Over the Fence

A fun movement-and-control game focused on dribbling, guiding, and lifting objects over an obstacle.

⏱️ Duration: Flexible — repeat as long as engagement stays high

🎤 Coach Script / Setup

“Right team! Your job is to move your ball all the way across the court and get it over the fence!
Tap it like hockey, keep it under control, and when you get to the cones, lift it over the wall using your racket. Then run back and try again!”

🧱 Game Layout

• Create a long working channel using
  • a row of cones (the “fence”)
  OR a mini net (optional)

• All balls start at the baseline

• Children work individually, each with:
  • A racket
  • A starting ball (foam ball, light ball, balloon, etc.)

• Coaches or parents recycle balls back to the start.

🔁 Gameplay – Stages

Stage 1 — Tap & Travel

• Children tap the ball (“hockey dribble”) along the floor.

• Keep ball close, small controlled taps.

Stage 2 — Lift Over the Fence

When they reach the row of cones:

• Slide racket under the ball

• Gently lift and flip it over the cones

• Ball must land on the far side

• Children run back to start and continue with a new ball

🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)

Perfect for younger Tots or less confident players:

• Use bigger, lighter balls (utility balls, beach balls, balloons) for slower movement

• Use scarves instead of balls: drag or float the scarf to the fence and lift it over

• Lower the fence (shorter cones or flat markers)

• Allow children to pick up and drop over instead of lifting with the racket

• Let a coach assist the lift motion

• Shorten the distance they must dribble

• Work parent–child pairs: one guides, one lifts

⚡ Progressions (For Titans / Troopers)

• Use smaller, firmer balls for more control challenge

• Add direction changes before reaching the fence

• Ball must be tapped through a series of gates before the lift

• Lift only with racket — no hands

• Add a time challenge (“How many can you lift in 60 seconds?”)

• Use balloons outdoors only on still, humid days

• After lifting, child must catch the ball on the other side

• Add a second fence for double lift

🎾 Technical Coaching Tips

• “Soft taps — keep the ball close.”

• Encourage side-on body position for the lift

• Racket slides under the ball, not pushing from the side

• Follow through upwards for a smooth lift

• Bend knees and use legs, not just arms

• Eyes on the ball before lifting

‍ ‍🐶 Doggy Day Care

A themed movement & coordination game where children look after “dogs” (tennis balls) and guide them safely to their kennels.

🌟 Story / Theme

“Today you’re all dog handlers at the Doggy Day Care Centre!
Your job is to take the dogs (tennis balls) out of their pen, take them for a little walk, and put them safely to bed in the right kennel!”

Kids LOVE this theme — simple, imaginative and perfect for indoor sessions.

🎯 Objective

• Improve racket control (leading, pushing, guiding)
• Build agility and spatial awareness
• Develop colour matching skills
• Encourage turn-taking, responsibility, and teamwork

🧩 Setup

1. Dog Pen (Start Area)

• Create a circle of traffic cones
• Place a mix of coloured tennis balls inside (these are the “dogs”)

2. Walking Track

• Make a larger circle using flat circular cones
• This is where children “walk” their dogs using their rackets like leads

3. Dog Kennels (Finish Area)

• Place upturned plastic tubs, each with a coloured cone or marker
• The colour MUST match one of the dog colours
• Spread kennels around the edge of the space

Environment Notes

• Works best indoors (balls stay controllable)
• If outside → use harder balls so they don’t get stuck on grass

🎤 Coach Script / How to Play

“Welcome to Doggy Day Care!
Inside this pen we have lots of dogs waiting for a walk.
One at a time, you’ll choose a dog, take it for a gentle walk around the circle…
…and then put it safely to bed in the matching kennel!”

