Hitting at Waist Height🎾

Hitting at Waist Height 🎯 – Tennis Tots Activity

Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Tees / Rackets / Balls / Targets (cones, tubs, etc.)

🧸 Activity Instructions

Set up hitting tees across the space and place targets (like cones or tubs) in the centre. Each child begins by placing a ball on a tee and practices hitting it low to high with their racket.

🟢 Key teaching points:

• Start in a ready position

• Turn sideways to the ball

• Swing from low to high

• Encourage control and follow-through

🪶 Feathers (simplify for younger children):

• Use balloons or beanbags on the tees to slow things down

• Use shorter rackets for more control

• Allow children to use their hands to guide the swing at first

• Coach or parent can gently help move their arms through the swing

⚡ Progressions (for older or more advanced children):

1. Drop Feeds by Parents

• Parents gently drop the ball in front of the child at waist height.

• Encourage kids to move into position and strike the ball from low to high.

2. Height Variations

• Parents begin mixing up their throws:

• High – child must adjust and wait for ball to drop to waist height.

• Low – child must bend knees and stay under the ball.

• Short – child steps in and reaches forward.

• Wide – child moves laterally with small steps.

3. Backhand Practice

• Switch to backhand side and apply the same throw variations

• Emphasise footwork and early preparation

4. Introduce Scoring

• Add a scoring system: 1 point for hitting the ball, 2 points for hitting the target.