Award wristbands/stickers to all participants — focus on teamwork, not just winning
🎉 Seasonal Variations
🎄 Christmas Dash – "Santa's Delivery Race"
• Swap beanbags for small wrapped presents or stuffed stockings
• Use cones shaped like Christmas trees 🎄
• Story: “You’re Santa’s elves — deliver the presents without dropping them!”
• Add sleigh bell sound effects or play Christmas music
🎃 Halloween Havoc – "Pumpkin Panic Relay"
• Use orange cones and mini pumpkins (or orange balls)
• Story: “You’re racing through a spooky forest to deliver the magical pumpkins before the witch wakes up!”
• Add cobweb decorations or play spooky music 🎃👻
🥚 Easter Hop – "Egg Hunt Dash"
• Use colourful eggs (plastic or foam) balanced on rackets
• Set out “Easter nests” (hoops) for them to deliver eggs into
• Story: “The Easter Bunny needs your help hiding eggs all over the court!” 🐰
💘 Valentine's Race – "Heart to Heart"
• Replace beanbags with red foam hearts ❤️
• Players pair up for the sandwich race – “Spread the love as a team!”
• Add a “Cupid Challenge” — hit a foam arrow (cone) down the lane with the racket
🌷 Mother’s Day – "Flower Dash"
• Each child delivers a foam flower to a big cone marked “Mum”
• Use soft music and keep it gentle – “Let’s run carefully so we don’t squish the petals!” 💐
• Parents can join in and receive a “thank you flower” at the end
🛠 Father’s Day – "Tool Time Relay"
• Beanbags = “tools,” buckets = “toolboxes”
• Kids pretend they’re racing to fix something — bonus points for sound effects!
• Add a “high five Dad” station before tagging the next player 👋🔧
Tennis Rounders🎾
🏏 Objective:
Score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball and running around bases before the fielders return the ball.
🔧 Equipment:
Tennis racket (used as the bat)
Soft tennis ball or sponge ball
4 bases (cones)
Fielding team and batting team (about 6–8 kids per side)
One coach or player acts as feeder (pitcher)
👥 Teams:
Divide the group into 2 teams: Batting and Fielding
Switch roles after all batters have had a turn (or after 3 outs)
📝 Basic Rules:
1. Batting:
Each batter gets one underarm feed (or two for younger players).
They must hit the ball with the racket and run to at least first base.
If they make it around all 4 bases = 1 full rounder (run)
If they make it to 2nd or 3rd base and get stuck, they stay there. Next batter continues.
2. Running:
You can run on a hit or miss (if ball is in play).
Only one runner per base.
If a batter overtakes another runner, the overtaker is out.
Batters must run in one direction (no backtracking).
3. Fielding:
Fielders try to catch the ball or collect it and return it to the feeder/pitcher.
If they return the ball to the pitcher before the batter reaches the next base, the batter is out.
Catches (on the full) = batter out.
4. Outs:
A batter is out if:
The ball is caught on the full
The ball beats them back to the base i.e. they are stumped
They run backwards or miss a base
✅ Coaching Tips:
Adjust base distances for age groups
Let younger kids have 2 or 3 hits before running
Use a sponge or foam ball for safety
Rotate roles so everyone gets a chance to bat and field
Use hitting tee’s/ coach manually hits the ball.
🎾 Rally in the Alley 🎾
🎾 Rally in the Alley 🎾
A fun and structured rally game for pairs!
Setup:
Set up as many mini-nets as possible in parallel across the tennis court.
Use court lines or drop-down markers to establish clear baselines.
Position the activity near a corner to use fences/ walls as backstops and sidestops, the idea is to limit disruption of ball flying all over the place; keeping it contained.
👯♂️ Step 1: Friends Mode
Pairs rally together to build control, teamwork, and technique.
➡️ Start by pushing a football to each other from baseline to baseline.
➡️ Focus on controlling and pushing the ball (sideways on using forwards and backwards motion) before progressing to hitting.
Progressions:
Control ➡️ Hit forehands
Control ➡️ Hit backhands
Rally freely with forehands and backhands
Challenge:
🎉 “Bingo!” – Count successful rallies.
Reach 10 hits and shout “Bingo!” then sit down, see who is first pair to sit
Repeat with 15, 20, or 30 hits, alternating forehands and backhands.
⚔️ Step 2: Enemies Mode
Now the pairs compete to win points!