▶️ How It Runs

1. Children line up or stand ready around the pen

2. One at a time, each child:
    • Steps into the pen
    • Chooses a coloured tennis ball (“dog”)
    • Uses their racket as a lead to guide it around the circular track/ or they can get behind and push the doggies using their rackets
    • Finishes by placing the dog into the matching coloured kennel

3. Return to the start

4. Next child goes

5. Continue until all dogs are walked and put to bed

🐾 Teaching Points

• Racket out in front → gentle guiding
• Slow, small touches → don’t let the dog escape
• Watch the ball while moving
• Keep control on corners
• Big finish: drop the dog gently into the correct tub

🪶 Feathers (Make It Easier)

• Use bigger balls (foam or playground balls)
• Shorten the walking track
• Allow children to use two hands on the racket
• Partner or parent walks beside the child
• Remove colour-matching and let them choose any kennel

🔺 Progressions (Harder)

• Two dogs at once (two balls!)
• Must walk the dog twice before bedtime
• Add mini obstacles (cones to weave around)
• Timed challenge: “How many dogs can your team walk in 2 minutes?”
• Carry a second ball under their arm (multi-tasking “dog trainer mode”)

‍ ‍❄️ Snowball Fight

A fast, fun, safe throwing game using soft balls only.

🎤 Coach Script / Intro

“Has anyone here ever played in the snow before?
When it snows, what can we have? A snowball fight! ❄️
Today we’re doing our own safe version using soft snowballs only!”

🎯 Objective

• Develop throwing accuracy
• Build quick reactions (catching, dodging, blocking)
• Encourage teamwork and cooperation
• Safe distance throwing practice

🧩 Setup

• Use two long rows of cones to divide the space into two sides
• Distance should be close enough for balls to reach but far enough to avoid face hits
• One bucket of soft balls only (foam balls, sponge balls, “fat balls”)
• Decide teams:
 – Small group → Kids vs Parents
 – Large group → Kids vs Kids

❄️ How to Play

1. Each team starts on their side behind the cone line

2. Balls are scattered evenly

3. On the coach’s whistle, both teams:
    • Pick up balls
    • Throw them over the cone line at the other team
    • Players can catch and throw back
    • Players may duck behind cones for cover

4. No crossing the cone boundary

5. Play in short rounds (45–60 seconds)

🧊 Winning Options

Choose based on age group:

• Most balls on the other team's side at the whistle
• Hit tally (coach keeps count of snowballs that land on players’ legs/body)
• First team to 10 successful hits

🪶 Feathers (Make It Easier)

• Use larger, slower foam balls
• Shorten the distance between cone lines
• Players can roll or bounce snowballs instead of throwing
• Allow parents/coaches to help younger players

🔥 Progressions (Harder)

• Players must throw with their non-dominant hand
• Add movement lanes behind cones to force footwork
• “Catch = extra point” rule
• Timed rounds with increasing distance
• Introduce two-ball “snowstorm mode”

🛡️ Safety Notes

• Soft balls only
• No aiming at faces (coach emphasises “below the shoulders”)
• Keep safe spacing behind cones
• Stop immediately if someone wanders across the cone line
• Encourage safe throwing, not maximum power

Kissing Frogs 🐸💋🐸

A bouncy, silly adventure game through the lily pads – with a cheeky twist!

🌱 Story / Theme:

The frogs have lost their way across the lily pond! Help them hop from lily pad to lily pad — and when they meet a friend on another pad, they must share a kiss to complete their journey! 🐸💋🐸
But beware! Flying fish, jellyfish, turtles, and now flatfish are causing chaos in the pond…

🎾 Equipment:

• 1 racket per player (placed on the floor as lily pads)

• Beanbags (starter frogs)

• Foam balls (frog mode activated!)

• Scarves (jellyfish 🪸)

• Frisbees or foam discs (flying fish 🐟)

• Flat marker circles (flatfish 🐠 – “drop-down” zones)

• Footballs or basketballs (rolling turtles 🐢)

• Cones to mark out lily pad zone

🧩 Setup:

• Space out rackets randomly across the play area (strings facing up = lily pads).

• Add a few flatfish marker circles between pads — these are “slippery spots” frogs can bounce on but not stay too long!

• Place a bucket of beanbags or foam balls at the start line.

• Mark out a wide boundary for obstacles to fly/roll across.

🎮 How to Play – Phase by Phase:

🌟 Phase 1: Lily Pad Toss

1.        Players start at the edge of the pond.

2.        They throw beanbags (frogs) onto as many lily pads (rackets) as possible.

3.        Challenge: Can you get one frog on every lily pad?

🐸 Phase 2: Frog Hopping (Hands First, Then Racket!)

