Coconut Shy🎾 🎯 🥥 🥎

Please click here for YouTube link for Coconut Shy tutorial

🎯 Focus: Throwing accuracy, technique to develop serving, and fun competition 

🧰 Set-Up

Set up a tennis net or cone barrier across the middle of the space 

Place tennis balls on top of hitting tees or cones (hitting tees work better) along the other side of the net/barrier — these are the “coconuts”

🏹 How to Play

Ask the kids “have they ever been to a summer fete?...Seen a coconut shy? “

Children stand behind a line or designated throw zone. The aim is to knock the coconuts (balls) off the tees

Correct Technique

Sideways stance; ball or beanbag behind the ear to allow elbow to bend. Encourage to use entire body to rotate up and outwards. Serving development: Explain to children and Parents how good throwing technique is important for later serving development. If you are able demonstrate first a serve and then a throw to show the similarities

Coaches or assistants recycle beanbags and move around the group, checking technique and providing praise or small corrections. Move to foam balls when run out of beanbags

🔁 Progressions

🎯 Move the throw line further back to increase difficulty

🪁 Add a challenge round — 3 throws each, how many can you hit?

🔄 Kids pair up and count each other’s hits (scorekeeping)

🪶 Feathers – Younger Children

✅ Let younger kids move closer to the net/barrier or even remove barrier entirely

☀️ Coach Tips

·       Keep the pace lively – have spare beanbags ready

·       Use visual and verbal cues: “Let’s knock those coconuts down!”

·       Clap and cheer when a child gets one – even close throws should be praised

·       Try to impart correct technique (sideways and behind ear) but don’t over-correct – focus on fun and effort