🎯 Objective: Try to push or hit the ball past your partner’s baseline.
Teaching Points:
🦀 Move like a crab: stay facing opponent, recover to middle
🎾 Must Keep the ball on the ground
👌 Unlimited touches to control
🏆 Win the point if your opponent lets the ball pass their baseline.
🔁 Rotate partners regularly – winners move up, others move down
Racket Soldiers 🪖
🎯 Target practice game to develop aim, coordination, and correct swing mechanics
⏱️ Duration:
5–8 minutes
🎤 Coach Script / Setup
“Okay troops! Your mission today is to take down the enemy soldiers — but not with swords or water balloons… with your best tennis shots! These rackets have lined up and they're daring you to knock them down! Let’s see if you’ve got the accuracy and the power!”
🧱 Game Setup
Soldiers = Spare rackets placed upright (handle/butt on ground, strings facing forward)
Place 3–6 rackets across from each child
If short on rackets, stack traffic cones and round cones into tall unstable towers to simulate soldiers
Hitting Zone = Tees or Drop Feeds
Children take turns hitting balls low to high from a hitting tee or drop feed
Distance between hitter and soldier wall depends on age/ability
Parents can help pick up and reset soldiers between turns
🔁 Gameplay
1. Children line up at their hitting station (tee or feeder).
2. One ball at a time – aim to knock over a “soldier” (racket or cone tower).
3. Hitters use forehand technique (low to high) first.
4. When soldiers fall, parents/coaches reset them quickly.
5. After a few rounds, progress to backhand or self-feed.
🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Younger Children)
Let them throw the ball underarm to start
Reduce distance to soldiers
Use larger balls for more success
Place ball in child’s hand and guide their swing together
Let parents support hand placement and help reset soldiers
⚡ Progressions (Older or Confident Children)
Drop Feed: Children toss the ball and hit it themselves instead of from a tee
Backhand Challenge: Have children switch to backhand side and adjust footwork
Hit from movement: Add a side step or small shuffle before contact
Scoring: 1 point per soldier knocked down, track team scores for competition
Timed Challenge: Knock down all soldiers in 30 seconds
🎾 Technical Coaching Tips
Emphasise low-to-high swing
Sideways stance for both forehand and backhand
Encourage early preparation – racket back and eyes on the ball
Use “split step then hit” cue if child is rushing
Praise accuracy over power – “aim not smash!”
Seasonal variations for the "Racket Soldiers" game — keeping the same gameplay (children hitting down upright rackets or cone towers), but changing the theme and props slightly to match the season:
🎄 Christmas – Knock Down the Naughty Elves
Santa’s workshop is under siege from mischievous elves who are standing upright (rackets or cone towers). Children must use their tennis balls to knock them down before they cause more trouble! Parents can help set the elves back up quickly. Optional: place little elf hats (paper cut-outs or visuals) on the top of cones/rackets for effect. 🎅🎄🎁
🎃 Halloween – Smash the Skeletons
Skeleton soldiers (white rackets or cone towers) are guarding the haunted tennis court! Kids must smash them down using tennis balls. Spooky music and “BOO!” sounds encouraged. For added fun, use glow sticks or spooky stickers on the targets. 👻🕸️💀
🐣 Easter – Topple the Chocolate Bunnies
Giant chocolate bunnies (cone towers with round cones as ears or decorated rackets) have popped up on court! Kids must gently knock them down to collect their Easter treats. Optional: place a chocolate wrapper or Easter sticker on each “bunny” to collect after it’s hit. 🐰🍫🌸
💘 Valentine’s – Cupid’s Target Practice
Cupid has lined up heart-shaped towers (use pink/red rackets or cones with heart stickers). Children aim their balls to knock them down as practice for spreading love across the land! Add red or pink beanbags as “love letters” to deliver after each successful hit. 💘🎾💌
💐 Mother’s Day – Knock Down the Flower Pots
Beautiful flower displays (cone towers or upright rackets) are blocking the tennis garden — children must gently knock them over so the flowers can be rearranged. Use round cones in pink, purple, and yellow to resemble petals. 🪻🌼🌷
👔 Father’s Day – Tip Over the Toolboxes
The tennis court has been turned into Dad’s workshop! The upright rackets or cones are now “toolboxes” standing in the way. Knock them down with tennis balls and rebuild them quickly! Add fun stickers of tools (spanners, screwdrivers) to the towers. 🧰🔧🎾