1.        Players now use foam balls — they must first bounce the frog using their hands from pad to pad.

2.        Once confident, they switch to using their racket to bounce the frog across.

3.        If the frog misses or falls off, restart from the beginning or previous pad.

4.        Focus: Light touch, steady rhythm, and accuracy.

💋 Phase 3: Frog Kissing Race

1.        Players must bounce their frog onto every lily pad — but to win, their frog must also “kiss” (touch) another player’s frog during the route!

2.        Once the frog has kissed and visited all lily pads, race to the finish line.

3.        First player to complete the journey with a kiss wins!

🔁 Progressions:

Use rubber dots, as smaller lily pads; children have to travel on these to launch their frogs from

1.        Stepping stones (rubber dots) children have to travel on these to launch their frogs from

2.        Flying Fish (Scarf Toss) – Coaches or players toss scarves slowly from side to side. Frogs must avoid getting “hit.”

3.        Flatfish Drop Zones – Players must bounce through the flatfish circles without stopping (too slippery to stay on!).

4.        Jellyfish Stretch – If a scarf touches the frog, players must freeze and “unstick” it slowly.

5.        Rolling Turtles (Football obstacle) – Coaches roll balls across the pond to knock frogs off lily pads.

6.        Speed Mode – Add a timer! Who can complete all lily pads (and a frog kiss) the fastest?

7.        Multi-Kiss – Players must kiss two or more different frogs before finishing.

8.        Partner Frogs – Players work in pairs, guiding the same frog between them to each lily pad, taking turns bouncing.

🪶 Feathers

• Little tots use beanbags and drop them on the lily pads, first before progressing to balls

(Skill Focus):

• Agility: Moving between pads while avoiding distractions

• Balance & Control: Light bounces with hands and racket

• Coordination: Timing throws, catches, and frog bounces

• Teamwork: Partner progressions and “frog kisses”

• Decision Making: Choosing safe pads or paths under pressure

‍ ‍🍝 Meatball Madness

It's a wild day in the tennis kitchen! One child is the Meatball Chef 👨‍🍳, the other is the Wrap Maker 🌯 — together, they’ll collect ingredients and build the perfect wrap! The more ingredients you add, the more points you earn!

🧺 Equipment Needed:

• 🟠 Soft balls = “Meatballs”
• 🎾 2 tennis rackets per pair = “Tongs”
• 🔵 Flat circle cones = “Wraps”
• 🧀 Yellow cones/beanbags = “Cheese”
• 🥕 Green cones/beanbags = “Vegetables”
• 🧣 Scarves = “Sauce”
• 🪣 Tub or bucket = “delivery bags”

👯 How to Play (in pairs):

1. 👨‍🍳 Player 1: Meatball Chef:
   • Uses two rackets like tongs to grab a meatball
   • Carefully carries it through the kitchen zone
   • Optional: can also pick up any other ingredients using racket tongs: cheese 🧀 veggies 🥕 Sauce 🧣 (marked by cones with drop-down lines), collecting them as they go
   • Delivers all to the Wrap Maker

2. 🌯 Player 2: Wrap Maker:
   • Takes a flat circle “wrap”
   • Folds it over the ingredients
   • Adds a scarf sauce on top 🧣
   • Places the finished wrap in the tub 🪣

3. 🔁 Swap roles after a few wraps — teamwork is key!

🏆 Scoring: optional (better for Titans)

• +1️⃣ point for each completed wrap
• +1️⃣ bonus for cheese 🧀
• +1️⃣ bonus for veggies 🥕
• +1️⃣ bonus for sauce 🧣
• ✅ Most complete wraps = the winning kitchen team!

🧠 Skill Focus:

• Racket control 🎾
• Teamwork 🤝
• Balance and movement 🏃‍♀️
• Role play and sequencing 🎭

🪶 Feathers (Support for Younger Players):

• Don’t pair them up; have some children be the chefs and others make the wraps, but don’t have it structured.

👫 Parents guide each step — helping collect ingredients
• Let children use one racket and their hand if needed
• Make ingredient stations closer together
• Use beanbags instead of balls for easier control

🛠 Progressions & Fun Variations:

1. Spinning Sauce: Wrap maker spins once before placing the scarf

2. Obstacle Kitchen: Add cones or nets to dodge around

3. Timed Service: Complete as many wraps as possible in 3 minutes!

4. Creative Combo: Add silly combo names for each ingredient wrap (“The Crunchy Veggie Melt!”)

‍ ‍🎯 🎾 Split Step – Tennis Tots/Titans Teaching Guide

Movement is integral to Tennis, and while some movements are natural, the Split Step is something that generally needs to be taught. It is effectively a change of direction while maintaining balance. Although usually taught when coming to the net as a transition from linear to sideways movement, the split step is actually used continuously throughout a rally.

Demonstrate: Children will learn from watching the coaches, so please demonstrate at every level. https://youtu.be/Q5Hrn8y-nJA?si=FfkDG36W_DH2anSi

‍ ‍Technique: The split step is very simple to perform. Essentially, with hands in a ready position (holding the racket at waist height in a neutral position), the player will perform a slight jump in the air and land with both feet wider than shoulder-width apart, knees bent, facing their target. A good split step is timed so it lands as the opponent makes contact with the ball over the other side of the net, effectively ready to spring off in any direction needed to react to your opponent.

🧸 Split step progressions

·       Dot and brackets: Get the children to run on the spot (drop down dot) and set up two brackets (drop down lines either side). Kids run on spot and when the coach calls “split” they perform a split step in the air, landing each foot on two outside lines (brackets).

·       Rugby throws; perform rugby tosses with a partner, letting the ball bounce in front before catching at waist height, the catcher focusing on the split step when it leaves the partner's hand.

·       Hitting tee’s. Simplify the hitting to focus on the split step. Get children to move towards the tee, perform a split step, and then hit a forehand/backhand.

·       Progress to coach hitting balls and children performing a split each time contact is made with the coach's racket.  

·       Play “Shields and Serves” (see separate activity sheet) where children are encouraged to use rackets and split steps to protect themselves against incoming fire.

·       Volleys, this is an obvious example where a split step is needed

·       Full court feeding focusing on splitting on contact from your opponent

Integration: Once the split step lesson has been taught, coaches should continue to encourage split steps throughout children's tennis progressions.

‍ ‍

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.

‍ ‍

🎾 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.

🏒 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:

1. 🔵🔴 Split players into two teams (use bibs)

2. 🥅 Set up two mini goals per team, spaced apart to encourage passing.

3. 🏑 Players use tennis rackets to push or tap the ball hockey-style (no swinging).

4. ⏱️ 3-second rule: Players must pass within 3 seconds of receiving — encourage quick decision-making and team play.

5. 🛡️ Defenders may intercept or block shots but no tackling or physical contact.

6. 🔁 Play starts from the centre after every goal.

7. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Teams may assign positions (attackers, defenders, goalkeepers).

🚀 Progressions:

1. ⏱ Timed Possession: Pass within 3 seconds.

2. 🗺️ Zones: Mark attack, midfield, and defence zones — rotate roles.

3. 🎯 Multiple Balls: Add a second ball to increase speed and chaos.

4. ⚡ 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
⏱️ Duration: 10–15 minutes: This game would usually run through two or maybe three phases, as is a circuit.

🏗️ 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

‍ 🟧 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 – 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 – “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 🧱🎾🏰

‍ ‍🎥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

‍ ‍

1. Each child dribbles their big inflatable ball along the ground with their racket towards the wall.

2. When they reach the wall/ hitting line, they whack their ball to knock down as many cones as possible.

3. They leave their ball there, collect a new one, and repeat until attention starts to wander. Coach recycles balls to start

4. 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   😴🏰🏑

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).

1. Timed Wakes: Giants wake up every 30–40 seconds to keep children on their toes.

2. 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!”

‍ ‍

‍ ‍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:

  1. At knee height

  2. 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.

‍ ‍

🥪 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

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!

🎾 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

🎯 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. 🧰🔧🎾